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Category: Politics

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: 5,000 jobs secured as construction starts on Port Talbot green steel project

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    5,000 jobs secured as construction starts on Port Talbot green steel project

    5,000 steel jobs have been secured following the start of construction on Tata Steel’s Port Talbot electric arc furnace project today.

    • Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds and Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens join Tata Group Chairman to break ground on construction of electric arc furnace that will secure thousands of jobs.
    • Latest good news shows how UK’s modern Industrial Strategy is backing Welsh industry, following landmark energy support package slashing energy costs for Tata Steel and other UK steel firms.
    • Industry Minister Sarah Jones to chair meeting of Steel Council together with industry leaders at 7Steel this morning to work towards finalising UK’s Steel Strategy.

    5,000 jobs have been secured following the start of construction on Tata Steel’s electric arc furnace (EAF) at Port Talbot steelworks today (14 July).

    Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds will join Tata Group Chairman N. Chandrasekaran, Wales Secretary Jo Stevens and other government and company representatives to break ground on the project and start construction later today.

    The construction milestone, made possible by a £500 million UK Government grant provided as part of the improved deal for Port Talbot’s transition which the Government agreed after only 10 weeks in office, is a major win for Welsh steelmaking in the run-up to the launch of government’s Steel Strategy this year.

    This morning, Industry Minister Sarah Jones will chair a meeting of the Steel Council at 7Steel in Cardiff to work towards finalising the upcoming Steel Strategy – backed by up to £2.5 billion of investment – and reflect on a series of recent wins for the industry with senior leaders from across the sector, including British Steel and UK Steel.

    This includes slashing energy costs for steel producers via new measures announced in the UK’s modern Industrial Strategy, strengthening the UK’s steel safeguard measures to protect the industry from spikes of foreign steel imports and bolstering the UK’s procurement rules to ensure UK-made steel is considered wherever possible for use on public construction projects.

    The Government is also backing the steel sector by working closely with the US to secure the removal of 25 percent tariffs on steel and aluminium, while the UK remains the only country in the world not to pay a 50 percent tariff rate.

    Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:

    This is our Industrial Strategy in action and is great news for Welsh steelmaking backing this crucial Welsh industry, which will give certainty to local communities and thousands of local jobs for years to come.

    This government is committed to a bright future for our steel industry, which is why we provided £500 million of funding to make this project possible. Our modern Industrial Strategy has set out how we’ll back the sector even further, including by slashing energy costs for firms like Tata Steel to level the playing field, as part of our Plan for Change.

    The start of construction on Tata Steel’s EAF marks a significant step forward in Port Talbot’s transition to greener steel production, and is expected to reduce the site’s carbon emissions by around 90 percent.

    The success of the project – and Tata Group’s continued investment in British industry – is testament to the UK’s strong and valued relationship with India, following the trade deal the Government agreed with India in May which will add billions to the UK economy going forward.

    During the groundbreaking event to mark the start of construction, the Business Secretary will tour the site of the new EAF, meet with senior management at Tata Steel and take part in a demonstration with a virtual reality headset to see how the new EAF will look when operational.

    Tata Group Chairman Mr Chandrasekaran said:

    This is a proud day for Tata Group, Tata Steel and for the UK. Today’s groundbreaking marks not just the beginning of a new Electric Arc Furnace, but a new era for sustainable manufacturing in Britain. At Port Talbot, we are building the foundations of a cleaner, greener future, supporting jobs, driving innovation, and demonstrating our commitment to responsible industry leadership.

    This project is also part of Tata Group’s wider investment in the UK, across steel, automotive, and technology among others, which reflects our deep and enduring partnership with this country.

    Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens said:

    The UK Government acted decisively to ensure that steelmaking in Port Talbot will continue for generations to come, backing Tata Steel with £500 million to secure its future in the town, along with £80 million to support workers and the wider community. Our Steel Strategy will also deliver up to £2.5 billion of investment to rebuild the UK industry, maintain jobs and drive growth.

    The construction of Tata’ s new furnace realises the promise we made to the community, while the development of floating offshore wind, plans for a Celtic Freeport and millions more for local regeneration all mean that Port Talbot has a bright future.

    Updates to this page

    Published 14 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Interview with Kieran Gilbert, Sunday Agenda, Sky News

    Source: Australian Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry

    Kieran Gilbert:

    Let’s go live to Devonport, Tasmania. Joining me is the Treasurer, Jim Chalmers. Thanks for your time. The government’s spoken so much about stabilising relations with China. Is this visit about moving beyond that now?

    Jim Chalmers:

    Good morning, Kieran.

    There couldn’t be a more important time to strengthen an economic partnership and relationship which is full of opportunity but not short of complexity either. And so, these meetings between Prime Minister Albanese and President Xi and Premier Li, CEOs and businesses from both sides of the relationship is a really important one.

    It recognises that China is a big part of our prosperity. That makes it a big and important obvious focus of our economic diplomacy, and that’s what the Prime Minister’s visit is all about.

    Gilbert:

    Do you see it, though, as not just stabilising relations anymore? This is about maybe not returning it to the equilibrium we saw during the Howard years, but closer to that than what we’ve seen in recent years?

    Chalmers:

    Certainly we want to strengthen this relationship. It’s in the interests of our economy, our workers, our businesses, our investors, to strengthen this really important relationship.

    I think around a third of our exports go to China. So, it is a really crucial part of our prosperity and a big focus of our diplomacy. That’s why the Prime Minister is there for this trip this week.

    We’ve worked really hard to stabilise this relationship. We’ve worked through issues in a calm and consistent way without compromising what’s important to us. We’ve raised issues and complexities when it’s been important that we do that. But overall, our efforts to stabilise the relationship and how to strengthen that relationship in the interests of our people and their economy, there couldn’t be a more important time to do that.

    That’s why it’s so good that Prime Minister Albanese is engaging with leaders in China, businesses in China, to try to maximise these opportunities that are so central to the relationship.

    Gilbert:

    When – you spoke about the economic importance, and it is vital – I was looking through the numbers over the weekend and the amount that iron ore itself to China provides our budget bottom line is massive. It’s actually one‑fifth of our total exports is iron ore, that commodity and that market, China. Is it too risky to have so much relying on that one market and that one commodity?

    Chalmers:

    Look, it’s a really important part of the trading relationship. No doubt about it. It’s a very good earner for Australia. We’re very supportive of the industry and its efforts to create that prosperity with that trade with China.

    But it’s not the only part of the story. As Cameron rightly identified in his cross a moment ago, there are a number of elements to this economic relationship. Whether it be tourism, whether it be mining and resources.

    There are a whole range of industries where a more prosperous, a more productive, constructive relationship will bear fruit for a whole range of our industries. Not just mining, as important as that is.

    Gilbert:

    With tourism, you touched on it, the Prime Minister’s going to be overseeing the launch of that next phase of a big campaign trying to get more tourists here from China. They spend more, apparently than other comparable visitors from other nations. So, obviously lucrative to tourism in the state where you are, Tassie, and beyond. Tell me, do you think that we can get those numbers back to where they were pre‑COVID?

    Chalmers:

    It’s certainly our objective to make the most out of our wonderful tourism industry.

    I’m coming to you from Tasmania today and Tasmania’s tourism industry is world‑class. As is the industry, the tourism industry, right around Australia – my home state of Queensland, every part of our country has a good story to tell the world when it comes to attracting tourists. It’s a very important earner for our economy. It’s a very important employer. And I think it’s a terrific thing that the Prime Minister has made this an important part of the discussions that he is having in China.

    We want tourists here, we want them spending money in our economy. We want that to employ more Australians in good, well‑paid jobs. And that’s why it’s a central focus of his trip.

    Gilbert:

    You’re heading to the G20 in South Africa later this week. How crucial are those multilateral forums, those groups, now, in a very uncertain world, the world of tariffs from the United States and Donald Trump? Do you see it as even more important to try and build the ties in settings like the G20?

    Chalmers:

    More important than ever. Australia is a big believer in multinational forums and a big beneficiary of the contribution that we can make there. The global economic environment, the uncertainty, the volatility, the unpredictability in the global environment I think will be the primary influence that will shape and constrain the government’s choices in this second term.

    We are trying to navigate together a world where conflict and tension and unpredictability and volatility are the norm rather than the exception. And so, we come at this challenge of international engagement in that light.

    I’ll be at the G20 speaking with my economic ministerial counterparts in South Africa in the second half of this week. I’ll be having bilateral conversations as well as the multilateral opportunity, but discussions with my counterparts from Indonesia, from Japan, from Canada, the UK and Germany and others. Because we recognise as Australians that when the world is more fragmented, we need more, not less, engagement. And that’s what drives our efforts and motivates our efforts, whether it be at the G20, whether it’s looking for more diverse and reliable markets around the world and around the region, that’s our motivation.

    Gilbert:

    And so, on that issue of diversifying the markets, I want to pick up on that because it was a focus of the government, certainly a few years ago, when we hit the rocky period with China. Is it still a main focus for the government? I remember, again, the Prime Minister, his big visit initially and the message was all about Indonesia. Is that still on the table?

    Chalmers:

    Well, first of all, I’ll be meeting with my Indonesian counterpart. I hope to have actually a specific way to announce later in the week that we can advance that really important economic relationship, speaking with my colleague Sri Mulyani.

    But more broadly, if you think about the fragmentation in the world, you think about the uncertainty, unpredictability and volatility which defines the times in the global economy. Our strategy is more engagement, more diverse markets, and more resilience in our own economy as well. Those are the principles which drove our response to the tariff announcement out of D.C., but also which drive our trade and investment and foreign policy as well, and you’ll see that in the Prime Minister’s engagement this week.

    We believe that more diverse markets are good for Australia. In a world of more fragmentation, we need more engagement and more resilience. That’s why I’m off to the G20 to talk with my counterparts. It’s why the Prime Minister is in China talking to his counterparts, because Australia is a big beneficiary of free and fair and open markets. We’re a big believer in those things and we will advocate that cause wherever and whenever we can.

    Gilbert:

    And you sort of gave us a little bit of a hint that you’ll be announcing something with the Indonesian counterpart. Can you give us any more of a sneak peek as to what that might be to strengthen ties with Jakarta?

    Chalmers:

    There’ll be a number of elements to that discussion. Obviously, critical minerals will be part of it, 2‑way trade. But I’m particularly interested in speaking speaking with my counterpart, Sri Mulyani, about the flow of capital between our countries. This has been a difficult challenge to approach over the years, but we think there’s a good opportunity there which could benefit both sides, be of mutual benefit to Australia and Indonesia. I look forward to advancing those discussions with her and ideally, hopefully, making an announcement later in the week.

    Gilbert:

    Can you understand, if we return our focus now to domestic issues, specifically the decision by the RBA. Can you understand why many mortgage holders, many Australians, were disappointed with that?

    Chalmers:

    I can, and I made that point on the day. I don’t think it’s especially controversial to point out that the decision which came on Tuesday would have come as a disappointment to millions of Australians who were hoping for more rate relief from the Reserve Bank. And it came as a surprise to most economists and certainly the market which follows these sorts of decisions closely.

    But the Governor of the Reserve Bank made it really clear that the decision taken on Tuesday was a matter of timing, not a matter of direction. The direction of travel when it comes to inflation and interest rates is already quite clear. The Governor made that even clearer on Tuesday. We’ve already had 2 interest rate cuts in the last 5 months. That’s because of the progress we’ve made together on inflation. That’s already providing some relief to millions of people with a mortgage.

    But of course, people are looking for more rate relief where they can get it. The Governor of the Reserve Bank has made it clear that that will come at some point, but that she and her board would like more information before they make that decision to cut rates for the third time this year.

    Gilbert:

    So, do you think mortgage holders should be reassured by that message that we’re, as she put it, on an easing path?

    Chalmers:

    I think people will watch closely what the Governor of the Reserve Bank says. I think it’s a good thing that the Governor runs through the reasons for each decision, makes herself available. I’m very supportive of that, very grateful to her for doing that. And she has talked through the reasons. She’s made it clear about the direction of travel in interest rates. I think people can take some comfort from that.

    But rates have already gone down a couple of times, there’s cost of living rolling out in our community, we’ve made very substantial and now sustained progress in the fight against inflation. And I think the Governor’s approach to cutting rates already a couple of times this year and saying that there are likely to be more interest rate cuts on the way, I think that reflects that progress that we’ve made.

    Gilbert:

    On the reform roundtable, it’s coming up not that far away now, next month. I wonder, initially it was called a productivity reform roundtable, then you broadened it out to an Economic Reform Roundtable. Are you having to drag some of your senior colleagues to the table when it comes to serious reform?

    Chalmers:

    A couple of things about that. I mean, I don’t mind what you call it. I think the productivity challenge is central to our economic reform efforts. It already is, but we’re looking to build consensus on the next steps in that agenda. And so, I think productivity and economic reform are inseparable.

    I said at the Press Club, and the Prime Minister said at the Press Club, that this is all about building consensus, building on the progress that we’ve made, building on our substantial agenda. Productivity will be the major focus, but it won’t be the only focus.

    I’ve spent a fair bit of time in the last couple of weeks finalising the agenda, trying to work out how we issue the next set of invitations. It’s been difficult, frankly, because there’s been so much interest from my ministerial colleagues, from business leaders and union leaders and community leaders and others. That’s a very good thing. That’s a very welcome thing. And so, we’re almost ready to issue the next set of invitations beyond the 10 or 11 that we issued already.

    I can tell you today, Kieran, that the agenda will be 3 days. The first day will be resilience, the second day, productivity, the third day, budget sustainability. Those are the 3 priorities that I indicated at the Press Club when I fleshed out our thinking when it comes to this particular roundtable.

    Gilbert:

    And on that final one, the budget sustainability, I know you’ve got young kids, as I do. Is it a focus, is it on your mind when you think about budget sustainability? You don’t want to leave a legacy of mounting and piling debt for the next generation?

    Chalmers:

    Absolutely. We try to apply an intergenerational lens to all of our considerations in my portfolio, whether it’s budget sustainability, indeed. The productivity challenge is all about lifting living standards and sustainably lifting wages over time so people can earn more and keep more of what they earn and provide for their loved ones. And we see that in intergenerational terms.

    That is a big motivation for what we are putting together for the discussions in August. It will be a big influence on the work we do in July as well, whether it’s our international engagement, the work that I’m doing with states and the regulators, the work that I’m doing with peak organisations.

    I’ve already had good, long discussions with leaders of the business community and the union movement and others. Because we don’t want to waste this opportunity to build consensus around the next steps. And tax will be part of the discussion, productivity will be part of the discussion, you can imagine a big focus on AI and technology, attracting capital and investment, quickening approvals, better regulation, an emphasis on people and skills. These are the sorts of things that people should expect will be central at the roundtable in August.

    Gilbert:

    And finally, you’re at the Tasmanian Labor launch ahead of the election this weekend. There’s a big focus on the economy, on that stadium, but I know there’s a minerals processor, Nyrstar, that needs some federal support as well. Is it important to you to keep a sovereign minerals processing capacity in Australia, particularly there in Tasmania where you are today?

    Chalmers:

    Absolutely. You know, we’re in discussions with the company and also with the governments. It actually involves, these discussions, 3 governments: South Australia, Tasmania and the Commonwealth.

    As the Prime Minister said earlier in the week, I think it’s clear and obvious that we’re in those discussions, we’re trying to come to a good outcome here. And our support for this industry is illustrated by the fact we’ve already got $70 million jointly on the table for Nyrstar.

    We’ve got a $2 billion aluminium fund which is all about the future of smelters. And so, we come to the table in good faith. We do want to see a good outcome. We’re obviously aware of the issues there and we’re in discussions with the relevant government.

    But the reason I’m here in Tasmania today, Kieran, is because this election here in Tasmania has been made necessary by the economic mismanagement of the Rockliff Liberal government here and by the absolute disaster which is the Spirit of Tasmania program, the infrastructure program there.

    So, the election here in Tasmania is a pretty simple choice: 4 more years of farce and failure and economic mismanagement from a Liberal government stumbling from one stuff up to another, or a fresh start under Dean Winter and Tasmanian Labor.

    I know Dean Winter. I think he has all the ingredients to be a wonderful Premier. And I’m really proud to be in Devonport, Tasmania, to support him today and to help him with the formalities of launching the campaign. I encourage every Tasmanian to vote Labor at this election.

    Gilbert:

    Treasurer, thank you for your time. Thanks for joining us this Sunday, ahead of that election next week.

    Chalmers:

    Appreciate it, Kieran. All the best.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: How much salt is OK in drinking water? Without limits, Australia’s health gap widens in remote and regional areas

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Juliette Crowther, Researcher in Food Policy, George Institute for Global Health

    Andrew Merry/Getty

    Most Australians consume far too much sodium, mostly in the form of salt (sodium chloride) in the food they eat.

    The National Health and Medical Research Council recommends no more than 2,000 milligrams of sodium a day, roughly one teaspoon of salt.

    Yet the average Australian consumes nearly twice that.

    In some regional and remote communities, salty drinking water is quietly adding to this problem – yet sodium levels in tap water are often overlooked.

    Our new research reviewed 197 countries and shows when drinking water standards for sodium exist, they’re usually based on taste, not health.

    Most follow guidance from the World Health Organization (WHO) which, in its global campaign to lower sodium intake, has focused on diet but largely ignored drinking water.

    Salty water is an overlooked health risk

    Excess sodium is a major risk factor for high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases, such as heart attacks and stroke. These are leading causes of death and disability across the world.

    In 2013, these health risks led the WHO to set a global target to reduce sodium intake by 30% by 2025. The WHO has since extended this to 2030, due to slow progress.

    Public health efforts to reduce sodium (salt) have focused mainly on food, not drinking water. This is because most tap water contains low sodium levels (usually below 20mg per litre).

    But some natural water sources contain excessively high sodium. In Australia, this mainly affects remote and rural communities.

    Evidence suggests it’s a growing issue, compounded by climate change, rising sea levels, more frequent storms, prolonged droughts, and human activities, including over extraction of groundwater and agricultural runoff.

    What does the WHO say about water?

    The WHO’s recommended threshold for sodium in water – no more than 200mg/L – is based on how water tastes (palatability), not what is safe for health.

    Worryingly, the WHO recommendations about drinking water are based on an outdated 2003 report that found evidence linking sodium with high blood pressure was lacking.

    Convincing evidence has since confirmed that higher sodium intake is directly related to increased blood pressure.

    The WHO updated its dietary guidelines for sodium in 2012 to reflect these health risks. But water guidelines have not changed.

    What our new research shows

    Our new research, published in recent weeks, reviewed guidelines for sodium in drinking water in 197 countries.

    It found 20% of countries – home to 30% of the world’s population – have no sodium limit in drinking water.

    Among the 132 countries that do, most (92%) follow WHO guidelines.

    Our research found only 12 countries cited health reasons for setting sodium limits, and just two of these set stricter limits than WHO guidelines.

    This means across the world, most drinking standards for sodium continue to be guided by taste, not health.

    Palatability is highly subjective. Just as some people enjoy salty chips and others find them overpowering, sensitivity to sodium in water varies.

    In contrast, the health risks of too much salt are clear.

    What do Australia’s guidelines say?

    Australia’s drinking water guidelines include a non-mandatory sodium limit of 180mg/L, also based on taste.

    But this is still too high to protect health.

    Drinking two litres of water at this concentration in one day would mean having 360mg of sodium – almost one-fifth of the recommended maximum. This is equivalent to eating a large bag of sea-salt popcorn.

    While the guidelines do recommend that people with high blood pressure drink water with less than 20mg/L sodium, there is no clear plan for how this can be achieved equitably, especially when the alternative is expensive bottled water.

    Water inequity in Walgett

    The consequences of this policy gap are stark in places such as Walgett, a remote town in north-western New South Wales with a high Aboriginal population (almost 50%).

    In 2018, when the local river ran dry, the town switched to bore water. Residents immediately noticed the water was slimy and undrinkable.

    Local Aboriginal community controlled organisations asked researchers from the University of New South Wales to test the water. This revealed sodium levels over 300mg/L.

    In 2020, the New South Wales government eventually installed a desalination plant, but due to issues managing waste, it was decommissioned a few months later.

    Today, Walgett still lacks a long-term solution to provide drinking water with low levels of sodium.

    Water inequality is health inequality

    Walgett isn’t an isolated case. Many inland and remote towns, often with high Aboriginal populations, rely on rivers and bore water increasingly affected by drought and agricultural overuse.

    This inequity in access to safe drinking water worsens the health gap.

    Indigenous Australians already face higher rates of high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and chronic kidney disease – all worsened by excess sodium.

    In places such as Walgett, where some people report spending as much as A$50 a week on bottled water, families are forced to choose between safe hydration and essentials such as food or medicine.

    Without mandatory health-based limits, these communities have no way to compel authorities to make their water safe.

    Safe drinking water is a human right

    In 2023, the European Union mandated legally binding drinking water standards in all member states.

    Although still based on the outdated 200mg/L taste threshold, this legal framework gives communities a basis to advocate for safer water – something Australia currently lacks.

    A sodium limit closer to the United States Environmental Protection Agency guideline of 30–60mg/L would better align with health advice.

    Without enforceable, health-based limits, Australia risks falling behind on its commitments to the sodium reduction targets and sustainable development goals set by the United Nations.

    No one should have to fight for safe drinking water. If we want to protect our most vulnerable communities, water policy must catch up with science and public health priorities.

    We would like to thank all of the authors of the paper, and the Yuwaya Ngarra-li, a community-led partnership between the Dharriwaa Elders Groups in Walgett and the University of New South Wales.

    This research was funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council. The George Institute’s Food Policy Group is a World Health Organization Collaborating Centre on Population Salt Reduction. Juliette Crowther has no other conflicts of interest to declare.

    Jacqui Webster receives salary funding from a National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Investigator Grant (#2018015) and DFAT. Jacqui Webster is Chief Investigator on the NHMRC Ideas grant (#2003862) that this research is funded through.

    – ref. How much salt is OK in drinking water? Without limits, Australia’s health gap widens in remote and regional areas – https://theconversation.com/how-much-salt-is-ok-in-drinking-water-without-limits-australias-health-gap-widens-in-remote-and-regional-areas-260496

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Even a day off alcohol makes a difference – our timeline maps the health benefits when you stop drinking

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Nicole Lee, Adjunct Professor at the National Drug Research Institute (Melbourne based), Curtin University

    d3sign/Getty

    Alcohol has many negative effects on our health, some of which may surprise you. These include short-term impacts such as waking up with a pounding head or anxiety, to long-term effects including cancer.

    If you are thinking about taking some time off alcohol, you’ll find many quick wins and long-term gains for your health.

    How long will you have to wait to feel the benefits?

    We’ve made a timeline – based on scientific research – that shows what you might feel in the first days, weeks, months and years after taking a break from alcohol.

    Some benefits start immediately, so every day without alcohol is a win for your health.

    After one day

    Alcohol takes around 24 hours to completely leave your body, so you may start noticing improvements after just one day.

    Alcohol makes you need to urinate more often, causing dehydration. But your body can absorb a glass of water almost immediately, so once alcohol is out of your system alcohol dehydration is reduced, improving digestion, brain function and energy levels.

    Alcohol also reduces the liver’s ability to regulate blood sugar. Once alcohol leaves the system, blood sugar begins to normalise.

    If you are a daily drinker you may feel a bit worse to start with while your body adjusts to not having alcohol in its system all the time. You may initially notice disrupted sleep, mood changes, sweating or tremors. Most symptoms usually resolve in about a week without alcohol.

    After one week

    Even though alcohol can make you feel sleepy at first, it disrupts your sleep cycle. By the end of an alcohol-free week, you may notice you are more energetic in the mornings as a result of getting better quality sleep.

    As the body’s filter, the liver does much of the heavy lifting in processing alcohol and can be easily damaged even with moderate drinking.

    The liver is important for cleaning blood, processing nutrients and producing bile that helps with digestion.

    But it can also regenerate quickly. If you have only mild damage in the liver, seven days may be enough to reduce liver fat and heal mild scarring and tissue damage.

    Even small amounts of alcohol can impair brain functioning. So quitting can help improve brain health within a few days in light to moderate drinkers and within a month even for very heavy dependent drinkers.

    Alcohol damages your liver, but it’s very good at regenerating and healing itself.
    skynesher/Getty

    After one month

    Alcohol can make managing mood harder and worsen symptoms of anxiety and depression. After a few weeks, most people start to feel better. Even very heavy drinkers report better mood after one to two months.

    As your sleep and mood improve you may also notice more energy and greater wellbeing.

    After a month of abstinence regular drinkers also report feeling more confident about making changes to how they drink.

    You may lose weight and body fat. Alcohol contains a lot of kilojules and can trigger hunger reward systems, making us overeat or choose less healthy foods when drinking.

    Even your skin will thank you. Alcohol can make you look older through dehydration and inflammation, which can be reversed when you quit.

    Alcohol irritates the gut and disrupts normal stomach functioning, causing bloating, indigestion, heartburn and diarrhoea. These symptoms usually start to resolve within four weeks.

    One month of abstinence, insulin resistance – which can lead to high blood sugar – significantly reduces by 25%. Blood pressure also reduces (by 6%) and cancer-related growth factors declines, lowering your risk of cancer.

    After six months

    The liver starts to repair within weeks. For moderate drinkers, damage to your liver could be fully reversed by six months.

    At this point, even heavy drinkers may notice they’re better at fighting infections and feel healthier overall.

    Just a month without alcohol can you make more confident about sticking to changes.
    Yue_/Getty

    After one year or more

    Alcohol contributes to or causes a large number of chronic diseases, including heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and seven different types of cancer, as well as mental health issues. All of these risks can be reduced by quitting or cutting back on alcohol.

    Alcohol increases blood pressure. High blood pressure (hypertension) is the top risk factor for death in the world. A small 2mmHg increase in blood pressure above the normal range (120mmHG) increases death from stroke by 10% and from coronary artery disease by 7%.

    Cutting back on alcohol to less than two drinks a day can reduce blood pressure significantly, reducing risk of stroke and heart disease. Reducing blood pressure also reduces risk of kidney disease, eye problems and even erectile dysfunction.

    With sustained abstinence, your risk of getting any type of cancer drops. One study looked at cancer risk for more than 4 million adults over three to seven years and found the risk of alcohol-related cancer dropped by 4%, even for light drinkers who quit. Reducing from heavy to moderate drinking reduced alcohol-related cancer risk by 9%.

    Making a change

    Any reduction in drinking will have some noticeable and immediate benefits to your brain and general health. The less you drink and the longer you go between drinks, the healthier you will be.

    Whether you aim to cut back or quit entirely, there are some simple things you can do to help you stick with it:

    If you are still wondering about whether to make changes or not you can check your drinking risk here.

    If you have tried to cut back and found it difficult you may need professional help. Call the National Alcohol and other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015 and they will put you in touch with services in your area that can help. You can also talk to your GP.

    We would like to thank Dr Hannah MacRae for assistance in identifying the research used in this article.

    Nicole Lee works as a paid evaluation and training consultant in alcohol and other drugs. She has previously been awarded grants by state and federal governments, NHMRC and other public funding bodies for alcohol and other drug research. She is CEO of Hello Sunday Morning.

    Dr Katinka van de Ven is the Research Manager of Hello Sunday Morning. She also works as a paid evaluation and training consultant in alcohol and other drugs. Katinka has previously been awarded grants by state governments and public funding bodies for alcohol and other drug research.

    – ref. Even a day off alcohol makes a difference – our timeline maps the health benefits when you stop drinking – https://theconversation.com/even-a-day-off-alcohol-makes-a-difference-our-timeline-maps-the-health-benefits-when-you-stop-drinking-249272

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Case Completes Second Weeklong District Walk Story This Year

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ed Case (Hawai‘i – District 1)

    (HONOLULU, HI) — U.S. Representative Ed Case (Hawai‘i-First District) devoted most of his July 7-11th week home from Congress to five days of walking communities across his district, talking with constituents he met along the way at their homes, workplaces and other areas.

    In his second weeklong district “Walk Story” this year, Case walked the communities of Pālolo, Kaimukī , Mo’ili’ili, Kalihi, Salt Lake, Āliamanu, Foster Village, Moanalua, Hālawa and ‘Aiea, talking with hundreds of residents wherever he found them.

    Case kicked off his Walk Stories while back home the week of April 21st of this year, when over another five day stretch he walked parts of Kalama Valley, Niu Valley, ‘Āina Haina, Wai‘alae, Nui Valley, McCully, Pearlridge, Waimalu, Pearl City, Pacific Palisades, Mililani Mauka, Waipio Acres, Waipahu, ‘Ewa Beach, ‘Ewa Villages, Kalaeloa and Kapolei.

    “I’ve always been committed to staying as close to my constituents as possible in different ways that work best for them”, said Case, who over his decade-plus in the U.S. House has hosted hundreds of live, in-person Talk Story community meetings throughout his districts as well as virtual meetings, including six in-person and one virtual Talk Story earlier this year.

    “But as this 119th Congress (2025-2027) and the second Trump administration got underway this year and the polarization and noise of anger and division on Capitol Hill and across the country reached new highs, I felt I needed to strengthen my direct connection to all of the residents of Hawaii’s First Congressional District, especially those that do not regularly engage their government or me, by reaching out and talking story in different ways when I’m home. 

    “For me, these two full weeks now of Walk Story have been incredibly valuable because I’ve been able to talk personally with a highly diverse and representative part of my constituency just going about their lives and expressing their views and concerns for our country, Hawai‘i, family, workplaces and communities.

    “After each of my Walk Story weeks, I’ve returned to Capitol Hill with a sense strong connection back home and direction for the issues I must focus on and directions I must take.

    “As for what I heard in my most recent Walk Story, like April’s, it’s no surprise that the cost of living remains a universal concern. But is not just the actual costs; it’s the uncertainty of where the costs are going that makes it so difficult to plan and adjust.

    “Closely related, most remain concerned about the direction of our country, especially under the Trump administration. What was different from my April Walk Story, though, was that more folks who had voted for President Trump were undecided to unsupportive about many of his administration’s initiatives, on both foreign and domestic policy, and there was far more concern for preservation of the rule of law. Many regardless of how they voted were especially concerned at the recent reconciliation budget law and its effects on their own families and communities.

    “Another major area of concern was our small businesses, which is virtually all of our businesses in Hawai‘i.

    “I walked into dozens and dozens of small businesses of all kinds, from eateries to vehicle repair shops, florists, financial institutions, travel agencies, insurers, remodelers, contractors, engineers, food distributors, jewelers and on and on, talking with their owners, managers and employees about their businesses and what concerned them.

    “Virtually all expressed uncertainty about their own situations, especially given the administration’s ongoing trade and tariff wars on imports from other countries which is resulting in increasing prices to their customers.

    “Although I wasn’t surprised at the big picture of what I heard from my constituents, to have it all validated with real-world stories of personal views and impacts from across the political, economic and social spectrum was deeply valuable to my responsibility to represent all of my district in addressing the major challenges we all face.

    “I’m already looking forward to my next Walk Story on one of my upcoming times home, to add again to my many other efforts to stay strongly connected with my constituents to listen to their views and concerns and answer their questions.”

    As part of his ongoing efforts, Case is also hosting another live districtwide Tele-Talk Story on Tuesday, July 29th, 6PM to 7:30PM Hawai‘i time. Details on how constituents can join and provide questions are at case.house.gov.

    Attached are samples of pictures from Case’s July Walk Story (pictures courtesy of Congressman Ed Case)

                                                                                                                                      ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Mainland Cantonese-style chicken pot restaurant to go global via Hong Kong (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    ​Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) today (July 14) welcomed the opening of Guangzhou Fung Yuen Cantonese-style chicken pot brand’s first restaurant in Hong Kong. The company has also chosen Hong Kong as its regional headquarters to expand into the Greater China and Asian markets, serving as a bridge between the Mainland and overseas markets to co-ordinate resource allocation and take the Fung Yuen brand to the international market.

    Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion at InvestHK Mr Arnold Lau said, “We welcome Fung Yuen’s establishment in Hong Kong. It not only provides more dining options for local consumers but also helps the brand expand into international markets by leveraging Hong Kong’s international platform and using Hong Kong as a bridge between the Mainland and overseas markets.”

    The Chairman of Hong Kong Fung Yuen Yezhen Catering Management Co Ltd, Mr Xie Tian, said, “As the world’s freest economy and an international financial centre, Hong Kong has a highly open market, commercial rules that align with international standards, and a strategic location in the heart of the Asia-Pacific region. The city has become an ideal springboard for many Mainland brands to promote Chinese cuisine to the world. Based in Guangzhou for many years, Fung Yuen has chosen Hong Kong as its regional headquarters to leverage the ‘Belt and Road’ initiative to streamline its cross-border supply chains, as well as to promote the standardised exportation of Cantonese soup culture via Hong Kong’s international influence.”

    He added, “Fung Yuen in Hong Kong is positioned as a chicken pot restaurant offering premium ingredients and a comfortable dining experience. We have private rooms to cater to different customer needs. Our signature chicken dishes, including Fung Yuen chicken hot pot, crispy chicken hot pot, and coconut chicken hot pot, are nutritious and refreshing. Apart from chicken, we also offer a variety of options such as beef, seafood, and mushrooms, as well as several Cantonese-style desserts for customers’ selection. We will continue to gather feedback from local customers and combine it with international dining trends to develop innovative dishes.”

    Founded in 2013, Fung Yuen has more than 20 branches in Guangzhou, Zhuhai, Chengdu, Shanghai and Xiamen. Mr Xie stated that the company chose Mong Kok as its first store in Hong Kong, a popular tourist hotspot that also gathers fashion and cultural trends. In the future, the company plans to use Hong Kong as a testbed to explore new dining models and attract diverse local and cross-border consumers to experience Fung Yuen’s culinary culture.

    To download event photos, please visit: www.flickr.com/photos/investhk/albums/72177720327484809.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for July 14, 2025

    ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on July 14, 2025.

    Washington’s war demands – Australia risks being dragged into a conflict with China over Taiwan
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Blaxland, Professor, Strategic and Defence Studies Centre, Australian National University Andy. LIU/Shutterstock The United States can count on Australia as one of its closest allies. Dating back to the shared experiences in the second world war and the ANZUS Treaty signed in 1951, Australia has steadfastly

    Women played key roles in Syria’s revolution. Now they’ve been pushed to the margins
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kinda Alsamara, Lecturer in the School of Languages and Cultures, The University of Queensland The end of the oppressive Assad regime in Syria in late 2024 has been broadly welcomed on the global stage – underscored by the fact the United States and European Union have now

    Music is at the forefront of AI disruption, but NZ artists still have few protections
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dave Carter, Associate Professor, School of Music and Screen Arts, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University Getty Images Was the recent Velvet Sundown phenomenon a great music and media hoax, a sign of things to come, or just another example of what’s already happening ? In

    Cycling can be 4 times more efficient than walking. A biomechanics expert explains why
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anthony Blazevich, Professor of Biomechanics, Edith Cowan University You’re standing at your front door, facing a five kilometre commute to work. But you don’t have your car, and there’s no bus route. You can walk for an hour – or jump on your bicycle and arrive in

    ‘You become a target’: research shows why many people who experience racism don’t report it
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mario Peucker, Associate Professor and Principal Research Fellow, Institute for Sustainable Industries and Liveable Cities, Victoria University The way racism manifests itself may have changed over time, but it remains a persistent problem in Australia. The 2024 Reconciliation Barometer found a significant increase in racism against First

    Even a day off alcohol makes a difference – our timeline maps the health benefits when you stop drinking
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nicole Lee, Adjunct Professor at the National Drug Research Institute (Melbourne based), Curtin University d3sign/Getty Alcohol has many negative effects on our health, some of which may surprise you. These include short-term impacts such as waking up with a pounding head or anxiety, to long-term effects including

    What’s happened to Australia’s green hydrogen dream? Here are 5 reasons the industry has floundered
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alison Reeve, Program Director, Energy and Climate Change, Grattan Institute An official from German energy supplier Eon with Fortescue founder Andrew Forrest after inking a deal in 2022 to supply green hydrogen from Australia to Germany. Michael Kappeler/picture alliance via Getty Images As the world looks for

    Soaring house prices may be locking people into marriages, new research shows
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stephen Whelan, Associate Professor of Economics, University of Sydney GAS-photo/Shutterstock House prices continued to rise across Australia in June, recent data shows. Nationally, prices have risen about 38% in the past five years. Higher housing prices are simply one contributor, albeit a very important one, to the

    Can’t work out without music? Neither could the ancient Greeks and Romans
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Konstantine Panegyres, Lecturer in Classics and Ancient History, The University of Western Australia Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA These days when you see people exercising, they’re usually also listening to music, whether they’re at the gym, or out jogging on the street. It makes sense, as studies have

    The Bradbury Group features Palestinian journalist Yousef Aljamal, Middle East report and political panel
    Asia Pacific Report In the new weekly political podcast, The Bradbury Group, last night presenter Martyn Bradbury talked with visiting Palestinian journalist Dr Yousef Aljamal. They assess the current situation in Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza and what New Zealand should be doing. As Bradbury, publisher of The Daily Blog, notes, “Fourth Estate public broadcasting

    Author David Robie tells of outrage over sinking of the Rainbow Warrior 40 years ago
    RNZ News Nights Tomorrow marks 40 years since the bombing and sinking of the Rainbow Warrior — a moment that changed the course of New Zealand’s history and reshaped how we saw ourselves on the world stage. Two French agents planted two explosives on the ship, then just before midnight, explosions ripped through the hull

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for July 14, 2025

    ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on July 14, 2025.

    Washington’s war demands – Australia risks being dragged into a conflict with China over Taiwan
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Blaxland, Professor, Strategic and Defence Studies Centre, Australian National University Andy. LIU/Shutterstock The United States can count on Australia as one of its closest allies. Dating back to the shared experiences in the second world war and the ANZUS Treaty signed in 1951, Australia has steadfastly

    Women played key roles in Syria’s revolution. Now they’ve been pushed to the margins
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kinda Alsamara, Lecturer in the School of Languages and Cultures, The University of Queensland The end of the oppressive Assad regime in Syria in late 2024 has been broadly welcomed on the global stage – underscored by the fact the United States and European Union have now

    Music is at the forefront of AI disruption, but NZ artists still have few protections
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dave Carter, Associate Professor, School of Music and Screen Arts, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University Getty Images Was the recent Velvet Sundown phenomenon a great music and media hoax, a sign of things to come, or just another example of what’s already happening ? In

    Cycling can be 4 times more efficient than walking. A biomechanics expert explains why
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anthony Blazevich, Professor of Biomechanics, Edith Cowan University You’re standing at your front door, facing a five kilometre commute to work. But you don’t have your car, and there’s no bus route. You can walk for an hour – or jump on your bicycle and arrive in

    ‘You become a target’: research shows why many people who experience racism don’t report it
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mario Peucker, Associate Professor and Principal Research Fellow, Institute for Sustainable Industries and Liveable Cities, Victoria University The way racism manifests itself may have changed over time, but it remains a persistent problem in Australia. The 2024 Reconciliation Barometer found a significant increase in racism against First

    Even a day off alcohol makes a difference – our timeline maps the health benefits when you stop drinking
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nicole Lee, Adjunct Professor at the National Drug Research Institute (Melbourne based), Curtin University d3sign/Getty Alcohol has many negative effects on our health, some of which may surprise you. These include short-term impacts such as waking up with a pounding head or anxiety, to long-term effects including

    What’s happened to Australia’s green hydrogen dream? Here are 5 reasons the industry has floundered
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alison Reeve, Program Director, Energy and Climate Change, Grattan Institute An official from German energy supplier Eon with Fortescue founder Andrew Forrest after inking a deal in 2022 to supply green hydrogen from Australia to Germany. Michael Kappeler/picture alliance via Getty Images As the world looks for

    Soaring house prices may be locking people into marriages, new research shows
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stephen Whelan, Associate Professor of Economics, University of Sydney GAS-photo/Shutterstock House prices continued to rise across Australia in June, recent data shows. Nationally, prices have risen about 38% in the past five years. Higher housing prices are simply one contributor, albeit a very important one, to the

    Can’t work out without music? Neither could the ancient Greeks and Romans
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Konstantine Panegyres, Lecturer in Classics and Ancient History, The University of Western Australia Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA These days when you see people exercising, they’re usually also listening to music, whether they’re at the gym, or out jogging on the street. It makes sense, as studies have

    The Bradbury Group features Palestinian journalist Yousef Aljamal, Middle East report and political panel
    Asia Pacific Report In the new weekly political podcast, The Bradbury Group, last night presenter Martyn Bradbury talked with visiting Palestinian journalist Dr Yousef Aljamal. They assess the current situation in Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza and what New Zealand should be doing. As Bradbury, publisher of The Daily Blog, notes, “Fourth Estate public broadcasting

    Author David Robie tells of outrage over sinking of the Rainbow Warrior 40 years ago
    RNZ News Nights Tomorrow marks 40 years since the bombing and sinking of the Rainbow Warrior — a moment that changed the course of New Zealand’s history and reshaped how we saw ourselves on the world stage. Two French agents planted two explosives on the ship, then just before midnight, explosions ripped through the hull

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Washington’s war demands – Australia right to refuse being dragged into a potential conflict with China over Taiwan

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Blaxland, Professor, Strategic and Defence Studies Centre, Australian National University

    Andy. LIU/Shutterstock

    The United States can count on Australia as one of its closest allies.

    Dating back to the shared experiences in the second world war and the ANZUS Treaty signed in 1951, Australia has steadfastly worked to help ensure the US remains the principal security guarantor in the Indo-Pacific.

    Australia’s track record speaks for itself. Yet additional demands are being placed that rankle.

    The Pentagon wants to know how Australia – and other allies such as Japan – would respond in the event of a war with China over Taiwan.

    Making these demands – which are being sought as part of the review of the AUKUS nuclear submarine agreement – is both unjustified and unreasonable.

    ‘100 years of mateship’

    Since federation in 1901, Australians have found themselves alongside US counterparts in almost all the major conflicts of the 20th century and beyond.

    It is this shared experience that led former Ambassador to Washington, Joe Hockey, to coin the term “100 years of mateship”.

    The pinnacle of the security relationship is the ANZUS Treaty which is a loosely worded document barely 800 words long.

    However, it is important to remember AUKUS is just that – a technical agreement, albeit premised on the century-spanning trusted collaboration across the full spectrum of national security ties.

    Goldilocks solution

    More recently, the US administration has made demands of allies, including Australia, the likes of which have not been seen in living memory.

    This spans not just tariffs, but also increased defence spending. American policymakers appear oblivious or unconcerned about the blowback they are generating.

    It is this context which makes the US demands for a broad-ranging and largely open-ended commitment over the defence of Taiwan, in advance of any conflict, so extraordinary and unhelpful.

    Under-secretary of defence for policy Elbridge Colby who wants a clear sense of how Australia would act in a potential war over Taiwan.
    Supplied by US Department of Defence, CC BY

    Australia has long had a fear of abandonment. Ever since the searing experience of the fall of Singapore in 1942, officials have been eager to burnish ties with US counterparts. Conversely, there has always been a strong element in the community that has feared entrapment in yet another US-led war in Asia.

    The experience in the Korean and Vietnam wars, let alone Afghanistan and Iraq, left many guarded about the efficacy of hitching the wagon to US-led military campaigns.

    In essence, though, Australian policymakers have long sought the Goldilocks solution: not too enthusiastic to trigger entrapment and not too lukewarm to trigger abandonment.

    No guarantees

    Now Australia, Japan and others face a surprising new push by American officials for a commitment to a hypothetical conflict, under open-ended circumstances.

    The irony is that American demands for a commitment fly in the face of the loosely worded ANZUS alliance – which stipulates an agreement to consult, but little more than that.

    The AUKUS agreement includes no such guarantees either. The overt and confronting nature of Washington’s demands means Prime Minister Anthony Albanese effectively has no option but to push back:

    We support the status quo when it comes to Taiwan. We don’t support any unilateral action […] we want peace and security in our region.

    Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy was adamant Australia would not be committing forces ahead of any “hypothetical” conflict:

    The decision to commit Australian troops to a conflict will be made by the government of the day, not in advance, but by the government of the day.

    A further irony is Australia, like Japan, is already hugely invested in its US military relationship, particularly through its military technology.

    The purchase of the F35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft, for instance, was meant to help enable the generation of interoperable forces, yet no such demand has been made when it comes to an advance commitment over their use in support of US ambitions.

    So why invoke AUKUS in such a way?

    Evidently, the way the US is trying to stand over Japan and Australia is harmful to its own interests. Such adversarial and unduly transactional behaviour could provoke a popular backlash in Australia and elsewhere.

    The government has rightly rebuffed the calls saying it would be up to the government of the day to make such a decision. It is likely this will not be well received by the Trump administration. The PM is right though, to say it’s hypothetical and not worthy of a public endorsement.

    Strategic ambiguity

    Yet a further irony is that this is mostly a moot point.

    The key benefit of alliance collaboration is already in place – and that relates to the efforts to deter China from ever acting on its desire to change the status quo in the first place.

    As former PM and now ambassador to Washington, Kevin Rudd explained in his book, The Avoidable War, geo-political disaster is still avoidable, particularly if the US and China can find a way to coexist without betraying their core interests through managed strategic competition.

    This strategic ambiguity is meant to complicate a potential adversary’s military planners and political decision makers’ thought processes over the advantages and disadvantages of going to war.

    China already knows a clash over Taiwan would mean US allies like Japan and Australia would find it virtually impossible to avoid being entangled. The strategic ambiguity can be maintained ad infinitum, so long as an outright invasion is averted.

    And the likelihood of conflict over Taiwan? I remain sanguine that conflict can be avoided.

    But to do so would involve clear and compelling messaging: both through diplomatic channels and through the demonstration of robust military capabilities that war would be too costly.

    John Blaxland received funding (2015–2018) from the US DoD Minerva Research Initiative.

    – ref. Washington’s war demands – Australia right to refuse being dragged into a potential conflict with China over Taiwan – https://theconversation.com/washingtons-war-demands-australia-right-to-refuse-being-dragged-into-a-potential-conflict-with-china-over-taiwan-261076

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Washington’s war demands – Australia right to refuse being dragged into a potential conflict with China over Taiwan

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Blaxland, Professor, Strategic and Defence Studies Centre, Australian National University

    Andy. LIU/Shutterstock

    The United States can count on Australia as one of its closest allies.

    Dating back to the shared experiences in the second world war and the ANZUS Treaty signed in 1951, Australia has steadfastly worked to help ensure the US remains the principal security guarantor in the Indo-Pacific.

    Australia’s track record speaks for itself. Yet additional demands are being placed that rankle.

    The Pentagon wants to know how Australia – and other allies such as Japan – would respond in the event of a war with China over Taiwan.

    Making these demands – which are being sought as part of the review of the AUKUS nuclear submarine agreement – is both unjustified and unreasonable.

    ‘100 years of mateship’

    Since federation in 1901, Australians have found themselves alongside US counterparts in almost all the major conflicts of the 20th century and beyond.

    It is this shared experience that led former Ambassador to Washington, Joe Hockey, to coin the term “100 years of mateship”.

    The pinnacle of the security relationship is the ANZUS Treaty which is a loosely worded document barely 800 words long.

    However, it is important to remember AUKUS is just that – a technical agreement, albeit premised on the century-spanning trusted collaboration across the full spectrum of national security ties.

    Goldilocks solution

    More recently, the US administration has made demands of allies, including Australia, the likes of which have not been seen in living memory.

    This spans not just tariffs, but also increased defence spending. American policymakers appear oblivious or unconcerned about the blowback they are generating.

    It is this context which makes the US demands for a broad-ranging and largely open-ended commitment over the defence of Taiwan, in advance of any conflict, so extraordinary and unhelpful.

    Under-secretary of defence for policy Elbridge Colby who wants a clear sense of how Australia would act in a potential war over Taiwan.
    Supplied by US Department of Defence, CC BY

    Australia has long had a fear of abandonment. Ever since the searing experience of the fall of Singapore in 1942, officials have been eager to burnish ties with US counterparts. Conversely, there has always been a strong element in the community that has feared entrapment in yet another US-led war in Asia.

    The experience in the Korean and Vietnam wars, let alone Afghanistan and Iraq, left many guarded about the efficacy of hitching the wagon to US-led military campaigns.

    In essence, though, Australian policymakers have long sought the Goldilocks solution: not too enthusiastic to trigger entrapment and not too lukewarm to trigger abandonment.

    No guarantees

    Now Australia, Japan and others face a surprising new push by American officials for a commitment to a hypothetical conflict, under open-ended circumstances.

    The irony is that American demands for a commitment fly in the face of the loosely worded ANZUS alliance – which stipulates an agreement to consult, but little more than that.

    The AUKUS agreement includes no such guarantees either. The overt and confronting nature of Washington’s demands means Prime Minister Anthony Albanese effectively has no option but to push back:

    We support the status quo when it comes to Taiwan. We don’t support any unilateral action […] we want peace and security in our region.

    Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy was adamant Australia would not be committing forces ahead of any “hypothetical” conflict:

    The decision to commit Australian troops to a conflict will be made by the government of the day, not in advance, but by the government of the day.

    A further irony is Australia, like Japan, is already hugely invested in its US military relationship, particularly through its military technology.

    The purchase of the F35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft, for instance, was meant to help enable the generation of interoperable forces, yet no such demand has been made when it comes to an advance commitment over their use in support of US ambitions.

    So why invoke AUKUS in such a way?

    Evidently, the way the US is trying to stand over Japan and Australia is harmful to its own interests. Such adversarial and unduly transactional behaviour could provoke a popular backlash in Australia and elsewhere.

    The government has rightly rebuffed the calls saying it would be up to the government of the day to make such a decision. It is likely this will not be well received by the Trump administration. The PM is right though, to say it’s hypothetical and not worthy of a public endorsement.

    Strategic ambiguity

    Yet a further irony is that this is mostly a moot point.

    The key benefit of alliance collaboration is already in place – and that relates to the efforts to deter China from ever acting on its desire to change the status quo in the first place.

    As former PM and now ambassador to Washington, Kevin Rudd explained in his book, The Avoidable War, geo-political disaster is still avoidable, particularly if the US and China can find a way to coexist without betraying their core interests through managed strategic competition.

    This strategic ambiguity is meant to complicate a potential adversary’s military planners and political decision makers’ thought processes over the advantages and disadvantages of going to war.

    China already knows a clash over Taiwan would mean US allies like Japan and Australia would find it virtually impossible to avoid being entangled. The strategic ambiguity can be maintained ad infinitum, so long as an outright invasion is averted.

    And the likelihood of conflict over Taiwan? I remain sanguine that conflict can be avoided.

    But to do so would involve clear and compelling messaging: both through diplomatic channels and through the demonstration of robust military capabilities that war would be too costly.

    John Blaxland received funding (2015–2018) from the US DoD Minerva Research Initiative.

    – ref. Washington’s war demands – Australia right to refuse being dragged into a potential conflict with China over Taiwan – https://theconversation.com/washingtons-war-demands-australia-right-to-refuse-being-dragged-into-a-potential-conflict-with-china-over-taiwan-261076

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: M. Abbas called on Hamas to hand over weapons to the Palestinian National Authority

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    RAMALLAH, July 14 (Xinhua) — Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Sunday called on Hamas to hand over its weapons to the Palestinian National Authority.

    During his meeting with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair in the Jordanian capital Amman, Abbas said that “Hamas will not rule Gaza in the post-war era,” the official Palestinian news agency WAFA reported.

    He stressed that the only feasible solution for the Gaza Strip is a complete Israeli withdrawal from the Strip and allowing the State of Palestine to fulfill its obligations with Arab and international support.

    According to WAFA, the meeting discussed the latest situation in the Palestinian territories, as well as political and humanitarian developments related to the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip.

    The Palestinian President stressed the need for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages and prisoners and the unimpeded entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip.

    During the meeting, M. Abbas condemned Israel’s unilateral measures, including the expansion of settlements in the West Bank and Jerusalem, and rejected any attempts to annex Palestinian territories, as well as repeated attacks on Islamic and Christian holy sites.

    He also called for the launch of a political process to implement the principle of “two states for two peoples” based on the resolutions of the international community and the Arab Peace Initiative, proposing to hold an international peace conference in New York to achieve this goal. –0–

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

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Hong Kong’s financial ties with ROK strengthened amid enhanced regional connectivity

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

    Paul Chan, financial secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government, on Sunday highlighted the growing significance of regional cooperation amid changing global dynamics and affirmed Hong Kong’s commitment to foster multi-layered interactions with various economies in the region to solidify the foundation for collaboration.

    In a blog post, Chan spoke of his recent trip to the Republic of Korea (ROK) to explore new opportunities for cooperation.

    He noted that Hong Kong’s financial market and initial public offerings (IPOs) have performed robustly since September 2024, with significant interest from ROK investors in both Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland markets.

    In the first five months of this year, the total trading volume of licensed securities firms from the ROK based in Hong Kong surpassed 1.5 trillion HK dollars, marking a 2.8-fold increase compared to the total for 2024, he said.

    Chan also underscored the rapid growth of Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) in Hong Kong, describing them as a convenient mechanism for enhancing market connectivity. More products were being cross-listed between the two markets, whether through ETFs investing in South Korean stocks being listed in Hong Kong or those tracking Hong Kong indices being listed in the ROK, he said, adding that such interconnection boosts market liquidity and expands the investor base.

    In fact, Hong Kong serves as a hub for both Chinese mainland and international capital, Chan said. Mechanisms that enhance financial market connectivity can attract more domestic and foreign investments in companies listed in both Hong Kong and South Korea, while also creating new opportunities and asset allocation options for investors, he added.

    Chan noted that Hong Kong, as a “super connector” and “super value creator,” boasts several world-class universities and excellent research capabilities. Coupled with the thriving innovation and technology ecosystem of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, this can facilitate stronger connections and deeper cooperation between tech enterprises from both Hong Kong and the ROK, allowing innovative ideas and cutting-edge technologies to find broader applications and enhanced commercialization opportunities, he said. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Openness, fair competition power China’s unified national market

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

    A drone photo taken on July 2, 2025 shows an electric vertical take-off-and-landing (eVTOL) aircraft performing flight demonstration at Luogang Park in Hefei, east China’s Anhui Province. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu)

    At Hefei’s urban air mobility hub, the rotor blades of an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft hum to life before it glides smoothly into the summer sky.

    Known as a “flying taxi,” this innovative vehicle is operated by Hefei Heyi Aviation Co., which in March became one of China’s first companies to receive an operating certificate for passenger-grade civil unmanned aircraft.

    “Chinese companies have long been capable of designing and building these aircraft, but operating them was challenging due to regulatory restrictions,” said Li Xiaona, general manager of the company in east China’s Anhui Province.

    Following the breakthrough in airworthiness certification, the commercialization of passenger-grade unmanned aircraft in China has accelerated, with government agencies working closely with industry bodies to set clear standards and define responsibilities.

    By clearly defining “how to enter” and “how to regulate,” China’s low-altitude economy has hit the fast-forward button. Data show that over 80,000 companies are now operating nationwide, with the market continuing to expand rapidly.

    This exemplifies the Chinese government’s efforts to streamline administrative approvals and boost market vitality. China’s vast and rapidly growing market provides a crucial advantage and a stable foundation amid global uncertainties. To drive high-quality growth and establish a new development model, building a unified national market is vital, and government authorities nationwide are stepping up efforts to make this vision a reality.

    Beyond aviation, China has steadily enhanced its market access regulations, opening more sectors to private and foreign investment, thereby driving innovation and fostering competition.

    In April, the country released a new edition of its national market access negative list, cutting the number of restricted items to 106 from 151 in 2018, a move designed to provide businesses with clearer expectations and greater certainty.

    With market entry barriers lowered, private and foreign businesses are discovering fresh opportunities across various sectors.

    In Beijing, Minospace recently secured an 804 million yuan (about 112 million U.S. dollars) contract to develop and launch a network of 10 remote-sensing microsatellites. For a privately owned company founded in 2017, the scale of this order is especially significant, underscoring how private players are becoming more deeply involved in driving growth in China’s aerospace sector.

    In February, China approved 13 foreign companies to operate pilot value-added telecommunications services. In May, Hong Kong Cell Valley launched operations in Shenzhen under a new Guangdong pilot program that permits overseas investors to develop and apply technologies related to human stem cells, as well as gene diagnosis and treatment.

    Guo Liyan, deputy head of the Economic Research Institute at the National Development and Reform Commission, said that alongside the streamlining of the negative list, reforms in approvals, registration and supervision are progressing simultaneously to ensure a level playing field for all businesses.

    In south China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, local authorities have removed discriminatory licensing restrictions in the shared e-bike sector, opening the market to more brands. Meanwhile, in Wuhan, capital city of central Hubei Province, automakers and suppliers have formed an industry alliance to develop automotive-grade chips, fostering greater collaboration across the supply chain.

    Similar efforts to eliminate market entry barriers have increased bidding success rates of private firms and fostered the growth of new business models, emerging industries and innovative application scenarios.

    Government authorities across the country have also been working to improve infrastructure connectivity, strengthen industrial coordination and enhance data sharing, building a more standardized and fair market environment to support stronger business capabilities and unlock the full potential of the national market.

    “A large market does not automatically generate scale effects. Reforms are essential to consolidate and expand market resources and create synergy between large factories and a unified market,” said Dong Yu, executive vice dean of the China Institute for Development Planning at Tsinghua University.

    Going ahead, China is expected to implement more robust measures to refine market access rules and enhance the business environment, developing a unified national market where innovation will thrive and growth momentum can be further unleashed. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Women played key roles in Syria’s revolution. Now they’ve been pushed to the margins

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kinda Alsamara, Lecturer in the School of Languages and Cultures, The University of Queensland

    The end of the oppressive Assad regime in Syria in late 2024 has been broadly welcomed on the global stage – underscored by the fact the United States and European Union have now lifted sanctions against the country.

