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Category: MIL-Submissions

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Australia – CBA Emergency Assistance for flood affected areas in Queensland and NSW

    Source: Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA)

    Special arrangements are in place to assist customers who may need additional support in flood affected areas in Queensland and NSW.

    Commonwealth Bank will provide its Emergency Assistance to customers and businesses in areas affected by flooding in Queensland and NSW.

    Retail Banking Services Group Executive, Angus Sullivan, said: “We want our customers to know that we are here to help them. We are thinking of everyone in the impacted regions and have several measures in place to support affected customers and employees through this challenging time.

    “We also want to thank the emergency services teams and volunteers who work tirelessly to help keep our communities safe.”

    CBA understands each customer will have different needs and we encourage them to discuss their individual circumstances by either contacting the bank in the CommBank app or phoning 1800 314 695. Business customers can also call 1800 314 695 or speak with their dedicated CommBank relationship manager.

    For more information on the support we’re providing to impacted communities, visit: commbank.com.au/support/emergency-assistance.

    CBA Emergency Assistance includes a range of options for eligible customers, including:

    Customised payment arrangements for home loans, business loans, personal loans and credit cards.
    Waiving fees and charges, including waiving fees for temporary and damaged merchant EFTPOS terminals, as well as support with merchant terminal rental fees.
    Temporary overdrafts, additional loans or emergency credit limit increases (subject to credit approval).
    Waiving fees and notice periods for early access to Term Deposits (including Farm Management Term Deposits).
    Emergency accommodation may be available for customers who have taken out Home Insurance provided by Hollard, distributed by CommBank, subject to making a claim and policy terms and conditions.
    Helping direct claims enquiries for customers seeking support through their Home Insurance provided by Hollard, distributed by CommBank.

    To access this support, customers should contact the bank through the CommBank app. Alternatively, they can call 1800 314 695. Branch availability and further information about CBA’s Emergency Assistance is available online at commbank.com.au/support/emergency-assistance.

    For emergency help call the State Emergency Service on 132 500 or visit your State Emergency Service Website

    Queensland: ses.gov.qld.au
    NSW: ses.nsw.gov.au

    In a life-threatening emergency call 000 (triple zero).

    During this time customers should also remain vigilant and be extra cautious of unexpected calls or messages claiming to be from well-known organisations including banks, telecommunications companies and government agencies.

    CommBank will never send customers links in text messages directing them to sites that ask for passwords, and customers should never click on any of these they receive.

    If customers receive an unexpected call claiming to be from CommBank, they should ask the caller to verify the legitimacy of the call by using CallerCheck which triggers a security message in the CommBank App.

    How customers can better protect themselves from scams

    • Stop: Does a call, email or text seem off? The best thing to do is stop. Take a breath. Real organisations won’t put you under pressure to act instantly.
    • Check: Ask someone you trust or contact the organisation the message claims to be from.
    • Reject: If you’re unsure, hang up on the caller, delete the email, block the phone number.
    • Change your passwords.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Energy – Johan Castberg strengthens Norway as a long-term energy exporter – Equinor

    Source: Equinor

    31 March, at 10.35, the Johan Castberg oil field in the Barents Sea came on stream. The field will be producing for 30 years and bolsters Norway’s role as a reliable and long-term supplier of energy.

    At peak, Johan Castberg can produce 220,000 barrels of oil per day, and recoverable volumes are estimated at between 450 and 650 million barrels.

    “This is a red-letter day.The Johan Castberg field will contribute crucial energy, value creation, ripple effects and jobs for at least 30 years to come. We expect that this major field development with a price tag of NOK 86 billion (2024) will be repaid in less than two years,” says Geir Tungesvik, Equinor’s executive vice president for Projects, Drilling and Procurement.

    12 of the 30 total wells are ready for production, and this is sufficient to bring the field up to expected plateau production in the second quarter of 2025.

    “Johan Castberg opens a new region for oil recovery and will create more opportunities in the Barents Sea. We’ve already made new discoveries in the area and will keep exploring together with our partners. We’ve identified options to add 250-550 million new recoverable barrels that can be developed and produced over Johan Castberg,” says Kjetil Hove, Equinor’s executive vice president for Exploration & Production Norway.

    The Norwegian supplier industry has accounted for more than 70 per cent of deliveries to the project during the development phase. In operation, this will increase to more than 95 per cent, with a Northern Norwegian share of more than 40 per cent. One of three employees on board the FPSO lives in Northern Norway. 84 per cent of the revenue from the field will be transferred to the Norwegian state through tax and the state’s direct participating interest.

    The field’s supply base and helicopter base are in Hammerfest and will be operated from Equinor’s office in Harstad. A total of 30 wells will be drilled on the Johan Castberg field, and drilling operations are expected to continue towards late 2026, which will yield significant activity in Hammerfest.

    “Johan Castberg has been a massive and challenging project, and I want to extend my very sincere thanks to everyone who contributed on the road leading to first oil and operation, both our partners Vår Energi and Petoro, our suppliers and our own employees. 79 million hours of work have been recorded in the project, and the HSE results are very good. Now the field will produce for 30 years and generate substantial values,” Tungesvik says.

    Facts about Johan Castberg

    • Licensees: Equinor Energy AS (operator) 46.3%, Vår Energi ASA 30%, Petoro AS 23.7%.
    • The Johan Castberg field consists of the Skrugard, Havis and Drivis discoveries, which were made between 2011 and 2014.
    • Location: Johan Castberg is located approx. 100 kilometres north of the Snøhvit field in the Barents Sea in blocks 7219/9 and 7220/4,5,7 approximately 150 km from Goliat and around 240 km from Melkøya. The water depth is 360-390 metres, and Skrugard and Havis are 7 km apart.
    • Johan Castberg is the second oil field in the Barents Sea and Norway’s northernmost field.
    • The field development is based on a production vessel tied back to an extensive subsea field with a total of 30 wells distributed between 10 well templates and two satellite structures.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Business Tech – LTIMindtree Announces Strategic Partnership with Google Cloud to drive Business Transformation with Agentic AI

    Source: LTIMindtree

    LTIMindtree will develop new industry-specific solutions to drive broad-based GenAI adoption

    MUMBAI, India – LTIMindtree [NSE: LTIM, BSE: 540005], a global technology consulting and digital solutions company, today announced the expansion of its global strategic partnership with Google Cloud. As a part of this collaboration, LTIMindtree will leverage offerings powered by Google Cloud technology using Agentic AI to boost business growth and redefine cloud landscape for clients worldwide. Using Gemini models, along with other innovative Google Cloud technologies, LTIMindtree will collaboratively develop industry-specific solutions to drive broad-based GenAI adoption.

    Through this collaboration, LTIMindtree aims to build a green corridor for solution development, with market development initiatives, go-to-market (GTM) strategies, and comprehensive training for its workforce. This collaboration will also enable LTIMindtree to design cutting-edge proof of concepts, and pilots tailored to specific customer use cases. Additionally, the alliance will enable LTIMindtree to deliver market-leading solutions that help enterprises maximize the ROI from their cloud investments while modernizing their infrastructure and data stack.

    Under this strategic collaboration, LTIMindtree will leverage its deep domain expertise, combined with Google Cloud’s advanced AI platforms like Vertex AI, to create innovative solutions tailored for the BFSI, Manufacturing, Hi-Tech Media and Entertainment, Retail and CPG industries. It will accelerate the adoption of emerging AI-driven technologies and create unique value propositions for clients as they receive early access to the new offerings. The collaboration will also lead to rapid deployment of services and comprehensive support to clients, enhancing overall customer satisfaction. Furthermore, LTIMindtree will have access to additional resources from Google Cloud to build new solutions, leading to faster time-to-market.

    Nachiket Deshpande, President – Global AI Services, Strategic Deals, Partnerships and Whole Time Director, LTIMindtree said, “Our partnership with Google Cloud marks a significant milestone in our journey towards innovation and growth. By combining our strengths, we are poised to deliver unparalleled value to our customers and drive transformative change in the cloud ecosystem.”

    “Generative AI has the power to increase business efficiencies and transform how organizations operate,” said Kevin Ichhpurani, President, Global Partner Organization, Google Cloud. “With LTIMindtree’s expertise and Google Cloud’s leading AI technology, customers can deploy powerful solutions that solve industry challenges and significantly improve business performance.”

    LTIMindtree will set up a dedicated team of talented professionals with deep expertise across a broad range of Google Cloud technologies and services to support this alliance effort. The long-term objective of the partnership is to ensure seamless implementation of Google Cloud products and solutions for customers and help them drive consistent value and growth out of it.

    For more information on LTIMindtree’s collaboration with Google Cloud, please visit this link: https://www.ltimindtree.com/enterprise-solutions/gcp/

    About LTIMindtree:
    LTIMindtree is a global technology consulting and digital solutions company that enables enterprises across industries to reimagine business models, accelerate innovation, and maximize growth by harnessing digital technologies. As a digital transformation partner to more than 700 clients, LTIMindtree brings extensive domain and technology expertise to help drive superior competitive differentiation, customer experiences, and business outcomes in a converging world. Powered by 86,000+ talented and entrepreneurial professionals across more than 40 countries, LTIMindtree — a Larsen & Toubro Group company — solves the most complex business challenges and delivers transformation at scale. For more information, please visit www.ltimindtree.com.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Africa’s Business Heroes Launches 2025 Call for Applications, Building on Unprecedented Momentum

    SOURCE: Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH)

    Beyond funding, ABH finalists gain unparalleled media exposure and access to an exclusive network of Africa’s top business leaders, investors and fellow entrepreneurs
    KIGALI, Rwanda, March 31, 2025/ — Following the success of its 6th Summit and Grand Finale held in Kigali, Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH)  (www.AfricaBusinessHeroes.org) – the Jack Ma Foundation’s flagship philanthropic initiative in Africa – is proud to announce the launch of its 2025 Call for Applications. This year, ABH is building on its momentum to deepen its impact across the continent by actively encouraging applications from typically underrepresented regions in entrepreneurship competitions, including Francophone and Central Africa.
    In 2024, ABH saw a historic level of diversity:

    39% of applicants were women, with 60% of the Top 10 finalists being female entrepreneurs.
    For the first time, a Top 10 finalist hailed from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) – a powerful milestone for Central Africa.
    And in another first, a Francophone entrepreneur – Henri Ousmane Gueye from Senegal – won the Grand Prize, marking a major moment for Francophone Africa.

    Now in its 7th edition, ABH continues its mission to spotlight and support exceptional African entrepreneurs who are creating positive impact in their communities.

    Why Apply? Unmatched Benefits for African Entrepreneurs

    Winning a spot among the ABH finalists unlocks the resources and support needed to elevate a business. The Top 10 finalists share $1.5 million in grant funding, with the grand prize winner receiving $300,000, the first runner-up $250,000, and the second runner-up $150,000. The remaining finalists each secure $100,000, plus an additional $100,000 for global immersion training.

    Beyond funding, ABH finalists gain unparalleled media exposure and access to an exclusive network of Africa’s top business leaders, investors and fellow entrepreneurs. This community enables high-level networking and collaboration as well as mentorship and strategic insights to help scale their ventures.

    Throughout the competition, they also receive valuable feedback from seasoned professionals, strengthening their business acumen, storytelling and long-term growth trajectory.

    A Testament to Resilience and Perseverance

    ABH Managing Director for Africa, Zahra Baitie-Boateng, emphasized the resilience needed to succeed in entrepreneurship, highlighting two standout examples from the 2024 competition. “Henri Ousmane Gueye from Senegal won the Grand Prize on his third attempt, and Alexander Odhiambo from Kenya, our second runner-up, applied twice before reaching the Top 10. Their journeys are a powerful reminder that success at ABH isn’t just about taking home the prize. It’s about resilience – the courage to keep showing up, to learn, to grow and to keep believing in your vision even when the odds are tough. That’s the true spirit of entrepreneurship, and exactly what ABH celebrates.”

    Eligibility Criteria

    ABH welcomes applications from entrepreneurs across all sectors and African countries. To qualify, applicants must be the founder or co-founder of a business that is registered, headquartered, and primarily operating in Africa. They must be African citizens or direct descendants and have at least three years of revenue with proven market traction.

    Application Process

    The ABH competition offers valuable learning opportunities at every stage. Judges rigorously review applications in the first round, selecting the Top 50 based on merit. These finalists then face in-depth interviews with seasoned business leaders, who assess their potential and narrow the pool to the Top 20.

    Following due diligence on the Top 20, they are announced and advance to the Semi-Final, where they pitch in person to a distinguished panel. Judges then select the Top 10, who compete in the Grand Finale’s live pitch competition to determine the winners of the $1.5 million grant funding.

    How to Apply

    Entrepreneurs eager to seize this opportunity can begin their journey by registering (https://apo-opa.co/4lc6DNy) an ABH account and confirming their eligibility. The application requires them to articulate their personal vision, business model and future plans, alongside submitting a reference and a video introduction. Aspiring business leaders across Africa are invited to take this bold step toward funding, mentorship and unparalleled exposure.

    About Africa’s Business Heroes:
    The Africa’s Business Heroes prize competition is the flagship philanthropic initiative spearheaded by the Jack Ma Foundation aimed at supporting and inspiring the next generation of African entrepreneurs across all sectors who are building a more sustainable and inclusive economy for the future of the continent. Over a 10-year period, ABH will recognize 100 African entrepreneurs and commit to allocating grant funding, training programs, and support for the development of an entrepreneurial ecosystem. Each year, the ABH prize competition and show features 10 Finalists as they pitch their business to win a share of US$1.5 million in grant money. Jack Ma, founder of Alibaba Group and the Jack Ma Foundation, created the prize after he made his first trip to Africa in 2017 and was inspired by the energy and entrepreneurial potential of the young people he met with there.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Geopolitical Risks and Trade Conflicts: How Resilient is the Swiss Economy? – KOF

    Source: KOF Economic Institute

    Since the new U.S. administration took office, geopolitical risks and international trade conflicts have significantly intensified. KOF has examined the risks and possible consequences for the Swiss economy. The findings show: trade conflicts can lead to declines in Swiss gross domestic product (GDP), ranging from fractions of a percent to over one percent per year on a sustained basis. In the case of severe and prolonged trade conflicts, the economy could fall into a recession.

    In their KOF Working Paper “Resilience of Small Open Economies to Geopolitical Shocks: The Case of Switzerland,” Hans Gersbach, Paul Maxence Maunoir, and Kieran James Walsh examine various scenarios concerning the risks to the Swiss economy arising from trade conflicts and its consequences. “The Swiss economy is both resilient and vulnerable,” summarizes Hans Gersbach, Co-Director of KOF Swiss Economic Institute, reflecting on the study’s findings.

    Although the Swiss economy is relatively resilient to the effects of geopolitical shocks, it is also quite vulnerable in the event of intense and prolonged trade conflicts. In such cases, permanent losses of around one percent of GDP per year are possible. In some scenarios, additional effects (so-called “second-layer” effects) can further amplify these losses. If severe trade conflicts were to arise between the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, as well as between the U.S. and Europe, there would be a clear risk of recession for several countries, including Switzerland.

    Two-Stage Process for Analysis

    To examine the resilience of the Swiss economy, the authors employed a two-step approach. The impact of geopolitical disruptions on international trade in goods and services for Switzerland and other countries is analyzed using the new “KOF Trade Model”. This model is a modern quantitative general equilibrium model of global trade networks. It captures the effects of relative price and demand changes resulting from tariffs, how companies respond in their production of goods and services, and feedback effects on all market participants.

    However, a number of further effects—such as downward amplification, structural changes in investment activity, further nominal exchange rate fluctuations, or product-specific supply chain disruptions—are not included in the model. Depending on the scenario, these second-layer effects may have minor, significant, or major implications. They must therefore be considered for a comprehensive assessment.

    In (Almost) All Scenarios, the Economy Suffers Losses

    The Swiss economy is particularly vulnerable if the U.S. administration imposes tariffs on imports from all countries, including key sectors of the Swiss economy. These sectors would include the pharmaceutical industry, mechanical engineering, and precision instruments for instance. If this scenario were to occur, the Swiss economy would be the most affected of all countries on the European mainland. If the European Union (EU) responded to broad U.S. import tariffs with comprehensive countermeasures, also against Switzerland, significant losses could arise—potentially exceeding 1% of GDP.

    However, in both scenarios, the economies of the U.S. and major countries in the EU would suffer similarly or even more. Therefore, such comprehensive tariff wars are difficult for these countries to sustain in the long term and are not considered the most likely scenario. Should critical raw materials or computer chips become unavailable due to geopolitical tensions, or if there were a rapid policy-driven decoupling between a Western sphere (including Switzerland) and a sphere centered around China, major disruptions would be expected. Such a decoupling could even lead to a global economic crisis.

    Conclusion

    Our results provide a foundation for discussion on how the economic resilience of Switzerland can be strengthened and what role the state should play in this process. Key policy levers include free trade agreements to promote diversification and risk mitigation, conditions to ensure supply security, and the government’s contribution to a resilient innovation system.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Australia – New Books – The Edge of Everything by MIRANDA LUBY

    An authentic and heartwarming YA novel that asks big questions from the author of Sadie Starr’s Guide to Starting Over

    A grieving girl trying to make sense of the randomness of life, an injured bird and a delicate love triangle When a rare and highly endangered bird flies into Lucy’s bedroom window, she feels it’s a sign. Of what, she’s not exactly sure, but maybe it means she’ll get her life back on track after the sudden death of her brother a year ago.

    Maybe she’ll find some meaning in the randomness of existence and work out her place in it all. Maybe she’ll find a way to stop the wild stunts she’s been pulling with Jacinta just to keep her thoughts from spiralling for a few moments.

    She takes the injured bird to a local wildlife sanctuary, and there she meets Ben. He’s cute, a tiny bit flirty, and he cares as much about the bird’s survival as Lucy does. He could be the distraction she needs. But when unrelated events collide, Lucy realises things are not going to be that simple.

    Miranda Luby’s second novel is a heartfelt portrayal of grief, a tender romance, and a tribute to a very special Australian bird. A celebration of life in all its randomness and wonder.

    Miranda Luby is an author, journalist, copywriter and animal-lover living on Victoria’s Surf Coast. She has won several awards for her short stories, and her journalism features in publications such as National Geographic, BBC Travel and the New York Post. Miranda was shortlisted for the Text Prize for her debut novel, Sadie Starr’s Guide to Starting Over.

    29 APRIL 2025
    YA Fiction
    Paperback, 320pp
    AU $22.99 / NZ $26.00
    ISBN 9781923058330

    Praise for Miranda Luby

    ‘Devastating, honest, surprisingly funny and hopeful. I loved it from the first page.’ – Megan Williams on The Edge of Everything 
    ‘This beautiful and touching story teaches us so many things… Heartwarming, sad, and happy, but most of all a really good read.’ – GLAM Adelaide on Sadie Starr’s Guide to Starting Over

    ‘The characters reveal themselves to be incredibly nuanced…A realistic portrayal of teenage friendship and growth. An enjoyable and enlightening read!’ – Good Reading on Sadie Starr’s Guide to Starting Over.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Africa – Violence and Cholera ravage Northeastern South Sudan, Impacting Western Ethiopia with Outbreak and Refugee Influx – MSF

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

    31st March: A humanitarian crisis is rapidly unfolding on both sides of the South Sudan-Ethiopia border, as escalating violence, displacement and a widespread cholera outbreak are pushing communities to the brink, Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) warns.

    Clashes between government forces and armed groups, which initially began in Upper Nile State, now risk spreading to other parts of the country, while across the border, Ethiopia’s Gambella region is experiencing the effects of this violence. According to the United Nations, approximately 10,000 displaced people have crossed into Ethiopia since the beginning of March.

    “We have already witnessed how this violence has fuelled the spread of cholera in several areas, but a larger, escalating conflict could push the entire country into an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe,” says Zakaria Mwatia, MSF Head of Mission in South Sudan. “We urgently call on all parties to the conflict to ensure the protection of civilians, healthcare workers, and medical facilities, and to grant unhindered access for humanitarian and medical assistance, in line with international humanitarian law.”

    South Sudan has been grappling with cholera outbreaks across various parts of the country since last year. The latest wave, which began in Upper Nile State, is now spreading further into neighbouring Jonglei state, the Greater Pibor Administrative Area, and across the border into Ethiopia’s Gambella region, where MSF teams are working to treat patients amid the surge in cases.

    In Upper Nile State, MSF is treating those wounded in the violence and supporting cholera treatment facilities in Ulang, Malakal and Renk counties. In Jonglei State, MSF is responding in Lankien as well as in Akobo, where a 100-bed cholera treatment unit set up by MSF in Akobo County Hospital has treated over 300 patients in just over two weeks. MSF is also responding in Pibor town in the Greater Pibor Administrative area. Since the beginning of March, MSF teams have treated over 1,000 cholera patients across South Sudan and received over 30 patients wounded in the violence.

    Ruach Riek Chuol was admitted to MSF hospital in Ulang with injuries he sustained in the violence. “My goods and property for my business were all burned inside the house,” he says. “Everything was destroyed in the fire, including the house where I was.”

    In Ethiopia’s Gambella region, MSF in collaboration with the Ministry of Health has treated over 560 cholera patients since the start of the response in early March, in its Cholera Treatment Centre and units (CTC/CTUs) in Mattar, Moan and Burbeiye with a capacity of 100 beds. MSF is also running oral rehydration points and conducting water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) and community-based activities including door-to-door cholera awareness and water purification efforts, reaching over 5,000 people across multiple locations. In addition to cholera treatment, MSF teams have also provided medical care to 160 patients wounded in the clashes in South Sudan.

    “I came here because back home in Nasir, people are being killed,” said a South Sudanese mother who recently arrived in Burbeiye, Ethiopia. “There was nothing to eat, and when we arrived at the areas where we took respite, my kids became sick. There were no health facilities that we could run to.”

    The situation is rapidly deteriorating as thousands fleeing violence in South Sudan are crossing the border to seek safety. In Wanthoa Woreda, a new encampment in Burbeiye has emerged almost overnight, with over 6,500 new arrivals reported by local administrators — many of them women, children, and the elderly, arriving after days of travel.

    “The displaced people are arriving in Gambella with little more than what they can carry,” said Joshua Eckley, MSF Head of Mission in Ethiopia. “Our teams are responding to the cholera outbreak and providing care to those arriving exhausted and in poor condition. There are significant needs, and without additional support, the situation could worsen.”

    This crisis comes at a time when South Sudan and Ethiopia are facing major reductions in donor funding, including the recent USAID cuts. While MSF does not accept funding from the US government, the cuts in the humanitarian and health assistance would severely reduce capacity of other organisations to respond to such crises.

    “In places like Akobo in Jonglei State, the cholera response has been highly impacted by funding cuts, including closure of critical health services,” says Zakaria. “A number of mobile clinics have already shut down following US funding cuts, and some organisations that supported health facilities, including cholera treatment units, have suspended all activities. This is part of a broader trend across the country.”

    The healthcare system in South Sudan suffers from chronic underfunding, shortages of skilled health staff, medicines and supplies, and has limited capacity to respond to emergencies. The country, already struggling to meet its own medical and humanitarian needs, is further burdened by the arrival of over one million people fleeing war in neighbouring Sudan. Urgent support is needed to provide safe water, implement widespread cholera vaccination campaigns, and reinforce treatment capacity for both cholera patients and trauma cases.

    “Disruptions in cholera treatment services, combined with reduced actors’ capacity to support oral vaccination campaigns, heighten the risk of further spread. We urge donors to allocate emergency funds for emergency response in South Sudan and neighbouring Ethiopia amid this escalating crisis,” Zakaria adds.

    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: Australia – Fairness and the rule of law must underpin election commitments – Law Council

    Source: Law Council of Australia

    As parties and individuals seeking election finalise the policies they will take to the people in the lead up to the Federal polls, the Law Council of Australia is calling on them to prioritise protection of the rule of law, promote the administration of justice, support the exercise of rights under the law and commit to the principles of good law making.

    “Today we release our 2025 Federal Election Call to Parties. We wholeheartedly believe the recommendations made in this document can make Australia a fairer and more just society,” Law Council of Australia President, Juliana Warner said.
     
    “The Law Council is seeking a commitment from candidates to improve access to justice for all Australians by providing vital, and long overdue, funding for legal assistance services. These services are relied upon by Australians to help to resolve family law disputes, remove themselves from harm, enforce their employment rights, defend themselves against charges, or make sure they have a roof over their head.
     
    “The Law Council is particularly calling on those seeking election to establish a financially sustainable model of grants of legal aid to private practitioners, including Independent Children’s Lawyers, to ensure they can continue to deliver high-quality legal assistance services across Australia.
     
    “Around 72 per cent of legal aid approved matters – more than 100,000 cases – are provided by private practitioners, the majority of whom are working in very small businesses. But these lawyers and small businesses are at breaking point, and many are considering walking away from legal aid work unless rates are raised to more sustainable levels.  
     
    “The level of unmet legal need continues to rise as a result of funding failures. Sadly, those most harmed by these failures are the most vulnerable members of our community, including children, First Nations people, people with disability and older Australians.
     
    “In particular, people living in rural, regional and remote parts of Australia can find it difficult to access a lawyer when they need one. To assist with this growing crisis, the Law Council is proposing a HELP debt relief incentive that we believe can help bring more lawyers to where they are needed.”
     
    The Law Council’s Call to Parties offers considered proposals on a range of other challenges facing Australia today.
     
    “Our next Government must adopt an approach to criminal justice reform that is evidence-based and consistent with the rule of law and Australia’s international human rights obligations,” Ms Warner said.
     
    “This should include national leadership on child justice in line with the recommendations of the National Children’s Commissioner; raising the minimum age of criminal responsibility at the federal level to 14 years; repealing all Commonwealth provisions imposing mandatory minimum periods of imprisonment; and in line with the recent Budget commitment, the establishment of a Commonwealth Parole Board.
     
    “The Law Council is also seeking a commitment to ensuring that our laws are operating as intended – supported by appropriately resourced services – when it comes to protecting and supporting those experiencing family violence.
     
    “The responses we are seeking also include the establishment of a Federal Judicial Commission, further privacy reforms, careful improvements to the regulation of artificial intelligence technology, and the introduction of a federal Human Rights Act.
     
    “Each of the reform measures we are calling for must be underpinned by a commitment to proper consultation with relevant stakeholders.
       
    “Good lawmaking depends on robust and transparent consultation processes. The Law Council is concerned that legislative reform processes are increasingly rushed and lack transparency or public scrutiny. This impacts the efficacy, accuracy and appropriateness of potential reforms. It also undermines the participation of civil society and may erode democratic culture and decision making.
     
    “The Law Council will be asking parties and independent candidates for formal responses to each of the recommendations contained in its Call to Parties, which we will share with the profession and public.”

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: EU/Central Asia: Authorities must safeguard civil society space for genuine progress – Amnesty International

    Source: Amnesty International

    Protecting human rights and safeguarding civil society in Central Asian countries must be at the heart of the first ever EU-Central Asia Summit, scheduled to take place in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on 3-4 April, Amnesty International said today.

    “Central Asia stands at a pivotal moment as the European Union seeks to deepen its political and economic engagement with the region. Long-term progress depends not only on diplomacy, investment and trade – it also requires respect for human rights and space for civil society to develop and operate freely and without fear,” Marie Struthers, Amnesty International’s Eastern Europe and Central Asia Director, said.

    “The overall situation in the region remains concerning. Authorities maintain tight control over the media and civil society, suppress dissent, peaceful assembly, and freedom of association, and consistently fail to carry out human rights due diligence – that is, they do not take adequate steps to identify, prevent, and respond to potential human rights violations linked to their actions, laws or policies.”

    Earlier this month, Kazakhstan signed a memorandum of understanding with the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) in which it agreed to use the ECtHR’s rulings as guidance in Kazakhstan’s domestic legal system. Meanwhile, Kyrgyzstan is seeking to strengthen the role of the Ombudsperson’s office, critical for ensuring that state bodies do not use their powers to curtail human rights, and Uzbekistan has achieved visible progress in addressing the issue of forced labour in the cotton industry.

    However, even in countries demonstrating positive steps, recent trends are disturbing. In Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, authorities routinely suppress the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and crack down on independent media.

    Several Central Asian governments have adopted legislation and policies under the guise of protecting “traditional values” that restrict human rights and target marginalized groups. In Kyrgyzstan, a lawmodelled on Russia’s “foreign agent” legislation has since 2024 imposed onerous requirements on foreign-funded NGOs, leading to closures and self-censorship. Authorities across the region have also used similar rhetoric to justify violations of the rights of LGBTI people, who face discrimination, lack of protection from violence and restrictions on their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.

    “Across Central Asia, Eastern Europe and in the European Union (EU), government responses to concerns about national security or public morality have led to increased repression. Wherever “foreign agent” legislation has been enacted, it has led to the stigmatization of NGOs, the intimidation of activists and the slow suffocation of a vibrant civil society,” Marie Struthers said.

    “If Central Asian governments and the EU, its institutions and national governments are truly committed to human rights, the path forward lies not in stifling civil society but in empowering it – by committing to human rights due diligence, fostering open dialogue, building trust between the state and the public and ensuring a safe environment for civil society to thrive. The European Union and Central Asian governments must ensure that human rights remain a core pillar of their enhanced cooperation.”

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Energy Sector – Equinor industrialising plugging operations on the Norwegian continental shelf

    Source: Equinor

    28 MARCH 2025 – Island Drilling Company AS has been awarded a three-year contract for well plugging on Equinor-operated fields on the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS) using the Island Innovator semi-submersible rig. In addition, the oil service companies Archer Oiltools and Baker Hughes Norge have won framework agreements for plugging services.

    Island Innovator is a mobile rig specially designed for well plugging. The Norwegian rig company will now be on assignment for Equinor for several years, start-up scheduled for early 2026.

    The contract, worth an estimated near USD 330 million, also carries five one-year options. The scope of work under the contract includes mobilisation, planned upgrading and certain integrated drilling services.

    “We will drill 600 improved oil recovery wells and about 250 exploration wells to maintain our production on the NCS towards 2035. At the same time, many wells will be permanently securely plugged. This rig provides us with a tool specially designed for plugging operations. The initial plan is a three-year work programme, but we do not rule out utilising the rig for operations also in the longer term,” says Erik G. Kirkemo, Equinor’s senior vice president for drilling & well.

    According to the plan Island Innovator will permanently plug 15 to 20 wells annually for a total of nine licences. These wells will no longer be used for oil or gas production. The rig will plug subsea wells at Heidrun, Snorre and Norne, among others.

    In addition to the Island Innovator contract Equinor has awarded framework agreements to the oil service companies Archer Oiltools and Baker Hughes Norge for full-range delivery of plugging services with a duration of three years, with two two-year options.

    Total work related to integrated plugging services over the next seven years is estimated at a combined value of about NOK 3.5 billion. Archer Oiltools has also been assigned responsibility for planning plugging operations for 26 wells to be plugged from Island Innovator, in addition to options to perform the work.

    “Through these contracts the suppliers are involved at an early stage and get a greater responsibility for planning the plugging operations, closely monitored by Equinor, who has the overall responsibility. We facilitate the industrialisation of safe and efficient plugging operations, ensuring continuous improvements together. This is about ensuring quality and reducing costs for work that will gradually increase on the NCS in the future,” says Mette H. Ottøy, Equinor’s chief procurement officer.

    Facts about well plugging

    Equinor is currently the operator of more than 1400 production and injection wells on the NCS. Equinor and the partners aim to ensure optimal resource exploitation and productive life from each individual well. Continuous efforts are underway to extend the productive life of the fields on stream.

    As far as possible, old wells are reused. This means that part of the well is plugged before drilling to new targets from the existing wellhead, a process known as slot recovery. This saves drilling costs and increases production.

    All wells will be permanently plugged before the fields are decommissioned. Up to 2030, the plan is to permanently plug about 80 subsea wells using mobile rigs, and 90 platform wells. In addition, an average of around 45 wells are plugged annually for reuse. From 2035 to 2045, a larger wave of permanent plugging is expected.

    Facts about decommissioning

    On fields where production is shut down and wells have been plugged, the installations will largely be removed from the field. Equinor currently has four ongoing decommissioning projects as operator. At Veslefrikk and Heimdal the wells have been plugged, and production is shut down, and the installations will be removed from the field during 2025-2027.

    On Oseberg East and Statfjord A (SFA) production shutdown is planned, and well plugging has started on SFA. On Oseberg East similar operations start in 2026 and the contract award for the work is approaching. The SFA platform will be removed in one single lift using the world’s biggest heavy-lift vessel. This will be the heaviest lift ever performed.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Asia Pacific – At UN, CSI calls for land rights of indigenous peoples of West Papua to be protected

    Source: Christian Solidarity International

    Watch the statement here:

    https://youtu.be/YxrbHfDerx8

    The indigenous peoples of West Papua face renewed threats to their land rights, Christian Solidarity International (CSI) warned at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva on March 28.

    In an oral statement delivered during the 58th Session, CSI’s Abigail McDougal recalled that since assuming office last fall, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto had announced a revival of the government’s transmigration program to settle non-indigenous people in the province of West Papua. In addition, he had authorized the creation of two million hectares of new rice and sugar plantations, and a 50 percent increase in production capacity at the region’s Tangguh liquid natural gas facility.

    “These projects threaten not only the third largest rainforest in the world and one of the most biodiverse regions on the planet, but also the land that the indigenous peoples of West Papua call home,” CSI’s Deputy Director of Public Policy and Communications stated. According to Amnesty International, the resulting environmental degradation would pose an “existential threat to the people of West Papua.”

    The planned projects would entail an increased military presence in West Papua, which has been subjected to military occupation for decades. This “is particularly concerning,” McDougal said, “as Indonesia’s parliament last week amended the country’s military law, removing checks on the military’s power.”

    West Papua is the easternmost region of modern-day Indonesia. While Indonesia is the largest Muslim-majority country in the world, the indigenous peoples of West Papua are almost completely Christian.

    West Papua was made a colony of the Netherlands in 1898, and was administered separately from Dutch-ruled Indonesia. It was only handed over to Indonesia in 1962, thirteen years after Indonesia became independent. This decision provoked widespread protests and an independence movement that continues until today.

    With more than 79,000 West Papuans already internally displaced by military operations, protecting Papuans’ land ownership is an urgent imperative, McDougal said.

    The UN’s 2021 Durban Declaration and Program of Action on combating racism calls on states “to ensure that indigenous peoples are able to retain ownership of their lands and of those natural resources to which they are entitled under domestic law,” she recalled.

    “Christian Solidarity International calls on the government of Indonesia to halt its transmigration program in West Papua, protect indigenous land rights, and allow international rights monitors to enter the region,” McDougal concluded.

    The Indonesian delegation responded to CSI’s statement during the general debate, stating that they “reject the allegation that the Indonesian people in the six provinces of Papua are subjected to…discrimination” and pledging to “continue dialogue with all stakeholders, including with the local communities, to ensure their voices are heard.”

    Reacting to the Indonesian delegation’s reply, CSI’s Director for Public Advocacy, Joel Veldkamp, said, “There could not be a greater contrast between the Indonesian government’s assurances at the Human Rights Council, and what we hear from our friends in West Papua – that Indonesian government-led projects cause them to fear for the very survival of their people.”

    “We reiterate our call to the government of Indonesia to halt its destructive campaigns in West Papua.”

    Christian Solidarity International (CSI) is a Christian human rights organization promoting religious liberty and human dignity.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Economy – KOF Economic Barometer increases in March

    Source: KOF Economic Institute

    The KOF Economic Barometer rises in March after a decline in the previous month. It continues to remain above its medium-term average since the beginning of the year. The outlook for the Swiss Economy remains robust.

    In March, the KOF Economic Barometer increases by 1.3 points to a level of 103.9 (after revised 102.6 in February). The production-side indicator bundles included in the Barometer reflect these positive developments. In particular, the indicator bundles for manufacturing, for other services, and for the construction industry indicate a more favourable outlook than before. The demand-side indicator bundles for private consumption also increase, while the indicator bundles for foreign demand remain unaltered.

    Within the producing industry (manufacturing and construction), the indicator bundles for the general business situation, for order backlogs, and for production activity show positive developments. The indicator bundles for stockpiling of intermediate goods, however, are under pressure. The majority of the other indicator bundles for the sub-aspects of business activity remain mostly unaltered this month.

    The sub-indicators of the manufacturing industry show mixed developments. While the sub-indicators for the wood, glass, stone and earth segment and the electrical industry are weakening, the outlook for the segments of paper and printing products, machinery and equipment manufacturing, and the chemical and pharmaceutical industry is brightening.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Stats NZ information release: New Zealand cohort life tables: March 2025 update

    Source: Statistics New Zealand

    New Zealand cohort life tables: March 2025 update – 28 March 2025 – Cohort life tables track the mortality experience of people born in each year from 1876.

    Key facts
    Cohort life tables give the most authoritative measure of life expectancy, because they follow the mortality and survival of each birth cohort (people born in a specific year) at each age until death of the last survivor.

    Projections of remaining mortality enable a cohort life table to be completed when a birth cohort still has people alive. The results are based on National population projections: 2022(base)–2073.

    Life expectancy from the latest cohort life tables show that newborn:

    • boys born in the late 1870s (the earliest data available) could expect to live to around 51 years on average, and girls to around 55 years
    • boys born in the early 1960s (who are reaching 65-years-old) could expect to live to around 79 years on average, and girls to around 83 years
    • boys born in the early 2020s (the latest data available) could expect to live to around 88 years on average, and girls to around 91 years.

    Files:

     

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Stats NZ information release: Employment indicators: February 2025

    Source: Statistics New Zealand

    Employment indicators: February 2025 – 28 March 2025 – Employment indicators provide an early indication of changes in the labour market.

    Key facts
    Changes in the seasonally adjusted filled jobs for the February 2025 month (compared with the January 2025 month) were:

    • all industries – flat (up 1,157 jobs) to 2.36 million filled jobs
    • primary industries – up 1.0 percent (1,064 jobs)
    • goods-producing industries – down 0.3 percent (1,130 jobs)
    • service industries – flat (up 313 jobs).

    Files:

     

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Australia – Refugee, migrant communities missing out on gender violence support – study

    Source: AMES

    Emerging refugee and migrant communities in Australia are being left behind when it comes to resources to tackle the scourge of gender-based violence, a survey of community leaders has found.

    A focus group of 30 community leaders in 21 key cohort migrant and refugee groups say their communities are not getting support to combat gender violence.

    Half (50 per cent) of the community leaders surveyed said women in their communities did not have adequate access to access to information on gender violence, prevention campaigns, legal rights and early intervention strategies. Thirty per cent said women in their communities had access to just “a little” information.

    Fifty-three per cent of leader said women in their communities did not have adequate access to gender violence survivor support services and 57 per cent said their communities had worse access to solutions to gender violence than the broader community.

    When it came to finding refuge in the event of gender violence, 57 per cent of leader said women in the communities had no access and 10 per cent had “some” access, while 34 per cent said there was access or at least “some” access.

    However, most (80 per cent) community leaders said informal support was available to gender violence survivors within their communities.

    Talking about gender-based violence is also an issue for many dovers communities, the survey found with 47 per cent saying conversations were “difficult”. Thirty per cent said the conversations were “somewhat difficult,” 10 per cent said they were “somewhat easy” and 13 per cent said they were “easy”.

    Most (53 per cent) community leaders said that gender-based violence was not becoming more prevalent but only 23 per cent said it was becoming less prevalent.

    Asked to identify the drivers of gender-based violence, the community leaders identified fiver factors: Financial stress/poverty (63 per cent); Effects of displacement (47 per cent); Trauma/life experience (43 per cent); Male cultural dominance (37 per cent); Alcohol/substance abuse: (27 per cent).

    The survey generated several recommendations, including a need for more in-language information for communities about how to access support and create agency in the prevention of gender violence as well as programs co-designed and led by multicultural communities themselves.

    Also identified was the need for an holistic suite of interconnected interventions responsive to the cultural norms and practices of individual communities that listen to, and learning, from communities as to what works.

    All of the participants said a ramp up community capacity building would result in communities being better placed to support their own members.

    The survey comes after more almost $1 billion in extra funding for gender-based violence was announced in the 2024 federal budget.

    Korean community leader and academic Hyein Ellen Cho said it was clear that mainstream programs to tackle gender-based violence were not reaching diverse communities.

    “The survey results come as no surprise to me. I hear this all the time from the community but also in the research I do on migration and gender-based violence,” Ms Cho said.

    “As a migrant woman myself, I work extensively with emerging communities. However, there is a serious disconnection between mainstream services and systems and migrant and refugee communities, particularly newly emerging ones.

    “Although we are just starting to learn more about the issues within migrant and refugee communities, there is still a lack of understanding and commitment to the lived experiences of migrant and refugee communities. Often, we, as migrant and refugee communities, are lumped in together in policy and practice,” Ms Cho said.

    Family violence survivor and Vietnamese community members Uyen Truong says more needs to be done to help communities combat gender-based violence.

    “I was lucky. I received help from some wonderful people. But I know lots of people in my community and other communities struggle to find help when they become victims of family violence,” Uyen said.

    “We need more resources and capacity in diverse communities to prevent family violence and also to support its victims and survivors,” she said.  

    General Manager of Education and Participation at migrant and refugee settlement agency AMES Australia Mirta Gonzalez said resources were not consistently or sufficiently getting to those actually doing the work with highly vulnerable CALD women and communities who fall between the cracks.

    “Some things clearly are not working as intended, and this is not just the result of limited resources. It has more to do with the way in which we understand our society and consequently design and fund domestic and family violence response services and prevention initiatives,” Ms Gonzalez said.

    “The reality that we live in an increasingly diverse society seems to still eludes us. And, despite a more evolved understanding of intersectionality, when it comes to planning services, we still hold on to the imaginary notion of a largely mono-cultural society with intractably complex diversity at its margins.

    “At a practical level, this means that programs need to be co-designed and led by multicultural communities themselves.

    “They should be dedicated and tailored programs – not just crumbs from mainstream programs; simply translating information sheets is not enough. We need a fundamentally different approach to supporting victims, because women from CALD communities fleeing violence often have nowhere to go or they face cultural barriers in wanting to leave situations of violence.

     

    “This is a complex undertaking that requires a number of interconnected interventions; and requires  listening to, and learning, from communities as to what works,” Ms Gonzalez said.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: US accounted for 90% of global bank fines imposed in 2024 – Finbold

    Source: Finbold

    Finbold’s 2024 Bank Fines Report found that 57 fines larger than $500,000 were issued to banks worldwide in 2024 due to a wide range of violations for a total penalty sum of $4.5 billion. (ref. https://finbold.com/report/bank-fines-2024 )

    According to Finbold research, anti-money laundering (AML) breaches were the most common violation, and Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD Bank) was forced to pay $3.09 billion over related failures.

    Furthermore, TD Bank’s fine accounted for 68.67% of the amount levied in 2024, while the US regulators collected $4.08 billion—slightly more than 90% of the cumulative global amount.

    UK and Sweden lead Europe trail behind the US

    British and Swedish regulators were responsible for the largest fines outside the US. In the UK, HSBC Bank was penalized with $74.12 million for failing to implement depositor protection, while in Sweden, Klarna Bank AB was compelled to pay $46 million over AML issues.

    Finland, whose fines totaled $35 million, found itself in the fourth stop. The country’s enforcement is also notable for involving Nordea Bank’s failures to prevent money laundering and other criminal activities, as revealed by the 2016 Panama Papers.

    China imposed only $31 million in bank fines in 2024

    Elsewhere, China may be the biggest surprise of the report. Despite boasting the world’s second-biggest economy by nominal gross domestic product (GDP), it was only fourth in the total number of cases, at three, and fifth in the total penalty amount, at $31.22 million.

    As Andreja Stojanovic, a co-author of the research, pointed out:

    “In the US, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) insures just over 4,000 such corporations, aligning the American case proportion with the dominance of the country’s banking sector. Despite imposing substantially lower and fewer fines, China is also cited as having more than 4,000 banking institutions.”

    Lastly, the figure for China does not change much for those who prioritize the ‘one country’ over the ‘two systems,’ as there was only one case in Hong Kong, which resulted in a relatively small fine of $510,000.

    Read the full story with statistics here: https://finbold.com/us-accounted-for-90-of-global-bank-fines-imposed-in-2024-finbold-report/

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Business Tech – Quincy Data Launches Transatlantic Signal Feeds

    Source: Quincy Data

    CHICAGO – Quincy Data, the global leader in market data technology, announces new Transatlantic Signal Feeds distributing key CME data in London, Frankfurt, and Mumbai. 

    This data service provides insights into large trade events for key CME futures instruments, ensuring market participants receive critical trading indicators with minimal delay. The Signal Feed latency from CME in Aurora, IL to the Slough-LD4 data center in the UK is 23.x milliseconds one-way, enabling the fastest possible price discovery.

    Quincy Data co-founder Stephane Tyc stated: “Our goal is to provide our subscribers with the fastest possible access to essential market data. Quincy leverages a broad range of advanced wireless technologies to ensure global distribution with the lowest latency.”

    Quincy Data offers three categories of market data services:

    • Snapshot Feeds distribute normalized market data across more than twenty points of presence worldwide;
    • Raw Feeds are optimized for distribution using high-capacity wireless;
    • Signal Feeds provide the fastest means of price discovery to geographically distant markets.

    All Quincy Data services are offered on a level playing field, ensuring equal access to the lowest-latency solutions for all subscribers.

    About Quincy Data

    Quincy Data is the global leader in distributing ultra-low latency market data. The company serves the most sophisticated and successful trading firms active in the global financial markets. Quincy Data has points of presence at major financial centers across North America, Europe, and Asia. Most of Quincy’s services deliver the lowest latency available. Importantly, Quincy offers the best latency for any service on a level-playing field basis to all clients. Learn more at www.quincy-data.com

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Helsinki Biennial 2025: A Reflection on Shelter and Empathy in Three Unique Urban, Maritime, and Biodiverse Locations

    Source: Helsinki Biennial 2025

    Helsinki Biennial 2025 brings together 37 artists and collectives across three distinct locations: Vallisaari Island, Esplanade Park, and HAM Helsinki Art Museum. Now in its third edition, the biennial explores the theme Shelter: Below and Beyond, Becoming and Belonging. The event will take place from 8 June to 21 September 2025.

    Welcoming all, the biennial opens to the public on 8 June, transforming Helsinki into a city-wide, summer-long celebration of art. Known for its vibrant cultural scene and innovative spirit, Helsinki provides a unique setting for the event. The biennial unfolds in three locations that highlight the city’s environmental diversity: Vallisaari Island, a protected natural haven; Esplanade Park, a lively green space in the city center; and HAM Helsinki Art Museum, a hub for contemporary art.

    “Helsinki’s ambitious vision is to become an art capital recognised worldwide for its exceptional art and cultural offerings. That vision finds exemplary expression in this year’s Helsinki Biennial,” says Helsinki Mayor Juhana Vartiainen.

    With a strong focus on new commissions and site-specific works, the biennial draws inspiration from Vallisaari Island’s unique ecosystem, untouched by human habitation for decades. The theme of Shelter encourages a shift away from human-centered perspectives, inviting artists to foreground non-human actors—such as plants, animals, fungi, and minerals—as central figures in their works. By embracing alternative viewpoints, the biennial reimagines humanity’s relationship with nature, aiming to inspire climate optimism and positive environmental action.

    37 Artists with a Focus on Site-Specific Commissions

    Each edition of Helsinki Biennial includes major site-specific commissions by leading international artists. This year, it features 37 artists and collectives representing 30 cultures, with a particular focus on the Nordic countries, Latin America, and Asia. As a lasting legacy, select artworks from each edition remain on permanent display throughout the city.

    The participating artists and collectives for Helsinki Biennial 2025 are:
    Maria Thereza Alves (BR/DE), Band of Weeds (FI), Ana Teresa Barboza (PE), Sissel M Bergh (Sápmi/NO), Sara Bjarland (FI/NL), Saskia Calderón (EC), Edgar Calel (GT), Tania Candiani (MX), Regina de Miguel(ES/DE), Olafur Eliasson (DK/IS), Carola Grahn (Saepmie/SE), Tue Greenfort (DK), Kalle Hamm (FI) & Dzamil Kamanger (IR/FI), Tamara Henderson (CA/AU), Gunzi Holmström (FI), Katie Holten (IE/US), Ingela Ihrman(SE), Geraldine Javier (PH), Aluaiy Kaumakan (TW), Kristiina Koskentola (FI/NL), Yayoi Kusama (JP), Jenni Laiti (FI/SE) & Carl-Johan Utsi (SE), LOCUS / Thale Blix Fastvold & Tanja Thorjussen (NO), Nabbteeri (FI), Ernesto Neto (BR), Otobong Nkanga (NG/BE), Giuseppe Penone (IT), Laura Põld (EE/AT), Marjetica Potrč(SI), Kati Roover (EE/FI), Hans Rosenström (FI), Paul Rosero Contreras (EC), Raimo Saarinen (FI), Pia Sirén(FI), Theresa Traore Dahlberg (SE/BF), Nomeda & Gediminas Urbonas (LT/US), and Juan Zamora (ES).

    “Our goal for the Helsinki Biennial 2025 is to shift our thinking away from human-centered views and towards understanding our relationship with nature. We want to inspire new ways of coexisting with all lifeforms and encourage positive environmental action. The biennial invites reflection on shelter as a caring space where all lifeforms can thrive. We want to create new ways of coexisting in a world that needs more understanding and empathy and to inspire positive environmental action,” say curators Kati Kivinen and Blanca de la Torre.

    Key Dates for Helsinki Biennial 2025

    5 June – Media Day
    6–8 June – Helsinki Biennial Preview for professionals
    8 June – Helsinki Biennial 2025 opens to the public
    21 September – Helsinki Biennial 2025 closes.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Australia – Newly arrived communities hit harder by cost of living pressure – study – AMES

    Source: AMES

    Emerging refugee and migrant communities in Australia appear to be suffering greater cost of living stress than the broader community, a survey of community leaders has found.

    A focus group of 34 community leaders in 21 key cohort migrant and refugee groups report high levels of cost of living stress in their communities.

    In more than half of the communities, 15, the stress members face is higher than in the general community.

    The worst hit communities are members of the African, Afghan and Myanmar communities.

    Refugee communities generally are being impacted more negatively than migrant communities.

    But a counter narrative also emerged from the survey of community members using their resilience and entrepreneurialism to augment their incomes and support their communities.

    The survey also suggests cost of living pressure is having a negative impact of family violence.

    Migrant and refugee settlement agency AMES Australia has recruited a group of community embedded leaders from key newly arrived migrant and/or refugee communities to provide key insights into how issues and policy developments affect their lives.

    Eighteen of twenty-one communities surveyed in the study reported that the impact of cost of living rises was worse in their communities than in the broader community.

    Migrant communities were less like to be impacted than refugee communities and the worst affected were African, Afghan and Myanmar communities. Largely skilled migrant communities from China, India, Vietnam, Korea and Malaysia reported the level of stress was no worse than across the broader community.

    Rents, mortgages, food and utilities were cited by most communities as the areas that have seen the largest cost rises.

    Some of the worst impacted communities reported that the difficulties had brought members closer together in offering support to struggling community members.

    Eighteen of the communities reported that despite the cost of living challenges, they were still happy with life in Australia.

    Just three communities, those from Congo, Ethiopia and Eritrea, reported that they were only ‘partly’ happy with life in Australia.

    Syrian community leader ‘Norma’ said the most recently arrived members of her community were having the most difficulty.

    “Newly arrived people are having the worst time. They struggle to find a house because of the housing shortage and the fact they have no local references or rental history,” she said.

    “And even when they find a house, the rent has usually been increased significantly since the last tenant moved out,” Norma said.  

    But she said that the crisis had seen community members come together to support each other, sharing food and resources and providing emotional support.

    “Everyone is aware that some people are having hard time and so we are trying to help those in need,” she said.

    South Sudanese community leader ‘Elizabeth’ extended families and groups of friends were coming together to help each other.

    “People are reaching out and helping each through things like bulk buying food, sharing vehicles and looking after families that are particularly vulnerable.”

    “Across the community there is a lot of support for people who need it and everyone who is able to, is pitching in to help others.”

    But she said one negative effect was a rise in family violence.

    “This stress on families is sometimes ending badly with more domestic violence.”

    AMES Australia CEO Cath Scarth said the survey strongly suggested newly arrived refugee and migrant communities are more vulnerable to cost of living rises than the general community.

    “The survey also identifies areas where support for people struggling with the cost of living could make a difference,” Ms Scarth said.

    “Firstly, there is a need for more in-language information for communities about how to access the support that is available in the community and also emergency support.

    “And maybe we need to ramp up community capacity building so that these communities are better placed to help their own members,” she said.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Australia – CommBank establishes Seattle Tech Hub to further accelerate its AI capability – CBA

    Source: Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA)

    Recognising the role of technology and innovation in delivering excellent customer experiences.

    CommBank is establishing a dedicated Tech Hub in Seattle, Washington (USA), to advance the bank’s technology leadership and delivery of outstanding customer experiences by equipping teams with the cutting-edge skills needed to stay ahead.

    CommBank Chief Executive Officer, Matt Comyn said, “As the rate of global innovation continues to accelerate, we increasingly believe that the bank’s technology leadership will continue to provide a strong foundation to CommBank’s strategic performance and competitive advantage. Technology delivers superior customer experiences to our 16 million customers, which is at the core of our strategy to be tomorrow’s bank today.”

    Global opportunity for CommBank’s tech teams

    The first cohort of CommBank technologists currently at the Seattle Tech Hub are focused on learning to fast-track adoption of Agentic AI and Gen AI powered solutions to help small business banking customers manage their finances and run their businesses. The current cohort will also explore modernising testing to respond to customer feedback faster.

    CommBank’s Group Executive Technology Gavin Munroe says the Tech Hub will give the bank’s technologists a leading global advantage and enable the delivery of world-class digital experiences for customers at a safer and faster pace.

    “A Tech Hub based in Seattle – an area that is home to leading global technology companies – will connect our technologists with our partners to accelerate how we deliver new banking solutions for customers. Our teams will bring new ideas back to Australia to enhance how we work, while boosting the knowledge and expertise in Australia’s tech ecosystem.

    “The Seattle Tech Hub is part of our focus on fast-tracking how we’re using new technologies like Agentic AI, while creating an environment where technologists can continue to grow, learn and develop their career,” says Mr Munroe.

    Through the Tech Hub, which opened this month, CBA technology teams will have the opportunity to take part in a three-week exchange within the Seattle tech precinct, where they will participate in collaborative learning opportunities together with global technology leaders such as Amazon Web Services, Anthropic, H2O and Microsoft to deliver technology-led customer experiences.

    The Tech Hub will serve as a strategic gateway for the bank to collaborate with global technology leaders, foster innovation exchange, broaden employee learning to harness cutting-edge solutions. This presence in one of the world’s leading tech ecosystems will accelerate our transformation while enabling us to attract top talent and develop breakthrough capabilities for our customers.

    AWS Vice President of Agentic AI Swami Sivasubramanian said: “As CommBank’s preferred cloud provider, we’re excited about the learning opportunities that their new Seattle Tech Hub will offer. I’m confident this move will not only give them access to the best industry talent, but also bring our teams closer as we continue to scale AI innovations globally. We have entered an even more transformative phase with generative AI and the emergence of agentic AI applications represents a fundamental shift in its evolution. I look forward to our teams collaborating closely and achieving productivity and scale gains that will reshape banking experiences for customers.”

    Microsoft Business and Industry Copilot Corporate Vice President Charles Lamanna said: “CommBank’s Seattle Technology Hub exemplifies its leadership in banking innovation. By placing its people at the center of the global tech ecosystem, CommBank is ensuring it stays ahead of emerging trends and technologies. Microsoft is proud to support the bank’s vision by providing tools and access to expertise that will empower its team, enhance their learning, and push the boundaries of what is possible for their 16 million customers.”

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Energy Sector – Congo Energy & Investment Forum (CEIF) 2025 Ministerial Panel: Republic of Congo to Promote Onshore Acreage in Upcoming Bid Round

    SOURCE: Energy Capital & Power

    A ministerial panel at the inaugural Congo Energy & Investment Forum explored Congo’s strategy for regional collaboration, resource monetization and hydrocarbon development

    BRAZZAVILLE, Republic of Congo, March 26, 2025/ — The Republic of Congo’s Ministry of Hydrocarbons announced that the upcoming 2025 licensing round will focus on onshore blocks in the country’s continental basin.

    The announcement was made on March 25 by Bruno Jean-Richard Itoua, Minister of Hydrocarbons of the Republic of Congo, during a ministerial panel discussion at the inaugural Congo Energy & investment Forum in Brazzaville.

    “Our national development plan [aims to] develop the economy, but we cannot start without the development of hydrocarbons. We have no choice but to take care of hydrocarbons to give the country the capacity to develop,” Minister Itoua stated.

    During the panel session, Minister Itoua also highlighted the Ministry’s plans to collaborate with oil and gas company Trident Energy to valorize associated gas from the country’s N’Kossa oil field. The Minister announced it will launch an entity to monetize associated gas not used by international oil companies operating in the country as part of a strategy to reach zero flaring by 2030.

    Meanwhile, Aimé Sakombi Molendo, Minister of Hydrocarbons of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), announced that the country will hold discussions with the Republic of Congo on March 26 to explore bilateral cooperation and the possibility of co-developing hydrocarbon resources in cross-border basins. This comes as the DRC and Angola are set to kick off discussions with energy major Chevron for the joint development of the common interest zone between the two countries, with a governance agreement having been ratified in December last year.

    “We will be discussing with the Republic of Congo bilaterally to see to what extent the two countries can benefit from co-development of our abundant hydrocarbon resources,” Minister Molendo stated.

    José Barroso, Secretary of State for Mineral Resources, Petroleum and Gas for Angola, indicated the potential for developing joint projects in the energy sector with both the Republic of Congo and the DRC. Barroso highlighted the need to create the requisite technical conditions to incentivize national companies to participate in their respective markets in the three countries.

    “In the pipeline, we have projects that we are discussing amongst ourselves, and in the short future, we will be able to communicate more on this,” Barroso stated.

    Meanwhile, Dr. Omar Farouk Ibrahim, Secretary General of the African Petroleum Producers Organization (APPO), discussed the role the upcoming African Energy Bank will have on resource monetization and development in Africa. Spearheaded by APPO and the African Export-Import Bank, the bank aims to facilitate, promote and finance the development of Africa’s oil, gas and energy industries. According to Dr. Farouk, both the bank and the private sector will have an important role to play in ensuring that regional markets move forward and drive cross-border development.

    “None of our countries have what it takes to address the challenges of energy by themselves. The African Energy Bank is an example of how Africa wants to be independent and be in control of its resources,” Dr. Farouk stated.

    An outline of the Republic of Congo’s 2025 licensing round will be presented during the Congo Energy & Investment Forum.

    About the Congo Energy & Investment Forum:
    The inaugural Congo Energy & Investment Forum, set for March 24-26, 2025, in Brazzaville, under the highest patronage of President Denis Sassou Nguesso and supported by the Ministry of Hydrocarbons and Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo, brings together international investors and local stakeholders to explore national and regional energy and infrastructure opportunities.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Global Economy – KOF Economic Forecast, spring 2025: Swiss economy caught in the tension between trade conflict and fiscal stimulus

    Source: KOF Economic Institute

    Uncertainty is currently unusually high owing to the geopolitical strategy of the new US administration. Assuming that the international trade conflict does not escalate any further, KOF is forecasting that real sport-adjusted gross domestic product (GDP) will increase by 1.4 per cent in 2025. Although this international trade conflict is a burden, the fiscal stimulus expected in individual European Union (EU) countries is boosting economic activity. This is improving the outlook for the Swiss economy. KOF is predicting GDP growth of 1.9 per cent for 2026. The labour market will turn the corner and inflation will remain low. However, this forecast is subject to considerable downside risks.

    The economic outlook is largely being determined by the latest economic policy events. In particular, the geopolitical strategy adopted by the new US administration has far-reaching consequences for global economic developments. While the current trade conflict is acting as a drag on the international economy, EU countries’ additional fiscal packages should provide increasing impetus from the end of this year and improve the economic outlook in Switzerland’s key European markets.

    Growing trade policy uncertainty is weighing on the investment plans of Swiss firms and households. Adjusted for one-off effects, the investment situation remains subdued for the time being. If the fiscal programmes of European trading partners take effect, this should reduce economic policy uncertainty in Europe, provide positive stimulus and boost the economy. This will primarily benefit manufacturing – especially suppliers to the defence sector – and industry-related services. Through the transmission mechanism of foreign trade this should stimulate investment in equipment and, indirectly, private consumption. Major infrastructure projects and fiscal stimulus from Europe should also directly or indirectly support construction investment during the forecast period.

    Swiss labour market stabilising, real wages rising

    Private consumption will be underpinned by the stabilising labour market. Employment and the number of people in work are likely to increase in line with GDP growth over the next few years, while the unemployment rate as defined by the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) will rise only slowly and will soon peak at 3 per cent. KOF expects real wages – according to the Swiss wage index (SLI) – to rise by 0.9 per cent this year and 0.6 per cent next year.

    Low inflationary pressures: KOF does not expect any further interest-rate cuts by the SNB during the forecast period

    Inflation – as measured by the national consumer price index (CPI) – fell to 0.3 per cent in February compared with the same month last year and has thus been below 1 per cent for six months now. KOF is forecasting inflation rates of 0.5 per cent for this year and 0.6 per cent for next year. Following the recent reduction in the Swiss National Bank’s (SNB) key interest rates by 25 basis points to 0.25 per cent, KOF does not expect to see any further interest-rate cuts during the forecast period.

    High uncertainty during the trade conflict; downside risks predominant

    As it is still unclear which of the trade policy measures threatened by the Trump administration to date will ultimately be implemented and what further measures might follow, the latest forecast is subject to greater uncertainty than usual, with downside risks predominating. In order to factor in this uncertainty, KOF has used its new trade model to carry out additional calculations, which analyse in detail the possible trade policy measures and their potential impact on both international trade and the Swiss economy. This analysis shows that if the trade conflict spread, this could entail considerable downside risks for the Swiss economy.

    The main downside risk is that the US government imposes further tariffs on other countries and products, including any retaliatory tariffs implemented in response. In addition, the fiscal stimulus introduced in Europe may be ineffective or only materialise with a delay. And, finally, geopolitical conflicts such as the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East could escalate, impacting commodity prices and global trade.

    There is an upside risk that the US government’s threatened tariffs will only be used as a bargaining chip and will either not be introduced or will be withdrawn after just a short period of time. And, last but not least, a swift end to the war in Ukraine and a solution to the Middle East conflict could have a positive impact on energy prices and global trade.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Telco Sector – Japan multiplay service revenue to surpass $27 billion in 2029, forecasts GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    The total multiplay service revenue in Japan is set to increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1%  from $26.4 billion in 2024 to $27.7 billion in 2029 with the growing adoption triple- and quad-play services helping offset the anticipated decline in dualplay service revenues, reveals GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    GlobalData’s Japan Multiplay Forecast (Q4 2024) reveals that the total multiplay service households in Japan will increase at a CAGR of 2.2% over the period 2024-2029, driven by the high-demand for bundled telecom services in the country, and continued increase in coverage and availability of high-speed fiber-broadband services that enable the delivery of high-quality service bundles to customers.

    Srikanth Vaidya, Telecom Analyst at GlobalData, says: “Doubleplay services will remain the most popular multiplay service category through the forecast period in terms of service adoption. However, its share in the total multiplay households will gradually drop from 75.8% in 2024 to 70.9% in 2029 as more subscribers start adopting tripleplay and quadplay service bundles.

    Tripleplay services category will see its share in the total multiplay-households grow from 20.6% in 2024 to 24.5% in 2029. Quadplay services, which attract highest average monthly- household spending among all the multiplay service categories, will also see strong growth in adoption, thereby boosting the overall multiplay service revenue in the country

    Vaidya concludes: “KDDI will lead the doubleplay market, by subscription share, through 2029. The operator is leveraging its fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) networks to accelerate multiplay services adoption and offers discounted doubleplay plans, with focus on reducing churn and increasing revenue-generating units (RGUs). NTT, on the other hand, will lead the tripleplay segment in terms of households through 2029.”

    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: Australia – Budget support for cost of living, health and vulnerable communities welcomed – AMES

    Source: AMES

    Migrant and refugee settlement agency AMES Australia has welcomed measures announced by the federal government in its 2025 budget which provide cost of living relief, support for diverse communities while promoting social cohesion and maintaining Australia’s commitment to resettling refugees.

    CEO of migrant and refugee settlement agency AMES Australia also welcomed budget measures that supported access to healthcare, especially for women, as well as cost of living relief for vulnerable families and communities.

    “We welcome the measures in the budget that support migrants and refugees and their communities, who are among the most vulnerable to cost of living pressures and barriers to accessing healthcare,” Ms Scarth said.

    “The government’s investment in extending bulk billing and keeping medicines affordable will be welcomed by the communities we work with and support.

    “The modest tax cuts delivering $268 a year to families and the extension of power bill relief, saving households $150 a year, will also have a positive impact,” she said.

    Ms Scarth said the health measures in the budget would be felt in diverse communities.

    “We know that people from diverse communities can struggle to access healthcare, so the $8.5 billion boost to Medicare aimed at extending bulk-billing target of nine out of ten GP visits by 2030 is welcome,” Ms Scarth said.

    “Also welcome is the $650 million in the budget for urgent care clinics and the $573 million for women’s health. The measure to limit the costs of prescriptions on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme to no more than $25 will help many families.

    “The women’s health measures are particularly important because they focus on areas such as contraception, endometriosis and menopause care,” she said.

    AMES Australia also welcomed the $178.4 million investment in the budget over five years to strengthen social cohesion, including $10 million for independent multicultural media and $44.8 million in grants for community projects.

    The budget also commits $21.4 million to strengthen support for victim-survivors of sexual violence, which builds on existing programs aimed at improving access to critical legal and non-legal support for victim-survivors.

     

    And it allocates funds to maintain Australia’s world-leading refugee programs.

     

    “The budget maintains Australia’s commitment to settle 20,000 refugees each year at a time when many countries are closing their borders to those fleeing war or persecution, and while an increasing number of global conflicts are driving record human displacement,” Ms Scarth said.

     

    “Overall, the budget is inclusive. It recognises that when people feel they are valued members of society, there is a dividend in stronger social cohesion and a stronger society,” she said.  

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Australia – Melbourne startup HiveKeepers transforms the future of backyard beekeeping worldwide with clean, fast, zero-waste honey extraction

    Source: HiveKeepers

    Melbourne, Australia – Australian startup HiveKeepers has officially launched the Micro Honey Harvester, a world-first innovation designed to revolutionise honey harvesting for backyard and small-scale beekeepers.

    Launching today on Kickstarter, this groundbreaking benchtop device makes it possible to extract fresh, pure honey from the hive in under five minutes—without bulky equipment, sticky messes, or disruption to the bees.

    “We’re not changing the ancient art of beekeeping – but for the first time, we’ve taken the difficult labour out of harvesting and made fresh honey instantly accessible for anyone, anytime” said Simon Mildren. Founder of HiveKeepers.

    A World-First Innovation for Backyard Beekeepers

    The Micro Honey Harvester is a compact, purpose-built system that works with HiveKeepers’ patent-pending frame and cassette technology. Replacing a traditional Langstroth frame inside the hive, the cassette is filled naturally by the bees.Once full, the beekeeper simply removes the cassette, inserts it into the Micro Honey

    Harvester, and with the push of a button, honey is extracted in just 20 seconds – clean, unprocessed, and ready to enjoy.

    No knives. No filters. No sticky clean-up. Just pure honey, harvested at home with minimal effort.

    Why the Micro Honey Harvester Matters

    ● Instant Honey Extraction – From hive to jar in under 5 minutes

    ● No Filtering – A completely closed system with no debris and no processing

    ● Bee-Friendly Design – Minimal hive disruption and no harm to bees

    ● Compact & Portable – About the size of a small coffee machine, ideal for benchtop or bee yard use

    ● Eliminates Honey Fraud – Pure, traceable honey straight from your hive.

    “Beekeepers have long been stuck using harvesting tools built for commercial operators,” Mildren added. “This is the first time a solution has been created specifically for backyard beekeepers – making the experience simple, clean, and more rewarding.”

    Designed in Australia, Built for the World

    The Micro Honey Harvester is 100% Australian designed and made, with global interest already building ahead of launch. Developed in collaboration with industrial designers and experienced beekeepers, it supports smaller, more frequent harvests – giving beekeepers more time to focus on hive health and bee care.

    HiveKeepers believes this innovation will have a global impact, reshaping how hobbyists engage with honey production while supporting sustainable beekeeping practices worldwide.

    “This is just the beginning,” says Mildren. “Our vision is a future where harvesting honey is as easy and accessible as making coffee from a pod, no mess, no stress, no waste.”

    Kickstarter Campaign Now Live

    The Micro Honey Harvester is now available for pre-order via Kickstarter (RRP$424 USD $674 AUD), with early access and limited-edition rewards available to backers worldwide.

    The company expects strong demand from international hobbyists, educators, sustainable farming communities, and bee health advocates.Visit HiveKeepers: www.hivekeepers.com

    About HiveKeepers

    Founded in Melbourne, Australia, HiveKeepers is on a mission to make beekeeping more accessible, sustainable, and rewarding for everyday people. By designing innovative tools like the Micro Honey Harvester, HiveKeepers is empowering a new generation of hobbyist beekeepers around the world – one hive at a time.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Animal Welfare – Major Federal Dogfighting Bust Draws Commendation from Leading Animal-Welfare Organizations

    Source: Animal Wellness Action

    This kind of robust enforcement, plus stronger anti-cruelty laws, is needed to wipeout animal-fighting ventures in America

    BROKEN ARROW, Okla.—Animal-welfare advocates applauded federal officials at the FBI and the Department of Justice for the arrest of Broken Arrow man Leshon Eugene Johnson, the former NFL running back and kick returner, following a grand jury indictment for his alleged role in a large-scale dog fighting operation.

    Johnson, who pleaded guilty in 2005 to the crime of dog fighting in Okmulgee County, Okla., is accused of breeding, training, and selling dogs for illegal fights through his operation, Mal Kant Kennels. Officials say he selectively bred “champion” and “grand champion” fighting dogs, marketing their bloodline to other dog fighters across the country. The 190 pit bull-type dogs seized from his properties in Broken Arrow and Haskell represent the largest number ever taken from a single individual in a federal dog fighting case.

    If convicted, Johnson faces up to five years in prison per count and a $250,000 fine. He received a five-year deferred sentence for his 2005 guilty plea.

    “Dogfighting is perhaps the most sickening form of animal cruelty,” said Wayne Pacelle, president of Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy. “The scale of cruelty in this case is jarring to the core, and I commend the FBI and the DOJ for their hard, life-saving work.”

    Pacelle was involved with the aftermath of the arrest of football star Michael Vick. In 2007, the NFL quarterback was charged and later convicted for his role in a dogfighting operation known as “Bad Newz Kennels.” The case brought national attention to the horrors of dog fighting, sparking widespread condemnation and leading to stronger anti-cruelty laws and enforcement efforts.

    “After the Michael Vick case, I thought the lessons would spillover to convince others—especially high-profile athletes—not to participate in this bloodsport. I was wrong. That’s why we need new and tougher legislation and government response.”

    Advocates in Oklahoma recently helped defeat a pro-cockfighting group that wanted to weaken the state’s animal fighting laws. Kevin Chambers, the Oklahoma state director for Animal Wellness Action, helped swat down the efforts. “As a native of eastern Oklahoma, I continue to be deeply disturbed by the prevalence of dogfighting and cockfighting in our communities,” Chambers said. “This case should send a signal to every one of these felons that they risk their freedom if they continue to engage in this barbarous abuse of animals.”

    Ramping Up the Fight Against Animal-Fighting

    Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy are advocating for passage of the Fighting Inhumane Gambling and High-Risk Trafficking (FIGHT) Act, which has been endorsed by the hundreds of sheriffs’ associations and other enforcement groups across the country. The legislation would enhance enforcement of these laws by banning online gambling on animal fights; halting the shipment of mature roosters (chickens only) through the U.S. Postal Service (it is already illegal to ship dogs through the mail); allowing a civil right of action for private citizens against animal fighters after proper notice to federal authorities; and enhancing criminal forfeiture penalties to include real property for those convicted of animal fighting crimes.

    The groups also are advocating for the DOJ to create an Animal Cruelty Crimes section to combat acts of malice toward animals. The new section would concentrate on enforcing federal anti-cruelty laws, including a series of measures signed by President Trump during his first term.

    “Without enforcement, our laws are just aspirations, and criminals ignore them and charge ahead with their cruelty and chaos,” Pacelle said. “Crimes of malice toward animals are predictors of violence toward humans, so we are making everybody safer in our communities by robustly enforcing these laws.”

    He added, “I consider passing the FIGHT Act in Congress as urgent a priority as we have at Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy.”

    Animal Wellness Action is a Washington, D.C.-based 501(c)(4) whose mission is to help animals by promoting laws and regulations at federal, state and local levels that forbid cruelty to all animals. The group also works to enforce existing anti-cruelty and wildlife protection laws. Animal Wellness Action believes helping animals helps us all. Twitter: @AWAction_News

    The Center for a Humane Economy is a Washington, D.C.-based 501(c)(3) whose mission is to help animals by helping forge a more humane economic order. The first organization of its kind in the animal protection movement, the Center encourages businesses to honor their social responsibilities in a culture where consumers, investors, and other key stakeholders abhor cruelty and the degradation of the environment and embrace innovation as a means of eliminating both. The Center believes helping animals helps us all. X: @TheHumaneCenter

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Australia – We’ve done it again! CH4 Global named one of TIME Magazine’s Top GreenTech Companies

    Source: CH4 Global

    ADELAIDE, South Australia – CH4 Global has been named as one of Time Magazine’s Top GreenTech Companies for the second year in a row – in recognition of continued progress towards scaling, including the development of its Louth Bay EcoPark to grow its seaweed-based cattle feed supplement that reduces enteric methane emissions by up to 90 per cent.

    The second annual GreenTech rankings, prepared by TIME and Statista, considered more than 4,000 companies and evaluated them based on their positive environmental impact, financial strength and innovative ability. CH4 Global was among 250 companies selected for the award.

    CH4 Global’s inclusion in the 2025 ranking highlights the company’s continued progress in scaling Methane Tamer , its Asparagopsis-based feed additive, which reduces enteric methane emissions from cattle by up to 90 per cent.

    The distinction comes just weeks after CH4 Global opened phase one of its Louth Bay EcoPark, on Eyre Peninsula, where it has begun to grow and process Asparagopsis in 10 large-scale cultivation ponds with a combined capacity of 2 million litres – capable of producing 80 metric tonnes of the seaweed each year.

    Over the next year, the facility will expand to 100 ponds capable of producing enough Asparagopsis to serve 45,000 cattle per day – a significant step toward meeting demand from CH4 Global’s existing commercial partners in Australia and beyond. With additional investment, the facility could eventually expand to 500 ponds capable of serving hundreds of thousands of cattle per day.

    “This recognition by TIME Magazine for the second year running underscores the urgency of tackling livestock methane emissions and the effectiveness of our solution at scale,” said CH4 Global CEO Steve Meller.

    “The momentum behind our solution is building, and we are on course to deliver gigatonne-scale climate impact within the next decade by making methane reduction practical, affordable and widely accessible.“In Australia, the CH4 Global team has worked tirelessly to develop the EcoPark and to start growing Asparagopsis at scale, while working with our partners in South Korea, South America, Japan, the Asia Pacific, the UK and the US, to be able to reach as many cows as possible in the coming years as we work to mitigate climate change.”

    CH4 Global is working to reduce methane emissions from cows, which is naturally-produced in their stomachs and released through burping. Methane is more than 80 times more potent than CO2 in trapping heat in the atmosphere over a 20-year period, making it a critical target of efforts to combat global warming.

    The full list of TIME’s America’s Top GreenTech Companies 2025 is available at TIME.com.

    About CH4 Global

    CH4 Global, founded in 2018, is on an urgent mission to bend the climate curve, through collaboration with strategic partners worldwide. Led by a world-class team of senior business builders, scientists and entrepreneurs, the company delivers market-disruptive products that enable the food industry value chain to radically reduce GHG emissions.

    The company’s first innovation, Methane Tamer feed additives for feedlot cattle, harnesses the power of Asparagopsis seaweed to reduce enteric methane emissions by up to 90 per cent. CH4 Global is headquartered in Henderson, Nevada, with facilities to grow Asparagopsis in Australia at Louth Bay, Arno Bay and at Lonsdale in South Australia, and in Bluff and Bream Bay in New Zealand. To learn more, visit

    www.ch4global.com.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Australia Legal Sector – Parole Board welcome, but private legal aid workforce left behind

    Source: Law Council of Australia

    The Law Council of Australia is pleased to see its long-standing call for a Commonwealth Parole Board recognised in tonight’s Federal Budget, but is disappointed the Commonwealth has failed to ensure the sustainability of the vital legal aid services provided by private practitioners that underpin access to justice in this country.

    “We commend the Federal Government for the support it had previously announced under the new National Access to Justice Partnership, and we recognise the important funding announcements tonight for the establishment of a Commonwealth Parole Board and to extend specialist trauma informed sexual assault legal services pilots,” Law Council of Australia President, Juliana Warner said.
     
    “However, the Law Council remains concerned that a vital pillar of access to justice in this country remains overlooked.
     
    “What is still missing is additional funding to ensure the thousands of private practitioners who provide legal aid do not have to walk away from providing this service because it is simply unviable.
     
    “Around 72 per cent of legal aid approved matters are assigned to private practitioners. Each year, these practitioners are delivering more than 100,000 cases to assist Australians in times of crisis and distress.
     
    “The vast majority of law firms in this country are small businesses. It is these small businesses – particularly in rural, regional and remote (RRR) areas – that most often deliver legal aid and ensure that people in need have somewhere to turn when they are seeking access to justice. They are the lifeblood of justice in Australia.
     
    “As we know from the recently released National Legal Aid Private Practitioner Census, these small businesses are at breaking point and tonight’s Budget was a critical moment for many hoping that fairer legal aid grants funding – as recommended in a recent independent review commissioned by the Government – would finally be delivered.
     
    “In some cases, the payments lawyers receive for legal aid work have not changed in
    10 years and are around three times less than what they can earn privately. Private practitioners are still choosing to provide this vital service, but at great personal cost and at the expense of their small business’s viability.
     
    “The Private Practitioner Census found that a third of private lawyers are having to contemplate doing less legal aid work in the next five years – if they can even continue to provide legal aid at all.
     
    “National Legal Aid has warned that a crisis is looming and that in just five years, by 2030, Australia’s legal aid system could collapse. Tonight’s Budget was an opportunity to turn the ship around before it is too late. Unfortunately, it was an opportunity which was missed.
     
    “Despite the inaction on these issues in the Budget tonight, the upcoming Federal Election is another important opportunity for those seeking to be our elected representatives to commit to addressing this looming crisis and ensure that legal help will be there for those who need it,” Ms Warner said.
     
    The Law Council has had a long-standing position supporting the establishment of a Commonwealth Parole Board and welcomes the Government’s announcement that it will provide $28.3 million over four years from 2025–26, and $7.3 million per year ongoing, for this purpose.
     
    “Currently, once a federal offender is sentenced, responsibility for determining parole shifts to the executive branch of the government. The Law Council strongly supports taking the politics out of parole.” Ms Warner said.
     
    “The establishment of a Commonwealth Parole Board will help to protect the right of incarcerated individuals to have their application for liberty considered in a transparent and accountable manner and address the risk of perceived political interference in parole decisions.
     
    “The successful functioning of a Commonwealth Parole Board will be determined by the extent to which the final model is underpinned by four key design principles—independence, transparency, procedural fairness, and accountability.”
     
    Other welcome measures include:
    • $21.4 million over three years from 2025–26 to improve victim and survivor engagement in the justice system and inform the response to the Australian Law Reform Commission’s (ALRC) Inquiry into the Justice System’s Response to Sexual Violence. Funding includes:
     
    o $19.6 million over three years from 2025–26 to extend three specialist trauma informed sexual assault legal services pilots in Victoria, WA and the ACT, expand the pilots nationally and trial additional non-legal support services;
     
    o $1.2 million over two years from 2025–26 to extend the ALRC’s lived experience Advisory Group for one year to advise on implementation of the ALRC’s report and support stakeholder engagement; and
     
    o $0.6 million in 2025–26 for research into systemic issues and other matters arising from the ALRC’s inquiry, including a mechanism to seek review of police decisions not to pursue charges.
     
    • $1.6 million in 2025–26 to the Attorney-General’s Department to continue law and justice capacity building in the Pacific.
     
    • $1.0 million in 2025–26 to Attorney-General’s Department to provide grants for community‑based projects to prevent modern slavery.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Human Rights and Sport – Global: FIFA must recognize, support Afghan Women’s team in exile

    Source: Amnesty International

    New Report Details Afghan Women Footballers’ Fight for Right to Play

    (Amsterdam, March 25, 2025) – The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) should act to stop the ongoing discrimination against Afghan women footballers living in exile and facilitate their return to international competition, the Sport & Rights Alliance said in a report released today.

    In two days, the Afghanistan Women’s National Football Team (AWNT) will be absent from the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers draw, which feeds into qualification for the 2027 Women’s World Cup – marking the second World Cup-qualifying cycle from which the team has been excluded since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in 2021.

    “Though the Afghanistan Women’s National Team escaped the Taliban in 2021, the shadow of systematic gender discrimination continues to follow them across borders, denying them their rightful place on the international stage,” said Samira Hamidi, South Asia campaigner at Amnesty International. “Amnesty, the United Nations, Human Rights Watch and other civil society organizations, has called for the Taliban’s gender persecution to be investigated as crimes against humanity.”

    The new Sport & Rights Alliance report, titled “’It’s not just a game. It’s part of who I am’: Afghan Women Footballers’ Fight for the Right to Play,” details how the Afghan women’s team, a symbol of women’s empowerment in post-Taliban Afghanistan, was specifically targeted for reprisals when the Taliban returned to power in 2021. The report documents that dozens of Afghan women footballers who were evacuated to countries including Australia, Portugal, Albania, the United Kingdom and the United States remain eager and ready to represent Afghanistan in international competition.

    “Right now, the game is at halftime, and the Taliban think they are winning,” said Khalida Popal, founder of the Afghanistan Women’s National Team and Girl Power Organization. “If FIFA would change its rules and let us play, we could show the world that Afghan women and girls belong in sport, in school and everywhere in society – and we will not be defeated.”

    FIFA regulations currently require the team to receive recognition from the Taliban-controlled Afghanistan Football Federation, which will not recognize a women’s football team due to the Taliban’s ban on women’s sports. For more than three years, the Afghan women’s team players and their supporters have campaigned for FIFA to intervene and provide them with the official recognition and financial support denied to them by Afghanistan.

    In response to a letter from the Sport & Rights Alliance requesting comment on the report, FIFA shared on 21 March that a plan has been developed to provide football opportunities for Afghan women both within and outside the country, but did not say whether they intend to officially recognize the AWNT or how specific funding would be allocated.

    “The Afghanistan Women’s National Team has shown remarkable resilience since its establishment – even in the face of harassment, abuse and death threats, and being forced to leave their homes and build new lives in cities all over the world,” said Joanna Maranhão, network coordinator for the Sport & Rights Alliance’s Athletes Network for Safer Sports. “Restoring the AWNT’s ability to access training facilities and resources to play and represent their country would be an important form of remedy, as required under international human rights law.”

    The FIFA Statutes and Human Rights Policy prohibit discrimination of any kind, including gender discrimination, and commits the global sport governing body to promoting women’s football. The FIFA Statutes mandate that all member associations comply with the organization’s regulations, including the obligation to prevent and oppose discrimination and to promote women’s football. Member associations may face sanctions for any violations of these obligations.

    “Afghan women footballers’ ability to play internationally depends entirely on intervention from FIFA,” said Andrea Florence, executive director of the Sport & Rights Alliance. “FIFA’s letter in response to our report laid out their strategy to support Afghan women. It is great to hear that FIFA is working to promote playing opportunities for the players, but we remain hopeful that they will decide to officially recognize the team and allocate financial support as it does to other member associations.”

    The Sport & Rights Alliance also said that FIFA should provide financial support for the women’s team to train and participate in international competitions, as it does with other member associations. Through the FIFA Forward Development Programme for instance,  each of FIFA’s 211 member associations are currently entitled to up to $9.2 million over a four-year period.

    The Afghan team’s campaign has garnered global attention and support over the last three years, including from Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai and nearly 200,000 people who have signed a Change.org petition urging FIFA to recognize the team in exile.

    “For these athletes, football is not only their passion but a fundamental act of resistance against the Taliban – an act of solidarity with their sisters still living in Afghanistan,” said Fereshta Abbasi, Asia researcher at Human Rights Watch. “FIFA’s recognition of and support for the team would be a powerful statement that Afghan women’s rights cannot be erased.”

    The International Olympic Committee (IOC) did recognize an Afghan Olympic Committee in exile for the 2024 Paris Olympics, enabling Afghan women athletes to compete despite Taliban restrictions. Several UN experts called this move from the IOC a “welcome start,” but called on international and national sports bodies to do more to push back against the Taliban’s oppressive policies and “support female Afghan athletes wherever they are.”

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Mobile service revenue in Japan to increase at 3% CAGR over 2024-2029, forecasts GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    The total mobile service revenue in Japan is poised to increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3% from $46.9 billion in 2024 to $54.5 billion in 2029, mainly supported by the growth in mobile data service revenues, forecasts GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    GlobalData’s Japan Mobile Broadband Forecast model (Q1 2025) reveals that the mobile data service revenue will increase at a CAGR of 3.8% over the same period, driven by the continued rise in mobile internet subscriptions, growing consumption of data services over high-speed wireless networks, especially with the increasing adoption of higher-ARPU yielding-5G services.

    Sarwat Zeeshan, Telecom Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “The average monthly mobile data usage in Japan is expected to increase from 14.3 GB in 2024 to 25.9 GB in 2029, driven by the growing consumption of online video and social media content over smartphones, thanks to the growing availability and adoption of 5G services and data-centric offers extended by telcos with their 5G service plans.”

    4G accounted for the largest share of mobile subscriptions in the country until 2024. 5G subscriptions will surpass 4G subscriptions in 2025 and go on to account for 87.2% share of the total mobile subscriptions in 2029, driven by the telcos’ 5G network expansions and wider availability and affordability of 5G service plans.

    The evolution and expansion of 5G networks will also add fillip to the M2M/IoT service adoption in the country as companies explore new IoT/M2M use cases enabled by 5G networks. M2M/IoT subscriptions are expected to grow at a CAGR of 12.9% over the forecast period, driven by MNOs focus on tapping M2M/IoT opportunities.

    Zeeshan concludes: “NTT Docomo will lead the mobile services market in terms of subscriptions through 2029 given its strong focus on 5G network expansion and M2M/IoT offerings. The company is also partnering with SK Telecom and equipment vendors such as Fujitsu, NEC, and Nokia for collaborative trials of potential frequency bands for 6G communications.”

    GlobalData’s Japan Mobile Broadband Forecast:

    GlobalData’s Japan Mobile Broadband Forecast quantifies current and future demand and spending on mobile voice and mobile broadband services. The data is published quarterly.

    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 –