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Category: housing

  • MIL-Evening Report: Second-term Albanese will face policy pressure, devastated Liberals have only bad options

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

    On February 1, on The Conversation’s podcast, Anthony Albanese not only declared that Labor would retain majority government, but held out the prospect it could win the Victorian Liberal seats of Menzies and Deakin.

    This was when the polls were still bad for Labor and the Coalition was confident of gaining a swathe of seats in Victoria.

    Now Liberal Michael Sukkar has lost Deakin to Labor’s Matt Gregg, while fellow Liberal Keith Wolahan says it is “more likely than not” he’ll be ousted from Menzies.

    Obviously Albanese’s political judgement was better than most. Two other points are notable. The first is how quickly things turned around. But there’s a counterpoint: maybe they didn’t turn around in quite the way they seemed. Perhaps a few months ago, voters were expressing their frustrations, but many were always going to be reluctant to endorse Peter Dutton when decision-time came.

    Even so, the extent of the decimation of the Liberals was nearly unthinkable. Labor minister Don Farrell said that two days out, Labor’s polling showed a majority but not this result. The Liberals are a rump, without a leader, with no obvious successor, and no clue of what direction to take a party left with hardly any urban seats and the prospect of another two terms, at least, in the wilderness.

    First, however, to the government. Albanese is basking in golden days. But he knows Labor must avoid hubris. As he enjoyed Sunday morning at a local coffee shop, he said “we will be a disciplined, orderly government”.

    To state the obvious, the win will boost Albanese’s authority. But it will also open him to pressures, externally and internally.

    In Labor’s first term, many commentators and stakeholders argued the government was too cautious. Some urged it should tackle more robust economic reform; others wanted it to shift left. Those voices will strengthen now Labor has the numbers to flex its muscles more vigorously. But Albanese is wary of breaking promises – it took a long time for him to go back on his word over the stage three tax cuts – or surprising the electorate.

    The person to watch is Treasurer Jim Chalmers.

    On Saturday night, the treasurer said, “We do believe we’re an ambitious government but we know there is a sense of impatience as well when it comes to some of our big national challenges”.

    Chalmers told the ABC on Sunday, “The best way to think about the difference between our first term and the second term that we won last night [is the] first term was primarily inflation without forgetting productivity, the second term will be primarily productivity without forgetting inflation”.

    This is a very big aspiration. Australia’s productivity performance is dreadful. If that’s to improve significantly, Chalmers may have to take on battles in some policy areas, such as industrial relations, that are very sensitive for Labor and the unions.

    The win, but more particularly the issues ahead, which focus on the economy here and overseas, will give Chalmers an even more central voice, as well as present even tougher tests for him. Chalmers was lavish in his praise of Albanese on Saturday night and Sunday; he said he had rung the PM during Saturday, before the result, and “I said his was an extraordinary campaign, he’s got a lot to be proud of and we are certainly proud to be part of his team”.

    For all that, Chalmers is, and sees himself as, Albanese’s most credible successor, although other aspirants are in the mix. Despite Albanese indicating he will serve a full term and the result leading people to say he will be well placed to lead into the 2028 election, that is not inevitable.

    Who will lead the Liberals into that election is absolutely unknowable. The potential field for the post election leadership vote is lacklustre, and whoever wins that vote could be a seat warmer.

    That field includes shadow treasurer Angus Taylor, deputy leader Sussan Ley, shadow immigration minister Dan Tehan, and defence spokesman Andrew Hastie.

    Taylor, an economic conservative, has faced immense criticism for his performance over the past three years. Ley, who is more towards the centre, has been guilty of overreach, although she’s toned down somewhat recently. Hastie has not broadened out from his defence comfort zone. Tehan is experienced but does not present well to voters.

    Dutton had a weak team around him; the next leader will have an even thinner one.

    Even more diabolical than who the Liberal Party should choose is where it should go in its positioning. The party has become an identity vacuum. It has lost its more genteel urbanites, and failed to win the aspirational suburbanites. These constituencies have different priorities but to revive themselves the Liberals have to thread the needle between them, which looks, at the moment, an impossible task.

    Then there are the problems with women and younger voters. The Liberals’ “women problem” has been debated for years; they seem further than ever from grappling with it. The failure ranges from candidate selection to policy blindness.

    On the latter, the working-from-home debacle was a classic example of disconnect with many women’s lives. The policy (later dumped) to bring public servants back to the office five days a week was driven by a woman, shadow finance minister Jane Hume. It wasn’t properly workshopped, but surely it was obvious that running this policy would be a disaster, especially with female voters. You wouldn’t need a focus group to tell you that.

    As the baby boomers, already outnumbered, fade further, how are the Liberals to connect with the younger voters who are now the dominant demographic? These voters are increasingly progressive. For them, the Liberals need generational change. But the only new generation contender in the present leadership list is Hastie, and he is a conservative.

    Another complication for the Liberals is that the Nationals have done well. This means they’ll have a bigger say in the Coalition, including a bigger share of the frontbench. This might push the Coalition further to the populist right. A few will argue the Coalition parties should separate, but this is not the answer – it hasn’t worked in the past.

    There’ll be a policy overhaul, and that could involve a tricky argument over nuclear, to which the Nationals especially are deeply committed. And will the Coalition commitment to the Paris agreement and the 2050 net zero emissions target come under assault?

    The Liberals are in an extraordinarily bad place. Politicians in such circumstances search for so-called “narrow goat tracks” to better ground. Debris is littering any track in sight for the Liberals. Their only comfort can be that politics is volatile.

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

    – ref. Second-term Albanese will face policy pressure, devastated Liberals have only bad options – https://theconversation.com/second-term-albanese-will-face-policy-pressure-devastated-liberals-have-only-bad-options-255618

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

    May 4, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Equisynx.com Enhances Its Platform with Advanced Technology

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LONDON, May 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Equisynx.com, a financial company, uses technological advancements aimed at improving its platform’s efficiency. It focuses on enhancing security, optimizing user experience, and ensuring a more streamlined operation. With an emphasis on reliability, the company continues to enhance its services to meet modern financial demands.

    Improved Security Measures

    Security remains a crucial aspect of any financial platform. Equisynx.com implemented updated security protocols to safeguard user information and ensure data protection. These measures include advanced encryption techniques and system monitoring tools to detect and prevent unauthorized access. Strengthening security remains a priority as digital finance continues to evolve.

    Optimization for Better Accessibility

    Ease of access is essential for any financial platform. With technological enhancements, Equisynx.com aims to improve navigation and efficiency. The platform ensures that users can access financial resources without complexity. Clear interfaces and responsive designs contribute to an improved experience, allowing for smooth functionality across different devices.

    Enhanced Performance and Reliability

    A key focus of the technology advancements is the platform’s performance. The integration of advanced technology reduces downtime and increases the speed of operations. Equisynx.com’s improvements aim to maintain consistent reliability, ensuring that financial processes function without delays. By enhancing infrastructure, the company seeks to maintain efficiency while accommodating future growth.

    Adapting to Evolving Financial Needs

    Financial services continue to change as technology advances. The company has taken steps to align its platform with industry trends. The latest updates focus on efficiency, reducing operational delays, and refining automation. These enhancements ensure that users experience improved financial operations without unnecessary complexity.

    Equisynx.com Review and Industry Relevance

    Many discussions about financial technology platforms emphasize reliability and security. A Equisynx.com review often highlights the company’s commitment to improving its infrastructure. As financial platforms expand, security, accessibility, and reliability remain top priorities. Users seeking efficiency often refer to a Equisynx.com review for insights into the platform’s advancements. The continuous updates reflect the company’s focus on meeting financial requirements effectively.

    Strengthening Financial Accessibility

    Simplified financial access is a significant consideration in platform upgrades. By implementing new technologies, it ensures that financial operations remain efficient. Automation and streamlined processes contribute to faster and more effective operations. These enhancements support a more responsive and adaptive platform for financial services.

    Reviewing Equisynx.com’s Approach to Efficiency

    An effective financial platform requires consistent improvement. A Equisynx.com review often emphasizes the company’s focus on refining its system. The recent updates align with industry expectations, ensuring efficiency in operations. As financial platforms develop, reviewing performance remains crucial. A Equisynx.com review provides insights into how the platform maintains reliability and adapts to financial advancements.

    About Equisynx.com

    Equisynx.com is a financial company that provides digital solutions aimed at optimizing financial operations. The company focuses on security, efficiency, and reliability to ensure users can navigate financial processes effectively. By integrating advanced technology, it continues to improve its platform and adapt to industry standards.

    As financial technology evolves, Equisynx.com remains committed to enhancing its system. The company prioritizes security, accessibility, and efficiency in its updates. By evaluating industry needs, it ensures that its platform remains relevant in the financial sector.

    Company Details

    Company Name: Equisynx
    Email Address: media@equisynx.com
    Company Address: 33 Glasshouse St, W1B 5RT London, United Kingdom.
    Company Website: https://equisynx.com/

    Disclaimer: This press release is provided by Equisynx. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice. Investing in crypto and mining related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector–including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining–complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed. Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose. Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility.

    Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.

    The MIL Network –

    May 4, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Taiwan sends delegation to the 60th Inaugural Ceremonies of the President-elect and Vice President-elect of the United States

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    Taiwan sends delegation to the 60th Inaugural Ceremonies of the President-elect and Vice President-elect of the United States

    Date：2025-01-18
    Data Source：Department of North American Affairs

    January 18, 2025 
    No. 022 

    The 60th Inaugural Ceremonies of the President-elect and Vice President-elect of the United States will be held in Washington, DC, on January 20, 2025. The government of Taiwan has again organized a cross-party delegation to convey the Taiwanese people’s sincere congratulations to the United States. This demonstrates the importance that the government and people of Taiwan place on the close Taiwan-US partnership and reciprocates the United States’ goodwill in sending a delegation to the inauguration of President Lai Ching-te and Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim last year. Legislative Yuan President Han Kuo-yu will lead the delegation at President Lai’s behest and will be joined by seven other legislators: Ko Chih-en, Wang Ting-yu , Ko Ju-chun, Lee Yen-hsiu, Chen Kuan-ting, Kuo Yu-ching, and Chen Gau-tzu.
     
    The delegation is departing for the United States on January 18 and is scheduled to return home on January 24. During the visit, the delegates will engage with US Congress members and other prominent political figures and convey Taiwan’s congratulations. They will participate in exchanges with US think tanks and other important friends on such issues as the current international landscape and Taiwan-US relations. They will also proactively seek to achieve the three missions entrusted to them by President Lai: to extend the best wishes of the people of Taiwan, to convey Taiwan’s firm commitment to democracy, and to pursue new milestones in Taiwan-US relations.
     
    The US presidential and vice presidential inauguration is organized by the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies. The theme of this year’s ceremonies is “Our Enduring Democracy: A Constitutional Promise.” Due to forecasts for severe weather, the committee announced that the inauguration would be moved from outdoors into the Capitol Rotunda, where the swearing-in ceremony will be held and the inaugural address delivered. In accordance with the US Constitution, on January 20 President-elect Donald J. Trump will take the oath of office as the 47th president of the United States, while Vice President-elect JD  Vance will become the 50th vice president.
     
    Taiwan sincerely congratulates President-elect Trump and Vice President-elect Vance on their upcoming inauguration. It hopes that the two countries can build on their existing close partnership to further deepen cooperation across all domains; pursue their common interests; and work jointly to advance peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and the rest of the world. (E)

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    May 4, 2025

  • MIL-Evening Report: Independents will not help form government – but they will be vital in holding it to account

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Joshua Black, Visitor, School of History, Australian National University

    When the newspapers delivered their standard election-eve editorials, there were few surprises. Former Fairfax papers and smaller outlets offered qualified support for Labor, while the News Corp papers unashamedly championed the Coalition. In Adelaide, The Advertiser ran a curious line recommending a majority government of whatever persuasion, “lest our futures be in the hands of the mad Greens, self-serving teals or the independent rabble.”

    How must those editors feel this morning? On the one hand, they got the majority government they wished for, and then some. The 2025 election will be mythologised in Labor circles for decades to come.

    On the other hand, the “independent rabble” defied the expectations of some, and the best efforts of others, holding their seats and making gains in Sydney and Canberra, and potentially Melbourne and Perth as well. New crossbenchers will certainly be welcomed into the 48th parliament. And with the Coalition reeling from an historic defeat, they may all play a critical role in policy the debates to come.

    Weathering the storm

    The election campaign put all of the incumbent independent MPs through their paces. Coalition candidates and some of their outspoken media allies applied enormous personal pressure, with accusations of weakness on the issue of antisemitism and piercing questions from conservative news outlets about the transparency of some independent MPs’ donations.

    Vast sums of money were also involved. In the Perth-side seat of Curtin, for example, independent MP Kate Chaney’s supporters and the Liberal Party allegedly spent $1 million each on their respective campaigns.

    In the end, incumbent independents benefited from the historic pattern in federal politics: that a good independent is a tough proposition to beat. At election time, successful independent MPs benefit from the advantages of incumbency, the ability to point to specific policy or project victories arising from greater political competition for the seat, and the flexibility to adapt more quickly to changing voter attitudes, unencumbered by any party machinery.

    Zali Steggall in Warringah and Helen Haines in Indi enjoyed their third successive wins, Rebekah Sharkie in Mayo a fourth general election win (she won a competitive byelection in 2018), Andrew Wilkie in Hobart a sixth victory on the trot, and north Queensland’s Bob Katter yet another term after 50 years of parliamentary service.

    At the time of writing, all of the independents who won their seats in 2022 appear to have been returned. (The exception was Kylie Tink, whose electorate was abolished last year.) The closest count is in Goldstein, where incumbent Zoe Daniel narrowly leads her Liberal predecessor Tim Wilson. Other incumbents, such as Sophie Scamps in Mackellar, Allegra Spender in Wentworth, Monique Ryan in Kooyong and Kate Chaney in Curtin, have enjoyed distinctive swings toward them. In the formerly safe Labor seat of Fowler, where the party hoped to win, independent MP Dai Le enjoyed a handsome primary vote swing of around 6% in her favour.

    Changing hands

    The picture has been more mixed for the rest of the crossbench and other minor parties. The Greens seem set to lose two of their Brisbane seats, but a close race in the formerly safe Labor seat of Wills in Victoria may yet provide a win. Another record spendathon from Clive Palmer will see the Trumpet of Patriots win zero seats. One Nation may keep Queensland senator Malcolm Roberts in his place, but there do not appear to be any other gains for Pauline Hanson’s team.

    Coalition defectors fared poorly, too. Monash MP, independent and former Liberal Russell Broadbent, appears to have secured just 10% of the primary vote, placing him behind both major parties and the community independent candidate.

    In the Perth seat of Moore, Liberal defector Ian Goodenough has fallen behind Labor, Liberal and the Greens, with preferences flowing mainly to Labor candidate Tom French. Right-wing LNP defector Gerard Rennick appears unlikely to win his contest for a Queensland senate seat. In the regional NSW seat of Calare, ex-National MP Andrew Gee appears the only one able to buck the trend, coming second on primary votes and benefiting from a stronger flow of preferences than his National Party opponent.

    New crossbench faces?

    A series of close contests may yet result in extra independent members of parliament. Despite a bitter campaign, community independent Nicolette Boele appears likely to win in the north Sydney seat of Bradfield. In the Victorian seat of Flinders, independent Ben Smith has enjoyed a 5.4% swing toward him, and away from Liberal MP Zoe McKenzie, though preferences have not yet been published in that seat. In Fremantle, where the Australian Electoral Commission is yet to report any preference flows, independent candidate Kate Hulett may still be in with a shot to beat Labor’s Josh Wilson. The competitive result follows an impressive campaign from Hulett at the state election earlier this year.

    After five weeks of vicious debates about the public service and Canberra, voters in the ACT sent clear messages to both major parties. Voices for Bean candidate Jessie Price appears to have taken one of the three ACT electorates from Labor, and independent Senator David Pocock enjoyed an easy victory. Labor received less than a third of the primary vote in that Senate race, and barely one in seven ACT residents voted Liberal.

    Not burning down the house

    Despite that qualification, Labor’s victory is historic by several measures. It is one of only four occasions over the past 30 years where its primary vote actually grew at a federal election. It looks to have won a lower house majority comparable with that of the Howard government’s final term, and maybe even with the Coalition’s 2013 victory (when it won 90 seats, more than double the figure it is likely to have won this time). The two-party preferred vote shows Albanese securing the kind of victory that made John Curtin a Labor hero in 1943.

    So what role does that leave for independents in the 48th parliament?

    Returning crossbenchers will regard their impressive primary votes as confirmation their voters want them to keep doing politics differently. The Liberal and National parties, on the other hand, will be consumed for much of the parliamentary term with introspection and institutional reckoning. Given how unhelpful their studied unity over the past term ultimately proved, it may be there’s more infighting within the Coalition during the next parliament.

    Does it matter that the crossbenchers will not hold the balance of power in the lower house? Not necessarily. In the event of a serious policy misstep from the Albanese government during this term, the crossbenchers may prove to be the more influential voices of opposition in the lower house.

    Sometimes a solo voice speaks with powerful volume. In 2001 the rural independent for Calare, Peter Andren, proved to be a singularly powerful voice against the Howard government’s draconian offshore detention program for asylum seekers arriving in Australia by boat. Andren defied the national trends (and the local opinion polls) and was returned with an increased primary vote, and again in 2004. When he died, some said his opposition to the Howard government showed “more guts and decency” than “all the other Coalition and ALP candidates combined”.

    Several of the current independents have earned themselves a national profile and are trusted advocates on issues such as public integrity and accountability, climate and energy policy and even foreign and security affairs. There will certainly be few MPs left on the opposition benches who can speak with compelling authority on some of these issues. In the face of an emboldened Labor government, their opposition to contentious legislation may sometimes have outsized influence.

    In pragmatic political terms, it is arguably in the Labor Party’s interests to negotiate, and to be seen to negotiate, with the crossbench. The independents in formerly safe Liberal seats are some of the biggest obstacles in any future Liberal pathway back into office.

    Newly-elected Labor MPs may also depend on preferences from community independent candidates next time they go to the polls. The Menzies government owed part of its longevity in the late 1950s and 1960s to its ability to win the preferences of the Democratic Labor Party, an anti-communist breakaway party from Labor.

    Independents are nothing like the DLP, and many run open tickets instead of strictly recommending preferences on their how to vote cards. But in some seats, including the leader of the opposition’s seat of Dickson, independent and Greens voters’ preferences will have proven crucial for Labor’s success.

    ‘Every day is minority government in the Senate’

    The other crucial reason independents still have a role to play is the Senate. Pocock recently remarked that “every day is minority government in the Senate”. Albanese’s victory, no matter how impressive, does not extend to a majority in the red chamber.

    The last time a party won a majority in the Senate was in 2004. Before that, it was 1977. No matter how large a lower-house majority, negotiation and compromise are simply unavoidable for laws to get passed in the federal parliament.

    The Greens will continue to exercise their crucial balance of power role in the Senate. So too will Pocock and, assuming she is re-elected as the sixth senator for Tasmania, Jacqui Lambie. During the 47th parliament, Pocock and Lambie often proved decisive in shaping, amending and sometimes postponing legislation they felt needed improvement.

    Both will bring a range of priorities to the 48th parliament. They may also collaborate more routinely with lower house crossbench colleagues to make those critical votes in the senate count for everything that they are worth. That would be a good thing. After all, both chambers really do matter in our parliamentary system.

    Joshua Black is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at The Australia Institute.

    – ref. Independents will not help form government – but they will be vital in holding it to account – https://theconversation.com/independents-will-not-help-form-government-but-they-will-be-vital-in-holding-it-to-account-255517

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

    May 4, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Media release: Australian oil and gas sector congratulates re-elected Albanese Government – Australian Energy Producers

    Source: Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association

    Headline: Media release: Australian oil and gas sector congratulates re-elected Albanese Government – Australian Energy Producers

    Australia’s oil and gas industry congratulates Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Federal Labor’s re-election and looks forward to continuing to work with the Government on necessary reforms for Australia’s long-term energy security and economic growth.

    Australian Energy Producers Chief Executive Samantha McCulloch said the decisive election result provided an opportunity for energy policy certainty and stability in the next term of Parliament.

    “Australia and our region’s economic growth and energy security needs reliable and affordable gas supply, which requires continued investment in new gas exploration and development,” Ms McCulloch said.

    “We look forward to working with the Albanese Government on advancing the shared goal of boosting Australian gas supply to ensure reliable and affordable energy for Australian homes and businesses, as outlined in the Future Gas Strategy and Australian Energy Producers’ election policy platform.”

    Ms McCulloch said the Government needed to prioritise implementing actions from the Future Gas Strategy and address the regulatory delays and uncertainty in the environmental approvals system.

    “Australia has abundant gas resources, yet we face gas shortfalls this decade due to regulatory uncertainty, approval delays and policy interventions that have delayed new gas supply and damaged Australia’s investment competitiveness. Addressing these risks must be a priority for the new Parliament.”

    Ms McCulloch also thanked Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and the Coalition for their support for the sector and urged the Government and Opposition to work constructively on enduring energy policy reforms that recognise the critical long-term role of gas in Australia’s energy mix.

    Australian Energy Producers’ election policy platform outlined key actions to unlock the economic, energy security and emissions reduction potential of Australia’s gas sector:

    • Boost Australian gas supply to ease cost of living pressures
    • Restore Australia’s global competitiveness for investment
    • Deliver real emissions reductions with gas and carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS)
    • Remain a reliable energy partner in our region

    Ms McCulloch said the election also showed Australians do not support the Greens’ reckless policies, including a ban on new gas projects, which would put Australia’s energy security at risk and drive-up energy costs.

    “With cost-of-living top of mind for voters, the Greens cannot be allowed to continue to hold legislation to ransom in the Senate,” Ms McCulloch said.

    Media contact: 0434 631 511

    MIL OSI Economics –

    May 4, 2025

  • MIL-Evening Report: State of the states: 6 experts on how the election unfolded across the country

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Clune, Honorary Associate, Government and International Relations, University of Sydney

    While counting continues nationally, the federal election result is definitive: a pro-Labor landslide and an opposition leader voted out.

    But beyond the headline results, how did Australians in the key seats in each state vote, and how did it shape the outcome?

    Here, six experts break down what happened in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia.

    New South Wales

    Swing to Labor: 3.4%

    David Clune, honorary associate, government and international relations, University of Sydney

    The election results showed, in NSW as with the rest of Australia, a stronger than predicted swing to the government, returning it with a solid majority.

    Not only did Labor hold all its NSW marginals, many with increased margins, but it appears to have gained from the Liberals the seats of Banks and Hughes in suburban Sydney. Labor’s Jerome Laxale has retained Bennelong which was notionally Liberal after the redistribution.

    The Liberals appear likely to lose Bradfield to Teal Nicolette Boele and former National Andrew Gee seems likely to retain Calare in the central west as an independent.

    The three sitting Teals were all easily re-elected and right wing independent Dai Le held Fowler.

    At the time of writing, Labor has won 28 seats in NSW to the Coalition’s 12, a gain of three, with four independents so far and the probability of two more.

    The ALP two-party preferred vote in NSW was 54.8%, a swing towards it of 3.4%.

    Labor’s primary vote was 35.0% to the Coalition’s 31.8%, a swing against the latter of 4.7%.

    Albanese staged a Houdini-like escape from what seemed to be, in 2024, a steady decline in his prospects. Although only an average campaigner in 2022, he ran an almost flawless campaign three years later. The prime minister had a consistent, resonant message about Labor’s record, appealing policies for the future, and projected an image of stability in government.

    Given the bite of the cost of living, particularly in Western Sydney, the government should have been vulnerable. Instead, Albanese transformed this into a strength by persuading voters he was best placed to deal with the crisis.

    Queensland

    Swing to Labor: 3.9%

    Paul Williams, associate professor of politics and journalism, Griffith University

    I long argued Queensland would be inconsequential as to who would win the keys to The Lodge at this election.

    I was partly right. If Labor, as projected, wins 93 of the 150 House of Representatives seats, the six Queensland Labor appears to have seized from the Liberal-National Party (LNP) are but a small fraction of the government’s national haul. Even with no Labor gains in Queensland, Albanese could still have governed with a comfortable majority.

    But I was also partly wrong. The fact there were primary swings of up to five percentage points away from the LNP across Queensland (even in very safe seats like Maranoa), and the fact Labor appears to have captured two seats (Brisbane and Griffith) from the Greens, suggests the state has behaved very differently from expectations and, for the first time in more than a decade, become one of real consequence.

    Labor now looks to hold 13 of the state’s 30 seats, the LNP 15, the Greens one, and Bob Katter returned in Kennedy for the KAP. Few would be surprised that Pauline Hanson’s One Nation (PHON) and Clive Palmer’s Trumpet of Patriots failed to win any House seats, although PHON’s Malcolm Roberts is likely to be returned to the Senate.

    Nor is it unexpected that Dickson, held by the LNP by a tiny 1.7% margin, should have been in play this election. But that fact Dickson was lost by an opposition leader – the first such occurrence at federal level – is astonishing.

    So, too, are the LNP losses in the outer-suburban “battler” seats of Forde and Petrie (held by the LNP since 2010 and 2013 respectively) that embraced former Liberal PM Scott Morrison, even when he was at his nadir.

    The additional reality of an LNP losing such contrasting seats as Leichhardt in far north Queensland and Bonner in middle Brisbane suburbia now points to a deep existential crisis for conservatives even in their Queensland heartland.

    In the Northern Territory, Labor’s Marion Scrymgour has retained the seat of Lingiari and strengthened her position, with a 6.6% swing in her favour.

    So, what happened? How did Queensland, like the rest of Australia, defy electoral gravity? Was it that angry Queenslanders, stinging from a cost-of-living crisis, had already vented their wrath on a state Labor government six months ago? Or did the state finally warm to an Albanese it now concluded was a more competent economic manager? Or did Queensland, like every other state, reject a hard-right Peter Dutton – offering little in meaningful policy amid a ramshackle campaign – as out of touch with a moderate, centrist Australia?

    After defeats at local and state elections in 2024, Labor is back in Queensland.

    South Australia

    Swing to Labor: 5.1%

    Rob Manwaring, associate professor of politics and public policy, Flinders University

    On first glance, South Australia did not seem to be at the centre of the Albanese government’s landslide win. Of the ten electoral seats in the state, only one changed hands – the seat of Sturt which Labor’s Claire Clutterham won from the Liberals’ James Stevens. Yet, this was a massive win for Labor, with a 57–43 two-party preferred vote.

    This is a seismic result and exemplifies all of the Coalition’s electoral problems. Sturt was a classic Liberal blue ribbon seat which the Liberals had held since 1972. The Teal candidate in Sturt, Dr Verity Cooper, might well be disappointed not to have scored a higher primary vote than her 7.2%.

    Elsewhere, Labor handsomely improved its position in the hitherto marginal seat of Boothby. A 8% swing to Louise Miller-Frost saw the Liberals’ Nicolle Flint easily routed.

    To confirm the Liberal misery in the state, the Centre Alliance’s Rebekha Sharkie consolidated her place in Mayo. The scale of Labor’s performance also brought into scrutiny the Liberal regional seat of Grey, where long-standing member Rowan Ramsay retired. The Liberals will retain it despite a swing against them.

    Overall, this is now a solidly Labor state, and the party holds a remarkable seven of the ten seats. Those with long memories, will know seats like Kingston and Adelaide, traditionally bellweather, are now solidly safe Labor seats.

    The Liberals’ loss of Sturt confirms the party now has only two seats in the state, and no representation at all in the major cities around the country. It might well be a long road back for the centre-right.

    Tasmania

    Swing to Labor: 8.1%

    Robert Hortle, deputy director of the Tasmanian Policy Exchange, University of Tasmania

    If the Liberal Party’s ranks were thinned out on the mainland, in Tasmania they have been clear-felled. The state elected four Labor candidates out of five, and notably, all women.

    In Braddon, Labor’s Anne Urquhart overturned the 8.3% margin enjoyed by retiring Liberal MP Gavin Pearce. It looks like the swing to Labor will be around 15%, with Urquhart’s pro-salmon farming and pro-jobs position resonating in the traditionally conservative electorate.

    A swing of around 10% to Labor in Bass was more than enough for first-time candidate Jess Teesdale to defeat Liberal MP Bridget Archer. Labor’s messaging that “a vote for Archer is a vote for Dutton” successfully neutralised Archer’s personal popularity in the electorate and reputation for standing up to her party.

    Lyons was Tasmania’s most marginal seat after the 2022 election. That’s no longer the case, with Rebeca White, former state Labor leader, securing a swing of around 10%. White’s popularity as a state MP transferred smoothly to the federal level – Labor’s primary vote in the seat looks to have jumped by more than 14%.

    So why was the swing to Labor in these Tasmanian seats so much greater than on the mainland? Astute candidate selection played a role – in particular, White and Urquhart were well-known in their communities.

    It is also possible the ongoing travails of the state Liberal government played a part. Northern Tasmanians are strongly opposed to the controversial AFL stadium in Hobart, and the ongoing Spirit of Tasmania ferry fiasco has involved prominent mismanagement of port upgrades in Devonport in the state’s north-west. State politics isn’t usually considered to have a big impact on federal elections, but these issues may have been high profile – and long running – enough to make a difference.

    The southern seat of Franklin was a focal point for a lot of drama during the campaign. In the end, Julie Collins, Tasmania’s only cabinet minister, received a bit of a scare. She slightly increased her primary vote, but the ABC currently projects her overall margin will be cut in half. Anti-salmon farming independent Peter George achieved the second highest primary vote, but wasn’t close enough to Collins for preferences to get him over the line.

    As expected, independent Andrew Wilkie won the Hobart seat of Clark for a sixth time, with a margin of just over 20%. He increased his primary vote, but it looks like Labor will shave a tiny amount off his margin.

    Victoria

    Swing to Labor: 1.8%

    Zareh Ghazarian, senior lecturer in politics, school of social sciences, Monash University

    The Liberal Party’s fortunes in Victoria went from bad in 2022 to much worse in 2025.

    The ALP’s primary vote increased by about 1% while the Liberal Party’s primary vote fell by about 2.5%. While the percentages are smaller than in other states, this performance had a significant affect on the representation of the parties in Victoria.

    The Liberal Party lost Deakin in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne. Held by Michael Sukkar since 2013, the seat has been marginal for several elections. The primary vote swing against the Liberal Party was 4.2%. In a two-party preferred outcome, Deakin now appears to be a relatively safe seat for Labor.

    The Liberal Party primary vote also went backwards in Kooyong which was held by independent Monique Ryan. High profile Liberal candidate Amelia Hamer could not reclaim the seat which had previously been held by then-Treasurer Josh Frydenberg.

    Goldstein, the other inner metropolitan seat won by an independent at the last election, looks to be a closer contest with the Liberal Party’s Tim Wilson experiencing a rise in the primary vote but it may not be enough to defeat incumbent Zoe Daniel.

    Compounding the problems for the Liberal Party was that it could not make any inroads in other key seats across the eastern suburbs in Melbourne. This was where the party needed to win seats if it was to be competitive in forming government. In Aston, the seat the party lost at a byelection in 2023, the Liberal Party’s primary vote fell by 5%. The party’s primary vote also went back in Chisholm and McEwen.

    In short, this was a disastrous result for the Liberal Party in the state of Victoria.

    Western Australia

    Swing to Labor: 1.2%

    Narelle Miragliotta, associate professor in politics, Murdoch University

    WA didn’t disappoint for Labor. Although the two-party swing was more muted than in other parts of the country, it came off the back of a more much stronger electoral position entering this contest. On a two-party preferred basis, Labor gained 56.2% of the vote.

    Labor has retained the nine lower house seats it won in 2022, and it has also managed to make decent, even if not spectacular, gains in the party’s share of the primary vote in Tangney (+4.9%), Hasluck (+5.93), Swan (+3.5%), and Perth (+4.7%).

    One of the unexpected wins for Labor was the former Liberal held seat of Moore. Labor won the seat on the back of +0.9% increase in the party’s primary vote. Assisting Labor’s electoral fortunes was a former Liberal incumbent who ran as an independent, and whose vote accounts for much of the -10.4% swing against the Liberal candidate.

    But it wasn’t all good news for Labor, going backwards on primary votes in Fremantle (-4.48%) Brand (-5.96%) and Pearce (-0.01%).

    The Liberals’ performance affirms just how much trouble the party in the West. The Liberals recorded a swing of -5.66% in their primary vote, winning only 28.5% of the first preference vote.

    In addition to the loss of Moore, the party failed to win back the once-prized seat of Curtin, despite a heavy investment of resources into the contest. The Liberals also have a fight to retain the seat of Forrest, where is registered a -13.4% swing in its primary vote. The Liberals are, however, expected to win it.

    There were very few bright spots for the Liberals. The Liberals did achieve an increase in their two-party preferred vote in O’Connor (+6.3%) and Canning (+3.8%). And at last check, the Liberals are still in the hunt for the new seat of Bullwinkel.

    In the senate, the swing against the Liberals on primary votes was even more pronounced (-7.36%) although the party are on track to elect two senators. The Greens senate primary vote held up, enjoying a very slight increase (+0.74%) and comfortably returning a senator. Although recording a -0.04% swing, Labor has two senators confirmed and the possibility of the election of a third.

    Paul Williams is a research associate with the T.J. Ryan Foundation.

    David Clune, Narelle Miragliotta, Rob Manwaring, Robert Hortle, and Zareh Ghazarian do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. State of the states: 6 experts on how the election unfolded across the country – https://theconversation.com/state-of-the-states-6-experts-on-how-the-election-unfolded-across-the-country-255508

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

    May 4, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: LEADER JEFFRIES: “WE’RE GOING TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO STOP THIS BUDGET IN ITS TRACKS, BURY IT IN THE GROUND AND MAKE SURE IT NEVER RISES AGAIN”

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

    Rancho Mirage, CA—Today, Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries joined Rep. Raul Ruiz (CA-25), Steering and Policy Co-Chair Rep. Nanette Barragán (CA-44) and Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03) for a Steering and Policy Committee Town Hall to share updates on how House Democrats are standing up for the American people and to hear from local residents on the issues most important to them.

    LEADER JEFFRIES: These are very challenging times. This administration is completely and totally out of control. They promised—they promised to lower the high cost of living. Costs aren’t going down, they’re going up. Inflation is going up. They’re crashing the economy in real time and driving us toward a recession. The economy is under assault, Social Security is under assault, healthcare is under assault, the American way of life is under assault, democracy itself is under assault, which is why we’ve been taking these town hall meetings on the road. We’ll continue to do it in Democratic districts and Republican districts across America. They’re going to run away from you, we’re running towards you.

    Because we recognized—last observation, and then I look forward to our conversations—Congress is a separate and co-equal branch of government. A separate and a co-equal branch of government. We don’t work for this president. We don’t work for any president. We don’t work for Donald Trump. We don’t work for Elon Musk. We don’t work for far-right extremists. We work for you, the American people. The American people. And that is why—that is why we’re committed to doing everything we can at this moment to stop the Republicans from trying to jam this reckless, extreme budget down the throats of the American people, which includes the largest proposed cut to Medicaid in American history. It will hurt children and families and seniors and women and older Americans and everyday Americans with disabilities. Hospitals will close, nursing homes could shut down and, in fact, people could die. This is a matter of life and death.

    And when we talk about this budget, we’re going to be very clear with the American people as to what it represents. It’s unacceptable, it’s unconscionable and it’s un-American. And we’re going to do everything we can to stop this budget in its tracks, bury it in the ground and make sure it never rises again—on your behalf, the people’s behalf.

    Full town hall meeting can be watched here.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

    May 4, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Over One Lakh Devotees Pay Homage to Sacred Relics of Lord Buddha at Thanh Tam Pagoda in Vietnam

    Source: Government of India

    Over One Lakh Devotees Pay Homage to Sacred Relics of Lord Buddha at Thanh Tam Pagoda in Vietnam

    Three-Kilometer Devotee Queue Highlights Spiritual Fervor for India’s Sacred Relics in Vietnam

    UN Vesak 2025 Celebrations Witness Unprecedented Turnout as India’s Buddhist Heritage Touches Hearts in Vietnam

    Posted On: 03 MAY 2025 9:24PM by PIB Delhi

    More than one lakh devotees have paid their reverent homage to the Sacred Relics of Lord Buddha, currently enshrined at Thanh Tam Pagoda, located within the Vietnam Buddhist Academy in Binh Chanh District, Ho Chi Minh City. The Holy Relics were brought from India by an official delegation led by Union Minister Shri Kiren Rijiju and Andhra Pradesh Minister Shri Kandula Durgesh, joined by senior monks and officials.

    Since early morning, the stupa housing the relics—recognized as a National Treasure of India—has seen continuous inflow of devotees. A line stretching nearly three kilometers formed on Saturday, underscoring the profound spiritual resonance and devotion among the Vietnamese people.

    The Sacred Relics, including a portion of the skull bone of Lord Buddha (Shakyamuni), were excavated in 1898 by British archaeologist William Claxton Peppe in Kapilavastu, near the India-Nepal border. These relics are enshrined in a gold-plated stupa crafted by Thai artisans in 1997, featuring 109 grams of gold at its pinnacle—a testimony of the global reverence for Buddha.

    Transported aboard an Indian Airforce aircraft, the relics arrived at Tan Son Nhat International Airport on May 2, 2025, and were ceremonially escorted to Thanh Tam Pagoda. The public exposition of these relics is being conducted under stringent security arrangements, reflecting their sacred and diplomatic importance—equivalent to a state leader’s visit.

    The Holy Relics will remain in Vietnam until May 21, 2025, as part of the UN Day of Vesak celebrations. They will travel to key Buddhist sites including Ba Den Mountain National Tourist Area (Tay Ninh), Quan Su Pagoda (Hanoi), and Tam Chuc Pagoda (Ha Nam), fostering stronger spiritual and cultural ties between India and Vietnam.

    The United Nations Day of Vesak 2025, themed “Unity and Inclusivity for Human Dignity: Buddhist Insights for World Peace and Sustainable Development,” will be observed from May 6–8. The global event is expected to host over 1,200 delegates from 85 countries and territories, including heads of state, religious leaders, and scholars.

    India’s participation and the hosting of these sacred relics represent the profound civilizational bond and shared Buddhist heritage between the two nations.

    ***

    Sunil Kumar Tiwari

    pibculture[at]gmail[dot]com

     

     

     

    (Release ID: 2126627) Visitor Counter : 50

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    May 4, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Delivering for Scotland

    Source: Scottish Government

    First Minister to publish Programme for Government.

    New measures to strengthen Scotland’s public services and ensure people are supported during the cost-of-living crisis will be set out by the First Minister this week.  

    First Minister John Swinney will deliver his Programme for Government on Tuesday 6 May, focused on his four key priorities – eradicating child poverty, growing the economy, investing in public services and tackling the climate emergency.

    The First Minister announced last month that he would bring forward the Programme for Government from its expected publication date post-summer to enable a full year of delivery before the 2026 Scottish Parliament election.

    The First Minister said:  

    “Times are tough for households and businesses across Scotland, and the world around us is changing in ways that are difficult to predict. 

    “But my promise to the people of Scotland is that amidst the uncertainty there is one thing they can be sure of: the government I lead will always seek to do what is best for Scotland.

    “As First Minister, I will always put the needs and interests of the people of Scotland first.

    “I made the decision to bring my Programme for Government forward to ensure people know that the government I lead is entirely focused on improving their lives.

    “On Tuesday, I will bring my plan to Parliament that will strengthen our health service and ensure more money stays in people’s pockets during this cost of living crisis. 

    “The 2025-26 Programme for Government will make Scotland healthier and wealthier.” 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    May 4, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: UPDATE 6: Unified Command continues response to discharge near Garden Island Bay, LA

    Source: United States Coast Guard

    News Release  

    U.S. Coast Guard 8th District Heartland
    Contact: 8th District Public Affairs
    Office: 504-671-2020
    After Hours: 618-225-9008
    Eighth District online newsroom

     

    Port conditions change based on weather forecasts, and current port conditions can be viewed on the following Coast Guard homeport webpages:

    For more information follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

    MIL Security OSI –

    May 4, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Lansdowne Station — Update: Search continues for missing Pictou County children

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    Search efforts are ongoing in Pictou County for missing six-year-old Lily Sullivan and four-year-old Jack Sullivan, who were reported missing yesterday, May 2, at approximately 10 a.m.

    It’s believed the children wandered away from a home on Gairloch Rd. in Lansdowne Station.

    The search for Lily and Jack continued through the night and will continue as necessary to support the missing persons investigation. Ground search and rescue teams and air services from the Civil Air Search and Rescue Association and the Department of Natural Resources are contributing assets.

    “Search teams have been strategic and thorough in their work,” says Inspector Mike Ingles, Acting District Policing Officer. “They’re using a variety of tools and resources as they look for the children in the heavily wooded rural area. Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Jack and Lily who hasn’t already spoken to police is asked to contact the Pictou County District RCMP.”

    When the children were reported missing, a vulnerable missing persons alert was issued in Pictou County. As the children have not yet been located, a broadcast intrusive alert was issued today, at approximately 5:27 p.m., to Antigonish, Colchester, and Pictou counties.

    Investigators continue to ask that the public avoid the search area to allow trained searchers to do their work.

    Anyone with information is asked to contact Pictou County District RCMP at 902-485-4333. To remain anonymous, call Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers, toll-free, at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or use the P3 Tips app.

    MIL Security OSI –

    May 4, 2025

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Advocacy – World Press Freedom Day 2025: Standing with the Palestinian Press

    Source: Palestine Forum of New Zealand

    On this World Press Freedom Day, we pause to honour journalists and media workers across the globe who risk their safety to report truth and amplify the voices of the oppressed. Nowhere is this commitment more courageous, or more perilous, than in occupied Palestine.

    For decades, Palestinian journalists have operated under constant threat — targeted, detained, censored, and even killed for doing their jobs. In Gaza, the West Bank, and Jerusalem, Palestinian reporters document human rights violations, military assaults, home demolitions, and the daily realities of life under occupation, often at great personal risk.

    In the latest war on Gaza, media offices have been bombed, journalists and their families deliberately targeted, and communication blackouts imposed to silence Palestinian narratives. As of May 2025, over 140 journalists have been killed in Gaza alone since October 2023, marking one of the deadliest periods for media professionals in recent history. Many others face arbitrary arrest, harassment at checkpoints, equipment confiscation, and restrictions on movement.

    Despite these dangers, Palestinian journalists persist — their cameras, pens, and microphones bearing witness to what much of the world might otherwise never see. From the frontline photographers in Gaza to the independent media outlets in the diaspora, their work ensures that Palestinian stories remain in public view.

    On this day, we also remember iconic voices like Shireen Abu Akleh, the veteran Al Jazeera journalist killed by Israeli forces in May 2022 while reporting in Jenin. Her legacy is carried by the next generation of Palestinian journalists, who continue to speak truth to power in her name.

    Freedom of the press is a cornerstone of justice. In Palestine, this freedom is under siege. And yet, the resilience of Palestinian media workers is a testament to the enduring power of truth.

     Today, we say:
    We see you. We hear you. We stand with you.

    We demand protection for journalists in Palestine.

    We affirm the right of Palestinians to tell their own story.

    Press freedom is not a privilege — it is a right. And in Palestine, that right remains worth fighting for.

    Maher Nazzal
    Palestine Forum of New Zealand

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    May 4, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Clackamas Progress Partners announces completion of Oregon’s first P3 courthouse

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PORTLAND, Ore., May 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Clackamas Progress Partners (CPP), a Fengate Asset Management-led (Fengate) consortium, today announced the completion and handover of the new Clackamas County Circuit Courthouse – the first courthouse to be delivered as a public-private partnership (P3) in Oregon.

    CPP – comprising Fengate (developer), PCL Construction (design-builder), DLR Group (designer), and Honeywell (NASDAQ: HON) (services provider) – joined client Clackamas County, the Oregon Judicial Department, and public officials on site for a ribbon cutting ceremony to mark the opening of the new 257,000-square-foot courthouse.

    Karl Schaefer, Fengate Project Executive for the Clackamas County Circuit Courthouse Replacement Project, said:

    “The new Clackamas County Circuit Courthouse is the epitome of P3 success – complex public infrastructure delivered efficiently, sustainably, and collaboratively with our public sector partners. We are grateful to our valued trade partners for their hard work to deliver this state-of-the-art courthouse on schedule for the Clackamas County community. Our P3 team is honored to have brought this decades-long vision to life for Clackamas County, and we congratulate our client on the official opening of their new home of justice.”

    Fengate is managing this investment on behalf of Fengate Infrastructure Fund IV and its affiliated entities, including an investment by the LiUNA Pension Fund of Central and Eastern Canada.

    W.T. Sermeus, Senior Project Manager at PCL Construction, said:

    “Delivering the Clackamas County Circuit Courthouse was a true team effort – one that reflects the power of partnership, innovation, and accountability. From day one, our focus was on creating a high-performing, enduring facility for the County and the justice system it supports. Thanks to our subtrade and design partners whose collaboration made this vision a reality.”

    Billal Hammoud, President and Chief Executive Officer of Honeywell’s Building Automation segment, said:

    “The innovative Honeywell automation solutions being used in this new home for justice will help ensure a more efficient and secure environment for Clackamas County residents. We are grateful to Fengate, PCL Construction and DLR Group for the commitment and collaboration that led to the on-time grand opening of this state-of-the-art facility.”

    Erica Loynd, FAIA, Northwest Region Leader and Principal at DLR Group, said:

    “We didn’t just want to build a courthouse. Every aspect of the building focuses on the people within the space, from citizens coming to have one of their most important moments to the staff who spend every day in the building.”

    A landmark for sustainable civic infrastructure, the facility targets LEED Gold certification and is expected to achieve an annual greenhouse gas reduction of 62.2% during operations. With several environmental and social impact accolades, the award-winning facility demonstrates how successful collaboration between the public and private sectors can revitalize and help decarbonize infrastructure in the United States.

    The new facility meets the needs of Clackamas County’s increasing population, which has grown to 430,000 residents in 2025 from less than 50,000 residents in 1936 when the original courthouse was built. Designed to serve the community for decades to come, the courthouse improves the efficiency and safety of the local judicial system with 16 modern courtrooms, 20 judicial chambers, district attorney offices and safe corridors for courthouse users.

    CPP was contracted in 2022 to design, build, finance, operate, and maintain the new courthouse for a 30-year period. The partner companies have completed more than 40 courthouse construction projects across their combined portfolios.

    Further information about the new Clackamas County Circuit Courthouse is available here.

    About Fengate

    Fengate is a leading alternative investment manager focused on infrastructure, private equity and real estate strategies, with more than $7 billion of capital commitments under management. The firm has been investing in infrastructure since 2006 with a focus on mid-market greenfield and brownfield infrastructure assets in the transportation, social, energy transition and digital sectors. Fengate is one of North America’s most active infrastructure investors and developers with a portfolio of more than 45 assets. Learn more at www.fengate.com.

    About PCL Construction

    PCL is a group of independent construction companies that operates throughout the United States, Canada, the Caribbean and Australia. As one of the largest contracting organizations in North America, PCL completes more than $8 billion USD in work annually, building projects that shape communities. The company’s 100% employee ownership model fuels a culture of commitment for clients in the buildings, civil infrastructure, heavy industrial and solar markets. With a strategic presence in more than 30 major centers, PCL’s leadership teams consistently drive innovation and set new benchmarks for excellence, bringing unparalleled skill to every project. Watch us build at PCL.com.

    About DLR Group

    DLR Group is an integrated design firm delivering architecture, engineering, interiors, planning, and building optimization for new construction, renovation, and adaptive reuse. Our promise is to elevate the human experience through design. This promise inspires sustainable design for a diverse group of public and private sector clients; local communities; and our planet. DLR Group is 100 percent employee-owned and fully supports the initiatives and goals of the 2030 Challenge and is an initial signatory to the China Accord and the AIA 2030 Commitment.

    Media contact

    Maddison Sharples
    Vice President, Communications and Marketing
    +1 416 254 3326
    maddison.sharples@fengate.com

    The MIL Network –

    May 4, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: King leads nation in tribute to the greatest generation

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    King leads nation in tribute to the greatest generation

    His Majesty The King will join Second World War veterans in London tomorrow for a military procession and fly past to mark VE Day 80

    • Hollywood actor Timothy Spall will read Churchill speech
    • Iconic buildings across the country will light up from Tuesday evening in tribute
    • National two-minute silence will be held at 12 noon on Thursday

    Four days of national commemorations to the Second World War generation kick off in London tomorrow with a recital of iconic Winston Churchill speeches by Hollywood actor Timothy Spall.

    Timothy Spall will start the events by reading extracts from Churchill’s iconic VE Day victory speech in 1945. Normandy veteran Alan Kennett, 100, will formally start the procession after being handed the Commonwealth War Graves’ Torch For Peace by Air Cadet Warrant Officer Emmy Jones.

    The procession, featuring more than 1,300 members of the Armed Forces and youth groups will march down Whitehall, through Admiralty Arch and up the Mall towards Buckingham Palace where Their Majesties The King and Queen, as well as Members of The Royal Family, the Prime Minister and a number of Second World War veterans will be on a specially built platform on the Queen Victoria Memorial.

    A fly past, which Members of the Royal Family will watch from the Balcony at Buckingham Palace, will conclude Monday’s events. From 9pm on Tuesday evening, hundreds of buildings across the country will be lit up to mark VE 80. Buildings include Buckingham Palace, 10 Downing Street, the Houses of Parliament, the Tower of London, Canary Wharf’s 1 Canada Square, the Shard, Lowther Castle, Rochester Cathedral, Manchester Printworks, Cardiff Castle, Senedd, Perth Bridge, City Chambers and Belfast City Hall.

    On Thursday, a service at Westminster Abbey will begin with a national two-minute silence, which is expected to be replicated across the nation.

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

    This 80th anniversary is a moment of national unity. A time to celebrate that hard won peace, honour the memory of those who lost their lives, and remember the sacrifices made by so many to secure our freedom. Their legacy lives on today in how we stand together in defence of the values they fought for and which bind us together as a nation. This week, we come together to salute their service.

    Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said:

    80 years ago millions of people celebrated the end of the Second World War in Europe. This week, we will recreate this moment across towns and cities, in our homes, in pubs and on our streets.

    We must do all we can to ensure that the stories and memories of this period in our history are not forgotten. We must not forget the hardships, the heroics and the millions who lost their lives.

    We are here because of the sacrifices they made and the horrors they endured. This week, I urge the nation to come together and send a powerful message: we will remember them.

    ENDS

    Notes to editors

    Across the four days, official events and services will be taking place across the UK to mark 80 years of the end of the Second World War in Europe including events in the Devolved Nations, including:

    Monday 5 May:

    • To ensure the commemorations act as a point of remembrance of the millions who lost their lives in the conflict as well as a celebration of peace, the commemorations will begin in Whitehall. The Cenotaph, the nation’s focal point of remembrance, will be dressed in Union Flags for the duration of the four day commemorations, echoing the 1920 unveiling of the monument to the fallen. From Monday 5 May, it will provide a focal point for the commemorations and a place to pay silent tribute to all those who died, both at home and abroad, during the Second World War.
    • The VE Day 80 commemorations will continue with a street party on HMS Belfast. HMS Belfast fired some of the opening shots on D Day in 1944 and protected Arctic convoys during the Second World War and is the most significant surviving Second World War warship.
    • Street parties, barbecues and community get togethers, supported by ideas and inspiration from The Together Coalition and The Big Lunch, will be held by communities across the country, echoing the celebrations 80 years ago as the population welcomed the end of the war.

    Tuesday 6 May:

    • An installation of ceramic poppies will return to the Tower of London to mark the anniversary. Nearly 30,000 of the original poppies from the 2014 display at the Tower, which commemorated the centenary of the First World War, will be displayed in a new installation within the walls of the fortress. This poppies installation will resemble a ‘wound’ at the heart of the Tower, which was itself bombed during the Blitz and still bears some of those scars today.  It will mark and reflect on the sacrifices made by so many during the Second World War.
    • Scotland Salutes VE80 concert will take place at Edinburgh’s Usher Hall.

    Wednesday 7 May:

    • On the evening of 7 May 1945, a newsflash announced that the following day would be Victory in Europe Day. To commemorate this important moment in the nation’s history, the Parliament Choir will host a Victory in Europe Day Anniversary Concert in the famous Westminster Hall at the Palace of Westminster.
    • At a special VE Day event at IWM North, jointly produced by IWM and the National Theatre, some of the letters that the public submit will become part of a performance along with high profile public figures sharing letters from the IWM collection and excerpts from ‘The Next Morning’.
    • A National Service of Remembrance will be held at Llandaff Cathedral.

    Thursday 8 May:

    • A service will take place at Westminster Abbey that will be both an act of shared remembrance and a celebration of the end of the war. It will be a moment to give thanks and to honour a generation that showed extraordinary courage and resilience.
    • The events will conclude with a concert at the historic Horseguards Parade to finish the VE Day 80 commemorations in a celebratory tone, echoing how the nation reacted to the news 80 years before. With more than 10,000 members of the public in attendance, the concert will feature stars of stage and screen including John Newman and Dames Joan Collins, Mary Berry, and Sheila Hancock as well as military musicians and tell the story of victory and the legacy of the Second World War in Europe.

    Services of remembrance and community celebrations will take place across Northern Ireland throughout the week. The Government has launched Tip Top Towns, a programme to encourage communities across the country – whether towns, villages or cities – to get together with their communities ahead of 5 May when the nation will come together for street parties to celebrate VE Day. Members of the public are encouraged to get in the VE Day spirit by making their own decorations, planting flowers, encouraging children to draw pictures for their windows or hosting arts and craft sessions.

    Full list of buildings being lit up:

    London:

    Houses of Parliament, London

    Elizabeth Tower, London

    Buckingham Palace, London

    10 Downing Street, London

    Battersea Power Station, London

    Tower 42 (Natwest Building), London

    Millenium Bridge, London

    The Shard, London

    Tower of London, London

    St Paul’s Cathedral, London

    London Eye, London

    Canary Wharf 1 Canada Square, London

    National Theatre, London

    British Film Institute, London

    The Cenotaph, London

    HMS Belfast, London

    IWM London, London

    BFI IMAX, London

    BFI Southbank, London

    London Bridge, London

    Cannon Street Railway Bridge, London

    Southwark Bridge, London

    Waterloo Bridge, London

    Golden Jubilee Footbridges, London

    Westminster Bridge, London

    Lambeth Bridge, London

    Blackfriars Bridge, London

    102 Petty France, London

    The National Archives, London

    120 Fenchurch Street, London

    Twickenham/Aviva Stadium, London

    North West England:

    IWM North, Salford

    Liverpool’s Royal Liver Building, Liverpool

    Manchester Printworks, Manchester

    The Royal Exchange, Manchester

    Lowther Castle, Cumbria

    Blackpool seafront & tower, Blackpool

    Rivington Pike, Chorley

    Chorley Town hall, Chorley

    North East England:

    Durham Cathedral, Durham

    Gateshead Millennium Bridge, Newcastle

    Glasshouse International Centre, Newcastle

    Municipal Buildings, Middlesborough

    Town Hall, Middlesborough

    Town Hall Clock Tower, Middlesborough

    Central Library, Middlesborough

    Bottle of Notes, Middlesborough

    St Hilda’s Bell structure, Middlesborough

    Zetland Car Park, Middlesborough

    The Issac Wilson pub, Middlesborough

    Dorman Museum, Middlesborough

     South East England:

    The Spinnaker Tower, Portsmouth

    Rochester Cathedral, Rochester

    Brighton Royal Pavillion, Brighton

    South West England:

    Runnymede Air Force Memorial, Surrey

    County Hall, Dorset

    Aerospace Bristol, Bristol

    The Grand Pier, Weston-super-Mare

    East England:

    St Edmundsbury Cathedral, Suffolk

    West Midlands:

    Birmingham Central Library, Birmingham

    Tamworth Castle, Staffordshire

    Kings Heath (trees), Birmingham

    National Memorial Arboretum, Staffordshire

    East Midlands:

    Derwent Dam, Peak District

    Scotland:

    The Kelpies, Falkirk

    The Falkirk Wheel, Falkirk

    Perth Bridge, Perth

    Hamilton House, Lanarkshire

    City Chambers, Edinburgh

    St Paul’s Church, Perth

    Northern Ireland:

    Belfast City Hall, Belfast

    Titanic Museum, Belfast

    Enniskillen Castle, Enniskillen

    Strule Arts Centre, Omagh

    Parliament Buildings 

     Wales:

    Welsh Government Building in Cathays Park, Cardiff

    Welsh Parliament ( Senedd Cymru) in Cardiff Bay

    Cardiff Castle, Cardiff

    Castell Coch, Cardiff

    Caernarfon Castle, Caernarfon

    Channel Islands:

    Castle Cornet, Guernsey

    Fort Grey, Guernsey

    Beau Sejour Leisure, Guernsey

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    Updates to this page

    Published 3 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    May 4, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: 96-Year Old Veteran Saluted at Special Medal Ceremony

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed
    SMITHFIELD, RI – Nearly 79 years after Seaman Second Class Carmine J. Lombardi joined the U.S. Navy, U.S. Senator Jack Reed today joined Mr. Lombardi and his family to salute the 96-year old’s military service and present him with medals he earned at the end of World War II.
    A New Jersey-native who moved to Providence at a young age, Carmine Lombardi received military training at the U.S. Naval Training Center (USNTC) Bainbridge in Maryland before joining the crew of the USS Little Rock, a 12,000 ton Cleveland-class cruiser that was commissioned on June 17, 1945.
    Serving in the U.S. Navy, Mr. Lombardi and his shipmates sailed throughout much of the Atlantic Ocean, performing exercises along the East Coast and Caribbean before shipping out to support the war-torn nations of the North Atlantic and Mediterranean.
    As hostilities ceased, Mr. Lombardi was one of many U.S. servicemembers who continued to stand posts around the globe in challenging conditions, following the most widespread war in history which claimed the lives of more than 50 million people.
    “We will forever be grateful for the service and sacrifice of men like Carmine Lombardi, who, at a young age, embarked on an incredible voyage.  He admirably did his part as he and his shipmates deployed half way around the world at a time of great turmoil and transition.  He and his fellow servicemembers stood posts for freedom and contributed to successful missions around the globe. It is a privilege to recognize Mr. Lombardi’s outstanding service and thank him for a job well done,” said Senator Reed.

    After receiving a medical discharge from the U.S. Navy in 1947, Mr. Lombardi returned home and began working in Providence’s growing jewelry industry. Shortly thereafter, he followed the advice of family friends and agreed to go on a blind date with Adelaide Vallante. The pairing took and the two were married for nearly seven decades before Mrs. Lombardi’s passing in July 2022.
    Mr. and Mrs. Lombardi raised two children – a daughter, Sandra, and son, Glen – and were proud grandparents and great-grandparents. The couple worked together in the jewelry industry, eventually opening their own business, Adjo Soldering, designing and manufacturing jewelry and accessories and supporting other local Providence jewelers.
    During the ceremony, Mr. Lombardi received four military honors for exemplary conduct, efficiency, and fidelity that he earned while serving in the U.S. Navy, including:
    President Harry S. Truman officially announced the cessation of hostilities of World War II on December 31, 1946.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    May 4, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: $22 Million Renovation to Dietz Stadium

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Kathy Hochul today announced the completion of renovations to Robert H. Dietz Memorial Stadium in the City of Kingston as part of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative. The $22 million project, which was kick-started with $2.5 million from the City of Kingston’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative award, included interior and exterior Grandstand renovations with upgraded locker rooms and athletics facilities, new track and turf field, greener and more accessible parking areas, new concession areas and restroom facilities, a new scoreboard and LED stadium lighting.

    “The revitalization of Dietz Stadium marks a new era for the City of Kingston – where state-of-the-art athletic facilities meet community pride and regional opportunity,” Governor Hochul said. “Through our Downtown Revitalization Initiative, we’ve transformed this historic venue into a modern hub for sports, recreation and public gatherings, all while preserving its legacy and strengthening accessibility, sustainability and economic vitality for generations to come.”

    Dietz Stadium is a 2,000-seat facility with an outdoor field and track that is a major venue for organized sports both locally and regionally. The stadium is used daily for Kingston City School athletics for practices and competitions. The stadium is home to Kingston Stockade Football Club, a semi-professional soccer team, and hosts several regional and statewide competitions each year, including the New York State Field Band Conference’s Fall Fanfare. The stadium grounds, pool, basketball court and track are popular for recreational use by the public.

    The Dietz Stadium renovation project was part of a multi-phased, comprehensive restoration of the larger complex, which included the Andretta Pool Improvements Project that began in spring 2020 and was completed in 2023. Improvements included a new roof and masonry repairs at the pool house, pool lining repairs, a new pump and filter, and a splash pad.

    The Dietz Stadium improvements included:

    • Exterior renovations of the grandstand, including improved accessibility, a 50-yard line access tunnel to the locker rooms, new benches, and press box upgrades
    • Interior renovations of the grandstand, including upgrades to the restrooms, new locker rooms, new mechanical/electrical services, coaches offices, training room, and improved storage facilities
    • New track surfacing, new turf field, and new LED stadium lighting
    • New scoreboard with large screen broadcasting
    • All new underground utilities: water, sewer, storm, electric & communications
    • Removal of the old concession building and admin building and construction of a new 100’ x 36’ open-air pavilion with food truck hook-ups, concession booth, and referee locker room
    • Visitor side concession area with two restrooms
    • Expanded grassed practice area with a track & field equipment storage building
    • New gated ticket booth grandstand entrance
    • Bus parking at stadium entrance, new parking lots with green infrastructure
    • Improved access loop road and sidewalks around the stadium
    • Two-way access/egress to Hurley Avenue as well as Joys Lane
    • Relocated basketball court with benches and lighting
    • Pedestrian access/egress walk to Joys Lane near Forsyth Nature Center
    • New stadium perimeter fencing
    • Improved Wi-Fi and security cameras
    • Landscaping, including 120+ new trees

    Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley said, “Dietz Stadium is a tremendous asset to the City of Kingston, and we are proud to celebrate its official reopening after extensive renovations and improvements. This is more than just a stadium, it is a neighborhood hub where families gather, students grow and residents show community pride. Congratulations to the City of Kingston on their continued efforts toward creating a more vibrant and thriving city!”

    Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “Projects like this are at the heart of our community redevelopment efforts and encourage new investments that support regional economic growth. Dietz Stadium is a Kingston landmark, and the upgrades made possible through the Downtown Revitalization Initiative will ensure that it continues to welcome fans and athletes for generations to come.”

    New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Acting Commissioner Amanda Lefton said, “When ‘climate smart’ cities like Kingston prioritize green infrastructure improvements and sustainable solutions, like these at Dietz Stadium, the entire community benefits. DEC is proud to partner with the Department of State and our fellow state agencies to support this exciting renovation project and contribute to the city of Kingston’s ongoing efforts to enhance resiliency and improve quality of life for everyone who calls this community home.”

    Environmental Facilities Corporation President and CEO Maureen A. Coleman said, “The transformation of Dietz Stadium is a powerful example of how strategic investments in green infrastructure can revitalize community spaces while protecting our environment. EFC is proud to support projects like this that not only enhance public amenities but also advance New York State’s resilience and sustainability goals through cleaner water management and improved accessibility.”

    Representative Pat Ryan said, “I pushed hard for this project, both as County Executive and as a member of Congress – I’m incredibly proud to announce renovations are complete! This is a win for our entire Kingston community – from the student athletes that will utilize the new top-tier facilities, to the families and community members who will enjoy the space. I can’t wait to visit with Theo and Cam soon!”

    State Senator Michelle Hinchey said, “Dietz Stadium is a Kingston landmark and a cornerstone of life in our community, where generations have come together to compete, celebrate, and get a front row seat to watch our semi-pro Stockade FC make us proud. We’ve driven major state investment toward Dietz’s revitalization, and I’m proud to have been part of that effort. These renovations will help carry Dietz into its next 100 years, and it’s been incredible to see the positive impact on local families, athletes, and our business district since its opening.”

    Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger said, “Dietz Stadium is a beloved community asset that has been used by generations of residents for community recreation, school athletic practices and competitions, graduations, and special events, and more recently, as the home field for Kingston’s very own semi-pro soccer team, the Kingston Stockade FC. The improvements to the stadium are spectacular and will benefit the community for generations to come. I want to thank the Department of State for the Downtown Revitalization Initiative award, which provided funding to kick-start this project, and I want to express my appreciation to Mayor Noble, the Common Council, and the Kingston City School District for their vision, leadership, and commitment to making this project happen. I look forward to seeing the Kingston Stockade play on the new field!”

    City of Kingston Mayor Steven T. Noble said, “I want to thank the Governor and the Department of State for seeing our vision for Uptown Kingston, believing in our community, and providing the funding through the DRI program that kick-started this massive renovation project of our beloved Dietz Stadium. With the state-of-the-art upgrades, this complex will now be able to host regional sporting competitions and large-scale events, which we know will be a boon to our Stockade Business District and beyond. We are thrilled to have robust support from the State and are proud to welcome the public to the new and improved Robert H. Dietz Memorial Stadium today.”

    Kingston City School District Superintendent Dr. Paul J. Padalino said, “We are incredibly thankful to New York State for providing the financial support to complete the renovations of the new and improved Dietz Stadium. This stadium is a tremendous asset to both KCSD and the City of Kingston. KCSD students have already been making great use of the stadium and we look forward to making more memorable moments here. This project is an example of effective cooperation between the State, City and School District. We are grateful to have worked collaboratively with our state and local governments to make this dream a reality.”

    The City of Kingston was named the Mid-Hudson Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) winner in Round Two. Dietz Stadium and the larger complex, including Andretta Pool received $2.5 million from the DRI, as well as grants for green infrastructure improvements from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the Environmental Facilities Corporation. In addition to Dietz Stadium, other projects awarded DRI funding include $2.38 million for transportation upgrades in the Stockade District; $473,000 to create open space in Frog Alley; $3.8 million to incorporate public improvements into the Kingstonian Mixed-Use Development Project; and $600,000 for a Small Grants Program to support smaller projects in the City’s Stockade Business District.

    Downtown Revitalization Initiative
    The Downtown Revitalization Initiative was created in 2016 to accelerate and expand the revitalization of downtowns and neighborhoods in all ten regions of the state to serve as centers of activity and catalysts for investment. Led by the Department of State with assistance from Empire State Development, Homes and Community Renewal and NYSERDA, the DRI represents an unprecedented and innovative “plan-then-act” strategy that couples strategic planning with immediate implementation and results in compact, walkable downtowns that are a key ingredient to helping New York State rebuild its economy from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as to achieving the State’s bold climate goals by promoting the use of public transit and reducing dependence on private vehicles. Through eight rounds, the DRI has awarded a total of $900 million to 89 communities across every region of the State.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    May 4, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cook, Four Guides for the Journey Ahead

    Source: US State of New York Federal Reserve

    Huge congratulations to Michigan State University’s James Madison College Class of 2025!1 It is an honor to speak to this inspiring and talented graduating class. Before I address the graduates, I would like to thank those who helped you get here: the parents, grandparents, siblings, aunts and uncles, friends, teachers, and mentors. Congratulations and thank you to all who lifted up the Class of 2025.
    As a professor’s kid and as an MSU professor, I have come to treasure commencements as important milestones. It is wonderful to be with you today. The flowers are starting to bloom in Beal Garden, the lawns around Beaumont Tower are turning the perfect shade of Spartan green, and the ducklings are making their appearance on the Red Cedar. After another chilly winter, campus is reaching peak beauty—just in time for you to leave Michigan State.
    I am full of optimism about everything that lies ahead of you. Despite any sense of angst you may feel about moving on from Madison, I hope that you are filled with optimism, too. Spring is a time of new beginnings. You are ready for the next step. Today marks both the completion of a tremendous accomplishment, and an exciting new beginning. Some of you may be feeling uncertain. That is natural. Others of you may have detailed plans that you are ready to execute. Remember, if you keep your head down and your eyes fixed only on the map, you may miss unexpected opportunities. Life—like Michigan weather—is going to surprise you. As you leave here, I want you to remain optimistic and have confidence, because you are ready.
    When I was in your shoes, graduating from Spelman College, I remember feeling unsure of what the world would have in store for me. I did not imagine I would be a member of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, or even an economist. (I started Spelman as a physics and philosophy major.) I only came to see economics as a potential route several years after my graduation, following a chance encounter. At the time, I was continuing my studies in philosophy in Senegal and was struggling to find the right prism through which to explore big questions that interested and motivated me. I decided to set out for an adventure of a lifetime: hike Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. As luck would have it, during that journey I met a British economist. By the end of the trek, he convinced me that economics held the tools to address the questions I cared about deeply. Within months, I moved back home, enrolled in classes to prepare for a Ph.D. in economics, and began a path that ultimately led me to both Michigan State and the Federal Reserve.
    Today, you are leaving the safe harbor of Case Hall and East Lansing, ready to depart on your next adventure. As you do, I would like to offer four guides for you to navigate your journey ahead: hope, curiosity, persistence, and a commitment to public service.
    HopeMy first guide for you is hope. Hope is a value instilled in me from a very young age. I saw my parents and family members face difficult challenges. They persevered because they held out hope that their actions would lead to a better future, not only for themselves, but for me and my sisters, our community, and ultimately all of society. I am proud to have followed in their footsteps.
    As James Madison graduates, I know each of you has some corner of the world in which you have made a difference or wish to make a difference. It could have been through debate, JMC Senate, ASMSU, 4-H, ROTC, peer mentoring, Fed Challenge, a public service sorority or fraternity, or Model UN, among many other organizations. Whatever issue interests you, to make progress, you must undertake the difficult work of casting off old ways that no longer serve us, and adopting new ideas, new methods, and new technologies. This process requires faith put into action. Optimism expressed through effort. The daily choice to believe that you can make a difference. So, as you proceed, when you feel unsure, I urge you to guard your sense of hope. Let hope guide you to a better future.
    CuriosityMy next guide for you is curiosity. I encourage you to remain curious, for your attention and your time are among your most precious resources. From your first-year seminar, through your methods courses, to your senior seminars, your studies honed your capacity to seek new insights. I urge you to ask questions, hunt for the best available information, reason through it, and listen carefully to other points of view.
    Remain curious about what others can teach you, and do not settle for easy answers. It is imperative that you continue to be filled with wonder about the world so that you can make it better. Curiosity is magical, but it takes vigilance, practice, and study to avoid stagnation, and to reach new insights. Curiosity will lead you to wonderful opportunities if you trust its guidance.
    PersistenceThat leads me to my third suggestion for your journey ahead: be persistent. As Madison graduates, you know about preparation. To be persistent in your efforts, you need to continually prepare yourself for the next steps, even if you do not know the destination. It means grounding what you think and say in deep and informed knowledge, acquired through effort and reflection.
    You are graduating at a unique time in the history of the world. We have access to unprecedented quantities of data. We have tools to gather and analyze these data to understand and improve the world. I encourage you to view learning as a lifelong pursuit. I ask you to familiarize yourself with new technologies and tools, such as artificial intelligence, and incorporate them into persistent preparation as a companion, not as a substitute, to live an informed, productive, and fulfilling life.
    ServiceMy final guide for you is a call to service. I know you understand this as James Madison students. Public service is woven into the culture here. Historically, Madison graduates have entered public service jobs immediately after graduation in large numbers, including with the Peace Corps, Teach for America, nonprofits, and local, state, and federal agencies.
    Over the course of my life, many of my proudest and most enriching memories were opportunities to serve. (Were any of you in 4-H like I was? Do you remember the pledge? It is “Head, Heart, Hands, and Health.”) Whether it was my time as a page in the Georgia legislature, interning on Capitol Hill, serving on the Executive Committee of the American Economic Association (AEA), working at the U.S. Treasury and the White House, leading the AEA Summer Program at MSU, or now, as a member of the Federal Reserve Board, these opportunities to use my knowledge, skills, and time to try to improve the world have been invaluable to me.
    As proud James Madison graduates, look for different opportunities to serve the greater good over the course of your lives. Public service is not always easy, but it is always meaningful and deeply rewarding. That could involve working in education or government, conducting research to expand our knowledge, inventing new technologies, volunteering for a nonprofit organization, or mentoring more junior colleagues. There are many ways—big and small—to serve. So, as you navigate your lives, ask yourself which paths will allow you to contribute to the greater good.
    ConclusionGraduates—Spartans—you are entering the wider world, one filled with pressing needs, and countless opportunities. As you make your way, let hope be your constant companion. Heed your curiosity. Honor deep knowledge and thorough, persistent preparation. Embrace public service, however you define it.
    Growing up, I was often inspired by a poem, popularized by the scholar and spiritual mentor to Martin Luther King, Jr., Howard Thurman: “I’m tired of sailing my little boat far inside the harbor bar. I want to go out where the big ships float, out on the deep where the great ones are. Should my frail craft prove too slight for those waves that sweep the billows o’er, I’d rather go down in the stirring fight than drowse to death by the sheltered shore.”2
    Graduates, I urge you to plumb the depths of the deep oceans, where you will find the great questions that excite, challenge, and motivate you. You will face rough waters, the route will change, and your destination is not entirely known. As I said, life—like Michigan weather—is going to surprise you. But you are prepared. Your education and your experiences here have armed you with specific knowledge and skills, but also—more importantly—with a honed capacity to be curious, to persistently adapt, to serve, and to hope.
    Congratulations, Class of 2025! I cannot wait to see what you will discover on your way.

    1. The views expressed here are my own and are not necessarily those of my colleagues on the Federal Reserve Board or the Federal Open Market Committee. Return to text
    2. Daisy Rinehart, “The Call of the Open Sea,” Munsey’s Magazine, October 1905, 36, quoted in Howard Thurman, “Finding God,” in Religion on Campus: The Report of the National Student Conference, Milwaukee, December 28, 1926 to January 1, 1927, ed. Francis P. Miller (Association Press, 1927), 48. Return to text

    MIL OSI USA News –

    May 4, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Europe: AFRICA/SUD SUDAN – Until the very end, Pope Francis sent letters to South Sudanese leaders urging them to work for peace

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Juba (Fides Agency ) – “Pope Francis worked until the very end for peace in South Sudan,” Sister Elena Balatti, a Comboni missionary in South Sudan, told Fides Agency.“Unfortunately, South Sudan is once again on the brink of civil war. Despite his illness, Pope Francis sent letters to President Salva Kiir Mayardit and Vice President Reik Machar, now under house arrest, asking them to work for peace,” said the missionary.At the beginning of March, tensions rose between the faction led by President Kiir and that headed by Machar, who was placed under house arrest on March 26 (see Fides 27/3/2025).“The Holy Father was remembered by South Sudanese people with numerous messages of condolence on social media. The local population remembers well his visit to South Sudan in February 2023,” Sister Elena points out.“The Presidency of South Sudan declared April 25 a national day of mourning for the death of Pope Francis. President Salva Kiir Mayardit, in his message of condolence, explicitly recalled this visit and emphasized that the South Sudanese people understood very well how special a place South Sudan had in the heart of Pope Francis, who worked so hard for peace and brotherhood in this country. The President also recalled the historic gesture with which, after inviting the country’s government and opposition leaders to the Vatican in 2019, he kissed their feet in that ecumenical moment together with the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, and the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland, Rev. John Chalmers.”“The Pope’s visit, his gesture of kissing the feet of government and opposition leaders, and the closeness he showed to South Sudan during his illness from the Gemelli Hospital will remain in the hearts of all South Sudanese who remember him with gratitude,” concluded the missionary. (LM) (Fides Agency 3/5/2025)
    Share:

    MIL OSI Europe News –

    May 4, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Nearly 300 new homes coming to Victoria

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    People in Victoria will soon have access to nearly 300 new homes as construction begins on two developments that offer affordable rental and supportive housing.

    “We know that different people have different housing needs, and we’re working on every front to help everyone find a place to call home,” said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs. “During a time of economic uncertainty, these homes will lower rental costs for working people and families while bringing people sheltering outside indoors so they can have stability, dignity and support they need to move forward.”

    To help families and individuals, including those at risk of or experiencing homelessness, a provincial investment of nearly $100 million is funding the construction of 295 new homes across two separate developments on Pandora Avenue and Discovery Street.

    This includes a new 21-storey building at 926/930 Pandora Ave., replacing the existing vacant structures with 158 affordable rental homes, 47 supportive homes and a community space expected to include child care services.

    Construction will begin soon, with the homes expected to be completed by spring 2029. The Capital Region Housing Corporation (CRHC) will manage the affordable rental homes, and an experienced non-profit operator will oversee the supportive housing.

    “These new homes will provide families and individuals with a place to call home, in their communities and close to their jobs and their support systems,” said Nina Krieger, MLA for Victoria-Swan Lake. “By offering a mix of affordable and supportive housing, we’re helping ensure that everyone can find stability, comfort and a sense of belonging in Victoria.”

    Additionally, construction is set to start in May on 90 new supportive homes at 726 Discovery St. for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. The eight-storey, steel-frame building will feature 90 studio units, each with a private bathroom.

    This project is expected to be completed by mid-2027. Our Place Society will operate the supportive housing at Discovery Street, offering residents daily meals, laundry facilities and a range of 24/7 on-site support services. These will include life-skills training, employment assistance and counselling, as well as access to physical and mental-health care, addiction treatment and recovery services. The building will also feature safety measures such as fenced grounds, a single point of entry, 24/7 staffed reception, security cameras and lighting.

    These projects are part of a $19-billion housing investment by the B.C. government. Since 2017, the Province has nearly 92,000 homes that have been delivered or are underway, including more than 4,120 homes in Victoria.

    Quotes:

    Julian Daly, CEO, Our Place –

    “We’re happy to see construction begin on the Discovery Street supportive-housing project, which Our Place Society will be operating. This much-needed resource will provide 90 supportive homes for people in Victoria, offering stability and services to help them thrive. It’s a vital step forward for those we serve and for access to housing in Victoria. The whole community benefits from this.”

    Marianne Alto, mayor of Victoria –

    “Breaking ground on this project, working with provincial, regional and non-profit partners, is a significant step forward as we address our complex housing crisis. These 295 affordable homes will provide the stability and opportunity needed for more people to build community roots and thrive in Victoria.”

    Zac de Vries, chair, Capital Region Housing Corporation –

    “Since 2019, with our funding partners, the CRHC has introduced more than 800 new affordable homes to the region, and we won’t stop there. Projects like Pandora show the powerful possibilities of partnership, and the CRHC is excited to get another 158 affordable homes underway in the city of Victoria.”  

    Learn More:

    To learn about the steps the Province is taking to tackle the housing crisis and deliver affordable homes for people in British Columbia, visit: https://strongerbc.gov.bc.ca/housing/ 

    A map showing the location of all announced provincially funded housing projects in B.C. is available here: https://www.bchousing.org/projects-partners/Building-BC/homes-for-BC

    To learn how BC Housing is helping to build strong, inclusive housing communities, visit: https://www.bchousing.org/podcast

    A backgrounder follows.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

    May 4, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Accessible family activities in Canberra

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Children enjoying a live show at Questacon. Photo credit VisitCanberra

    In brief:

    • Canberra has plenty of activities and experiences for families.
    • This story lists accessible activities and spaces for families to visit.

    Canberra is packed with family-friendly activities and experiences. Many of these attractions and spaces are inclusive for people with physical and sensory disability and access needs.

    From events and galleries to gardens and playgrounds, there are lots of accessible activities to choose from.

    Nature and outdoors

    The National Arboretum Canberra is one of the world’s largest collections of rare, endangered and significant trees. This popular spot is also home to POD playground. You’ll also find the National Bonsai and Penjing Collection. There are disabled car parking spaces available across the Arboretum. You can also book to hire a free wheelchair.

    Smooth, wide pathways connect key attractions such as the playground and café. There are also All Access paths and Grade 1 sealed paths with no steps to help you explore.

    A visit to the fully accessible Boundless Playground is a must for kids’ fun. This all-abilities play space is next to Lake Burley Griffin. It is fully enclosed, has easy car parking and great toilet facilities.

    Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve is a great place to see wildlife in a natural setting. It’s just a 40-minute drive from the city. Mobility-impaired visitors can hire an all-terrain wheelchair, known as a TrailRider.

    Tidbinbilla also offers mobility access to many popular locations. These include The Sanctuary and the Eucalypt Forest. Both have:

    • accessible toilets
    • designated parking areas
    • paved footpaths for independent wheelchair access.

    The Nature Discovery Playground has a bird’s nest swing suitable for very young children and people with limited mobility.

    Get wild at the National Zoo & Aquarium and meet lions and tigers and bears (oh my)!

    You can use the accessible pathways and ramps to get around the zoo.  There are some sloped and gravel paths, though. The Adventure Land playground includes a wheelchair-accessible playhouse and two fully harnessed swings.

    The Australian National Botanic Gardens is an amazing place to explore. It is home to an array of native plants. Visitors can hire a free wheelchair or electric mobility scooter. You can also book a seat on the wheelchair-friendly bus tour.

    Little explorers love the Paperbark Treehouse. This has a ramp-accessible platform at the main level.

    Looking for a place to cool off? Dickson Pool has something for the whole family to enjoy. The outdoor pool includes:

    • a splash park
    • a toddler pool
    • a learn-to-swim pool
    • a heated 50m pool with ramp access.

    Galleries, attractions and museums

    Questacon is known for its family-friendly experiences. It also has great options to make it an inclusive space.

    All of Questacon’s galleries are accessible by ramp or a lift. Wheelchairs and prams are available for hire from the ticket desk.

    Seating is available in each gallery. The Japan Theatre is wheelchair accessible and has a hearing loop in the first two rows.

    A visit to Questacon can be a very stimulating experience. You can find noise cancelling headphones at the Information Desk and in each gallery.

    Questacon also runs Access days. these offer a quieter environment for sensory sensitive visitors.

    The National Museum of Australia is a fantastic option for families.

    The museum has lift access to each of the three levels. There are also bookable wheelchairs and motorised scooters. There are large-print maps and tactile guides for vision-impaired visitors. You’ll find a hearing induction loop at the Information Desk.

    The Tim and Gina Fairfax Discovery Centre is a fun playground for young children of all abilities. Quiet hours are run with reduced noise and sensory experiences. These are held from 3.30–4.45pm on the first Tuesday of the month.

    The National Gallery of Australia has a range of free programs for people with disability and access needs. These include tours and workshops. There is an audio induction loop system in:

    • the main entrance
    • Gandel Hall
    • James Fairfax Theatre
    • Tim Fairfax Learning Gallery.

    There are two braille brochures with tactile maps. These are the Gallery and for the Sculpture Garden. The Gallery also runs Sensory Sunday. This free monthly program is ideal for individuals who identify as neurodivergent.

    The miniatures village Cockington Green Gardens is an iconic Canberra experience. It is also a wheelchair and walker accessible display.

    It has granite paths and walkways. These accommodate a range of equipment. Wheelchairs and mobility scooters are available for hire.

    Parliament House is a member of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program. This helps people with a disability or condition that may not be immediately apparent, to voluntarily share their needs for:

    • assistance
    • understanding
    • a helping hand.

    Visitors can borrow Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyards and pins to wear during their visit.

    All public areas of Parliament House are wheelchair accessible.

    There is also an accessible toilet and change facility that caters for users with high support needs and their carers.

    Events

    The Canberra Theatre Centre provides a range of services for different abilities. Its inclusive performances help everyone experience the magic of theatre.

    Contact the theatre directly to book tickets if you need assistance with your seating. This can include audio description, mobility or hearing assistance.

    The theatre has FM radio assisted hearing units for patrons who need hearing assistance.

    Selected performances are professionally signed by Auslan interpreters. Some Relaxed Performances are offered. These have been adapted for a range of audience members, including people with:

    • autism
    • sensory sensitivities
    • communication conditions
    • learning disabilities.

    Heading to an event at Exhibition Park in Canberra? EPIC has accessible car parking spaces across the precinct and near all major buildings.

    Extra parking areas may also be reserved depending on the nature and location of the event.  All EPIC venues have accessible facilities, including toilets and showers.

    Cheer on your favourite sports teams at Manuka Oval and Canberra Stadium. Wheelchair-accessible seating and lift access can help make your visit more comfortable. For guests who have sensory sensitivity, the Brumbies have introduced a Sensory Zone at Canberra Stadium during Super Rugby games.

    Read more like this

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    MIL OSI News –

    May 4, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s wrongful deportation case is more about individual rights than the Trump administration’s foreign policy

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Chimene Keitner, Martin Luther King, Jr. Professor of Law, University of California, Davis

    U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen, right, meets with Kilmar Abrego Garcia in San Salvador, El Salvador, on April 17, 2025. Photo by Sen. Van Hollen’s office via Getty Images

    Trump administration officials have repeatedly claimed that judges who order the administration to take action to bring deported Venezuelans back from the El Salvador prison where the U.S. sent them are meddling in the conduct of foreign policy.

    “The foreign policy of the United States is conducted by President Donald J. Trump − not by a court − and no court in the United States has a right to conduct the foreign policy of the United States,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on April 14.

    His comments refer to cases including that of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a 29-year-old Salvadoran man who was deported to El Salvador on March 15, 2025, without any due process. The Trump administration says it will not bring him back to the U.S., despite a Supreme Court order to facilitate his return.

    A reporter on April 30 asked Rubio about whether he has been in touch with El Salvador regarding Abrego Garcia’s potential release from a maximum security prison there.

    “Well I would never tell you that and you know who else I would never tell? A judge. Because the conduct of our foreign policy belongs to the president,” Rubio said.

    Rubio made a similar point on April 14, posting on X, “No court in the United States has a right to conduct the foreign policy of the United States. It’s that simple. End of story.”

    The legal cases of Abrego Garcia and other noncitizens deported to El Salvador are far from simple. Chimène Keitner, a scholar of international law and civil litigation, answers a few key questions about the power that U.S. judges actually have in these wrongful deportation cases.

    The Supreme Court building in Washington, D.C., on April 28, 2025, with construction scaffolding on the facade.
    Brendan Śmiałowski/AFP via Getty Images

    Are these cases really about foreign policy or something else?

    These wrongful deportation cases aren’t primarily about foreign policy, despite what Trump officials have said − they’re about the protection of individual rights, including the right to due process.

    The Trump administration is arguing that courts cannot grant relief to individuals challenging their deportation and detention if those individuals are sent to another country and imprisoned there. Under that argument, even a wrongfully detained and deported U.S. citizen would be out of luck. That can’t, in my understanding, be right.

    In Reid v. Covert, a foundational case from 1957, the Supreme Court made clear that the government cannot deprive U.S. citizens of due process by entering into an agreement with a foreign country.

    Now, noncitizens are being detained in El Salvador under arrangements concluded between Rubio and Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele in February 2025.

    So far, the relevant agreements have not been disclosed to Congress, arguably in violation of U.S. law. They also have not been disclosed to courts that have sought answers about relevant details.

    Following an April trip to El Salvador, U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen, a Democrat from Maryland, said that the U.S. will pay El Salvador $15 million to imprison the deported noncitizens − and that El Salvador is imprisoning these men only because the U.S. is paying for it.

    What are other important elements to understand about these cases?

    The Trump administration is arguing that a judge or the Supreme Court cannot order it to return noncitizens to the U.S., because detention operations in El Salvador, a sovereign country, are beyond the reach of U.S. courts.

    However, the U.S. decisions to arrest, detain and deport noncitizens to El Salvador, and to pay for their incarceration there with U.S. taxpayer dollars, are not foreign policy decisions that cannot be reviewed by any judge.

    They are, I would argue, governmental deprivations of the individual right to due process.

    A U.S. court does not have power over the government of El Salvador. However, it can order the U.S. government to request an individual’s return. The Supreme Court has ordered the government to “facilitate” the return of Abrego Garcia.

    The government has argued that “facilitate” in this context simply requires removing domestic U.S. legal obstacles. However, given that Abrego Garcia is being detained in El Salvador, any effective remedy would require the U.S. government to request his return under the detention agreement between the two countries.

    Another federal judge made this clear in an April order requiring the government to make a “good faith request” to El Salvador to release a different wrongfully deported 20-year-old.

    Meanwhile, Trump has stated that his administration is exploring the idea of extending the El Salvador detention agreement to encompass U.S. citizens. Judges have already expressed concern that U.S. citizens, including children, are being removed from the country “with no meaningful process.”

    These actions cannot be shielded from judicial review on the grounds that they involve foreign policy.

    President Donald Trump shakes hands with Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele at the White House on April 14, 2025.
    Win McNamee/Getty Images

    Could the Trump administration legitimately claim that judges cannot rule on its foreign policy decisions?

    The Constitution gives foreign affairs powers to both the executive and legislative branches. Judges can’t conduct foreign policy. They can, however, decide cases that may affect foreign policy, especially when individual rights are at stake.

    Another country’s involvement in a case doesn’t prevent U.S. courts from protecting individual rights.

    Can these court orders to bring back wrongfully deported individuals be enforced?

    The Trump administration is currently trying to portray judges as spreading “lawlessness” with these court orders, in the words of Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller. But I would argue that the opposite is true. If the White House disagrees with an order by a district court or court of appeals, it can seek review by the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, it is obliged to obey lower court orders absent a stay, or pause, of their implementation.

    Courts can do their part to reject claims that the executive branch is entitled to act without regard for legislative or judicial limits by issuing strongly worded orders and even holding officials in contempt. At the end of the day, however, only Congress is empowered to remove a president who refuses to comply with the law.

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

    – ref. Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s wrongful deportation case is more about individual rights than the Trump administration’s foreign policy – https://theconversation.com/kilmar-abrego-garcias-wrongful-deportation-case-is-more-about-individual-rights-than-the-trump-administrations-foreign-policy-255067

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    May 4, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Construction begins on Light Rail Stage 2A

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The start of construction on Light Rail Stage 2A paves the way for three new light rail stops at Edinburgh Avenue, City South and Commonwealth Park.

    In brief:

    • The next stage of the ACT’s light rail project is called Stage 2A.
    • Construction on Stage 2A has begun.
    • Three new stops will extend light rail from the city to Commonwealth Park.

    Construction has begun on Light Rail Stage 2A – building three new stops extending from the city to Commonwealth Park.

    The new stops will extend the light rail from Alinga Street and will be located at:

    • Edinburgh Avenue
    • City South
    • Commonwealth Park.

    A growing city

    Canberra is one of Australia’s fastest growing cities, with the population predicted to approach 750,000 by 2050.

    This extension of light rail will help protect Canberra’s future, servicing the city for decades to come.

    Additional public transport will help ensure the city doesn’t face unnecessary future congestion as its population grows.

    It will also unlock new housing and commercial opportunities and bring Canberra’s CBD closer to the lake.

    The project will also support hundreds of jobs during construction.

    Next steps

    Later this year, the first light rail tracks are expected to be laid.

    Final testing and commissioning of the light rail vehicles will happen throughout 2027.

    The new stops will be operational in 2028. Once complete, Stage 2A will allow light rail services to connect Gungahlin and North Canberra to:

    • City West
    • the ANU
    • New Acton
    • Commonwealth Park
    • Lake Burley Griffin.

    Stage 2A is part of a wider plan to build a north-south light rail line to Woden.

    Light rail to Commonwealth Park is a joint investment by the Australian and ACT Governments.

    For more details, visit the Built for CBR website.

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    MIL OSI News –

    May 4, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: Labor routs the Coalition as voters reject Dutton’s undercooked offering

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra

    In a dramatic parallel, what happened in Canada at the beginning of this week has now been replicated in Australia at the end of the week.

    An opposition that a few months ago had looked just possibly on track to dislodge the government, or at least run it close, has bombed spectacularly. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has lost his Queensland seat of Dickson, as did the Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre in Canada.

    Far from being forced into minority government, as most observers had been expecting, Labor has increased its majority, with a substantial swing towards it.

    Its strong victory reflects not just the the voters’ judgement that the Coalition was not ready to govern. It was worse than that. People just didn’t rate the Coalition or its offerings.

    Multiple factors played into this debacle for the Coalition.

    A first-term government historically gets a chance of a second term.

    The Trump factor overshadowed this election. It made people feel it was best to stick with the status quo. People also were very suspicious of Dutton, whom they saw (despite disclaimers) as being too like the hardline US president.

    After the last election, Dutton was declared by many to be unelectable, and that proved absolutely to be the case, despite what turned out to be a misleading impression when the polls were so bad for Labor.

    Even if they’d had a very good campaign, the Coalition would probably not have had a serious chance of winning this election.

    But its campaign was woeful. The nuclear policy was a drag and a distraction. Holding back policy until late was a bad call. When the policies came, they were often thin and badly prepared. The ambitious defence policy had no detail. The gas reservation scheme had belated modelling.

    The forced backflip on working from home, and the late decision to offer a tax offset, were other examples of disaster in the campaign.

    Dutton must wear the main share of the blame. He kept strategy and tactics close to his chest.

    But the performance of the opposition frontbench, with a few exceptions, has been woeful. Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor and finance spokeswoman Jane Hume have been no match for their Labor counterparts Jim Chalmers and Katy Gallagher.

    Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Labor ran a very disciplined campaign. Albanese himself performed much better than he did in 2022.

    Labor was helped by an interest rate cut in February and the prospect of another to come later this month.

    Albanese transformed himself, or was transformed, from last year to this year.

    The cost of living presented a huge hurdle for Labor, but the government was able to point to relief it had given on energy bills, tax and much else. The Coalition had opposed several of Labor’s measures and was left trying to play catch-up at the end.

    The Liberal Party now has an enormous task to rebuild. The “target the suburbs” strategy has failed. At the same time, the old inner-city Liberal heartland is deeply teal territory.

    Hume said, in an unfortunately colourful comment, on Friday, “You do not read the entrails until you have gutted the chicken”.

    The chicken has now been gutted. There will be a much more bitter post mortem than in 2022. The leadership choices are less than optimal for the party: Angus Taylor? Andrew Hastie? Sussan Ley?

    An interesting thought: if Josh Frydenberg had held his seat in 2022, and led the Liberal party to this election, would be result have been better? One thing is clear: Frydenberg took the right decision in not recontesting Kooyong, which teal Monique Ryan has held.

    Anyway, who would want to lead the Liberals at this moment?

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

    – ref. Labor routs the Coalition as voters reject Dutton’s undercooked offering – https://theconversation.com/labor-routs-the-coalition-as-voters-reject-duttons-undercooked-offering-255617

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    May 4, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Australia: The geek’s guide to Canberra

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Harry Potter fans will love Quizzic Alley.

    In brief:

    • Canberra is a haven for those who are into gaming, science, technology and fantasy.
    • This article lists the city’s most geek-friendly groups, activities and venues.

    What makes a geek, you ask? Well, you might proudly identify as a geek if your interests align with any of the following:

    • technology
    • comics, manga or anime
    • niche hobbies (medieval combat, anyone?).

    Canberra is a city that welcomes geeks with open arms. From Tuggeranong to Gungahlin, we’ve rounded up the best geek-friendly groups, activities and venues across Canberra.

    The Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex (CDSCC) Visitor Centre 

    The CDSCC Visitor Centre has recently reopened. Visit to learn more about Australia’s role in the exploration of space. While you’re there, see a piece of the moon that’s more than 3.8 million years old.

    Questacon

    Australia’s National Science and Technology Centre is a fun, educational venue for people of all ages. Don’t miss CURIOSITY: Building Breakthroughs in LEGO® Bricks. It’s a hands-on exhibition that’s open until May 2025.

    Geoscience Australia

    Discover Earth science and be dazzled by the collection of minerals, fossils and meteorites. Visit the Education Centre for hands-on experiences, including holding a volcanic bomb and peering at glow-in-the-dark minerals.

    School of Arms and Armour

    Always fancied yourself the hero of a medieval tale? The School of Arms and Armour teaches the martial arts of medieval Europe. Think: fencing, wrestling, armour, swords and daggers.

    The Barony of Politarchopolis

    The Barony is the medieval Society for Creative Anachronism in Canberra. Some of their regular activities include:

    • scribes workshops
    • armoured combat

    Ancient Arts Fellowship

    If early medieval re-enactment is your cup of tea, the Fellowship is for you. They explore a range of historical activities, including:

    Dungeons & Dragons

    Dungeons & Dragons ACT is a group that brings together the local Dungeons & Dragons community.

    There are weekly Dungeons & Dragons events on Wednesdays at:

    Virtual reality

    Canberra offers a wide range of VR experiences, from mini games to escape rooms.

    Some options include:

    Quizzic Alley

    Browse Australia’s biggest range of licensed Harry Potter merchandise. While you’re there, you can:

    • quaff a QBrew
    • get sorted into your rightful house
    • try your hand at driving the flying car.

    Impact Comics

    If a comic store has you acting like a kid in a candy store, you can’t miss Impact Comics. You’ll find a large range of:

    • kids’ comics
    • graphic novels
    • toys and models

    Good Games

    This shop is a haven for lovers of board games, tabletop games and puzzles. It’s more than just a store: it’s a gathering place for like-minded gamers. They run regular events for fans of:

    • Star Wars Unlimited
    • Magic: The Gathering

    Jolt Games

    Visit this Mitchell store to shop from:

    • role playing games
    • tabletop games
    • trading card games
    • boardgames

    Plus, they have a dedicated gaming area where they host regular game nights and events.

    Canberra Geek Markets

    It’s more than just a market: it’s a free pop culture extravaganza. Shop for geeky merchandise from local and interstate creators. Meet likeminded geeks, comic artists and cosplayers.

    Keep your eye on the Geek Markets website for market dates.

    Read more like this:

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    MIL OSI News –

    May 4, 2025

  • MIL-Evening Report: Albanese’s government might not thrill, but it has shown unity and competence – and that’s no mean feat

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Frank Bongiorno, Professor of History, ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences, Australian National University

    The Coalition’s election campaign of 2025 has a strong claim to be considered among the worst since federation. I know of none more shambolic. Barely a day passed without some new misstep or about-face, some embarrassing revelation about a candidate, some new policy condemned by experts as half-baked, uncosted or worse. Three years of waiting for Labor and Anthony Albanese to fall over instead of doing serious policy work came home to roost, and the chicken concerned was very ugly.

    The campaign more generally was nothing to write home about. From the preoccupations of the major players, if you didn’t already know, you’d hardly have guessed that the wider world was in the midst of its greatest convulsions since the second world war, as the United States retreated from its longstanding global role into protectionism and isolationism, abandoning and bullying old friends and allies, helping rivals and enemies, upending international trade, and dismantling democracy and the rule of law.

    The government assured voters it had everything in hand, adopting a small-target re-election strategy, to pair with its similar 2022 approach. Albanese invariably looked solid and prime ministerial. There was no fumbling the figures on the level of unemployment or the Reserve Bank cash rate this time.

    Like the Coalition, Labor threw itself enthusiastically into a spendathon. It did not take major policy reform into the campaign. We live in the shadow of the two elections that saw parties with policy ambition suffer humiliating defeat: the Coalition in 1993 and Labor in 2019. That made the Coalition’s policy of building nuclear power plants foolhardy rather than brave.

    Trump’s shadow followed Peter Dutton everywhere, making a small-target strategy unviable for the Coalition. On Trump, Dutton sometimes sounded a bit like Saint Peter thrice denying he knew Jesus Christ, but he reverted to type as the campaign wore on by playing up favoured culture war topics of the moment, such as winding back Indigenous Welcomes to Country.

    But the Liberals’ biggest mistake – the one on which all others would be built – occurred three years ago, on May 30 2022.

    Dutton, unopposed as the Liberal Party’s new leader, told his first press conference that his policies would be aimed at the “forgotten people” of the suburbs. It was a pitch so hackneyed as to be barely worth attention. But it was also a strange thing to say given the reality of the situation his party then faced – and still faces today.

    Hackneyed, because Dutton’s promise recalled the Liberal Party’s talismanic foundational document, Robert Menzies’ “The Forgotten People”, broadcast 80 years before to the very month. But strange because the Coalition had been in office for nine years. If there were indeed “forgotten people” in the nation’s suburbs, the Coalition had surely enjoyed ample opportunity to remember them.

    It was strange for another reason, too: the Liberal Party had just been devastated by the loss of its traditional urban heartland, Menzies’ old seat of Kooyong among the casualties. The residents of these electorates – most of them not far from city centres – may well have felt “forgotten”, but not in the sense Dutton imagined. They felt their values and interests were not reflected in the modern Liberal Party.

    It is worth revisiting what Dutton said on that occasion, because it seems to have guided his whole pitch as opposition leader ever since:

    I’m not giving up on any seat, but I do want to send a very clear message to those in the suburbs, particularly those in seats where there has been a swing against the Labor Party on their primary vote, in many parts of the country.

    The emphasis here was not really on winning back teal seats. They received just a grudging nod of acknowledgement. For Dutton, it was all about going out into the suburbs and winning seats held by Labor. And true to form, teal seats received very little of his campaign attention during the 2025 campaign.

    This was a foolish strategy of avoidance for which Dutton and the Liberal Party have now paid a heavy price. The Coalition’s journey took it into support for nuclear power, blaming housing shortages on immigration, and opposing a First Nations Voice to Parliament – the latter an issue the Coalition even desperately sought to revive against Labor during the campaign.

    The Voice referendum nurtured the illusion that the six in ten “no” voters were ripe for Coalition picking. Wiser heads might have noticed Labor continued to rule for eight years after the Hawke government was humiliated at a 1988 referendum, and Menzies was prime minister for 15 years following his Communist Party referendum defeat.

    Wiser heads might also have noticed that the Coalition’s only path back to power demanded it address its losses in the more affluent metropolitan seats won by Independents, Labor and the Greens. Short of huge and unlikely advances in the outer suburbs and regional cities and towns, the Liberals need to win metropolitan seats with high proportions of well-off, well-educated, socially progressive and younger voters to be competitive for majority government.

    Still, that was a hard ask in three years. It nonetheless left a chance of minority Coalition government, which many pundits believed a distinct possibility for much of 2024 and early 2025.

    But where were the Coalition’s votes on the floor of the House going to come from, if not from teal and teal-like independents? The Greens? Hardly. It would have made a great deal of sense to pitch policies that might help to win over community independents and their supporters.

    Instead, the Coalition alienated them, such as by joining with Labor to produce an ineffectual National Anti-Corruption Commission and new electoral finance laws opposed by the teals.

    The Liberals and Nationals made little effort to attract women voters – indeed, policies such as opposing working from home alienated them – and they wandered off on their nuclear frolic. Dutton flirted with Trumpish policies on reducing immigration and public service cuts, before retreating on the latter but in such a confused manner as to leave voters without a clue what his intentions actually were.



    Read more:
    When ‘equal’ does not mean ‘the same’: Liberals still do not understand their women problem

    And as the Liberals’ election campaign unravelled, its friends in the right-wing media continued to campaign relentlessly against the teals. There was no method to this madness, unless it was shoring up the Coalition against possible depredations on its dwindling voting base from parties further to the right.

    It is not that Labor was invincible. Its majority was the narrowest of any first-term government since 1913. It was under pressure in normally friendly Victoria. It lost momentum through the Voice referendum. Interest rates intensified mortgage stress. People complained they could afford a visit to neither the supermarket nor the doctor’s surgery. There was growing unease about immigration levels, and continuing frustration at the lack of housing.

    The contest for government, however, is still largely a two-horse race and each of the major party leaders is the main bearer of their side’s colours. Dutton and the Liberals failed to do the hard yakka on policy, ideology, image or strategy.

    Dutton himself continued to worry many voters as a risky proposition or worse. The few weeks of the election campaign itself seemed more consequential than most in living memory because it so amply demonstrated his lack of fitness for prime ministerial leadership.

    For Labor, the Rudd and Gillard years remain the central reference in modern political history, formative of their understanding of what not to do in government if you want to be treated respectfully by voters.

    In contrast, in the past three years, Labor established an image of unity and competence. We should not underestimate this achievement. It amounted to a significant rebuilding of the Labor brand.

    “You campaign in poetry, you govern in prose,” New York governor Mario Cuomo was fond of saying. Labor has defied him: it campaigns and governs in prose.

    But perhaps that’s what those fabled punters want: not a Trump-inspired disruptor, nor a radical visionary, but the kind of bloke you’d trust with your tax return.

    The times ahead will call for more.

    Frank Bongiorno 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. Albanese’s government might not thrill, but it has shown unity and competence – and that’s no mean feat – https://theconversation.com/albaneses-government-might-not-thrill-but-it-has-shown-unity-and-competence-and-thats-no-mean-feat-254570

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

    May 4, 2025

  • MIL-Evening Report: Dutton and the Coalition did not do the work, and misread the Australian mood

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mark Kenny, Professor, Australian Studies Institute, Australian National University

    The former federal director of the Liberal Party, Brian Loughnane, used to tell media companies that their practice of commissioning expensive opinion polls right through a parliamentary term was a waste of money.

    Election 2025 seemed to vindicate his charge. For example, polls conducted within sight of the election – since about February this year – returned markedly different results from those that had been breathlessly reported through 2024.

    A rigorous strategist, Loughnane had reasoned that the central polling task of establishing “who you would vote for were an election held this Saturday” prompts a meaningful answer only when an election is actually about to occur. Midway through a term, voters simply see the question as a hypothetical exercise limited to assessing the incumbent government’s performance.

    Come the campaign, though, considerations shift to stereo. Inexorably, voters’ attention expands to include the would-be government: the opposition. What are its solutions? Is it really ready for office? And perhaps most crucially, who is its leader, this person insisting on becoming prime minister?

    This electoral reckoning – a turning point from the abstract to the applied – is where Peter Dutton’s three-year strategy started to come unstitched.

    The conservative Queenslander had risen in the polls through 2024, buoyed by his surprisingly effective dismantling of the Voice in the 2023. He had been lifted further by the Albanese government’s handling the cost-of-living crisis. Dutton’s team was uncommonly unified, his focus laser-like on Labor’s shortcomings.

    As 2025 approached, Dutton looked to be in a strong position, drawing encouragement from the success of populist right-wing parties across the democratic world. These victories suggested Dutton had a winning formula – a pitch consistent with the populist-nationalist zeitgeist.

    The biggest of these international success stories, the barnstorming election of US President Donald Trump in November 2024, lifted right-wing spirits into the stratosphere.

    Trump’s defiant return was a frontal repudiation of liberal elites and their priorities around climate change, procedural governance, feminism and other identity-based politics.

    To Dutton, this new, brash and disruptive electoral mood felt propitious. He faced a uncharismatic opponent, widely perceived as weak, during a cost-of-living crunch. Voters were angry at the government. The opposition leader had the wind at his back. He told his colleagues he would win. Albanese was “weak, woke, and sending you broke”.

    More explicitly, he praised Trump as “shrewd” and a “big thinker”, and when tariffs were placed on Australian imports to the US, Dutton hinted he would have secured exemptions because of his ideological like-mindedness with the president.

    Actions followed.

    Within days of Trump’s headline-grabbing appointment of Elon Musk to lead a department of government efficiency, Dutton followed suit, promoting the Indigenous hero of the anti-Voice campaign, Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa-Price, to his shadow cabinet in charge of government efficiency.

    He would go on to announce a consciously Trumpian-sounding plan to slash Australia’s public service jobs by 41,000, and another policy to end work-from-home arrangements. The latter proved so disastrous he was forced into an embarrassing backdown on it.

    Fuelling his growing ebullience, Dutton unwisely favoured soft-ball interviews with conservative backers on Sky News and talkback radio. Where orthodox media interviews might have sharpened his communication skills and also alerted him to holes or excesses in his suite of policies, Dutton received pats on the back and encouragement to go harder.

    This meant he came away even more convinced that the times were suiting him, and that the prize of unseating a first-term government for the first time since the Great Depression was within reach.

    By the time the pace lifted and the scrutiny intensified as the election campaign neared, the weaknesses in Dutton’s campaign were structural and impossible to hide.

    Trump had trashed the global trading system. He insulted America’s closest and most dutiful friends, Australia included.

    Polls showed that Australians saw Trump as a threat. Dutton had backed the wrong horse.

    A preoccupation with attacking the Albanese government rather than undertaking the detailed policy development work needed for government – replete with potentially difficult internal disputes both within the Liberal Party and within the Coalition – had left Dutton with a thin offering to voters.

    And an unwillingness to brook these searching introspections also left Dutton with an overly compliant and unimpressive frontbench.

    In policy terms, this thinness led to election commitments that had not been adequately stress-tested. Some would draw fire and be abandoned while others would be announced and then de-emphasised, effectively back-officed for the campaign.

    On personnel, most shadow ministers were kept out of the national campaign spotlight. This was either because they were consumed with their own electoral survival, were considered by Dutton’s office to be incompetent, or simply because there was insufficient policy meat to defend within their allotted area of responsibility.

    This meant an ever-greater “presidential” focus on Dutton, even as he became a net drag on the Coalition vote. The Liberal Party’s polling must have identified his low standing, yet still the campaign remained unusually focused around him as leader. A stark measure of how crazy-brave this was came on election night when Dutton lost his seat (Dickson). Albanese had made a point of going straight to Dickson as his first move on day one of the campaign, and returned there at the end.

    When policy promises were announced, they tended to be late in the campaign, swamped by other events, or lost in public holiday periods (Easter and Anzac Day).

    The late-to-very-late release of policy fuelled criticism that Team Dutton was not confident of its own programs and wanted to attract as little attention as possible.

    Thus a major $21 billion increase in defence spending came with scant detail in the penultimate week, sandwiched between public holidays and after early voting had already begun. It attracted little sustained attention.

    An otherwise attention-grabbing proposal to legalise the sale of vaping products outside of pharmacies to better regulate its harm and derive billions in revenue, lobbed on Thursday afternoon of the final week. Millions of Australians had already voted. It suggested even Dutton was sheepish about its virtues.

    While a public service work-from-home ban was abandoned mid-campaign amid a backlash, public service job cuts, a policy that initially had been regarded as a positive was softened to apply only to Canberra, to exempt front-line service jobs, and to be achieved only through attrition rather than sackings. Its cost savings were thrown into doubt.

    It became such a liability that even the Liberals’ ACT Senate candidate campaigned against it, putting him in the invidious position of effectively saying, “vote Liberal to give Canberrans better protection from the Liberals”.

    Dutton’s formal campaign was untidy and inept, but it was led by a man intent on bending the electorate to his will rather than building a broader constituency for his party’s worldview.

    In the end, the campaign asked to do too much after a wasted three years in which hard policy development was shirked, and tough decisions to strengthen an underperforming frontbench were avoided.

    Mark Kenny 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. Dutton and the Coalition did not do the work, and misread the Australian mood – https://theconversation.com/dutton-and-the-coalition-did-not-do-the-work-and-misread-the-australian-mood-255515

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

    May 4, 2025

  • MIL-Evening Report: Labor routs the Coalition as voters reject Dutton’s undercooked offering

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

    In a dramatic parallel, what happened in Canada at the beginning of this week has now been replicated in Australia at the end of the week.

    An opposition that a few months ago had looked just possibly on track to dislodge the government, or at least run it close, has bombed spectacularly. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has lost his Queensland seat of Dickson, as did the Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre in Canada.

    Far from being forced into minority government, as most observers had been expecting, Labor has increased its majority, with a substantial swing towards it.

    Its strong victory reflects not just the the voters’ judgement that the Coalition was not ready to govern. It was worse than that. People just didn’t rate the Coalition or its offerings.

    Multiple factors played into this debacle for the Coalition.

    A first-term government historically gets a chance of a second term.

    The Trump factor overshadowed this election. It made people feel it was best to stick with the status quo. People also were very suspicious of Dutton, whom they saw (despite disclaimers) as being too like the hardline US president.

    After the last election, Dutton was declared by many to be unelectable, and that proved absolutely to be the case, despite what turned out to be a misleading impression when the polls were so bad for Labor.

    Even if they’d had a very good campaign, the Coalition would probably not have had a serious chance of winning this election.

    But its campaign was woeful. The nuclear policy was a drag and a distraction. Holding back policy until late was a bad call. When the policies came, they were often thin and badly prepared. The ambitious defence policy had no detail. The gas reservation scheme had belated modelling.

    The forced backflip on working from home, and the late decision to offer a tax offset, were other examples of disaster in the campaign.

    Dutton must wear the main share of the blame. He kept strategy and tactics close to his chest.

    But the performance of the opposition frontbench, with a few exceptions, has been woeful. Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor and finance spokeswoman Jane Hume have been no match for their Labor counterparts Jim Chalmers and Katy Gallagher.

    Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Labor ran a very disciplined campaign. Albanese himself performed much better than he did in 2022.

    Labor was helped by an interest rate cut in February and the prospect of another to come later this month.

    Albanese transformed himself, or was transformed, from last year to this year.

    The cost of living presented a huge hurdle for Labor, but the government was able to point to relief it had given on energy bills, tax and much else. The Coalition had opposed several of Labor’s measures and was left trying to play catch-up at the end.

    The Liberal Party now has an enormous task to rebuild. The “target the suburbs” strategy has failed. At the same time, the old inner-city Liberal heartland is deeply teal territory.

    Hume said, in an unfortunately colourful comment, on Friday, “You do not read the entrails until you have gutted the chicken”.

    The chicken has now been gutted. There will be a much more bitter post mortem than in 2022. The leadership choices are less than optimal for the party: Angus Taylor? Andrew Hastie? Sussan Ley?

    An interesting thought: if Josh Frydenberg had held his seat in 2022, and led the Liberal party to this election, would be result have been better? One thing is clear: Frydenberg took the right decision in not recontesting Kooyong, which teal Monique Ryan has held.

    Anyway, who would want to lead the Liberals at this moment?

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

    – ref. Labor routs the Coalition as voters reject Dutton’s undercooked offering – https://theconversation.com/labor-routs-the-coalition-as-voters-reject-duttons-undercooked-offering-255617

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

    May 4, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: GoAuto Insurance Delivers Affordable Auto Coverage Solutions for Ohio Drivers

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    COLUMBUS, Ohio, May 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — As Ohio drivers face rising insurance costs and financial pressures, GoAuto Insurance has announced a significant expansion of its cheap auto insurance in Ohio. The company’s customer-first approach directly addresses the challenges many Ohio families experience when seeking quality coverage at reasonable rates.

    The initiative emphasizes GoAuto’s commitment to making comprehensive protection accessible to all Ohio drivers, with particular focus on serving the diverse needs of residents in major metropolitan areas like Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Akron, and Canton.

    “Ohio drivers shouldn’t have to choose between affordable premiums and quality coverage,” said a GoAuto Insurance representative. “Our expansion throughout Ohio is founded on the belief that reliable protection should be within reach for every driver, regardless of their budget constraints or location.”

    Reimagining Auto Insurance for Ohio’s Diverse Communities

    Market research consistently reveals that Ohio drivers face several common frustrations with traditional auto insurance: unnecessarily high premiums, complicated coverage structures, and inflexible payment requirements. GoAuto’s approach directly addresses these pain points through an innovative business model.

    The company’s cost-saving structure eliminates several factors that typically inflate insurance premiums:

    • Commission-Free Representation – By removing commissioned sales agents, GoAuto eliminates the financial incentives that often lead to unnecessary policy upselling, passing these savings directly to customers.
    • Essential Coverage Focus – Rather than automatically bundling policies with supplemental coverage elements that many drivers rarely use, GoAuto concentrates on providing essential protection without costly extras.
    • Accessible Down Payments – Recognizing that large initial payments create significant barriers, especially for households in cities like Cleveland and Akron where economic challenges persist, GoAuto offers substantially reduced down payment requirements.
    • Flexible Payment Structures – Understanding the diverse financial circumstances across Ohio communities, from urban Cincinnati to industrial Canton, the company provides customizable payment options that align with individual household budgets.

    “We’ve fundamentally rethought how auto insurance should work,” explained the GoAuto representative. “By eliminating unnecessary costs without compromising protection, we’re helping thousands of Ohio drivers maintain quality coverage while reducing their monthly expenses.”

    Tailored Solutions for Ohio’s Regional Driving Challenges

    Ohio’s varied geography and diverse communities present unique driving challenges that require specialized insurance considerations. From the dense urban traffic of Columbus to the industrial corridors of Canton and the seasonal weather challenges affecting Cleveland and Akron, GoAuto has developed coverage options that address these regional factors.

    Northeast Ohio Protection

    For drivers in Cleveland, Akron, and Canton, GoAuto offers coverage options that address the region’s specific challenges:

    • Winter Weather Considerations – Enhanced protection accounting for the lake effect snow that significantly impacts driving conditions throughout Northeast Ohio, particularly in Cleveland’s eastern suburbs.
    • Urban Traffic Solutions – Specialized coverage reflecting the congestion patterns of Cleveland’s downtown business district and Akron’s busy thoroughfares.
    • Industrial Area Coverage – Options designed for drivers regularly navigating Canton’s industrial zones and manufacturing districts, where commercial vehicle interaction creates unique risk profiles.

    Central Ohio Solutions

    Columbus drivers benefit from GoAuto’s understanding of Central Ohio’s distinctive driving environment:

    • Commuter Protection – Coverage options accounting for the extensive daily commuting throughout the Columbus metropolitan area, with its complex interstate system and growing suburban communities.
    • University Area Considerations – Specialized protection for vehicles operated in high-density areas around Ohio State University and other educational institutions.
    • Event Traffic Planning – Coverage that considers Columbus’s active calendar of sporting events, concerts, and conventions that regularly create distinctive traffic patterns throughout the city.

    Southwest Ohio Coverage

    Cincinnati residents access insurance solutions tailored to their region’s topography and driving patterns:

    • Hilly Terrain Protection – Coverage accounting for Cincinnati’s distinctive hills and their impact on driving conditions, particularly during adverse weather.
    • River Valley Considerations – Options reflecting the specific challenges of navigating the Ohio River valley, including fog and occasional flooding concerns.
    • Cross-State Travel Coverage – Protection for drivers regularly crossing into Kentucky and Indiana for work or leisure, ensuring seamless coverage across state lines.

    Meeting Ohio’s Insurance Requirements with Room for Personalization

    All GoAuto policies meet Ohio’s minimum insurance requirements of $25,000/$50,000/$25,000 for liability coverage. However, the company emphasizes the importance of considering personal circumstances when selecting coverage limits.

    “While meeting state requirements is essential, we encourage Ohio drivers to think carefully about their individual protection needs,” noted the GoAuto representative. “Our non-commissioned approach allows us to have honest conversations about appropriate coverage without the pressure to maximize policy costs.”

    This consultative approach proves particularly valuable in cities like Cleveland and Cincinnati, where diverse vehicle values, driving patterns, and risk exposures create widely varying insurance needs among residents.

    Celebrating National Car Care Month with Insurance Insights

    As April marks National Car Care Month, GoAuto Insurance is highlighting the important connection between proper vehicle maintenance and insurance costs. “Regular maintenance isn’t just good for your vehicle—it’s smart for your insurance premiums too,” explained the GoAuto representative. “Well-maintained vehicles are less likely to experience mechanical failures that lead to accidents, which can help keep claims and premiums lower over time.” The company encourages Ohio drivers to use this annual observance as a reminder to perform essential maintenance tasks like checking brakes, tires, fluids, and lights—investments that protect both their vehicles and their financial well-being through potentially lower insurance costs

    Economic Impact for Ohio Households

    The financial benefits of GoAuto’s approach are already evident across Ohio’s major metropolitan areas, with customers reporting significant premium reductions compared to traditional insurance providers. For households in Cleveland, Akron, Canton, Columbus, and Cincinnati, these savings represent meaningful financial relief while maintaining essential protection.

    “In today’s economic climate, insurance affordability isn’t just about convenience—it’s about necessity,” emphasized the GoAuto representative. “By reducing premium costs without sacrificing coverage quality, we’re helping Ohio families redirect those savings toward other important needs.”

    This economic impact proves particularly significant in communities where household budgets face multiple pressures. In cities like Cleveland and Canton, where economic revitalization continues alongside financial challenges, insurance savings provide immediate, tangible benefits to local families.

    Accessible Service Options for Ohio Residents

    GoAuto’s commitment to accessibility extends beyond affordable premiums to include convenient service options for Ohio customers:

    • Digital Self-Service Platform – A user-friendly online system allowing residents throughout Ohio to quickly obtain quotes, make payments, and access insurance documents from anywhere.
    • Dedicated Phone Support – Representatives available at 833-700-0000 to assist with quotes, coverage questions, and policy adjustments for drivers throughout the state.
    • Strategic Office Locations – Physical locations in key Ohio communities where customers can speak directly with non-commissioned insurance specialists.

    “Whether you’re in downtown Columbus or suburban Cleveland, we believe access to cheap insurance shouldn’t depend on your location,” stated the representative. “Our multi-channel approach ensures every Ohio driver can connect with us in whatever way works best for their circumstances.”

    Getting Started with GoAuto Insurance

    Ohio drivers interested in exploring GoAuto Insurance’s affordable coverage options can:

    1. Request a Free Quote – Through the company’s online platform at get.goautoinsurance.com/areas-we-serve/ohio/ or by calling 833-700-0000.
    2. Customize Coverage – Work with knowledgeable insurance specialists to develop a policy aligned with specific driving habits, vehicle types, and budget constraints.
    3. Select Flexible Payment Terms – Choose down payment amounts and payment scheduling that complement personal financial circumstances.
    4. Drive with Confidence – Enjoy the peace of mind that comes with appropriate coverage at an affordable price point.

    About GoAuto Insurance

    GoAuto Insurance specializes in providing cheap auto insurance in Ohio, Alabama, Louisiana Texas & Nevada with straightforward pricing, flexible payment options, and exceptional customer service. The company serves drivers throughout Ohio with personalized coverage solutions designed for their specific needs and budget constraints.

    For more information or to receive a free quote, Ohio residents can call 833-700-0000 or visit the company’s website.

    Media Contact:
    GoAuto Insurance
    7119 Florida Blvd Unit G
    Baton Rouge, LA 70806

    Chester
    chester@goautoinsurance.com
    Media Relations
    833-700-0000

    Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:
    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ac521646-f821-487d-a8e6-693ba77c5140
    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/da273151-f8a3-4a6f-8520-44722b4d2fe7

    The MIL Network –

    May 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Lottery Defeater Software Reviews – Is There a Trick to Winning the Lottery? This Software Thinks So!

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Akron, Ohio, May 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

    Most people wish to strike the lottery, no matter where they are from. The thought that a simple ticket can turn everything around is tempting. But the chances of winning the lottery are against us—approximately one in a million—so most of us don’t win anything. Popular methods such as selecting birthdays or quick picks don’t work. So, what if there is a smarter way to play?

    Here comes the Lottery Defeater, a computer program said to give you an edge. It employs a statistic-based formula to lead your number selection. Rather than blind guessing, you can study historical lottery results and discover patterns associated with success.

    This article will dissect how Lottery Defeater operates, who created it, what is different about it, and whether or not it actually makes you win more. We’ll also examine its features and price, as well as whether or not it’s legit or a scam.

    What Is Lottery Defeater?

    Lottery Defeater is an easy-to-use software application that can assist you in making a win at the lottery using statistics rather than luck. Compared to standard strategies based on superstition or whim, this application employs a large database of historical results over the last 30 years to provide number combinations according to real statistics.

    It utilizes intelligent algorithms to analyze winning numbers from different lotteries from across the globe and applies machine learning to identify patterns that most players overlook. The aim is to give you several selections that have worked in the past, increasing your odds of winning.

    The app also excludes 90% of numbers lost repeatedly, so you can concentrate on the good options. This way, you invest your money judiciously in numbers with a chance.

    This app is easy to use, and you do not have to be a mathematics genius. The interface is quite straightforward and, hence, very suitable for everyone, both experts and newcomers. Whether playing Powerball, Mega Millions, or local lottery, it customizes to meet your requirements.

    >>>> Unlock Your Winning Potential — Get Lottery Defeater Now! <<<<

    Who Developed Lottery Defeater and Why?

    Kenneth Leffer founded Lottery Defeater because he loves numbers and lottery. Irritated at others throwing money away on tickets with thin winning probabilities, he explored a more intelligent method with numbers.

    He analyzed 126 combinations of lottery numbers and found 27 patterns that regular winners use frequently. With pattern detection, he was able to guess which numbers would reappear. It took him a year of work to create Lottery Defeater software, which is simple to operate and provides useful insights. Today, thousands of people are making educated lottery decisions rather than relying on chance.

    How Does the Lottery Defeater Software Work To Increase Chances of Winning?

    Through an analysis of international and local lottery winning numbers throughout decades, the software detects statistical patterns that the old methods mostly miss.

    Step 1: Once the Lottery Defeater system is logged in, one chooses the desired targeted lottery game—whether it’s Powerball, Mega Millions, or other domestic or overseas lotteries.

    Step 2: The software accesses its enormous, constantly updated database and starts analyzing previous winning combinations. It checks more than 12,400 mathematical factors in the process, covering all possible winning trends thoroughly.

    Step 3: It then eliminates 90% of duplicate or losing number combinations, significantly reducing the number to only those with high potential for success.

    Step 4: From the filtered data, the system then employs its own algorithm to create a group of “smart picks”—statistically more likely-to-win number combinations.

    The process is ongoing 24/7, so users get the latest and most accurate sets of numbers. The amount of analytical rigor applied here is comparable to having a data scientist manually prepare your picks but in much less time.

    The filtering system is particularly important. Numerous players unwittingly repeat number combinations that have failed over and over again. Lottery Defeater removes this flaw by only allowing the most statistically viable options to pass through.

    Through the use of automated advanced calculations and the application of proven lottery techniques, the software dramatically enhances your winning prospects.

     >>>> 100% Verified Software — Download Lottery Defeater Safely! <<<<

    Key Features of Lottery Defeater

    1. Advanced Algorithm Analysis

    The foundation of Lottery Defeater is its own algorithm. Crafted with 30+ years of international lottery history, this engine picks up on repeated patterns and weeds out historically losing combinations.

    2. Multi-Lottery Compatibility

    Lottery Defeater is compatible with a vast selection of lottery games, such as Powerball, Mega Millions, EuroMillions, and many state lotteries. Its compatibility enables users worldwide to gain an advantage.

    3. Personalization Features

    The users have the ability to personalize their experience through preferences that include ticket form, number range, and game type. This degree of personalization makes it a customized strategy tool.

    4. Immediate Data Refresh

    The software automatically refreshes its internal databases and algorithms. The users always operate with the latest data, a critical aspect of being ahead in number choice.

    5. Mobile & Desktop Accessibility

    Whether you’re on a desktop at home or using a smartphone on the go, Lottery Defeater maintains full functionality across all devices.

    6. User-Friendly Interface

    You don’t need a background in math or tech to use this software. The interface is intuitive, guiding users from start to finish effortlessly.

    7. Step-by-Step Tutorials

    The software also provides step-by-step tutorials to explain every function and feature. This way, each user can use the maximum facility of the tool, regardless of experience.

    With powerful technology merged with convenience, Lottery Defeater covers the gap between analytics and accessibility.

    Benefits of Using Lottery Defeater

    1. Higher Winning Potential

    Through data-driven selection and trend analysis, the software enhances the quality of your number combinations. This statistically increases your chance of winning.

    2. Saves Time and Effort

    No more pouring over past results or creating spreadsheets. Lottery Defeater automates the entire process, delivering results in minutes.

    3. Financial Efficiency

    By filtering out unproductive number sets, the software helps users avoid wasteful ticket purchases, ultimately saving money.

    4. Confidence in Selections

    Users gain peace of mind knowing their picks are backed by decades of data and cutting-edge algorithmic analysis.

    5. Global Lottery Adaptability

    Whether you’re playing in New York, London, or Tokyo, the software supports your game format and adapts accordingly.

    6. Beginner-Friendly

    Thanks to its tutorials and intuitive layout, Lottery Defeater is suitable for users of all skill levels.

    With these benefits, the software is a useful friend for both casual players and lottery fans alike.

     >>>> Safe, Secure & Guaranteed — Try Lottery Defeater Risk-Free! <<<<

    How to Use Lottery Defeater for Winning A Lottery Jackpot

    To maximize the benefits of Lottery Defeater, please follow these steps:

    Step 1: Access the Software

    Log in to the official Lottery Defeater website and choose your local or desired lottery game.

    Step 2: Personalize Preferences

    Add filters such as number of picks and favorite digits, or omit known patterns if preferred.

    Step 3: Make Smart Picks

    Click on “Smart Pick.” The software will run an analysis and produce a list of number combinations with high winning rates.

    Step 4: Play the Numbers

    Use the numbers produced to buy your tickets either online or at physical locations.

    Step 5: Repeat and Monitor

    Regular use of the software and monitoring of results with time to assess effectiveness.

    Is Lottery Defeater Scam or Genuine Tool?

    The world of lotteries is rife with grandiose claims and dodgy systems, so skepticism towards Lottery Defeater is understandable. But when you examine carefully what it does and what users have to say, you’ll find it has a sound logic behind it instead of hype.

    Here’s the arrangement:

    • There’s a straightforward $197 fee with no extraneous charges whatsoever.
    • There is a 60-day money-back guarantee, so you can test the software risk-free.
    • Customer support is available if you need it.

    As for the reviews, many users have reported better outcomes and more frequent small wins, with some even winning large jackpots. These testimonials indicate that applying data could be a wiser strategy than picking random numbers.

    No tool is going to win every time, but Lottery Defeater appears to be a sound method of playing more intelligently.

    Lottery Defeater vs. Other Lottery Systems

    In comparison to conventional methods or other prediction aids, Lottery Defeater is superior in the following ways:

    • Data-Driven Logic: Anecdotal advice is what other aids usually base their information on; Lottery Defeater has a solid statistical basis.
    • Advanced Filtering: It removes 90% of losing combinations—most aids omit this.
    • Real-Time Updates: Most systems utilize stale or static information; Lottery Defeater updates 24/7.
    • Ease of Use: Other competing systems are too complicated; Lottery Defeater is designed for average players.

    These differences set Lottery Defeater as the best choice for serious lottery players.

    Lottery Defeater Software Reviews

    Many users report winning more often since playing Lottery Defeater. They’re consistently hitting 3-4 numbers and even winning local jackpots, enjoying the game plan aspect.

    Web forums and review pages reflect an increasing community where members exchange tips, tweak settings, and report wins. These testimonials provide potential users with some assurance of success in using the software.

    Where to Buy Lottery Defeater? How Much Does it Cost?

    The software can only be obtained through the official website, guaranteeing product authenticity and support.

    Lottery Defeater costs a one-time fee of $197. Users get:

    • Lifetime access to the software
    • Free future updates
    • Access to bonuses and tutorials
    • 60-day risk-free money-back guarantee

    This pricing structure guarantees that customers aren’t stuck in repeat payments or upsell traps. If you’re not satisfied with the software within 60 days, a refund is offered without questions being asked.

    >>>> Safe & Secure — Official Lottery Defeater — Secure Your Winning Edge! <<<<

    Our Final Thoughts

    Lottery Defeater doesn’t guarantee magic. Rather, it provides a logical, analytical strategy for a historically illogical game. You pay $197 for a lifetime tool supported by decades of data, up-to-date algorithms, and an active user community.

    The program won’t win every time—but it will enable you to make more informed choices. Used regularly, it can significantly enhance your chances and turn your lottery experience from a hope to a strategy.

    If you want to change your lottery fortune, Lottery Defeater is a sound investment.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can Lottery Defeater help me win if i’ve never won before?

    Yes. Lottery Defeater is great for those new to winning, as it takes away the guesswork. Its data-based predictions aim to boost your odds, even with no previous wins.

    Is Lottery Defeater good for local or big lotteries?

    It works for both local and national lotteries. Whether it’s a small game or a big draw like Powerball, the software adjusts its strategy.

    Does Lottery Defeater work internationally?

    Yes, it supports international lottery formats. Users worldwide can benefit as long as their lottery has a structured number pattern.

    How much time do I need each week for lottery defeater?

    Just a few minutes. The software runs automatically and gives you number sets quickly after you input your chosen lottery game.

    Is there a limit to using Lottery Defeater?

    No! Once you buy it, you have lifetime access and can use it for multiple entries and game types.

     What if the algorithm updates? Do I need to reinstall it?

    No need to reinstall. Lottery Defeater updates automatically, so you’re always using the latest data.

    What sets Lottery Defeater apart from free tools?

    Free generators usually rely on random picks, while Lottery Defeater uses a special algorithm based on thorough research and successful patterns.

    Does Lottery Defeater work better for certain lotteries?

    Yeah, it works best with number-draw lotteries like Powerball or Mega Millions. The more past data there is, the better it can spot patterns.

    Can multiple people share one Lottery Defeater account?

    The license is meant for one user. Sharing your login info could break the terms of service and might get your access cut off.

    Manufactured under the Technical Guidance of:
    Project name: Lottery Defeater
    Media Contact:
    Company website: lotterydefeater.com
    Email: contact@lotterydefeater.com
    Address : Ste 106 #167
    Akron, OH ,44305 
    United States

    Attachment

    • Lottery Defeater

    The MIL Network –

    May 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Best Online Casinos Canada: Expert Picks 7Bit as the Top Casino for Canadian Players

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    EDMONTON, Alberta, May 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — After using several online casinos in our quest for the ultimate gaming platform, we ended up at 7Bit Casino, and its bonuses and rewards were mindblowing. The welcome package, offering up to C$10,800 and 250 free spins, set an incredibly high standard from the start.

    Ongoing promotions, cashback deals, and a rewarding loyalty program kept us engaged, while over 7,000 games and lightning-fast payouts, especially for cryptocurrency users, solidified 7Bit Casino’s place as a top choice among the best online casinos Canada offers.

    SIGN UP AND UNLOCK AMAZING REWARDS AT 7BIT CASINO!

    The Rise Of Online Casinos In Canada

    The online gambling industry in Canada has seen tremendous growth, with players increasingly turning to digital platforms for convenience and variety. According to industry reports, the Canadian online casino market is thriving, driven by advancements in technology and a growing acceptance of cryptocurrencies.

    7Bit Casino has capitalized on these trends, positioning itself as a leader among the best online casinos in Canada by offering a crypto-friendly platform alongside traditional payment methods. Its ability to cater to diverse player preferences has made it a go-to destination for Canadians seeking quality entertainment.

    Canadian’s Unique Gambling Landscape

    The introduction of iGaming has transformed the online gambling scene. The province requires casinos to hold an iGaming license to operate legally. While 7Bit Casino is not licensed by iGaming, it remains accessible to players in the province, though with potentially fewer legal protections compared to licensed operators.

    For those seeking the best online casinos in Canada, it’s crucial to understand these regulatory nuances. Players outside Canada can enjoy 7Bit Casino’s offerings with confidence, knowing it operates under a reputable Curacao eGaming license.

    Pros And Cons Of 7Bit Casino

    Before diving into the specifics, let’s examine the advantages and disadvantages of playing at 7Bit Casino to help you make an informed decision.

    Pros

    Advantage Description
    Extensive Game Library Over 5,000 games, including slots, table games, live dealer options, and exclusive crypto games, cater to all player preferences.
    Generous Welcome Bonus Up to C$10,800 + 250 free spins across the first four deposits, providing a significant bankroll boost.
    Cryptocurrency Support Accepts Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and more, ensuring fast, secure, and private transactions.
    User-Friendly Interface Intuitive website design with mobile optimization for seamless gaming on smartphones and tablets.
    24/7 Customer Support Dedicated support via email and live chat, with a comprehensive FAQ section for quick answers.
    Licensed and Secure Licensed by Curacao eGaming, with 128-bit SSL encryption to protect player data.
    Responsible Gambling Tools Offers deposit limits, loss limits, wagering limits, and self-exclusion to promote safe gaming.


    Cons

    Disadvantage Description
    Restricted Countries Some countries are restricted, but use VPN instead
    Limited Language Options Available only in English, German, French, and Russian.


    Why Choose 7Bit Casino as the Best Online Casino for Canadian Players?

    7Bit Casino’s appeal lies in its ability to combine a vast game selection, robust security, and player-centric features, making it a standout among the best online casinos in Canada.

    Here’s why it’s a top choice:

    • Trusted Licensing and Fairness

    Operating under the Curacao eGaming Control Board, 7Bit Casino ensures a fair and secure gaming environment. All games utilize random number generators (RNG) or provably fair algorithms, guaranteeing unbiased outcomes.

    The Curacao license enforces transparent deposit and withdrawal processes, protecting players from hidden terms. While it lacks eCOGRA certification, regular audits ensure game fairness, providing peace of mind for players.

    • Unmatched Game Variety

    With over 5,000 games from industry giants like NetEnt, Pragmatic Play, Microgaming, and Betsoft, 7Bit Casino offers something for everyone. Whether you’re a fan of classic slots, skill-based table games, or immersive live dealer experiences, the casino’s diverse library ensures endless entertainment. The inclusion of exclusive crypto games further enhances its appeal to digital currency users.

    • Enhanced Security And Privacy

    Player safety is paramount at 7Bit Casino, with 128-bit SSL encryption safeguarding personal and financial data. The support for cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum adds an extra layer of privacy, as players can transact without sharing sensitive banking details. This makes 7Bit Casino appealing to those interested in No KYC Casinos Canada, though KYC is required for withdrawals over C$2,000.

    • Commitment To Responsible Gambling

    7Bit Casino takes responsible gambling in Canada seriously, offering tools to help players stay in control:

    • Deposit Limits: Set a maximum deposit amount for a specific period.
    • Loss Limits: Define a loss threshold to prevent excessive spending.
    • Wagering Limits: Control total wagers over a set timeframe.
    • Self-Exclusion: Temporarily or permanently exclude yourself from the platform.

    These features demonstrate 7Bit Casino’s dedication to creating a safe and enjoyable environment, aligning with Canada’s emphasis on responsible gambling practices.

    • Mobile-Friendly Experience

    The casino’s website is fully optimized for mobile devices, allowing players to enjoy their favorite games on the go without needing a dedicated app. The responsive design adapts seamlessly to different screen sizes, ensuring a smooth gaming experience on smartphones and tablets. This flexibility is ideal for busy Canadians who want to play anytime, anywhere.

    • Exceptional Customer Support

    7Bit Casino offers 24/7 customer support via live chat and email (support@7bit.com). The support team is responsive and knowledgeable, ensuring quick resolution of queries. A detailed FAQ section also provides answers to common questions, enhancing the user experience. Players consistently praise the efficiency and friendliness of the support team, making it a reliable resource for any issues.

    • Fast And Flexible Payments

    7Bit Casino’s payment system is designed for convenience, supporting both cryptocurrencies and traditional methods. Cryptocurrency transactions are processed instantly, while e-wallets like Skrill and iDebit offer near-instant withdrawals. This speed and flexibility make 7Bit a top choice for players who value quick access to their winnings.

    Bonuses, Promotions, And Tournaments

    7Bit Casino is renowned for its generous bonuses and exciting promotions, which add significant value to the gaming experience.

    Welcome Bonus Package

    New players are welcomed with a 325% match bonus up to10800 CAD and 250 free spins, distributed across the first four deposits:

    • First Deposit: 100% match up to 800 CAD + 100 free spins on.
    • Second Deposit: 75% match up to 1200 CAD + 100 free spins.
    • Third Deposit: 50% match up to 800 CAD.
    • Fourth Deposit: 100% match up to 8000 CAD + 50 free spins.

    Free spins are credited in batches, with the first batch available immediately and subsequent batches over several days.

    CLAIM YOUR 325% MATCH BONUS UP TO 10800 CAD AND 250 FREE SPINS !!

    Ongoing Promotions

    7Bit Casino keeps players engaged with regular promotions:

    • Monday Offer: 25% up to 1000 CAD.
    • Spring Elite Offer: 100 Free Spins
    • Free Spin Wednesday: Up to 100.
    • Weekly Cashback: Up to 20%.
    • Weekend Offer: 99 Free Spins
    • Telegram Offer: 50 Free Spins
    • Telegram Friday Offer: 111 Free Spins
    • Telegram Sunday Offer: 66 Free Spins

    Tournaments

    For competitive players, 7Bit Casino hosts thrilling slot tournaments:

    • Titans’ Arena: A $8,000 prize pool tournament.
    • 10 Years of Platipus: €100,000 prize pool celebrating Platipus games, offering substantial rewards.
    • Lucky Spin: $1500 + 1500 Free Spins

    These tournaments add excitement and provide opportunities to win extra cash and bonuses. Players can check the promotions page on the 7Bit Casino website for the latest tournament details.

    UNLOCK INCREDIBLE BONUSES – PLAY AT 7BIT CASINO TODAY!

    Payment Options Available at 7Bit Casino

    7Bit Casino offers a diverse range of payment methods, catering to both cryptocurrency enthusiasts and traditional fiat users. While it doesn’t support PayID, it provides plenty of options popular in Canada, making it a convenient choice for players seeking a pay ID casino equivalent.

    Cryptocurrencies

    The casino is crypto-friendly, accepting:

    • Bitcoin (BTC)
    • Ethereum (ETH)
    • Litecoin (LTC)
    • Dogecoin (DOGE)
    • Bitcoin Cash (BCH)
    • Tether (USDT)

    Cryptocurrency transactions are processed instantly or within an hour, offering speed and privacy.

    Fiat Currencies

    Supported fiat currencies include:

    • Canadian Dollar (CAD)
    • Euro (EUR)
    • US Dollar (USD)
    • Australian Dollar (AUD)
    • Norwegian Krone (NOK)
    • Polish Zloty (PLN)
    • New Zealand Dollar (NZD)

    Traditional Payment Methods

    Additional options include:

    • Visa
    • Mastercard
    • Skrill
    • iDebit
    • Payz
    • Bank Transfer
    • Interac

    Deposit And Withdrawal Details

    Payment Method Min. Deposit Withdrawal Time
    Visa C$1 1-3 business days
    Mastercard C$1 1-3 business days
    Skrill C$1 Instant
    iDebit C$1 Instant
    Payz C$10 Instant
    Bank Transfer C$10 1-3 business days
    Bitcoin C$10 Instant
    Dogecoin C$10 Instant
    Litecoin C$10 Instant

    Players should note the C$10 withdrawal fee and check specific limits for their chosen method. Cryptocurrencies and e-wallets like Skrill and iDebit offer the fastest payouts, ideal for players prioritizing speed.

    Best Games At 7Bit Casino

    7Bit Casino’s game library is a major highlight, featuring over 5,000 titles from top providers. Below are some of the best games, along with brief definitions for clarity.

    Slots

    Slots are luck-based games where players spin reels to match symbols for payouts.

    • Starburst: A classic slot with a space theme, known for its re-spins feature and vibrant graphics.
    • Gonzo’s Quest: Follow the conquistador Gonzo on his quest for El Dorado, with an innovative Avalanche feature and free falls.
    • Immortal Romance: A vampire-themed slot with a rich storyline, offering wilds, scatters, and a bonus game with up to 240 free spins.
    • Wolf Gold: A wildlife-themed slot with a Hold and Win feature, where players can win up to 2,500x their bet.
    • 7Bit Hot&Hot Fruits: A classic fruit-themed slot with wilds and scatters for added excitement.
    • 7Bit Bonanza: A high-volatility slot with a mining theme, offering free spins and multipliers.
    • Throne of Camelot Hold and Win: A medieval slot with a Hold and Win feature for big payouts.
    • Mega Moolah: A progressive jackpot slot with massive prize potential, themed around an African safari.
    • Johnny Cash: A country-themed slot with a fun soundtrack and bonus rounds.
    • Elvis Frog in Vegas: A vibrant slot combining Elvis and frog characters in a Vegas setting.
    • Wild Spin: A wild west slot with sticky wilds and free spins.
    • Raging Lion: A lion-themed slot with free spins and a gamble feature.

    Table Games

    Table games involve strategy and skill, offering a different pace from slots.

    • Blackjack: A card game where players target to get a hand value as close to 21 as possible without going over. Variants include Classic, Multihand, and American.
    • Roulette: A game where players bet on where a ball will land on a spinning wheel. Options include American and European.
    • Video Poker: Combines poker and slots, with variants like Jacks or Better, Tens or Better, Deuces Wild, and Aces and Eights.
    • Texas Hold’em Bonus Poker: A poker variant where players compete against the house, with bonus bets for higher payouts.
    • Craps: A dice game with multiple betting options, offering high excitement and potential for big wins.

    PLAY YOUR FAVORITE GAMES – REGISTER NOW AT 7BIT CASINO!

    Live Dealer Games

    Live dealer games stream real dealers to players, creating an authentic casino experience.

    • Live Blackjack: Play against a real dealer in real time.
    • Live Roulette: Bet on a live spinning wheel with a dealer.
    • Live Baccarat: Wager on the player, banker, or tie in a live setting.
    • Live Blackjack Party: A social version of blackjack with player interaction.
    • Live Dream Catcher: A money wheel game with multipliers for a fast-paced experience.
    • Live Monopoly: A live show based on the board game, combining strategy and luck.

    Exclusive Crypto Games

    These games are tailored for cryptocurrency users, offering the same gameplay as crypto betting.

    • BTC Blackjack: Classic blackjack with Bitcoin betting.
    • BTC Baccarat: Fast-paced baccarat with cryptocurrency.
    • Keno: A lottery-style game where players pick numbers for a chance to win.
    • Bitcoin Roulette: Roulette with Bitcoin bets.
    • Plinko: A game of chance where players drop a ball onto a pegged board, with the ball’s path determining the win.
    • Dice: A simple game where players bet on the outcome of a dice roll.
    • Mines: Players reveal tiles to find treasure, avoiding mines for bigger wins.

    These games are powered by leading providers, ensuring high-quality graphics, smooth gameplay, and fair outcomes. The casino regularly updates its library, adding new titles to keep the experience fresh.

    Responsible Gambling In Canada

    Responsible gambling is a cornerstone of a safe online casino experience. 7Bit Casino aligns with responsible Gambling Canada principles by offering tools to help players manage their habits:

    • Deposit Limits: Control how much you can deposit daily, weekly, or monthly.
    • Loss Limits: Set a maximum loss amount to avoid overspending.
    • Wagering Limits: Limit total wagers to stay within budget.
    • Self-Exclusion: Take a break from gambling temporarily or permanently.

    Players are encouraged to set budgets, take regular breaks, and seek help if gambling becomes problematic. Resources like GambleAware are available for support.

    Navigating KYC Requirements

    For players interested in No KYC casinos Canada, 7Bit Casino offers some flexibility. No KYC is required for deposits or withdrawals under $2,000, making it appealing for smaller transactions.

    However, larger withdrawals trigger KYC verification, which involves submitting identification documents. This process ensures compliance with anti-money laundering regulations but may delay payouts for some players.

    Getting Started At 7Bit Casino

    To make the most of your 7Bit Casino experience, follow these steps:

    1. Sign Up: Visit 7Bit Casino, click “Register,” and provide your email, password, and preferred currency. No upfront KYC is required for most players.
    2. Verify Email: Check your email for a verification link and click to activate your account.
    3. Claim the Welcome Bonus: Deposit at least C$20 to activate the welcome bonus and free spins.
    4. Explore Games: Browse the game library to find slots, table games, or live dealer options that suit your style.
    5. Join Tournaments: Check the promotions page for active tournaments like Titans’ Arena or Weekly Tournaments.
    6. Set Limits: Use responsible gambling tools to manage your budget and playtime.
    7. Contact Support: Reach out via live chat or email for any questions or issues.

    GET STARTED AT 7BIT CASINO – YOUR NEXT BIG WIN AWAITS!

    Final Takeaway: 7Bit Best Online Casinos in Canada

    7Bit Casino is a premier destination for Canadian players, earning its place among the best online casinos in Canada. Its extensive game library, generous bonuses, fast payouts, and commitment to security make it a top choice for both casual and serious gamblers.

    Whether you’re spinning slots, playing blackjack, or competing in tournaments, 7Bit Casino delivers excitement and value. Always gamble responsibly and enjoy the thrilling world of 7Bit Casino.

    Frequently Asked Questions About The Best Online Casinos Canada

    1. Is 7Bit Casino one of the best online casinos Canada has to offer?

    7Bit Casino is widely regarded as one of the best online casinos Canada offers due to its extensive library of over 7,000 games and attractive bonuses up to C$10,800. Its support for cryptocurrencies and traditional payments enhances its appeal to Canadian players.

    2. Does 7Bit Casino operate as a No KYC Casinos Canada option?

    7Bit Casino allows transactions under C$2,000 without KYC verification, appealing to those seeking the best online casinos in Canada. However, withdrawals over C$2,000 require KYC, making it not fully KYC-free.

    3. How does 7Bit Casino support responsible gambling in Canada?

    7Bit Casino supports responsible gambling in Canada with tools like deposit limits, loss limits, and self-exclusion options. These features help players maintain control and align with Canada’s responsible gambling standards.

    4. Does 7Bit Casino support pay ID casino payment methods?

    7Bit Casino does not support pay ID casino payment methods. It offers alternatives like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Visa, and Interac, suitable for Canadian players.

    5. What types of games can I find at 7Bit Casino?

    7Bit Casino boasts over 7,000 games, including slots, table games, live dealer options, and crypto games. Top providers like NetEnt and Microgaming ensure a diverse and high-quality gaming experience.

    6. How can I contact customer support at 7Bit Casino?

    Players can reach 7Bit Casino’s 24/7 support via live chat or email at support@7bit.com. A detailed FAQ section also provides quick answers to common queries.

    7. What is the welcome bonus at 7Bit Casino?

    New players can claim a 325% match bonus up to C$10,800 and 250 free spins across four deposits. A minimum deposit of C$20 is required, with a 40x wagering requirement.

    8. Is 7Bit Casino mobile-friendly?

    7Bit Casino’s website is fully optimized for mobile devices, offering a seamless gaming experience without a dedicated app. Players can enjoy games on smartphones and tablets effortlessly.

    9. Are there any withdrawal fees at 7Bit Casino?

    7Bit Casino charges a C$10 fee on all withdrawals, regardless of the payment method. This fee may impact players who frequently withdraw funds.

    10. Does 7Bit Casino offer a loyalty program?

    Yes, 7Bit Casino’s 12-level loyalty program rewards players with comp points for bets, exchangeable for cash or exclusive perks. Higher levels offer better cashback and dedicated VIP support.

    11. Is 7Bit Casino legal for Canadian players?

    7Bit Casino is legal for Canadian players under its Curacao license, ensuring a secure gaming environment.

    12. What are the payment options at 7Bit Casino?

    7Bit Casino supports cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum, alongside traditional methods such as Visa, Mastercard, and Interac. This variety caters to diverse player preferences.

    13. How does 7Bit Casino ensure fair gaming?

    7Bit Casino uses RNG and provably fair algorithms to ensure unbiased game outcomes. Regular audits under its Curacao license maintain transparency and fairness.

    Customer Support

    Support is available 24/7 via:

    • Live Chat: Instant assistance on the website.
    • Email: support@7bit.com for detailed inquiries.

    Email: support@7bit.com

    Disclaimer and Affiliate Disclosure

    Disclaimer: Gambling online comes with financial risks. Make sure you meet the legal age requirement (19+) in your region and follow local laws. Always engage in responsible gambling and check 7Bit’s official site for the latest terms, as promotions and payment methods may be updated.

    General Disclaimer
    This article is for informational and entertainment purposes only, not legal or financial advice. Content is based on research and user reviews as of writing. No warranties are made, and users must verify information before acting.

    Casino and Gambling Disclaimer
    Online gambling carries risks and isn’t for everyone. Confirm you’re of legal gambling age in your jurisdiction. Gambling laws vary, and compliance is your responsibility. We don’t promote gambling; participation is at your risk. 7Bit Casino is a third-party platform, and we’re not liable for losses or disputes.

    Affiliate Disclosure
    This article may include affiliate links, earning us a commission at no cost to you for qualifying actions. These support our content. Our reviews are unbiased, and we recommend only valuable products.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5d1aa3ae-f1d7-42ef-b49f-cdeb1a780895

    The MIL Network –

    May 3, 2025
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