    However, women have been marginalised by Syria’s new leadership. That’s a problem for Syrian women, of course, but it also puts at risk prospects for sustainable peace in Syria.

    A growing body of research, including our own, shows a direct correlation between gender equality and peace.

    Syria now stands at a crossroads. Will it ensure women’s meaningful participation and follow a path to peace? Or will things head in the other direction?

    This is more urgent than ever. Failure to grapple with women’s rights in Syria risks plunging the nation further into extremist violence.

    Women excluded both before and after Assad’s rule

    After decades in power, the harsh Assad regime was overthrown late last year by rebels led by Sunni Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham.

    But women – who were marginalised politically and economically under Assad – continue to be systematically excluded from decision-making in the new government.

    This is even though women played an essential role in the Syrian revolution. They organised protests and advocated for rights (often at great personal risk).

    They endured sacrifices such as imprisonment, torture, disappearance and displacement.

    Yet, only one woman was appointed to Syria’s immediate post-Assad caretaker government. She didn’t get a ministerial title.

    The caretaker government spokesman reportedly suggested women’s “biological and physiological nature” makes them unsuitable for certain government roles.

    Reports allege the man initially appointed as Syria’s new minister of justice previously oversaw executions of women accused of being sex workers.

    Some Syrian activists are concerned Hayat Tahrir al-Sham will enforce a gendered and conservative interpretation of Islamic law, which prevailed in its previous stronghold of Idlib (a city in northwestern Syria).

    Limited roles for women

    A key moment came when the new Syrian government held a “national dialogue conference” earlier this year. This conference was to establish a forward-looking “political identity” for Syria.

    Of the seven-member conference preparatory committee, only two were women.

    There was no representation on the preparatory committee from several of Syria’s diverse communities, including Kurdish, Alawite and Druze groups.

    Most members had strong ties with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham or other Islamist factions.

    About 200 of the 1,000 delegates at the conference were women. However, their input in legislative and security committees was minimal.

    Only one of 18 conference recommendations referred (in a limited way) to women.

    Following the national dialogue conference, new Syrian President Ahmed Hussein al-Sharaa signed into force a constitutional declaration that set a five-year transition period and established the interim government.

    Senior figures in the new government described the declaration as guaranteeing women’s political and economic rights.

    Yet only one of Syria’s 23 ministers is a woman: Hind Kabawat, appointed as minister of social affairs and labour. This “soft” portfolio is commonly associated with gendered expectations around care and welfare.

    Key ministries were allocated to al-Sharaa’s all-male long-time comrades from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham’s base in Idlib.

    Change is possible

    A just and sustainable peace requires proactive measures to integrate women into leadership roles in Syria.

    Change is possible. For example, constitutional mandates could guarantee minimum representation for women in ministerial leadership and judicial positions, which would better reflect the diversity of Syrian society.

    Independent mechanisms could be established to investigate and address gender-based injustices. This would need to provide accountability for past abuses and protect women’s rights under the post-Assad system.

    As we have previously noted, there cannot be a “collective forgetting” of crimes Syrian women experienced in the past.

    Economic empowerment initiatives would also help foster women’s financial independence and participation in public life.

    Public awareness campaigns could also highlight women’s contributions to the revolution and their essential role in nation-building.

    Syria at a crossroads

    With the recent lifting of sanctions by the US and EU, and ongoing regional instability globally, Syria stands at a crossroads.

    The G7 Summit in May 2025 emphasised the global community’s renewed focus on women’s participation in peace processes.

    Influential middle-power countries can play a key role by reviewing sanctions and tying humanitarian aid to the promotion of human rights, gender inclusion and pluralistic governance.

    The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Women played key roles in Syria’s revolution. Now they’ve been pushed to the margins – https://theconversation.com/women-played-key-roles-in-syrias-revolution-now-theyve-been-pushed-to-the-margins-257358

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Washington’s war demands – Australia risks being dragged into a conflict with China over Taiwan

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Blaxland, Professor, Strategic and Defence Studies Centre, Australian National University

    Andy. LIU/Shutterstock

    The United States can count on Australia as one of its closest allies.

    Dating back to the shared experiences in the second world war and the ANZUS Treaty signed in 1951, Australia has steadfastly worked to help ensure the US remains the principal security guarantor in the Indo-Pacific.

    Australia’s track record speaks for itself. Yet additional demands are being placed that rankle.

    The Pentagon wants to know how Australia – and other allies such as Japan – would respond in the event of a war with China over Taiwan.

    Making these demands – which are being sought as part of the review of the AUKUS nuclear submarine agreement – is both unjustified and unreasonable.

    ‘100 years of mateship’

    Since federation in 1901, Australians have found themselves alongside US counterparts in almost all the major conflicts of the 20th century and beyond.

    It is this shared experience that led former Ambassador to Washington, Joe Hockey, to coin the term “100 years of mateship”.

    The pinnacle of the security relationship is the ANZUS Treaty which is a loosely worded document barely 800 words long.

    However, it is important to remember AUKUS is just that – a technical agreement, albeit premised on the century-spanning trusted collaboration across the full spectrum of national security ties.

    Goldilocks solution

    More recently, the US administration has made demands of allies, including Australia, the likes of which have not been seen in living memory.

    This spans not just tariffs, but also increased defence spending. American policymakers appear oblivious or unconcerned about the blowback they are generating.

    It is this context which makes the US demands for a broad-ranging and largely open-ended commitment over the defence of Taiwan, in advance of any conflict, so extraordinary and unhelpful.

    Under-secretary of defence for policy Elbridge Colby who wants a clear sense of how Australia would act in a potential war over Taiwan.
    Supplied by US Department of Defence, CC BY

    Australia has long had a fear of abandonment. Ever since the searing experience of the fall of Singapore in 1942, officials have been eager to burnish ties with US counterparts. Conversely, there has always been a strong element in the community that has feared entrapment in yet another US-led war in Asia.

    The experience in the Korean and Vietnam wars, let alone Afghanistan and Iraq, left many guarded about the efficacy of hitching the wagon to US-led military campaigns.

    In essence, though, Australian policymakers have long sought the Goldilocks solution: not too enthusiastic to trigger entrapment and not too lukewarm to trigger abandonment.

    No guarantees

    Now Australia, Japan and others face a surprising new push by American officials for a commitment to a hypothetical conflict, under open-ended circumstances.

    The irony is that American demands for a commitment fly in the face of the loosely worded ANZUS alliance – which stipulates an agreement to consult, but little more than that.

    The AUKUS agreement includes no such guarantees either. The overt and confronting nature of Washington’s demands means Prime Minister Anthony Albanese effectively has no option but to push back:

    We support the status quo when it comes to Taiwan. We don’t support any unilateral action […] we want peace and security in our region.

    Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy was adamant Australia would not be committing forces ahead of any “hypothetical” conflict:

    The decision to commit Australian troops to a conflict will be made by the government of the day, not in advance, but by the government of the day.

    A further irony is Australia, like Japan, is already hugely invested in its US military relationship, particularly through its military technology.

    The purchase of the F35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft, for instance, was meant to help enable the generation of interoperable forces, yet no such demand has been made when it comes to an advance commitment over their use in support of US ambitions.

    So why invoke AUKUS in such a way?

    Evidently, the way the US is trying to stand over Japan and Australia is harmful to its own interests. Such adversarial and unduly transactional behaviour could provoke a popular backlash in Australia and elsewhere.

    The government has rightly rebuffed the calls saying it would be up to the government of the day to make such a decision. It is likely this will not be well received by the Trump administration. The PM is right though, to say it’s hypothetical and not worthy of a public endorsement.

    Strategic ambiguity

    Yet a further irony is that this is mostly a moot point.

    The key benefit of alliance collaboration is already in place – and that relates to the efforts to deter China from ever acting on its desire to change the status quo in the first place.

    As former PM and now ambassador to Washington, Kevin Rudd explained in his book, The Avoidable War, geo-political disaster is still avoidable, particularly if the US and China can find a way to coexist without betraying their core interests through managed strategic competition.

    This strategic ambiguity is meant to complicate a potential adversary’s military planners and political decision makers’ thought processes over the advantages and disadvantages of going to war.

    China already knows a clash over Taiwan would mean US allies like Japan and Australia would find it virtually impossible to avoid being entangled. The strategic ambiguity can be maintained ad infinitum, so long as an outright invasion is averted.

    And the likelihood of conflict over Taiwan? I remain sanguine that conflict can be avoided.

    But to do so would involve clear and compelling messaging: both through diplomatic channels and through the demonstration of robust military capabilities that war would be too costly.

    John Blaxland received funding (2015–2018) from the US DoD Minerva Research Initiative.

    – ref. Washington’s war demands – Australia risks being dragged into a conflict with China over Taiwan – https://theconversation.com/washingtons-war-demands-australia-risks-being-dragged-into-a-conflict-with-china-over-taiwan-261076

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Statement of Performance Expectations

    Source: Privacy Commissioner

    The Statement of Performance Expectations (SPE) describes our intended financial and non-financial performance during the financial year (1 July – 30 June). Publishing a Statement of Performance Expectations is a requirement of all Crown entities under the Crown Entities Act 2004.

    Statement of Performance Expectations 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026

    Read the current Statement of Performance Expectations (opens to PDF,2.1MB). 

    Safeguarding personal information benefits all of New Zealand. For our people, protecting privacy reduces the privacy harms that may result, whether they are financial, reputational or emotional. For our companies and government agencies, soundly managing personal information enables the flow of goods and services through building the trust of customers and clients. For our society, privacy is a foundation underpinning the trust in the institutions of our democracy.

    For 2025/26 we have set ourselves three key areas of strategic focus:

    1. Provide guidance and develop processes to support the implementation of legislative and regulatory privacy initiatives.
    2. Engage with agencies to build their privacy capability and empower New Zealanders to assert their privacy rights.
    3. Focus our activities on the technological and digital innovations being adopted by organisations and businesses

    Read previous Statements of Performance Expectations below: 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI China: One month after Israeli surprise attack, Iranians stay vigilant

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

    This photo taken on June 29, 2025 shows the destruction at Evin Prison after the Israeli airstrike in Tehran, Iran. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Precisely one month ago, in the wee hours of June 13, Israel launched major surprise airstrikes on several areas in Iran, including nuclear and military sites, killing senior commanders, nuclear scientists, and civilians.

    One month after the attack, which triggered a 12-day war between the two countries, Iranian experts and politicians maintain that although it is unlikely that Israel would launch another attack against Iran soon, Tehran should enhance its readiness for any scenario that may unfold.

    Speaking in a recent televised interview, Ali Larijani, a senior advisor to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, warned that “it is possible that Israel … would decide to come back,” stressing that Iran should always be ready.

    In a recent interview with the Iranian Labour News Agency (ILNA), Hossein Kanani Moghaddam, an Iranian expert on West Asia issues and secretary-general of the Green Party, warned against any negligence, noting, “We should always be ready to defend the country and maintain our preparedness to confront the foe.”

    He highlighted the necessity to strengthen the country’s passive defense in the face of surprise operations by Israel and the United States, saying the war, in which Iran was engaged, was a hybrid one featuring the employment of offensive, cyber, security, military, economic and sanction systems by Israel and the United States as well as the U.S. NATO allies.

    Kanani Moghaddam highlighted the importance of ensuring Iran’s intelligence and anti-espionage agencies are well-equipped and focused on countering the “enemy.”

    He also stressed the necessity of establishing an independent intelligence and security organization dedicated to addressing threats from Israel.

    Iran’s deterrence power should be so tremendous that it makes Israel believe any “aggression” against the country would cost it heavily, he added.

    In another interview with ILNA, Ali-Asghar Zargar, an international relations expert, said that while the current ceasefire between Iran and Israel could be sustainable, Iran should take swift actions to strengthen its air defense and military might.

    Iranian lawmaker and former foreign minister, Manouchehr Mottaki, also told the official news agency IRNA in a recent interview that “all of us, especially the Iranian armed forces, should be ready for a likely Israeli attack.”

    Iran’s military figures have been warning that should Israel seek to violate the ceasefire, Iran’s response would be “crushing.”

    In remarks to Defa Press, a news outlet affiliated with the General Staff of Iran’s Armed Forces, spokesman of the Iranian armed forces Abolfazl Shekarchi said the country’s response to a likely Israeli attack would be “firm, serious, crushing, effective and regret-inducing,” emphasizing that the Iranian armed forces’ preparedness was at a high level. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Abbas urges Hamas to hand over weapons to Palestinian Authority

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

    Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Sunday called on Hamas to hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority (PA).

    During his meeting with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair in the Jordanian capital Amman, Abbas said that “Hamas will not rule Gaza in the post-war era,” the Palestinian official news agency WAFA reported.

    He stressed that the only viable solution for the Gaza Strip is Israel’s complete withdrawal from the strip and the empowerment of the State of Palestine to assume its responsibilities with Arab and international support.

    WAFA said the meeting addressed the latest developments in the Palestinian territories, as well as political and humanitarian developments related to the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip.

    The Palestinian president stressed the need to reach an immediate ceasefire, release all hostages and prisoners, and ensure the unhindered entry of humanitarian aid into the Strip.

    During the meeting, Abbas condemned unilateral Israeli measures, including settlement expansion in the West Bank and Jerusalem, and rejected any attempts to annex Palestinian territories, as well as the repeated attacks on Islamic and Christian holy sites.

    He also called for launching a political process to implement the two-state solution based on international legitimacy resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative, proposing to hold an international peace conference in New York to achieve the goal. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Historic day for equality as plasma donation rules change

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    As part of ACT Government’s ‘One Government, One Voice’ program, we are transitioning this website across to our . You can access everything you need through this website while it’s happening.

    Released 14/07/2025

    The ACT Government has today welcomed the lifting of restrictions on plasma donations, with gay and bisexual men and transgender women now eligible to donate plasma under new inclusive rules.

    From today, most sexual activity-based deferrals that previously excluded many LGBTIQA+ people from donating plasma will be removed, a milestone moment in the journey toward equity in Australia’s healthcare system.

    Lifeblood has also been progressing changes to blood donation eligibility, with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approving a submission to remove gender-based sexual activity rules for blood and platelets, expected next year.

    Chris Steel MLA, a long-time advocate for blood donation reform, will mark the occasion by donating plasma at the Lifeblood’s Civic Donor Centre.

    “Today we are no longer being treated differently because of who we are or who we love,” Minister Steel said.

    “Like thousands of other Australians, the LGBTIQIA+ community have been ready and willing to roll up our sleeves to safely contribute to the blood supply, and now we can.

    “This is a win for equality, for evidence-based policy, and for public health.

    “I hope these changes encourage everyone who can to consider donating.”

    Minister for Health Rachel Stephen-Smith said the change comes at a critical time for Australia’s health system.

    “Plasma is the most in-demand blood product in the country, with rising demand for lifesaving treatments across Australia,” Minister Stephen-Smith said.

    “Opening up donation to more Australians not only strengthens the blood and plasma supply, it also sends a strong signal that our donation system is based on safety, science and fairness.”

    “This change reflects the ACT Government’s longstanding commitment to inclusion and health equity, and I commend Australian Red Cross Lifeblood and the Therapeutic Goods Administration for delivering this important reform.”

    Canberra is also leading the way when it comes to plasma donation. On a per capita basis, Canberra’s plasma donors are the most generous in the country, ahead of every other capital city.

    Today’s change means people previously excluded from plasma donation, including gay and bisexual men, sex workers, people on PrEP, and more, can now donate, provided they meet standard eligibility criteria.

    These changes are expected to allow an additional 24,000 Australians to donate and enable 95,000 more plasma donations every year.

    Australians are encouraged to consider donating plasma. To check eligibility or book a donation, visit www.lifeblood.com.au or call 13 14 95.

    – Statement ends –

    Chris Steel, MLA | Rachel Stephen-Smith, MLA | Media Releases

    «ACT Government Media Releases | «Minister Media Releases

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Music is at the forefront of AI disruption, but NZ artists still have few protections

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dave Carter, Associate Professor, School of Music and Screen Arts, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University

    Getty Images

    Was the recent Velvet Sundown phenomenon a great music and media hoax, a sign of things to come, or just another example of what’s already happening ?

    In case you missed it, the breakout act was streamed hundreds of thousands of times before claims emerged the band and their music were products of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI).

    Despite the “band” insisting they were real, an “associate” later admitted it was indeed an “art hoax” marketing stunt. Much of the subsequent commentary was concerned with fairness – particularly that a “fake” band was succeeding at the expense of “real” artists.

    But Velvet Sundown is only the most recent example in a long history of computer generated and assisted music creation – going back to the 1950s when a chemistry professor named Lejaren Hiller debuted a musical composition written by a computer.

    By the 1980s, David Cope’s Experiments in Musical Intelligence created music so close to the style of Chopin and Bach it fooled classically trained musicians.

    Artist and composer Holly Herndon was highlighting a need for the ethical use and licensing of voice models and deepfakes several years before Grimes invited others to use AI-generated versions of her voice to make new music, and “Deepfake Drake” alarmed the major record labels.

    At the same time, music companies, including Warner, Capitol and rapper-producer Timbaland, have since inked record contracts for AI-generated work.

    GenAI-powered tools, such as those offered by Izotope, LANDR and Apple, have become commonplace in mixing and mastering since the late 2000s. Machine learning technology also underpins streaming recommendations.

    Creativity and copyright

    Despite this relatively long history of technology’s impact on music, it still tends to be framed as a future challenge. The New Zealand government’s Strategy for Artificial Intelligence, released this month, suggests we’re at a “pivotal moment” as the AI-powered future approaches.

    In June, a draft insight briefing from Manata Taonga/Ministry for Culture & Heritage explored “how digital technologies may transform the ways New Zealanders create, share and protect stories in 2040 and beyond”.

    It joins other recent publications by the Australasian Performing Rights Association and New Zealand’s Artificial Intelligence Researchers Association, which grapple with the future impacts of AI technologies.

    One of the main issues is the use of copyright material to train AI systems. Last year, two AI startups, including the one used by Velvet Sundown, were sued by Sony, Universal and Warner for using unlicensed recordings as part of their training data.

    It’s possible the models have been trained on recordings by local musicians without their permission, too. But without any requirement for tech firms to disclose their training data it can’t be confirmed.

    Even if we did know, the copyright implications for works created by AI in Aotearoa New Zealand aren’t clear. And it’s not possible for musicians to opt out in any meaningful way.

    This goes against the data governance model designed by Te Mana Raraunga/Māori Sovereignty Network. Māori writer members of music rights administrator APRA AMCOS have also raised concerns about potential cultural appropriation and misuse due to GenAI.

    Recent research suggesting GenAI work displaces human output in creative industries is particularly worrying for local musicians who already struggle for visibility. But it’s not an isolated phenomenon.

    In Australia, GenAI has reportedly been used to impersonate successful, emerging and dead artists. And French streaming service Deezer claims up to 20,000 tracks created by GenAI were being uploaded to its service daily.

    Regulation in the real world

    There has been increased scrutiny of streaming fraud, including a world-first criminal case brought last year against a musician who used bots to generate millions of streams for tracks created with GenAI.

    But on social media, musicians now compete for attention with a flood of “AI slop”, with no real prospect of platforms doing anything about it.

    More troublingly, New Zealand law has been described as “woefully inadequate” at combating deepfakes and non-consensual intimate imagery that can damage artists’ brands and livelihoods.

    The government’s AI strategy prioritises adoption, innovation and a light-touch approach over these creative and cultural implications. But there is growing consensus internationally that regulatory intervention is warranted.

    The European Union has enacted legislation requiring AI services to be transparent about what they have trained their models on, an important first step towards an AI licensing regime for recorded and musical works.

    An Australian senate committee has recommended whole-of-economy AI guardrails, including transparency requirements in line with the EU. Denmark has gone even further, with plans to give every citizen copyright of their own facial features, voice and body, including specific protections for performing artists.

    It’s nearly ten years since the music business was described as the “canary in a coalmine” for other industries and a bellwether of broader cultural and economic shifts. How we address the current challenges presented by AI in music will have far-reaching implications.

    Dave Carter is a writer member of APRA AMCOS. He has received funding and contributed to projects funded by Manatū Taongao Ministry for Culture and Heritage, NZ on Air and APRA AMCOS.

    Jesse Austin-Stewart has completed commissioned research for NZ On Air and participated in focus groups for Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage. He has received competitive funding from Creative New Zealand, NZ On Air, Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture & Hertiage, and the NZ Music Commission. He is a writer member of APRA AMCOS and a member of the Composer’s Association of New Zealand and Recorded Music NZ

    Oli Wilson has previously completed research in partnership with or commissioned by APRA AMCOS, Toi Mai Workforce Development Council, Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture & Heritage and the NZ Music Commission. He has also received funding, or contributed to projects that have benefited from funding from NZ on Air, the NZ Music Commission and Recorded Music New Zealand. He has provided services to The Chills, owns shares in TripTunz Limited, and is a writer member of APRA AMCOS.

    – ref. Music is at the forefront of AI disruption, but NZ artists still have few protections – https://theconversation.com/music-is-at-the-forefront-of-ai-disruption-but-nz-artists-still-have-few-protections-260299

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Trade win unlocks £250 million for British firms in Vietnam

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    Trade win unlocks £250 million for British firms in Vietnam

    Trade win unlocks £250 million in exports for British pharmaceutical firms in Vietnam.

    Trade win unlocks £250 million in exports for British pharmaceutical firms in Vietnam

    • Major pharmaceutical trade barrier with Vietnam removed as bilateral trade increased by £1.2 billion in current prices to £8.1 billion in 2024 in boost to UK economy
    • Pharmaceutical sectors given boost making it faster and cheaper to sell UK medicines to Vietnam
    • Trade Strategy in action as UK continues to eye fast deals across the globe for key industries to create jobs and boost innovation as part of our Plan for Change

    British pharmaceutical companies are set to gain up to £250 million over the next five years as part of a Vietnamese law change that makes it easier to sell UK-made medicines to the country.

    The announcement comes ahead of the latest Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) today [14 July] co-chaired by Trade Minister Douglas Alexander and Vice Minister Nguyen Hoang Long.

    The meeting aims to deepen trade ties – which have risen to more than £8 billion – and remove barriers for UK businesses in key sectors like healthcare, finance, and clean energy – which will boost growth to deliver for working people as part of the Plan for Change.

    It follows the launch of the UK’s landmark Trade Strategy which aims to secure more nimble deals while promoting sectors like financial services and renewable energy which drive the most economic growth.

    Thanks to UK government efforts, Vietnam has changed its laws to streamline the registration of new medicines and vaccines, now recognising approvals from trusted international regulators such as the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

    It opens to the door to more commercial opportunities for UK companies who can avoid time-consuming paperwork and expensive legal processes if their products have been approved in the last five years by the MHRA, making it cheaper, quicker and easier to sell products to Vietnam.

    The JETCO will reflect the UK’s goal of deepening ties with fast-growing economies in Asia while supporting key sectors like life sciences, education, and green energy – core pillars of the UK’s Industrial Strategy.

    Renewable energy will be on today’s agenda as both countries pledge to work together to support the development of Vietnam’s renewable energy sector, particularly around offshore wind, with the industry in the UK forecast to support 100,000 jobs by 2030.

    Trade Minister Douglas Alexander said:

    Vietnam is today a dynamic, fast-growing economy.

    The removal of pharmaceutical barriers with one of our closest trading partners in Asia is a boost for the UK pharmaceutical industry and proof our Industrial and Trade Strategies are already delivering.

    The UK is committed to strengthening its relationship with Vietnam, which is witnessing rapid economic growth and fast becoming a major global manufacturing base for electronics, textiles, and renewable energy.

    Discussions will also celebrate the good news for our world-leading financial services sector as the government commits support for Vietnam to design its first International Finance Centre in Ho Chi Minh City which is expected to streamline regulations and encourage international investments, making it simpler for British firms to trade with Vietnam.

    The swift removal of pharmaceutical barriers and progress on financial and energy collaborations with Vietnam demonstrates the government is securing quick wins through nimble, targeted interventions and delivering on the key ambitions of the newly launched Trade Strategy.

    Miles Celic OBE, Chief Executive Officer, TheCityUK, said:

    There is great potential for British firms and other international investors in Vietnam; it is a rapidly growing market with increasing demand for sophisticated financial products. There are also mutual benefits to be gained through sharing expertise in areas such as green finance, innovation, and digital transformation.

     We’ve been working closely with the UK Government and British Embassy in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to help lay the groundwork for the development of an international financial and business centre in Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang and are very supportive of the government’s commitment to support its creation and its contribution to Vietnam’s economic growth and net-zero agenda.

    Annex

    Notes on analysis

    The £250m over five-year figure is a mid-point of a range of £100m – £400m. The DBT methodology to value market access barriers can be found here:

    https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/methodologies-for-valuing-market-access-barriers

    Sources:

    https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/renewable-technologies-future-job-estimates-methodology/job-estimates-for-wind-generation-by-2030-methodology-note

    2025-06-19 Vietnam – UK Trade and Investment Factsheet

    Updates to this page

    Published 14 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Hong Kong: Appeal hearing in ‘HK 47’ case a pivotal chance to correct mass injustice – Amnesty International

    Source: Amnesty International

    Ahead of the appeal hearing of 13 people – among 45 individuals convicted in a mass trial last year of “conspiring to subvert state power” under Hong Kong’s National Security Law – Amnesty International’s China Director Sarah Brooks said:

    “The Hong Kong 47 case stands as one of the most shocking examples of the crackdown on human rights in the city.  This appeal hearing is a chance for the courts to start righting the wrongs of this unprecedented mass prosecution.

    “Research findings we released earlier this month show that the vast majority of convictions under the National Security Law have targeted legitimate expression. It is appalling that Hong Kong courts could condone a crackdown that leaves more than 80% of defendants wrongfully languishing behind bars.

    “This appeal is a pivotal test—not just for these 13 individuals, but for the future of freedom of expression in Hong Kong. Only by overturning these convictions can Hong Kong’s courts begin to restore the city’s global standing as a place where rights are respected and where people are allowed to peacefully express their views without fear of arrest.”

    Background

    In Hong Kong’s largest prosecution under the National Security Law, which was enacted in June 2020, 47 opposition figures were jointly charged with “conspiracy to commit subversion”. Thirty-one of the 47 pleaded guilty to the charge while 16 pleaded not guilty, two of whom were acquitted.

    On 14 July 2025, Hong Kong’s Court of Appeal will hear the appeal of 13 of those convicted. In the same hearing, Hong Kong’s Department of Justice will also appeal against the acquittal of one of the defendants, Lawrence Lau. The hearing is expected to take 10 days to conclude.

    The charges against the “Hong Kong 47” relate to their organization and participation in self-organized “primaries” for the 2020 Legislative Council elections that were ultimately postponed by authorities on Covid-19 grounds before the Chinese government brought in a new electoral system that strictly vetted who could stand for office.

    The city’s chief executive at the time, Carrie Lam, said the “primaries” were illegal and warned that they could be in breach of the National Security Law that had been enacted only weeks earlier.

    To treat self-organized “primaries” conducted by political parties to select candidates to put forward for elections as a genuine threat to Hong Kong’s existence, territorial integrity or political independence does not meet the high threshold of application for “national security” that international human rights standards require.

    Research published last month by Amnesty International, on the fifth anniversary of the National Security Law’s enactment, found that more than 80% of people convicted under the law have been wrongly criminalized and should never have been charged in the first place.

    Hong Kong’s human rights situation has deteriorated dramatically since 2020, with Amnesty International identifying more than 250 people arrested for violating the National Security Law or a colonial-era “sedition” law. Last year, the Hong Kong parliament itself enacted further national security legislation – the so-called ‘Article 23’ law – which has further deepened repression and silenced opposition voices in the city.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: SUNDAY SHOWS: Trump Administration is Putting Americans First

    Source: US Whitehouse

    This morning, officials joined the Sunday shows to discuss the historic steps the Trump Administration is taking to ensure the safety and security of the American people — including the government-wide response to the devastating Texas flooding, unprecedented action to secure the homeland, and protecting our national security through supply chain resiliency.

    Here’s what you missed:

    Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem

    • “Within just an hour or two after the flooding, we had resources from the Department of Homeland Security there helping those individuals in Texas … This is the fastest, I believe, in years, maybe decades, that FEMA has been deployed to help individuals in this type of a situation.” Watch
    • “This is what I think is really unfortunate is that we have a situation where so many individuals are playing politics with what happened to Texas.” Watch
    • “This week, we’ve got murderers off the street, rapists, child pedophiles. If you look at that marijuana grow facility that we recently just did an operation on, over 319 individuals were brought into custody — and 14 unaccompanied children.” Watch

    Border Czar Tom Homan

    • “If you’re in the country legally, you shouldn’t fear ICE — but what you should fear is the criminal aliens walking the communities in sanctuary cities.” Watch
    • “You didn’t see [Democrats] complaining about, under the Biden Administration, people being held in a Border Patrol parking lot surrounded by a fence in the sweltering heat. Not a word. You didn’t a word about half a million children being trafficked into the country and them not being able to locate 300,000 … They ignored four years of open borders, historic migrant death, historic Americans dying from fentanyl, historic numbers of women and children being sex trafficked, historic number of people on the terrorist watchlist coming across the border. Silence.” Watch

    National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett

    • “Tariff revenue over the next ten years — which will help reduce the deficit and secure our entitlement programs — it’s $3 trillion, and consumers haven’t seen that.” Watch
    • “We’re trying to put America First … This is about America getting itself ready for the Golden Age by getting our house in order, by getting our tariff and trade policy and tax policy exactly where it needs to be for a Golden Age.” Watch
    • “If there is a time of war, we need to have the metals that we need to produce American weapons, and copper is a key component in many American weapons. As we look forward to the threats that America faces, the President decided that we have plenty of copper in the U.S., but not enough copper production — and that’s why he has taken this strong step.” Watch

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: BAY Miner Unveils Cutting-Edge Cloud Mining Platform for BTC, ETH, DOGE and More

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    San Francisco, California, July 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The global crypto market is evolving rapidly. Investors everywhere are chasing smarter, greener, and more stable ways to grow their portfolios. BAY Miner steps forward with a major breakthrough, unveiling a next-generation cloud mining platform designed for today’s realities. Whether you’re looking to mine Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), XRP, Dogecoin (DOGE), Litecoin (LTC), or Solana (SOL), BAY Miner makes it easier, safer, and more profitable.

    This is not just another cloud mining project. BAY Miner blends advanced technology, eco-friendly operations, and multi-asset flexibility to give investors an edge. As the crypto space grows more competitive, choosing the right mining partner matters more than ever.

    What Makes BAY Miner Stand Out in the Crypto Market?

    Many platforms promise fast returns. Few can back it up with real innovation and trust. BAY Miner sets itself apart by focusing on four crucial pillars:

    • Multi-Asset Mining Capabilities: Mine BTC, ETH, DOGE, XRP, LTC, and SOL all under one roof. Shift strategies anytime to adapt to market swings.
    • AI-Powered Optimization: Their smart algorithms constantly tweak mining operations, cutting waste and boosting profits.
    • Green Energy Commitment: BAY Miner uses renewable energy across its facilities, lowering costs and protecting the planet.
    • Full Transparency: Access live dashboards that show your earnings and mining stats. No shady math. No hidden deductions.

    On top of this, BAY Miner is fully mobile-optimized. Manage your entire mining portfolio straight from your phone. This is a huge advantage for investors in emerging markets who rely on mobile over desktop.

    Taking Advantage of BTC Halving and Rising Energy Prices

    The latest Bitcoin halving event sliced mining rewards in half. That means only the most efficient miners stay profitable. BAY Miner’s tech-driven operations use AI to adapt instantly to changing difficulty levels, ensuring your investment stays on track.

    Meanwhile, global energy costs continue to climb. BAY Miner’s reliance on renewable sources shields investors from these spikes. It’s a win for your wallet and for long-term sustainability.

    Why Registering with BAY Miner is the Smart Move

    1. One-click registration, enter the crypto mining field immediately

    BAY Miner registration provides a simple and clear process, allowing you to easily enter the crypto mining field without complex technical background, and seize the market opportunities of assets such as BTC, SOL, XRP, DOGE, etc.

    2. Eliminate cumbersome hardware and high electricity bills

    Without the need to purchase mining machines, manage noisy equipment or pay high electricity bills, the BAY Miner cloud mining platform allows users to be exempted from the burden of traditional mining and directly use funds for mining itself.

    3. Flexible selection of mining assets and plans

    After registration, users can freely choose mining assets such as BTC, SOL, XRP, DOGE, etc. according to personal preferences and strategies, and flexibly configure contract plans to adapt to market dynamics.

    4. Newbie-friendly participation experience

    The BAY Miner platform interface is intuitive. Register to get a $15 welcome bonus and a complete visual mining monitoring experience. Whether you are a crypto novice or a senior investor, you can easily follow the daily mining dynamics.

    5. Professional support ensures peace of mind

    BAY Miner provides 24/7 professional support to help users understand market dynamics, optimize mining strategies, and always get the assistance they need during cloud mining..

    BAY Miner Builds Trust Through Community and Education

    BAY Miner isn’t just a platform; it’s a thriving community of investors. They regularly host online webinars and publish updates to keep users informed. Learn strategies to maximize your returns, understand crypto market cycles, and connect with like-minded investors from around the globe.

    This approach builds a level of trust that’s rare in the crypto mining world. With BAY Miner, you’re not just a customer — you’re part of a growing network dedicated to smart, sustainable crypto growth.

    A Clear Path to Profits and Diversification

    Flexibility is key in crypto. BAY Miner lets you diversify without juggling multiple platforms. Mine BTC for stability, DOGE for community-driven growth, or hedge with ETH and SOL. You can adjust your focus anytime as market trends shift.

    Plus, with daily payouts, you see results fast. This keeps your cash flow healthy and your investment goals on track.

    Join BAY Miner Today and Secure Your Crypto Future

    Thousands across the globe have already put their trust in BAY Miner — and it’s easy to see why. This platform stands out for its rock-solid security, complete transparency, and resilience, even when crypto markets turn rough. Plus, BAY Miner’s commitment to ESG standards means you’re not just chasing profits; you’re supporting sustainable, low-impact mining that helps protect the planet.

    Now’s your chance to take charge of your crypto journey. Sign up today and start mining BTC, ETH, DOGE, XRP, LTC, and SOL without the headaches of managing hardware or paying steep electricity bills. With BAY Miner, you gain a dedicated partner focused on your long-term success.

    Ready to experience mining the smarter way?
    Visit BAY Miner’s official website to explore your options and see why so many investors rely on BAY Miner for steady growth, true flexibility, and complete peace of mind.

    Want to mine right from your phone?
    Download the app here: https://bayminer.com/xml/index.html#/app

    Website: https://www.bayminer.com
    Register and begin mining in just a few minutes.

    Press Contact:
    Alicia Thorne
    Global Communications Manager
    Email: info@bayminer.com

    Disclaimer: The information provided in this press release does not constitute an investment solicitation, nor does it constitute investment advice, financial advice, or trading recommendations. Cryptocurrency mining and staking involve risks. There is a possibility of financial loss. You are advised to perform due diligence before investing or trading in cryptocurrencies and securities, including consulting a professional financial advisor.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: UN-backed labour standards at risk as tariff uncertainty grows

    Source: United Nations 2

    Threatened or actual tariff increases are largely focused on taxing imports into the United States and will make the products made by factories outside the country more expensive – a situation which may drive down demand.

    The ILO’s Better Work programme, a partnership with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), has supported garment factories, many of which export their products to the United States.

    The ILO’s Sara Park explained to UN News what could happen next.

    Sara Park: Better Work currently operates in the garment, textile and footwear sector in 13 countries around the world.

    It was set up 24 years ago in Cambodia to monitor the working conditions in garment factories and since then has focused on improvement and capacity building of factories and our constituencies in the sector, for example occupational safety and health.

    There are other elements that support the sector to promote social dialogue, safe and decent work which includes fair wages and working hours. The programme has also helped build productivity in those sectors.

    UN News: How is the ILO involved?

    Sara Park: The ILO is a tripartite organization, so we work with governments, employers, the unions who represent workers, usually Ministries of Labour, but also with ministries of trade or commerce because the programme focuses on exports.

    © Better Work/Aron Simeneh

    A worker at a factory in Ethiopia carries out an inspection on fire safety equipment.

    But what maybe makes us different from other projects is that we have a very close collaboration with major brands from the US, UK, Europe and Japan to promote responsible business practices.

    UN News: How successful has this programme been?

    Sara Park: Our studies show that at the factory level we’ve made significant impact, for example by increasing wages and supporting gender-equality related issues, women’s empowerment and women getting more supervisory roles.

    Over the quarter of a century of its existence, Better Work has lifted millions of people out of poverty and reduced the environmental impact of the apparel sector by creating decent work in sustainable enterprises.

    It’s still hard for unions as freedom of association remains a big challenge.

    © ILO/Aaron Santos

    A woman works at a Better Work-affiliated factory in Viet Nam.

    If you’re trying to develop a whole industry and make it competitive, it takes years if not decades; however, we have seen improvements in the factories where we work.

    Better Work-enrolled factories have also reported an increase in orders from buyers.

    UN News: So, this is good for business as well?

    Sara Park: This is good for business, and productivity in individual factories. Governments also tell us that the programme supports confidence and thus growth of the industry as a whole in participating countries.

    © Better Work/Marcel Crozet

    Garment employees work on a production line of an exporting clothing plant in Jordan.

    UN News: How has Better Work been affected by recent global changes in development funding?

    Sara Park: As we know from recent developments, the US Government has cut funding and that has affected our programmes in Haiti and Jordan, which were almost fully funded by the US. The other countries have not been affected, as we are lucky to have very diverse funding.

    UN News: Why is the ILO’s ongoing support needed once the relationship between factory and the buyer is set up?

    Sara Park: The buyers, which are often well-known companies, require a sustainable way of monitoring working conditions to ensure they are in compliance with international labour standards; this is important to eliminate risk from the buyers’ perspective.

    The Better Work programme supports improvements in factories, by conducting assessments, advisory and learning sessions and helps all parties to better understand compliance with the standards. It also works with governments, workers and employers to build capacity.

    © Better Work/Feri Latief

    Workers take their lunch break at a garment factory in Indonesia.

    UN News: Currently there is widespread uncertainty about tariffs, the taxing of imported goods particularly into the United States. How is the garment sector impacted?

    Sara Park: At the moment, we don’t know what the impact will be. Governments are monitoring the situation. Employers and, of course, the unions are worried.

    It is extremely challenging for factories as uncertainty means they cannot plan even for the short term, as they don’t know what orders they will have. They are also concerned about paying workers.

    Better Work-enrolled factories are providing primarily jobs in the formal sector; if they close, then those jobs may move to the informal sector where workers have fewer protections.

    In countries like Jordan for example, migrants make up the majority of the workforce in the garment industry, most of them come from South and Southeast Asia.

    UN News: How is this uncertainty impacting investment in the global garment industry?

    Sara Park: During periods of crisis or uncertainty, investment generally pauses. One concern is that factories stop investing in improving working conditions, which could affect occupational safety and health.

    For example, heat stress is a serious issue. Recently, in Pakistan temperatures reached 50 degrees Celsius so action needs to be taken to protect workers. This may not happen if investment dries up.

    UN News: What would you say to a garment worker who was worried about his or her job?

    Sara Park: We understand this is a worry for many workers. Yet the work of the ILO is continuing to ensure that workers are protected and the ILO remains in those countries and is committed to improving conditions for all workers across different sectors.

    We will continue to promote social dialogue because that’s how improvements can be made at factory, sectoral and national level.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: UN forum to spotlight health, gender equality, oceans, in critical bid to meet development goals

    Source: United Nations 2

    The 2025 High-Level Political Forum, or HLPF, follows two recent successful UN conferences focused on vital development issues: one in June in Nice, France, dedicated to ocean protection, and another held in Sevilla, Spain, centred on boosting financing for sustainable initiatives.

    The Sevilla meeting ended with a strong call to action: to urgently address the massive $4 trillion annual shortfall in financing needed to achieve the SDGs. It also highlighted the pressing need for greater investment and deep reform of the global financial system.

    Held under the auspices of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), the forum will take place from 14 to 23 July at UN Headquarters in New York.

    Here are five key things to know about this year’s forum:

    1. It’s all about accelerating action

    The HLPF is the United Nations’ main platform for tracking global progress on the Sustainable Development Goals. It meets each year to review countries’ efforts, share solutions, and push for faster action to meet the 2030 targets

    The 2025 forum is convening under the theme:

    Advancing sustainable, inclusive, science- and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals leaving no one behind.

    This reflects a growing sense of urgency. With the 2030 deadline fast approaching, the forum will emphasise practical, data-driven strategies to close implementation gaps– particularly in the face of intersecting global crisis including climate change, inequality, and economic instability.

    © ILO/Fauzan Azhima

    The 17 Sustainable Development Goals are all interconnected, for instance progress on SDG 2 to end hunger is closely tied to advances in health and education.

    2. Five SDGs in the spotlight

    Each year, the HLPF conducts in-depth reviews of selected Goals. In 2025, the focus will be on:

    SDG 3: Good health and well-being

    SDG 5: Gender equality

    SDG 8: Decent work and economic growth

    SDG 14: Life below water

    SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals

    These Goals span a wide range of issues – from public health and gender equity to economic resilience and marine conservation.

    SDG 17, which is reviewed annually, highlights the importance of revitalising global partnerships and enhancing means of implementation – including financing, which nations committed to just last month in Sevilla.

    © UNICEF/Lasse Bak Mejlvang

    3. Countries will share their progress, voluntarily

    A hallmark of the HLPF is the Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) – self-assessments by Member States on their progress toward the SDGs. In 2025, dozens of countries are expected to present their VNRs, offering insights into both achievements and persistent challenges.

    These reviews foster transparency, peer learning, and accountability. They also provide a platform for civil society and other stakeholders to engage directly with governments on development priorities.

    VNR Labs – interactive sessions focused on national reviews – create space for dialogue, innovation, and collaboration

    4. It’s not just governments

    While the HLPF is a UN intergovernmental platform, it brings together a diverse range of voices, including youth groups, local authorities, indigenous peoples, NGOs, academics, the private sector, and UN system agencies.

    A rich programme of side events, exhibitions, and roundtable-discussions. This inclusive approach reflects the spirit of the 2030 Agenda, which recognises sustainable development is a universal, shared endeavour.

    UN Photo/Manuel Elías

    A wide view of the opening of the 2023 High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development convened under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), held in the General Assembly Hall.

    5 – 4 – 3 – 2 – 1 The Final Countdown

    With only five years left to deliver on the 2030 Agenda, the 2025 HLPF marks a critical inflection point.

    It is more than a yearly check-in. This year’s session comes at a time when science, solidarity, and urgent action must converge. It will help set the tone for the next Sustainable Development Goals Summit in 2027, where world leaders will take stock of collective progress and determine the final push toward 2030.

    What happens now – at this two-thirds deadline moment – will shape whether the SDGs will realise a global promise or become a missed opportunity.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NEWS: Sanders, Welch, Van Hollen Issue Statement of Solidarity with MK Ayman Odeh Following Expulsion Efforts from the Israeli Parliament

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Vermont – Bernie Sanders
    WASHINGTON, July 13 – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) today issued a statement of solidarity with MK Ayman Odeh, the chairman of the Arab-majority Hadash-Ta’al party, after lawmakers in the Israeli Knesset House Committee voted to impeach him.
    We strongly condemn the effort to expel MK Ayman Odeh from the Israeli Knesset.
    All over the world, democracy is under assault. If Israel is going to call itself a democracy, it must tolerate peaceful dissent.
    For over a decade, MK Odeh has been a leading advocate for peace, justice, and Jewish-Arab partnership. The current expulsion effort is a direct response to MK Odeh’s outspoken and brave calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, an end to the occupation, and a political solution between Israelis and Palestinians.
    This effort is not merely a personal attack on one parliamentarian – it is a grave assault on democracy, pluralism, and freedom of expression. In any free society, elected representatives must be able to speak their conscience without fear of expulsion or punishment. Suppressing dissent does not strengthen a democracy; it weakens its legitimacy.
    And this expulsion effort sends a chilling message to millions of Palestinian citizens of Israel: that their representation is conditional and their rights revocable. Such a message has no place in any democratic society.
    We strongly condemn this anti-democratic maneuver and urge all members of the Knesset to reject the petition for MK Odeh’s expulsion.
    At a time when many remain silent or resort to inciting rhetoric, MK Odeh has continued to call for an end to the violence, the protection of innocent lives, and a just and lasting peace for both peoples. He deserves the support of all those committed to democracy and freedom of expression.
    We stand in solidarity with MK Odeh and with the right of all lawmakers, Arab and Jewish, to speak freely and without fear of political retribution.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NEWS: Sanders, Welch, Van Hollen Issue Statement of Solidarity with MK Ayman Odeh Following Expulsion Efforts from the Israeli Parliament

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Vermont – Bernie Sanders

    WASHINGTON, July 13 – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) today issued a statement of solidarity with MK Ayman Odeh, the chairman of the Arab-majority Hadash-Ta’al party, after lawmakers in the Israeli Knesset House Committee voted to impeach him.

    We strongly condemn the effort to expel MK Ayman Odeh from the Israeli Knesset.

    All over the world, democracy is under assault. If Israel is going to call itself a democracy, it must tolerate peaceful dissent.

    For over a decade, MK Odeh has been a leading advocate for peace, justice, and Jewish-Arab partnership. The current expulsion effort is a direct response to MK Odeh’s outspoken and brave calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, an end to the occupation, and a political solution between Israelis and Palestinians.

    This effort is not merely a personal attack on one parliamentarian – it is a grave assault on democracy, pluralism, and freedom of expression. In any free society, elected representatives must be able to speak their conscience without fear of expulsion or punishment. Suppressing dissent does not strengthen a democracy; it weakens its legitimacy.

    And this expulsion effort sends a chilling message to millions of Palestinian citizens of Israel: that their representation is conditional and their rights revocable. Such a message has no place in any democratic society.

    We strongly condemn this anti-democratic maneuver and urge all members of the Knesset to reject the petition for MK Odeh’s expulsion.

    At a time when many remain silent or resort to inciting rhetoric, MK Odeh has continued to call for an end to the violence, the protection of innocent lives, and a just and lasting peace for both peoples. He deserves the support of all those committed to democracy and freedom of expression.

    We stand in solidarity with MK Odeh and with the right of all lawmakers, Arab and Jewish, to speak freely and without fear of political retribution.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: What’s happened to Australia’s green hydrogen dream? Here are 5 reasons the industry has floundered

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alison Reeve, Program Director, Energy and Climate Change, Grattan Institute

    An official from German energy supplier Eon with Fortescue founder Andrew Forrest after inking a deal in 2022 to supply green hydrogen from Australia to Germany. Michael Kappeler/picture alliance via Getty Images

    As the world looks for ways to tackle climate change, Australia has invested heavily in green hydrogen.

    Green hydrogen is shaping as the best option to strip carbon emissions from some industrial processes, such as iron-making and ammonia production. But making the dream a reality in Australia is proving difficult.

    Two recent announcements are a case in point. This month, the Queensland government withdrew financial support for the Central Queensland Hydrogen Hub. It came weeks after energy company Fortescue cut 90 green hydrogen jobs in Queensland and Western Australia.

    I led the development of Australia’s National Hydrogen Strategy in 2019, in my previous job as a federal public servant. I also co-authored a Grattan Institute report on how hydrogen could help decarbonise the Australian economy. Here, I explain the main challenges to getting the industry off the ground.

    But first, what is green hydrogen?

    Hydrogen is the lightest and most abundant element in the universe. It’s usually found as a gas, or bonded to other elements.

    It’s used to make products such as fertilisers, explosives and plastics. In future, it may also be a zero-emissions replacement for fossil fuels in industries such as steel and chemicals manufacturing.

    Australia currently makes very low volumes of hydrogen using natural gas, which produces greenhouse gas emissions. We are well-placed to produce “green” or zero-emissions hydrogen, through a process powered by renewable energy which releases hydrogen from water.

    But creating a large green hydrogen industry won’t be easy. These are the main five challenges.

    1. The learning curve is steep

    About 15 facilities in Australia are currently producing green hydrogen, all at low volumes – between 8 kilograms and one tonne a day (see chart below).

    By contrast, most recently cancelled projects would have produced hundreds of tonnes of green hydrogen daily. The Central Queensland Hydrogen Hub, for example, would initially have produced about 200 tonnes a day, scaling up to 800 tonnes in the 2030s.

    The failure of these big projects shows Australia has much to learn about planning, building, commissioning and operating large green hydrogen facilities.

    The hydrogen projects currently operating in Australia are orders of magnitude smaller than those proposed.
    Grattan Insitute, CC BY-NC-SA

    2. Demand is limited

    Very little hydrogen is currently used in Australia – around 500,000 tonnes a year. This is less than 1% of national energy consumption.

    Most of this hydrogen is produced using natural gas, and is produced on site at existing industrial operations that require hydrogen, such as oil refiners and ammonia plants. Using hydrogen from a different source would require major – and costly – engineering changes at these facilities.

    So, how do new green hydrogen producers create demand for their product?

    The first option is to convince a company to spend money changing their operations to bring in green hydrogen from outside. This is not an easy prospect. The second is to find big new markets – which leads to the next challenge.

    3. The chicken-and-egg problem

    Renewable hydrogen isn’t a direct substitute for conventional fuels.

    You can’t burn hydrogen in your gas stovetop without changing the pipes in the house and the burners on the stove. Likewise, you can’t use hydrogen as a substitute for coal when making steel without changing the smelting process.

    This creates a chicken-and-egg problem. Green hydrogen proponents won’t invest in high-volume production unless there are large users to buy the product. But large users won’t invest in changing their processes unless they are assured of supply.

    4. Green hydrogen is expensive

    Green hydrogen is much more expensive than conventional hydrogen. And as yet, there’s little evidence buyers are willing pay more for it.

    So for green hydrogen to compete with conventional production, it needs government subsidies.

    The huge expense is largely due to the electricity used to make green hydrogen – prices of which are currently high.

    As renewable energy expands, electricity prices in Australia are expected to fall. But building more large-scale renewable generation in Australia is itself a difficult prospect.

    5. Economic and political turmoil

    Recent turmoil in global markets has made companies more cautious about investing outside their core business. And global inflation has helped drive up the cost of electricity needed to produce green hydrogen.

    Globally, governments have scrambled to keep national economies afloat, which has led to cuts in green hydrogen in several countries.

    In Australia, green hydrogen is still key to the Albanese government’s Future Made in Australia policy. And hydrogen has been a rare area of agreement between the two major parties, at both federal and state levels.

    But there are signs this is changing. The federal opposition last year fought the government’s hydrogen tax credits, and the withdrawal of support for the Central Queensland Hydrogen Hub came from the Queensland LNP government, which won office in October last year.

    What next?

    There is a long road ahead if green hydrogen is to help Australia reach its goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.

    So what have we learned so far?

    Many scrapped projects tried to implement a “hub” model – combining multiple users in one place, which was designed to make it more attractive to suppliers. But this was difficult to co-ordinate, and vulnerable to changing global conditions.

    The green hydrogen industry should focus on the most promising uses for its product. For example, if it could successfully make enough green hydrogen to supply ammonia production, it could build on this to eventually support a bigger industry, such as iron-making.

    It’s also time to rethink how subsidies are structured, to reflect the fact some sectors are better bets than others. At present, the federal government’s Hydrogen Headstart program and the hydrogen tax credit are agnostic as to how the hydrogen is used, which does little to help demand emerge in the right places.

    Finally, political unity must be renewed. Hydrogen projects require a lot of capital, and investors get nervous when an industry does not have bipartisan support.

    The hype around green hydrogen in Australia is fading. There are some reasons for hope – but success will require a lot of hard work.

    Since 2008, the Grattan Institute has been supported by government, corporations, and philanthropic gifts. A full list of supporters is published at www.grattan.edu.au.

    – ref. What’s happened to Australia’s green hydrogen dream? Here are 5 reasons the industry has floundered – https://theconversation.com/whats-happened-to-australias-green-hydrogen-dream-here-are-5-reasons-the-industry-has-floundered-260634

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Even a day off alcohol makes a difference – our timeline maps the health benefits when you stop drinking

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nicole Lee, Adjunct Professor at the National Drug Research Institute (Melbourne based), Curtin University

    d3sign/Getty

    Alcohol has many negative effects on our health, some of which may surprise you. These include short-term impacts such as waking up with a pounding head or anxiety, to long-term effects including cancer.

    If you are thinking about taking some time off alcohol, you’ll find many quick wins and long-term gains for your health.

    How long will you have to wait to feel the benefits?

    We’ve made a timeline – based on scientific research – that shows what you might feel in the first days, weeks, months and years after taking a break from alcohol.

    Some benefits start immediately, so every day without alcohol is a win for your health.

    After one day

    Alcohol takes around 24 hours to completely leave your body, so you may start noticing improvements after just one day.

    Alcohol makes you need to urinate more often, causing dehydration. But your body can absorb a glass of water almost immediately, so once alcohol is out of your system alcohol dehydration is reduced, improving digestion, brain function and energy levels.

    Alcohol also reduces the liver’s ability to regulate blood sugar. Once alcohol leaves the system, blood sugar begins to normalise.

    If you are a daily drinker you may feel a bit worse to start with while your body adjusts to not having alcohol in its system all the time. You may initially notice disrupted sleep, mood changes, sweating or tremors. Most symptoms usually resolve in about a week without alcohol.

    After one week

    Even though alcohol can make you feel sleepy at first, it disrupts your sleep cycle. By the end of an alcohol-free week, you may notice you are more energetic in the mornings as a result of getting better quality sleep.

    As the body’s filter, the liver does much of the heavy lifting in processing alcohol and can be easily damaged even with moderate drinking.

    The liver is important for cleaning blood, processing nutrients and producing bile that helps with digestion.

    But it can also regenerate quickly. If you have only mild damage in the liver, seven days may be enough to reduce liver fat and heal mild scarring and tissue damage.

    Even small amounts of alcohol can impair brain functioning. So quitting can help improve brain health within a few days in light to moderate drinkers and within a month even for very heavy dependent drinkers.

    Alcohol damages your liver, but it’s very good at regenerating and healing itself.
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    After one month

    Alcohol can make managing mood harder and worsen symptoms of anxiety and depression. After a few weeks, most people start to feel better. Even very heavy drinkers report better mood after one to two months.

    As your sleep and mood improve you may also notice more energy and greater wellbeing.

    After a month of abstinence regular drinkers also report feeling more confident about making changes to how they drink.

    You may lose weight and body fat. Alcohol contains a lot of kilojules and can trigger hunger reward systems, making us overeat or choose less healthy foods when drinking.

    Even your skin will thank you. Alcohol can make you look older through dehydration and inflammation, which can be reversed when you quit.

    Alcohol irritates the gut and disrupts normal stomach functioning, causing bloating, indigestion, heartburn and diarrhoea. These symptoms usually start to resolve within four weeks.

    One month of abstinence, insulin resistance – which can lead to high blood sugar – significantly reduces by 25%. Blood pressure also reduces (by 6%) and cancer-related growth factors declines, lowering your risk of cancer.

    After six months

    The liver starts to repair within weeks. For moderate drinkers, damage to your liver could be fully reversed by six months.

    At this point, even heavy drinkers may notice they’re better at fighting infections and feel healthier overall.

    Just a month without alcohol can you make more confident about sticking to changes.
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    After one year or more

    Alcohol contributes to or causes a large number of chronic diseases, including heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and seven different types of cancer, as well as mental health issues. All of these risks can be reduced by quitting or cutting back on alcohol.

    Alcohol increases blood pressure. High blood pressure (hypertension) is the top risk factor for death in the world. A small 2mmHg increase in blood pressure above the normal range (120mmHG) increases death from stroke by 10% and from coronary artery disease by 7%.

    Cutting back on alcohol to less than two drinks a day can reduce blood pressure significantly, reducing risk of stroke and heart disease. Reducing blood pressure also reduces risk of kidney disease, eye problems and even erectile dysfunction.

    With sustained abstinence, your risk of getting any type of cancer drops. One study looked at cancer risk for more than 4 million adults over three to seven years and found the risk of alcohol-related cancer dropped by 4%, even for light drinkers who quit. Reducing from heavy to moderate drinking reduced alcohol-related cancer risk by 9%.

    Making a change

    Any reduction in drinking will have some noticeable and immediate benefits to your brain and general health. The less you drink and the longer you go between drinks, the healthier you will be.

    Whether you aim to cut back or quit entirely, there are some simple things you can do to help you stick with it:

    If you are still wondering about whether to make changes or not you can check your drinking risk here.

    If you have tried to cut back and found it difficult you may need professional help. Call the National Alcohol and other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015 and they will put you in touch with services in your area that can help. You can also talk to your GP.

    We would like to thank Dr Hannah MacRae for assistance in identifying the research used in this article.

    Nicole Lee works as a paid evaluation and training consultant in alcohol and other drugs. She has previously been awarded grants by state and federal governments, NHMRC and other public funding bodies for alcohol and other drug research. She is CEO of Hello Sunday Morning.

    Dr Katinka van de Ven is the Research Manager of Hello Sunday Morning. She also works as a paid evaluation and training consultant in alcohol and other drugs. Katinka has previously been awarded grants by state governments and public funding bodies for alcohol and other drug research.

    – ref. Even a day off alcohol makes a difference – our timeline maps the health benefits when you stop drinking – https://theconversation.com/even-a-day-off-alcohol-makes-a-difference-our-timeline-maps-the-health-benefits-when-you-stop-drinking-249272

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –