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Category: MIL-Submissions

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Universities – Little birds’ personalities shine through their song – and may help find a mate – Flinders

    Source: Flinders University

    In birds, singing behaviours play a critical role in mating and territory defence.

    Although birdsong can signal individual quality and personality, very few studies have explored the relationship between individual personality and song complexity, and none has investigated this in females, say Flinders University animal behaviour experts.

    They have examined the relationships between song complexity and two personality traits (exploration and aggressiveness) in wild superb fairy-wrens (Malurus cyaneus), a species in which both sexes learn to produce complex songs.

    “Regardless of their sex or life stage, individuals that were more exploratory had more element types per song, which may be explained by the possibility that more exploratory birds approach and learn from a wider variety of tutors compared to less exploratory birds,” says senior lecturer Dr Diane Colombelli-Négrel, from the College of Science and Engineering BirdLab at Flinders University.

    “Additionally, more aggressive individuals produced songs with fewer syllables, and more aggressive fledglings, but not adults, had more element types per song. In birds, singing behaviours play a critical role in mating and territory defence.”

    The study illustrates that learned aspects of sexual signalling are personality dependent, and that this can have some potential fitness implications.

    In a new study, published in Royal Society Open Science, the personality in males and females (including juveniles) was assessed by quantifying their exploration behaviour (novel environment test) and aggressiveness (mirror stimulation test) during short-term captivity.

    First the birds were captured to measure their personality in short-term captivity. Researchers measured their exploration by placing them (in a novel environment test), and their aggressiveness (by using a mirror test).

    After the birds were released, their songs were recorded over several months to assess individual variation in song complexity (i.e., element types per song, syllables per song) in relation to personality.

    “Our study supports the idea that both male and female birds can advertise their personality when singing, which may be important for mate choice,” Dr Colombelli-Négrel says.

    The research – Personality predicts song complexity in superb fairy-wrens (2025) by D Colombelli-Négrel, AC Katsis, LK Common and S Kleindorfer – will be published by the Royal Society Open Science (The Royal Society) DOI: 10.1098/rsos.241497.

    https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.241497

    Acknowledgements: This work was funded by a Discovery Research Grant from the Australian Research Council (DP190102894) awarded to SK and DC-N and by a grant from the Australia & Pacific Science Foundation awarded to DC-N and SK.

    This research was approved by the Flinders University Animal Welfare Committee (E480, AEC BIOL5563). Fieldwork was conducted under permit from the South Australian Department for Environment and Water (Z24699) and the Australian Bird and Bat Banding Scheme (banding authority numbers 2601, 2719).

    Researchers also thank Cleland Wildlife Park for access to the field site and for accommodating this research.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Business Tech – Valsoft Expands Healthcare Portfolio with the Acquisition of American Data

    Source: Valsoft Corporation

    Montreal, Canada, April 15, 2025 – Valsoft Corporation Inc. (“Valsoft”), a Canadian company specializing in the acquisition and development of vertical market software businesses, today announced the acquisition of American Data, a pioneer in Electronic Health Record (EHR) software for the U.S. long-term care sector.

    “American Data is a trusted leader in long-term care, with a best-in-class EHR platform and a team deeply committed to customer success,” said Peter Blanchard, Portfolio VP at Valsoft. “We are proud to welcome them into the Valsoft family. Our mission is to ensure a seamless transition and continue building on their legacy of innovation and service excellence.”

    This acquisition deepens Valsoft’s investment in healthcare technology, particularly in the senior and long-term care space—an area experiencing rapid growth driven by aging population trends. American Data joins Valsoft’s expanding healthcare portfolio, which also includes Vocantas, a leader in complex shift management for healthcare providers.

    “It has been an honor and a privilege to serve our clients over the years,” said John Ederer, President of American Data. “We are confident that Valsoft is the right partner to usher American Data into its next chapter, bringing fresh ideas to better meet our customers evolving needs.”

    As part of this next phase, Kara McDonald, a healthcare technology veteran with more than 25 years of experience in product strategy and customer success, will lead American Data’s growth.

    Valsoft’s operating model centers on providing a permanent, stable home for software businesses, preserving their unique strengths while supporting growth through enhanced resources and operational expertise. American Data will continue to operate independently, maintaining its commitment to innovation, customer service, and excellence, now supported by increased resources, operational expertise, and long-term vision.

    About American Data
    For more than four decades, American Data has helped long-term care providers deliver better outcomes through its flagship solution, ECS (Electronic Chart System). ECS offers fully customizable electronic health records tailored to the specific workflows of senior care facilities. The platform integrates clinical, financial, and administrative capabilities to enable seamless communication, real-time decision-making, and regulatory compliance. Learn more at www.american-data.com.

    About Valsoft
    Valsoft acquires and develops vertical market software companies that deliver mission-critical solutions. A key tenet of Valsoft’s philosophy is to invest in established businesses and foster an entrepreneurial environment that shapes a company into a leader in its respective industry. Unlike private equity and VC firms, Valsoft does not have a predefined investment horizon and looks to buy, hold, and create value through long-term partnerships with existing management and customers. Learn more at www.valsoftcorp.com.

    Valsoft was represented internally by David Felicissimo (General Counsel) and Elisa Marcon (Paralegal). American Data was represented by Reid J. Hazelton of von Briesen & Roper, s.c..

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Aotearoa New Zealand’s population passes 5.3 million people – Stats NZ media and information release: Estimated resident population (2023-base): At 30 June 2023

    Source: Statistics New Zealand

    Aotearoa New Zealand’s population passes 5.3 million people – 16 April 2025 – Aotearoa New Zealand’s estimated resident population was 5,311,100 as at 31 December 2024, according to figures released by Stats NZ today.  

    These are the first population estimates to fully incorporate the 2023 Census and 2023 Post-Enumeration Survey (PES) results. Estimates back to 2018 have now been revised, and estimates after 30 June 2023 will now use the 2023-base estimated resident population as a starting point.

    “Census data and the coverage results from the PES are used to recalibrate national and subnational population estimates,” population estimates, projections, and coverage spokesperson Victoria Treliving said.

    “This recalibration ensures the population estimates are the best-possible measure of how many people live in communities across the country.”

    For more:

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: North Island population passes 4 million while South Island population grows faster – Stats NZ media and information release: Estimated resident population (2023-base): At 30 June 2023

    Source: Statistics New Zealand

    North Island population passes 4 million while South Island population grows faster – 16 April 2025

    The population living in the North Island now exceeds 4 million, according to estimates released by Stats NZ today.

    The North Island’s population has grown by an average of 1.3 percent a year since 2018, reaching 4.04 million at 30 June 2024. The South Island’s population has grown at a slightly faster rate of 1.4 percent a year, reaching 1.24 million at 30 June 2024.

    “It took just over two decades for the North Island’s population to increase from 3 million in late 2002 to 4 million in late 2023,” population estimates and projections spokesperson Victoria Treliving said.

    “Over the same time, the South Island population increased by almost 300,000 people.”

    For More:

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: US and China headed for currency war: warns deVere CEO

    Source: deVere Group

    April 15 2025 – Trump’s tariff-led trade war is pushing the world’s two largest economies toward a new front: a currency war— “one that will be gradual, deliberate, and globally disruptive,” warns the CEO of global financial advisory giant, deVere Group (ref. https://www.devere-group.com )

    With US tariffs on Chinese goods now averaging 145%, Beijing is under growing pressure to respond. But with traditional trade retaliation options constrained, a new strategy is forming—one based on a controlled, step-by-step weakening of the yuan.

    The signs are already clear. The offshore yuan dropped to a record low of 7.4287 against the dollar. Onshore, the currency sank to its weakest since 2007. The People’s Bank of China, while insisting on stability, has been setting the yuan’s midpoint fix at levels not seen in years.

    Nigel Green, CEO of deVere Group, says: “China is unlikely to openly weaponize the yuan.

    “But under mounting tariff strain, they’re likely to let it slip—slowly and carefully. It won’t look like a headline war, but it will have headline consequences.”

    There’s little appetite in Beijing for a sharp devaluation.

    The memory of 2015’s capital exodus—when $700 billion fled Chinese markets after a sudden currency move—still haunts policymakers.

    A similar episode today could trigger “damaging capital flight” and erode already fragile domestic confidence.

    He continues: “Instead, China is walking a narrow path: using small, incremental devaluations to support exporters without inviting panic. It’s an approach aimed at shielding growth while maintaining the image of financial control. But even a modest yuan decline matters.”

    A weaker Chinese currency lowers the real cost of exports, softening the blow from US tariffs. It also pressures other Asian economies to consider devaluing in response, setting off ripple effects through emerging markets. For the US, it complicates inflation dynamics—import prices may fall, but global volatility may rise.

    “Currency shifts don’t happen in a vacuum,” explains Nigel Green.

    “They reshape capital flows, unsettle risk assets, and provoke reactions from other central banks. For global investors, ignoring this would be a serious error.

    “Unlike the free-floating dollar or yen, the yuan is tightly managed. 

    “Every day, the Chinese central bank sets a central reference rate, allowing only limited movement around it. That system gives Chinese authorities control and it also gives them the tools to engineer a slow, sustained decline without outright triggering alarm bells.

    “This approach fits a broader pattern in modern financial conflict: avoid sudden moves, but gradually change the terms of trade. The goal isn’t shock. It’s attrition.”

    The bigger concern is what comes next. If a slow yuan weakening begins to reverse capital inflows, Beijing could be forced to tighten controls further, or accelerate its depreciation. Either route could stoke fresh volatility across currencies, bonds, and equities.

    The deVere CEO says: “Investors should be watching the yuan as closely as they watch the Fed or earnings season. The slow-motion currency shift between the US and China is central to how this phase of global economic rivalry will play out.”

    He concludes: “I believe we’re entering a new stage of financial confrontation—less visible, but no less strategic. The yuan is becoming a pressure valve, and investors need to understand what’s coming.

    “The trade war may have opened with tariffs, but it won’t end there.”

    deVere Group is one of the world’s largest independent advisors of specialist global financial solutions to international, local mass affluent, and high-net-worth clients.  It has a network of offices around the world, more than 80,000 clients, and $14bn under advisement.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Sudan’s two years of war: Millions living in the world’s largest humanitarian crisis sink deeper into despair with no end in sight – MSF

    Source: Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF)

    Sudan – 15 April 2025 – The war in Sudan between the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) enters its third year and people remain unseen, bombed, besieged, displaced and deprived of food, medical care and basic lifesaving services. 60 percent of the country’s 50 million people need humanitarian assistance, according to the UN, and people are facing simultaneous health crises and limited access to public health care.

    Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) reiterates its calls on the warring parties and their allies to ensure that civilians, humanitarian personnel, and medical teams are protected and that all restrictions are removed on the movements of humanitarian supplies and staff, especially as the rainy season fast approaches.

    “The warring parties are not only failing to protect civilians — they are actively compounding their suffering,” said Claire San Filippo, MSF Emergency Coordinator. “Wherever you look in Sudan, you will find needs — overwhelming, urgent, and unmet. Millions are receiving almost no humanitarian assistance, medical facilities and staff remain under attack, and the global humanitarian system is failing to deliver even a fraction of what’s required.”

    As frontlines have shifted over the course of the war, especially in Khartoum and Darfur, civilians feared retaliatory attacks from both warring parties. For the past two years, both RSF and SAF have repeatedly and indiscriminately bombed densely populated areas. The RSF and allied militias have unleashed a campaign of brutality, including systematic sexual violence, abductions, mass killings, looting of aid, erasure of civilian neighbourhoods, and occupation of medical facilities. Both sides have laid siege to towns, destroyed vital infrastructure, and blocked humanitarian aid.

    Widespread starvation is taking hold, according to the UN, — Sudan is currently the only place in the world where famine has been officially declared in multiple locations. Famine was first declared in Zamzam camp, for internally displaced people, in August and has since spread to ten more areas. Seventeen additional regions are now on the brink. Without immediate intervention, hundreds of thousands of lives are at risk.

    In March MSF supported multi-antigen catch up vaccination campaigns for children under two in South Darfur.  The over 17,000 children, in 11 of the 14 localities, who received vaccinations were also screened for malnutrition showing 7% of those screened were suffering from severe acute malnutrition, with 30% with global acute malnutrition. In December 2024, during a therapeutic food distribution in Tawila locality, North Darfur, MSF teams screened over 9,500 children under five years old. They found a staggering 35.5% global acute malnutrition rate, with 7% of the children suffering from severe acute malnutrition.

    Simultaneously, Sudan is facing multiple, overlapping health emergencies. MSF teams have treated over 12,000 patients — including women and children — for trauma injuries directly resulting from violent attacks. During the first week of February 2025, MSF teams in three areas of Sudan – Khartoum, North Darfur, and South Darfur states – treated mass influxes of war-wounded patients. Sudan is also experiencing one of the worst maternal and child health crises we are seeing anywhere in the world. In October 2024, in two MSF-supported facilities in Nyala, capital of South Darfur, 26% of the pregnant and breastfeeding women seeking care were acutely malnourished.

    “Outbreaks of measles, cholera and diphtheria are spreading, driven by poor living conditions and disrupted vaccination campaigns. Mental health support and care for survivors of sexual violence remain painfully limited. These compounding crises reflect not just the brutality of the conflict, but the dire consequences of the crumbling public healthcare system and a failing humanitarian response”, says Marta Cazorla, MSF Emergency Coordinator.

    Since April 2023, more than 1.7 million people have sought medical consultations at hospitals, health facilities and mobile clinics MSF supports or is working in, and more than 32,000 people were admitted in our emergency wards.

    More than 13 million people have been displaced by the conflict, according to the UN — many of them multiple times. Of these, 8.9 million remain displaced inside Sudan, while 3.9 million have crossed into neighbouring countries. Many live in overcrowded camps or makeshift shelters, without access to food, water, healthcare, or a sense of future. People depend entirely on humanitarian organizations — but only where these organisations are responding.

    Health facilities destroyed

    According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 70 percent of health facilities in conflict-affected areas are barely operational or completely closed, leaving millions without access to critical care amid one of the worst humanitarian crises in recent history. Since the war began, MSF has recorded over 80 violent incidents targeting our staff, infrastructure, vehicles and supplies. Clinics have been looted and destroyed, medicines stolen, and healthcare workers assaulted, threatened or killed.

    “Buildings were destroyed, even beds were looted, and medicines were burned to the ground. From afar, it looked like a hospital, but when you entered it, it was a shelter for snakes and grass,” said Muhammad Yusuf Ishaq Abdullah, MSF health promotion officer in Tawila, North Darfur, about the state of Tawila´s hospital after being attacked and looted in June 2023.

    These attacks must stop — medical personnel and facilities are not targets.

    Upcoming rainy season

    The rainy season, fast approaching, threatens to make an already catastrophic situation even worse — severing supply routes, flooding entire regions, and cutting off people just as the hunger gap peaks and malnutrition and malaria spike.

    MSF calls for immediate preparedness measures ahead of the rainy season. More border crossings must be opened, and key roads and bridges must be repaired and kept accessible, especially in Darfur, where seasonal flooding isolates communities year after year.

    Humanitarian restrictions must be lifted, and unhindered access must be guaranteed. MSF urges all actors — including donors, governments, and UN agencies — to enable and prioritize the aid delivery, ensuring that assistance not only reaches the country but is transported swiftly and safely to the hardest-hit and most remote communities. Without a serious commitment to overcoming the political, financial, logistical and security barriers that hinder last-mile delivery, countless lives will remain beyond the reach of help.  

    The people of Sudan have endured this horror for two years too long, they cannot and should not wait any longer.

    MSF is an international, medical, humanitarian organisation that delivers medical care to people in need, regardless of their origin, religion, or political affiliation. MSF has been working in Haiti for over 30 years, offering general healthcare, trauma care, burn wound care, maternity care, and care for survivors of sexual violence. MSF Australia was established in 1995 and is one of 24 international MSF sections committed to delivering medical humanitarian assistance to people in crisis. In 2022, more than 120 project staff from Australia and New Zealand worked with MSF on assignment overseas. MSF delivers medical care based on need alone and operates independently of government, religion or economic influence and irrespective of race, religion or gender. For more information visit msf.org.au  

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Commuter Waka updated with 2023 Census data and new features – Stats NZ media release

    Source: Statistics New Zealand

    Commuter Waka updated with 2023 Census data and new features – 15 April 2025 – New 2023 Census data in Commuter Waka‘s interactive map shows how we are choosing to commute in Aotearoa New Zealand, Stats NZ said today.

    “Commuter Waka gives a comprehensive view of commuter data, allowing us to see where people are travelling to and from for work and education, and how they choose to travel,” 2023 Census spokesperson Kathy Connolly said.

    “With the addition of the 2023 Census data, you can now see how commuter trends are changing over time.” In 2020, Stats NZ ran a competition to create an interactive data visualisation using the 2018 Census commuter dataset. The winning entry, Commuter Waka, is a data visualisation tool that uses an interactive map and series of graphs to show commuter information for areas across New Zealand.

    For more, see:

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Food prices increase 3.5 percent annually – Stats NZ media and information release: Selected price indexes: March 2025

    Source: Statistics New Zealand

    Food prices increase 3.5 percent annually – 15 April 2025 – Food prices increased 3.5 percent in the 12 months to March 2025, following a 2.4 percent increase in the 12 months to February 2025, according to figures released by Stats NZ today.

    Higher prices for the grocery food group and the meat, poultry, and fish group contributed most to the annual increase in food prices, up 5.1 percent and 5.3 percent, respectively.

    Partly offsetting the increase in food prices was lower prices for the fruit and vegetables group, with prices down 2.7 percent in the 12 months to March 2025, following a 6.2 percent decrease in the 12 months to February 2025.

    Files:

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Energy – Equinor – Proposal on capital reduction from the company’s board of directors

    Source: Equinor

    15 APRIL 20250 – The board of directors of Equinor ASA (OSE: EQNR, NYSE: EQNR) has today decided to propose to the general meeting of the company that the company’s share capital is reduced through cancellation of own shares and redemption of shares belonging to the Norwegian State.

    The proposal is made as a result of the company having acquired own shares pursuant to the authorization for share buy-back granted by the annual general meeting of the company in May 2024.

    The proposal entails that the company’s share capital shall be reduced by NOK 589,934,295 from NOK 6,981,953,075.00 to NOK 6,392,018,780.00, through cancellation and redemption of a total of 235,973,718 shares. Notice of the general meeting of the company which will attend to the board’s proposal will be announced separately at a later stage.

    This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Euronext Oslo Børs Rulebook II section 4.2.4 and Section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Australia – CBA warns small business customers to be extra vigilant this Easter: SMEs step up battle against scams – CBA

    Source: Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA)

    More businesses are taking proactive steps to protect themselves from scams but criminals are likely to ramp up their activity over Easter.

    A new survey commissioned by CommBank shows the vast majority of small to medium business owners and senior managers (84 per cent) are either taking action to protect their business from scams or planning to do so, after more than one third (36 per cent) reported having experienced a scam at least once since starting their business.

    CommBank Executive General Manager Small Business Banking, Rebecca Warren, said it’s encouraging to see more businesses take steps to protect themselves against scams.

    “We know running a small business involves wearing many hats, and it often means you’re incredibly busy with not much time to spare. As a result, business owners may be less likely to spot some of the red flags, which can make them vulnerable to scams,” Ms Warren said.

    Steps SMEs have taken to combat scams include checking bank accounts and invoices more regularly and thoroughly (58 per cent), upgrading software (50 per cent), providing additional training for staff (30 per cent) and engaging third-party suppliers such as security consultants (25 per cent).

    Ms Warren said there is often a spike in scam events during busy holiday periods, calling for extra caution during the upcoming Easter break.

    “While we have seen a 70 per cent reduction in customer scam losses across the bank over the past two years, scammers recognise business owners or key staff are often on holiday at this time of year and this affords them more opportunity combined with less chance of being caught,” Ms Warren said.

    “It’s important to keep up with the trends as scams are constantly evolving and becoming more sophisticated, particularly with AI use being so prevalent.

    “Small businesses are often affected by the same scam types as individual Australians such as phishing, investment scams, and romance scams. However, the primary scam type that impacts businesses of all sizes is the business email compromise scam.

    Business email compromise scams involve obtaining unauthorised access to an email account for the purpose of intercepting and redirecting payment requests.

    For example, a business will receive an email that appears to be from someone they know such as an employee, member of senior management, supplier, customer, or service provider. It will request a change of beneficiary account details for a new or upcoming payment, often including an altered invoice.

    With scammers now leveraging AI to create highly sophisticated and convincing communications, making it even harder to identify fraudulent activity, Ms Warren said it is more crucial than ever to upskill on cyber safety and scams awareness.

    “The more business owners and their staff are aware of the risks, the more likely they’ll be able to spot red flags. People truly are the first line of defence, and it’s encouraging to see scams protection is top of mind for so many business owners.

    “Awareness, combined with robust processes and technology, will significantly reduce risk for hard-working Aussie small business owners,” Ms Warren added.

    Tips to protect your small business from scams

    According to Ms Warren, there are three main parts to ensuring a business is protected from scams and fraudulent activity – people, processes and technology.

    People: at CBA we have seen customer scam losses decrease by 70 per cent over two years, and we know that knowing what to look out for is an important defence against fraud and scams. People are truly the first line of defence, which is why education and scams awareness is key.
    Processes: call your supplier on a verified/trusted number before making an invoice payment to a new supplier or in situations where existing suppliers are updating their banking details.  It is really important to make sure at least two people sign off any payments or changes in beneficiary details as this will significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to a payment redirection scam.
    Technology: installing and regularly updating antivirus programs and applying multi-factor authentication for your business applications like email, and accounting software will provide a much-needed third layer of defence.

    “Small business owners and their staff can sign up for a free Cyber Wardens course, which was created in partnership between CommBank, Telstra and the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA) and designed to upskill Australian businesses in cyber safety,” Ms Warren added.

    “They have launched an updated course with a focus on AI, given scammers and cyber criminals increasingly use this technology to target unsuspecting Australians.”

    How CommBank protects your business

    Helping customers stay safe by improving early detection and prevention of scams is among our highest priorities, and we continue to work hard to make Australian small businesses more resilient to scams.

    We are focused on delivering initiatives that help customers stay safe by improving early detection and prevention of scams, such as NameCheck, CallerCheck and CustomerCheck, as well as progressive advances in our cyber protections.

    If something goes wrong and you suspect you’ve been scammed, contact your bank and law enforcement immediately.

    For more on how CommBank protects your business, visit commbank.com.au/business/security

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Universities – SMART researchers develop novel UV and machine learning-aided method to detect microbial contamination in cell cultures

    Source: Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART)

    • This is the first novel technology that utilises machine learning to analyse unique ultraviolet light “fingerprints” on cell cultures to quickly identify presence of contamination
    • Only requiring a small volume of cell culture for analysis, this method can provide a definitive yes/no contamination assessment within 30 minutes, making it significantly more time- and resource-efficient than traditional sterility tests
    • Delays due to contamination testing in cell therapy products can be life-threatening for critically ill patients who urgently need these treatments.

    Singapore, 14 April 2025 – Researchers from the Critical Analytics for Manufacturing Personalized-Medicine (CAMP), interdisciplinary research group (IRG) of Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART), MIT’s research enterprise in Singapore, in collaboration with Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), A*STAR Skin Research Labs (A*SRL), and National University of Singapore (NUS), have developed a novel method that can quickly and automatically detect and monitor microbial contamination in cell therapy products (CTPs) early on during the manufacturing process. By measuring ultraviolet (UV) light absorbance of cell culture fluids and utilising machine learning to recognise light absorption patterns associated with microbial contamination, this preliminary testing method aims to reduce the overall time taken for sterility testing and, subsequently, the time patients need to wait for CTP doses. This is especially crucial where timely administration of treatments can be life-saving for terminally ill patients.

    Cell therapy represents a promising new frontier in medicine, especially in treating diseases such as cancers, inflammatory diseases, and chronic degenerative disorders, by manipulating or replacing cells to restore function or fight disease. However, a major challenge in CTP manufacturing is quickly and effectively ensuring that cells are free from contamination before being administered to patients.

    Existing sterility testing methods, based on microbiological methods,  are labour-intensive and require up to fourteen days to detect contamination, which could adversely affect critically ill patients who need immediate treatment. While advanced techniques such as rapid microbiological methods (RMMs) can reduce the testing period to seven days, they still require complex processes such as cell extraction and growth enrichment mediums, and they are highly dependent on skilled manpower for procedures such as sample extraction, measurement, and analysis. This creates an urgent need for new methods that offer quicker outcomes without compromising the quality of CTPs, that meet the patient-use timeline, and with a simple workflow that does not require additional preparation.
    SMART CAMP Senior Research Engineer Shruthi Pandi Chelvam using the UV absorbance spectrometer to measure the absorbance spectra of cell culture samples (Photo: SMART CAMP)

    In a paper titled “Machine learning aided UV absorbance spectroscopy for microbial contamination in cell therapy products” published in the journal Scientific Reports, SMART CAMP researchers described how they combined UV absorbance spectroscopy to develop a machine learning-aided method for label-free, non-invasive, and real-time detection of cell contamination during the early stages of manufacturing.

    This method offers significant advantages over both traditional sterility tests and RMMs as it eliminates the need for staining of cells to identify labelled organisms, making it label-free, avoids the invasive process of cell extraction and delivers results in under half an hour. It provides an intuitive, rapid “yes/no” contamination assessment, facilitating automation of cell culture sampling, with a simple workflow that requires no additional incubation period, growth enrichment mediums, and manpower. Furthermore, the developed method does not require specialised equipment, resulting in lower costs.

    “This rapid, label-free method is designed to be a preliminary step in the CTP manufacturing process as a form of continuous safety testing, which allows users to detect contamination early and implement timely corrective actions, including the use of RMMs only when possible contamination is detected. This approach saves costs, optimises resource allocation and ultimately, accelerates the overall manufacturing timeline,” said Shruthi Pandi Chelvam, Senior Research Engineer at SMART CAMPand first author of the paper.

    “Traditionally, cell therapy manufacturing is labour intensive and subject to operator variability. By introducing automation and machine learning, we hope to streamline cell therapy manufacturing and reduce the risk of contamination. Specifically, our method supports automated cell culture sampling at designated intervals to check for contamination, which reduces manual tasks such as sample extraction, measurement, and analysis. This enables cell cultures to be monitored continuously and contamination to be detected at early stages,” said Prof Rajeev Ram, Principal Investigator at SMART CAMP, MIT Professor, and corresponding author of the paper.

    Moving forward, future research will focus on broadening the application of the method to encompass a wider range of microbial contaminants, specifically those representative of Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) environments and previously identified CTP contaminants. Additionally, the model’s robustness can be tested across more cell types apart from MSCs. Beyond cell therapy manufacturing, this method can also be applied to the food & beverage industry as part of microbial quality control testing to ensure food products meet safety standards.

    The research is conducted by SMART and supported by the National Research Foundation (NRF) Singapore under its Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise (CREATE) programme.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Australia – Household spending lifts in March but consumers remain cautious – CBA

    Source: Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA)

    Interest rate cuts are expected to fuel a consumer recovery in 2025, however rising global uncertainty could weigh on sentiment.

    The CommBank Household Spending Insights (HSI) Index rose 0.9 per cent in March, buoyed by a lift in recreation and hospitality spending off the back of Melbourne Grand Prix and the return of the winter football codes.

    Modest gains were seen across all 12 spending categories for the month, led by Education which surged 4.3 per cent amid rising tuition fees and the start of the academic year. Notable uplifts were also seen in Insurance (+1.6 per cent), Recreation (+1.4 per cent), Hospitality (+1.2 per cent), the latter showing its first lift since December.

    “While it’s encouraging to see a rebound in spending this March, particularly across discretionary categories like Recreation and Hospitality, it’s premature to call this a turning point, as the overall pace of spending growth remains lower than the final quarter of 2024,” CBA Senior Economist Belinda Allen said.

    “We expect interest rate cuts over the coming year to see consumers loosen their purse strings, but global uncertainty from the U.S tariffs may impact this recovery. It’s worth noting Australia is well placed to weather the global economic volatility and remains in a structurally sound position with limited direct impacts from the US tariffs. At the same time, the RBA has room to cut rates if required.”

    Over the past 12 months, spending was up 5.6 per cent, with the strongest growth concentrated in essential services where inflation remains elevated and premiums have risen such as Insurance (+15.3 per cent), Education (+12.7 per cent), Health (+11.9 per cent) and Household Services (+9.2 per cent). In contrast, Transport was down 3.3 per cent annually, led by lower petrol prices.

    Renters continue to show the weakest spending growth, with the annual rate of spending in original per capita terms rising by 2.0 per cent, well below owners with a mortgage (+3.2 per cent) and those who own their home outright (+3.5 per cent).

    “Queensland saw the softest growth rate in March, with spending rising just 0.1 per cent following ex-tropical cyclone Alfred,” Ms Allen said.

    Spending gains were led by South Australia (+1.2 per cent), Northern Territory (+0.9 per cent).

    The CommBank HSI Index tracks month-on-month data at a macro level and is based on de-identified payments data from approximately 7 million CBA customers, comprising roughly 30 per cent of all Australian consumer transactions.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: New Zealand’s glacier volume down 42 percent since 2005 – Stats NZ media release

    Source: Statistics New Zealand

    New Zealand’s glacier volume down 42 percent since 2005 – 11 April 2025 – Total glacier ice volumes in Aotearoa New Zealand decreased by 42 percent between 2005 and 2023, according to figures released by Stats NZ today.

    “This 22 km3 decrease between 2005 and 2023 is equivalent to 37 percent of the volume of Lake Taupō,” environment statistics spokesperson Tehseen Islam said.

    Stats NZ has updated its Annual glacier ice volumes: Data to 2023 environmental indicator, using data from the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA).

    The environmental indicators Wildfire risk: Data to 2023 and UV intensity: Data to 2023 were also published today.

    Files:

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Global Economy – Report finds global companies have lost over $10 trillion of their market cap in 3 weeks – BestBrokers

    Source: BestBrokers

    Amid a volatile stretch for global stock markets, BestBroker’s latest analysis offers a data-driven look at how different countries are positioned in the face of a major downturn.

    Between 17 March and 8 April, the world’s 10,000 largest publicly listed companies lost a combined $10.3 trillion in market capitalisation, according to our research at BestBrokers. The U.S. was hit hardest, with $5.36 trillion wiped from company valuations, followed by China ($923.6 billion), Japan ($434 billion), Germany ($289 billion), and Taiwan ($267.7 billion).

    While the U.S. S&P 500 alone has lost nearly $6 trillion since the announcement of sweeping tariffs under President Trump, the impact has been global. Billions in value have evaporated across markets in every major region.

    Despite the scale of these losses, many leading indices are still above where they were a year ago — supported by resilient earnings and long-term growth. In addition to tracking the drop in market value, BestBrokers.com also examined how countries stack up in terms of billion-dollar company density, measured relative to population and economic output, across 74 countries and territories.

    Here are some key highlights from our report:

    • In March, we identified 5,522 publicly listed companies worldwide with a market value of at least $1 billion, with 1,873 headquartered in the United States. Three weeks after that, on March 8, the number of billion-dollar public companies dropped to 5,370, with just the U.S. losing 74 companies.
    • When adjusted for population, Monaco leads the world with 77 billion-dollar companies per million citizens, followed by Luxembourg (32) and Iceland (18).
    • Other countries with a large number of billion-dollar companies per million citizens are Switzerland with nearly 14, Sweden with 10.5, Singapore with close to 9, and Qatar with 8. Norway, Israel, and Denmark round up the top ten countries with nearly 8 companies per million people in Norway and Israel, while Denmark has 7.
    • Although the United States has the largest absolute number of billion-dollar companies, it ranks 16th globally on a per capita basis — trailing behind smaller, entrepreneurial economies like Ireland, Qatar, and Israel. The U.S. has roughly 5 billion-dollar companies per 1 million people.
    • Although the aggregate market capitalization of U.S.-based billion-dollar companies dropped to $51.75 trillion, this is still nearly double the size of the American economy.

    As volatility shakes larger markets, understanding where corporate strength is most concentrated can offer valuable insights for navigating the months ahead. Smaller, agile economies continue to punch well above their weight, signaling resilience and opportunity even as the broader market faces renewed pressure. A total of 13 countries saw a market wipeout of $100 billion or more within the past 22 days.

    These are the countries where companies have lost the most market capitalization:

    • United States – down $5.36 trillion to $51.75 trillion
    • China – down $923.6 billion to $6.87 trillion
    • Japan – down $433.9 billion to $4.68 trillion
    • Germany – down $289.1 billion $2.39 trillion
    • Taiwan – down $267.7 billion to $1.48 trillion
    • France – down $230.8 billion to $2.83 trillion
    • Switzerland – down $177.7 billion to $2.29 trillion
    • United Kingdom – down $170.5 billion to $3.47 trillion
    • Netherlands – down $149.7 billion to $1.17 trillion
    • Ireland – down $111.5 billion to $894.79 billion
    • Sweden – down $109.9 billion to $1.02 trillion
    • Hong Kong – down $108.5 billion to $835 billion
    • South Korea – down $105.6 billion to $932.9 billion.
    More detailed information about the economies with a high concentration of large-cap companies is available in the full report. It also includes the full methodology behind our findings. Feel free to use any data or graphics for publication by providing a proper link attribution to the original report. For more, see the Full Report: https://www.bestbrokers.com/forex-brokers/the-nations-with-the-most-billion-dollar-companies-per-capita-in-2025/

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Global Economy – Global Barometers decline in April – KOF

    Source: KOF Economic Institute

    The Coincident Barometer decreases for the second consecutive month and returns to the level of September 2024. The fall in the Leading Barometer keeps the indicator generally slightly above 100 points, a tendency that has been observed since May 2024. However, the recent escalation in the trade tensions is not reflected in the data.

    In April, the Coincident and the Leading Global Barometers decrease 1.5 points and 1.7 points to 92.3 and 101.9 points, respectively. In both cases, the fall is mainly driven by the Western Hemisphere indicators. Europe is a distant second. In contrast, the contribution of the Asia, Pacific & Africa region to the variation in the global indicators is almost null this month.

    “Although the unexpectedly strong announcements by President Trump on what he called ‘US Liberation Day’ and the shockwaves that followed are not yet reflected in the Global Barometers – they reflect survey data collected in March – the downward momentum of both is clearly driven by lower assessments and sentiment in the US-dominated Western hemisphere. This does not bode well for the future direction of these two leading indicators of the global economy”, comments KOF Director Jan-Egbert Sturm the latest results.

    Coincident Barometer – regions and sectors

    The 1.5-point decrease in the Coincident Barometer in April results from negative contributions of -1.1 points from the Western Hemisphere, -0.3 points from Europe, and -0.1 points from the Asia, Pacific & Africa region. The Western Hemisphere reaches 91.4 points, its lowest level since December 2023, and is closing in on the indicator for the Asia, Pacific & Africa region, which continues to record the lowest level among the regional coincident indicators (90.9 points).

    Among the Coincident sector indicators, only Construction records an increase, while, Trade, Services, the indicator for Economy (aggregated business and consumer evaluations) and Industry decrease this month.

    Leading Barometer – regions and sectors

    In April, the Western Hemisphere contributes negatively with -1.6 points to the 1.7-point fall in the Leading Global Barometer. Europe contributes -0.2 points while the Asia, Pacific & Africa region makes a positive contribution of 0.1 points. With this result, only the Western Hemisphere is below 100 points, recording the lowest level among the regions, which has not happened since December 2023. The Leading Global Barometer leads the world economic growth rate cycle by three to six months on average.

    Among the Leading sector indicators, only Economy (aggregated business and consumer evaluations) makes a slight increase in April. The marked decline in the Trade sector stands out, taking the indicator to below the 100-point level for the first time since May of last year.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Australia – South Australia a world leader in refugee settlement – report – AMES

    Source: AMES

    South Australia boasts a world leading refugee settlement program that offers protection to people fleeing conflict and persecution in their homelands, a new report has found.

    The state accepts up to 1400 refugees each year, providing on-arrival support and case management as well as accommodation and housing, cultural orientation and access to education and employment.

    This intensive, wrap-around support, facilitated by settlement agency AMES Australia and it partners, has meant that refugees in South Australia quickly become independent and are able to contribute back to the South Australian community, the report, titled ‘Bound for South Australia: A world leading settlement destination’, says.

    The report says new refugee arrivals benefit from a range of tailored settlement programs and initiatives in South Australia largely under the aegis of the federal government’s refugee settlement arrangements.

    “Services include on-arrival support and accommodation. Newly arrived refugees are initially housed at a dedicated accommodation facility and are supported to find long-term, appropriate housing in the community,” the report says.

    “Refugee clients can access an intensive orientation program which provides information about navigating Australian society, including schooling and education, public transport, healthcare, banking, employment and rights and responsibilities. They are provided with the tools and resources they need for long-term stability and successful integration.

    “Key partnerships ensure new arrivals have access to a range of health, mental health, family violence and trauma services as well as connections to government agencies and local support groups. This ensures clients have access to essential services and social opportunities,” the report says.

    In 2023-24 229 adult refugees were supported into sustainable jobs and 115 more received ongoing employment strategy development support with 109 achieving job interviews.

    Twenty-seven refugee businesses were established with support from AMES Australia.

    More than 210 families have been supported with children’s school enrolments and 356 adults were supported to enrol in English language tuition.

    Three refugees were assisted to enrol in tertiary and vocational training and two more with obtaining recognition of overseas skills and qualifications.

    In 2023-24 there were more than 8,100 individual attendances at orientation sessions covering settlement services, housing, health, managing money, life in Australia, transport, family life and services, Australian law, education and employment.

     Long-term appropriate housing was secured for 226 client families and around 350 families were supported with on-arrival accommodation.

    Ninety-nine per cent of people exiting the refugee support program had secured permanent accommodation.

    The report says refugee settlement generates around $19 million in economic activity for South Australia each year, including more than $3 million in federal investment and $15 million in extra tax receipts and spending.

    “The settlement of refugees in South Australia adds more than $19 million to South Australia’s economy each year through federal government investment, harnessing the skills and entrepreneurialism refugees bring with them,” the report says.

    “This includes South Australia’s share of the and the $21.2 million the federal government invests in refugee settlement each year (1) and of the $9.1 million invested engagement and transitions support programs.

    “It also includes the $5.1 million paid in tax by refugees who gained employment in South Australia in 2023-24 and the $10.2 million in cash injected into the economy by those workers and entrepreneurs.

    “The skills and experience possessed by refugees represents almost a 1 per cent boost to productivity in South Australia,” the report said.

    Consultant economist Dr Ian Pringle, who produced the report, said South Australia had unique refugee settlement arrangements.

    “What sets South Australia apart is the level of community input into successful settlement outcomes,” Dr Pringle said.

    “From schools to sporting clubs, local councils, community groups and faith organisations, there is an all of community approach to making sure refugees settle well and are made to feel welcome,” he said.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Asia-Pacific Business Forum opens with bold commitments to private sector-led sustainability action

    Source: United Nations – ESCAP

    The Asia-Pacific Business Forum (APBF) 2025 opened today in Kuala Lumpur with a strong call for the private sector to lead the region’s transition towards a more sustainable, inclusive and resilient future.

    Hosted by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), in collaboration with the ESCAP Sustainable Business Network and KSI Strategic Institute for Asia-Pacific, the Forum convenes over 250 senior business executives, policymakers and sustainability champions from across the region to accelerate climate action, boost innovation and scale up green financing.

    Delegates at this year’s forum urged businesses, governments and other stakeholders to move beyond just adapting to climate emergencies to actively leveraging sustainability as a source of innovation, resilience and long-term value creation.

    “There are tangible opportunities to expand the scope of economic cooperation and intraregional connectivity by expanding business prospects, building integrated supply chains and realizing the global 1.5-degree goal,” said Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of ESCAP.

    She added, “The blue-green transition is not just about environmental stewardship, but an economic opportunity that can reshape how societies align business profitability, economic growth and social development.”

    “The introduction of key policy documents such as the National Energy Policy 2022-2040 and the Hydrogen Economy and Technology Roadmap further underscores Malaysia’s ambition to emerge as a regional leader in clean energy innovation and deployment,” said Fadillah Haji Yusof, Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia in his keynote remarks.

    Participants further reaffirmed the Asia-Pacific Green Deal for Business as a critical action plan for aligning business models with environmental and social imperatives.

    “The Asia Pacific Business Forum 2025 will be a key platform to promote the Asia Pacific Green Deal, advancing sustainability and accelerating the region’s energy transition,” said Michael Yeoh, President of KSI Strategic Institute for Asia Pacific, Malaysia.

    He added, “Through collaboration and innovation, we aim to drive green growth and build a low-carbon, resilient future.”

    Recognizing the urgent need for policy coherence and regulatory alignment, this year’s Forum features a new series of high-level dialogues between private sector leaders and government policymakers. These aim to tackle barriers to climate innovation, enhance access to sustainable financing, and promote inclusive growth—especially through gender-diverse leadership and support for women-led enterprises.

    Shinta Widjaja Kamdani, Chief Executive Officer of Sintesa Group, Indonesia, was elected as the new Chair of the ESCAP Sustainable Business Network. “The role of governments, businesses, financial institutions, and civil society cannot be overstated. Our investments in green technologies, renewable energy, sustainable infrastructure, and climate-resilient agriculture will be the key drivers of economic growth, job creation, and inclusive prosperity. These investments are not just a means to close the financing gap—they are an opportunity to redefine the way we think about growth,” shared Kamdani.

    The Forum is expected to culminate with the endorsement of the Kuala Lumpur Declaration, a forward-looking blueprint aimed at strengthening regional partnerships and outlining actionable commitments for businesses to drive sustainability across five core pillars: energy transition, infrastructure development, sustainable financing, digital innovation and circular economy practices.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Energy – Positioning Equinor for higher value creation from power

    Source: Equinor

    10 APRIL 2025 – Equinor establishes a new business area and appoints Helge Haugane as new executive vice president from September.

    Power demand continues to grow from electrification of society and industry, expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) and data centres. Equinor has built a significant renewables business over the last two decades, with offshore and onshore wind and solar in operation and under development.

    The company has added gas-to -power plants and energy storage assets to support intermittent wind and solar. Through strong trading capabilities, the combined offering supports higher value creation. To strengthen competitiveness and position for further valuable growth in the power markets, Equinor integrates these portfolios in a new business area.

    “By combining our renewables portfolio with our flexible power offering, we strengthen our competitiveness and value creation in the power market. This reinforces our capability to deliver high returns and the continued disciplined growth in power production,” says Anders Opedal, chief executive officer in Equinor.

    While the demand for electricity from renewable power will continue to grow, flexible power will ensure reliability and stability in the power offering to the market.

    The new Power business area (PWR) will combine the current business area Renewables (REN) and flexible power assets from the business area Marketing, Midstream and Processing (MMP), allowing for a holistic approach to power and markets. The gas and power trading and market analysis organisation will remain part of Marketing, Midstream and Processing (MMP). Adjustments in the segment reporting between PWR and MMP will be considered as part of the process to establish the new Power business area.

    Growing power portfolio

    With three mega offshore wind projects underway in the UK, US and Poland and an increasing number of onshore renewables assets, Equinor’s power portfolio is growing.

    Equinor has invested in energy storage through battery opportunities in the US, Poland and the UK. Flexible power is delivered by the gas-to-power plant, Triton Power, which Equinor owns together with SSE Thermal. The recent investment decision for partner operated Net Zero Teesside in the UK, will be the world’s first gas-fired power station with carbon capture. This is an important step in developing the power portfolio.

    New executive vice president

    Helge Haugane is appointed executive vice president for the new PWR business area and will start in the role from September when the organisational changes take effect. Haugane comes from the role as head of Gas & Power in the MMP business area.

    “I look forward to building on Equinor’s significant power position, both executing existing projects and further developing the portfolio. By integrating our power business, we can look across technologies, markets and ownership structures. This will be important for further profitable growth in the rapidly changing world of power,” says Haugane.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Global Affairs – THE EU MUST INVEST IN DEMOCRACY TO STEM AUTHORITARIAN TIDE, LEADING INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS SAY

    Source: World Media Wire – for European Endowment for Democracy and others.

    Report outlines six key proposals to bolster democracy aid in new EU seven-year budget

    BRUSSELS – The European Union must commit sufficient funding to support democracy in its next seven-year budget and bolster the bloc’s global leadership in defence of its core values and security interests, five leading international organisations said on Thursday.

    Funding democracy support is essential to enhance an emboldened EU defence and security strategy and secure reliable trading partners. It is a critical mechanism by which EU soft power supports good governance, rule of law and human rights – more essential than ever as geopolitical shifts create a vacuum for anti-democratic forces to thrive.

    The joint statement outlines six key proposals and is signed by five pro-democracy organisations: European Endowment for Democracy, European Network of Political Foundations, European Partnership for Democracy, the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), and Open Government Partnership.  

    It comes as the EU starts negotiations over its 2028-2034 budget. The EU estimates that it provided €4.5 billion in democracy support in 2021-2023, around 3€ per resident per year.  

    “Support for democracy is part of the DNA of the European Union, but it also serves its self-interest,” the statement says. “It is essential to integrate fundamental rights and democratic governance across EU policy areas. The EU and Member States need to dedicate resources in a more efficient and strategic way to respond more effectively to threats through the next Multi-Annual Financial Framework.”      

    The statement’s six principal recommendations are:

    Ensure the EU has stronger tools to financially sanction member states that systematically violate one of the key elements of democracy – the rule of law
    Counter disinformation through support for independent media and effective oversight of tech companies
    Put democracy at the heart of the EU enlargement process
    Embed democracy at the centre of the Global Gateway – the EU’s 300-billion-dollar global investment initiative, for the bloc’s long-term strategic interests
    Maintain the budget for democracy initiatives in EU foreign aid and diplomacy
    Boost emergency funding to support countries making unexpected and sudden transitions toward democracy

    “Democracy support is a cost-effective component of strategic foreign and security policy. Europe is safer when our neighbours have accountable democratic governments,” said Jerzy Pomianowski, Executive Director, European Endowment for Democracy.

    “It is in the European Union’s interest to strengthen political institutions around the world through democracy support. Democracy and security go hand in hand. In these volatile times, we need to continue investing in a stable, secure and democratic future,” said Gary Klaukka, Executive Director, European Network of Political Foundations.

    “Attacks on democratic checks and balances are on the rise and are having a profound impact on our prosperity and security. Within Europe, tackling them means getting serious about stopping money transfers to member states eroding the rule of law and massive increases in support for the media ecosystem” said Ken Godfrey, Executive Director, European Partnership for Democracy.

    “Never before has the EU been challenged on so many fronts. But any EU comprehensive effort to enhance its security must remain attached to sustained support for the democratic values and institutions that are at the heart of the European project,” said International IDEA Secretary-General Kevin Casas-Zamora. “This critical moment is an opportunity for the EU to lead globally.”

    “Globally, the 5,500+ reforms implemented through the Open Government Partnership are a testament to how democratic, collaborative processes lead to more effective policies and better outcomes for citizens. As the EU designs the next MMF, it has the opportunity to embed democratic values, alongside robust funding mechanisms, as a core pillar of its approach. This will ensure better value for money within and beyond its borders,”

    Said Paul Maassen, Secretary General, OGP Europe.

    The full joint statement can be accessed here: https://epd.eu/content/uploads/2025/04/MFF-Statement-v2.pdf?mtm_campaign=MFF%20Statement&mtm_source=Press%20outreach&mtm_medium=Press%20release

     

    Organizations

     

    European Endowment for Democracy

    www.democracyendowment.eu

     

    European Network of Political Foundations

    www.enop.eu

     

    European Partnership for Democracy

    www.epd.eu

     

    International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA)

    www.idea.int

     

    Open Government Partnership

    www.opengovpartnership.org

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Universities – North East of England has second highest level of deprivation out of all regions in the UK – Queen’s University Belfast

    Source: Queen’s University Belfast

    Deprivation levels in the North East of England are the highest of all regions in England, Scotland and Wales, new research by Queen’s University Belfast has found.

    In the UK more widely, Northern Ireland has the highest levels of deprivation.

    For the first time ever, researchers have been able to compare census data on deprivation by employment, education and health right across the UK.

    They found that Northern Ireland has the highest level of the most deprived areas in the UK, followed by the North East of England and the West Midlands.

    But the research also shows that London has the lowest level of self-reported health deprivation in the UK.

    Most deprived areas

    When the researchers looked at census data on the most deprived areas in the UK, they found that:

    • Northern Ireland has the highest level of the most deprived areas in the UK at 25 per cent
    • The North East of England has the second highest levels of deprived areas at 21 per cent
    • The West Midlands (England) has the third highest levels at 16.5 per cent.

    Health deprivation

    The researchers also examined data on health deprivation. This data was self-reported by those who responded to the 2021 census (2022 in Scotland).

    They found that:

    • Health deprivation is particularly high in Northern Ireland with nearly 28 per cent of areas ranked among the most deprived by poor health across the UK.
    • In Scotland, 23 per cent of areas were among the most deprived by poor health
    • This was the case for 16 per cent of areas in North East England.

    Levels of health deprivation were lowest in London, with just 1.5 per cent of areas ranked most deprived by poor health. The level was also low in the East of England at 2.65 per cent.

    Professor Christopher Lloyd from the School of Natural and Built Environment at Queen’s led the study. He explains: “Our research shows, for the first time, how deprivation by employment, education and health vary within and between the four nations of the UK.

    “This type of analysis is important for everyone in our society as it allows us to see how our local authority areas are affected by deprivation and how this compares to other areas in the UK.”

    He adds: “The insights are critical for informing public policy. Our study will allow policy makers to make a case for funding or to better direct resources given a knowledge of how their areas compare to other areas within their region, within their nation, or the UK as a whole.”

    The Queen’s researchers used 2021 census data from England, Wales and Northern Ireland and 2022 census data from Scotland. The project was funded by the Nuffield Foundation and the University of Leeds and deprivation.org were key partners.

    The full report and findings are available to download here: 

    The Nuffield Foundation is an independent charitable trust with a mission to advance social well-being. It funds research that informs social policy, primarily in Education, Welfare and Justice. The Nuffield Foundation is the founder and co-funder of the Nuffield Council on Bioethics, the Ada Lovelace Institute and the Nuffield Family Justice Observatory. The Foundation has funded this project, but the views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily the Foundation. Visit www.nuffieldfoundation.org

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Families and households in the 2023 Census – further insights into how we live – Stats NZ media and information release: Families, households, and housing: 2023 Census

    Source: Statistics New Zealand

    Families and households in the 2023 Census – further insights into how we live – 10 April 2025 – Today’s release of 2023 Census data includes more detailed information about families and households, and the people within them.

    This information is widely used for many different purposes and helps inform planning and decision-making in many areas including health and education.

    Increase in families with adult children living at home

    In 2023, just over one-third (34.5 percent) of all families with children had adult children living with them. This figure was particularly high for families with at least one person belonging to the Pacific peoples ethnic group (38.7 percent).

    “The 2023 Census shows a substantial increase in the number of adult children living at home,” principal analyst Dr Rosemary Goodyear said.

    Files:

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Global Bodies – Parliamentarians champion social development and justice at Tashkent Assembly – IPU

    Source: Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU)

    The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) has successfully concluded its 150th Assembly in Tashkent, hosted by the Parliament of Uzbekistan. This landmark Assembly gathered nearly 1400 delegates, including some 740 members of parliament from approximately 130 countries.

    The presence of over 100 Speakers and Deputy Speakers of Parliament underscored the increasing recognition of parliamentary diplomacy as a vital complement to traditional international relations, especially at a time of significant geopolitical tensions.

    Highlighting the importance of the event, the President of Uzbekistan, Mr. Shavkat Mirziyoyev, addressed the Assembly in a special plenary session.

    Women MPs comprised over 37% of the parliamentarians at the Assembly, their highest representation at an IPU Assembly since 2022.

    The Tashkent Declaration: A call for social development and justice

    The global parliamentary community adopted the Tashkent Declaration on Parliamentary action for social development and justice, emphasizing the need for renewed efforts on social development to address ongoing and emerging challenges.

    The declaration highlights that the global social development agenda, initiated 30 years ago, has only been partially realized. It calls for a policy reset to balance market demands with the needs of the people, focusing on three key areas:

    investing in people to lift them from poverty to prosperity;
    democratizing the economy to benefit those who historically have been deprived of their fair share, particularly women and youth; and
    strengthening institutions, including through broad participation in the regulation of digital technologies such as artificial intelligence.

    Parliaments are urged to develop national plans for social development and engage in debates ahead of the Second World Summit for Social Development in Qatar in November 2025.

    Gender equality takes centre stage

    The IPU celebrated 40 years of its Forum for Women Parliamentarians, a unique platform driving significant advancements in gender equality and women’s empowerment.

    Against the backdrop of challenges to women’s rights and the stagnation of female parliamentary representation at 27.2%, the IPU launched its new gender campaign for 2025, Achieving gender equality: Action by action.

    The campaign aims to mobilize the global parliamentary community to accelerate progress in achieving gender equality in politics and society.

    Other outcomes and meetings

    The Assembly adopted two critical resolutions:

    The role of parliaments in advancing a two-State solution in Palestine: This resolution emphasizes the role of parliaments in promoting a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict based on international law. It calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the lifting of blockades, and the release of hostages, as well as urging support for humanitarian efforts and compliance with international law. It also urges parliaments to use their legislative powers to reinforce support for a two-State solution, ensuring the recognition of both Israel and Palestine as independent sovereign States.

    Parliamentary strategies to mitigate the long-lasting impact of conflicts, including armed conflicts, on sustainable development: This resolution addresses how conflicts hinder progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals. It highlights the role of parliaments in mitigating the negative effects of conflicts, promoting peace, and ensuring the protection of infrastructure and humanitarian principles. The resolution stresses the importance of human rights, environmental considerations, and inclusive governance in post-conflict reconstruction.

    The Assembly also featured sessions on various topics, including the role of the BRICS in international relations, tackling weapons of mass destruction, preventing illegal adoptions, addressing the effects of armed conflict on children, advocating for climate action and reducing methane emissions.

    Elections

    Several new nominations and elections were also announced, including Ms. Gabriela Morawska-Stanecka (Poland) as IPU Vice-President, Ms. Noor Abugoush (Jordan) as President of the Bureau of Young Parliamentarians, and a second term for Ms. Cynthia López Castro (Mexico) as President of the Bureau of Women Parliamentarians.

    Quotes

    President of the 150th IPU Assembly and Chairperson of the Senate of Uzbekistan, Ms. Tanzila Narbaeva, said: “This Assembly underscores Uzbekistan’s parliamentary leadership on the international stage and reflects confidence in the country’s reform agenda. The Tashkent Declaration will serve as a roadmap for global social progress and justice.”

    IPU President, Dr. Tulia Ackson, said: “From the get-go, this Assembly has carried a sense of significance with the commemoration of the 150 occasions where the world’s parliamentarians have come together. This Organization has stood the test of time. But I would also like to say that our mission remains of profound importance, perhaps more so today than ever before. The world needs parliamentary diplomacy. We look forward to the next 150 IPU Assemblies, and to the generations they will serve.”

    IPU Secretary General, Mr. Martin Chungong, said: “Many delegates have pointed out that they come to IPU Assemblies not just to hear views that chime with their own, but to hear all sides of the argument. To be challenged, to break free of their echo chambers, to look at the world through different eyes. And although parliamentarians may not always agree, they are still enriched by what they have learned along the way thanks to the IPU.”

    The IPU is the global organization of national parliaments. It was founded in 1889 as the first multilateral political organization in the world, encouraging cooperation and dialogue between all nations. Today, the IPU comprises 182 national Member Parliaments and 15 regional parliamentary bodies. It promotes peace, democracy and sustainable development. It helps parliaments become stronger, younger, greener, more innovative and gender-balanced. It also defends the human rights of parliamentarians through a dedicated committee made up of MPs from around the world.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Australia – Improved mental health support for diverse communities – AMES

    Source: AMES

    Diverse communities will have better access to mental health support thanks to a new partnership between settlement agency AMES Australia and mental health agency Beyond Blue.

    The partnership is delivering a new set of resources to help migrant and refugee communities address mental health issues, recently launched at the Melbourne Multicultural Hub.

    The AMES-Beyond Blue partnership is aimed at making it easier and more efficient for people to find the support that best suits them, when they need it.

    AMES Australia CEO Cath Scarth said the partnership would help improve access to mental health support for migrant and refugee communities.

    “We know that refugees and migrants are among the most vulnerable in our society to the effects of poor mental health. We also know that they often find it difficult to access services of all kinds, including mental health support,” Cath said.

    Domestic violence survivor Uyen Truong says the resources would have made a difference in her life when she became the victim of an abusive controlling relationship.

    “I had no money of my own, I wasn’t allowed to learn English and I had no freedom to meet people. And I couldn’t even wear the clothes I wanted to,” Ms Truong said.

    “My husband was not violent, but he made my life miserable. I tried to end my life a few times.”

    “Having access to mental health care at the time would have made a world of difference,” she said.

    Uyen left her husband in 2015 with her three children and found support through women’s refuges, a kindly social worker and through government programs. But with virtually no English, she faced a long journey in rebuilding her life.

    “When I left, I couldn’t speak English, I didn’t know how to use public transport and I had no family or friends to help me,” she said.

    “Having some mental health support when going through what I went though is so important,’” Ms Truong said.

    Beyond Blue CEO Georgie Harman said the partnership will address the unique mental health needs of individuals from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds (CALD), particularly those for whom English is a second language, or who have poor literacy levels.

    “By working together, we aim to promote the importance of good mental health and destigmatisation and deepen understandings of mental health support services across the community.

    “We hope that by coming together, we can ensure that mental health support is accessible, and comprehensive to those who need it most,” she said.

    AMES community development officer Reshma Manandhar told the initiative’s recent launch event of her own struggles with post-natal depression and the need for diverse communities to talk about mental health.

    “We all need to understand that it is OK to talk about these issues and it is OK to ask for help. So having resources out in the community informing people how they can get that help is important,” Ms Mananadhar said.

    The partnership will improve access to mental health resources and information on supports/services for many marginalised communities; including refugees and migrants, and those who face additional barriers to accessing help.

    With one third of people in Australia born overseas, an increase in people finding refuge and safety in Australia, the continued impact of racism and discrimination, and current global conflicts, the need for more inclusive approaches to mental health is greater than ever.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Universities – Poor oral health linked with body pain and migraines in women – UoS

    Source: University of Sydney

    New research from the University of Sydney has revealed poor oral health is significantly associated with higher instances of migraines, abdominal and body pain in women.

    Published in Frontiers in Pain Research, the world-first study identified specific oral microbes correlated with certain pain conditions, suggesting a potential relationship between the oral microbiome and the nervous system.  

    The findings highlight the importance of good oral health to potentially mitigate pain and improve overall wellbeing, prompting further exploration into the role of oral microbiota in chronic unexplained pain conditions. This includes fibromyalgia, a condition experienced by 67 percent of the study participants.

    “This is the first study to investigate oral health, oral microbiota and pain commonly experienced in women with fibromyalgia, with our study showing a clear and significant association between poor oral health and pain,” said lead investigator Associate Professor Joanna Harnett from the Faculty of Medicine and Health.

    “Our findings are particularly important to fibromyalgia which, despite being a common rheumatological condition, is often under recognised,” said first author and PhD candidate in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sharon Erdrich.  

    “Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterised by widespread musculoskeletal pain, and headaches including headaches, as well as fatigue, sleep disturbances, and cognitive problems.”

    How the research worked  

    The research examined associations between self-reported oral health, the oral microbiome, and various pain presentations in a group of New Zealand women with and without fibromyalgia.  

    Oral health was assessed using the WHO oral health questionnaire and evaluated against body pain, headaches, migraines, and abdominal pain using validated instruments, including the Short-form 36 (which measures quality of life), the International Headache Society headache survey and the functional bowel disorder severity index. Strong associations were evident between oral health scores and pain and each of these were associated with specific microbes found in the mouth, which were assessed using advanced genomic technology.  

    Participants with the poorest oral health were more likely to suffer from higher pain scores: 60 percent were more likely to experience moderate to severe body pain, and 49 percent were more likely to experience migraine headaches. Lower oral health was a statistically significant predictor of frequent and chronic migraine.

    Four oral microbial species from the Dialister, Fusobacterium, Parvimonas and Solobacterium genera were significantly associated with pain after age, BMI and added dietary sugars were considered.  

    A weak but significant inverse correlation with diet quality and oral health was also found, though the researchers note this has yet to be investigated in detail.

    The Australian Dental Association recommends regular oral hygiene appointments and dental health checks, in addition to twice daily teeth brushing and flossing.

    Declaration  

    Ethical review and approval of the study protocol and procedures was granted by the New Zealand Health and Disability Committee. The study was registered with the Australia and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR). Written consent was obtained from all participants prior to undertaking the requirements of the study.

    Research:
    Erdrich, S. et al, xx, 2025 (Frontiers in Pain Research). DOI: 10.3389/fpain.2025.1577193

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Stats NZ information release: Household labour force survey estimated working-age population: March 2025 quarter

    Household labour force survey estimated working-age population: March 2025 quarter – information release

    9 April 2025

    The household labour force survey estimated working-age population table shows the population benchmarks used to produce household labour force survey estimates for the upcoming labour market statistics release.

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: New publishing date for Productivity statistics: 1978?2024

    New publishing date for Productivity
    statistics: 1978–2024

    9 April 2025

    The productivity statistics release due to
    be published on 16 April 2025 has been rescheduled and will now be published
    on 16 May 2025.

    Ends

    For media enquiries contact: Sandi
    Reily, Wellington, 021 285 9191,     media@stats.govt.nz

    The Government Statistician authorises all
    statistics and data we publish.

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    please email     subscriptions@stats.govt.nz.

    Thank you for using the Stats NZ subscription
    service.

    Publishing team

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    publishing@stats.govt.nz

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    More information is available on the Stats
    NZ website at     www.stats.govt.nz

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    us on Twitter

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    us on Facebook  

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Overseas merchandise trade: March 2025 – rescheduled to 22 April 2025

    Overseas merchandise trade: March 2025 – rescheduled to 22 April 2025

    Overseas merchandise trade: March 2025 has been rescheduled for release on Tuesday, 22 April 2025.

    Our release calendar has been updated to reflect the new release date.  

    Ends

    For media enquiries contact: Sandi Reily, Wellington, 021 285 9191, media@stats.govt.nz

    The Government Statistician authorises all statistics and data we publish.

    If you wish to change your details or unsubscribe please email subscriptions@stats.govt.nz.

    Thank you for using the Stats NZ subscription service.

    Publishing team
    +64 4 931 4600
    publishing@stats.govt.nz
    www.stats.govt.nz

    More information is available on the Stats NZ website at www.stats.govt.nz

     Follow us on Twitter

     Like us on Facebook  


    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: US tariffs on Vietnamese imports trigger strategic pivot as growth forecast trimmed to 6.5% for 2025: GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    Following the news that the 10% US import tariff, including a 46% hike specifically targeting Vietnamese goods, will take effect on 09 April 2025;

    Annapurna Pillutla, Analyst, Economic Research at GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company, offers her view:

    “In response to the US tariffs, Vietnam reaffirmed its commitment to fair trade and transparency. Diplomatic engagement has been stepped up, with efforts to negotiate exemptions and clarify Vietnam’s trade and monetary policies. Vietnam is eliminating tariffs on US imports following Trump’s announcement of a 46% levy. Vietnam also proposed zero tariffs on the US goods and requested a delay of 45 days in tariff implementation, aiming for a mutually beneficial agreement.

    “Vietnam’s economy is heavily dependent on the export of goods and services, which constitute nearly 100% of its GDP. In 2024, goods exports to the US amounted to $136.6 billion, representing 30.1% of Vietnam’s GDP. The sharp escalation in tariffs on Vietnamese imports signals a critical juncture in Vietnam-US trade dynamics. Given the US accounts for close to a third of Vietnam’s GDP through goods exports, the latest measures introduce significant downside risks, particularly to export-reliant industries such as textiles and footwear, where cost pressures and competitive positioning are already under strain. “Against this backdrop, GlobalData has revised the forecast of Vietnam’s GDP growth to 6.5% in 2025, down from 6.7%, as demand from one of its largest trading partners softens.

    “This development is expected to fast-track Vietnam’s strategic shift toward economic diversification. Beyond intensified trade negotiations, the government is now likely to double down on initiatives to attract high-value foreign investment, scale up digital capabilities in manufacturing, and strengthen bilateral trade ties with economies in the EU, India, and Latin America. Over time, such moves could reduce Vietnam’s exposure to single-market volatility and set the foundation for more resilient and balanced growth.”

    About GlobalData

    4,000 of the world’s largest companies, including over 70% of FTSE 100 and 60% of Fortune 100 companies, make more timely and better business decisions thanks to GlobalData’s unique data, expert analysis and innovative solutions, all in one platform. GlobalData’s mission is to help our clients decode the future to be more successful and innovative across a range of industries, including the healthcare, consumer, retail, financial, technology and professional services sectors.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Asia-Pacific ministers to tackle urban challenges and shape path for future cities at upcoming UN meet

    Source: United Nations – ESCAP

    Home to over 2.2 billion city dwellers and many of the planet’s largest megacities, Asia and the Pacific is the world’s urban powerhouse. But the region also faces a number of challenges, with population growth slowing and key vulnerabilities, such as economic volatility, climate-related risks and social disparities, requiring integrated sustainable development strategies.
     
    Ministers and other key stakeholders will gather this April at the 81st session of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific to underscore the critical role of regional cooperation in overcoming the challenges faced in cities and advocate shared approaches to realize the ambitions of the global development agendas, including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Paris Agreement and the New Urban Agenda.
     
    Discussions at the session will also be guided by the theme study Urban Transformation in Asia and the Pacific which explores the future of urbanization, focusing on the dynamic shifts in the region’s urban landscape. It highlights the region’s demographic transformations, including population ageing and the persistent challenges of urban poverty and inequality. The analysis covers urban areas of all sizes, from megacities to smaller towns, and emphasizes the need for innovative governance models and sustainable development strategies to meet the region’s unique urban needs.
     
    Various side events and an Urban Innovations Fair will also be held at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok throughout the week.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: University Research – Global infant mortality will rise – in contrast to United Nations projections – Flinders

    Source: Flinders University

    A new report presented in New York on 8 April reveals that current United Nations projections on infant mortality rates are inaccurate.

    The Fragile Futures report says crucial factors missing from current United Nations projections – the impacts of climate change and population on infant mortality – will cause infant mortality to rise and children’s overall health to decline this decade.

    While current United Nations projections predict a continuing decline in infant mortality, new evidence in the Fragile Futures report shows that climate change and population dynamics in the most climate-vulnerable regions will increase infant mortality rates.

    UK-based NGO Population Matters funded the independent Fragile Futures evidence review, conducted by the Future Child Health research team at The Kids Research Institute Australia, with help from The University of Western Australia and Matthew Flinders Professor of Global Ecology Corey Bradshaw from Flinders University in South Australia.

    Representatives from Population Matters and the Future Child Health research team attended the United Nations Commission on Population Development in New York, and presented the Fragile Futures research at a side event (“A Discussion on Child Health and Climate”) on 8 April.

    Report co-author Professor Corey Bradshaw from Flinders University says that evidence revealed in the Fragile Futures report shows that infant mortality is rising.

    “Although United Nations’ projections on infant mortality show a continuing decline to 2100, recent evidence suggests that infant mortality is increasing in several countries, including the United States, France, India, Madagascar, Cambodia, Nepal, and the Philippines.”

    The report also presents evidence that climate change will increase pre-term births. “Rising temperatures are linked to a 60% increase in preterm births, a major contributor to higher rates of infant mortality and health complications later in life even in those children who survive,” says co-author Dr Melinda Judge from The Kids Research Institute Australia and The University of Western Australia.

    “The risk of pre-term birth is already higher in low- and middle-income countries. Sub-Saharan Africa and southern Asia accounted for 65% of all preterm births globally in 2020, and this will increase due to more frequent and persisting heatwaves.”

    Children’s respiratory health is identified as being at increased risk. “Climate change and higher population density also causes more exposure to air pollution, increasing cases of asthma, eczema, and allergies in young children,” says co-author Professor Peter Le Souëf from The University of Western Australia and The Kids Research Institute Australia. “In Africa, air pollution was linked to 449,000 additional infant deaths in 2015.”

    The report shows that preventable deaths of women and newborns are increasing. In 2020, 287,000 women died from preventable pregnancy-related complications, and 80% of newborn deaths were due to preventable and treatable conditions. Investment in sexual and reproductive healthcare saves lives.

    Cuts to international aid budgets are also having an effect on these figures. “The withdrawal of USAID support between 2025 and 2028 is projected to result in 1,200 additional preventable maternal deaths in Afghanistan alone,” says Professor Bradshaw.

    “The total impacts of lost aid on women and children’s health remains unknown – but will be catastrophic without intervention.”

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –