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  • Nvidia’s pitch for sovereign AI resonates with EU leaders

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Nvidia NVDA.O CEO Jensen Huang has been pitching the idea of “sovereign AI” since 2023. Europe is now starting to listen and act.

    The concept is based on the idea that the language, knowledge, history and culture of each region are different, and every nation needs to develop and own its AI.

    Last week, the CEO of the artificial-intelligence chipmaker toured Europe’s major capitals – London, Paris and Berlin – announcing a slew of projects and partnerships, while highlighting the lack of AI infrastructure in the region.

    In a place where leaders are increasingly wary of the continent’s dependency on a handful of U.S. tech companies and after drawing ire from the U.S. President Donald Trump, his vision has started to gain traction.

    “We are going to invest billions in here … but Europe needs to move into AI quickly,” Huang said on Wednesday in Paris.

    On Monday of last week, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced 1 billion pounds ($1.35 billion) in funding to scale up computing power in a global race “to be an AI maker and not an AI taker.”

    French President Emmanuel Macron called building AI infrastructure “our fight for sovereignty” at VivaTech, one of the largest global tech conferences.

    After Nvidia laid out plans to build an AI cloud platform in Germany with Deutsche Telekom DTEGn.DE, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called it an “important step” for the digital sovereignty and economic future of Europe’s top economy.

    Europe lags behind both the U.S. and China as its cloud infrastructure is mostly run by Microsoft MSFT.O, Amazon AMZN.O and Alphabet’s GOOGL.O Google, and it has only a few smaller AI companies such as Mistral to rival the U.S. ones.

    “There’s no reason why Europe shouldn’t have tech champions,” said 31-year-old Mistral CEO Arthur Mensch, sitting beside Huang, who has led Nvidia for more than three decades, at a panel at VivaTech.

    “This is a gigantic dream.”

    GIGAFACTORY PLANS UNLEASHED

    In France, Mistral has partnered with Nvidia to build a data centre to power the AI needs of European companies with a homegrown alternative.

    It will use 18,000 of the latest Nvidia AI chips in the first phase, with plans to expand across multiple sites in 2026.

    In February, the European Union announced plans to build four “AI gigafactories” at a cost of $20 billion to lower dependence on U.S. firms.

    The European Commission has been in touch with Huang and he had told the EU executive that he was going to allocate some chip production to Europe for these factories, an EU official told Reuters.

    Nvidia’s chips known as Graphics Processing Units or GPUs are crucial for building AI data centres from the U.S. to Japan and India to the Middle East.

    In Europe, a push for sovereign AI could reshape the tech landscape with domestic cloud providers, AI startups, and chipmakers standing to gain from new government funding and a shift toward in-region data infrastructure.

    Nvidia also wants to cement demand for its AI chips, ensuring that even as countries seek independence, they still rely on its technology to get there.

    POWER COSTS

    The push is not without challenges.

    High electricity costs and rising demand could strain sourcing of electricity for data centres. Data centres account for 3% of EU electricity demand, but their consumption is expected to increase rapidly this decade due to AI.

    Mistral, which has raised just over $1 billion, is trying to become a European homegrown champion with a fraction of the money U.S. hyperscalers or large data-centre operators spend in a month.

    “Hyperscalers are spending $10 billion to $15 billion per quarter in their infrastructure. Who in Europe can afford that exactly?” said Pascal Brier, chief innovation officer at Capgemini CAPP.PA, a partner of both Nvidia and Mistral.

    “It doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do anything, but we have to be cognizant about the fact that there will always be a gap.”

    Mistral has launched several AI models which are used by businesses but companies tend to mix them with models from other companies such as OpenAI, Anthropic and Meta Platforms META.O.

    “Most of the time it’s not Mistral or the rest, it’s Mistral and the rest,” Brier said.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-Evening Report: Issa Amro: Youth Against Settlements – ‘life is very hard, the Israeli soldiers act like militia’

    RNZ News

    Palestinian advocate Issa Amro has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize this year for his decades of work advocating for peaceful resistance against Israel’s illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank.

    The settlements are illegal under international law — and a record 45 were established last year under cover of the war on Gaza,

    Advocacy against the settlements has seen Amro become a target.

    He is based in the occupied West Bank, in Hebron — a city of about 250,000 mostly Palestinian people. He founded Youth Against Settlements.

    He paints a picture about what daily life is like.

    “Our life in West Bank was very hard and difficult before October 7 [2023 – the date of the Hamas resistance movement attack on southern Israel]. And after October 7, life became much harder. . . .

    ‘Daily harassment, violence’
    “So there are hard conditions. No jobs. No work. No movement in the West Bank. Schools are affected . . . There is daily harassment and violence — they attack the Palestinian villages, they attack the Palestinian cities, they attack the Palestinian roads.

    “In my city Hebron, it has got much, much harder. People are not able to leave their homes because of the closure of the checkpoints. The [Israeli] soldiers are very mean and adversarial . . .

    “The soldiers close the checkpoints whenever they want. In fact, the soldiers act like militia, not like a regular army.

    “My house was attacked in the last 20 months . . . ”

    • At least 55,104 people, including at least 17,400 children, have been killed in Israel’s war on Gaza. At least 943 Palestinians, more than 200 of them minors, have been killed in the occupied West Bank.

    This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) launches country-wide youth consultations on the political process and starts by meeting youth in four cities


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    Youth represent 38 per cent of the population (NESDB statistics) in Libya and their voices must be included in the political process. To support this, in addition to its regular meetings with youth (aged 18-35), the United Nations Support Mission in Libya is launching a wider programme with the aim to engage 500 young men and women across Libya in the coming months. 

    As part of its broader efforts to engage the community on the Advisory Committee’s recommendations on how to take Libya to elections and unify institutions, UNSMIL is conducting dedicated meetings with youth representatives, both online and in-person. More information about how young men and women can get involved can be found here.

    In addition, UNSMIL has also launched an online poll to ensure that a wider audience can be reached. 

    “As we develop the next steps of the political process, we want to hear everyone’s views,” said Special Representative of the Secretary General for Libya, Hanna Tetteh. “Youth are a driving force that can help shape the future of this country. They have specific needs and concerns, and they bring different perspectives that can inform decision-making. We want to hear directly from them because a process that is meant for the Libyan people needs the meaningful participation of all Libyan people.” 

    UNSMIL has already met with youth in Zintan, Misrata, Benghazi and Nalut to discuss the Advisory Committee recommendations. Participants called for better access to economic and employment opportunities, unified government institutions, more representation and inclusion in decision-making processes, access to services, fair and equitable resource distribution. They also shared their ideas around decentralisation and political inclusion. 

    Through these consultations and online polling, the Mission will capture youth recommendations and ideas and ensure they are fed into the decision-making process on next steps. 

    UNSMIL published the Executive Summary of the Advisory Committee’s Report in May, including its four proposed options to move the political process forward. The public consultation and survey ask people to put forward their recommendations and ideas and decided which of these options they would prefer: 

    1. Conducting presidential and legislative elections simultaneously; 

    2. Conducting parliamentary elections first, followed by the adoption of a permanent constitution; 

    3. Adopting a permanent constitution before elections; or 

    4. Establishing a political dialogue committee, based on the Libyan Political Agreement to finalize electoral laws, executive authority and permanent constitution.  

    More information on the youth consultations and how to get involved can be found here.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL).

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Africa: Insufficient Domestic Funding Hinders Education Progress


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    Most African governments have consistently failed to meet global and regional education funding targets to ensure quality public education, Human Rights Watch said today on the African Union’s Day of the African Child.

    The 2025 theme for the day is “planning and budgeting for children’s rights: progress since 2010.” However, based on national data reported to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), only one-third of African countries met globally endorsed education funding benchmarks for annual average spending over the decade 2013 to 2023. The figure declined to just one quarter of countries by 2022 and 2023. Fourteen African countries did not meet any of the benchmarks a single year over the past decade. 

    “African heads of state and governments and the African Union have all made bold commitments for national investment in education,” said Mausi Segun, Africa director at Human Rights Watch. “But governments are not translating those commitments into sustained funding, and many have actually reduced spending levels in recent years.”

    Insufficient public spending on education undermines African governments’ legal obligations to guarantee free and compulsory quality primary education and make secondary education available, accessible, and free for every child. It also undermines their political commitments to AU and international development goals and benchmarks. Under the UN Sustainable Development Goals, in addition to providing at least one year of pre-primary education, African governments are required to ensure that all children complete free secondary education by 2030.

    In 2015, UNESCO member states, including all 54 African states, agreed to increase education spending to at least 4 to 6 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) and/or at least 15 to 20 percent of total public expenditure. These internationally agreed funding benchmarks for education have been included in at least five global or AU-led declarations or action plans, including the 2015 Incheon Declaration, endorsed by all UNESCO member states; the Heads of State (“Kenyatta”) Declaration on Education Financing, endorsed by 17 African heads of state and governments and ministers; the 2021 Paris Declaration and “Global Call for Investing in the Futures of Education”; and the 2024 Fortaleza Declaration. In December 2024, the AU and African heads of state and governments expanded the upper end of the GDP benchmark from six to seven percent through the Nouakchott Declaration.

    UNESCO member states have made additional commitments to invest at least 10 percent of education expenditures to guarantee at least one year of free and compulsory pre-primary education by 2030. In 2024, African countries agreed to ensure that an increased share of public funding is allocated to early childhood education.

    Despite these obligations and global commitments, governments have failed to remove tuition and other school fees, particularly at the pre-primary and secondary level, leading to unequal access, retention, and poor quality in schools, with disproportionate impact on children from the poorest households. Families across Africa continue to shoulder an enormous burden in funding education, absorbing 27 percent of total education spending, according to World Bank 2021 data.

    Africa has the highest out-of-school rates in the world, with over 100 million children and adolescents estimated to be out of school across all sub-regions except North Africa. Out-of-school rates have increased since 2015 for reasons including population increases, persistent gender gaps, the cumulative effects of Covid-19 school closures, climate emergencies, and conflicts.

    Many children also drop out due to school-related gender-based violence, as well as discriminatory and exclusionary measures against pregnant and parenting girls, refugees, and children with disabilities, among other negative practices.

    Only 14 countries guarantee free access to education, from at least one year of pre-primary through secondary education, based on available UNESCO data and Human Rights Watch research. Only 21 guarantee free access to 12 years of primary and secondary education, while 6 legally guarantee access to at least one year of free pre-primary education.

    Human Rights Watch found that Morocco, excluding Western Sahara territory that it occupies, Namibia, and Sierra Leone are the only three African countries that both legally guarantee universally free access to primary and secondary education and at least one year of free pre-primary, and that have met both international education funding benchmarks in the last decade.

    Many African countries continue to underinvest in public education to manage climate-related emergencies and conflict-related crises, but this is also due to political decisions and economic policies. Numerous African governments are applying regressive austerity measures to service debt interests and repayments. Fifteen are spending more on debt servicing than on education, leading to drastic cuts to teachers’ incomes, shortages of learning materials, and overcrowded classrooms. Creditor governments and institutions should consider debt restructuring or relief to ensure that debtor governments can adequately protect rights, including the right to education.

    In a positive development, Sierra Leone currently co-leads an initiative at the UN Human Rights Council to develop a new optional protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, with the aim of recognizing that every child has a right to early childhood care and education and guaranteeing that states make public pre-primary education and secondary education available and free to all. Botswana, Burundi, Gambia, Ghana, Malawi, South Africa, and South Sudan have publicly expressed support for this process.

    “African governments should urgently fulfill their pledges to guarantee universal access to free quality primary and secondary education,” Segun said. “Governments should focus on protecting public spending for education from regressive measures and cuts and allocate resources commensurate with their obligations to guarantee access to quality public education.”

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Human Rights Watch (HRW).

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Police officer killed on frontline duties

    Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

    Police officer killed on frontline duties

    Monday, 16 June 2025 – 4:33 pm.

    Tasmania Police is mourning the tragic loss of one of its own following a critical incident in North Motton earlier today.
    Commissioner Donna Adams said a police officer was allegedly shot by a member of the public when attending a private residence on frontline duties.
    “Shortly after 11am, police officers attended a residential property on Allison Road, North Motton to execute a court-issued warrant to repossess the residence,” she said,
    “As police approached the house, our officer was allegedly shot by the resident.”
    “He was critically injured in the incident and died at the scene.”
    “This is absolutely devastating, and we are doing everything we can to support those involved and affected.”
    The fallen officer’s family has asked that he is not yet identified publicly.
    “He was a respected and committed officer who has served the community with dedication for 25 years, and his loss will be deeply felt across our policing family and the wider community.”
    “My heart goes out to his wife and family today. We will be supporting them in every way we can during this incredibly difficult time.”
    A crime scene has been established and Allison Road remains closed between Walkers Road, Preston Road, and Saltmarshs Road while investigations continue.
    There is no ongoing threat to the public, but community members are asked to avoid the area.
    Commissioner Adams confirmed that the incident is being thoroughly investigated.
    “Officer safety is my highest priority, and this incident is a stark reminder of the risks our officers face every day,” she said.
    “We will review every aspect of this response, and if changes need to be made, they will be made.”
    Wellbeing support is being provided to all officers and individuals affected by the incident.
    “We are doing everything we can to support our officer’s colleagues and family, who are understandably devastated.”
    “While no other police were physically injured, the emotional impact is profound.”
    The alleged offender is in custody and has not yet been formally charged. Further updates will be provided when appropriate.
    Tasmania Police urges anyone with information that may assist the investigation to come forward.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Iran war: from the Middle East to America, history shows you cannot assassinate your way to peace

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Matt Fitzpatrick, Professor in International History, Flinders University

    In the late 1960s, the prevailing opinion among Israeli Shin Bet intelligence officers was that the key to defeating the Palestinian Liberation Organisation was to assassinate its then-leader Yasser Arafat.

    The elimination of Arafat, the Shin Bet commander Yehuda Arbel wrote in his diary, was “a precondition to finding a solution to the Palestinian problem.”

    For other, even more radical Israelis – such as the ultra-nationalist assassin Yigal Amir – the answer lay elsewhere. They sought the assassination of Israeli leaders such as Yitzak Rabin who wanted peace with the Palestinians.

    Despite Rabin’s long personal history as a famed and often ruthless military commander in the 1948 and 1967 Arab-Israeli Wars, Amir stalked and shot Rabin dead in 1995. He believed Rabin had betrayed Israel by signing the Oslo Accords peace deal with Arafat.

    It’s been 20 years since Arafat died as possibly the victim of polonium poisoning, and 30 years after the shooting of Rabin. Peace between Israelis and the Palestinians has never been further away.

    What Amnesty International and a United Nations Special Committee have called genocidal attacks on Palestinians in Gaza have spilled over into Israeli attacks on the prominent leaders of its enemies in Lebanon and, most recently, Iran.

    Since its attacks on Iran began on Friday, Israel has killed numerous military and intelligence leaders, including Iran’s intelligence chief, Mohammad Kazemi; the chief of the armed forces, Mohammad Bagheri; and the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Hossein Salami. At least nine Iranian nuclear scientists have also been killed.

    Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly said:

    We got their chief intelligence officer and his deputy in Tehran.

    Iran, predictably, has responded with deadly missile attacks on Israel.

    Far from having solved the issue of Middle East peace, assassinations continue to pour oil on the flames.

    A long history of extra-judicial killings

    Israeli journalist Ronen Bergman’s book Rise and Kill First argues assassinations have long sat at the heart of Israeli politics.

    In the past 75 years, there have been more than 2,700 assassination operations undertaken by Israel. These have, in Bergman’s words, attempted to “stop history” and bypass “statesmanship and political discourse”.

    This normalisation of assassinations has been codified in the Israeli expression of “mowing the grass”. This is, as historian Nadim Rouhana has shown, a metaphor for a politics of constant assassination. Enemy “leadership and military facilities must regularly be hit in order to keep them weak.”

    The point is not to solve the underlying political questions at issue. Instead, this approach aims to sow fear, dissent and confusion among enemies.

    Thousands of assassination operations have not, however, proved sufficient to resolve the long-running conflict between Israel, its neighbours and the Palestinians. The tactic itself is surely overdue for retirement.

    Targeted assassinations elsewhere

    Israel has been far from alone in this strategy of assassination and killing.

    Former US President Barack Obama oversaw the extra-judicial killing of Osama Bin Laden, for instance.

    After what Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch denounced as a flawed trial, former US President George W. Bush welcomed the hanging of Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein as “an important milestone on Iraq’s course to becoming a democracy”.

    Current US President Donald Trump oversaw the assassination of Iran’s leader of clandestine military operations, Qassem Soleimani, in 2020.

    More recently, however, Trump appears to have baulked at granting Netanyahu permission to kill Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

    And it’s worth noting the US Department of Justice last year brought charges against an Iranian man who said he’d been tasked with killing Trump.

    Elsewhere, in Vladimir Putin’s Russia, it’s common for senior political and media opponents to be shot in the streets. Frequently they also “fall” out of high windows, are killed in plane crashes or succumb to mystery “illnesses”.

    A poor record

    Extra-judicial killings, however, have a poor record as a mechanism for solving political problems.

    Cutting off the hydra’s head has generally led to its often immediate replacement by another equally or more ideologically committed person, as has already happened in Iran. Perhaps they too await the next round of “mowing the grass”.

    But as the latest Israeli strikes in Iran and elsewhere show, solving the underlying issue is rarely the point.

    In situations where finding a lasting negotiated settlement would mean painful concessions or strategic risks, assassinations prove simply too tempting. They circumvent the difficulties and complexities of diplomacy while avoiding the need to concede power or territory.

    As many have concluded, however, assassinations have never killed resistance. They have never killed the ideas and experiences that give birth to resistance in the first place.

    Nor have they offered lasting security to those who have ordered the lethal strike.

    Enduring security requires that, at some point, someone grasp the nettle and look to the underlying issues.

    The alternative is the continuation of the brutal pattern of strike and counter-strike for generations to come.

    The Conversation

    Matt Fitzpatrick receives funding from the Australian Research Council.

    – ref. Iran war: from the Middle East to America, history shows you cannot assassinate your way to peace – https://theconversation.com/iran-war-from-the-middle-east-to-america-history-shows-you-cannot-assassinate-your-way-to-peace-259038

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s home prices continue to ease in May

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

    China’s home prices in 70 large and medium-sized cities continued the downward trend in May, though the pace of decline slowed, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said Monday.

    “In May, home prices in 70 major cities continued to fall on a yearly basis, but the pace of decline further eased,” said NBS statistician Wang Zhonghua. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: PSG thrash Atletico Madrid 4-0 to kick off Club World Cup campaign

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

    Recently crowned Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain opened their Club World Cup campaign with a commanding 4-0 victory over Atletico Madrid at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Sunday.

    The French side dominated the first half, and although Atletico improved slightly after the break, they created just one clear chance – which they missed – before PSG sealed the win in the closing minutes.

    “We had the objective of making history this season, but this is a new chapter,” PSG coach Luis Enrique said after the match.

    Paris Saint-Germain was without Ousmane Dembele and Bradley Barcola for the match, which kicked off under searing heat in a stadium with virtually no shade. Despite the absences, the European champions controlled the game from the start.

    Khvicha Kvaratskhelia posed a constant threat down the left and forced Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak into an early save before Fabian Ruiz broke the deadlock in the 19th minute.

    PSG had controlled possession in the opening stages, and Ruiz put justice to the scoreline with a low strike from the edge of the area that gave Oblak no chance.

    There was a nervous moment for PSG when Giuliano Simeone went down after tangling with Nuno Mendes. Mendes could have been in trouble as the last defender if a foul had been given, but the referee opted to play on.

    Desire Doue and Kvaratskhelia both had further chances as PSG varied the tempo against an Atletico side that struggled with the heat and pace.

    Antoine Griezmann had Atletico’s only chance of the first half in stoppage time, but after PSG failed to clear a rare attack, he fired straight at Gianluigi Donnarumma. The PSG keeper launched a rapid counterattack that ended with Vitinha doubling the lead, curling home a shot after being left unmarked.

    Atletico brought on Koke for Samuel Lino at halftime and looked to push forward, but PSG continued to threaten. Kvaratskhelia nearly added a third with a curling effort that Oblak tipped onto the bar.

    Julian Alvarez found the net for Atletico in the 57th minute, but the goal was disallowed for a clear prior foul by Koke. Their hopes of a comeback faded further when Clement Lenglet was sent off for a second yellow card – the first for a bad challenge, and the second for protesting a perceived foul on Oblak.

    Substitute Alexander Sorloth squandered a golden opportunity with 10 minutes remaining, firing over from four yards with the goal wide open. PSG then made it 3-0 in the 87th minute as Senny Mayulu turned and scored after Atletico failed to clear a cross.

    There was still time for a fourth, with Kang-In Lee converting a penalty in stoppage time after Robin le Normand handled a shot inside the box.

    “The club is hungry, the fans are hungry, the players and the team are hungry, and that’s a good feeling. We have the same objective as in other competitions, which is to go as far as possible and try to win it,” Enrique said.

    “The team competed, despite the tough defeat, and a 4-0 scoreline. We’re obliged to get good results in the other games now,” Atletico coach Diego Simeone said. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI: New Paybis OTC Desk And Wallets To Simplify Crypto Payments

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    London, UK, June 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —  Paybis, a global fiat-to-crypto gateway, is rolling out a secure and efficient OTC desk and crypto wallet to meet growing business demand for digital assets.

    With crypto acceptance growing close to 50% year-on-year among merchants, the OTC desk simplifies on- and off-ramping digital assets for businesses. An increasing number of enterprises are holding Bitcoin, Ethereum, and stablecoins on balance sheets for treasury purposes, with fintechs and startups using the secure Paybis business wallet to store, swap, send, receive and pay in cryptocurrency.

    Both OTC desk and the wallet ensure seamless transactions at competitive fees, featuring a solution available around the world, complete with 24/7 customer support.

    Responding to the crypto custody provider market nearly doubling (84%) in the next 5 years, Paybis has developed a full service platform to remove complexity from the process and give companies a smooth, secure experience.

    From settling invoices to managing treasury assets, the tools are built to handle real-world business needs without the usual crypto learning curve.

    Paybis Co-Founder and CBDO, Konstantins Vasilenko, commented: “88% of merchants report increased revenue after accepting crypto payments. Our OTC and business wallet solutions are helping businesses attract more web2 customers and tokenize their assets securely.”

    Paybis is licensed both in the EU (VASP) and the US (FinCEN) and tackles critical issues present in today’s crypto market. Some of these issues include complex UI, slow and low-quality customer support, slow onboarding and compliance times, weak security, limited geographic coverage, and the lack of support for fiat currencies.

    The solutions simplify processes like onboarding, KYC, and transaction handling and also support local payment rails in over 25 fiat currencies with no FX fees. They include tiered pricing to accommodate businesses at every stage of growth.

    A key feature is Paybis’ streamlined onboarding, which drastically cuts down wait times. Thanks to an entirely in-house, end-to-end verification process, businesses can get started in under 24 hours — without the endless back-and-forth often seen in compliance workflows. Once onboarded, clients have full, unrestricted access to their funds, including instant deposits and withdrawals, giving them total control over how and when they move money.

    The platform also supports a wide range of fiat currencies and payment methods, helping businesses tap into local markets while operating globally. With fast settlement, competitive rates, and an intuitive dashboard, Paybis’ new B2B suite makes integrating crypto into operations less of a technical headache — and more of a strategic advantage.

    About Paybis

    Paybis is a global crypto platform with 11 years of experience, providing solutions for both individuals and businesses to buy, sell, and transfer digital currencies. Our services range from on/off-ramp solutions to OTC desk, B2B payments, and more. Operating globally with millions of customers across the US, UK, and Europe, we ensure full compliance with local regulations. Trusted by the world’s leading businesses over 5 million users, Paybis makes crypto transactions effortless, secure, and accessible worldwide.

    The company also operates in 141 countries globally, including 38 US states, providing crypto transaction services to the majority of the world’s population. Its reach extends over five continents, connecting diverse regions, enabling financial inclusion to over 1.4 billion unbanked people, and offering an easy-to-use solution that outperforms traditional banking solutions, all while maintaining regulatory compliance in each jurisdiction.

    The MIL Network –

  • US police arrest suspect Vance Boelter for Minnesota lawmakers’ shooting

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    A massive two-day manhunt ended on Sunday with the arrest of Vance Boelter, 57, for allegedly killing a Minnesota Democratic state lawmaker and her husband while posing as a police officer, Governor Tim Walz said.

    Boelter allegedly shot dead Melissa Hortman, the top Democrat in the Minnesota House, and her husband, Mark, in their home on Saturday – a crime Governor Tim Walz characterized as a “politically motivated assassination.”

    Authorities said Boelter also allegedly shot and wounded another Democratic lawmaker, state Senator John Hoffman, and his wife Yvette at their home a few miles away.

    “After a two-day manhunt, two sleepless nights, law enforcement have apprehended Vance Boelter,” Walz told a news conference. “One man’s unthinkable actions have altered the state of Minnesota.

    “A moment in this country where we watch violence erupt, this cannot be the norm. It cannot be the way that we deal with our political differences. Now is the time for us to recommit to the core values of this country, and each and every one of us can do it.”

    Walz said Hoffman, who had been hit with nine bullets, came out of his final surgery and was moving towards recovery.

    Boelter has links to evangelical ministries and claimed to be a security expert with experience in the Gaza Strip and Africa, according to online postings and public records reviewed by Reuters.

    Boelter was charged with two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of second-degree attempted murder, the criminal complaint showed.

    Three of those charges are punishable with jail terms of up to 40 years, according to the complaint unsealed on Sunday.

    Boelter had been impersonating a police officer while carrying out the shootings, wearing an officer’s uniform and driving a Ford SUV with police-style lights, according to a Hennepin County criminal complaint unsealed on Sunday.

    Boelter fled on foot early on Saturday when officers confronted him at Hortman’s Brooklyn Park home, said authorities who had warned residents to stay indoors for their own safety and unleashed the state’s biggest manhunt.

    When police searched Boelter’s SUV after the shootings they discovered three AK-47 assault rifles, a 9-mm handgun, and a list of other public officials including their addresses, the criminal complaint showed.

    Working on a tip that Boelter was near his home in the city of Green Isle, more than 20 SWAT teams combed the area, aided by surveillance aircraft, officials said. Boelter was armed but surrendered with no shots fired.

    “The suspect crawled to law enforcement teams and was placed under arrest,” Lieutenant Colonel Jeremy Geiger of the Minnesota State Patrol told the briefing. “The suspect was taken into custody without any use of force.”

    The operation to capture Boelter, drawing on the work of hundreds of detectives and a wide range of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, was the largest manhunt in state history, Brooklyn Park police Chief Mark Bruley said.

    “Now begins the hard work of looking at what the motive is,” Bruley said.

    The killing was the latest episode of high-profile U.S. political violence.

    Such incidents range from a 2022 attack on former Democratic U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband at their home, to an assassination bid on Donald Trump last year, and an arson attack at Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s house in April.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Launching Samstag’s 2025 Kudlila season

    Source:

    16 June 2025

    Frank Bauer in his studio, 2025, photography by Sia Duff, courtesy of the Samstag Museum of Art.

    Two striking exhibitions, both featuring new works, will be showcased at the University of South Australia’s Samstag Museum of Art in June.

    Open to the public from 20 June to 26 September, the Kudlila season program (Kudlila meaning winter in Kaurna culture) will premiere designer, jeweller, silversmith and artist Frank Bauer’s major exhibition of metal and light works that consider movement, longevity, repetition and change.

    German-born and Adelaide-based Bauer has a career spanning 45 years and his works are held in major museums around the world including London’s Victoria and Albert Museum, Berlin’s Bauhaus Archive, the National Gallery of Australia, the Art Gallery of South Australia, the National Gallery of Victoria and the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney.

    Focussing on the sculptural nature of his practice, the exhibition celebrates Bauer’s continued innovation by premiering new large-scale works in metal and light.

    ‘On the second level of the Samstag gallery, independent curator Jasmin Stephens presents the familiar yet lesser-known aspects of Adelaide’s cultural boulevard, North Terrace, in a thought-provoking group exhibition: North Terrace: worlds in relief.

    Adelaide’s North Terrace – now home to colonial institutions such as the art gallery, museum, library and other state buildings – holds deep significance for the Kaurna people as it represents a location of dispossession and resilience.

    The North Terrace exhibition begins with Narungga poet/activist Natalie Harkin’s poem Cultural Precinct*, a powerful exploration of Aboriginal resistance and colonialism which laments how “red-kangaroo stories” have been “ripped from the ground”.

    Artists from Adelaide, NSW and Singapore cast a critical eye over the boulevard, invoking histories through sculpture, moving image and design. The exhibition also draws on the collection of UniSA’s Architecture Museum.

    The artists featured in North Terrace: worlds in relief include, Andrew Burrell (Sydney), Allison Chorn (Adelaide), Louise Haselton (Adelaide) and the ArtHitects (Bathurst, NSW, and Singapore).

    Andrew Burrell, Miners Journey, 2025, still from video, courtesy of the artist.

    A season launch event will be held on Thursday 19 June, 5pm to 7pm, with opening remarks delivered by renowned architect Karl Fender OAM, Co-founder AFK Studios. Associate Professor Carolyn Barnes from Swinburne University of Technology will be writing a catalogue essay for Frank Bauer’s artwork that will be available online.

    The Samstag Museum of Art is located at UniSA’s City West campus, an easy 15-minute walk from the city centre. Free city trams operate daily. Samstag is open Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 5pm. Visit the website for more information.

    Editors note: Read Natalie Harkin’s poem Cultural Precinct (2014) in fineprint, Issue 9, November 2016.

    *After its inclusion in Natalie Harkin’s PhD (Flinders University) in 2014, the poem was also published in Unbound Collective’s 2015 exhibition catalogue Bound and Unbound: Sovereign Acts II; in Cordite Poetry Review in 2016; and in Best Australian Poems in 2016. It also appears in the first of Harkin’s three-part publication Colonial Archive (2019).

    The University of South Australia and the University of Adelaide are joining forces to become Australia’s new major university – Adelaide University. Building on the strengths, legacies and resources of two leading universities, Adelaide University will deliver globally relevant research at scale, innovative, industry-informed teaching and an outstanding student experience. Adelaide University will open its doors in January 2026. Find out more on the Adelaide University website.

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

    Media contact: Erica Green, Director Samstag Museum of Art M: +438 821 239 E: erica.green@unisa.edu.au

    Other articles you may be interested in

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Check your chimneys this winter

    Source:

    On Saturday 14 June CFA responded to a wood heater fire on the Terang – Mortlake Road in Noorat about 1.10pm.

    Upon arrival firefighters from Noorat and district fire brigade found a fire inside the walls of the chimney cavity.  

    The flu had become detached from the wood heater, this combined with a build-up of creosote had caused the fire. 

    Thankfully the family was home and were able to put water on the blaze and safely escape before CFA crews arrived to fully extinguish the fire.  

    Crews worked to completely extinguish the fire and the scene was left with the homeowner to have the rest of the flue pulled apart.  

    The incident was under control by 1.36pm and safe at 2.17pm.   

    Acting Assistant Chief Fire Officer for district six, Peter Lockwood, said this was a good reminder with colder weather upon us.  

    “Please don’t neglect your chimney or flue and make sure it is cleaned and well maintained before firing it up this winter,” Peter said.   

    “Spending a few minutes now to check your chimney could be one of the most important fire safety actions you take this season, and you can easily check for creosote build-up or obstructions by simply using a torch before lighting a fire.” 

    Submitted by CFA Media

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI: WISeKey Appoints Rolf Gobet to its Strategic Advisory Committee

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    WISeKey Appoints Rolf Gobet to its Strategic Advisory Committee

    Geneva – June 16, 2025 – WISeKey International Holding Ltd (“WISeKey”) (SIX: WIHN, NASDAQ: WKEY), a leading global cybersecurity, blockchain, and IoT company, today announced the appointment of Rolf Gobet to its Strategic Advisory Committee.

    Mr. Gobet brings over three decades of experience in managing complex public-private projects, as he has held several leadership roles across Europe. As part of HP’s EMEA e-government group, which focuses on providing technological solutions and services to public sector organizations in the Europe, Middle East, and Africa region, Mr. Gobet led the implementation of the world’s first internet voting solution, an achievement made possible through a close collaboration with WISeKey. This initiative set a global benchmark for digital trust and innovation in democratic processes.

    Mr. Gobet also played a key role in the development of TOSA, the world’s first fully electric bus system that charges on the go without using overhead contact lines. This groundbreaking project was delivered through a public-private partnership involving major players, including multinational ABB, a global technology leader in electrification and automation, acquired by Hitachi in 2022. His ability to bring together stakeholders from government, industry, and academia has made him a recognized leader in technology-led transformation.

    In French-speaking Switzerland, Mr. Gobet helped establish clusters of excellence, including the GAIN cluster, which unites aerospace companies in a collaborative innovation ecosystem. For more than 10 years, he directed the Office for the Promotion of Industries and Technologies (OPI), where he supported the economic development of companies ranging from startups to global enterprises. Mr. Gobet holds a master’s degree from the University of Lausanne.

    “We are honored to welcome Rolf to our Strategic Advisory Committee,” said Carlos Moreira, Founder and CEO of WISeKey. “His pioneering achievements, deep public-private experience, and unique vision for sustainable and inclusive innovation make him a valuable asset to WISeKey’s global mission.”

    About WISeKey
    WISeKey International Holding Ltd (“WISeKey”, SIX: WIHN; Nasdaq: WKEY) is a global leader in cybersecurity, digital identity, and IoT solutions platform. It operates as a Swiss-based holding company through several operational subsidiaries, each dedicated to specific aspects of its technology portfolio. The subsidiaries include (i) SEALSQ Corp (Nasdaq: LAES), which focuses on semiconductors, PKI, and post-quantum technology products, (ii) WISeKey SA which specializes in RoT and PKI solutions for secure authentication and identification in IoT, Blockchain, and AI, (iii) WISeSat AG which focuses on space technology for secure satellite communication, specifically for IoT applications, (iv) WISe.ART Corp which focuses on trusted blockchain NFTs and operates the WISe.ART marketplace for secure NFT transactions, and (v) SEALCOIN AG which focuses on decentralized physical internet with DePIN technology and house the development of the SEALCOIN platform.

    Each subsidiary contributes to WISeKey’s mission of securing the internet while focusing on their respective areas of research and expertise. Their technologies seamlessly integrate into the comprehensive WISeKey platform. WISeKey secures digital identity ecosystems for individuals and objects using Blockchain, AI, and IoT technologies. With over 1.6 billion microchips deployed across various IoT sectors, WISeKey plays a vital role in securing the Internet of Everything. The company’s semiconductors generate valuable Big Data that, when analyzed with AI, enable predictive equipment failure prevention. Trusted by the OISTE/WISeKey cryptographic Root of Trust, WISeKey provides secure authentication and identification for IoT, Blockchain, and AI applications. The WISeKey Root of Trust ensures the integrity of online transactions between objects and people. For more information on WISeKey’s strategic direction and its subsidiary companies, please visit www.wisekey.com.

    Disclaimer
    This communication expressly or implicitly contains certain forward-looking statements concerning WISeKey International Holding Ltd and its business. Such statements involve certain known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which could cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of WISeKey International Holding Ltd to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. WISeKey International Holding Ltd is providing this communication as of this date and does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

    This press release does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities, and it does not constitute an offering prospectus within the meaning of the Swiss Financial Services Act (“FinSA”), the FinSa’s predecessor legislation or advertising within the meaning of the FinSA. Investors must rely on their own evaluation of WISeKey and its securities, including the merits and risks involved. Nothing contained herein is, or shall be relied on as, a promise or representation as to the future performance of WISeKey.

    Press and Investor Contacts

    WISeKey International Holding Ltd
    Company Contact: Carlos Moreira
    Chairman & CEO
    Tel: +41 22 594 3000
    info@wisekey.com     		 WISeKey Investor Relations (US) 
    The Equity Group Inc.
    Lena Cati
    Tel: +1 212 836-9611
    lcati@theequitygroup.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: WISeKey Appoints Rolf Gobet to its Strategic Advisory Committee

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    WISeKey Appoints Rolf Gobet to its Strategic Advisory Committee

    Geneva – June 16, 2025 – WISeKey International Holding Ltd (“WISeKey”) (SIX: WIHN, NASDAQ: WKEY), a leading global cybersecurity, blockchain, and IoT company, today announced the appointment of Rolf Gobet to its Strategic Advisory Committee.

    Mr. Gobet brings over three decades of experience in managing complex public-private projects, as he has held several leadership roles across Europe. As part of HP’s EMEA e-government group, which focuses on providing technological solutions and services to public sector organizations in the Europe, Middle East, and Africa region, Mr. Gobet led the implementation of the world’s first internet voting solution, an achievement made possible through a close collaboration with WISeKey. This initiative set a global benchmark for digital trust and innovation in democratic processes.

    Mr. Gobet also played a key role in the development of TOSA, the world’s first fully electric bus system that charges on the go without using overhead contact lines. This groundbreaking project was delivered through a public-private partnership involving major players, including multinational ABB, a global technology leader in electrification and automation, acquired by Hitachi in 2022. His ability to bring together stakeholders from government, industry, and academia has made him a recognized leader in technology-led transformation.

    In French-speaking Switzerland, Mr. Gobet helped establish clusters of excellence, including the GAIN cluster, which unites aerospace companies in a collaborative innovation ecosystem. For more than 10 years, he directed the Office for the Promotion of Industries and Technologies (OPI), where he supported the economic development of companies ranging from startups to global enterprises. Mr. Gobet holds a master’s degree from the University of Lausanne.

    “We are honored to welcome Rolf to our Strategic Advisory Committee,” said Carlos Moreira, Founder and CEO of WISeKey. “His pioneering achievements, deep public-private experience, and unique vision for sustainable and inclusive innovation make him a valuable asset to WISeKey’s global mission.”

    About WISeKey
    WISeKey International Holding Ltd (“WISeKey”, SIX: WIHN; Nasdaq: WKEY) is a global leader in cybersecurity, digital identity, and IoT solutions platform. It operates as a Swiss-based holding company through several operational subsidiaries, each dedicated to specific aspects of its technology portfolio. The subsidiaries include (i) SEALSQ Corp (Nasdaq: LAES), which focuses on semiconductors, PKI, and post-quantum technology products, (ii) WISeKey SA which specializes in RoT and PKI solutions for secure authentication and identification in IoT, Blockchain, and AI, (iii) WISeSat AG which focuses on space technology for secure satellite communication, specifically for IoT applications, (iv) WISe.ART Corp which focuses on trusted blockchain NFTs and operates the WISe.ART marketplace for secure NFT transactions, and (v) SEALCOIN AG which focuses on decentralized physical internet with DePIN technology and house the development of the SEALCOIN platform.

    Each subsidiary contributes to WISeKey’s mission of securing the internet while focusing on their respective areas of research and expertise. Their technologies seamlessly integrate into the comprehensive WISeKey platform. WISeKey secures digital identity ecosystems for individuals and objects using Blockchain, AI, and IoT technologies. With over 1.6 billion microchips deployed across various IoT sectors, WISeKey plays a vital role in securing the Internet of Everything. The company’s semiconductors generate valuable Big Data that, when analyzed with AI, enable predictive equipment failure prevention. Trusted by the OISTE/WISeKey cryptographic Root of Trust, WISeKey provides secure authentication and identification for IoT, Blockchain, and AI applications. The WISeKey Root of Trust ensures the integrity of online transactions between objects and people. For more information on WISeKey’s strategic direction and its subsidiary companies, please visit www.wisekey.com.

    Disclaimer
    This communication expressly or implicitly contains certain forward-looking statements concerning WISeKey International Holding Ltd and its business. Such statements involve certain known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which could cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of WISeKey International Holding Ltd to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. WISeKey International Holding Ltd is providing this communication as of this date and does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

    This press release does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities, and it does not constitute an offering prospectus within the meaning of the Swiss Financial Services Act (“FinSA”), the FinSa’s predecessor legislation or advertising within the meaning of the FinSA. Investors must rely on their own evaluation of WISeKey and its securities, including the merits and risks involved. Nothing contained herein is, or shall be relied on as, a promise or representation as to the future performance of WISeKey.

    Press and Investor Contacts

    WISeKey International Holding Ltd
    Company Contact: Carlos Moreira
    Chairman & CEO
    Tel: +41 22 594 3000
    info@wisekey.com     		 WISeKey Investor Relations (US) 
    The Equity Group Inc.
    Lena Cati
    Tel: +1 212 836-9611
    lcati@theequitygroup.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Priority One: Twelve months in, 2100 children housed

    Source: New Zealand Government

    In the first twelve months of the Government’s flagship Priority One policy, nearly 1000 families with more than 2,124 children have been moved from dank emergency housing motel rooms to secure, stable homes.

    “The largescale use of emergency housing was one of the biggest public policy failures in New Zealand history. Under the previous government’s watch, thousands of children were consigned to grow up in cramped, dingy motel rooms at a cost to taxpayers of $1 million every day at its peak,” Housing Minister Chris Bishop says.

    “The cost to taxpayers was a scandal, but the social cost for families trying to raise their kids from a motel room for months or even years on end was an absolute tragedy.

    “We campaigned on introducing a Priority One category to help these kids and their families move into social homes, and getting it up and running was a key priority for us as an incoming Government.

    “Priority One, which has now been in place for a year, bumps families with dependent children to the very top of the social housing waitlist if they have been in emergency housing for 12 weeks or more.

    “Thanks to Priority One and the hard work of many frontline staff across multiple government agencies, thousands of children now live in a warm, dry social home instead of a crowded motel room.”

    Minister Potaka said the Government had already achieved its target of reducing the number of households in Emergency Housing by 75 per cent by 2030 and now needed to maintain progress. Since November 2023 to April 2025, households in emergency housing have dropped from 3,342 to 516– that’s a drop of 84.5 percent.

    “And importantly, there are now significantly fewer children in emergency housing. In April 2024, there were 3,339 children in emergency housing, and a year later we’re down to 519.

    “The focus on supporting whānau with tamariki into better stable homes could mean a world of difference for their health, school attendance, and regular employment.

    “One of the whānau we’re talking about today is a family of six whose eldest child has serious health concerns needing specialist care, but who had been struggling while stuck living in emergency accommodation for six months.

    “Our Priority One focus helped get this whānau into a stable Kāinga Ora home and helped enable them to get the wider support they needed.

    “We will continue to improve the housing system because there are thousands of deserving people out there just like this whānau, many of them on the social housing list just waiting to take proper care and enjoy a better home.

    “MSD has also improved how it tracks emergency housing outcomes. We now know where around 85 percent of those leaving emergency housing go – be it social housing, transitional housing, or a private rental. 

    “Of the households that exited emergency housing (excluding contracted emergency housing) during December 2024: 

    • 37 percent left emergency housing to go into social housing (4 percent through CHPs, 33 percent through Kāinga Ora)
    • 29 percent had moved into transitional housing
    • 19 percent were receiving the accommodation supplement for a private rental
    • 14 percent did not access any of this housing-related assistance.” 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Public transport just got a salary sacrifice, tax-free upgrade

    Source: Extraordinary

    New benefit means cheaper commutes, cleaner cities, and more money in workers’ pockets, says Extraordinary  

    Kiwi fintech maverick, Extraordinary, has seized a rare opportunity to align the stars — combining a recent Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) change with a first-of-its-kind salary sacrifice solution. As a result, Kiwi commuters now have a powerful reason to leave the car at home. Public transport can finally be paid for using pre-tax income, made possible by Extraordinary’s Card and platform.

    New research by Extraordinary shows strong appetite for the change:

    • 21% of Kiwis who currently commute by car say they would consider switching to public transport if their employer offered a tax-free travel benefit – rising to 40% among younger workers aged 18–34. 
    • 19% of remote workers say they’d commute into the office more often if they received a public transport allowance.

    With younger employees especially responsive to incentives, the new option gives employers a powerful tool to support greener, more vibrant cities – while helping workers keep more of their pay.

    These findings come at the perfect time: employers can now provide public transport allowances without incurring Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) – saving both employers and employees money, and making cleaner, more affordable commuting a reality.

    To mark the milestone, Extraordinary CEO Steven Zinsli joined Mayor of Auckland Wayne Brown for a media moment on Auckland’s Britomart, one of the city’s busiest business and transport hubs.

    “This is a game-changer for how people travel to work,” said Steven Zinsli. “It’s now easier and cheaper for employers to support public transport, and workers can keep more of what they earn.”

    Until now, FBT rules meant employer-subsidised transport came with tax penalties, limiting uptake. That’s now changed – with Extraordinary’s innovative solution, employees will have the ability to top up existing transport cards using pre-tax income, reducing travel costs and encouraging more sustainable transport options.

    The shift arrives at a crucial moment, as cities like Auckland seek ways to reduce congestion and emissions, while also reviving CBD activity. Recent research shows that office occupancy remains below 70% in some major centres, well below pre-pandemic levels.

    Mayor Wayne Brown said: “One of my key priorities when I was elected as Mayor was to get Auckland moving, and initiatives like this will make it easier for people to get to work by bus or train and help reduce congestion on our roads. This is good for the environment, good for our cities and good for our economy.”

    Why this matters:

    • More money in workers’ pockets: public transport benefits are now tax-free 
    • No extra cost to employers: avoid FBT while supporting sustainability 
    • Convenience: Top up existing transport cards using pre-tax income 
    • Cleaner cities: fewer cars = reduced emissions and congestion 
    • City revival: supports return-to-office and urban vibrancy.

    Extraordinary is already partnering with major employers across New Zealand and expects demand to accelerate as more businesses take advantage of the updated FBT rules.

    To read more, visit www.extraordinarypay.com/our-solutions/public-transport.

    About Extraordinary  

    Extraordinary is a New Zealand-based fintech platform revolutionising how employers manage non-payroll benefits. Its smart employee card supports Gifting, Public Transport, Rewards, and other allowances – replacing reimbursements and manual admin with real-time, flexible payments. Founded in 2021 and based in Auckland, Extraordinary is trusted by forward-thinking companies to boost retention, compliance, and employee satisfaction.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China’s house prices continued to decline in May compared to the previous month

    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

    BEIJING, June 16 (Xinhua) — Commercial housing prices in 70 large and medium-sized cities in China continued to fall in May, although the pace of decline slowed, data released by the National Bureau of Statistics showed Monday.

    “House prices in 70 large and medium-sized cities across the country continued to fall year-on-year in May, but the pace of decline slowed,” said Wang Zhonghua, a spokesman for the department. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Israel’s attacks on Iran are already hurting global oil prices, and the impact is set to worsen

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Joaquin Vespignani, Associate Professor of Economics and Finance, University of Tasmania

    The weekend attacks on Iran’s oil facilities – widely seen as part of escalating hostilities between Israel and Iran – represent a dangerous moment for global energy security.

    While the physical damage to Iran’s production facilities is still being assessed, the broader strategic implications are already rippling through global oil markets. There is widespread concern about supply security and the inflationary consequences for both advanced and emerging economies.

    The global impact

    Iran, which holds about 9% of the world’s proven oil reserves, currently exports between 1.5 and 2 million barrels per day, primarily to China, despite long-standing United States sanctions.

    While its oil output is not as globally integrated as that of Saudi Arabia or the United Arab Emirates, any disruption to Iranian production or export routes – especially the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20% of the world’s oil supply flows – poses a systemic risk.

    Markets have already reacted. Brent crude prices rose more than US 6%, while West Texas Intermediate price increased by over US 5% immediately after the attacks.

    These price movements reflect not only short-term supply concerns but also the addition of a geopolitical risk premium due to fears of broader regional conflict.

    International oil prices may increase further as the conflict continues. Analysts expect that Australian petrol prices will increase in the next few weeks, as domestic fuel costs respond to international benchmarks with a lag.

    Escalation and strategic intentions

    There is growing concern this conflict could escalate further. In particular, Israel may intensify its targeting of Iranian oil facilities, as part of a broader strategy to weaken Iran’s economic capacity and deter further proxy activities.

    Should this occur, it would put even more upward pressure on global oil prices. Unlike isolated sabotage events, a sustained campaign against Iranian energy infrastructure would likely lead to tighter global supply conditions. This would be a near certainty if Iranian retaliatory actions disrupt shipping routes or neighbouring producers.

    Countries most affected

    Countries reliant on oil imports – especially in Asia – are the most exposed to such shocks in the short term.

    India, Pakistan, Indonesia and Bangladesh rely heavily on Middle Eastern oil and are particularly vulnerable to both supply interruptions and price increases. These economies typically have limited strategic petroleum reserves and face external balance pressures when oil prices rise.

    China, despite being Iran’s largest oil customer, has greater insulation due to its diversified suppliers and substantial reserves.

    However, sustained instability in the Persian Gulf would raise freight and insurance costs even for Chinese refiners, especially if the Strait of Hormuz becomes a contested zone. The strait, between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, provides the only sea access from the Persian Gulf to the open ocean.

    Australia’s exposure

    Australia does not import oil directly from Iran. Most of its crude and refined products are sourced from countries including South Korea, Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates and Singapore.

    However, because Australian fuel prices are pegged to international benchmarks such as Brent and Singapore Mogas, domestic prices will rise in response to the global increase in oil prices, regardless of whether Australian refineries process Iranian oil.

    These price increases will have flow-on effects, raising transport and freight costs across the economy. Industries such as agriculture, logistics, aviation and construction will feel the pinch, and higher operating costs are likely to be passed on to consumers.

    Broader economic impacts

    The conflict could also disrupt global shipping routes, particularly if Iran retaliates through its proxies by targeting vessels in the Red Sea, Arabian Sea, or Hormuz Strait.

    Any such disruption could drive up shipping insurance, delay delivery times, and compound existing global supply chain vulnerabilities. More broadly, this supply shock could rekindle inflationary pressures in many countries.

    For Australia, it could delay monetary easing by the Reserve Bank of Australia and reduce consumer confidence if household fuel costs rise significantly. Globally, central banks may adopt a more cautious approach to rate cuts if oil-driven inflation proves persistent.

    The attacks on Iran’s oil fields, and the likelihood of further escalation, present a renewed threat to global energy stability. Even though Australia does not import Iranian oil, it remains exposed through price transmission, supply chain effects and inflationary pressures.

    A sustained campaign targeting Iran’s energy infrastructure by Israel could amplify these risks, leading to a broader energy shock that would affect oil-importing economies worldwide.

    Strategic reserve management and diplomatic engagement will be essential to contain the fallout.

    Joaquin Vespignani is affiliated with the Centre for Australian Macroeconomic Analysis, Australian National University.

    – ref. Israel’s attacks on Iran are already hurting global oil prices, and the impact is set to worsen – https://theconversation.com/israels-attacks-on-iran-are-already-hurting-global-oil-prices-and-the-impact-is-set-to-worsen-259013

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: As war breaks out with Israel, Iran has run out of good options

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

    The scale of Israel’s strikes on multiple, sensitive Iranian military and nuclear sites on Friday was unprecedented. It was the biggest attack on Iran since the Iran–Iraq War in the 1980s.

    As expected, Iran responded swiftly, even as Israeli attacks on its territory continued. The unfolding conflict is reshaping regional dynamics, and Iran now finds itself with no easy path forward.

    Strikes come at a delicate time

    The timing of the Israeli strikes was highly significant. They came at a critical point in the high-stakes negotiations between Iran and the United States over Tehran’s nuclear program that began earlier this year.

    Last week, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) issued a report accusing Tehran of stockpiling highly enriched uranium at levels dangerously close to weaponisation.

    According to the report, Iran has accumulated around 400 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60% purity. If this uranium is further enriched to 90% purity, it would be enough to build nine to ten bombs.

    The day before Israel’s attack, the IAEA board of governors also declared Iran to be in breach of its non-proliferation obligations for the first time in two decades.

    The nuclear talks recently hit a stumbling block over a major issue – the US refusal to allow Iran to enrich any uranium at all for a civilian nuclear program.

    Iran has previously agreed to cap its enrichment at 3.67% under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, a nuclear deal between Iran, the US and other global powers agreed to in 2015 (and abandoned by the first Trump administration in 2018). But it has refused to relinquish its right to enrichment altogether.

    US President Donald Trump reportedly urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to attack Iran last week, believing he was close to a deal.

    But after the attack, Trump ramped up his threats on Iran again, urging it to agree to a deal “before there is nothing left”. He called the Israeli strikes “excellent” and suggested there was “more to come”.

    Given this context, it is understandable why Iran does not view the US as an impartial mediator. In response, Iran suspended its negotiations with the US, announcing it would skip the sixth round of talks scheduled for Sunday.

    Rather than compelling Iran to agree to a deal, the excessive pressure could risk pushing Iran towards a more extreme stance instead.

    While Iranian officials have denied any intention to develop a military nuclear program, they have warned that continued Israeli attacks and US pressure might force Tehran to reconsider as a deterrence mechanism.



    Read more:
    As its conflict with Israel escalates, could Iran now acquire a nuclear bomb?

    Why surrender could spell the regime’s end

    On several occasions, Trump has insisted he is not seeking “regime change” in Iran. He has repeatedly claimed he wants to see Iran be “successful” – the only requirement is for it to accept a US deal.

    However, in Iran’s view, the US proposal is not viewed as a peace offer, but as a blueprint for surrender. And the fear is this would ultimately pave the way for regime change under the guise of diplomacy.

    Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei responded to the latest US proposal by insisting that uranium enrichment remains a “red line” for Iran. Abandoning this right from the Iranian perspective would only embolden its adversaries to escalate their pressure on the regime and make further demands – such as dismantling Iran’s missile program.

    The fear in Tehran is this could push the country into a defenceless state without a way to deter future Israeli strikes.

    Furthermore, capitulating to the US terms could ignite domestic backlash on two fronts: from an already growing opposition movement, and from the regime’s base of loyal supporters, who would see any retreat as a betrayal.

    In this context, many in Iran’s leadership believe that giving in to Trump’s terms would not avert regime change – it would hasten it.

    What options remain for Iran now?

    Caught between escalating pressure and existential threats, Iran finds itself with few viable options other than to project strength. It has already begun to pursue this strategy by launching retaliatory missile strikes at Israeli cities.

    This response has been much stronger than the relatively contained tit-for-tat strikes Israel and Iran engaged in last year. Iran’s strikes have caused considerable damage to government and residential areas in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.

    Iran sees no alternative but to push forward, having already been drawn into open confrontation. Any sign of weakness would severely undermine the regime’s legitimacy at home and embolden its adversaries abroad.

    Moreover, Tehran is betting on Trump’s aversion to foreign wars. Iranian leaders believe the US is neither prepared nor willing to enter another costly conflict in the region – one that could disrupt global trade and jeopardise Trump’s recent economic partnerships with Persian Gulf states.

    Therefore, Iran’s leadership likely believes that by standing firm now, the conflict will be limited, so long as the US stays on the sidelines. And then, Iran’s leaders would try to return to the negotiating table, in their view, from a position of strength.

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

    – ref. As war breaks out with Israel, Iran has run out of good options – https://theconversation.com/as-war-breaks-out-with-israel-iran-has-run-out-of-good-options-258916

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: What’s the difference between barista milk and regular milk? It’s what gets added to it

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By David Chua, Senior Research Projects Officer, Centre for Community Health and Wellbeing, The University of Queensland

    I love coffee/Shutterstock

    If you start reading the labels of the various milks at the supermarket, you’ll quickly find different fat levels, added nutrients like calcium, lactose-free options, milk from goats or sheep, and ones made from plants.

    Both at the supermarket and at your local café you’ve probably also seen cartons labelled “barista milk”. These can be dairy or plant milks marketed for making specialist coffee drinks such as flat whites, lattes and others.

    But what exactly makes a product a barista milk, and how does it differ from regular milk?

    What is ‘milk’, anyway?

    “Milk” is a regulated term. Food Standards Australia New Zealand sets requirements on fat and protein contents for dairy milk, and it has to come from “milking animals”. These standards also state what can be added or modified; only plant sterols (a supplement to reduce blood cholesterol) are allowed.

    Despite the name, plant-based milks aren’t bound by a specific “milk” standard. Instead, they fall under broader beverage regulations, which is why you’ll see a wide variety of ingredients, protein levels, sugars and fats from one brand to the next.

    Because of this regulation, manufacturers are careful to make it absolutely clear what is in the carton or bottle so there’s no confusion between cow’s milk and soy milk, for example.

    What is barista milk, then?

    Barista milks, whether dairy or plant-based, are specifically formulated to foam more reliably, with a finer texture and longer-lasting bubbles.

    For cow’s milk, this almost always means higher protein content: about 4–5% in barista milk compared to the 3.3–3.5% in regular milk. You’ll often see “milk solids” listed in the ingredients; this is another name for dried skim milk, added to boost the protein content.

    Plant-based barista milks (such as soy, oat or almond) will vary a lot more, depending on the manufacturer and the plant base.

    The most common additives in plant-based barista milks are:

    • vegetable oils for creaminess and thickness
    • gums (such as gellan or locust bean gum) to increase thickness
    • maltodextrin (a processed starch), also for thickness, and
    • emulsifiers such as lecithin – to help stop the fats and water from splitting apart.
    The foam in frothed milk happens through a complex interaction of ingredients and temperature.
    Dmytro Vietrov/Shutterstock

    The science of a good foam

    Foam is essentially gas bubbles suspended in a liquid. Its stability depends on a complex interaction of proteins, fats, sugars and other components, as well as the temperature at which the milk was foamed.

    In cow’s milk, proteins such as casein and whey form ball-like structures that easily rearrange to stabilise foam. These proteins help the milk fat and water stay held together, which is why dairy-based barista milks foam easily and the foam lasts longer.

    Fat plays a more complex role depending on temperature – there’s a sweet spot for a good foam.

    In cold cow’s milk, the fats are semi-solid and will make the foam collapse by breaking the bubble walls. But when heated above 40°C, these fats melt, spread better throughout the milk and easily interact with proteins to help form and stabilise the bubbles.

    However, overheating the milk (above 70°C) cooks and breaks the whey protein balls, making it harder to create foam.

    How barista plant milks work

    Plants make vastly different proteins compared to cows. However, the physical shape of proteins found in soy and oat milks is also ball-like, making them good for foaming just like cow’s milk.

    That’s generally why you see soy and oat milks used in cafes. Barista versions of plant milks often have added vegetable oils to help mimic the fat–protein interaction in dairy. It’s what makes the milk foam stable and the liquid feel creamy.

    Some – but not all – barista plant milks will also have thickeners because they help the foam last longer.

    Compared to soy and oat, almond milk is naturally low in protein. So almond barista milks will almost always contain gums, starches and emulsifiers along with added vegetable oil.

    Many plant milks also contain added sugars for flavour, since they lack the natural lactose found in dairy.

    Is barista milk worth it?

    Many plant-based milk formulations, especially barista ones, contain added gums, manufactured starches and emulsifiers. This qualifies them as “ultra-processed foods”, according to the United Nations’ classification system.

    While the plant-based milk might not be inherently overly harmful, this classification invites reflection on how far these products have moved from their original, natural source.

    On the environmental side, plant-based milks typically have a lower impact than cow’s milk. They use less land and water and produce fewer greenhouse gases.

    Barista milks usually cost significantly more than their regular counterpart. This premium reflects the added ingredients and research and development cost of optimising foaming and drinking characteristics.

    For cafés, the cost is often justified because barista milks produce a more predictable and consistent end product, leading to better customer satisfaction.

    For home use, it depends on your own level of foaming skill and how much you value a perfect flat white every time.

    David Chua’s work is partly supported by the National Health and Medical Research Council, Mater Research Foundation, and the Heart Foundation. He is employed by Inala Primary Care (a not-for-profit general practice clinic) and Metro South Health, where his role is supported by a Metro South Health Researcher Support Grant. His PhD (2010–2014) received partial funding from Dairy Australia Limited, though he currently has no industry affiliations. In 2009, he was awarded the Royal National Agricultural and Industrial Association of Queensland undergraduate student prize.

    Lauren Ball receives funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council, Queensland Health, Heart Foundation and Mater Misericordia. She is a Director of Dietitians Australia, a Director of the Darling Downs and West Moreton Primary Health Network, a Director of Food Standards Australia and New Zealand and an Associate Member of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences.

    – ref. What’s the difference between barista milk and regular milk? It’s what gets added to it – https://theconversation.com/whats-the-difference-between-barista-milk-and-regular-milk-its-what-gets-added-to-it-258583

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Seabed mining is becoming an environmental flashpoint – NZ will have to pick a side soon

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Myra Williamson, Senior Lecturer in Law, Auckland University of Technology

    Getty Images

    Seabed mining could become one of the defining environmental battles of 2025. Around the world, governments are weighing up whether to allow mining of the ocean floor for metal ores and minerals. New Zealand is among them.

    The stakes are high. Deep-sea mining is highly controversial, with evidence showing mining activity can cause lasting damage to fragile marine ecosystems. One area off the east coast of the United States, mined as an experiment 50 years ago, still bears scars and shows little sign of recovery.

    With the world facing competing pressures – climate action and conservation versus demand for resources – New Zealand must now decide whether to fast-track mining, regulate it tightly, or pause it entirely.

    Who controls international seabed mining?

    A major flashpoint is governance in international waters. Under international law, seabed mining beyond national jurisdiction is managed by the International Seabed Authority (ISA), created by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

    But the US has never ratified UNCLOS. In April this year, President Donald Trump issued an executive order to bypass the ISA and allow companies to begin mining in international waters.

    The ISA has pushed back, warning unilateral action breaches international law. However, the declaration from the recently concluded UN Ocean Conference in France does not urge countries to adopt a precautionary approach, nor does it ban deep seabed mining.

    The declaration does “reiterate the need to increase scientific knowledge on deep sea ecosystems” and recognises the role of the ISA in setting “robust rules, regulations and procedures for exploitation of resources” in international waters.

    So, while the international community supports multilateralism and international law, deep-sea mining in the near future remains a real possibility.

    Fast-track approvals

    In the Pacific, some countries have already made up their minds about which way they will go. Nauru recently updated its agreement with Canadian-based The Metals Company to begin mining in the nearby Clarion Clipperton Zone. The deal favours the US’s go-it-alone approach over the ISA model.

    By contrast, in 2022, New Zealand’s Labour government backed the ISA’s moratorium and committed to a holistic ocean management strategy. Whether that position still holds is unclear, given the current government’s policies.

    The list of applications under the Fast-track Approvals Act 2024 – described by Regional Development Minister Shane Jones as “arguably the most permissive regime” in Australasia – includes two controversial seabed mining proposals in Bream Bay and off the Taranaki coast:

    • Trans-Tasman Resources’ proposal to extract up to 50 million tonnes of Taranaki seabed material annually to recover heavy mineral sands that contain iron ore as well as rare metal elements titanium and vanadium.

    • McCallum Brothers Ltd’s Bream Bay proposal to dredge up to 150,000 cubic metres of sand yearly for three years, and up to 250,000 cubic metres after that.

    Legal landscape changing

    Māori and environmental groups have opposed the fast-track policy, and the Treaty of Waitangi has so far been a powerful safeguard in seabed mining cases.

    Provisions referencing Treaty principles appear in key laws, including the Crown Minerals Act and the Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf (Environmental Effects) Act.

    In 2021, the Supreme Court cited these obligations when it rejected a 2016 marine discharge application by Trans-Tasman Resources to mine the seabed in the Taranaki Bight. The court ruled Treaty clauses must be interpreted in a “broad and generous” way, recognising tikanga Māori and customary marine rights.

    But that legal landscape could soon change. The Regulatory Standards Bill, now before parliament, would give priority to property rights over environmental or Indigenous protections in the formulation of new laws and regulations.

    The bill also allows for the review of existing legislation. In theory, if the Regulatory Standards Bill becomes law, it could result in the removal of Treaty principles clauses from legislation.

    This in turn could deny courts the tools they’ve previously used to uphold environmental and Treaty-based protections to block seabed mining applications. That would make it easier to approve fast-tracked projects such as the Bream Bay and Taranaki projects.

    Setting a precedent

    Meanwhile, Hawai’i has gone in a different direction. In 2024, the US state passed a law banning seabed mining in state waters – joining California (2022), Washington (2021) and Oregon (1991).

    Under the Hawai’i Seabed Mining Prevention Act, mining is banned except in rare cases such as beach restoration. The law cites the public’s right to a clean and healthy environment.

    As global conflict brews over seabed governance, New Zealand’s eventual position could set a precedent.

    Choosing to prohibit seabed mining in New Zealand waters, as Hawai’i has done, would send a strong message that environmental stewardship and Indigenous rights matter more than short-term resource extraction interests.

    If New Zealand does decide to go ahead with seabed mining, however, it could trigger a cascade of mining efforts across New Zealand and the Pacific. A crucial decision is fast approaching.

    Myra Williamson 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. Seabed mining is becoming an environmental flashpoint – NZ will have to pick a side soon – https://theconversation.com/seabed-mining-is-becoming-an-environmental-flashpoint-nz-will-have-to-pick-a-side-soon-258908

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: New CT scanner to improve cancer services in Invercargill

    Source: New Zealand Government

    A new, state-of-the-art CT scanner is now operational at Southland Hospital, delivering a significant step forward for diagnostic services in the region, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.

    “This new CT scanner is a game-changer for Invercargill and surrounding areas. It will provide faster, more accurate diagnosis for a wide range of conditions, including cancer and heart disease – meaning patients can start treatment sooner and with greater confidence.

    “The enhanced imaging technology offers clearer, more detailed information to support doctors in making timely, well-informed decisions. That means better care for patients, fewer delays, and improved health outcomes.”

    The new scanner replaces equipment installed in 2012 and features advanced detector-based spectral technology, providing enhanced lesion detection and more detailed tumour assessments – particularly valuable in oncology care.

    “This technology allows clinicians to detect abnormalities earlier and with greater precision, which is critical in cancer care. The sooner a diagnosis can be made, the sooner treatment can begin.

    “Southland Hospital currently scans over 500 patients each month. This upgrade will increase the capacity for patients to receive advanced diagnostic services, reducing the anxiety that comes with waiting for answers and helping to ensure timely access to the right care.”

    In a first for the region, the scanner will also provide cardiac imaging, enabling local assessment for signs of heart disease – a service not previously available at Southland Hospital.

    “The addition of cardiac CT scanning means patients can get the care they need closer to home, without having to travel to other hospitals for these tests. The hospital’s diagnostic team will be undertaking specialised training so this new service can be up and running as soon as possible.

    “Access to modern diagnostic tools like this CT scanner is essential to improving outcomes for patients. By detecting disease earlier and with greater precision, we can help ensure people receive the right treatment at the right time,” Mr Brown says.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: ‘They were justifying his actions’: what women say about men’s behaviour change programs

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lauren Zeuschner, Lecturer in Social Work, Federation University Australia

    Marco VDM/Getty

    Thousands of men who use violence are referred every year to men’s behaviour change programs. Sometimes this attendance is ordered by a court, other times it is voluntary. The hope is this will result in program attendance (although that is not always guaranteed), promote perpetrator accountability and, ultimately, increase the safety of women and children.

    Unfortunately, program attendance is low and while researchers have tried again and again to answer the question of whether these programs work, it is still not clear.

    Referrals have continued anyway, so my colleagues and I decided to ask a new question. We invited nine Victorian women to talk in-depth about their experience of their partner being referred to a men’s behaviour change program.

    We wanted to know: what was that like for these women? What meaning did they make of it?

    This new study, published recently in the journal Violence Against Women, found the referral period can ignite for women an emotional firestorm characterised by hope, blame, being judged and, eventually, a sense of indignation.

    How did women initially react?

    Initially after their partner or ex-partner was referred to a men’s behaviour change program, the women were desperate to know if the type of family life they hoped for was something they would ever experience with their partner.

    As Fiona* recalled:

    I thought if it can help – this was when he sort of had me bluffed – if it’s going to work, go for it because the explosions were too big. And if he could control himself and think of what he says, pull his head in, if it can work then we can be a family. I was hoping.

    The women were initially generally intensely hopeful, even though they hadn’t seen any evidence before to suggest their partners would change.

    Janet said:

    When we were together and I used to say, “We need to go and get help; we need to go and talk to someone”, he would say, “No.” He would yell in my face and tell me to “eff off” and “mind my own business” and that he didn’t have a problem; I was the problem.

    This hopefulness motivated many women to stay in relationships with their partner or to support his access to their children.

    The attention men’s behaviour change programs have received over the years seems to have fuelled a belief the programs could bring meaningful change.

    As Rose put it:

    the men’s behavioural change program is big-noted so much, like it’s oh you know, “It’s a great way for the men to realise what they’ve done and move on.” And it doesn’t do that.

    Did their actual experiences match expectations?

    The short answer is no.

    The women we spoke to described being blamed by family, friends and workers for their partner or ex now having to attend the program. Meera recalled being told:

    You are just ruining your marriage because now you have involved the police, so whatever happens to you that is your consequence because you chose to do that.

    Many of the men resisted the suggestion they were “perpetrators” who needed to change. Some men contrasted themselves with others in the men’s behaviour change programs.

    As Erin put it:

    There’s always someone worse, and that’s how they are justifying themselves.

    Other men reportedly gained support for their behaviour from men in the program. Paige said:

    He would come home and tell me that the group agreed with him that the kids were at fault. That if the kids wouldn’t do what they did, then he wouldn’t lose his temper and he wouldn’t have to hit ’em […] So it was like they were justifying his actions.

    Some women also battled with uncertainty around whether what they had experienced actually was family violence.

    If their partner was a “perpetrator” did that make them a “victim survivor”? And if so, what did that mean for them and how they saw themselves?

    A sense of indignation

    For many of the women, the fact their partner or ex ended up being referred to a men’s behaviour change program helped inspire moments of validation.

    It helped them believe with confidence that their partners’ behaviour was actually family violence; that it was unacceptable and unwarranted, and it was he who needed to change.

    As the women came to terms with the reality of their partners’ behaviour and his resistance to change, the women began responding with indignation. Jane recalled that:

    I said: “You’ve hurt a lot of people” and I said: “You’re not taking ownership.”

    What’s next?

    In the end, encouraging women to simply respond with indignation is not the answer. This would just continue the age-old practice of placing sole responsibility on women for the violence they face.

    One action we can all take is supporting victim-survivors to identify that what they’re experiencing may actually constitute family violence, and question whether they believe those behaviours to be acceptable.

    This new study also stresses the need for family violence and domestic violence services in the community to consider the implications a men’s behaviour change program referral has for everyone.

    We must question who is intended to benefit when a man is referred to these programs, whether or not it actually eventuates into program attendance.

    *Names have been changed to protect identities.

    Lauren Zeuschner has received funding from an Australian government Research Training Program Fee-Offset Scholarship through Federation University Australia, and a Central Highlands Children and Youth Area partnership industry funded stipend through Child and Family Services Ballarat, which runs men’s behaviour change programs.

    – ref. ‘They were justifying his actions’: what women say about men’s behaviour change programs – https://theconversation.com/they-were-justifying-his-actions-what-women-say-about-mens-behaviour-change-programs-259012

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: ‘They were justifying his actions’: what women say about men’s behaviour change programs

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lauren Zeuschner, Lecturer in Social Work, Federation University Australia

    Marco VDM/Getty

    Thousands of men who use violence are referred every year to men’s behaviour change programs. Sometimes this attendance is ordered by a court, other times it is voluntary. The hope is this will result in program attendance (although that is not always guaranteed), promote perpetrator accountability and, ultimately, increase the safety of women and children.

    Unfortunately, program attendance is low and while researchers have tried again and again to answer the question of whether these programs work, it is still not clear.

    Referrals have continued anyway, so my colleagues and I decided to ask a new question. We invited nine Victorian women to talk in-depth about their experience of their partner being referred to a men’s behaviour change program.

    We wanted to know: what was that like for these women? What meaning did they make of it?

    This new study, published recently in the journal Violence Against Women, found the referral period can ignite for women an emotional firestorm characterised by hope, blame, being judged and, eventually, a sense of indignation.

    How did women initially react?

    Initially after their partner or ex-partner was referred to a men’s behaviour change program, the women were desperate to know if the type of family life they hoped for was something they would ever experience with their partner.

    As Fiona* recalled:

    I thought if it can help – this was when he sort of had me bluffed – if it’s going to work, go for it because the explosions were too big. And if he could control himself and think of what he says, pull his head in, if it can work then we can be a family. I was hoping.

    The women were initially generally intensely hopeful, even though they hadn’t seen any evidence before to suggest their partners would change.

    Janet said:

    When we were together and I used to say, “We need to go and get help; we need to go and talk to someone”, he would say, “No.” He would yell in my face and tell me to “eff off” and “mind my own business” and that he didn’t have a problem; I was the problem.

    This hopefulness motivated many women to stay in relationships with their partner or to support his access to their children.

    The attention men’s behaviour change programs have received over the years seems to have fuelled a belief the programs could bring meaningful change.

    As Rose put it:

    the men’s behavioural change program is big-noted so much, like it’s oh you know, “It’s a great way for the men to realise what they’ve done and move on.” And it doesn’t do that.

    Did their actual experiences match expectations?

    The short answer is no.

    The women we spoke to described being blamed by family, friends and workers for their partner or ex now having to attend the program. Meera recalled being told:

    You are just ruining your marriage because now you have involved the police, so whatever happens to you that is your consequence because you chose to do that.

    Many of the men resisted the suggestion they were “perpetrators” who needed to change. Some men contrasted themselves with others in the men’s behaviour change programs.

    As Erin put it:

    There’s always someone worse, and that’s how they are justifying themselves.

    Other men reportedly gained support for their behaviour from men in the program. Paige said:

    He would come home and tell me that the group agreed with him that the kids were at fault. That if the kids wouldn’t do what they did, then he wouldn’t lose his temper and he wouldn’t have to hit ’em […] So it was like they were justifying his actions.

    Some women also battled with uncertainty around whether what they had experienced actually was family violence.

    If their partner was a “perpetrator” did that make them a “victim survivor”? And if so, what did that mean for them and how they saw themselves?

    A sense of indignation

    For many of the women, the fact their partner or ex ended up being referred to a men’s behaviour change program helped inspire moments of validation.

    It helped them believe with confidence that their partners’ behaviour was actually family violence; that it was unacceptable and unwarranted, and it was he who needed to change.

    As the women came to terms with the reality of their partners’ behaviour and his resistance to change, the women began responding with indignation. Jane recalled that:

    I said: “You’ve hurt a lot of people” and I said: “You’re not taking ownership.”

    What’s next?

    In the end, encouraging women to simply respond with indignation is not the answer. This would just continue the age-old practice of placing sole responsibility on women for the violence they face.

    One action we can all take is supporting victim-survivors to identify that what they’re experiencing may actually constitute family violence, and question whether they believe those behaviours to be acceptable.

    This new study also stresses the need for family violence and domestic violence services in the community to consider the implications a men’s behaviour change program referral has for everyone.

    We must question who is intended to benefit when a man is referred to these programs, whether or not it actually eventuates into program attendance.

    *Names have been changed to protect identities.

    Lauren Zeuschner has received funding from an Australian government Research Training Program Fee-Offset Scholarship through Federation University Australia, and a Central Highlands Children and Youth Area partnership industry funded stipend through Child and Family Services Ballarat, which runs men’s behaviour change programs.

    – ref. ‘They were justifying his actions’: what women say about men’s behaviour change programs – https://theconversation.com/they-were-justifying-his-actions-what-women-say-about-mens-behaviour-change-programs-259012

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • Israel-Iran battle escalates, set to dominate G7 talks

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Israel and Iran kept up their attacks, killing and wounding civilians and raising concern among world leaders at a G7 meeting in Canada this week that the biggest battle between the two old enemies could lead to a broader regional conflict.

    The Iranian death toll in four days of Israeli strikes, carried out with the declared aim of wiping out Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs, had reached at least 224, with 90% of the casualties reported to be civilians, an Iranian health ministry spokesperson said.

    Early on Monday, the Israeli military said it had detected more missiles launched from Iran towards Israel.

    “At this time, the (Israeli Air Force) is operating to intercept and strike where necessary to eliminate the threat,” the Israeli Defence Forces said. Live video footage showed several missiles over Tel Aviv and Reuters witnesses said explosions could be heard there and over Jerusalem.

    At least 10 people in Israel, including children, have been killed so far, according to authorities there.

    Group of Seven leaders began gathering in the Canadian Rockies on Sunday with the Israel-Iran conflict expected to be a top priority.

    German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said his goals for the summit include for Iran to not develop or possess nuclear weapons, ensuring Israel’s right to defend itself, avoiding escalation of the conflict and creating room for diplomacy.

    “This issue will be very high on the agenda of the G7 summit,” Merz told reporters.

    Before leaving for the summit on Sunday, U.S. President Donald Trump was asked what he was doing to de-escalate the situation. “I hope there’s going to be a deal. I think it’s time for a deal,” he told reporters. “Sometimes they have to fight it out.”

    Iran has told mediators Qatar and Oman that it is not open to negotiating a ceasefire while it is under Israeli attack, an official briefed on the communications told Reuters on Sunday.

    FIRST DAYLIGHT ATTACK ON ISRAEL

    Explosions shook Tel Aviv on Sunday during Iran’s first daylight missile attack since Israel’s strike on Friday. Shortly after nightfall, Iranian missiles hit a residential street in Haifa, a mixed Jewish-Arab city, and in Israel’s south.

    In Bat Yam, a city near Tel Aviv, residents braced on Sunday evening for another sleepless night after an overnight strike on an apartment tower.

    “It’s very dreadful. It’s not fun. People are losing their lives and their homes,” said Shem, 29.

    Images from Tehran showed the night sky lit up by a huge blaze at a fuel depot after Israel began strikes against Iran’s oil and gas sector – raising the stakes for the global economy and the functioning of the Iranian state.

    Brent crude futures were up $1.04, or 1.4%, to $75.39 a barrel by 0115 GMT, having jumped as much as $4 earlier in the session. While the spike in oil prices has investors on edge, stock and currency markets were little moved in early trading in Asia on Monday.

    “It’s more of an oil story than an equity story at this point,” said Jim Carroll, senior wealth adviser and portfolio manager at Ballast Rock Private Wealth. “Stocks right now seem to be hanging on.”

    TRUMP VETOES PLAN TO TARGET KHAMENEI, OFFICIALS SAY

    In Washington, two U.S. officials told Reuters that Trump had vetoed an Israeli plan in recent days to kill Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

    When asked about the Reuters report, Netanyahu told Fox News on Sunday: “There’s so many false reports of conversations that never happened, and I’m not going to get into that.”

    “We do what we need to do,” he told Fox’s “Special Report With Bret Baier.”

    Israel began the assault with a surprise attack on Friday that wiped out the top echelon of Iran’s military command and damaged its nuclear sites, and says the campaign will escalate in the coming days.

    The intelligence chief of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, Mohammad Kazemi, and his deputy were killed in attacks on Tehran on Sunday, Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency said.

    Iran has vowed to “open the gates of hell” in retaliation.

    TRUMP WARNS IRAN NOT TO ATTACK

    Trump has lauded Israel’s offensive while denying Iranian allegations that the U.S. has taken part and warning Tehran not to widen its retaliation to include U.S. targets.

    Two U.S. officials said on Friday the U.S. military had helped shoot down Iranian missiles that were headed toward Israel.

    The U.S. president has repeatedly said Iran could end the war by agreeing to tough restrictions on its nuclear program, which Iran says is for peaceful purposes but which Western countries and the IAEA nuclear watchdog say could be used to make an atomic bomb.

    The latest round of nuclear negotiations between Iran and the U.S., due on Sunday, was scrapped after Tehran said it would not negotiate while under Israeli attack.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI Banking: [Interview] Samsung Onyx Meets Golden Globes® Winner Matīss Kaža, Producer of Flow

    Source: Samsung

    “Is the cat black or is it dark gray? There is this debate online.
    If you watch it on Onyx, you get the answer.”
    — Matīss Kaža, co-writer and co-producer of Flow (2024)
     
    Visual and immersive storytelling is central to how a film is experienced on the big screen by moviegoers. As more people seek premier theater experiences, filmmakers are increasingly embracing cinema LED screens over projectors to deliver their creations in a way audiences haven’t experienced before, fully immersing the viewer in the worlds they create.
     
    Following the launch of the latest Samsung Onyx (ICD), Matīss Kaža, Golden Globes® winner, Academy Award® winner and producer of the film Flow, shared his insights on how Onyx is pushing the boundaries in cinema.
     

    Matīss Kaža is a Latvian director, writer and producer, renowned for co-writing and co-producing the animated film Flow (2024), which won a Golden Globe® Award for Best Motion Picture — Animated, an Academy Award® for Best Animated Feature, a Toronto International Film Festival — Best Animated Film, a European Film Awards for European Animated Feature Film, and more. His projects have a strong sense of authorship and cinematic vision that resonates beyond national borders.

     

     
     
    Q: Could you tell us a bit about what the film Flow is about?
     
    Flow is an animated film, without any dialogue, telling the story of a solitary, individualist cat who likes to be by himself. Then suddenly comes this huge flood, destroying the cat’s home and forcing it upon a boat with other animals. On this boat, the cat learns to collaborate and become friends with these animals to survive this new, beautiful and humanless world.
     
    ▲ Matīss Kaža shares his experience of watching his work on Samsung Onyx. (Poster: Courtesy of Sideshow and Janus Films)
     
     
    Q: As a dialogue-free film, how does a Cinema LED screen enhance the viewing experience for the audience?
     
    One of the goals of Flow as a dialogue-free film is to essentially have the audience come as close to the cat’s experience as possible, since the film is built around the contrast between the main protagonist and the world around it. Cinema is all about detailing in the visual storytelling, and this comes through on Onyx very well. The world is vividly colorful with the yellows, greens and blues — and then the cat is dark gray. There’s a huge contrast that shines through when watching on the Onyx screen, with its vivid colors and deep blacks.
     
    ▲ Flow, played on Samsung Onyx
     
     
    Q: How did the team work through the movements of each of the animals?
     
    We studied the movements of these real animals, down to the most meticulous detail, to make sure our approach to the film was naturalistic for the audience. For example, when something attracts the cat’s attention, rather than twisting its head to look, it would just twist the ear.
     
    Each animal moves in different ways and has different silhouettes, weights and verticality. It was important for us to nail this process when making the film for the audience to feel fully immersed in this world.
     

     
    ▲ Courtesy of Sideshow and Janus Films
     
     
    Q: How did it feel to watch Flow on the Samsung Onyx Cinema LED screen?
     
    Many scenes in the film feature foreground and background interactions, and the audience can fully enjoy and experience exactly how we wanted the film to look. The movements are also very clear, and you can see how all the different characters have their particularities, down to the most subtle interactions. From the smallest twitching in the ear and the smallest gaze of the eye, or any little interaction, the level of detail on Onyx makes these perfectly visible for the audience.
     
    “I would have to say that Flow on the Onyx screen really flows.”
     
     
    Q: Did you notice anything new or different about Flow after seeing it on Samsung Onyx?
     
    How vivid the color was in the beginning — where the cat is still in its home, which is a lovely sculpture garden — really stood out to me. The finer details, like the little butterflies and critters flying around, give this emotion of calmness that might not be noticeable on other screens. The Onyx truly shows the film for what it is — there is very crisp detail and clarity — and it displays things that would go unnoticed in other situations.
     
    “On the Onyx, these little details were perfectly visible —
    details which give a lot to the atmosphere, to the peaceful tone of the scene.”
     

     
    ▲ Flow, played on Samsung Onyx
     
     
    Q: Water is a core element of the film. Can you tell us more about its purpose and how the team uses it to add to the story?
     
    The most difficult part of making this movie is the water effect. The dynamics of the water in the storytelling is really important because it’s one of the central metaphors of the film.
     
    On an Onyx screen, you can explicitly see the difference between the little waves in the puddle at the beginning and end of the film. These details are so important to the storytelling, and it really comes through here on the Onyx.
     
    ▲ Courtesy of Sideshow and Janus Films
     
     
    Q: How do the color, image details and storytelling jump out more on a screen like Onyx compared to other traditional methods?
     
    Because there is no dialogue in this film, we relied solely on visual storytelling. In terms of visual storytelling, color is essential — setting the right levels of contrast and the exact color palette — for the scene. It’s what creates the mood and the atmosphere.
     
    These aspects are fundamental to the film and are captured precisely, just as we intended. Every detail and color really shines on the Onyx screen.
     
    ▲ “Cinema is all about detailing in the storytelling, it always comes through detail. And that comes through on the Onyx,” says Matīss Kaža, co-writer and co-producer of animated film Flow (2024).
     
     
    Q: As a filmmaker, do the capabilities of Onyx help inspire your creative direction for upcoming projects?
     
    I love it when the theatrical experience has me in the middle of the experience, trying to decode what is going on. Filmmakers can do a lot of interesting things using environments, visuals and powerful storytelling to put audience members in an active relationship with the film. The crispness and range of colors offered on the Onyx bring us back to why we love seeing motion pictures on the big screen. It’s super immersive, and the level of detailing is just incredible.
     
     
    Q: Anything else you would like us to know?
     
    “I do filmmaking for the cinema-going experience;
    that’s where the film really shines.”
     
    Cinemas are where you see the picture as you’re supposed to see it. Every cinematographer and director, I think, has had to come to terms with different cinemas showing different images when using traditional projection. With the uniform approach that the Onyx has, I think that problem might be solved.
     

    “Every detail and color really shines on the Onyx screen,” says Matīss Kaža, co-writer and co-producer of animated film Flow (2024).

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Xi Jinping Deepens China’s Fruitful Partnership with Central Asia

    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

    BEIJING, June 15 (Xinhua) — In the summer sun-drenched Xi’an, China’s ancient capital, six pomegranate trees stand gracefully near the site of the first China-Central Asia Summit in May 2023, their branches hanging low and laden with fruit.

    Planted two years ago by Chinese President Xi Jinping and the leaders of five Central Asian countries, this living avenue serves as a vivid testimony to the increasingly close and dynamic ties between China and Central Asia.

    Building on past achievements, Xi and his Central Asian counterparts will gather in the Kazakh city of Astana later this month for a second summit to ensure even closer cooperation on trade, security and connectivity in the heart of Eurasia.

    The Xi’an summit in 2023 was the first ever meeting of heads of state under the China-Central Asia cooperation mechanism. In the embrace of the ancient city, they agreed to hold the summit every two years, alternately in China and Central Asia.

    Last year, the mechanism was further institutionalized with the establishment of a secretariat in Xi’an, the capital of Xi’s home province of Shaanxi.

    The Chinese leader attaches great importance to China’s relations with the region. In his opinion, Central Asia is at a strategic crossroads, linking East and West, North and South.

    “Developing friendly and cooperative relations with Central Asian countries is a priority of China’s foreign policy,” Xi Jinping said during his first visit to Central Asia since being elected as China’s president in 2013.

    Since then, he has visited the region eight times, deepening partnerships bilaterally and through platforms such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia.

    Today, Central Asia is the only region in the world where every country is a strategic partner of China. According to Xi Jinping, these partnerships have paved a new path of good-neighborliness and mutually beneficial cooperation, creating a new paradigm of international relations.

    The main event of the Xi’an summit was the signing of the Xi’an Declaration, in which the Chinese president and the leaders of the five Central Asian countries promised to work together to build a closer China-Central Asia community with a shared future.

    This promise is in line with the core idea of Xiplomacy’s diplomatic strategy: creating a community with a shared destiny for humanity. Notably, this idea has already been fully realized at the bilateral level in Central Asia.

    Sheradil Baktygulov, Director of the Institute of World Politics of Kyrgyzstan, noted that the common political will of Xi Jinping and the leaders of Central Asian countries is the key to the sustainable development of Chinese-Central Asian cooperation.

    “This cooperation not only strengthens bilateral ties, but also lays the foundation for a new model of multilateral cooperation in the Eurasian region,” he added.

    The Chinese leader’s strong personal rapport with Central Asian leaders is helping to strengthen these ties. At the Xi’an summit, Xi Jinping hailed Tajik President Emomali Rahmon as an “old friend.” During talks with Xi, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev called him his “dear brother.”

    Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, also an experienced sinologist, arrived in Xi’an on his 70th birthday. Xi told him: “Your visit on such a special occasion speaks volumes about the strength of our bilateral relations and confirms your unique bond with China.”

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Xi Jinping Deepens China’s Fruitful Partnership with Central Asia

    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

    BEIJING, June 15 (Xinhua) — In the summer sun-drenched Xi’an, China’s ancient capital, six pomegranate trees stand gracefully near the site of the first China-Central Asia Summit in May 2023, their branches hanging low and laden with fruit.

    Planted two years ago by Chinese President Xi Jinping and the leaders of five Central Asian countries, this living avenue serves as a vivid testimony to the increasingly close and dynamic ties between China and Central Asia.

    Building on past achievements, Xi and his Central Asian counterparts will gather in the Kazakh city of Astana later this month for a second summit to ensure even closer cooperation on trade, security and connectivity in the heart of Eurasia.

    The Xi’an summit in 2023 was the first ever meeting of heads of state under the China-Central Asia cooperation mechanism. In the embrace of the ancient city, they agreed to hold the summit every two years, alternately in China and Central Asia.

    Last year, the mechanism was further institutionalized with the establishment of a secretariat in Xi’an, the capital of Xi’s home province of Shaanxi.

    The Chinese leader attaches great importance to China’s relations with the region. In his opinion, Central Asia is at a strategic crossroads, linking East and West, North and South.

    “Developing friendly and cooperative relations with Central Asian countries is a priority of China’s foreign policy,” Xi Jinping said during his first visit to Central Asia since being elected as China’s president in 2013.

    Since then, he has visited the region eight times, deepening partnerships bilaterally and through platforms such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia.

    Today, Central Asia is the only region in the world where every country is a strategic partner of China. According to Xi Jinping, these partnerships have paved a new path of good-neighborliness and mutually beneficial cooperation, creating a new paradigm of international relations.

    The main event of the Xi’an summit was the signing of the Xi’an Declaration, in which the Chinese president and the leaders of the five Central Asian countries promised to work together to build a closer China-Central Asia community with a shared future.

    This promise is in line with the core idea of Xiplomacy’s diplomatic strategy: creating a community with a shared destiny for humanity. Notably, this idea has already been fully realized at the bilateral level in Central Asia.

    Sheradil Baktygulov, Director of the Institute of World Politics of Kyrgyzstan, noted that the common political will of Xi Jinping and the leaders of Central Asian countries is the key to the sustainable development of Chinese-Central Asian cooperation.

    “This cooperation not only strengthens bilateral ties, but also lays the foundation for a new model of multilateral cooperation in the Eurasian region,” he added.

    The Chinese leader’s strong personal rapport with Central Asian leaders is helping to strengthen these ties. At the Xi’an summit, Xi Jinping hailed Tajik President Emomali Rahmon as an “old friend.” During talks with Xi, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev called him his “dear brother.”

    Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, also an experienced sinologist, arrived in Xi’an on his 70th birthday. Xi told him: “Your visit on such a special occasion speaks volumes about the strength of our bilateral relations and confirms your unique bond with China.”

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Legislation – Māori marginalised by changes to Pae Ora Act – PSA

    Source: PSA

    The Government’s Cabinet-approved amendments to the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act represent yet another attack on Māori aspirations for equitable health outcomes and self-determination the PSA says.
    The sweeping changes announced by Minister of Health Simeon Brown on 14 Pipiri (June) 2025 are regressive and undermine the intent and spirit of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the hard-fought recognition of Māori leadership in health delivery, Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi – the Public Service Association Kaihautū Māori, Janice Panoho, says.
    “The Pae Ora Act was a step towards correcting decades of inequity and systemic failure in health. These amendments strip away the very mechanisms Māori advocated for and were promised, particularly the ability to shape local service design and delivery through Iwi-Māori Partnership Boards IMPBs),” says Panoho.
    “This is a heartless government, pushing through draconian policy under the guise of efficiency. What they call ‘streamlining’ is in fact the deliberate sidelining of Māori voices from decisions about Māori health.
    “Rather than enhancing Te Tiriti partnerships, the changes weaken Māori influence by making iwi-Māori Partnership Boards (IMPBS) mere advisors to the Hauora Māori Advisory Committee, removing their direct role in shaping services that affect their own communities.
    “This top-down, centralised approach reverts us to the very system that failed Māori for generations.
    “By repealing the Health Charter and diluting the role of IMPBs, this government is erasing the commitments to equity, kaupapa Māori, and the lived realities of whānau. It is deeply concerning,” Panoho said.
    “We are not just stakeholders. We are tangata whenua. Health equity cannot be achieved if Māori are shut out of the rooms where decisions are made. These changes are a betrayal.
    Panoho says the PSA stands with Māori communities, health workers and iwi organisations in calling for the government to halt these amendments, engage in genuine consultation with Māori, and honour the promises made through Pae Ora and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
    “The Government’s emphasis on targets, infrastructure, and performance data ignores what Māori have said for decades, that meaningful, lasting health outcomes come from whānau-centred services designed with us, not for us.
    “The health system can’t deliver for Māori while continuing to marginalise us.
    The PSA urges all political leaders, health professionals, and communities to scrutinise these changes and hold the Government accountable for actions that risk entrenching inequities even further.
    “He tangata akona ki te whare, tūnga ki te marae, tau ana. One who is trained at home will stand with confidence in the world. Let Māori solutions stand strong within our health system, not be cast aside once again.”
    The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi is Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest trade union, representing and supporting more than 95,000 workers across central government, state-owned enterprises, local councils, health boards and community groups.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Statement by UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell on the children killed by the alarming escalation of violence in the Middle East

    Source: UNICEF

    NEW YORK, 15 June 2025 – “This weekend’s surge in violence across the Middle East signals a dangerous escalation. Children are once again paying the ultimate price.

    “Since Friday, an intense military escalation in the region has seen strikes on Iran and Israel hit residential areas, killing and injuring civilians – including children – and causing damage to civilian infrastructure.

    “Beyond the death toll, this alarming escalation creates widespread fear and trauma among children in all communities.

    “UNICEF strongly condemns all forms of violence against children. Our thoughts are with all the families and communities mourning this tragic loss of life.

    “We reiterate the Secretary-General’s call for all sides to show maximum restraint, avoiding at all costs a descent into deeper conflict, a situation the region and its children cannot afford.

    “UNICEF urgently calls on all parties to uphold their obligations under international law and to ensure the protection of civilians, in particular children. All children have the right to live without the threat of war and violence.

    “UNICEF, together with other UN agencies and humanitarian partners, is actively assessing the situation and remains ready to scale up support to affected children and their families as needed and requested.”

    About UNICEF

    UNICEF, the United Nations agency for children, works to protect the rights of every child, everywhere, especially the most disadvantaged children and in the toughest places to reach. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we do whatever it takes to help children survive, thrive, and fulfil their potential. 
    For more information about UNICEF and its work, please visit: www.unicef.org

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –