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Category: housing

  • MIL-OSI China: Global athletics talents descend on Bochum for University Games

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

    A star-studded athletics roster offers a taste of the Olympics, with Olympians and defending champions set to compete from July 21 to 27 at the FISU World University Games.

    The throwers’ showdown between Cierra Jackson of the United States and Antonia Kinzel of Germany in the women’s discus on July 24 will be a highlight on the field in the Lohrheidestadion in Bochum.

    Jackson, 22, set a championship record of 65.82 meters on her way to grabbing the 2025 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championship title this summer. That prompted the former Fresno State student to turn professional and then, in her first outing as a full-time athlete, Jackson improved her personal best to 67.82m, just 1.68m short of her compatriot Valarie Allman’s gold-winning distance of 69.50m at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

    Defending champion Kinzel, who set her own PB of 62.64m in May, can be counted as a potential challenger to Jackson while competing on home soil.

    “It’s a special feeling to compete in this internationally renowned event in your own country,” Kinzel said.

    “I want to build on my experiences from two years ago in Chengdu, defend my title in the discus throw, and I am really looking forward to the special atmosphere of the FISU Games, giving a little taste of the Olympics.”

    Bayanda Walaza of South Africa is a notable name on the track. He claimed silver in the men’s 4x100m relay at Paris 2024. Aged just 18, and originally a reserve, Walaza ran the leadoff leg in the final, as South Africa won its first ever medal in the event.

    Walaza, who also won the individual sprint double at the U20 World Championships last year, has kicked on this year too. After becoming just the ninth South African to clock under 10 seconds for the 100m, he improved his PB to 9.94 seconds in Zagreb in May. Weeks earlier, Walaza set a South African junior record of 20.08s in the 200m.

    Both PBs meet the qualification criteria for the senior World Athletics Championships, taking place in Tokyo in September.

    Walaza, along with teammate Lythe Pillay, will be looking to secure a 100m-200m-400m clean sweep. Pillay is the 2022 400m U20 world champion and a reigning World Athletics Relays 4x400m gold medalist.

    Fellow South African sprinter Marlie Viljoen is back as the defending champion after she set a PB of 51.42s in the 400m in March.

    Laura Pellicoro (front) of Italy crosses the finish line during the athletics women’s 1500m final at the 31st FISU Summer World University Games in Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan Province, Aug. 6, 2023. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)

    The other returning champion is Laura Pellicoro of Italy. Now 24, she won the middle-distance double two years ago and is part of a stellar Italian lineup.

    Dalia Kaddari (Italy) is expected to add something to her long list of achievements which already includes being a two-time Olympian (Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024), European Championship bronze medal in 2022 (4x100m relay), European U23 champion in 2021 (200m) and Youth Olympic Games silver medal in 2018 (200m).

    Edoardo Scotti has been at the center of an impressive 12 months for Italian athletics. He helped his nation finish sixth in the 4x400m mixed relay and seventh in the men’s 4x400m relay at Paris 2024. Then he inspired the team to double silver in the 4x400m mixed and 4x400m men’s relays at the 2024 European Championships in Rome.

    China’s Shu Heng, who is the Asian men’s long jump champion, will try to improve on his PB of 8.22m achieved in May at the Asian Athletics Championships.

    India’s Pooja Singh, at just 1.70 meters tall, will compete as the newly crowned women’s Asian high jump champion. Singh grew up in rural India, with her father taking out loans to fund an athletics journey that began with bamboo poles as crossbars and landing mats fashioned from rice husk and hay.

    Bridget Mbwali from Uganda, a double sprint gold medal winner at last year’s East African University Games, is another decorated runner from Africa. 

    MIL OSI China News –

    July 21, 2025

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Economy – Cost-of-living keeps rising for those who can least afford it – CTU

    Source: NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi

    Data released by Statistics New Zealand today shows that the cost-of-living crisis is getting worse as inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index rose annually to 2.7%, said NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi Economist Craig Renney.

    “This marks the third straight quarter in which annual inflation has increased, up from 2.2% in December 2024. A key reason why inflation didn’t break out of the 1-3% target barrier is that petrol pricing was down. Excluding petrol, annual inflation was 3.2%,” said Renney.

    “The data shows that prices rose most in areas that are particularly hard to manage for middle- and low-income groups. Household energy rose 9.1%, with gas prices rising 15.4%. Dairy and eggs rose 9.9%. Dwelling and contents insurance rose 10%. Rates are up 12.2%.

    “This increase is likely to put further pressure on households, particularly those on the minimum wage – who received a pay rise of just 1.5% in April. When last measured, 48% of workers got a pay rise less than 2%, while 59% got a pay rise less of than 3%. It is these workers who are paying the price of the cost-of-living crisis.

    “The Government has made a mess of the economy. Rents are still rising faster than general inflation, despite billions in tax breaks. Food pricing is rising at 4.2% despite the governments claims to be focused on supermarket competition. Workers are paying the price for the Government’s inaction.

    “The economy is stumbling and is likely heading back to negative growth, and the Government has consistently cut investment. Trade tariffs and uncertainty are likely to add further concerns to growth. The cost of tertiary education rose significantly due to the removal of first year free – making it harder to access skills training during rising unemployment,” said Renney.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    July 21, 2025

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Economy – Inflation will improve into 2026 – Kiwibank Senior Economist

    Source: Kiwibank Senior Economist, Mary Jo Vergara.
    Kiwi inflation likely lifted to 2.7%yoy from 2.5%yoy over the June quarter. But context is key. A reacceleration in imported inflation is driving the move higher. It was food and electricity that continues to bite at our back pockets. Domestic price pressures are cooling. 

    This is the first test for an August cash rate cut. It’s widely expected that headline will push towards the top end of the RBNZ’s target band. But more important to policy is underlying inflation, which continues to ease. Spare capacity within the Kiwi economy is keeping downward pressure on domestically generated inflation. 

    Downside risks to medium-term inflation remain. Whether that’s a consequence of a slowdown in global economic growth, or a diversion of trade marked at a discount. There is still a case for more accommodative interest rate settings.

    Kiwi inflation accelerated over the June quarter. Annual headline rose to 2.7% from 2.5%. It’s a move in the wrong direction. But context is key. A strengthening in imported inflation is driving headline higher. But domestic price pressures, on balance, continue to cool. And most importantly, the underlying trend in consumer prices is weak. Excluding the volatile movements in food and fuel, annual core inflation lifted to 2.7% from 2.6%. A move that was better than many had feared, and one that will improve into next year. For now, there’s little risk this bout of high inflation will persist. Especially given that there’s still significant spare capacity in the Kiwi economy. 

    Here’s a data dump. Non-tradables, domestically generated inflation, rose 0.7%qoq and 3.7% on the year. Excluding housing related stuff, it’s up 3.5%. And there’s good news for housing related stuff. Building costs fell 0.1%qoq (the lowest we’ve seen since 2021) and 0.8% over the year. That’s the weakness we’ve seen since 2009. Falling materials costs, like steel, match the anecdotes were hearing from developers. And wages within the industry have softened also. There’s less work. Renters face weaker rent rises as well. More good news. Rents rose 0.8%qoq and 3.2% over the year… down from 3.7% last quarter. So whilst we’re being hit with hefty food, electricity, insurance, and council rates… at least our rents aren’t rising as much… or if you own a property, interest rates are less painful (but at these levels, they still hurt, not help).

    Mary Jo Vergara
    Senior Economist

    Kiwibank.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    July 21, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Hold up, humans. Ants figured out medicine, farming and engineering long before we did

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Tanya Latty, Associate Professor in Entomology, University of Sydney

    Tambon Nong Chaeng/Pexels

    Think back to a time you helped someone move a heavy object, such as a couch. While at first the task may have appeared simple, it actually required a suite of advanced behaviours.

    The job needed verbal commands for social coordination (“pivot!”) and anticipation of near-future events (moving other furniture out of the way). It also required a clear, shared vision of the final goal (which room to take the couch to).

    It’s a small but satisfying example of human cooperation. But before we all get too pleased with ourselves, consider that ants – creatures with tiny brains and no capacity for speech – routinely pull off feats that rival, and sometimes exceed, our own.

    Ants routinely pull off feats that rival, and sometimes exceed, our own.
    Andre Moura/Pexels

    Understanding ant intelligence

    Earth is literally crawling with ants. Scientists estimate there are at least 20 quadrillion ants on Earth. That’s 20 followed by 15 zeros – more ants than stars in our galaxy!

    These incredible insects are amongst the most successful organisms on the planet. Part of the success comes from an ability to form complex societies, ranging from a few individuals to millions. And those societies, or colonies, are remarkably co-operative.

    Take, for example, ants’ abilities to move large food items. To do it, they mobilise teams of dozens – or even hundreds – of fellow workers. Together, they efficiently work together to transport the load back to the nest.

    Longhorn crazy ants (Paratrechina longicornis) are even known to clear debris from a path before a heavy object arrives – seemingly anticipating its trajectory and preparing the way.

    One experiment pit longhorn crazy ants against humans, all tasked with moving T-shaped objects (scaled to body size) through tight spaces. In some trials, the human teams were not permitted to speak or use gestures.

    And the result? Ants performed better in larger groups compared to smaller ones, showing the clear benefits of collective action. In contrast, human performance did not improve with group size. And when communication was restricted, human performance declined as group size increased.

    All this highlights how ants rely on collective intelligence, without the need for central control or sophisticated cognition.

    Expert farmers

    Humanity’s invention of agriculture 12,000 years ago is understandably hailed as one of our greatest achievements.

    But leaf cutter ants beat us to it. These ants (from the species Atta and Acromyrmex) evolved to undertake large-scale agriculture about 55 million years ago.

    These ants cut and transport fresh leaves not to eat directly, but to feed a fungus that serves as their main food source.

    This evolutionary partnership allows the ants to feed colonies with populations in the millions.

    Remarkably, leaf cutter ants have also evolved a form of biological pest control to protect their crops from bacteria. Some worker ants patrol the gardens, detecting infected sections of the fungus. Then they apply antibiotics produced by bacteria that live on their bodies.

    What’s more, many ant species farm aphids and other sap-sucking insects.

    As these farmed insects feed on plant sap, they excrete a sugary liquid the ants eagerly collect. In return, ants serve as bodyguards, defending their tiny livestock from predators such as ladybirds and lacewings.

    In some species, queen ants gently carry sap-sucking insects in their jaws as they fly off to start new colonies. Fossilised ants preserved in amber suggest this behaviour evolved up to 20 million years ago, long before humans domesticated animals.

    Ant medicine

    Medical care may seem like a distinctly human innovation. But several ant species have evolved sophisticated ways to treat injuries.

    When a Florida carpenter ant (Camponotus floridanus) is injured during a battle between colonies, its nest-mates will amputate a damaged limb to prevent infection from spreading. Ants receiving this battlefield care are more likely to survive than ants left untreated.

    Some ants can also detect infection and treat infected wounds by cleaning them and applying antimicrobial secretions from specialised glands.

    Master builders

    Some ant species are known to literally put their bodies on the line for the colony.

    Army ants (Eciton burchellii) join their bodies together to form structures. These include bridges across gaps on the forest floor, and “scaffolds” across steep terrain to prevent other ants from slipping.

    Even the nest is made of hundreds of thousands of ants joined together, complete with tunnels and chambers housing the larvae and the queen. The entire structure is packed up and rebuilt each day, after the colony emigrates a few hundred metres into the forest.

    Army ants join their bodies together to form structures.
    Smartse/Wikimedia, CC BY

    Weaver ants (Oecophylla smaragdina), meanwhile, self-assemble into rope ladders to span vertical gaps.

    They also form a line of workers that pull leaves together in treetops to form nests. Once the leaves are winched into place, other ants arrive with ant larvae in their jaws. Each larva produces a tiny blob of silk which the ants use to glue the leaves together.

    Fire ants (Solenopsis invicta), a major pest species, owes its invasive success partly to a unique method of dispersal.

    When their underground nests are flooded by rain, the ants join together into a huge raft which floats on a layer of buoyant larvae. These rafts can ride floodwaters in safety for hundreds of kilometres, until the ants reach dry land.

    When their nests are flooded, fire ants join together into a huge raft.
    TheCoz/Wikimedia, CC BY

    Lessons for humanity?

    Humans rightly take pride in our greatest achievements – agriculture, medicine, engineering and building civilisations. But remarkably, ants mastered these innovations millions of years before we did.

    Ants may be tiny – but by working together they can build complex societies and solve many problems. They might even teach humans a thing or two.

    Tanya Latty co-founded and volunteers for conservation organisation Invertebrates Australia, is former president of the Australasian Society for the Study of Animal Behaviour and is on the education committee for the Australian Entomological Society. She receives funding from the Australian Research Council, NSW Saving our Species, and Agrifutures Australia

    Chris R. Reid receives funding from the Australian Research Council and Macquarie University. He is secretary of the Australasian Society for the Study of Animal Behaviour and is on the education committee for the Australasian Entomological Society.

    – ref. Hold up, humans. Ants figured out medicine, farming and engineering long before we did – https://theconversation.com/hold-up-humans-ants-figured-out-medicine-farming-and-engineering-long-before-we-did-258922

    MIL OSI Analysis –

    July 21, 2025

  • MIL-Evening Report: Why has a bill to relax foreign investment rules had so little scrutiny?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jane Kelsey, Emeritus Professor of Law, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau

    Getty Images

    While public attention has been focused on the domestic fast-track consenting process for infrastructure and mining, Associate Minister of Finance David Seymour has been pushing through another fast-track process – this time for foreign investment in New Zealand. But it has had almost no public scrutiny.

    If the Overseas Investment (National Interest Test and Other Matters) Amendment Bill becomes law, it could have far-reaching consequences. Public submissions on the bill close on July 23.

    A product of the ACT-National coalition agreement, the bill commits to amend the Overseas Investment Act 2005 “to limit ministerial decision making to national security concerns and make such decision making more timely”.

    There are valid concerns that piecemeal reforms to the current act have made it complex and unwieldy. But the new bill is equally convoluted and would significantly reduce effective scrutiny of foreign investments – especially in forestry.

    A three-step test

    Step one of a three-step process set out in the bill gives the regulator – the Overseas Investment Office which sits within Land Information NZ – 15 days to decide whether a proposed investment would be a risk to New Zealand’s “national interest”.

    If they don’t perceive a risk, or that initial assessment is not completed in time, the application is automatically approved.

    Transactions involving fisheries quotas and various land categories, or any other applications the regulator identifies, will require a “national interest” assessment under stage two.

    These would be assessed against a “ministerial letter” that sets out the government’s general policy and preferred approach to conducting the assessment, including any conditions on approvals.

    Other mandatory factors to be considered in the second stage include the act’s new “purpose” to increase economic opportunity through “timely consent” of less sensitive investments. The new test would allow scrutiny of the character and capability of the investor to be omitted altogether.

    If the regulator considers the national interest test is not met, or the transaction is “contrary to the national interest”, the minister of finance then makes a decision based on their assessment of those factors.

    Inadequate regulatory process

    Seymour has blamed the current screening regime for low volumes of foreign investment. But Treasury’s 2024 regulatory impact statement on the proposed changes to international investment screening acknowledges many other factors that influence investor decisions.

    Moreover, the Treasury statement acknowledges public views that foreign investment rules should “manage a wide range of risks” and “that there is inherent non-economic value in retaining domestic ownership of certain assets”.

    Treasury officials also recognised a range of other public concerns, including profits going offshore, loss of jobs, and foreign control of iconic businesses.

    The regulatory impact statement did not cover these factors because it was required to consider only the coalition commitment. The Treasury panel reported “notable limitations” on the bill’s quality assurance process.

    A fuller review was “infeasible” because it could not be completed in the time required, and would be broader than necessary to meet the coalition commitment to amend the act in the prescribed way.

    The requirement to implement the bill in this parliamentary term meant the options officials could consider, even within the scope of the coalition agreement, were further limited.

    Time constraints meant “users and key stakeholders have not been consulted”, according to the Treasury statement. Environmental and other risks would have to be managed through other regulations. There is no reference to te Tiriti o Waitangi or mana whenua engagement.

    Forestry ‘slash’ after Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023: no need to consider foreign investors’ track records.
    Getty Images

    No ‘benefit to NZ’ test

    While the bill largely retains a version of the current screening regime for residential and farm land, it removes existing forestry activities from that definition (but not new forestry on non-forest land). It also removes extraction of water for bottling, or other bulk extraction for human consumption, from special vetting.

    Where sensitive land (such as islands, coastal areas, conservation and wahi tapu land) is not residential or farm land, it would be removed from special screening rules currently applied for land.

    Repeal of the “special forestry test” – which in practice has seen most applications approved, albeit with conditions – means most forestry investments could be fast-tracked.

    There would no longer be a need to consider investors’ track records or apply a “benefit to New Zealand” test. Regulators may or may not be empowered to impose conditions such as replanting or cleaning up slash.

    The official documents don’t explain the rationale for this. But it looks like a win for Regional Development Minister Shane Jones, and was perhaps the price of NZ First’s support.

    It has potentially serious implications for forestry communities affected by climate-related disasters, however. Further weakening scrutiny and investment conditions risks intensifying the already devastating impacts of international forestry companies. Taxpayers and ratepayers pick up the costs while the companies can minimise their taxes and send profits offshore.

    Locked in forever?

    Finally, these changes could be locked in through New Zealand’s free trade agreements. Several such agreements say New Zealand’s investment regime cannot become more restrictive than the 2005 act and its regulations.

    A “ratchet clause” would lock in any further liberalisation through this bill, from which there is no going back.

    However, another annex in those free trade agreements could be interpreted as allowing some flexibility to alter the screening rules and criteria in the future. None of the official documents address this crucial question. As an academic expert in this area I am uncertain about the risk.

    But the lack of clarity underlines the problems exemplified in this bill. It is another example of coalition agreements bypassing democratic scrutiny and informed decision making. More public debate and broad analysis is needed on the bill and its implications.

    Jane Kelsey has received funding from the Marsden Fund for research related to New Zealand’s foreign investment regime and international agreements.

    – ref. Why has a bill to relax foreign investment rules had so little scrutiny? – https://theconversation.com/why-has-a-bill-to-relax-foreign-investment-rules-had-so-little-scrutiny-261370

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

    July 21, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Australian gamemakers level-up with major funding from Screen Australia

    Source: AMP Limited

    21 07 2025 – Media release

    Retopia
    New games capture distinctive stories, landscapes and communities from across the country
    Screen Australia has today announced the latest games and gaming events to be supported through the agency’s industry-leading funding programs – providing $1.4 million for gamemakers to upskill and develop stand-out projects.
    The funding supports 26 games including a hand-drawn puzzle game about a flooded village rebuilding after climate catastrophe, a point-and-click visual novel with small town mysteries to solve, and an action-adventure RPG (Role-Playing Game) about a brave native mouse. It also supports the Freeplay 2025 Events Series, solidifying the agency’s commitment to foster a sector that has both a robust sense of independence and a strong community focus.
    In 2024-25, the agency invested $3 million into the tenacious local industry which included support for 49 games and 200 Australian gamemakers. Initiatives like the Future Leaders Delegation and support for ten Festivals and Events provided Australian independent gamemakers the opportunity to showcase over 270 games for national and international audiences.
    Minister for the Arts Tony Burke said, “Digital Games are a billion dollar global industry and Australia’s sector is growing every year. This funding ensures that we’re backing home-grown talent in order to be at the top of the leader board.”
    Screen Australia Head of Games Joey Egger said, “What struck me about these projects is the depth of talent and the distinctiveness of the content; the diversity of our culture, communities, landscapes and stories really shines through. We’re seeing games being developed all across the country including regional towns such as Wallabadah in New South Wales and Toongabbie in Victoria.”  
    “It’s also incredibly exciting to see another round of projects transitioning from the Emerging Gamemakers Fund through to the Games Production Fund. It reinforces our unique position as an end-to-end avenue for Australian gamemakers to take their projects from concept to prototype, to production and then launch.”
    The past 12 months have seen five games from the Emerging Gamemakers Fund progressing to the Games Production Fund: Monster Snap (WA), Rocketcard Defence (ACT), Wyrmspace Tactics (VIC) and L8R SK8R (QLD), as well as Management in Space (NSW).
    Funded games include:

    Ashes (VIC): For fans of graphic novels and interactive fiction, seasoned players and those new to games, comes adventure game Ashes. The creative team includes producer/developer Clea Frost, lead developer Nick Loki, 2D artists Phoenix Waddell and Jennifer Reuter and composer Trent Francis. It follows 16-year-old skater Azar Warren who, after witnessing a murder, takes refuge in a rural compound with her estranged grandfather.
    Buru and The Old People (NSW): A narrative-driven adventure game set in a vibrant anthropomorphic world rich in Indigenous storytelling. Buru and The Old People is from creative director and recipient of the ‘Rising Star’ award at the 2024 Australian Game Developer Awards Benjamin Armstrong, producer Brooke Collard (Yokai), 2D artist Letoya Muraru, and composer Alexander Tulett.
    Nothing To Do Summer Vacation – Part 1 (NT): A unique point and click visual novel game from lead programmer Adam Prenger and creative director Mel Stringer, an accomplished illustrator and comic artist making her exciting debut in games. In this game, Summer is bored out of her mind in the small town of Driftwood, until fresh mysteries come calling to be uncovered.
    Penguin Colony (VIC): A stylish action-adventure game from producer Megan Faulkner, audio engineer David Mason and creative director Naphtali Faulkner, the developer behind the Independent Games Festival Grand Prize-winning Umurangi Generation. In Penguin Colony, players explore the depths of Antarctica at their own pace as different penguins – unravelling difficult truths along the way.
    Retopia (NSW): From creative lead Jennyfer Ong, lead designer Nicholas King and lead producer James Lockrey, this cosy management game is the latest project from the Australian Game Developer Awards’ 2024 Studio of the Year, Chaos Theory Games. Retopia follows a cast of quirky robot companions as they restore life to a collapsed world by salvaging lost technology, rebuilding community, and nurturing a floating sanctuary in the sky. The game continues Chaos Theory’s tradition of values-driven development after the success of the award-winning Crab God.
    Fern: Seed Guardian (WA): An action-adventure RPG from creative director Sophie Till and technical director Jamie Dougall. In a fantastical Australian bushland, a brave native mouse battles an encroaching, mysterious goo.  She must overcome not only this encroaching danger but also her deep fears, as the Goo uses them to manipulate her perception of reality.
    Slumbering Woods (QLD): An evocative, hand-drawn puzzle adventure game with a unique crafting and building twist from creative director Svitlana Amelina, lead developer Oleg Chernyshenko and sound designer Jane Wei. In a world recovering from a long-past climate catastrophe, players help a flooded village thrive, rebuild and find their way home along the way. Slumbering Woods is financed with support from Screen Queensland’s Games Grants.

    Additional projects supported through the Games Production Fund include Bravest Coconut (QLD), Mission Delta (VIC), Dungeon Breakers (NSW) and Rocketcard Defence (ACT).
    Additional projects supported through the Emerging Gamemakers Fund include SCAV (VIC), Pixellated (VIC), Dead Zone Mycologist (VIC), Dicot (VIC), Ash and Earth: Wilderness Reclaimed (NSW), Spin Spirits (WA), Eclipsia (NSW), Untitled Cube Game (Working Title) (QLD), Stewards of Nu Juno (QLD), Displaced: Oath of Tomes (VIC),Kaiju Critters (QLD)and Trinket (NSW).
    For the full list of funded gamemakers and projects supported throughout the 2024-25FY, please see the Games blocklines here.
    Applications for the Emerging Gamemakers Fund and Games Production Fund are now open. For more information about Games funding at Screen Australia and to apply, click here.
    For accompanying image assets, click here.
    Ashes
    Media enquiries
    Jessica Parry | Senior Publicist (Mon, Tue, Thu)
    + 61 428 767 836  | [email protected]
    All other general/non-media enquiries
    Sydney + 61 2 8113 5800  |  Melbourne + 61 3 8682 1900 | [email protected]

    MIL OSI News –

    July 21, 2025

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Employment – 1500 specialist education workers represented by PSA to strike

    Source: PSA

    PSA members have voted to strike in support of their bargaining with the Ministry of Education, which has stretched on now for nine months.
    The staff represented by the PSA work on several programmes of work to support educators, ranging from education reform to managing emergency responses.
    “The Ministry is threatening flexible working arrangements by removing explicit commitments in the collective to allow members to work in a way which suits their family circumstances, said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
    “This is the thin end of the wedge, reflecting this government’s hostility to what are modern workplace practices around the world.
    “PSA members are also upset by the Ministry’s miserly pay offer at a time when the cost of living is still putting pressure on household budgets.
    “We don’t take this step lightly and will continue to press the Ministry to come back to the table with a fair offer,” Fitzsimons said.
    There are a further 800 specialist education staff from the Ministry of Education represented by NZEI who have also voted to strike in support of their bargaining next week.
    What: 1500 PSA members and 800 NZEI members to strike from 10am-12pm on 22 July in support of current bargaining between their respective union and the Ministry of Education.
    Where: Various locations in Auckland, Hamilton, Napier, Lower Hutt, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin – details below.
    When: 10am – 12pm, 22 July 2025.
    Who: PSA National Secretary Fleur Fitzsimons to speak at the Wellington PSA picket on corner of The Terrace and Bowen St, at 10:25am.
    Picket details:
    Whangārei, Walkout at 10am, picket in a line along Dent Street at Town Basin (near Hundertwasser).
    • Auckland Maungawhau, Walkout at 10am, picket in a line down Normanby Rd.
    • Auckland Henderson , Walkout at 10am, march down to Edmonton/Falls roundabout for picket.
    • Auckland Botany, Walkout at 10am, march up Bishop Dunn Pl to Te Irirangi Dr traffic lights for picket.
    • Tauranga (Western BOP), Walkout at 10am, picket at intersection of Elizabeth St and Cameron Rd.
    • Hamilton, Walkout at 10am, march down to the intersection of Home Straight and Te Rapa Rd by the lights for picket.
    • Napier, Walkout at 10am, picket on corner of Lever and Bridge St.
    • Lower Hutt, Walkout at 10am, march down to Chris Bishop MP office on Bloomfield St.
    • Wellington, Walkout at 10am, picket on corner of The Terrace and Bowen St from 10:25am.
    • Christchurch, Walkout at 10am, picket at Bridge of Remembrance.
    • Dunedin, Walkout at 10am, picket outside office on Moray Pl. 
    The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi is Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest trade union, representing and supporting 95,000 workers across central government, state-owned enterprises, local councils, health, and community groups.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    July 21, 2025

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Employment – Kmart workers secure new “industry-leading” two-year living wage deal

    Source: Workers First Union

    Kmart workers are celebrating today after Workers First Union members ratified a new 2-year pay deal that includes minimum living wages after six months’ service for both 2025 and 2026, union-only bonuses and more.
    Rudd Hughes, Deputy Secretary (Retail) at Workers First, said he believed the new agreement put Kmart workers among the highest-paid retail chain workers in the country.
    “We’re extremely proud of our Kmart bargaining team and hopeful that this new agreement sets a standard in the retail industry that other big brands are paying attention to,” said Mr Hughes.
    “We started negotiations with the company talking about the CPI and “clawbacks” of previous entitlements, but due to the efforts of our dedicated group of Kmart workers on the bargaining team, we’ve ended with an industry-leading agreement that includes a progressive living wage for two years and a generous union-only bonus.”
    Of the more than 1,110 Workers First members at Kmart, 96% voted to ratify the new collective agreement in a series of store-by-store meetings over the last three weeks. The agreement includes the new living wage of $28.95 per hour after six months’ service from September 2025, increasing to the living wage for 2026/27 the following year, union-only bonuses of $500 for full-time workers, $350 for part-time workers and $200 for casual workers, an improved pathway from casual to permanent employment, and an increase to safety and medical footwear reimbursements. 
    For Tarsh Sullivan, a coordinator from Kmart Te Rapa who was part of the bargaining team, the new agreement is a “huge win” for workers.
    “The union-only bonus is a big deal for a lot of the younger workers because it shows them why we’re in a union and what you can do when you stick together,” said Ms Sullivan.
    “We were also really happy to lock in a better pathway for casual workers to get into full-time employment, because you can get stuck there in retail jobs sometimes.”
    “The future is unpredictable, especially under this Government. I’m happy that we’re making progress and moving forward with this deal – we know it’s not the same for all retail workers at the moment.”
    “Our goal now is to keep recruiting new union members and building momentum for next time we bargain, because we can do even better.”
    Rudd Hughes said the Kmart deal sent a clear message to other big-box retailers like Farmers, The Warehouse and Briscoes.
    “Many of the other big retailers still don’t believe their staff are worth a living wage,” said Mr Hughes. “But Kmart has been thriving as a business because their staff are fairly paid and feel more motivated and valued by their employer.”
    “We need to start measuring company success differently and move on from the ‘infinite growth’ mentality. We should be asking companies more about what their staff earn, not their CEO.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    July 21, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Remote zone tax offset – determining eligibility

    Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

    Taxpayers may be eligible for tax offsets depending on their individual circumstances. Tax offsets reduce the amount of tax people need to pay.

    We’ve recently updated the remote zone tax offset web content to make it easier for you and your clients to understand the eligibility requirements.

    Determining eligibility

    Taxpayers are generally eligible for the remote zone tax offset when they have resided in a relevant area of Australia for more than 183 days during the financial year in which they are claiming the offset. That is, when their usual place of residence is within a remote zone.

    The 183 days does not have to be a continuous period of residency but must be within one financial year unless certain circumstances apply.

    Where your client hasn’t resided within a remote zone for 183 days during the income year, they may still be able to claim the offset if their usual place of residence was in a remote zone for a continuous period of less than 5 years, and:

    • they were unable to claim in the first year because it was not their residence for 183 days or more
    • the total of the days they resided there in the first year and the current income year is 183 days or more
    • the period they resided in a zone in the current income year includes the first day of the income year.

    Fly-in-fly-out (FIFO) and offshore oil or gas rig workers are generally not eligible to claim the zone tax offset, unless their usual place of residence is within a remote zone for the required number of days.

    Temporarily working in a zone, staying at an employer’s camp or provided accommodation does not mean the worker resided in the zone where the worker’s usual place of residence is outside a zone.

    Australian zone list

    We have a non-exhaustive list of locations that are within a remote zone. There may be other eligible locations that are not included on the list but are geographically within a remote zone.

    If your client resides at a location that is geographically within a remote zone, it does not need to be on the list in order to claim the offset.

    Claiming the offset – address details

    Before lodging your client’s income tax return, confirm if there have been any changes to their residential and postal addresses. It’s important to ensure your clients keep their ATO record up to date with their current phone number, postal, residential and email address details.

    MIL OSI News –

    July 21, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Presidential Message on Space Exploration Day

    Source: US Whitehouse

    On July 20, 1969, Apollo 11 successfully landed the first crewed mission on the Moon, launching mankind into a new and uncharted era of human ingenuity.  As the entire world watched in awe, American astronauts stepped onto the lunar surface and planted the beautiful Stars and Stripes on the rocky soil.  Our flag stood as a marker of National achievement, signaling to the entire world the unmatched might and unwavering resilience of the American spirit.

    Today, my Administration is building on the legacy of Apollo 11 by reigniting the United States’ leadership in space and shaping the future of American space exploration.  During my first term, I proudly reestablished the National Space Council and created the Space Force, making space policy a national priority and ensuring that our Nation’s interests are protected beyond Earth. 

    Through the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill, we secured a historic investment in human space exploration to ensure that America’s efforts in the realm of space remain innovative, efficient, and unmatched by other nations.  We are refocusing the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Artemis campaign returning Americans to the Moon—this time to stay—and putting the first boots on Mars.  At the same time, we are expanding partnerships with the greatest aerospace companies in the world to launch rockets, build landers, and deliver advanced technology that will drive a new and unparalleled era of space exploration.

    With our incredible Guardians in the U.S. Space Force protecting America’s interests in space, we are securing the systems that power exploration, defense, and communication.  We are building strength, expanding freedom, and ensuring that the American flag remains the ultimate symbol of leadership across the final frontier.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 21, 2025

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Property Market – It’s a deal: Home buyers and sellers finally agree on price – RealEstate.co.nz

    Source: Brainchild PR for RealEstate.co.nz

    • Sellers are getting, on average, more than their final asking price for properties listed on realestate.co.nz
    • 8 out of 19 regions recorded higher average selling price than asking price
    • Wellington homeowners getting on average $17,000 more for homes than they were expecting.
    An analysis of house price data on realestate.co.nz reveals that at a national level, on average, sellers are getting more for their properties than they asked for.

    The analysis, which compared the asking and selling prices of more than 53,000 residential homes listed and sold on realestate.co.nz between 1 January 2024 and 31 May 2025, showed that by the time a home sold, people were getting more than their final asking price.

    During this period, New Zealand homeowners asked for an average of $894,915 for their properties but achieved an average selling price of $898,845, putting an extra $3,930 in their pockets.

    The two price types were compared in the month that the property was officially sold, using sales data provided by the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ).

    Vanessa Williams, spokesperson for realestate.co.nz, says sellers are meeting the market and exceeding their own expectations.

    “The last 18 months have been tough for sellers, but we are seeing that by the time their home sells, vendors are getting realistic with their price expectations. This seems to be having a surprisingly positive outcome, as they are ending up with slightly more than they bargained for.”

    Whether vendors were up or down with their pricing expectations varied greatly around the country. Eight of realestate.co.nz’s 19 regions recorded a higher average selling price than asking price, while the remaining 11 asked, on average, for more than the average selling price.

    Wellington sellers take the win

    Sellers in Wellington had the biggest positive variance between asking and selling prices, with vendors getting, on average, $17,185 more for their homes than what they asked for.

    The average asking price over this period in the region was $901,484, while the average selling price was $918,668.

    Canterbury followed suit with an average asking price of $745,995, and a selling price of $759,715 – an average of $13,721 more in the hand for vendors.

    Gisborne also recorded a bigger-than-average gain between asking and selling, from $692,420 to $704,256, an average upside of $11,835.

    Coromandel buyers not budging

    Meanwhile, Coromandel stood out as the region where vendors received notably less than their expectations, with an average asking price of $1,116,914 compared to an average selling price of $1,071,241 – a gap of $45,673.”

    Other regions with the greatest disparity between asking and selling prices were Northland (-$14,117) and Waikato (-$8,399).

    “While we always want to see a deal taking place, the property market only functions when buyers and sellers are prepared to negotiate and make sacrifices,” says Williams.

     “With more properties on the market and prices holding steady, successful transactions often come down to pricing that both parties can agree upon and open negotiation.”

    About realestate.co.nz

    We’ve been helping people buy, sell, or rent property since 1996.

    Established before Google, realestate.co.nz is New Zealand’s longest-standing property website and the official website of the real estate industry.

    Dedicated only to property, our mission is to empower people with a property search tool they can use to find the life they want to live. With residential, lifestyle, rural and commercial property listings, realestate.co.nz is the place to start for those looking to buy or sell property.  

    Whatever life you’re searching for, it all starts here.

    Want more property insights?

    Market insights: Search by suburb to see median sale prices, popular property types and tr

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    July 21, 2025

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Work begins soon to raise flood-prone area near Te Karaka, SH2

    Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

    Work begins soon on a major flood resilience project – Hakanui Straight (formerly Nesbitt’s Dip) – on State Highway 2 near Te Karaka.

    The upgrade will see an 850 metres long flood-prone section of the highway raised by 3 metres, new drainage installed, the main culvert for Hakanui Stream replaced and safety barriers installed. 

    The work is being delivered by Transport Rebuild East Coast (TREC) and local contractor crews, and is one of two projects which have been added to the recovery programme funded by savings found from other projects. The second project will involve flood resilience on SH35 at Rototahe.

    TREC project manager Richard Bayley says the work will keep communities connected and freight moving and ensure a stronger, safer and more reliable route.

    Mr Bayley says in the past this stretch of road had to close during heavy weather events because the area is prone to flooding.

    “These closures create disruption for communities and the flow of freight, as well as causing safety risks for emergency services.

    “To reduce the risk of future flooding, we’re raising the highway and upgrading drainage, making it stronger, safer, and more reliable for everyday travel and emergency response.

    “The Hakanui Straight project spans a vital link for freight between the Bay of Plenty and the East Coast, and ensuring its resilience is essential for businesses, residents, and regional connectivity,” says Mr Bayley.

    The improvements being made are particularly significant for Te Karaka residents, who faced severe flooding during Cyclone Gabrielle when water breached the stopbanks of the Waipaoa River. In the early hours of 14 February 2023, around 500 residents evacuated to surrounding hills, watching as the floodwaters overtook their homes, workplaces, and marae. 

    Kaitiaki of Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki, Pimia Wehi, says working with TREC throughout the design process has been crucial in ensuring the upgrade meets the community’s needs. 

    “This is a huge step forward for Te Karaka, Puha, and Whatatutu. The devastation of Cyclone Gabrielle is still fresh in our minds as families lost their homes, businesses were destroyed, and many of us were stranded without communication for more than a day,” says Pimia Wehi. 

    “Seeing this work begin is a relief. It means our people will have better access to emergency routes and won’t have to face being completely cut off again.” 

    Mr Bayley says early enabling work, such as the site office establishment, fencing and services relocation, is expected to begin this week, weather permitting.

    “Road users aren’t likely to notice too much activity until the physical work begins, which is expected next month.

    “At that stage, short traffic delays are expected while crews carry out the upgrades. Traffic will be managed by closing the road shoulder during early works, followed by one lane closures with stop/go to maintain two-way traffic during major works with reduced speed limits along the work site.

    “Please drive to the conditions and be aware of the increased truck movements and trucks crossing the road.”

    About the name Hakanui Straight

    The project name is ‘Hakanui Straight’ but was formerly Nesbitt’s Dip. This is a change requested by hapū and Iwi representatives as the name reflects the area’s cultural and historical significance. The Hakanui Stream was important for local food gathering, mahinga kai, and as a travel route for waka.

    With the road being elevated to ensure safer and quicker evacuations during floods, ‘Straight’ (rather than ‘Dip’), embodies strength, directness, and a clear path forward.

    What’s changing at Hakanui Straight?

    • An 850-metre section of SH2 will be raised by approximately three metres to reduce flood risks and keep the road open in severe weather. 
    • The Hakanui Stream culvert will be upgraded with a larger, 1.8-metre-diameter structure to handle higher water volumes, prevent highway flooding and allow safe fish passage to protect local aquatic life.

    For more updates, visit the SH2 Tairāwhiti recovery project page 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    July 21, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Six youths have been arrested for arson and police pursuit

    Source: New South Wales – News

    Six teenagers have been arrested after a pursuit through metropolitan Adelaide and the arson of an Aldinga Beach house this morning.

    About 12.50 am Monday 21 July Police and emergency services were called to a house at Pebble Court after reports of fire in the garage and house. Fortunately the occupants were not home at the time. MFS were quickly on scene and extinguished the blaze.

    When police arrived, they saw a Subaru station wagon leaving the street. Police recognised the car as a stolen vehicle which had been stolen from a Mitchell Park home last week. Police attempted to stop the car, with the driver refusing to pull over.

    The car was pursued by patrols along with the assistance from PolAir and Dog Operations Unit on South Road, along the Southern Expressway, through to the eastern suburbs before making its way to Two Wells where the tyres were successfully spiked by patrols at Port Wakefield Road and Mallala Road.

    Six youths ran from the car and were arrested on Artisan Road with the assistance of PD Duke without incident.

    The driver, a 17-year-old boy from Ottoway has been arrested for arson, illegal use, dangerous driving to escape pursuit

    Four 15-year-old boys have been arrested for arson and illegal use.

    One 16-year-old boy has been arrested for arson and illegal use.

    All six will appear in the Youth Court later today.

    MIL OSI News –

    July 21, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Fundamental lethality shift for British Army spearheaded by novel targeting tech ‘ASGARD’

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Fundamental lethality shift for British Army spearheaded by novel targeting tech ‘ASGARD’

    British Army showcase new technology that improves the accuracy of targeting enemies and reduces decision-making time for strikes.

    A pioneering digital targeting web, called ASGARD, has been showcased this week, following successful trials by British soldiers deployed on NATO’s eastern flank. The project will enable soldiers to rapidly find and strike enemy targets at greater distances than ever before.  

    Following the Strategic Defence Review, the Army will deliver a tenfold increase in lethality over the next ten years by harnessing firepower, surveillance technology, autonomy, digital connectivity, and data – leading the way in NATO in its use of technology to change how it fights, improving speed and accuracy. ASGARD will exploit AI and novel communications networks, providing rapid targeting and decision-support to personnel.        

    The Ministry of Defence is committing funding for the next phase of ASGARD’s development. This will allow the Army to expedite its lethality and deepen its links with society through partnership with British industry, delivering on the Government’s Plan for Change by keeping the UK secure at home and strong abroad.           

    Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry, Rt Hon Maria Eagle MP said: 

    We are learning the lessons from Ukraine so our frontline personnel can strike further and faster and maintain advantage over our adversaries.  

    ASGARD exemplifies the vision of the Strategic Defence Review, with speed and world-class capability achieved by bringing together military, Government and industry professionals with a focus on rapid frontline delivery.

    ASGARD forms part of the work to create a wider digital targeting web across the UK’s Armed Forces by 2027, backed by more than £1 billion in funding. It will better connect military weapons systems and allow battlefield decisions for targeting enemy threats to be made and executed faster.   

    ASGARD was showcased this week to international allies and industry partners in London, with participants shown the capability in action, including its overwhelming effect on adversaries. 

    Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Roly Walker said:  

    Project ASGARD proves we can do things differently. It’s not just a pathfinder for transformation; it’s a transformation in how we find, fund, and fight with cutting-edge capabilities. 

    ASGARD helps double our lethality and exponentially reduces the time to see, decide, and strike. What took hours, now takes minutes. Today, the UK possesses a similar Recce-Strike system to the one used by Ukraine to maul Russian forces in the Donbas. That system now sits at the heart of our Forward Land Forces in Estonia. 

    We are particularly proud of the collaboration between tacticians and technicians, between Defence and Industry, and the support of and to small and medium enterprises and jobs across the UK.

    Using a novel acquisition approach, ASGARD was first announced by the Defence Secretary in October 2024 and progressed at an unprecedented pace, with contracts awarded in January 2025 and a prototype capability deployed only four months later for NATO Exercise Hedgehog in Estonia. ASGARD’s capabilities were successfully tested, increasing the UK and NATO Armies’ lethality by improving targeting precision and significantly cutting decision-making time. 

    This quick turn-around was achieved through a collaboration between industry technicians and military tradecraft experts, bringing together a consortium of military, civil service and industry partners to deliver the best possible product in the shortest amount of time. 

    The Strategic Defence Review recommended a shift towards greater use of autonomy and Artificial Intelligence within the UK’s conventional forces, facilitated by a Digital Targeting Web. The next phase of ASGARD will deliver on this, focusing on enhancing the lethality at the Corps and Divisional levels as the Army’s contribution to the Defence Targeting Web. It will exploit the Digital Decision Accelerators from the Defence Commercial framework to harness the talents across a broader array of industry partners to improve core capability. 

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    Published 20 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    July 21, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: XRP and ETH surge, and a large number of cryptocurrency enthusiasts join RDG Mining’s newly launched one-day cloud mining contract to share the $1.5 million prize in a single day

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York City, NY, July 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today, ETH rose to $3,760 and XRP rose to $3.5. Users of major exchanges have flocked to the RDG Mining cloud mining platform, preferring the AI smart cloud mining contracts fully launched by RDG Mining. Due to the rapid increase in the number of RDG Mining users, RDG Mining’s daily bonus has increased from $500,000 to $1.5 million.

    With over 6 years of industry experience and 100% customer satisfaction, RDGMining has become a trusted brand in the cryptocurrency space. Whether you invest a small amount of $10 or a deep investment of $500,000, the platform is designed to grow with you safely and efficiently. What makes this cloud mining app unique is its user-first philosophy. Investors can mine mainstream cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin easily and securely through a seamless cloud setup; no hardware required, no worries.

    How to join RDG Mining
    Registration: New users can get a $10 reward upon registration, and a $0.6 sign-in reward every day.
    Choose a contract: After successful registration, the next step is to choose a mining contract that meets your goals and budget. RDG Mining offers a variety of contracts to meet different needs, whether you are a novice or an experienced miner, you can easily get started.
    Affiliate Program
    ① Refer friends and get up to $20,000 in rewards each month, thereby increasing your extra income.
    ② For every successful invitation of a friend to register and complete the first mining order, you can get 3% of the friend’s contract as a reward.
    For example: If the friend you recommend successfully purchases a $10,000 contract, you can get a $300 reward. After inviting a certain number of active referrals, you will receive a one-time fixed bonus of up to $50,000. No matter how many people you recommend, your income potential is unlimited!
    The invitation mechanism is open and transparent, and can be checked at any time, truly realizing “making money at home with zero investment”.
    Diverse contract options to meet the needs of users at all levels
    After selecting and activating a mining contract, you only need to wait for the system to do all the work for you. RDG Mining’s advanced technology ensures that your mining operations run efficiently, thereby maximizing your potential profits.
    For example:
    • $10 mining contract – 1 day term – earn $0.60 per day;
    • $100 mining contract – 2 day term – earn $3.5 per day;
    • $500 mining contract – 5 day term – earn $6.25 per day;
    • $1,000 mining contract – 10 day term – earn $13 per day;
    • $5,000 mining contract – 30 day term – earn $75 per day.
    Click here to explore more mining contracts.
    Supports various cryptocurrencies
    Mining income is settled in USDT. But do you want XRP, Solana, ETH or BTC? You can switch at will. Combine your digital assets as you like – everything is under your control.

    Why RDG Mining is so popular
    Since its inception, RDG Mining has attracted more than 7.5 million users worldwide. The advantages of “zero threshold, safe, convenient and efficient” are unanimously recognized by all users. A 73-year-old user from the United States said: “Through sign-in and invitation rewards, I can earn an extra $3,500 per month. Through smart AI mining, I have truly achieved passive income.”
    This is exactly the original intention of RDG to fully open smart mining, so that everyone can easily join and participate in profit, experience sign-in and invitation activities, and feel the happiness of “multiple benefits superimposed”.

    Future Outlook
    As the cryptocurrency market strengthens and institutional capital continues to flow in, RDGMining provides investors with a convenient, low-threshold way to participate in cryptocurrency mining and accumulate digital assets in a responsible and sustainable manner.
    Full details and how to participate: https://pyfmjc.com

    Disclaimer: The information provided in this press release does not constitute an investment invitation, nor does it constitute investment advice, financial advice or trading recommendations. Cryptocurrency mining and staking involve risks and may result in loss of funds. It is strongly recommended that you conduct due diligence before investing or trading in cryptocurrencies and securities, including consulting a professional financial advisor.

    The MIL Network –

    July 21, 2025

  • MIL-Evening Report: Hold up, humans. Ants figured out medicine, farming and engineering long before we did

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tanya Latty, Associate Professor in Entomology, University of Sydney

    Tambon Nong Chaeng/Pexels

    Think back to a time you helped someone move a heavy object, such as a couch. While at first the task may have appeared simple, it actually required a suite of advanced behaviours.

    The job needed verbal commands for social coordination (“pivot!”) and anticipation of near-future events (moving other furniture out of the way). It also required a clear, shared vision of the final goal (which room to take the couch to).

    It’s a small but satisfying example of human cooperation. But before we all get too pleased with ourselves, consider that ants – creatures with tiny brains and no capacity for speech – routinely pull off feats that rival, and sometimes exceed, our own.

    Ants routinely pull off feats that rival, and sometimes exceed, our own.
    Andre Moura/Pexels

    Understanding ant intelligence

    Earth is literally crawling with ants. Scientists estimate there are at least 20 quadrillion ants on Earth. That’s 20 followed by 15 zeros – more ants than stars in our galaxy!

    These incredible insects are amongst the most successful organisms on the planet. Part of the success comes from an ability to form complex societies, ranging from a few individuals to millions. And those societies, or colonies, are remarkably co-operative.

    Take, for example, ants’ abilities to move large food items. To do it, they mobilise teams of dozens – or even hundreds – of fellow workers. Together, they efficiently work together to transport the load back to the nest.

    Longhorn crazy ants (Paratrechina longicornis) are even known to clear debris from a path before a heavy object arrives – seemingly anticipating its trajectory and preparing the way.

    One experiment pit longhorn crazy ants against humans, all tasked with moving T-shaped objects (scaled to body size) through tight spaces. In some trials, the human teams were not permitted to speak or use gestures.

    And the result? Ants performed better in larger groups compared to smaller ones, showing the clear benefits of collective action. In contrast, human performance did not improve with group size. And when communication was restricted, human performance declined as group size increased.

    All this highlights how ants rely on collective intelligence, without the need for central control or sophisticated cognition.

    Expert farmers

    Humanity’s invention of agriculture 12,000 years ago is understandably hailed as one of our greatest achievements.

    But leaf cutter ants beat us to it. These ants (from the species Atta and Acromyrmex) evolved to undertake large-scale agriculture about 55 million years ago.

    These ants cut and transport fresh leaves not to eat directly, but to feed a fungus that serves as their main food source.

    This evolutionary partnership allows the ants to feed colonies with populations in the millions.

    Remarkably, leaf cutter ants have also evolved a form of biological pest control to protect their crops from bacteria. Some worker ants patrol the gardens, detecting infected sections of the fungus. Then they apply antibiotics produced by bacteria that live on their bodies.

    What’s more, many ant species farm aphids and other sap-sucking insects.

    As these farmed insects feed on plant sap, they excrete a sugary liquid the ants eagerly collect. In return, ants serve as bodyguards, defending their tiny livestock from predators such as ladybirds and lacewings.

    In some species, queen ants gently carry sap-sucking insects in their jaws as they fly off to start new colonies. Fossilised ants preserved in amber suggest this behaviour evolved up to 20 million years ago, long before humans domesticated animals.

    Ant medicine

    Medical care may seem like a distinctly human innovation. But several ant species have evolved sophisticated ways to treat injuries.

    When a Florida carpenter ant (Camponotus floridanus) is injured during a battle between colonies, its nest-mates will amputate a damaged limb to prevent infection from spreading. Ants receiving this battlefield care are more likely to survive than ants left untreated.

    Some ants can also detect infection and treat infected wounds by cleaning them and applying antimicrobial secretions from specialised glands.

    Master builders

    Some ant species are known to literally put their bodies on the line for the colony.

    Army ants (Eciton burchellii) join their bodies together to form structures. These include bridges across gaps on the forest floor, and “scaffolds” across steep terrain to prevent other ants from slipping.

    Even the nest is made of hundreds of thousands of ants joined together, complete with tunnels and chambers housing the larvae and the queen. The entire structure is packed up and rebuilt each day, after the colony emigrates a few hundred metres into the forest.

    Army ants join their bodies together to form structures.
    Smartse/Wikimedia, CC BY

    Weaver ants (Oecophylla smaragdina), meanwhile, self-assemble into rope ladders to span vertical gaps.

    They also form a line of workers that pull leaves together in treetops to form nests. Once the leaves are winched into place, other ants arrive with ant larvae in their jaws. Each larva produces a tiny blob of silk which the ants use to glue the leaves together.

    Fire ants (Solenopsis invicta), a major pest species, owes its invasive success partly to a unique method of dispersal.

    When their underground nests are flooded by rain, the ants join together into a huge raft which floats on a layer of buoyant larvae. These rafts can ride floodwaters in safety for hundreds of kilometres, until the ants reach dry land.

    When their nests are flooded, fire ants join together into a huge raft.
    TheCoz/Wikimedia, CC BY

    Lessons for humanity?

    Humans rightly take pride in our greatest achievements – agriculture, medicine, engineering and building civilisations. But remarkably, ants mastered these innovations millions of years before we did.

    Ants may be tiny – but by working together they can build complex societies and solve many problems. They might even teach humans a thing or two.

    Tanya Latty co-founded and volunteers for conservation organisation Invertebrates Australia, is former president of the Australasian Society for the Study of Animal Behaviour and is on the education committee for the Australian Entomological Society. She receives funding from the Australian Research Council, NSW Saving our Species, and Agrifutures Australia

    Chris R. Reid receives funding from the Australian Research Council and Macquarie University. He is secretary of the Australasian Society for the Study of Animal Behaviour and is on the education committee for the Australasian Entomological Society.

    – ref. Hold up, humans. Ants figured out medicine, farming and engineering long before we did – https://theconversation.com/hold-up-humans-ants-figured-out-medicine-farming-and-engineering-long-before-we-did-258922

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

    July 21, 2025

  • MIL-Evening Report: Federal election feel like ages ago? Parliament is now back. Here’s your political refresher

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jill Sheppard, Senior Lecturer, School of Politics and International Relations, Australian National University

    Tracey Nearmy/Getty

    Despite many pre-election predictions, the 48th Australian parliament looks quite similar to the 47th. The Labor Party has greater representation than before: 94 Members of the House of Representatives (up from 77) and 29 Senators (up from 26).

    The Coalition’s numbers were famously smashed at the election, and will be represented by 43 Members and 27 Senators.

    Despite the landslide electoral victory, Labor’s parliamentary position is not materially improved. It retains a majority in the House of Representatives, but Prime Minister Anthony Albanese faces the problem of finding jobs to keep such a large backbench occupied. Restless politicians reliably create havoc for their leaders (just ask Keir Starmer).

    In the Senate, Labor has more possible paths to a majority, but none is particularly pretty. Pre-election, the government required 12 additional senators to support its legislation. Often this support came from the Coalition, with the crossbench bypassed entirely, as in the case of political donation reforms.

    Other reforms, including workplace relations, were passed by a combination of Greens and independent senators.

    Labor can achieve a majority (38 votes) in the new Senate by negotiating with either the Greens or the Coalition. If neither is forthcoming, Labor can then turn to a disparate group of crossbenchers: four One Nation Senators, plus Fatima Payman, Jacqui Lambie, Ralph Babet and David Pocock.



    Read more:
    Grattan on Friday: New parliament presents traps for Albanese and Ley

    Clearing the decks

    How the new Senate configuration affects Labor’s legislative agenda depends on what exactly that agenda looks like.

    Labor went into the 47th parliament emphasising the Voice referendum, COVID and rising inflation.

    At the end of that term, ten bills were listed for debate but were “timed out” by the constitutional requirement to hold an election.

    The most controversial of these is the proposal to add a new 15% tax on superannuation balances of more than $3 million. The Greens, under previous leader Adam Bandt, promised to support the bill in 2023 pending the government extending superannuation to paid parental leave (which was legislated in 2024 and came into effect on July 1 2025).



    Read more:
    Actually, Gen Z stand to be the biggest winners from the new $3 million super tax

    The Greens continue to support the tax proposal in principle, but want the threshold lowered to $2 million.

    One Nation is strongly opposed. The Coalition has expressed willingness to negotiate on the condition that unrealised gains are exempt from valuations.

    The government has also proposed cutting the number of overseas students at Australian universities, ostensibly due to concerns over exploitation of the student visa program. The Greens have called the proposal “disastrous for tertiary education”.

    Pocock and the Coalition have both called for key changes to the bill. Their primary concerns are about a ministerial power to decide appropriate student numbers without parliamentary approval.

    Despite opposing the bill for different reasons, the Greens and Coalition were willing to team up against the government – perhaps foreshadowing strategy in the new parliament.

    What’s on the horizon?

    Labor announced just 15 specific policy proposals before the election. Only two costed promises are registered with the Parliamentary Budget Office. This gives Labor a free hand to determine its policy agenda in the 48th parliament.

    Right out of the gate, the government promised to cut HECS debt by 20%. Given the Greens would wipe all current HECS debt, they seem likely to wave this through the Senate.

    Treasurer Jim Chalmers has since declared that while “the first term was primarily inflation without forgetting productivity, the second term will be primarily productivity without forgetting inflation”.

    In search of new thinking, the government has announced an economic reform roundtable comprising government, business and experts, and covering economic resilience, skills, new technologies, healthcare reform and clean energy.

    Productivity is notoriously difficult to measure and improve. Whether policies arising from the roundtable will pass the parliament remains to be seen.

    However, the government’s invitation to Shadow Treasurer Ted O’Brien was accompanied with commentary that Chalmers does not believe O’Brien or his leader Sussan Ley are “by their nature constructive, collaborative types”.

    Other election policies should be legislated with ease. The Coalition has already supported purchasing the Port of Darwin, promised instant asset write-offs for small business, and pledged to match Labor’s Medicare spending dollar for dollar.

    The Coalition is also likely to support new fast-track training for 6,000 tradies.

    The Greens will likely support pro-worker reforms. These include legislated weekend penalty rates and new mental health spending.

    In general, the government’s stated agenda is incremental and should be achievable in this parliament. If the Greens won’t play ball, the Coalition will be waiting in line.

    This will probably lead to quixotic policymaking as Labor bounces between two ideologically opposed partners.

    Elsewhere, as in the case of the government’s post-election approval of new licences for gas extraction, policy can happen without parliamentary approval at all.

    In such cases, meaningful opposition will come from the cross- and backbenches, full of politicians eager to make a name for themselves.

    Jill Sheppard receives funding from the Australian Research Council. She worked as an adviser to Coalition parliamentarians between 2003 and 2007.

    Patrick Leslie receives funding from the Australian Research Council.

    – ref. Federal election feel like ages ago? Parliament is now back. Here’s your political refresher – https://theconversation.com/federal-election-feel-like-ages-ago-parliament-is-now-back-heres-your-political-refresher-261360

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

    July 21, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA News: President Trump Marks Six Months in Office with Historic Successes

    Source: US Whitehouse

    Today, President Donald J. Trump celebrates the most successful first six months in office for any President in modern American history.

    • Congress passed the One Big Beautiful Bill, thereby delivering the largest tax cut in American history, increasing Americans’ take-home pay by as much as $13,300, and terminating benefits for at least 1.4 million illegal immigrants who were gaming the system.
    • Congress passed President Trump’s historic rescissions package, which will save taxpayers $9 billion in wasteful, politically-motivated funding for leftwing foreign aid scams and biased NPR and PBS.
    • The wholesale price of a dozen eggs is down 53%, or $3.09, since the inauguration and is down 62%, or $5.08, from its March peak.
    • The U.S. economy has now added a net of 671,000 jobs since January 2025, with jobs numbers beating expectations four months in a row. Native-born workers have accounted for all job gains, with native-born employment increasing 2,079,000 while foreign-born employment has fallen 543,000.
    • U.S. Customs and Border Patrol encountered just 6,070 illegal immigrants at the southern border in June — setting a new record low (15% lower than the previous record set in March). Additionally, zero illegal immigrants were released into the U.S. on parole in June, compared to 27,766 a year prior.
    • The administration has ramped up deportations, breaking a record for the number of deportation flights in a month in June. President Trump’s self-deportation push has also been a massive success. Additionally, over 600 known and suspected terrorists have been removed from the United States.
    • At President Trump’s direction, U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement has arrested over 100,000 illegal alien criminals, including over 2,700 members of the vicious Tren de Aragua gang.
    • Following President Trump’s declaration of an energy emergency, the U.S. has reached its fastest rate of new oil and gas drilling permits in years, exceeding the Biden administration by 44%.
    • Since President Trump took office, core inflation has tracked at just 2.1% — levels not seen since the first Trump Administration, when prices were low and stable — and has come in below or at economists’ expectations every single month. Meanwhile, wholesale inflation remained flat in June, while import prices came in far below expectations.
    • Summer gas prices reached their lowest point since 2021, and, inflation-adjusted, are near a 20-year low.
    • President Trump’s deregulatory efforts have already saved Americans over $180 billion, or $2,100 per family of four, with the rollback of automobile-related rules alone expected to save consumers more than $1.1 trillion.
    • President Trump secured a historic agreement for NATO members to raise defense spending to 5% of GDP – a foreign policy feat long thought impossible.
    • Under President Trump’s strong and decisive leadership, the U.S. obliterated Iran’s nuclear program.
    • President Trump secured ceasefires between India and Pakistan and Israel and Iran, a peace agreement between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, and a pathway to stability for Syria.
    • As a result of his historic peacemaking efforts, President Trump has already received three Nobel Peace Prize nominations since returning to office.
    • In May, blue-collar wage growth saw its largest increase in nearly 60 years since President Trump’s return to office.
    • Companies and foreign governments have pledged over $7.6 trillion in investments into the U.S.
    • The U.S. Treasury has taken in nearly $90 billion in tariff duties since January 2025, with the agency posting a record $27.2 billion surplus in June – the first June surplus since 2005.
    • President Trump has once again proved to be the Dealmaker-in-Chief, inking a minerals deal with Ukraine, a $14 billion “perpetual Golden Share” sale of U.S. Steel, and trade deals with the United Kingdom, China, and Indonesia.
    • President Trump has signed over 170 executive orders, delivering on key campaign promises such as closing the border, protecting children from chemical and surgical mutilation, removing men from women’s sports, unleashing American energy, ending federal censorship, ending the radical indoctrination in K-12 schooling, and ending radical and wasteful government DEI programs and preferencing.
    • The S&P 500 and Nasdaq market indices have reached multiple record highs.
    • The Supreme Court consistently bolstered the Trump administration’s agenda, blocking activist judges from issuing nationwide injunctions, permitting “third-country deportations,” greenlighting the revocation of temporary protected status (TPS) from more than 500,000 migrants and approving efforts to shrink the federal bureaucracy.
    • President Trump signed several pieces of landmark legislation, including the Genius Act, the Halt Fentanyl Act, the Laken Riley Act, and the Take It Down Act.
    • The U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force and Space Force all reached their recruitment goals months in advance.
    • The Trump administration has made incredible strides in its effort to Make America Healthy Again, with roughly 35% of the American food industry making a commitment to eliminate the use of artificial dyes, including Hershey, Consumer Brands and dozens of ice cream companies representing more than 90% of the ice cream volume sold in the U.S.
    • President Trump has ensured U.S. benefit programs serve U.S. citizens, with the administration now having protected more than $40 billion in benefit programs from illegal aliens since POTUS signed an Executive Order in February “Ending Taxpayer Subsidization of Open Borders.”
    • President Trump inked an agreement to provide billions of dollars of military equipment to Ukraine, with NATO footing the bill.
    • President Trump has cracked down on international cartels, designating eight Latin American cartels as terrorist groups, including Tren de Aragua, MS-13 and the Sinaloa Cartel.
    • President Trump has solidified the U.S.’s position as the world leader in artificial intelligence, attracting north of $1 trillion in AI investment, including $90 billion in groundbreaking AI and energy investments in Pennsylvania.
    • The U.S. is on track for its lowest murder rate on record following President Trump’s reinstatement of law and order.
    • Following President Trump’s February executive order, universities and school systems have stopped allowing men in women’s sports, including the University of Pennsylvania, the Virginia High School League and the University of Maine System.
    • Hospitals and hospital systems across the country have halted so-called “gender-affirming care” for minors following President Trump’s executive order “protecting children from chemical and surgical mutilation.”
    • In his first six months, President Trump has met with 23 foreign leaders, including three visits from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as two visits from the NATO Secretary General — compared to thirteen foreign leaders and the UN Secretary General, the NATO Secretary General, and the Chinese Foreign Minister for Obama and just five in-person visits for Biden. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 21, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Kindergarten staff arrested after lead poisoning of 247 children in northwest China

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    LANZHOU, July 20 (Xinhua) — Six people, including an investor, director and cooks of a kindergarten, were arrested in northwest China’s Gansu Province after deliberately adding toxic lead dyes to baby food, poisoning 247 preschoolers, the government’s investigation revealed Sunday.

    An investigation by Gansu provincial authorities involving state environmental and health experts concluded that cooks at Heshi Peixin Kindergarten in Maiji District, Tianshui City added dyes labeled “inedible” to flour to make corn buns with sausage and date cakes. The baked goods were served to children and staff several times a month since May 2024.

    The director of the kindergarten, with the approval of the investor, advised the cooks to make the food more colorful and attractive. Laboratory analysis of food samples from the kindergarten revealed excess lead concentrations, which amounted to 1,340 mg/kg in corn buns and 1,052 mg/kg in date cakes, which is significantly higher than the permissible levels.

    Based on the testing results, 247 of the 251 children had abnormal blood lead levels, including 14 cases that were found on retesting. In addition, 28 staff members had elevated blood lead levels.

    As of Sunday afternoon, all 247 children had been treated in hospital or with clinical nutrition at home. A total of 234 children had completed the first course of treatment and were discharged from hospitals, with one child still hospitalized. Five children who left the daycare last year were also found to have abnormal blood lead levels and are currently being treated at home with clinical nutrition.

    According to the experts’ conclusion, after providing medical assistance, the level of lead in the patients’ blood decreased by 40.21 percent, which corresponds to the therapeutic goal.

    Law enforcement arrested six suspects, two of whom were remanded in custody and three of whom were released on bail pending investigation. The investigation into the case is ongoing. The provincial disciplinary authorities are investigating 10 local officials, including the head of the provincial health committee and Tianshui city leaders.

    The Gansu provincial government has promised to provide all-round support for medical care for children, including providing free treatment and financial assistance to families who choose to receive treatment in other regions. –0–

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    July 21, 2025

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Child Poverty – Families below the Income Floor face growing crisis – new research

    Source: Child Poverty Action Group

    Many low income households across Aotearoa are now living below the income floor, with increasingly fewer households able to cover the bare essentials, according to new research released today by Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG).
    The research builds on modelling by the Welfare Expert Advisory Group (WEAG) and ext

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    July 21, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Six Months of Keeping America Safe Under President Trump and Secretary Noem

    Source: US Department of Homeland Security

    DHS has accomplished more in six months than most Administrations achieve in an entire term

    WASHINGTON – In just six months, President Trump and Secretary Noem have delivered the American people a long list of victories in their mission to secure the homeland and Make America Safe Again. 

    Under their leadership, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has closed the southern border, removed violent criminal illegal aliens, restored law and order to our immigration system, supported Americans in times of crisis, revolutionized our Coast Guard to meet the challenges of the 21st Century, and kept Americans safe. 

    Secured the Southern Border 

    • On day one, President Trump declared a national emergency at the southern border.    
    • President Trump immediately reinstated “Remain in Mexico” and ended catch-and-release.  
    • Daily border encounters have plunged by 93% since President Trump took office.
    • Under President Trump’s leadership, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) has located over 10,000 unaccompanied children.
    • Migrants are turning BACK before they even reach our border— migration through Panama’s Darien Gap is down 99%.
    • President Trump—with $46.5 billion from the Big Beautiful Bill—is finishing the border wall. DHS already has more than 85 miles either planned or under construction with funding from the prior year, in addition to hundreds of miles that are now planned to be funded by the bill. President Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill also includes over $5 billion for new technology and border surveillance.
    • With the Big Beautiful Bill, CBP will get the resources they need to keep America safe, including $4.1 billion to hire additional personnel, including 5,000 more customs officers and 3,000 new Border Patrol agents.
    • In June, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) had the lowest number of nationwide encounters in CBP history at 25,228.
    • The number of nationwide apprehensions in June was also a historic low of just 8,024.   
    • Notably, on June 28, Border Patrol recorded only 136 apprehensions across the entire Southwest Border—the lowest single-day total in agency history.
    • And in both May and June, U.S. Border Patrol reported zero parole releases—reinforcing the Administration’s commitment to ending catch-and-release policies.   

    Removed the Worst of the Worst Illegal Aliens  

    • The Trump Administration empowered our brave men and women in law enforcement to use common sense to do their jobs effectively. 
    • DHS returned to using the term “illegal alien” which is the statutory language. President Trump will not allow political correctness to hinder law enforcement. 
    • The Trump administration has arrested more than 300,000 illegal aliens in 2025 alone.
    • 70% of ICE arrests are criminal illegal aliens with criminal charges or convictions.     
    • The Big Beautiful Bill will allow ICE to arrest and remove even more criminal aliens by providing $14.4 billion for removals, 10,000 new ICE agents, 80,000 new ICE beds, and a $10,000 signing bonus for new ICE agents. This will help ICE achieve as many as 1 million deportations per year.
    • As part of 287(g), DHS partnered with the State of Florida and opened Alligator Alcatraz, giving the Trump administration the capability to lock up some of the worst scumbags who entered the country illegally under the previous administration. The new facility expands facility and bed space by the thousands.
    • Operation Tidal Wave, the first 287(g) enforcement operation coordinated with state and federal law enforcement partners, resulted in over 800 arrests.
    • President Trump and Secretary Noem are empowering state and local law enforcement to get these criminal illegal aliens off our streets. DHS has secured more than 800 signed agreements with state and local partnerships under 287(g).    
    • At the direction of President Trump, CBP and ICE began widescale immigration enforcement operations in sanctuary city Los Angeles and southern California. The month-long operation resulted in arresting some of the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens.
    • In July, federal law enforcement officers executed criminal warrant operations at marijuana grow sites in Carpinteria and Camarillo. At least 14 migrant children have been rescued from potential exploitation, forced labor and human trafficking. Federal officers also arrested at least 361 illegal aliens from both sites in Carpinteria and Camarillo.
    • After weeks of delays by activist judges, the Department of Homeland Security finally deported eight barbaric, violent criminal illegal aliens to South Sudan.    

    Delivering Justice for Victims of Illegal Immigration  

    • President Trump and Secretary Noem reopened the Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement (VOICE) office, which was shuttered by the Biden Administration. President Trump and Secretary Noem are standing up for the victims of illegal alien crime and ensuring they have access to much needed resources and support they deserve.    

    Incentivizing Historic Self-Deportations 

    • President Trump ended the CBP One app that allowed more than one million aliens to illegally enter the U.S. The Trump Administration replaced this disastrous program with the CBP Home app, which has a new self-deportation reporting feature for aliens illegally in the country.
    • President Trump launched Project Homecoming through a presidential EO. The United States is also offering any illegal alien who uses the CBP Home App a stipend of $1,000 dollars, paid after their return to their home country has been confirmed through the app. So far, tens of thousands of illegal aliens have used the app to self-deport.  
    • In addition to offering CBP Home, DHS announced illegal aliens who self-deport through the app will receive forgiveness of any civil fines or penalties for failing to depart the United States. DHS also made CBP Home more user friendly by eliminating certain steps and making it easier than ever for illegal aliens to self-deport.
    • DHS and DOJ are enforcing our immigration laws and fining illegal aliens who do not depart when they are supposed to. So far, nearly 10,000 fine notices have been issued by ICE.  

    Restoring Common Sense to America’s Legal Immigration System 

    • President Trump ended the broad abuse of humanitarian parole and returned the program to a case-by-case basis. As part of this effort, Secretary Noem terminated the Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela parole programs.
    • Following victory at the U.S. Supreme Court, DHS began sending termination notices in June, informing the illegal aliens both their parole is terminated, and their parole-based employment authorization is revoked – effective immediately.
    • DHS has returned the Temporary Protected Status immigration program to its original status: temporary. No longer will this program be abused and exploited by illegal aliens. Secretary Noem rescinded the previous administration’s extension of Venezuelan, Haitian, Nicaraguan, Honduran, and Afghan TPS.
    • Secretary Noem terminated Harvard University’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification—meaning Harvard can no longer enroll foreign students and existing foreign students must transfer or lose their legal status—for fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party.
    • It is a privilege, not a right, for universities to enroll foreign students and benefit from higher tuition to help pad their multibillion-dollar endowments. Harvard University repeatedly abused this privilege and even stonewalled DHS’s request for information.   

    Initiating a Golden Age in American Air Travel 

    • Secretary Noem terminated the politically motivated Quiet Skies Program, which since its existence has failed to stop a single terrorist attack while costing US taxpayers $200 million a year. The program, under the guise of “national security,” was used to target political opponents and benefit political allies.
    • TSA ended the “shoes-off” travel policy, allowing passengers traveling through domestic airports to keep their shoes on while passing through security screening at TSA checkpoints. This change will drastically decrease passenger wait times at our TSA checkpoints, leading to a more pleasant and efficient passenger experience.
    • The Trump administration fully implemented REAL ID enforcement measures nationwide—a law signed 20 years ago. REAL ID helps ensure that travelers are who they say they are and prevents fraud by criminals, terrorists, and illegal aliens. Most travelers have not even noticed a difference because nearly 94% of travelers are already REAL ID compliant.
    • Secretary Noem ended collective bargaining for the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) Transportation Security Officers, which constrained TSA’s chief mission to safeguard our transportation systems.  

    Fixing Disaster Relief for the 21st Century 

    • The Federal Emergency Management Agency is now shifting from bloated, DC-centric dead weight to a lean, deployable disaster force that empowers state actors to provide relief for their citizens. The old processes are being replaced because they failed Americans in real emergencies for decades.
    • President Trump has established the FEMA Review Council to provide recommendations on how to best conduct disaster relief at the federal level. 
    • Under Secretary Noem’s leadership, the FEMA Review Council is developing a comprehensive plan for necessary change.
    • DHS has empowered state and local governments to lead disaster relief efforts without interference from the federal government.  

    Provided Rapid and Effective Support to Flood Victims in Texas 

    • Within moments of the flooding in Texas, DHS assets, including the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), CBP Border Search, CBP BORSTAR, and FEMA personnel surged into unprecedented action alongside Texas first responders for search and rescue operations.
    • FEMA deployed 311 staffers delivering critical intelligence, aerial imagery, and shelter for 171 survivors.
    • Combined state and federal rescue efforts evacuated and rescued over 1,500 people.   

    Getting CISA Back on Mission 

    • Under the Biden Administration, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (CISA) censored free speech and targeted Americans.
    • Under President Trump’s direction, DHS closed CISA’s politically weaponized offices and fired those responsible for abusing their power.
    • CISA is now back on-mission: Protecting Americans and critical infrastructure from cyberthreats.
    • CISA is shifting away from an all-hazards approach to a risk-informed approach, prioritizing resilience and action over mere information sharing. 
    • CISA personnel are deployed across 10 regions in support of all 56 states/territories. 
    • CISA is also on the front lines of defending America from cyberattacks. 
    • CISA partnered with the FBI and NSA to ensure state and local governments have information and resources necessary for protection.
    • CISA is also providing security support for next year’s FIFA World Cup.
    • Secretary Noem discontinued the Critical Infrastructure Partnership Advisory Council (CIPAC) as a part of the implementation of President Trump’s Executive Order 14217, Commencing the Reduction of the Federal Bureaucracy, and removed members of the Cyber Safety Review Board (CSRB), which CISA oversees.  

    Revolutionizing the Coast Guard 

    • When President Trump came back into office, the Coast Guard faced its greatest readiness crisis since World War II because the Biden Administration left it underfunded and neglected.
    • President Trump’s order to surge Coast Guard assets to our maritime border changed the game.
    • In the first few months of the Trump Administration, the Coast Guard seized more cocaine and other illegal drugs than during the entirety of 2024.
    • For the first time in years, the Coast Guard expects to exceed its recruiting goals.
    • In Fiscal Year 2025, the Coast Guard has brought in more than 4,250 recruits – 1,200 more than the same time last year.
    • That’s 108% over the goal.
    • Under Biden, the Coast Guard fell short of its recruiting goals four years straight.
    • Under President Trump and Secretary Noem, the Coast Guard is unleashing “Force Design 2028,” a revolutionary new blueprint that will make the Coast Guard more agile, more capable, and more responsive than ever before.  

    Standing up for the American taxpayer 

    • The United States Coast Guard (USCG) eliminated an ineffective information technology (IT) program, saving nearly $33 million, and is now focusing resources where they’re most needed to protect our homeland. 
    • USCG partially terminated a wasteful Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC) contract with Eastern Shipbuilding Group (ESG), which has been slow to deliver four OPCs, harming U.S. defense capabilities.
    • The Trump Administration stopped aliens on the Terror Watchlist from receiving Medicaid benefits.     
    • Secretary Noem cancelled CISA’s expensive headquarters project, saving taxpayers over half a billion dollars.  

    To stop policies that were magnets for illegal immigration, DHS froze all funding to non-governmental organizations that facilitate illegal immigration and announced a partnership with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to ensure taxpayer dollars do not go to housing illegal aliens. 

    ###  

    MIL Security OSI –

    July 21, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Blood Vitals Glucose Monitor Officially Launched – Track Your overall Health with 6 Month Update

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Jersey City, NJ, July 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —  Maintaining blood sugar levels is more important these days than ever before. Whether you are experiencing prediabetes, diabetes, or simply want to manage a healthier lifestyle, monitoring glucose levels continuously is very important for making wise decisions. That’s why we are excited to introduce the Blood Vitals, which helps to monitor glucose levels. It is a user-friendly and innovative device formulated to provide you with real-time and accurate insights into the body’s blood sugar status. You May Click Here to Visit The Official Website.

    Official Announcement for Launching

    We are happy to announce the official launch of Blood Vitals, which is now available to the public for the very first time.

    After several months of research, rigorous testing, and development, we are bringing such a cutting-edge glucose tracking system to market to assist users and families in taking charge of their health like never before.

    The Blood Vitals Glucose Monitor can be obtained through the official website for purchase via authorized platforms as well as partner stores. Additionally, this launch marks a significant milestone in affordable, accessible, and genuine health tech for glucose monitoring.

    >> Check BloodVitals vs. Traditional Methods

    What Do You Know About Blood Vitals?

    The Blood Vitals Glucose Monitor is a digital, compact glucose tracking system formulated for users who want an easy, fast, and reliable way to track their blood sugar levels. Designed with cutting-edge biosensor technology and modern design, this device is perfect for both home and healthcare professionals.

    It offers genuine readings within a few seconds, integrates seamlessly with the latest health apps, and stores a history of glucose for a proper overview of metabolic health.

    What Are The Features of Blood Vitals Glucose Monitor?

    Let’s have a deep look at what makes this gadget stand out:

    1. Accurate and Fast Readings

    You can get outcomes within 5 seconds, and the Blood Vitals Glucose Monitor ensures that each test is convenient, quick, and provides accurate outcomes.

    2. Advanced Technology of Sensors

    This gadget utilizes next-generation biosensors that measure glucose levels with complete and high precision. Additionally, the sensors are formulated for minimal discomfort but maximum accuracy.

    3. No coding needed

    Unlike other devices, the Blood Vitals device does not need manual coding. You only have to insert a trip, and it is good to go, discarding the risk of incorrect calibration.

    4. Portable and Compact

    Lightweight, travel-friendly, and slim, this gadget can be fitted simply into your bag or pocket. Perfect for individuals with busy lifestyles who need to detect their blood sugar levels from time to time.

    5. Storage of Memory

    The device may store test results up to 500, enabling users to monitor and compare the readings over time without requiring them to write anything on paper.

    6. Easy to Read with Large Display

    Because of the digital screen features, it becomes easy to bold numbers with backlighting, making it simple to read outcomes in lighting conditions.

    7. Integration of Smart Application

    Yes, you may sync your device with the Blood Vitals application to set reminders, view trends, and share your data with a caregiver or doctor. Inside Blood Vitals, Click Here to Uncover Its Top Features

    Why Tracking Blood Sugar is Crucial?

    Well, blood sugar tracking is a very important tool for everyone seeking to maintain health. Here are the reasons:

    • Treatment Adjustment – Assists your healthcare professional in evaluating whether your dietary plans or medication are working properly.
    • Fast Detection – Tracking always enables you to detect sudden drops or spikes in glucose, which may be dangerous if left without diagnosis or resolution.
    • Awareness of Lifestyle – It also promotes better eating, sleep patterns, and exercise by showing real-time reviews on how your body reacts.
    • Provide Long-Term Health – Complete glycemic control always helps to decrease the risk of issues like nerve damage, heart disease, vision issues, and kidney problems.

    Who Should Go With a Blood Vitals Glucose Monitor?

    This device is perfect for:

    • Those with prediabetes
    • Individuals with diabetes (Type 1 or Type 2)
    • Users following a ketogenic, fasting, or low-carb lifestyle
    • Health-conscious users who want better awareness of metabolism
    • Healthcare providers and caregivers maintain the glucose levels of others

    How Can You Use The Blood Vitals Glucose Monitor?

    Well, utilizing this gadget is intuitive and simple. Here is the step-by-step breakdown:

    1. Add a Test Strip – If you want to get accurate outcomes, then you have to use only Blood Vitals approved strips.
    2. Apply a Sample of Blood – A tiny finger-prick sample is enough.
    3. Get Outcomes Within Seconds – Wait for approx. 5 seconds for complete reading.
    4. Log automatically – Your outcomes are stored in the gadget and may sync with the application.
    5. Review The Trends – Check the application dashboard to analyze averages, patterns, and fluctuations over months, weeks, or days.

    New to Blood Vitals? Read This Full Guide to Usage, Checks, and Precautions

    Advantages of Blood Vitals

    Blood Vitals is a reliable and perfect choice for users because:

    1. One-Touch Operation – It makes the testing procedure efficient and simple.

    2. Sampling is painless – It generally uses ultra-thin lancets, especially for minimal discomfort.

    3. Backup in Cloud – You will never lose the data, whether you switch phones.

    4. Alerts and Reminders – You should stay consistent with routine checks.

    5. Support Multi-users – Perfect for caregivers or families.

    Blood Vitals Reviews – Smarter and Innovative Health Management

    The Blood Vitals track pairs easily with the companion mobile application, available for both Android and iOS. The app contains:

    • Custom notification for low or high glucose.
    • Monthly, weekly, or daily trend charts.
    • Data sharing alternatives for dieticians, doctors, and family.
    • Integration with Google Fit and Apple Health.

    Whether you are monitoring after or before meals, maintaining fasting periods, or keeping an eye on glucose for the entire day, the app converts raw data into actionable insights.

    Why Should You Select Blood Vitals Over Others?

    • Accuracy is Trusted – It is a lab-tested product with field validation.
    • Components are FDA-registered – Designed with compliant technology.
    • Test Strips are Affordable – It is a cost-effective product compared to other premium brands.
    • Customer Support – Yes, it is completely backed by knowledgeable customer service support.

    Unlike other glucose tracking devices that are slow, bulky, or hard to use, the Blood Vitals Glucose Monitor is designed for modern individuals who demand precision, speed, and simplicity of use, without compromising health. Choose Blood Vitals for Accurate Monitoring, Seamless Use, and Trusted Health Insights That Set It Apart From the Rest

    Final Words

    The introduction of Blood Vitals Glucose Monitor marks a new era, especially in health tracking. This product is officially released and can now be purchased. This state-of-the-art gadget is formulated to empower individuals to take control of their health as intelligently and efficiently as possible. These days, monitoring blood sugar levels is crucial for everyone, and that’s why Blood Vitals has been designed to track blood sugar levels.

    So, stay informed, stay in control, and choose Blood Vitals Glucose Monitor – because everyone’s health deserves precision. For more information, you may visit the official website by clicking here.   

    Attachment

    • BloodVitals

    The MIL Network –

    July 21, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Japan’s ruling coalition will struggle to maintain majority in upper house of parliament – exit polls

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    TOKYO, July 20 (Xinhua) — Japan’s ruling coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the Komeito Party will struggle to maintain a majority in the House of Councillors (upper house of parliament) following Sunday’s election, media reported.

    Voting in the upper house elections, where half of the legislators were up for reelection, ended at 8 p.m. local time. The ruling coalition risks losing its majority, public broadcaster NHK reported, citing its exit poll.

    Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s LDP and its coalition partner Komeito need to win at least 50 of the 125 possible seats to secure a majority. NHK predicts they could win between 32 and 51 seats.

    An exit poll by the Kyodo Tsushin news agency also showed the ruling bloc struggling to maintain a majority in the 248-seat House of Councillors.

    The LDP and Komeito currently have 75 seats in the upper house. As Kyodo Tsushin noted, the coalition’s failure to secure another 50 seats in this election will lead to political instability in Japan, as Shigeru Ishiba will have to seek support from opposition parties.

    The ruling coalition has already lost its majority in the more powerful House of Representatives (lower house) in the October 2024 general election, forcing Shigeru Ishiba to form Japan’s first government without a parliamentary majority in more than three decades. –0–

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    July 21, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Russian President’s Press Secretary Calls Trend of “Militaristic Ecstasy” in Europe Dangerous

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    Moscow, July 20 /Xinhua/ — Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov, speaking about the “anti-Russian militaristic ecstasy” in Europe over the issue of arms supplies to Ukraine, called this a very dangerous trend in general, which Russia takes into account and makes its plans based on it.

    “Anti-Russian and militaristic ecstasy, thank God, has not yet found common understanding.” “But the trend as a whole is, of course, very bad and very dangerous,” the Kremlin spokesman said in an interview with the author and co-host of the program “Moscow. Kremlin. Putin” Pavel Zarubin.

    “And we see this, we take this into account and proceed from this when drawing up our future plans,” D. Peskov pointed out.

    As he noted, a number of Western countries “are creating an enemy for themselves, conducting such concentrated professional work both in their own society and abroad in order to present Russia as the spawn of hell.” “And in order to ensure the continuation of the war, in order to suppress Russia, this discussion is taking place about who will pay for the holiday,” added the press secretary of the Russian president.

    D. Peskov noted that Germany is the economic locomotive of Europe, but it cannot bear the burden of paying for arms supplies to Ukraine alone.

    Commenting on the statements of US President Donald Trump on the Ukrainian settlement, D. Peskov stated that “Russia is ready to move quickly. The main thing for us is to achieve our goals.”

    “Our goals are clear, they are obvious, they do not change,” he emphasized.

    According to Russian media, in March the European Union, under the pretext of a threat from Russia and Belarus, agreed on a plan to militarize Europe. The EU announced an increase in military spending and the development of circular defense plans.

    D. Trump announced on July 14 that the United States would sell modern weapons to NATO member states for delivery to Ukraine. Western media reported that Hungary, Italy and France refused to finance such purchases. –0–

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    July 21, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Topnotch Crypto launches innovative cloud mining app to help users easily increase the value of digital assets

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Houston, Texas, July 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Topnotch Crypto has officially rolled out its all-new mobile cloud mining app, making it easier than ever for anyone to mine popular cryptocurrencies like BTC, ETH, and DOG. The app delivers a seamless, zero-commission mining experience with no need for hardware, technical skills, or complicated setup — and is designed to work anytime, anywhere, straight from your smartphone or desktop.

    Whether you’re drinking coffee at your favorite café, on vacation at the beach, or simply relaxing at home, Topnotch Crypto ensures that your mining operations stay active, secure, and profitable — 24/7.

    Cloud Mining Made Convenient and Mobile

    Topnotch Crypto’s latest innovation offers something many platforms don’t — true freedom and flexibility. The mobile app transforms your device into a full-fledged mining dashboard, so you’re not chained to bulky hardware or stuck monitoring rigs from a desk.

    From registering and activating a mining contract to checking real-time earnings or making withdrawals, everything can be done with just a few taps on your phone. You can start earning passive income with crypto even while traveling, running errands, or enjoying your downtime.

    Mining Without the Mess – No Hardware Needed

    Forget expensive GPUs, noisy mining rigs, and skyrocketing electricity bills. Topnotch Crypto operates entirely in the cloud, so you get access to high-performance mining power without any of the usual tech stress.

    Here’s how it works:

    • Register now to receive a $15 bonus
    • Pick a mining plan
    • Start earning daily rewards instantly
        All through a simple, mobile-friendly interface available on iOS, Android, and desktop.

    One-Tap Mining with Real-Time Insights

    With just one tap, users can activate mining contracts and monitor live stats — such as hash rate performance, daily earnings, and withdrawal status — through a clean, responsive dashboard.

    The app’s real-time data lets users make smarter decisions and track their profits as they grow, all while going about their day. Whether you’re aiming for short-term gains or building a long-term passive income strategy, the app makes it effortless.

    Zero Commissions, full Rewards

    Unlike many platforms that charge hidden fees or take a cut of your rewards, Topnotch Crypto follows a zero-commission model. That means:

    • You keep Fullprofit of your mining earnings
    • No middlemen
    • No surprise costs

    Every mining cycle is optimized for maximum efficiency, ensuring the highest return on your time and energy — literally.

    Built for Beginners and Pros Alike

    Whether you’re new to crypto or a seasoned miner, the app is built to support all experience levels. The intuitive design removes the learning curve, while the advanced cloud infrastructure provides power and speed for more serious investors.

    Key Features:

    • Cloud-based mining — no physical setup needed
    • Mobile-first interface — mine anytime, anywhere
    • Daily payouts — consistent earnings
    • Supports BTC, ETH, XRP, LTC,DOG & more
    • Real-time performance tracking
    • Multi-device compatibility (iOS, Android, desktop)

    Military-Grade Security and Full Transparency

    Topnotch Crypto doesn’t just make mining simple — it makes it safe. The app uses:

    • Bank-grade encryption
    • Distributed cloud architecture

    All user data and transactions are securely stored and protected, while wallet integrity and system uptime remain consistently reliable.

    Rapid Growth and What’s Coming Next

    Since its early access release, the app has gained rapid popularity among crypto users around the world. The community continues to grow on platforms like Telegram, Twitter, and Discord, where miners share results, strategies, and feedback.

    Topnotch Crypto is planning exciting updates soon, including:

    • AI-powered mining optimization
    • Staking options
    • DeFi wallet integration

    These additions will further enhance profitability and functionality for all users.

    Start Mining from Anywhere — Today

    Getting started takes just a few minutes — and with no upfront investment in hardware or technical skills required, anyone can now participate in the crypto economy.

    Whether you’re looking for a side income or building long-term crypto assets, Topnotch Crypto gives you the power to mine smarter, faster, and wherever life takes you.

    About Topnotch Crypto

    Topnotch Crypto is a global blockchain company focused on democratizing access to digital wealth. Through cutting-edge Web3 tools and secure cloud-based mining technology, the company empowers users worldwide to mine and earn with ease — anytime, anywhere.

    For more information, visit https://topnotchcrypto.com

    Media Contact: info@topnotchcrypto.com

    Disclaimer: The information provided in this press release does not constitute an investment solicitation, nor does it constitute investment advice, financial advice, or a trading recommendation. Cryptocurrency mining and staking involve risks and may result in the loss of funds. It is strongly recommended that you perform due diligence before investing or trading in cryptocurrencies and securities, including consulting a professional financial advisor.

    The MIL Network –

    July 21, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Topnotch Crypto launches innovative cloud mining app to help users easily increase the value of digital assets

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Houston, Texas, July 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Topnotch Crypto has officially rolled out its all-new mobile cloud mining app, making it easier than ever for anyone to mine popular cryptocurrencies like BTC, ETH, and DOG. The app delivers a seamless, zero-commission mining experience with no need for hardware, technical skills, or complicated setup — and is designed to work anytime, anywhere, straight from your smartphone or desktop.

    Whether you’re drinking coffee at your favorite café, on vacation at the beach, or simply relaxing at home, Topnotch Crypto ensures that your mining operations stay active, secure, and profitable — 24/7.

    Cloud Mining Made Convenient and Mobile

    Topnotch Crypto’s latest innovation offers something many platforms don’t — true freedom and flexibility. The mobile app transforms your device into a full-fledged mining dashboard, so you’re not chained to bulky hardware or stuck monitoring rigs from a desk.

    From registering and activating a mining contract to checking real-time earnings or making withdrawals, everything can be done with just a few taps on your phone. You can start earning passive income with crypto even while traveling, running errands, or enjoying your downtime.

    Mining Without the Mess – No Hardware Needed

    Forget expensive GPUs, noisy mining rigs, and skyrocketing electricity bills. Topnotch Crypto operates entirely in the cloud, so you get access to high-performance mining power without any of the usual tech stress.

    Here’s how it works:

    • Register now to receive a $15 bonus
    • Pick a mining plan
    • Start earning daily rewards instantly
        All through a simple, mobile-friendly interface available on iOS, Android, and desktop.

    One-Tap Mining with Real-Time Insights

    With just one tap, users can activate mining contracts and monitor live stats — such as hash rate performance, daily earnings, and withdrawal status — through a clean, responsive dashboard.

    The app’s real-time data lets users make smarter decisions and track their profits as they grow, all while going about their day. Whether you’re aiming for short-term gains or building a long-term passive income strategy, the app makes it effortless.

    Zero Commissions, full Rewards

    Unlike many platforms that charge hidden fees or take a cut of your rewards, Topnotch Crypto follows a zero-commission model. That means:

    • You keep Fullprofit of your mining earnings
    • No middlemen
    • No surprise costs

    Every mining cycle is optimized for maximum efficiency, ensuring the highest return on your time and energy — literally.

    Built for Beginners and Pros Alike

    Whether you’re new to crypto or a seasoned miner, the app is built to support all experience levels. The intuitive design removes the learning curve, while the advanced cloud infrastructure provides power and speed for more serious investors.

    Key Features:

    • Cloud-based mining — no physical setup needed
    • Mobile-first interface — mine anytime, anywhere
    • Daily payouts — consistent earnings
    • Supports BTC, ETH, XRP, LTC,DOG & more
    • Real-time performance tracking
    • Multi-device compatibility (iOS, Android, desktop)

    Military-Grade Security and Full Transparency

    Topnotch Crypto doesn’t just make mining simple — it makes it safe. The app uses:

    • Bank-grade encryption
    • Distributed cloud architecture

    All user data and transactions are securely stored and protected, while wallet integrity and system uptime remain consistently reliable.

    Rapid Growth and What’s Coming Next

    Since its early access release, the app has gained rapid popularity among crypto users around the world. The community continues to grow on platforms like Telegram, Twitter, and Discord, where miners share results, strategies, and feedback.

    Topnotch Crypto is planning exciting updates soon, including:

    • AI-powered mining optimization
    • Staking options
    • DeFi wallet integration

    These additions will further enhance profitability and functionality for all users.

    Start Mining from Anywhere — Today

    Getting started takes just a few minutes — and with no upfront investment in hardware or technical skills required, anyone can now participate in the crypto economy.

    Whether you’re looking for a side income or building long-term crypto assets, Topnotch Crypto gives you the power to mine smarter, faster, and wherever life takes you.

    About Topnotch Crypto

    Topnotch Crypto is a global blockchain company focused on democratizing access to digital wealth. Through cutting-edge Web3 tools and secure cloud-based mining technology, the company empowers users worldwide to mine and earn with ease — anytime, anywhere.

    For more information, visit https://topnotchcrypto.com

    Media Contact: info@topnotchcrypto.com

    Disclaimer: The information provided in this press release does not constitute an investment solicitation, nor does it constitute investment advice, financial advice, or a trading recommendation. Cryptocurrency mining and staking involve risks and may result in the loss of funds. It is strongly recommended that you perform due diligence before investing or trading in cryptocurrencies and securities, including consulting a professional financial advisor.

    The MIL Network –

    July 21, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Africa: SA condemns Israeli attack on Damascus 

    Source: Government of South Africa

    Sunday, July 20, 2025

    The South African government has condemned Israel’s attacks on the Syrian capital Damascus, blowing up part of the Syrian Ministry of Defence and hitting airstrikes near the Presidential Palace.

    The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) described the attack on Wednesday, 16 July 2025, as a flagrant violation of the country’s territorial integrity and international law.

    “Israel’s announcement on 17 July 2025, that it will continue to occupy Syrian territory south of the capital Damascus is a serious threat to Syria’s sovereignty. Israel’s redeployment of forces in the Golan Heights, its occupation of Quneitra near the Golan Heights, and its airstrikes on Suwayda, Daraa, and in the centre of Damascus are a military escalation that threatens security and stability in the country and the region.

    “The United Nations Secretary General, António Guterres, has called on Israel to cease any violations of Syria’s sovereignty and respect the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement,” DIRCO said on Friday.

    South Africa concurred with the UN Secretary-General, who also condemned Israel’s “escalatory airstrikes” and called for an immediate de-escalation of violence and measures to facilitate humanitarian access. –SAnews.gov.za

    Share this post:

    MIL OSI Africa –

    July 21, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Gauteng education online admissions to get underway  

    Source: Government of South Africa

    Parents and guardians have been reminded that the Gauteng Department of Education’s (GDE) 2026 Online Admissions Application period for Grades 1 and 8 will open in the new week.

    The admission system is only meant for parents and guardians with children going to Grade 1 and/or Grade 8 in 2026. It will go on live on Thursday, 24 July 2026, at 8am for Grade 1 and 8 applications.

    “Parents with children that are currently in Grade R must also apply online for their children to be admitted to Grade 1 for 2026 in line with Admissions Regulations. There is no automatic placement from Grade R to Grade 1. Applications to all other grades must be made directly at your desired school(s) in your immediate area,” Gauteng MEC for Education, Matome Chiloane said at a media briefing on Sunday.

    All parents need to register new profiles, old profiles and previous login details will not work.

    After registering on www.gdeadmissions.gov.za, the system will prompt parents to create login credentials (username and password).

    “Parents must keep these credentials safe as they will use them to access the Online Admissions System, and view and manage their profile and application details.

    “Parents must accept the POPI [Protection of Personal Information] disclaimer, enter their correct ID number and details, and remember to read and accept the Terms and Conditions,” Chiloane advised.

    Once parents have gained access to the system, they must begin with the application process and ensure that they complete the 5 Step Application Process. 

    “It is essential for parents and guardians to fill in correct and accurate details in every step of the application process as prompted by the system. Documents must be uploaded or submitted within seven days of applying.

    “Registering a profile without completing every step of the 5 Step Application Process will result in an incomplete application and the applicant not being considered for placement,” he said.

    To receive important SMS notifications and updates regarding their application(s), applicants must provide one reliable and correct cellphone number when registering.

    “Every step of the application process will be confirmed via SMS for security and verification purposes. There will be weekly pop-up messages on the system and SMS notifications sent to registered applicants as reminders to complete their application.

    “SMS notifications will also be sent to parents to acknowledge submission and verification of documents. Therefore, parents are encouraged not to change or lose their cellphone numbers, but in unforeseen cases the department must be contacted for assistance,” the MEC explained.

    He encouraged parents to use the Home Address Within School Feeder Zone option when applying on the system to see schools with feeder zones that cover their home address.

    To increase the chances of placement closer to the parent’s home address, parents should select schools with feeder zones that cover the parent’s home address.

    When applying, parents are urged to select a minimum of three schools and a maximum of five schools.
    All schools will remain open and accessible on the system for applications during the application period.
    Closing date 

    No new applications will be accepted once the application period closes on 29 August 2025 at midnight.
    Parents are advised to not fall for scams that charge a fee to assist with applying online.

    “Bogus operators are scamming parents by falsely promising guaranteed placements in exchange for money. All scams and illegal placements must be reported to the GDE.

    “The GDE does not charge any fees for assisting parents with the application process — all official support is completely free,” the MEC emphasised.

    For more information, assistance or comments:
    •    Call 0800 000 789
    •    WhatsApp 060 891 0361 or
    •    Email: gdeinfo@gauteng.gov.za
    –SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

    July 21, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Africa: President Museveni Calls for Household Census in Kampala to Refine Parish Development Model (PDM) Budgeting

    Source: APO – Report:

    .

    President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has directed local authorities in Kampala’s five divisions to establish accurate data on the number of households within their jurisdictions to help in the equitable allocation of funds under the Parish Development Model (PDM).

    The call was made on Saturday, July 19, 2025, during his visit to Kyambogo Complex Parish in Nakawa Division, where he met with PDM beneficiaries, including a standout success story, Ms. Mbabazi Lillian.

    The President emphasized the need for a data-driven approach to planning and budgeting for the PDM program, highlighting that the uniform allocation of UGX 100 million per parish annually is insufficient for urban centers with dense populations and high demand for financial support.

    “So, this is the kibalo (calculation) I want in the town: to know how many parishes and how many homesteads are in each parish so that when we plan, we shall give over one million, plus some additional funding, based on the number of homes in that parish,” said President Museveni.

    He noted that urban parishes, like those in Kampala, are experiencing overwhelming demand for PDM funds, and the current funding structure fails to cater effectively to the high number of eligible households.

    During the meeting, President Museveni who was accompanied by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Kataaha Museveni, also toured the poultry enterprise of Ms. Mbabazi, a PDM beneficiary who used her UGX 1 million funding to launch a successful poultry business.

    Mbabazi initially purchased 125 broiler chicks with UGX 350,000 and invested the remaining funds in feed and poultry housing. After a month, she sold the broilers for UGX 1.5 million and reinvested in a second round, earning UGX 2.6 million. Her success did not stop there. She later bought 250 more chicks at UGX 700,000 and sold them for UGX 3.2 million. Eventually, she transitioned into layer chicken farming for egg production, purchasing chicks at UGX 6,500 each. After three months, her hens began laying, and she now collects six trays of eggs daily.

    Standing beside her husband, Mr. Samuel Rukundo, Mbabazi expressed gratitude to the President and the government for initiating the PDM.

    “Now I have some achievement because I was badly off due to COVID-19. My children now go to school, and we’re doing well. I have UGX 3 million in savings and have also started a small juice and chips business,” she said.

    Despite her success, she voiced concern over her lack of permanent land, stating that her current residence is on Kyambogo University property, which restricts her expansion.

    Moved by her story, President Museveni congratulated Mbabazi for exemplifying the benefits of PDM when effectively implemented.

    He offered her UGX 10 million to scale up her poultry business and pledged to buy her two acres of land for permanent settlement and farming.

    “When I come here and see that Rukundo and Mbabazi have implemented one of the seven items under the four-acre model, then I feel very happy,” President Museveni stated.

    Additionally, the President extended UGX 10 million in cash to each PDM beneficiary from the Kyambogo complex parish.

    President Museveni used the opportunity to reflect on Uganda’s economic transformation journey since independence. He underscored the challenge of transitioning the population from subsistence farming to a money economy, citing that in the 1960s, only 4% of households were integrated into the monetary system.

    He explained that Uganda’s traditional economy revolved around “3 Cs and 3 Ts”—cotton, copper, coffee, tobacco, tea, and tourism. While some communities, particularly in Buganda and Northern Uganda, engaged in commercial farming, the majority remained in subsistence agriculture.

    “In my district, Ntungamo, there were six shops for Indians and Arabs. But we had land, banana plantations, and cows, just for home consumption. This has been our struggle,” President Museveni said.

    To reverse this, he initiated the four-acre model, a strategic framework advocating for diversified farming focusing on items such as coffee, fruits, pasture for dairy, food crops, and backyard enterprises such as poultry, piggery, or fish farming.

    “Those who listened have moved. Masaka focused on coffee and is doing well. Poultry and dairy are also transforming lives,” he remarked.

    President Museveni narrated the historical evolution of government-led wealth creation initiatives, from the Entandikwa program through LC structures to NAADS and eventually Operation Wealth Creation (OWC). While OWC saw a marked improvement in integrating Ugandans into the money economy, reaching 61% by 2020, President Museveni expressed discontent over reports of favoritism by UPDF officers.

    “I started hearing stories that the soldiers were “baali beegabira bokka” (giving to friends and relatives), spoiling the name of the UPDF. I told them, let the army get out. Let’s give money directly to people at their parishes. If they misuse it, God is there; he will deal with them,” the President said.

    He cited the success of Mbabazi as a vindication of the shift to direct disbursement of funds under the PDM.

    Highlighting the case of Kawempe Division, President Museveni noted that with 22 parishes each receiving UGX 100 million annually, a total of UGX 6.6 billion has been injected into approximately 7,000 households over the past three years.

    “This money, if used wisely, can transform lives. You don’t need a moneylender who charges UGX 400,000 per month, UGX 5.8 million a year. With PDM, you return UGX 1 million plus UGX 120,000 interest in two years,” H.E. Museveni explained, further urging beneficiaries to understand the revolving nature of PDM and not expect lump-sum access to the fund, emphasizing that with patience, all will benefit.

    President Museveni’s visit to Kyambogo marked one of the penultimate events of his nationwide PDM sensitization tour, which has seen him crisscross the country to evaluate impact, inspire uptake, and recalibrate the program’s delivery.

    The grand finale will be held on Sunday, July 20, 2025, at Kololo Independence Grounds in Kampala, where a mega rally is expected to draw thousands of Kampala residents.

    The event in Kyambogo was also attended by key government figures, including Government Chief Whip Hon. Hamson Denis Obua, National PDM Coordinator Hon. Denis Galabuzi Ssozi, KCCA Executive Director, Hajjat Sharifah Buzeki and her deputy Mr. Benon Kigenyi, Presidential Advisors Hajjat Sarah Kanyike and Hon. Florence Nakiwala Kiyingi, among others.

    – on behalf of State House Uganda.

    MIL OSI Africa –

    July 20, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Africa: KZN communities to benefit from water project

    Source: Government of South Africa

    Government has officially commissioned the Mpophomeni Wastewater Treatment Works (WWTWs) project, which is set to significantly improve sanitation services, protect sensitive wetland ecosystems and enhance the quality of life for communities in KwaZulu-Natal.

    Over 27 000 households in Mpophomeni, Khayelisha and surrounding communities are expected to benefit from this strategic infrastructure development project estimated at over R450 million in Mpophomeni, Pietermaritzburg. 

    The commissioning of this critical infrastructure highlights the success of strong and deliberate collaboration across all three spheres of government. 

    “The success of Mpophomeni proves that service delivery is possible when all spheres of government work together. But we cannot stop here. Municipalities must build on this momentum and address governance gaps, strengthening technical capacity and accelerating delivery.

    “Our citizens deserve systems that work and leaders who make that happen without delay,” Water and Sanitation Deputy Minister Sello Seitlholo said on Friday.

    The Mpophomeni WWTWs is designed to produce high-quality effluent that complies with standards set by the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS). 

    It is currently operating at a treatment capacity of six million litres per day, with provision for future expansion to 12 million litres per day. The facility includes a seven-kilometre treated effluent pipeline and the rehabilitation of the Mpophomeni wetland. 

    “The Mpophomeni WWTWs is part of a broader government commitment to roll out bulk water infrastructure projects in water-stressed communities across KwaZulu-Natal and the country. It forms part of a long-term strategy to secure water resilience and inclusive development. 

    “Beyond infrastructure, the project delivered meaningful economic opportunities through the Expanded Public Works Programme, which created consistent local jobs averaging 19 per month throughout the construction phase. This helped drive youth employment, enterprise development and inclusive participation in the construction economy,” the DWS said.

    The department has reiterated that the long-term sustainability of such infrastructure depends on sound operations and maintenance practices. 

    This includes adequate funding, skilled management and active community involvement to secure water quality, safeguard ecosystems and achieve the constitutional right to clean water and dignified sanitation for all. –SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

    July 20, 2025
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