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  • MIL-OSI USA: Jeffries, Booker Conclude Day-Long Capitol Steps Sit-In Calling Americans to Action to Protect Medicaid, Safety Net Programs from GOP Budget Cuts

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

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) and U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) have concluded a day-long sit-in on the US Capitol steps that began at sunrise today, calling Americans to action to protect Medicaid and other vital safety net programs from devastating cuts proposed in Trump and Congressional Republicans’ budget bill.

    With Congress returning to session tomorrow, Republican leaders have made clear their intention to use the coming weeks to advance a reckless budget scheme to President Trump’s desk that seeks to gut Medicaid, food assistance and basic needs programs that help people, all to give tax breaks to billionaires. Given what’s at stake, these could be some of the most consequential weeks for seniors, kids and families in generations.

    The sit-in – which began at 6:14am ET this morning with Booker and Jeffries opening a live streamed conversation with their social media followers as the sun was rising over the Capitol  – saw numerous guest speakers and passers-by participate, including families who rely on critical programs like Medicaid, people who administer nutrition programs that keep Americans from going hungry, union leaders who fight for fair wages and working conditions, experts on Social Security and civil rights, and Senators and members of Congress.

    The live stream concluded at 6:35pm ET, after more than 12 hours. 

    “Budgets are more than just numbers in a spreadsheet—they are moral documents,” said Senator Booker. “They reveal what we value, who we protect, and what we stand for. That’s why I came here today: to sit-in at a sacred civic space, to make clear the moral and practical stakes of the Trump budget proposal, and to call others to action. Republicans in Congress are proposing cuts that will take food from children, healthcare from the sick, and dignity from those already struggling. It’s wrong. To stop it, we all must say so—clearly, courageously, and together. Speaking out and speaking up is how we will convince four Republicans in the House and Senate to do the right thing and vote no.”

    “Republicans are crashing the economy in real time,” said House Democratic Leader Jeffries. “Now, they want to jam a reckless budget down the throats of the American people that will end Medicaid as we know it, destroy Social Security and rip food from the mouths of children, seniors and veterans. As Democrats, we’re going to continue to stand on the side of the American people and we will not rest until we bury this reckless Republican budget in the ground.”

    For millions of Americans, Sundays are a day of faith, spirituality and moral reflection. In that spirit, Booker and Jeffries launched their sit-in this morning — an urgent conversation with the American people to focus on our common values, our faith traditions, and the moral moment facing our nation.

    Over the course of the day, Booker, Jeffries, and participants spoke to our shared American values and our nation’s religious and moral underpinnings, and how the Republican budget bill is antithetical to these beliefs. They also affirmed to Americans that their voices not only matter, but are needed in this moment in order to stop these harmful cuts.

    The conversation was live-streamed on multiple platforms, including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, X, and YouTube.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: New rules for ground-based space infrastructure

    Source: New Zealand Government

    New legislation to deter foreign interference and protect New Zealand’s national interests and national security will be in place for operators of ground-based space infrastructure (GBSI) by July, Space Minister Judith Collins said today. 

    “As I announced last year, we’re taking action to support New Zealand’s interest in the safe, secure and responsible use of space and stop any attempts by foreign entities that do not share our values or interests,” Ms Collins says.

    “A new regulatory regime will start in July to deter foreign interference in New Zealand’s infrastructure that carry out tracking and control of spacecraft, space surveillance and the transfer of data to and from spacecraft.

    “During the past five years there have been several deceptive efforts by foreign actors to establish and/or use GBSI in New Zealand to harm our national security. 

    “They have deliberately disguised their affiliations to foreign militaries and mis-represented their intentions.

    “To date these risks have been managed through non-regulatory measures, including relying on the goodwill of GBSI operators. These measures are no longer enough.

    “The introduction of this new regime will serve as a deterrent. It sends a very clear message that we take our national security seriously, and we will act if we suspect that it is under threat.” 

    The regime will be rolled out in two stages, with some measures to stop malicious activity available as soon as the legislation comes into effect in July.

    Following this, regulations will be put in place setting out detailed requirements for GBSI registration, including for protective security and due diligence systems which in-scope GBSI operators will need to implement. Once the new regulations are in place later this year, there will be a transition period until 1 March 2026 for operators to implement the necessary systems for successful registration.

    “The regime will apply to all in-scope operators in New Zealand, including those operating the infrastructure established prior to the regime coming into effect,” Ms Collins says.  

    “It will be an offence to ignore the requirements of the regulatory regime, and could lead to the seizure of equipment, a $50,000 fine and/or up to one year in jail for an individual, and a fine up to $250,000 for an entity.”

    The regulatory regime targets the following GBSI activities and will apply to existing operators in New Zealand:

    • Telemetry, tracking and control (including capability that could degrade or disrupt satellite operations) of spacecraft (including, for example, geodetic infrastructure);
    • space surveillance and identification of spacecraft; and
    • satellite data reception. 

    Widespread consumer products such as satellite telephones, satellite television or internet receiving dishes will be excluded.

    MBIE will act as the regulator of the regime, with the Minister for Space as the decision maker. 

    The regulatory regime will be included in an Outer Space High Altitude Activities Amendment Bill. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: NSU graduate talks about Novosibirsk residents’ contribution to the Victory in the Great Patriotic War

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –

    A graduate gave an open public lecture “Novosibirsk residents to the front” at Novosibirsk State University Humanitarian Institute of NSU, Honorary Archivist of the Russian Federation, Leading Archivist of the State Archives of the Novosibirsk Region Igor Samarin. He spoke about the creation of the 133rd Rifle (later the 18th Guards Insterburg) Division in Novosibirsk in 1939 and its combat path during the Great Patriotic War, as well as about the formation of the 1st Siberian Volunteer Division. It was in its ranks that Mikhail Perevozchikov, Olga Zhilina, Boris Bogatkov, whose names are given to streets in Novosibirsk, fought.

    “Breakthrough Division”

    This is what the 133rd Rifle Division (later the 18th Guards Insterburg) was called during the Great Patriotic War. The division covered itself with unfading glory in the Battle of Moscow in late 1941 – early 1942, in the Rzhev-Sychevka offensive operation, in the Oryol and Vitebsk-Orsha offensive operations, in the East Prussian offensive operation, as a result of which the city of Insterburg and the city of Koenigsberg, considered impregnable, were captured. The “breakthrough division” ended its combat path by capturing the seaport – the Pillau fortress.

    The 133rd separate rifle division was formed in the military town of Novosibirsk in 1939 according to the order of the Military Council of the Siberian Military District dated September 8. It was formed on the basis of the 78th and 71st rifle divisions and their assigned personnel, living in the settlements of Altai and Siberia.

    — The division’s fighters received the news of the beginning of the Great Patriotic War at the summer camps in the vicinity of Biysk, where they were training. Early in the morning of June 22, 1941, there was a parade dedicated to the opening of military training. After the parade, sports competitions began. They were interrupted by a government radio message about the attack of Nazi Germany on the Soviet Union. After 2-3 hours, rallies were held in all regiments. And the next day, by order of the Siberian Military District command, all personnel of the 133rd Division regiments returned to winter quarters. Only one day was allocated for training to be sent to the front. At night, the fighters received combat equipment. In 24 hours, ammunition, weapons, camouflage, draft power and transport were collected, — said Igor Samarin.

    The division was immediately thrown into defensive battles near Moscow, which went into a counteroffensive by winter. On July 5, 1941, the 2nd Battalion of the 133rd Division arrived at the destination station of Vyazma. After a long march, the battalion occupied a defensive line on the Dnieper River. The battalion was advanced by the lead detachment 70 km. On July 7, 1941, the 133rd Division, having unloaded at Vyazma station and joined the 24th Army, moved to the concentration area and took up defensive positions on the eastern bank of the Dnieper River. From July 10, it participated in the Battle of Smolensk.

    On September 1, 1941, by order of the General Command, the 133rd Rifle Division was transferred to the Velikiye Luki direction, to the area of the city of Andreapol in the Kalinin region, where it became part of the 22nd Army of Major General V.A. Yushkevich. Two days later, units of the 133rd Rifle Division, having arrived in the concentration area of the Soblago-Pena station, went out to occupy a new line of defense. The division fought fierce battles in the area of Mosty, Vitbino, Zhabero, Okhvat, where, having inflicted significant damage on the enemy, it delayed his advance from the eastern side. In this area, it advanced 10-12 km through fighting and liberated about 20 settlements. And on September 30, 1941, the great battle of Moscow began. It is divided into two periods: defensive (September 30 – December 4, 1941) and counteroffensive (December 5–6, 1941 – January 7–8, 1942), which then grew into a general offensive of our troops in the Western (Moscow), Northwestern and Southwestern directions (January 7–10 – April 20, 1942).

    In January – early March 1942, the 133rd Rifle Division fought as part of the 49th Army. As a result of battles and offensive actions, units of the division liberated 88 settlements.

    On March 17, 1942, for the heroism, discipline and exemplary performance of combat missions in the fight against German fascism, the 133rd Separate Rifle Division was transformed into the 18th Guards Rifle Division by order of the People’s Commissar of Defense of the USSR No. 78 of March 17, 1942, and on May 3 of the same year, by Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet, the division was awarded the Order of the Red Banner for successful combat operations against the Nazi invaders.

    From March 20, 1942 to February 9, 1943, the division fought heavy defensive battles on the 15 km long Sukov line (the villages of Novo-Sukovka and Sukovka), nicknamed “Little Sevastopol”.

    Igor Samarin illustrated the story of the combat path of the “Breakthrough Division” with a vivid presentation with pictures of priceless archival documents and frontline photographs. Among them is the division’s combat log, which, in addition to the advances of the combat unit and the awards received by the soldiers and commanders, also contains information about losses. In January 1942 alone, the division, numbering 12-13 thousand people, lost 2,725 soldiers and officers, in February – 2,534, and in March – 4,314.

    — At that time, positional warfare was being waged on this section of the front. There was no large-scale offensive or large-scale defense, but there were fierce battles — the so-called “trench warfare.” The division’s fighters drew off enemy forces that, under other conditions, could have replenished the enemy army rushing to Moscow. If “trench warfare” had not been waged on some sections of the front, there would have been no decisive attacks and breakthroughs on others. However, this division participated not only in heavy positional battles, otherwise it would not have been called a “breakthrough division.” It had many heroic attacks and assaults on enemy fortifications, but its most striking feat was the capture of Königsberg. Not only does this city stand on a hill, it is also surrounded by high medieval fortress walls. An impregnable stronghold. But our fighters did what seemed impossible, — explained Igor Samarin.

    Photographs and documents from the State Archives of the Novosibirsk Region contain evidence of the exploits of the fighters of the “Breakthrough Division”. The lecturer showed the audience photo portraits of its heroes. Among them was Private Ikram Tashmetov, who initiated the sniper movement in the division and personally destroyed 105 fascists – an enemy company – in 9 months. Another sniper, Sergeant Ivan Saenko, destroyed 240 German soldiers and officers from February 1942 until the end of the war. This fact is confirmed by a certificate issued to him by the commander of the unit in which he served his military career.

    The grandson of the legendary hero of the civil war Vasily Chapaev, Alexander, also served in the division as an artillery squad commander. His photo was published in a front-line newspaper, which has been preserved in the archives to this day.

    A photo of the orchestra of the 18th Guards Rifle Division has also survived. At the beginning of the war, the divisional orchestra consisted of 30 people and was led by Mikhail Kazakov. Three regimental brigades were created on the basis of the divisional orchestra, which operated directly on the front line. They gave concerts in dugouts and bunkers, even if there were only 10-15 spectators and the performances took place in several stages. The repertoire of the divisional orchestra was not limited to bravura marches. It was wide and varied, including classical works.

    The division also had its own newspaper, “Defense of the Motherland,” and printed leaflets. It even had its own artist, Ivan Titkov. His pencil drawings have been perfectly preserved to this day. The subjects were varied: our soldiers on the offensive, on defense, on reconnaissance, during rest hours, and captured enemy soldiers.

    Volunteers

    The 1st Siberian Volunteer Division of Siberian Warriors was created in July 1942 on the initiative of the Novosibirsk Regional Committee of the All-Union Communist Party (Bolsheviks). Subsequently, it was named the 150th Rifle Division, then became the 22nd Guards Riga Division. It was in this famous division that our fellow countrymen fought, after whom streets in Novosibirsk are named – Mikhail Perevozchikov, Olga Zhilina, Boris Bogatkov.

    — In the summer of 1942, the enemy was still strong and was gathering new forces for an offensive on the Caucasus, Moscow, and Stalingrad. In these conditions, volunteer divisions began to form in many regions of our country. Novosibirsk Oblast was no exception. This initiative was formalized and sent to Joseph Stalin. His consent was received a few days later, on July 2. And already on July 4, the first application was submitted. And by July 7, there were already 2,723 of them. By July 22, 5,410 privates and 715 junior officers were accepted into the volunteer division, and another 984 people from the regular junior staff arrived. In total, the division at that time numbered 7,179 soldiers and junior officers. And the recruitment of volunteers did not end there, — said Igor Samarin.

    The first commander of the division was Nikolai Guz. The lecturer showed the audience a unique document – his award sheet for the Order of the Red Banner, stored in the Central Archive of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, and said that Nikolai Olimpievich was an outstanding officer. He commanded the 345th Rifle Division, which participated in the defense of Sevastopol (the division was completely destroyed, but the banner was saved), was the commander of the 150th Rifle Volunteer Division named after Stalin, and then the 22nd Guards Rifle Division and the 338th Rifle Division. Cavalier of the Order of the Red Banner and the Order of the Patriotic War, 1st degree.

    — The party leadership of the Novosibirsk region was given the task of not just creating a volunteer division, but also providing it with comprehensive assistance and replenishment. That it would fully assist and replenish it, which was done with great dedication and efficiency, — noted Igor Samarin.

    Among the volunteers was Mikhail Perevozchikov. Since he was the secretary of the Novosibirsk regional committee of the Komsomol, he had a deferment, but nevertheless, Mikhail Georgievich persistently sought to get to the front. He went to the front as a volunteer and died in a fierce battle with the fascists near the city of Bely on November 25, 1942, repelling an enemy tank attack. A street in the Zaeltsovsky district of Novosibirsk is named after him.

    One of the streets in the Central District of Novosibirsk is named after Olga Zhilina, who was one of the first girls to apply to be included in the 22nd Volunteer Division.

    — The life of this amazing woman is shrouded in mystery. The exact date of her birth is unknown, only the year — 1914. Olga Vasilievna was born in Kolyvan, and as a child, she lost her parents and was taken into the care of her aunts, who took her to Novosibirsk. Today, employees of the State Archives of the Novosibirsk Region have tried to establish her date of birth. To do this, they turned to the registers of Orthodox churches in Kolyvan. From 1914, only two churches out of three that existed at that time have preserved registers. Olga Zhilina’s birth and baptism were not recorded in them. The third register could not be found, — the lecturer said.

    Olga graduated from high school, studied at the workers’ faculty, but did not graduate. For some time she worked as a saleswoman in a store, and then mysteriously ended up in the personnel department of the regional party committee. Then – in the personnel department of the NKVD administration for the Novosibirsk region, and then she even headed the military department in the Central district party committee. In addition, Olga Zhilina was engaged in shooting, showing excellent results, was fond of sports, ran cross-country, and studied German. She, like Mikhail Perevozchikov, also had an “iron” exemption, but nevertheless, she preferred to take nursing courses and become a front-line medical instructor.

    During her two years at the front as a medical battalion instructor, Olga Zhilina suffered eight wounds, carrying the wounded out of the heaviest battles. At the same time, she was also a sniper and has killed enemy soldiers and officers.

    On October 8, 1944, in the area of the village of Bumbieri near Riga, she carried 17 wounded soldiers out of a burning barn set on fire by the Nazis. She was mortally wounded there. But even here there were mysteries. Later, an eyewitness to these events was found. The woman said that Olga Zhilina came out of the ill-fated barn alive, but with two wounds. She refused to have her wounds bandaged. Then they went together to the front line to carry the wounded from the battlefield. And it was there that Olga Vasilyevna was killed.

    Olga Zhilina received 4 military awards for her military exploits, including the Order of the Red Star, the Order of the Red Banner, the Medal for Military Merit, and the Order of the Patriotic War, 1st degree, posthumously.

    The young Novosibirsk poet Boris Bogatkov also fought in the 22nd Siberian Volunteer Division. His poems began to be published in 1940 in the magazine “Sibirskie Ogni”. In 1941, he volunteered for the front, but after a concussion he was evacuated to Novosibirsk. In 1942, despite the doctors’ prohibitions, he returned to the front. He died a year later in the Smolensk region, raising his platoon to attack. According to eyewitnesses, at that moment his platoon was going at the enemy with his song. He was only 20 years old.

    Boris Bogatkov was posthumously awarded the Order of the Patriotic War, 1st class. A street, school and library in Novosibirsk are named after him.

    “Novosibirsk residents to the front”

    Novosibirsk residents made a significant contribution to the Victory in the Great Patriotic War not only on the battlefields, but also in the deep rear. They provided assistance to the residents of Leningrad – they sent trains with butter, clothes, food and everything necessary.

    – “Novosibirsk Komsomolets” – the so -called columns of tanks and squadrons of planes, and there were six of them. The State Archive of the Novosibirsk Region stores amazing documents-signature sheets on raising funds for the construction of the second squadron “Novosibirsk Komsomolets” among students of grades 2-3 of schools of the Suzunsky district. Children gave their pocket money, saying about adults who donated their savings. There are cases when people who were awarded the Stalin Prize, all of it were given to the defense fund without a trace, or sent to the construction of the Novosibirsk Komsomolets air squadron or “for their homeland!”. Industrial enterprises, collective farms, state farms, various labor collectives participated in financing the construction of combat aircraft and tanks. Also, 24 guards mortars of BM-13 Katyusha were built at the expense of the workers, which were transferred to the 4th Guards mortar Sevastopol Regiment, over which our region took patronage. The submarine “Novosibirsk Komsomolets” was also completed with folk money. The construction of the submarine began before the war, and it was intended to be sent to the Black Sea Fleet, but for some reason the work was discontinued. The Novosibirsk made an initiative to raise money to complete the construction and proposed transferring the submarine to the Northern Fleet. With the assistance of the Komsomol regional committee and a large -scale response by the population, the necessary amount was collected. The submarine was completed, the name “Novosibirsk Komsomolets” was given to her and sent by rail to the Northern Fleet base to the city of Polar. The delegation of the Novosibirsk Komsomol members was present on August 10, 1943 at a rally on the occasion of the transfer of the Novosibirsk Komsomolets to the Northern Fleet sailors. In total, this boat made 4 military campaigns, according to official figures, one transport was sunk, but the boat crew itself claimed that 2 enemy ships of a large displacement were destroyed. Since then, there is always a submarine with the name “Novosibirsk Komsomolets” in the Northern Sea Fleet, ”said Igor Samarin.   

    During the war, Novosibirsk lived by one motto: “Everything for the front, everything for victory.” Igor Samarin voiced some data collected with historians and archival employees to justify assigning Novosibirsk the title of “City of Labor Valor.” This information is impressive: Novosibirsk defense enterprises produced almost a third of the shells (about 125 million) and a quarter of the combat fighters (more than 15 and a half thousand). Collective and state farms of the Novosibirsk region prepared more than 1 million 750 thousand tons of grain and more than 70 thousand tons of meat for the state, transferred almost 4 thousand cars and tractors, about 28 thousand horses for the needs of the front.

    Igor Samarin accompanied his lecture with vivid presentations with photos of unique and rare documents from the State Archives of the Novosibirsk Region and the archives of the Novosibirsk Military Historical Scientific Society, which was perceived by the audience with particular interest, especially since the majority of them were undergraduate and graduate students in the field of History, as well as employees of the Humanities Institute of NSU.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: City announces new Director Healthy Communities and Environments

    Source: New South Wales Ministerial News

    Following a competitive recruitment process, the City of Greater Bendigo is pleased to announce Jessica Howard has been appointed the new Director Healthy Communities and Environments.

    Ms Howard is a familiar face to many at the City, as she is the current Director Corporate Performance since joining the City in March 2023.

    Most recently, Ms Howard has been at the forefront of the Councillor induction process and development of the 2025-2029 Council Plan, had an integral role in the recent organisation restructure and led the development of successive budgets.

    She has also contributed critical thinking relating to organisation policy, systems and processes, and is a valued member of the City’s Executive Leadership Team.

    Chief Executive Officer Andrew Cooney congratulated Ms Howard on her new role and said he was pleased she would be continuing her career at the City.

    “Prior to joining the City, Jess was a Director at Mount Alexander Shire Council and had a similar portfolio of responsibilities as the Healthy Communities and Environments directorate, including sport and recreation, community safety, local laws, climate resilience and project delivery,” Mr Cooney said.

    “Jess is also a former Councillor at Mount Alexander Shire, where she stood on a platform of strong community participation, and she has a personal interest in sport through her extensive involvement in playing and coaching soccer locally.

    “Her considerable experience in State Government and skills developed in various policy and advisory roles are also valuable.

    “I look forward to Jess continuing to make a great contribution to our organisation and community in her new role.”

    Ms Howard’s new responsibilities include Maternal and Child Health, immunisation, early learning centres, environmental health, local laws, climate change resilience and emergency management, parking, animal management, provision of recreation facilities, celebrating cultural diversity and inclusion, and community capacity building.

    Ms Howard said she was excited to take on this new challenge.

    “I am really looking forward to meeting the many organisations, clubs, groups and volunteers that the Healthy Communities and Environments directorate works with and who have such a critical role in making our community such a great place to live,” she said.

    Ms Howard will transition to the Director Healthy Communities and Environments role in the coming months, following recruitment to appoint a new Director Corporate Performance.

    The Director Corporate Performance role will be advertised by mid-May.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Ngamai Wilam – Victoria’s first publicly funded residential treatment centre for eating disorders

    Source: Australian Capital Territory Policing

    We’re ensuring Victorians with an eating disorder get the care and support they need with Victoria’s first public residential eating disorder treatment centre, Ngamai Wilam.

    Operated by Alfred Health in Armadale, Ngamai Wilam is a brand new, purpose-built 12 bed residential centre, offering 24/7 support in a safe, home-like setting, providing specialist care for Victorians aged 18 and over who are living with an eating disorder.

    Delivering on the objectives of the Victorian Eating Disorders Strategy 2024-31, the establishment of this centre represents a shift in our system towards a stepped model of care, where care is available and tailored to an individual’s needs and circumstances – where we have services that are designed to meet people where they are at.

    By providing treatment, support, and care in a welcoming, home-like environment, Ngamai Wilam gives individuals the best chance at lasting recovery.

    The centre’s approach to care has been co-designed with people who have lived experience of eating disorders, alongside families, carers, health professionals, advocacy groups, and experts. By centring lived and living experience in both the design of the built environment and the model of care, Ngamai Wilam offers compassionate, evidence-based treatment, care and support for individuals impacted by eating disorders as well as their families, carers and supporters.

    The name, Ngamai Wilam (pronounced Nah-may Will-ahm) is inspired by the story of Nala, a wise spirit who created the first sunrise and sunset. Resonating strongly with the naming group, sunset is a reminder that as the day fades, so too can difficulties, where sunrise brings the promise of fresh beginnings and renewed strength to confront challenges.

    Ngamai Wilam represents a transformative approach to care for individuals with eating disorders. With a strong focus on family and chosen supports, Ngamai Wilam is committed to delivering high-quality, person-centred care that promotes long-term recovery.

    Read more about what we’re doing to tackle the rising prevalence and severity of eating disorders in the Victorian eating disorders strategy 2024-31.

    Further information

    Ngamai Wilam will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week with onsite staff support, and will be integrated with existing eating disorder services across the state.

    Treatment is free to consumers accessing Ngamai Wilam as a publicly funded service. Equitable access to care is provided to all Victorians with a diagnosed eating disorder.

    Ngamai Wilam will progressively open to a 12-bed capacity across 2025. More information on referral pathways is available on the Alfred Health websiteExternal Link.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Young women are among those who care most about the cost of living. It could be bad for the major parties

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Intifar Chowdhury, Lecturer in Government, Flinders University

    Unsplash

    As was widely predicted, the cost of living has dominated the federal election campaign. Soaring rents, grocery bills and energy prices have squeezed household budgets.

    But these pressures aren’t new. In 2022, voter frustration over living costs helped Labor oust the Coalition.

    With economic pressures persisting, will history repeat?

    Analysis of cost-of-living trends and voting patterns in the last election reveals the voters most motivated by hip-pocket concerns: young women.

    What was the situation in 2022?

    In the 2022 Australian Election Study – a nationally representative post-election survey – about 23.3% of respondents (577 out of 2,478) identified cost of living as the most important issue shaping their vote.

    Younger Australians were the most concerned about the issue. Among the age groups, 38.9% of those aged 18–30 prioritised it, compared with 30.4% aged 31–45, 28.5% aged 46–60, and just 15.4% among those aged 61–90.

    The generational pattern was clear: the younger you were, the more likely you were to vote on cost-of-living concerns.

    Gender also played a role. A slightly higher proportion of women (25.1%) than men (21.1%) rated cost of living as their top issue.

    But the age-gender breakdown reveals more: among cost-of-living voters aged 18–45, women made up roughly 70%.

    In contrast, men outnumbered women among older cost-of-living voters (aged 60 and over).

    These trends suggest the cost of living is especially salient for younger women — a key electoral demographic to watch. Evidence shows this cohort is almost twice as likely as young men to be undecided voters.

    If we look at housing, cost-of-living concerns were most prevalent among renters, with 38.5% of public housing tenants and 32.3% of private renters citing it as their top issue, compared to just 16.4% of those who own their home outright.

    Those paying off a mortgage (27.3%) and people in alternative living arrangements such as boarding or living at home (35.6%) also reported elevated concern, highlighting the strong link between housing insecurity and financial stress.

    Looking at household incomes, it’s no surprise low-income households were overrepresented among cost-of-living voters.

    But concern wasn’t limited to them. Middle-income households, including many earning six-figure incomes, also featured prominently, reflecting how rising rents and mortgage repayments are squeezing even those once considered financially secure.

    A generation defining crisis

    Cost-of-living pressures are widespread, but financial vulnerability heightens the risk of poverty, which already affects more than three million Australians.

    As shown above, young people and young families are at the deep end of the crisis.
    For many, this is a generation-defining crisis, reshaping life expectations.

    In 2017, 62.2% of Australians aged 18–24 saw home ownership as highly important. By 2024, that dropped to 49.5%. A similar decline occurred among 25–34-year-olds.



    Read more:
    Every generation thinks they had it the toughest, but for Gen Z, they’re probably right

    Those in the poorest suburbs or the poorest household are the least likely to value home ownership. This is potentially a sign they feel permanently locked out, deepening inequality.

    As renting becomes more common, and rent prices skyrocket, young people are increasingly struggling to secure affordable rent.

    It’s no surprise Gen Z is more financially anxious than any other generation. The mental health toll of financial stress is stark, contributing to the high prevalence of mental health disorders among this age group.

    With a sizeable youth electorate this time around, financially struggling young voters could be the power brokers of the election. So who might they vote for?

    The politics of living costs

    In the last election, 61.7% of voters concerned about the cost of living backed a left-of-centre party, while 38.3% voted for the right. Despite the Coalition’s historic advantage on economic issues, they faced an incumbent disadvantage among cost-of-living voters.

    In an Election Monitoring Survey conducted in October 2024, only 23.7% of Australians were living comfortably on their present income, while 46.4% were coping, and 29.9% were struggling.

    Those facing financial hardship were more dissatisfied with the country’s direction, less confident in the government, and more likely to dislike both major party leaders.

    Unsurprisingly, October 2024 saw a decline in trust in the federal government, with 15.7% of Australians reporting no trust at all, up from 8.3% in May 2022. Those who did trust the government remained around 32%.

    This shows cost-of-living voters – much like young and female voters – are likely to explore alternatives beyond the major parties, continuing the 2022 trend.

    Both major parties have seen a steady decline in support over the past two decades, with less than 70% of the primary vote between them in 2022.

    This time around, Labor can afford to lose only two seats before facing minority government. Peter Dutton, on the other hand, faces a tougher task, needing nearly 20 seats for a majority.

    With increasing dislike for the major parties among financially struggling voters, there’s a real chance of a hung parliament, where neither party secures the 76 seats needed to govern outright, making negotiations with minor parties and independents crucial.

    Policy battleground

    The major parties know how important the rising cost of living is to voters. A slew of policies has already been announced, from cheaper doctors visits, to lower cost medicines and power bill rebates. On all these fronts, the Coalition has agreed to match Labor’s proposals, ensuring a tightly contested debate.

    Notably, Labor’s proposal to top up stage three income tax cuts won’t kick in until mid-next year, but will cost the government $17 billion over four years.

    Meanwhile, the Coalition’s pledge to halve the excise on fuel duty for a year, will cost $6 billion in lost tax revenue in a year.

    But whether it will be enough to stop cost-of-living voters siding with a minor party or independent remains to be seen.

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

    – ref. Young women are among those who care most about the cost of living. It could be bad for the major parties – https://theconversation.com/young-women-are-among-those-who-care-most-about-the-cost-of-living-it-could-be-bad-for-the-major-parties-254988

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: NSU scientists have improved one of the key elements of fiber lasers

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –

    Research staff Department of Laser Physics and Innovative Technologies, Novosibirsk State University (OLFIT NSU) optimized birefringent filters for use in fiber lasers. NSU scientists were far from the first specialists in the field of photonics who, with varying degrees of success, used these filters in fiber lasers, but they summarized and analyzed the previous experience of their colleagues and proposed their own innovative solution for their optimization. The results of this work are presented in the article by the head of the Department of Laser Physics and Innovative Technologies of NSU, Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences Sergey Kobtsev “Bifractive Filters in Fiber Systems” (“Birefringent filters in fiber systems”), which was published in the international scientific journal “Journal of the Optical Society of America B” It became one of the most downloaded in January-March 2025.

    — We have been working with birefringent filters for many years. Several works were devoted to improving filters of this type, in which we considered birefringent filters as the main selectors of liquid and solid-state tunable lasers. Filters of this type have proven themselves in our traditional lasers from the best side. Naturally, there was a desire to use them in fiber lasers. It turned out that when adapting birefringent filters to fiber lasers, essentially only the operating principle of these filters remains, and their configuration undergoes significant changes. The article “Birefringent filters in fiber systems” shows options for these changes, analyzes the capabilities and limitations of modified filters. The article, of course, is of interest to a wide range of researchers and developers in the field of photonics, — explained Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences Sergey Kobtsev.

    Interest in laser spectral-selective components from photonics specialists is quite high, since such elements allow in many cases to achieve the required laser line width and/or control the radiation wavelength. Birefringent filters, whose action is based on changing the polarization of radiation when passing through a birefringent optical material, have long established themselves as one of the best spectral-selective components for lasers with a relatively wide gain band.

    Filters of this type are widely used in tunable dye lasers or titanium-sapphire lasers. They typically contain one or more birefringent plates (usually made of crystalline quartz) inclined at the Brewster angle to the beam.

    The inclined surfaces of the plates act as partial radiation analyzers, and the plates themselves act as radiation polarizers. The wavelengths of radiation whose polarization does not change when passing through the filter are generated.

    — Most fiber lasers are tunable, their radiation wavelength can be changed by tens of nanometers. This change can be made using birefringent filters, but they require adaptation to fiber lasers. As a result of attempts to use these filters in fiber lasers, there was a need for new solutions to adapt birefringent filters to a relatively new platform with original properties. The article “Birefringent filters in fiber systems” is devoted to the analysis of changes in these filters (material, configuration, controllability, etc.) associated with their use in new conditions. Optimized birefringent filters are in demand in many fiber lasers, widely used in various tasks – from medicine to cooling atoms. It would not be an exaggeration to say that thanks to the efforts of NSU scientists, one of the key elements of fiber lasers is being improved, — explained Sergey Kobtsev.

    The research described in the article is carried out within the framework of the project “New fiber short-pulse laser systems including advanced composite materials, intelligent technologies and metrological extensions”, supported by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: How much do election promises cost? And why haven’t we seen the costings yet?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stephen Bartos, Professor of Economics, University of Canberra

    With the May 3 federal election less than a week away, voters still have little reliable information on the costs of Labor or Coalition policies.

    Treasurer Jim Chalmers has said Labor’s policy costings will be released imminently. At the 2022 election, the costings were not released for nearly two months after polling day.

    Deputy Opposition Leader Sussan Ley last week told Sky News the Coalition costings will be “released in the lead up to election day and will be able to be fully interrogated”.

    This is now too late for the voters who have already cast their ballots. We have seen a record number of pre-poll votes this election, with more than 2.3 million as of Saturday. This means a sizeable percentage of the electorate has voted without knowing what their votes will cost.

    Voting without all the facts

    Whichever side wins, taxpayers eventually pay to implement policies. So knowing at least in broad terms the costs of the policies would be helpful.

    The Coalition has probably had many of its policies costed by the independent Parliamentary Budget Office. This process thorough and impartial.

    Importantly, the Parliamentary Budget Office costs policies over ten years. This allows the full costs of policies to be understood better. Some policies such as large infrastructure take many years before the full impact on the budget is felt.

    Labor has already published the costs of many of its policies in the March 25 federal budget. This only covered the forward estimates, three years into the future, but is reliable for most policies. But we still need the costings for policies announced post-budget.

    The true picture?

    Even when we see what the parties release, we can have no confidence their lists will be accurate and complete. Parties may omit costings that might attract criticism.

    They may also present costings prepared by consultants rather than the Parliamentary Budget Office. You may recall controversy late last year over private modelling of the Coalition’s plans for nuclear power.

    Unfortunately we have to wait until after the election for a comprehensive and independent set of costings.

    The Parliamentary Budget Office does not publish its full list of costings (in the election commitments report) until well after the election. This is either 30 days from the end of the caretaker period or seven days before the new parliament first sits, whichever comes later.

    The election commitments report has some accountability value in relation to the party that forms government but does not help inform voters. It is a mystery why anyone would be interested in the costs of policies of the losing side. But they still must be published, according to electoral law.

    The report must include the major parties, although minor parties and independents can also be included in the report if they wish.

    Are there other approaches?

    By contrast, in New South Wales the state Parliamentary Budget Office publishes a complete set of costings five days before the election. Policies announced after this date miss out but these rarely affect the budget bottom line.

    Although, as occurs federally, many voters cast their ballots in advance, at least NSW’s approach gives most voters a chance to see the costs. This encourages the major parties to compete to produce a fiscally responsible total.

    The NSW approach is self-policing. Each major party studies the statements and if the other side omits something – large or small – they rapidly and loudly complain. Parties therefore try to make their policy lists as accurate as possible.

    Both sides are obliged by law to provide the budget office with all the proposed policies of the leader’s party.

    Toting up all the costs

    Federally, the budget office takes on the time-consuming job of tracking down all the policy announcements to cost and include in its post-election report.

    The differences arise from the different legislation that applies to each PBO.

    NSW has arguably an easier job because it costs policies only for the premier and leader of the opposition. The federal budget office costs for all members of parliament.

    The federal system requires policies submitted during the caretaker period, and their costings, must be published “as soon as practicable”. But major parties are highly unlikely to submit a policy only to have it and its costing released at a time not of its choosing.

    The requirement is likely motivated by transparency, but clashes with political reality. In NSW costings remain confidential until the leader advises the budget office the policy has been announced. This gives parties a way to have policies costed with a low risk of their premature release.

    DIY assessments

    Federally, there are other ways to estimate the costs of policies. The budget office has a Build your Own Budget Tool, and a tool for modelling alternative
    income tax proposals (SMART), both available online.

    These provide a fair approximation and are often used by journalists trying to get behind political announcements.

    The OECD lists 35 independent fiscal bodies in 29 OECD countries responsible for assessing election costings. Some are tiny, with just a few analysts. Some are
    huge and influential, like the US Congressional Budget Office. Few have the same focus on costing election policies that applies in Australia.

    Costs are a big deal here. Both parties have run advertisements attacking the other side on the question of whether their policies are affordable.

    On major policies such as the Coalition plans for nuclear power there are massive differences between cost estimates put forward by each side. Such differences could be resolved by an independent and impartial costing. This is why Australian voters deserve to see such costings as soon as possible.

    Stephen Bartos was NSW Parliamentary Budget Officer for the past three NSW general elections. He is now a professor at the University of Canberra.

    – ref. How much do election promises cost? And why haven’t we seen the costings yet? – https://theconversation.com/how-much-do-election-promises-cost-and-why-havent-we-seen-the-costings-yet-255104

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for April 28, 2025

    ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on April 28, 2025.

    Reefs in the ‘middle’ light zone along NZ’s coast are biodiversity hotspots – many are home to protected species
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James J Bell, Professor of Marine Biology, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington James Bell, CC BY-SA The latest update on the state of New Zealand’s environment paints a concerning outlook for marine environments, especially amid the increasing push to use the marine estate for

    Pokies line the coffers of governments and venues – but there are ways to tame this gambling gorilla
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Charles Livingstone, Associate Professor, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University Recently, much public attention has been given to the way online wagering and its incessant promotion has infiltrated sport and our TV screens. Despite a 2023 parliamentary inquiry that recommended new restrictions on online

    Vancouver SUV attack exposes crowd management falldowns and casts a pall on Canada’s election
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ali Asgary, Professor, Disaster & Emergency Management, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies & Director, CIFAL York, York University, Canada A car attack at a Filipino street festival in Vancouver just two days before Canada’s federal election has killed at least 11 people and injured many

    Is Canada heading down a path that has caused the collapse of mighty civilizations in the past?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Daniel Hoyer, Senior Researcher, Historian and Complexity Scientist, University of Toronto Canada is, by nearly any measure, a large, advanced, prosperous nation. A founding member of the G7, Canada is one of the world’s most “advanced economies,” ranking fourth in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development’s

    Rwanda’s genocide: why remembering needs to be free of politics – lessons from survivors
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Samantha Lakin, Lecturer, Clark University Memory and politics are inherently intertwined and can never be fully separated in post-atrocity and post-genocidal contexts. They are also dynamic and ever-changing. The interplay between memory and politics is, therefore, prone to manipulation, exaggeration or misuse by clever actors to meet

    In talking with Tehran, Trump is reversing course on Iran – could a new nuclear deal be next?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jeffrey Fields, Professor of the Practice of International Relations, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences A mural on the outer walls of the former US embassy in Tehran depicts two men in negotiation. Majid Saeedi/Getty Images Negotiators from Iran and the United States are set

    ‘I were but little happy, if I could say how much’: Shakespeare’s insights on happiness have held up for more than 400 years
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Cora Fox, Associate Professor of English and Health Humanities, Arizona State University Joanna Vanderham as Desdemona and Hugh Quarshie as the title character in a Royal Shakespeare Company production of ‘Othello.’ Robbie Jack/Corbis via Getty Images What is “happiness” – and who gets to be happy? Since

    What will the UK Supreme Court gender ruling mean in practice? A legal expert explains
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alexander Maine, Senior Lecturer in Law, City St George’s, University of London jeep2499/Shutterstock The Supreme Court’s decision in For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers will mean changes in how trans people in the UK access services and single-sex spaces. In the highly anticipated judgment announced

    What are ‘penjamins’? Disguised cannabis vapes are gaining popularity among young people
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jack Chung, PhD Candidate, National Centre for Youth Substance Use Research, The University of Queensland Stenko Vlad/Shutterstock E-cigarettes or vapes were originally designed to deliver nicotine in a smokeless form. But in recent years, vapes have been used to deliver other psychoactive substances, including cannabis concentrates and

    Used EV batteries could power vehicles, houses or even towns – if their manufacturers share vital data
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Daryoush Habibi, Professor and Head, Centre for Green and Smart Energy Systems, Edith Cowan University EV batteries are made of hundreds of smaller cells. IM Imagery/Shutterstock Around the world, more and more electric vehicles are hitting the road. Last year, more than 17 million battery-electric and hybrid

    Climate change and the housing crisis are a dangerous mix. So which party is grappling with both?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ehsan Noroozinejad, Senior Researcher and Sustainable Future Lead, Urban Transformations Research Centre, Western Sydney University Australia is running out of affordable, safe places to live. Rents and mortgages are climbing faster than wages, and young people fear they may never own a home. At the same time,

    Why film and TV creators will still risk it all for the perfect long take shot
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kristian Ramsden, PhD Candidate, University of Adelaide Apple TV In the second episode of Apple TV’s The Studio (2025–) – a sharp satirical take on contemporary Hollywood – newly-appointed studio head Matt Remick (Seth Rogen) visits the set of one of his company’s film productions. He finds

    Is there a best way to peel a boiled egg? A food scientist explains
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Paulomi (Polly) Burey, Professor in Food Science, University of Southern Queensland We’ve all been there – trying to peel a boiled egg, but mangling it beyond all recognition as the hard shell stubbornly sticks to the egg white. Worse, the egg ends up covered in chewy bits

    Australia once had ‘immigration amnesties’ to grant legal status to undocumented people. Could we again?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sara Dehm, Senior Lecturer, International Migration and Refugee Law, University of Technology Sydney The year is 1972. The Whitlam Labor government has just been swept into power and major changes to Australia’s immigration system are underway. Many people remember this time for the formal end of the

    Independents may build on Australia’s history of hung parliaments, if they can survive the campaign blues
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Joshua Black, Visitor, School of History, Australian National University Major parties used to easily dismiss the rare politician who stood alone in parliament. These MPs could be written off as isolated idealists, and the press could condescend to them as noble, naïve and unlikely to succeed. In

    Peter Dutton: a Liberal leader seeking to surf on the wave of outer suburbia
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra In searching for the “real” Peter Dutton, it is possible to end up frustrated because you have looked too hard. Politically, Dutton is not complicated. There is a consistent line in his beliefs through his career. Perhaps the shortest cut

    Albanese has been a ‘proficient and lucky general’. But if he wins a second term, we are right to demand more
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Paul Strangio, Emeritus Professor of Politics, Monash University Barring a rogue result, this Saturday Anthony Albanese will achieve what no major party leader has done since John Howard’s prime-ministerial era – win consecutive elections. Admittedly, in those two decades he is only the second of the six

    Peter Dutton declares Welcome to Country ceremonies are ‘overdone’ in heated final leaders’ debate
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andy Marks, Vice-President, Public Affairs and Partnerships, Western Sydney University Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton have had their fourth and final leaders’ debate of the campaign. The skirmish, hosted by 7News in Sydney, was moderated by 7’s Political Editor Mark Riley. Cost of

    Election Diary: a cost-of-living election where neither leader can tell you the price of eggs
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The fourth election debate was the most idiosyncratic of the four head-to-head contests between Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton. Apart from all the usual topics, the pair was charged with producing one-word responses to pictures of

    Trump’s war on the media: 10 numbers from US President’s first 100 days
    Reporters Without Borders Donald Trump campaigned for the White House by unleashing a nearly endless barrage of insults against journalists and news outlets. He repeatedly threatened to weaponise the federal government against media professionals whom he considers his enemies. In his first 100 days in office, President Trump has already shown that he was not bluffing.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: The plastic-free shift: A viable option for big business

    Source: Greenpeace Statement –

    Photo from: Okada Manila

    Plenty of businesses are starting their own sustainability initiatives, but only a few large companies are taking serious steps to slowly phase out single-use plastics from their operations. Stepping up to the challenge is Okada Manila, a major player in the Philippine hospitality industry.

    The six-time Forbes 5-star integrated resort started its operations in 2016, with the aim of boosting tourism by providing a “comprehensive leisure experience” combining gaming with hotel, dining, shopping and entertainment options. This would evolve into a much bigger cause: embedding environmentally sustainable practices into the services they bring.

    “From the very beginning, sustainability has been top of mind — from planning to construction of the property,” shared Okada Manila Vice President for Hotel Operations Robert Scott.

    “Almost a decade in, we have integrated environmentally responsible practices across all facets of our operations. Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do, and we continue to develop programs through the Okada Green Heart movement.”

    The Philippine hotel industry is the largest consumer of single-use plastics in the country, according to data referenced by a 2022 journal article. Packaging alone accounts for up to 40% of a hotel’s waste stream, a harmful byproduct from manufacturers that doesn’t decompose over time.

    Photo by: Greenpeace

    While over 94% of Filipinos are in favor of global caps on plastic production in the country, most are left with limited options as the problematic material continues to be cheaper for businesses.

    From plastic bottles to reuse and refill

    Okada Manila started out using single-use plastic bottles for various hotel amenities just like most businesses. This includes water bottles, shampoos and conditioners provided to guests. But with over 1,001 rooms, this translates to an immense volume of plastic waste daily.

    Acknowledging the problem, the hotel earlier removed disposable bottles carrying hygiene products in all of their guest rooms, effectively replacing it with a similar reuse and refill system. 

    “We started off with single-use plastic bottles for all of our in-room amenities: shampoos, conditioners, but we’ve removed all those,” added Robert. “Initially we moved them across to aluminium foil tubes and have now removed them completely. So we’ve got the big dispenser pumps that are in the room.”

    Photo by: Miguel Louie de Guzman / Greenpeace

    Plastic bottles carrying essential toiletries are usually taken home by hotel guests in the Philippines, many of which are very small in size. These are replaced by staff before the next guests arrive.

    The integrated resort likewise started to eliminate single-use plastic water bottles in their facilities. In order to do this, the Parañaque-based company recently enlisted the services of Swedish firm Nordaq to replace the harmful material with glass bottles.

    These are to be filled with filtered water directly within Okada’s property.

    Photo by: Miguel Louie de Guzman / Greenpeace
    Photo by: Miguel Louie de Guzman / Greenpeace

    “We go through thousands and thousands of plastic water bottles every month. Very soon they’ll be gone. You won’t see these around Okada Manila anymore,” exclaimed Rob while holding a single-use bottle.

    Okada Manila Vice President for Hotel Operations Robert Scott holds a plastic water bottle while explaining how they’re phasing out the problematic material out from their hotel and restaurant operations. Photo by: Rico Ibarra / Greenpeace

    ‘Okada Green Heart’

    All of the above initiatives form part of Okada Manila’s larger campaign, Okada Green Heart. Central to the initiative are its six pillars, namely: waste management, energy efficiency, water conservation, talent and community, safety, security and welfare, and responsible gaming.

    The program is anchored on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, a collection of 17 objectives providing for a “shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet.” Okada Manila says that it wants to instill the Green Heart program not only in their operations but also for the purposes of community development.

    As part of the program, on-site composting alongside other initiatives such as recycling and upcycling of old uniforms are now taking place within their premises. Rooms are also now equipped with smart systems that optimize lighting, heating and cooling based on occupancy. Okada is currently aiming for 100% LED lighting across all outlets.

    Photo by: Miguel Louie de Guzman / Greenpeace

    The program not only targets the above-mentioned practices but also other hospitality tasks not usually attributed to the “greening” of an establishment.

    “We use different chemicals now that are more environmentally friendly, and they also allow us to wash our laundry at a lower temperature, which saves the energy that’s normally required to heat up that water,” Robert added.

    Photo by: Miguel Louie de Guzman / Greenpeace

    Plastics Treaty as blueprint for business guidelines

    The Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) to develop the world’s first international treaty to combat plastic pollution is set to reconvene once again this 2025 after UN member states failed to reach a consensus in the session held in Busan, South Korea last December.

    Environmental organizations have earlier called for an ambitious treaty, calling for a global plastic production reduction of at least 75% to regulate global warming. Over 100 countries have backed a proposal to introduce global reduction targets, only to be frustrated by a handful of oil producing states such as Saudi Arabia.

    “Through our Okada Green Heart program, we can really support a strong Global Plastics Treaty,” continued Robert, emphasizing that they could use it to further their sustainability goals as a business. “We can use it to consistently innovate and make some really impactful changes.”

    Photo by: Miguel Louie de Guzman / Greenpeace

    Okada Manila is just one of the many signatories of Champions of Change, a growing network of progressive businesses advocating for a strong Global Plastics Treaty. The group believes that it’s possible for entrepreneurs to operate without contributing to the worsening plastic crisis — provided that steps are made to make it easier for companies to do the right thing.

    “We’re really proud and excited to be part of Champions of Change. But it’s not just us. We need everybody to be involved in it, and every single business and every single person can be involved in this project and really make a difference,” he said.

    “It’s really important for our kids’ future and for future generations that we leave this world in a better place than it was when we found it.”

    Photo by: Greenpeace / Sungwoo Lee

    Want to show your support for a Strong Global Plastics Treaty? Sign this petition now.

    Support a strong Plastics Treaty!

    Help build a plastic-free future.

    SIGN THE PETITION

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Murdered officer honoured on milestone day

    Source: New South Wales – News

    South Australia Police (SAPOL) and the South Australian Police Historical Society has today commemorated Police Foundation Day by unveiling a memorial plaque in Hindmarsh Square for an officer killed on duty.

    Dignitaries including Lord Mayor, the Honourable Dr Jane Lomax-Smith AM, Minister of Police Stephen Mullighan, Commissioner of Police Grant Stevens APM LEM and Deputy Commissioner Linda Williams APM LEM united with other guests this morning to honour and remember 23-year-old Foot Constable John McLennan Holman, who was tragically murdered at the location on 23 February 1929.

    Police Foundation Day is held annually on 28 April to commemorate SAPOL’s founding in 1838, being the oldest centrally organised police service in Australia, and one of the oldest civilian police services in the world.

    “Today, we pay tribute to Constable John McLennan Holman who had his life tragically cut short early in his policing career,” Commissioner Stevens said.

    “Constable Holman was a promising young officer who was held in the highest esteem by fellow comrades and his dedication to the job sadly eventuated in the loss of his life.

    “Since the establishment of South Australia Police in 1838, 62 police officers have been killed in the line of duty. This is a stark reminder of the dangers police face when protecting the community.”

    During a historical address, former Deputy Commissioner and Police Historical Society member John White revisited the tragic 1929 incident as part of the memorial service.

    “Constable Holman’s death brought about a shock wave across the community,” he said.

    “This memorial reminds us of the sacrifice this young officer made in the vicinity of where he was heartbreakingly killed.”

    Foot Constable Holman and fellow constables Budgen and Marshall responded unarmed to a report of shots being fired at Grenfell Street. Upon arrival, they reportedly found the area strangely quiet, with a motorcycle and sidecar parked unattended.

    Seizing the machine, the constables travelled a short distance when suddenly confronted by two men, one John Stanley McGrath, who suddenly shot Constable Holman after he dismounted and identified as a police officer.

    “Both men turned and ran away while, unarmed and wounded, constables Holman and Budgen bravely gave chase. Shot in the abdomen, Constable Holman collapsed while Constable Budgen continued chase, calling for backup from a nearby Constable King,” Mr White told the crowd.

    “Following a vicious gunfight involving Constable King, McGrath was shot in the leg and fell. When

    Constable Budgen leant over the offender, he heard a click and, fortunately, realised McGrath was out of ammunition.”

    Once McGrath and his accomplice were apprehended, Constable Holman was found unconscious and conveyed to the then Adelaide Hospital, where he sadly died from his wounds an hour later.

    Constable Holman had only joined the service two years prior in 1927 and was due to be married a week later. McGrath was found guilty of his murder in July 1929 and sentenced to death. This was later commuted to life imprisonment, but he was released after serving only 13 years.

    On Monday 25 February 1929 a state funeral was held for the fallen constable, seeing thousands line Adelaide streets in respect and disbelief.

    “For their actions on 12 May 1930, Constables Budgen and King were awarded the King’s Police Medal for conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty in recognition of the fearless discharge of their duty at the risk of death on February 23, when Constable Holman was fatally shot,” Mr White added.

    Minister of Police Stephen Mullighan paid his respects at today’s memorial and acknowledged the work of all police, past and present.

    “Today, decades on, we honour the sacrifice of a young officer who died tragically far too soon,” he said.

    “The State Government acknowledges the ongoing risk and sacrifice our brave police continue to take on while protecting fellow South Australians. “

    Meanwhile, Constable John McLennan Holman is also remembered and honoured on the South Australia Police Roll of Honour and Wall of Remembrance, and the Australian National Police Memorial Wall of Remembrance, Canberra.

    Bill Prior, President of the SA Police Historical Society, former Deputy Commissioner and Police Historical Society member John White, Commissioner of Police Grant Stevens, Honourable Dr Jane Lomax-Smith AM and The Hon Stephen Mullighan MP, Minister for Police at today’s Police Foundation Day memorial event in Hindmarsh Square.

    Commissioner of Police Grant Stevens APM LEM with the unveiled plaque dedicated to Constable John McLennan Holman, who was killed on duty in 1929.

    In 2025 we recognise and honour the passing of Constable John McLennan Holman who died as a result of a fatal gunshot, whilst he was in the execution of his duty on 23 February 1929 in Hindmarsh Square Adelaide.

    Foot Constable John McLennan Holman and his  gravesite. The gravesite was restored in 1998 with funding from the Police Association of South Australia.

    The Register state funeral coverage February 26, 1929.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Reefs in the ‘middle’ light zone along NZ’s coast are biodiversity hotspots – many are home to protected species

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James J Bell, Professor of Marine Biology, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington

    James Bell, CC BY-SA

    The latest update on the state of New Zealand’s environment paints a concerning outlook for marine environments, especially amid the increasing push to use the marine estate for economic gain.

    But many shallow coastal ecosystems remain largely unexplored. As our latest fieldwork shows, many of these areas are hotspots for protected species, but are largely unprotected from human impacts.

    Gardens of the red calcified stylasterid hydrocoral off the coast of Doubtful Sound, Fiordland.

    Ecosystems in the ‘middle’ light zone

    Subtidal rocky reefs have been the focus of scientific research for centuries. During the past eight decades, with the advent of SCUBA diving, they have been studied even more intensively.

    However, rocky reefs extend much deeper than most SCUBA divers can typically reach, into what is known as the mesophotic or “middle” light zone.

    While seaweeds dominate in the well-lit shallow waters, there is limited light to sustain photosynthesis in the mesophotic zone below around 30 metres. The decline in seaweed creates more space for animals, which leads to the development of communities containing species not found in the shallows.

    Deep-water stony corals at around 100 metres off the coast of Northland.

    Because these ecosystems are no longer affected by surface wave action, they are often dominated by large, fragile three-dimensional species.

    We still know very little about the ecology of the species that live in mesophotic ecosystems. Many are likely to be slow growing and long-lived, with some living for hundreds or possibly thousands of years.

    Research is ongoing and empirical data still sparse, but observations show many fish are associated with these mesophotic communities. We eat some of them, or they are important within the ocean food web.

    Diverse ecosystems and protected species

    We shared some of the first high-resolution videos of New Zealand’s mesophotic ecosystems in 2022. Back then, we thought these deep-reef communities were dominated by sponges.

    However, we have since deployed a Boxfish remotely operated vehicle more than 200 times around New Zealand and found sponges are not always the most dominant organism.

    In fact, mesophotic ecosystems along New Zealand’s coast are very diverse, with regional variation in the types of communities.

    Our team found sea squirts dominated communities off Rakiura Stewart Island, anemone stands in the Wellington region, red coral beds along the Fiordland coast and coral “reefs” in Northland.

    Asicidian or sea squirt beds at 130 metres off the coast of Rakiura Stewart Island.

    Importantly, many of these reefs support species protected under the Wildlife Act.

    During our most recent trip to Doubtless Bay in Northland, we explored more than 20 locations. At many sites we encountered protected coral species. The term coral is broadly defined in the Wildlife Act – it includes groups such as black corals (order Antipatharia), gorgonian corals (Gorgonacea), stony corals (Scleractinia) and hydrocorals (family Stylasteridae).

    Protected black coral and seafans at around 90 metres offshore at Doubtless Bay, Northland.

    Under the Wildlife Act, it is illegal to deliberately collect or damage these species. If they are brought to the surface accidentally (in fishing gear or by anchors, for example), they must be returned to the sea immediately.

    Many of these corals are typically considered deep-sea species, but they are commonly found in New Zealand’s mesophotic ecosystems. Northland’s mesophotic communities have examples from all these groups of corals, as well as other fragile ecosystems dominated by glass sponges.

    While glass sponges are not protected, they are thought to be very slow growing, with some species living for thousands of years.

    Glass sponge gardens at around 100 metres off the coast of Northland.

    Current and future impacts

    Many mesophotic organisms grow slowly and rely on food carried in the water. This makes them particularly sensitive to activities that disrupt the seafloor, such as fishing and anchoring, and to the effect of higher sediment loads.

    Sediment can either smother or clog mesophotic organisms such as corals and sponges. Many of these species show some tolerance to sediment, but prolonged exposure or very high levels can kill them off.

    Many of the mesophotic ecosystems we have explored show clear evidence of human impacts, including lost recreational fishing gear and anchor lines.

    The government plans to maximise the economic potential of the marine estate and much of this development is focused on coastal areas. Any activities that generate coastal sediment plumes are of particular concern.

    Seabed sand mining operations already occur at some sites around the coast of New Zealand. More have been proposed, potentially generating sediment plumes that could reach these mesophotic communities.

    Protected black coral in a sponge garden at around 80 metres at the Poor Knights marine reserve in Northland.

    A fundamental step for effective management of biodiversity is to understand its distribution. Our work over the past five years has characterised a wide range of mesophotic ecosystems, but there are still large areas of the New Zealand coastline that have not been explored. They are likely to contain undescribed communities.

    As many regional councils around New Zealand are working through revisions to coastal policy plans, these deeper rocky reefs need to be fully included to protect the species they support.

    Professor James J Bell receives funding from the Department of Conservation, Environment Southland, the George Mason Charitable Trust, The Royal Society of New Zealand, and the Greater Wellington Regional Council.

    – ref. Reefs in the ‘middle’ light zone along NZ’s coast are biodiversity hotspots – many are home to protected species – https://theconversation.com/reefs-in-the-middle-light-zone-along-nzs-coast-are-biodiversity-hotspots-many-are-home-to-protected-species-254597

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Pokies line the coffers of governments and venues – but there are ways to tame this gambling gorilla

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Charles Livingstone, Associate Professor, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University

    Recently, much public attention has been given to the way online wagering and its incessant promotion has infiltrated sport and our TV screens.

    Despite a 2023 parliamentary inquiry that recommended new restrictions on online (especially sport) gambling advertising, the federal government neglected to implement any of the 31 recommendations.



    Read more:
    Will the government’s online gambling advertising legislation ever eventuate? Don’t bet on it

    This seems to have resulted from a furious and well resourced campaign by gambling’s ecosystem: wagering companies, broadcasters, sporting leagues, and others who currently drink from the fountain of gambling revenue.

    Naturally, this issue garnered a great deal of attention, as it should.

    But there’s another even bigger gambling gorilla that has steadily rebuilt its profits post-pandemic. You’ll probably find some at a hotel or social club near you.

    This is, of course, pokies: Australia’s version of slot machines.

    Australia’s major source of gambling problems

    Australians lost A$15.8 billion on pokies in 2022–23, over half of that ($8.1 billion) in New South Wales. That’s an increase of 7.6% from 2018–19 (before pandemic restrictions closed many venues or restricted operations).

    Wagering (sports and race betting) losses grew a hefty 45% over the same period, to around $8.4 billion. Even so, it remains way behind the pokies as Australia’s biggest source of gambling losses and problems.

    Casino losses dropped by 35.5%. Casinos are also poke venues, but also offer other forms of gambling. Pokies in casinos are counted as “casino” gambling in national gambling statistics, while pokies in clubs and pubs continue to be counted separately.

    A recent study found pokies responsible for between 52% and 57% of gambling problems in Australia. Wagering was estimated at 20%.

    Recent growth may have altered these a little but pokies are still responsible for half of Australia’s gambling losses.

    The gambling industry is fond of pointing out only a modest proportion of the population have serious gambling problems. That’s true, according to most prevalence studies.

    But what also has to be remembered is, most people never use pokies. In 2024, the latest population study for NSW found only 14.3% of adults used pokies at all.

    But around 18.5% of pokie users are either high or moderate risk gamblers: 35% of gamblers who use pokies at least once a month are classified as either high or moderate risk gamblers.

    And in 2010 the Productivity Commission estimated 41% of the money lost on pokies came from the most seriously addicted, with another 20% coming from those with more moderate issues. Overall, well over half of the losses.

    It’s little wonder pokie operators resist reforms.

    Why are pokies so profitable?

    The first and obvious answer to this is that there are a lot of them: they are widely accessible across Australia (apart from Western Australia, where they’re only in a single casino).

    NSW alone has about 87,500. Queensland has about half that number, and Victoria about 26,000.

    All of these are located in pubs or clubs, and in NSW they collect (on average) $93,000 per machine per year.

    Second, they’re overwhelmingly concentrated in areas where people are doing it tough. Stress and strain are common where there are pokies.

    Some people start to use them thinking they might alleviate financial woes. They don’t, of course. But they do provide an escape from the vicissitudes of daily life.

    Once sampled, that can become addictive.

    People who use pokies a lot call this escape from reality “the zone” – once you’re there, nothing matters, except staying there.

    The zone is also known as “immersion”, or “loss of executive control”: people using pokies find it very difficult, if not impossible, to stop. Once the money’s gone, reality crashes in.

    Pokies are also extremely addictive. Along with online casino games (which includes virtual pokies or slot machines), they are generally regarded as the most addictive and harmful gambling products.

    They have a host of features engineered into them, including “losses disguised as wins”, “near misses” and many others.

    They are engineered with 10 million or more possible outcomes and it is not possible for anyone to predict what outcome will come next.

    Crucially, the house always wins. In a machine where the “return to player ratio” is set at 87% (a common, completely lawful setting), the machine would retain 13% of all wagers.

    Unfortunately, few pokie users understand these characteristics.

    Can’t we rein in the pokies?

    So why do politicians resist reform?

    One reason for this is the pokie revenue that flows into government coffers.

    In 2022–23, state governments received a total of more than $9 billion in gambling taxes – 7.8% of all state tax revenue. Of this, $5.3 billion came from pokies. NSW alone got $2.23 billion from pokies, Victoria $1.3 billion, and Queensland $1.1 billion.

    The venues, of course, receive a great deal more. One of the consequences of all that money flowing into the coffers of pubs and clubs is political access and influence.

    We can, however, tame the pokies if we want to.

    Various solutions are available, including pre-commitment, generally believed to be the most likely candidate.

    This involves pokie users being required to set a limit prior to using the machines, which is now common in many countries in Europe, and has been proposed (but delayed or scuttled) in Australia for Tasmania, Victoria, and New South Wales.

    More broadly however, this has been strongly resisted by the gambling ecosystem, including parties such as ClubsNSW and the Tasmanian Hospitality Association. Their influence appears profound.

    Change is needed, urgently

    Australia’s reputation as the world’s biggest gambling losers is unenviable: we lose $32 billion on gambling products every year.

    Clearly, prohibition of gambling ads, and the termination of sports sponsorships that tie football, cricket and other major sports to gambling is needed urgently.

    But if we really want to reduce gambling problems and their extraordinary catalogue of harm, reining in the pokies is a must.

    That may take some serious effort.

    Charles Livingstone has received funding from the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation, the (former) Victorian Gambling Research Panel, and the South Australian Independent Gambling Authority (the funds for which were derived from hypothecation of gambling tax revenue to research purposes), from the Australian and New Zealand School of Government and the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education, and from non-government organisations for research into multiple aspects of poker machine gambling, including regulatory reform, existing harm minimisation practices, and technical characteristics of gambling forms. He has received travel and co-operation grants from the Alberta Problem Gambling Research Institute, the Finnish Institute for Public Health, the Finnish Alcohol Research Foundation, the Ontario Problem Gambling Research Committee, the Turkish Red Crescent Society, and the Problem Gambling Foundation of New Zealand. He was a Chief Investigator on an Australian Research Council funded project researching mechanisms of influence on government by the tobacco, alcohol and gambling industries. He has undertaken consultancy research for local governments and non-government organisations in Australia and the UK seeking to restrict or reduce the concentration of poker machines and gambling impacts, and was a member of the Australian government’s Ministerial Expert Advisory Group on Gambling in 2010-11. He is a member of the Lancet Public Health Commission into gambling, and of the World Health Organisation expert group on gambling and gambling harm. He made a submission to and appeared before the HoR Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs inquiry into online gambling and its impacts on those experiencing gambling harm.

    – ref. Pokies line the coffers of governments and venues – but there are ways to tame this gambling gorilla – https://theconversation.com/pokies-line-the-coffers-of-governments-and-venues-but-there-are-ways-to-tame-this-gambling-gorilla-252038

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Global: The world’s first museum was curated by a princess. A tour reveals the origins of the zodiac, calculus and writing

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Louise Pryke, Honorary Research Associate, Department of Classics and Ancient History, University of Sydney

    Archeological excavations at the palace grounds in Ur, modern-day Iraq, uncovered Ennigaldi-Nanna’s museum. M. Lubinski/Flickr/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY

    Around 2,500 years ago, a princess living in what is now modern-day Iraq collected a number of artefacts, including a statue, a boundary stone and a mace head. The items, which show signs of preservation, date from around 2100 BCE to 600 BCE. This collection, it is generally thought, was the world’s first known “museum”.

    Between Two Rivers, by Oxford scholar Moudhy Al-Rashid, tells the story of ancient Mesopotamia, a period in world history sometimes known as a “forgotten age”.

    While Mesopotamian history is innately fascinating, Al-Rashid also notes its many historical “world firsts”: the first known writing system, the potter’s wheel, the first record of beer production and advances in agriculture.

    Review: Between Two Rivers: Ancient Mesopotamia and the Birth of History – Moudhy Al-Rashid (Hodder Press)

    The first museum

    The world’s first known museum, and its curator, Ennigaldi-Nanna, are among these many firsts. The daughter of the Neo-Babylonian king Nabonidus, Ennigaldi-Nanna was a priestess at the temple of the moon deity, as well as a princess.

    Both Ennigaldi-Nanna and Nabonidus were keenly interested in history. Indeed, Nabonidus’ interest in excavating old temples and describing his findings once saw him described as the “first archaeologist”. This makes these figures well suited as the book’s central focus.

    At its heart, Between Two Rivers is an ode to the power of history. It builds a persuasive case for history writing as a particularly human impulse, and for how lives of people living thousands of years ago can reflect and shape our modern lives in unexpected ways.

    10 museum objects

    The book is organised around the ten items from Ennigaldi-Nanna’s collection. This structural conceit creates a sense of unity, despite the diversity of topics the book covers. Each chapter is focused on one item. For example, an ancient granite mace head introduces a chapter on warfare, violence and death.

    Moudhy Al-Rashid.
    Hachette

    In chapter one, we are introduced to ancient Mesopotamian history. We’re also introduced to the author herself. Al-Rashid punctuates her prose with personal recollections and humour, as well as touching reflections on her experience of motherhood. She is our companion, tour guide and teacher as we navigate this journey into the past, helping the reader feel a personal stake in the scholarly adventure ahead.

    Other chapters explore cuneiform script (the world’s first known writing), cities, leadership, education (including some of the earliest doodles by bored students), early scientific developments and the gods. The final three chapters look at economics, warfare and curator Ennigaldi-Nanna herself.

    The book offers a useful timeline, though pictures of the ten ancient items and a map would have been useful additions.

    Fun historical facts

    The broad range of subjects, periods and people explored in this book results in the inclusion of many dazzling features of Mesopotamian history, rarely considered together. Indeed, there is a plethora of fun historical facts.

    In the chapter on science, Al-Rashid notes the development of the zodiac and a mathematical precursor to modern calculus.

    Five Amarna letters on display at the British Museum.
    Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY

    We get a brief overview of the fascinating diplomatic correspondence between New Kingdom Pharaohs and their West Asian vassals, known as the Amarna Letters. There is also the cuneiform tablet referencing the death of Alexander the Great, and an overview of the practice of divination (including an attempted palace coup).

    These highlights from ancient evidence are balanced against frequent commentary from the author. She notes the less glamorous nature of much of it, such as economic texts and legal agreements.

    Indeed, Al-Rashid is careful to note the limits of the evidence used to build this vivid picture of ancient Mesopotamia. She notes the difficulties of learning Sumerian, the world’s first known language, written in the intricate cuneiform script. In her chapter on leadership, she notes that further evidence for powerful women leaders may yet be discovered, while discussing what is currently known of these figures.

    Sumerian, the world’s first known language, was written in cuneiform – like the script on this clay tablet.
    Louvre, photographed by Gary Todd/Flickr

    The author’s transparency and expert handling of evidence puts the reader at ease, while subtly championing the importance of continued studies in this field. This is timely, as the academic field of Mesopotamian history has seen significant cuts in the last decade.

    Rediscovering cultural riches

    Despite the rich cultural legacy of this region, Mesopotamian history is largely unknown in the modern day. While 21st-century audiences are often familiar with the works of Plato, Homer and Virgil, they may struggle to identify Enheduanna – a princess, priestess, and poetess who lived over 4,000 years ago – as the world’s first known author, or Sin-leqe-uninni as the editor of the Epic of Gilgamesh.

    This is likely due to the circumstances around the recovery of the Mesopotamian writing script, cuneiform. This style of writing faded from use around the 1st century CE, and was only re-deciphered in 1857 CE. This meant that for almost two millennia, awareness of the Mesopotamian cultural legacy almost entirely disappeared.

    This modern lack of awareness of Mesopotamian history is slowly changing. Between Two Rivers is part of an emerging trend in the field of Assyriology — the study of the languages, literature, history, laws and sciences of Mesopotamia — for producing accessible works, for non-specialist audiences.

    Between Two Rivers further demonstrates the usefulness of this approach in bringing the riches of the ancient Near East to modern audiences.

    Changing times


    In recent years, we have seen new translations of the famous Mesopotamian epic Gilgamesh, and the first volume dedicated to the works of the world’s first known author, Enheduanna.

    There are new books on Mesopotamian religion and the cuneiform script by Irving Finkel, who has been an ambassador for the discipline for many years. Indeed, Al-Rashid notes his influence.

    To write a book like this one, the author needs to have both mastery over the subject material and an engaging style of communication. Al-Rashid excels in both areas. For general audiences, Between Two Rivers is a fascinating, balanced introduction to this complex – and at times elusive – ancient world.

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

    – ref. The world’s first museum was curated by a princess. A tour reveals the origins of the zodiac, calculus and writing – https://theconversation.com/the-worlds-first-museum-was-curated-by-a-princess-a-tour-reveals-the-origins-of-the-zodiac-calculus-and-writing-246876

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Health – Te Whatu Ora’s failed pay offer cements strike action for senior doctors

    Source: Association of Salaried Medical Specialists

    Te Whatu Ora’s latest offer to senior doctors fails to take staffing shortages, or achieving health targets, seriously the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists says as mediation between ASMS and the employer concluded at midday today.
    More than 5,000 senior doctors will strike for 24 hours on Thursday May 1 as Te Whatu Ora refused to budge from their 1.5 per cent cap on total salary increases for senior medical staff.
    “On an annualised basis, Te Whatu Ora’s offer would increase pay by 0.77 per cent,” ASMS executive director Sarah Dalton says.
    “This will drive existing doctors away rather than help retain them, let alone attract any new senior doctors we need to fix the gaps.
    “New Zealand will be short more than 3,450 senior doctors by 2032 and we are already seeing the impact of doctor shortages across the country with longer wait times in emergency departments and for first specialists’ appointments.”
    In mediation Te Whatu Ora did move to address some issues, which ASMS says is a good start.
    “They offered to remove the bottom three steps of the pay scale to restore relativities with junior doctors, and this would benefit approximately 500 members.
    “They also suggested a recruitment and retention allowance for four districts only – coincidentally four districts where our members have been publicly sharing stories of the healthcare shortage. But they are far from the only districts facing shortages. This needs to be rolled out across the country wherever there are shortages with clear criteria.
    Vacancies for SMOs across the country are running at an average of 12 per cent. But they are as high as 44 per cent in places like Tairāwhiti.
    “ASMS is also still waiting for parts of the last collective settlement to implemented. There are districts where ED shift allowances are still not being paid and ASMS has taken the matter to court.”
    Doctors will continue with planned strike action on May 1.
    “The strike will result in planned procedures being postponed, but the same number of procedures are lost every week due to ongoing staff shortages,” Dalton says. “We need Te Whatu Ora to get up to speed and get serious.”
    ASMS members are working to ensure all life preserving services will be maintained at our public hospitals during the strike.
    “Senior doctors don’t want to be striking – they are striking because every day is a “may day” call in our health system right now and patients deserve better,” Dalton says. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Ready, set, go… every 10 minutes on Route 7!

    Source: Environment Canterbury Regional Council

    Date:

    Route change part of wider improvements

    The change to Route 7 is part of a larger collaborative project to improve public transport that includes additional infrastructure delivered by our partners Christchurch City Council and NZTA. This includes 10 bus stop upgrades, a new bus parking space and continuous bus priority lanes on Halswell Road between Dunbars Road and Moorhouse Avenue.

    Customers travelling back and forth from Halswell may experience some delays travelling down Halswell Road as a result of these upgrades.

    Deputy Chair Deon Swiggs, Chair Craig Pauling and Councillor Joe Davies

    “We want to thank customers for their patience as our partners work to deliver these upgrades. We’re excited to have these additional elements on offer once the project is complete in October 2026,” Public Transport acting general manager Sonia Pollard said.

    “We recognise the frequency change is part of what customers have been asking for on this route – we will continue to bid for funding so other changes can also become a reality,” she added.

    NZTA is currently funding 51 per cent of the net cost of the frequency increase on a trial basis until June 2027, the rest is funded through rates and fares.

    “We expect running a better service will be popular and well used, and that this will strengthen our case for further and more permanent investment,” Sonia said. 

    Environment Canterbury © 2025
    Retrieved: 1:51pm, Mon 28 Apr 2025
    ecan.govt.nz/get-involved/news-and-events/2025/ready-set-go-every-10-minutes-on-route-7/

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Xiong’an-Shangqiu high-speed railway completes girder erection work

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

    A worker erects a box girder at the construction site of a mega bridge in the Hebei section of the Xiong’an-Shangqiu high-speed railway in north China’s Hebei Province, April 27, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    SHIJIAZHUANG, April 27 — Girder erection work in the Hebei section of the Xiong’an-Shangqiu high-speed railway was fully completed on Sunday as the last box girder was erected on a mega bridge. The 552-kilometer-long railway will connect Xiong’an in north China’s Hebei Province and Shangqiu in central China’s Henan Province with a designed speed of 350 kilometers per hour.

    An aerial drone photo taken on April 27, 2025 shows workers erecting a box girder at the construction site of a mega bridge in the Hebei section of the Xiong’an-Shangqiu high-speed railway in north China’s Hebei Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
    An aerial drone photo taken on April 27, 2025 shows workers erecting a box girder at the construction site of a mega bridge in the Hebei section of the Xiong’an-Shangqiu high-speed railway in north China’s Hebei Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Workers erect a box girder at the construction site of a mega bridge in the Hebei section of the Xiong’an-Shangqiu high-speed railway in north China’s Hebei Province, April 27, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Workers erect a box girder at the construction site of a mega bridge in the Hebei section of the Xiong’an-Shangqiu high-speed railway in north China’s Hebei Province, April 27, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    An aerial drone photo taken on April 27, 2025 shows workers erecting a box girder at the construction site of a mega bridge in the Hebei section of the Xiong’an-Shangqiu high-speed railway in north China’s Hebei Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
    An aerial drone photo taken on April 27, 2025 shows the construction site of the Hebei section of the Xiong’an-Shangqiu high-speed railway in Qinghe County, north China’s Hebei Province.[Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: 4WD and adventure show rolling into Wanneroo

    Source: South Australia Police

    Lock your diffs and hold on to your grab handles! The City of Wanneroo is bringing the Ready 4 Adventure Show to Wanneroo this May.

    Running in high-range from Friday 9 to Sunday 11 May, the show promises three action-packed days of all things 4WD, caravanning, camping, boating and fishing – right here in the heart of Wanneroo.

    Well-known among adventure lovers, Ready 4 Adventure started as a popular magazine before becoming a TV series on Channel 9. Now, it’s bigger, bolder and live, designed to immerse attendees in the ultimate outdoor lifestyle experience.

    City of Wanneroo Mayor Linda Aitken said the event would be the first major outdoor adventure exhibition held north of the river, delivering exciting benefits for local residents and businesses, and an action-packed experience for people from all over Perth and beyond.

    “We’re proud to bring this fantastic event to the Wanneroo Showgrounds and showcase our City as a vibrant destination for large-scale community events,” Mayor Aitken said.

    “This is a great opportunity for locals to soak up a weekend of fun, inspiration and discovery, and for visitors to experience the incredible spirit of Wanneroo and everything we have to offer in our vibrant City.”

    The show will feature an extensive lineup of exhibitors and attractions, including:

    • Caravan and 4WD displays
    • Australia’s leading 4WD and accessory brands
    • Market alley, offering adventure gear, local products and unique finds
    • Food trucks and live cooking demos, including smoked meat specialists
    • Licensed bar area
    • Kid’s and family zone with carnival rides and entertainment for all ages.

    There will also be live demonstrations and special attractions, including:

    • 4×4 track demonstrations by YouTube personality Mad Matt and Eureka 4×4
    • The Shark 6 Stage, presented by BYD, with expert talks and cooking demos
    • Show & Shine competition for 4WD enthusiasts.

    Whether you’re a seasoned outdoor explorer or simply looking for a great day out, the Ready 4 Adventure Show is set to deliver an unforgettable experience for the whole family.

    It’s going to be an unmissable event, and to celebrate, the City of Wanneroo is giving away 10 double passes to the show.

    All you need to do is head to the City of Wanneroo Facebook page, find the giveaway post, and tag who you’d bring along for your chance to win.

    Buy tickets online and find more information, visit ready4adventure.com.au.

    This event is owned by Media Junction and Interact Digital and proudly sponsored by the City of Wanneroo.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI China: SCO health institutions to deepen telehealth collaboration

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

    XI’AN, April 27 — Telehealth, powered by advances in information technology, came into sharp focus on Sunday as health leaders gathered in Xi’an, northwest China’s Shaanxi Province, to discuss hospital collaboration among member countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

    The seventh SCO Hospital Cooperation Conference, held in the lead-up to the eighth SCO Health Ministers’ Meeting on Monday, brought together more than 100 representatives from government health authorities, medical associations, and healthcare institutions.

    Attendees called for greater efforts to harness the potential of artificial intelligence (AI), big data, and other technological advances to strengthen telemedicine and smart healthcare services across SCO member states, in support of the broader goal of building a shared health community within the organization.

    Geographic barriers remain among the greatest challenges to healthcare provision in many SCO member states, where vast territories and low population densities often hinder access to medical services. This reality underscores the critical role of telemedicine in bridging health gaps, said Muhammad Ashraf Nizami, president of the Pakistan Medical Association (Lahore).

    Nizami praised China’s leadership in developing domestic telehealth systems and its efforts to share expertise and resources with SCO member countries, including Pakistan.

    A highlight of the conference was the signing of a tripartite cooperation agreement among Tianjin First Central Hospital, the Management Office of the Tianjin Medical Association, and Nizami’s organization. The agreement aims to deepen public health cooperation in telemedicine and related fields.

    Wang Xudong, head of the Tianjin Municipal Health Commission, hailed the agreement as a new chapter in healthcare collaboration between Tianjin and SCO countries. “We are confident that this new partnership will produce transferable best practices for broader cooperation in the future,” the official said.

    Wang also said that Tianjin, which will host an SCO summit this autumn, is aligning its policies and institutional frameworks to support comprehensive healthcare partnerships across the organization.

    “We are spearheading the development of replicable models for cross-border healthcare, integrating telemedicine into clinical practice, traditional medicine systems, and public health management,” he said.

    The conference also witnessed the signing of four additional cooperation agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoUs) between Chinese hospitals and universities and their counterparts in Russia, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan.

    Kanat Zhumanov, from the University Medical Center of Nazarbayev University in Kazakhstan, told Xinhua that Kazakhstan is eager to learn from China’s experience in integrating AI applications, telemedicine services, and robotic technologies into medical practice.

    The University Medical Center of Nazarbayev University signed an MoU with the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University to collaborate on research, clinical knowledge-sharing, and healthcare workforce development, with a focus on oncology, chronic disease management, and maternal and child health.

    These agreements mark another milestone for the SCO Hospital Cooperation Alliance, which was founded in 2018 as a collaborative platform among member hospitals.

    The alliance now counts 134 hospitals among its members — 100 from China and 34 from eight other SCO countries. Through events like Sunday’s conference, remote exchanges, specialized collaborations, and professional networking, the alliance has fostered strong partnerships in healthcare under the SCO framework.

    According to Liu Qian, president of the Chinese Hospital Association — a key architect of the alliance — future priorities for the alliance include strengthening telemedicine infrastructure, expanding specialized networks, and launching talent development programs to diversify cooperation.

    “The collaborative spirit I witnessed here today is truly inspiring,” said Zhumanov. “Our partnership promises real-world impact far beyond what is written in these agreements.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: City invites feedback on draft plan for new Garden Gully Reserve Playspace

    Source: New South Wales Ministerial News

    The City of Greater Bendigo has developed a draft plan for the development of an exciting new suburban level playspace at Garden Gully Reserve and is now seeking community feedback.

    The draft playspace plan includes:

    • A new public toilet and a shelter with a BBQ
    • Shade trees, seating, irrigated lawn areas, and planted garden beds
    • Paths to connect the playspace to the Ironbark Gully Trail, Ashley Street, and to the existing hockey ground
    • Colourful concrete play tunnels and an all-abilities carousel
    • A big swing unit with a basket swing, a standard seat and a toddler seat
    • A play tower for climbing and sliding
    • Spring rockers, weave poles, colourful steppers, balance boulders; and,
    • Bike hoops and a drinking fountain with a dog bowl

    City of Greater Bendigo Parks and Open Space Manager Chris Mitchell said in 2024 the City of Greater Bendigo updated the existing masterplan which was developed in 2004 to incorporate new public toilets, construction of a new suburban level playspace and the provision of improved paths and linkages to the Ironbark Gully Trail.

    “The new playspace and new public toilets are both key projects of the updated Masterplan and will be constructed in a safer and more accessible location west of the existing hockey ground,” Mr Mitchell said.

    “When the masterplan was up-dated the community were informed that there would be a separate community engagement process for the design of the playspace.

    “The City now wants to know what the community likes about the draft design, what they don’t like and what colours they would like to see in the new playspace.

    “Things that cannot change in the draft plan include the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) accessible footpath alignment, the location of the shelter and toilet block, the 10metre buffer from the existing hockey fencing and the extent of the playspace footprint.

    “The existing neighbourhood level playspace will remain in operation until construction of the new playspace is completed in 2027.  Following construction of the new playspace the existing playspace will be dismantled and removed.”

    Residents can provide their feedback on the draft plan by visiting the City’s Let’s Talk Community Engagement website by Friday May 16, 2025.

    To provide feedback, visit:

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Controls lifted at poultry farm after virus eradicated

    Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

    Movement controls have been lifted from Mainland Poultry’s Hillgrove Farm in Otago, after the successful eradication of H7N6 strain of high pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) says Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) chief veterinary officer Dr Mary Van Andel.

    When HPAI H7N6 was detected in poultry at the property in early December, the Ministry for Primary Industries moved swiftly to stamp out the virus.

    “While there is still work to be done, the lifting of movement controls is a significant milestone in the response and means that Mainland Poultry can begin the process of returning to business,” says Dr van Andel.

    “We’re grateful to Mainland Poultry, which did the right thing in notifying us as soon as an exotic disease was suspected and for working with us in partnership to successfully stamp out this disease.”

    MPI immediately put strict movement controls on the property to prevent goods or anything else that might be carrying the virus leaving the property.

    Dr van Andel says more than 5,600 tests were carried out on samples from poultry and wild birds, including from 36 flocks across 5 farms linked to Mainland’s Hillgrove property. HPAI was not found anywhere other than Hillgrove, giving confidence that the disease had been contained and stamped out.

    Chickens on the farm were humanely euthanised and disposed of in a secure landfill, along with eggs, litter and manure from the farm. This was followed by an extensive cleaning and disinfection process.

    “The processes we have followed – depopulation and disposal, decontamination of the site and extensive surveillance – give us confidence that the virus has been eradicated.”

    MPI staff will continue to support Mainland as the farm is repopulated.

    “Good progress is being made to restore trade, with around $300 million of trade in poultry products recovered to date.”

    MPI has worked with overseas government counterparts and industry partners in New Zealand to meet market requirements and has also proposed alternative assurances to some markets. MPI continues to work towards the reopening of trade for others.

    Dr van Andel says testing indicates that the infection at Hillgrove is likely to have occurred after free-range laying hens foraging outside were exposed to wild birds with a low pathogenicity (LPAI) virus strain, which then mutated in the hens to become HPAI.

    “This is the first time such an event in New Zealand has been documented and our first case of HPAI. We’ve learned a lot from this response that will help us to prepare for HPAI H5N1 if it spreads here.”

    Read more about the latest update at our website: A strain of bird flu (H7N6) in Otago

    For further information and general enquiries, call MPI on 0800 00 83 33 or email info@mpi.govt.nz

    For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hoyer Statement on the Retirement of Senator Dick Durbin

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steny H Hoyer (MD-05)

    WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) issued the following statement after Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced that he will not run for re-election in 2026:

    “I’ve been proud to serve alongside my friend Senator Dick Durbin ever since he became a Member of the House of Representatives in 1983. He is the same person now that he was then: a principled leader, a gifted consensus builder, and an energetic advocate for Illinoisans and all Americans. That will remain true after he retires from the Congress at the end of the 119th Congress, as he announced earlier today.

    “Dick is a model legislator. That was evident from working with him on the House Appropriations Committee early in his career in Congress. He knew how to bring Democrats and Republicans together to fulfill our institution’s most basic responsibility of funding the government. Crucially, as the second highest ranking Democratic leaders in the Senate and House respectively, Dick and I coordinated closely to secure groundbreaking legislation. He was invaluable in the effort to unite Democrats behind historic bills like the Affordable Care Act, the American Rescue Plan, and the Inflation Reduction Act. He also helped us garner modest Republican support on the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the CHIPS and Science Act, the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, and other critical legislation.

    “Dick has delivered results at a time when gridlock is the norm in the Senate. That is a testament to his congeniality, pragmatism, and determination. From his successful effort to regulate smoking to his ongoing leadership on the DREAM Act, he knows how to cut through the partisan noise and find common ground. His retirement is a great loss for our Congress and country. I have no doubt that my friend’s legacy of accomplishment will only grow in the 119th Congress and beyond.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Awards – Master Plumbers welcomes Cabinet approval of self-certification for plumbers and drainlayers

    Source: Master Plumbers Gasfitters and Drainlayers

    Master Plumbers is pleased the Government is progressing with a self-certification scheme that makes plumbers accountable for their work, rather than relying on council inspectors.
    “We have been advocating for years that plumbers and drainlayers should be able to self-certify, just as gasfitters – who are also plumbers in most instances – and electricians can,” Master Plumbers Chief Executive Greg Wallace says.
    Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk announced today that the Government has agreed on a new self-certification scheme for plumbers and drainlayers allowing them to sign off on their own work.
    The new scheme does come with some caveats: it will be opt-in and limited to plumbers and drainlayers carrying out work on simple residential dwellings. Trades that are currently able to self-certify are not required to opt-in or be restricted to a specific category of work.
    “For plumbers and drainlayers to be competitive, we believe all of the industry should opt-in,” Mr Wallace says. “While the Minister has limited the scheme to simple residential dwellings, we hope this is the first phase and that, in future, it will expand to all work.”
    “Ultimately, we want the same system as electricians and gasfitters, but we understand this may be a staged approach.”
    Mr Wallace says there’s a common misconception that liability moves to Building Consent Authorities (BCAs) once an inspection has been completed. “The reality is that tradespeople are still accountable for their workmanship. Under the Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers Act, qualified plumbers and drainlayers are responsible for all work – including large-scale industry installations.”
    Plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers are overseen by an independent regulatory board, the PGDB. Consumers can have confidence that certified plumbing professionals are highly skilled and their work completed to a professional standard. It takes seven years to obtain the qualification of a Certifying Plumber and two years for a Certifying Drainlayer.
    In addition, Master Plumbers members are subject to a rigorous quality assurance process and carry a guarantee for their work.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Master Plumbers welcomes Cabinet approval of self-certification for plumbers and drainlayers

    Source: Master Plumbers Gasfitters and Drainlayers

    Master Plumbers is pleased the Government is progressing with a self-certification scheme that makes plumbers accountable for their work, rather than relying on council inspectors.
    “We have been advocating for years that plumbers and drainlayers should be able to self-certify, just as gasfitters – who are also plumbers in most instances – and electricians can,” Master Plumbers Chief Executive Greg Wallace says.
    Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk announced today that the Government has agreed on a new self-certification scheme for plumbers and drainlayers allowing them to sign off on their own work.
    The new scheme does come with some caveats: it will be opt-in and limited to plumbers and drainlayers carrying out work on simple residential dwellings. Trades that are currently able to self-certify are not required to opt-in or be restricted to a specific category of work.
    “For plumbers and drainlayers to be competitive, we believe all of the industry should opt-in,” Mr Wallace says. “While the Minister has limited the scheme to simple residential dwellings, we hope this is the first phase and that, in future, it will expand to all work.”
    “Ultimately, we want the same system as electricians and gasfitters, but we understand this may be a staged approach.”
    Mr Wallace says there’s a common misconception that liability moves to Building Consent Authorities (BCAs) once an inspection has been completed. “The reality is that tradespeople are still accountable for their workmanship. Under the Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers Act, qualified plumbers and drainlayers are responsible for all work – including large-scale industry installations.”
    Plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers are overseen by an independent regulatory board, the PGDB. Consumers can have confidence that certified plumbing professionals are highly skilled and their work completed to a professional standard. It takes seven years to obtain the qualification of a Certifying Plumber and two years for a Certifying Drainlayer.
    In addition, Master Plumbers members are subject to a rigorous quality assurance process and carry a guarantee for their work.
    Master Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers NZ Inc (Master Plumbers) is the national membership organisation for plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying businesses, with 18 regional Associations and Branches across New Zealand. Companies go through a Quality Assurance programme in order to become a member. We provide members with a wide range of resources and training opportunities to support them in staying up with the latest technologies, products and compliance requirements. We advocate on behalf of our members and our industry.
    Masterlink, a group training scheme owned by Master Plumbers, provides managed mentored apprenticeships across New Zealand, with Regional Managers supporting the apprentices and the businesses who host them during their training.
    NZ Plumber is the award-winning, bi-monthly magazine for New Zealand’s plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers. It is owned by Master Plumbers.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Vancouver SUV attack exposes crowd management falldowns and casts a pall on Canada’s election

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ali Asgary, Professor, Disaster & Emergency Management, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies & Director, CIFAL York, York University, Canada

    A car attack at a Filipino street festival in Vancouver just two days before Canada’s federal election has killed at least 11 people and injured many more.

    The carnage along a street lined with food trucks took place shortly after one of the men vying to become Canada’s prime minister — New Democratic Party Leader Jagmeet Singh — attended the event. A shell-shocked Singh observed a moment of silence in Penticton, B.C., during another campaign stop the next day.

    A 30-year-old Vancouver resident has been arrested, but the motivation behind the attack is unknown.

    Vancouver police say the suspect has mental health issues and was known to police prior to the attack. Police also told a news conference there was no indication there was a need for extra policing at the festival, deeming it to have a “low threat level.”

    What goes into making that calculation, and is a public event ever truly low-risk?

    Vancouver police hold a news conference on the SUV attack. (CTV News)

    Difficulties of crowd management

    The Vancouver SUV attack is now classified as a crowd-related or mass gathering type of disaster. There have been cases of public vehicle-ramming attacks in Canada in the past, in particular the 2018 Toronto van attack that left 10 people dead.

    While it’s not yet known whether the Vancouver attack was targeted, there were clearly weaknesses in crowd management for such a large gathering. These types of attacks have been on the increase over the past decade and are now considered one of the prime threats to mass gatherings in public spaces and streets.

    Unfortunately, many mass gathering events do not allocate either sufficient resources or time for crowd management procedures, particularly those related to risk and emergency management.

    Organizing mass gathering events in public spaces should factor in different threats, including the potential for car ramming, and implement effective mitigation and preparedness measures.

    ‘Soft targets’

    Many public spaces where these events take place are vulnerable to car attacks. Evidence shows that mass gatherings are soft targets, meaning they’re easily accessible to large numbers of people and have limited security, protective and warning measures in place. Extreme precautions are needed to protect the public from such attacks so that they don’t become mass casualty events.

    Those in attendance should be aware that public spaces generally lack physical barriers, or the proper distribution of them, to resist car or vehicle attacks.

    While public awareness programs exist for other hazards such as flooding, earthquakes and extreme weather events, it’s now clear that such awareness and education are needed for mass public gatherings too.

    Police should be aware that relying on limited surveillance may not be sufficient to identify such threats at the scene. Vehicle access and traffic control should be in place throughout such events. Lack of warning systems to quickly inform the crowd about an ongoing attack further increases the impacts of vehicular attacks.

    Much of the focus on these types of events has been on the motivations of the attackers. Since a considerable number of vehicle-ramming attacks have been attributed to terrorism, communities or events with the perception of lower terrorism threats may not pay close enough attention to this type of threat.



    Read more:
    Toronto’s most recent car attack was a targeted crime, not a mass attack

    Impact on the election?

    Canadians aren’t likely to get many more details about the Vancouver attack until after voting day on Monday. Could the tragedy have an impact on the outcome of the federal election?

    Past and recent studies have drawn different conclusions about the impact of disasters on election results.

    According to what’s known as retrospective voting theory, voters judge governments on how they manage disasters, particularly highly publicized, tragic events, when casting their ballots. Voters can evaluate governments based on their handling of the disaster and the amount of effort they have put into minimizing risk.

    Some studies have found that local governments were rewarded after disaster events, including Calgary after the 2013 floods, several Italian municipal governments after earthquakes, local government officials in Brazil amid municipal drought declarations and civic elections in Japan after earthquakes, tsunamis and floods.



    Read more:
    Why Canada needs to dramatically update how it prepares for and manages emergencies

    Voters can and do punish or reward governments and elected politicians based on the effects of recent disasters on them and governments’ responses to them.

    But given how soon the Canadian election is being held after the disaster occurred — and the record number of voters who have already cast their ballots in advance polls — this tragedy isn’t likely to have a substantial impact.

    Hopefully, however, it will have an influence on how organizers, police and other authorities manage public crowds and events at a time when vehicle-ramming attacks are becoming a recurrent threat. Those elected this election should prioritize efforts to ensure communities can have safer mass gathering events.

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

    – ref. Vancouver SUV attack exposes crowd management falldowns and casts a pall on Canada’s election – https://theconversation.com/vancouver-suv-attack-exposes-crowd-management-falldowns-and-casts-a-pall-on-canadas-election-255395

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Global: People trust legal advice generated by ChatGPT more than a lawyer – new study

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Eike Schneiders, Assistant Professor, School of Electronics and Computer Science, University of Southampton

    Alexander Supertramp / shutterstock

    People who aren’t legal experts are more willing to rely on legal advice provided by ChatGPT than by real lawyers – at least, when they don’t know which of the two provided the advice. That’s the key finding of our new research, which highlights some important concerns about the way the public increasingly relies on AI-generated content. We also found the public has at least some ability to identify whether the advice came from ChatGPT or a human lawyer.

    AI tools like ChatGPT and other large language models (LLMs) are making their way into our everyday life. They promise to provide quick answers, generate ideas, diagnose medical symptoms, and even help with legal questions by providing concrete legal advice.

    But LLMs are known to create so-called “hallucinations” – that is, outputs containing inaccurate or nonsensical content. This means there is a real risk associated with people relying on them too much, particularly in high-stakes domains such as law. LLMs tend to present advice confidently, making it difficult for people to distinguish good advice from decisively voiced bad advice.

    We ran three experiments on a total of 288 people. In the first two experiments, participants were given legal advice and asked which they would be willing to act on. When people didn’t know if the advice had come from a lawyer or an AI, we found they were more willing to rely on the AI-generated advice. This means that if an LLM gives legal advice without disclosing its nature, people may take it as fact and prefer it to expert advice by lawyers – possibly without questioning its accuracy.

    Even when participants were told which advice came from a lawyer and which was AI-generated, we found they were willing to follow ChatGPT just as much as the lawyer.

    One reason LLMs may be favoured, as we found in our study, is that they use more complex language. On the other hand, real lawyers tended to use simpler language but use more words in their answers.

    LLMs might voice their advice more confidently than real lawyers.
    apatrimonio / shutterstock

    The third experiment investigated whether participants could distinguish between LLM and lawyer-generated content when the source is not revealed to them. The good news is they can – but not by very much.

    In our task, random guessing would have produced a score of 0.5, while perfect discrimination would have produced a score of 1.0. On average, participants scored 0.59, indicating performance that was slightly better than random guessing, but still relatively weak

    Regulation and AI literacy

    This is a crucial moment for research like ours, as AI-powered systems such as chatbots and LLMs are becoming increasingly integrated into everyday life. Alexa or Google Home can act as a home assistant, while AI-enabled systems can help with complex tasks such as online shopping, summarising legal texts, or generating medical records.

    Yet this comes with significant risks of making potentially life altering decisions that are guided by hallucinated misinformation. In the legal case, AI-generated, hallucinated advice could cause unnecessary complications or even miscarriages of justice.

    That’s why it has never been more important to properly regulate AI. Attempts so far include the EU AI Act, article 50.9 of which states that text-generating AIs should ensure their outputs are “marked in a machine-readable format and detectable as artificially generated or manipulated”.

    But this is only part of the solution. We’ll also need to improve AI literacy so that the public is better able to critically assess content. When people are better able to recognise AI they’ll be able to make more informed decisions.

    This means that we need to learn to question the source of advice, understand the capabilities and limitations of AI, and emphasise the use of critical thinking and common sense when interacting with AI-generated content. In practical terms, this means cross-checking important information with trusted sources and including human experts to prevent overreliance on AI-generated information.

    In the case of legal advice, it may be fine to use AI for some initial questions: “What are my options here? What do I need to read up on? Are there any similar cases to mine, or what area of law is this?” But it’s important to verify the advice with a human lawyer long before ending up in court or acting upon anything generated by an LLM.

    AI can be a valuable tool, but we must use it responsibly. By using a two-pronged approach which focuses on regulation and AI literacy, we can harness its benefits while minimising its risks.



    Read more:
    We asked ChatGPT for legal advice – here are five reasons why you shouldn’t

    Eike Schneiders has received prior funding from UKRI’s Trustworthy Autonomous Systems Hub and Responsible AI UK.

    Joshua Krook has received prior funding from UKRI’s Trustworthy Autonomous Systems Hub and Responsible AI UK.

    Tina Seabrooke has received prior funding from UKRI’s Trustworthy Autonomous Systems Hub.

    – ref. People trust legal advice generated by ChatGPT more than a lawyer – new study – https://theconversation.com/people-trust-legal-advice-generated-by-chatgpt-more-than-a-lawyer-new-study-252217

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Accelerating building projects with self-certification and inspection targets

    Source: New Zealand Government

    The Government has agreed on a new scheme allowing trusted builders to sign off their own work and will set a mandatory target to tackle building inspection wait times, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk has announced. 
     
    “Making it easier and more affordable to build opens the door to homeownership for more Kiwis, gives families choice about where they live, and supports growth and job creation in the construction sector,” Mr Penk says.  
     
    “We can’t achieve this vision while the building consent system remains slow and overloaded. Even simple, single-storey homes must go through around 12 inspections before they’re finished, with costly delays when demand is high.  
     
    “At a time when many Kiwis are locked out of the housing market, that’s simply not good enough. 
     
    “The Government is committed to making the building system more efficient and Cabinet has now agreed to an opt-in self-certification scheme, which will allow approved building firms, plumbers, and drainlayers to sign off their own work. 
     
    “Reputable building companies delivering large numbers of near-identical houses each year will be able to proceed without the need for Building Consent Authorities (BCAs) to approve a building consent and carry out inspections. 
     
    “Giving qualified plumbers and drainlayers the ability to self-certify their work puts them on equal footing with electricians and gasfitters, who’ve had that flexibility for years. It’s a common-sense change backed by Master Plumbers and delivers on a National Party campaign promise. 
     
    “Kiwis should have confidence that their homes are built to a high standard. That’s why only proven professionals who meet strict criteria will be eligible for the scheme – and only for simple residential dwellings.  
     
    “Initially these changes are expected to see around 3,000 homes built each year without delays from approvals or inspections. BCAs will be freed up to focus on high-risk, complex builds instead of being bogged down by simple homes.
     
    “In addition, the Government will require BCAs complete 80 percent of building inspections within three working days. 
     
    “Master Builders have welcomed this announcement as a meaningful step toward reducing inspection delays. We regularly hear from builders frustrated by the disruption to project timelines and the uncertainty it creates for homeowners. 
     
    “Wait times sometimes stretch up to a week – having a knock-on effect which can add about $400 for every day a project is held up. 
     
    “Updated guidance will be issued to BCAs, outlining practical strategies to boost efficiency, reduce bottlenecks, and help authorities better prioritise their workloads.” 
     
    “BCAs success in meeting the target will be shown in quarterly performance data – giving the public greater transparency and encouraging improved performance. 

    “By backing skilled professionals and focusing council resources, we can cut building costs without sacrificing quality – delivering more affordable homes for Kiwi families.” 

    Inspection targets will come into force later this year and legislation to enable the self-certification scheme will be introduced by the end of 2025. 

    Notes to editors: 

    • The self-certification scheme will be a voluntary, opt-in measure enabled by changes to the Building Act 2004 and the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Act 2006.
    • There will be two self-certification pathways available under the scheme:
      • An opt-in self-certification scheme for house builders carrying out work on an entire simple residential dwelling (including design and construction).
      • An opt-in self-certification scheme for plumbers and drainlayers carrying out work on a simple residential dwelling.
    • The definition of an eligible simple residential dwelling will be set down in regulation, following industry consultation.
    • BCAs will still be required to provide a nominal consent for entire simple homes where trusted building professionals are self-certifying their work.   

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Vancouver SUV attack exposes crowd management falldowns and casts a pall on Canada’s election

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Ali Asgary, Professor, Disaster & Emergency Management, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies & Director, CIFAL York, York University, Canada

    A car attack at a Filipino street festival in Vancouver just two days before Canada’s federal election has killed at least 11 people and injured many more.

    The carnage along a street lined with food trucks took place shortly after one of the men vying to become Canada’s prime minister — New Democratic Party Leader Jagmeet Singh — attended the event. A shell-shocked Singh observed a moment of silence in Penticton, B.C., during another campaign stop the next day.

    A 30-year-old Vancouver resident has been arrested, but the motivation behind the attack is unknown.

    Vancouver police say the suspect has mental health issues and was known to police prior to the attack. Police also told a news conference there was no indication there was a need for extra policing at the festival, deeming it to have a “low threat level.”

    What goes into making that calculation, and is a public event ever truly low-risk?

    Vancouver police hold a news conference on the SUV attack. (CTV News)

    Difficulties of crowd management

    The Vancouver SUV attack is now classified as a crowd-related or mass gathering type of disaster. There have been cases of public vehicle-ramming attacks in Canada in the past, in particular the 2018 Toronto van attack that left 10 people dead.

    While it’s not yet known whether the Vancouver attack was targeted, there were clearly weaknesses in crowd management for such a large gathering. These types of attacks have been on the increase over the past decade and are now considered one of the prime threats to mass gatherings in public spaces and streets.

    Unfortunately, many mass gathering events do not allocate either sufficient resources or time for crowd management procedures, particularly those related to risk and emergency management.

    Organizing mass gathering events in public spaces should factor in different threats, including the potential for car ramming, and implement effective mitigation and preparedness measures.

    ‘Soft targets’

    Many public spaces where these events take place are vulnerable to car attacks. Evidence shows that mass gatherings are soft targets, meaning they’re easily accessible to large numbers of people and have limited security, protective and warning measures in place. Extreme precautions are needed to protect the public from such attacks so that they don’t become mass casualty events.

    Those in attendance should be aware that public spaces generally lack physical barriers, or the proper distribution of them, to resist car or vehicle attacks.

    While public awareness programs exist for other hazards such as flooding, earthquakes and extreme weather events, it’s now clear that such awareness and education are needed for mass public gatherings too.

    Police should be aware that relying on limited surveillance may not be sufficient to identify such threats at the scene. Vehicle access and traffic control should be in place throughout such events. Lack of warning systems to quickly inform the crowd about an ongoing attack further increases the impacts of vehicular attacks.

    Much of the focus on these types of events has been on the motivations of the attackers. Since a considerable number of vehicle-ramming attacks have been attributed to terrorism, communities or events with the perception of lower terrorism threats may not pay close enough attention to this type of threat.



    Read more:
    Toronto’s most recent car attack was a targeted crime, not a mass attack

    Impact on the election?

    Canadians aren’t likely to get many more details about the Vancouver attack until after voting day on Monday. Could the tragedy have an impact on the outcome of the federal election?

    Past and recent studies have drawn different conclusions about the impact of disasters on election results.

    According to what’s known as retrospective voting theory, voters judge governments on how they manage disasters, particularly highly publicized, tragic events, when casting their ballots. Voters can evaluate governments based on their handling of the disaster and the amount of effort they have put into minimizing risk.

    Some studies have found that local governments were rewarded after disaster events, including Calgary after the 2013 floods, several Italian municipal governments after earthquakes, local government officials in Brazil amid municipal drought declarations and civic elections in Japan after earthquakes, tsunamis and floods.



    Read more:
    Why Canada needs to dramatically update how it prepares for and manages emergencies

    Voters can and do punish or reward governments and elected politicians based on the effects of recent disasters on them and governments’ responses to them.

    But given how soon the Canadian election is being held after the disaster occurred — and the record number of voters who have already cast their ballots in advance polls — this tragedy isn’t likely to have a substantial impact.

    Hopefully, however, it will have an influence on how organizers, police and other authorities manage public crowds and events at a time when vehicle-ramming attacks are becoming a recurrent threat. Those elected this election should prioritize efforts to ensure communities can have safer mass gathering events.

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

    – ref. Vancouver SUV attack exposes crowd management falldowns and casts a pall on Canada’s election – https://theconversation.com/vancouver-suv-attack-exposes-crowd-management-falldowns-and-casts-a-pall-on-canadas-election-255395

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Businesses reminded to review their card surcharges and pricing information

    Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development

    The ACCC is encouraging businesses to review their card payment surcharges to ensure they are in line with their cost of accepting card payments.

    Businesses should also ensure they adequately disclose upfront any card payment surcharges that apply, so that their customers can make informed decisions before ordering, booking and paying for a product or service.

    Misleading surcharging practices and other add-on costs is a compliance and enforcement priority for the ACCC in the 2025-26 financial year.

    “Businesses need to ensure their customers know about any card payment surcharges upfront, and that they are only charging what it costs them to accept those card payments,” ACCC Deputy Chair Mick Keogh said.

    The Australian Consumer Law prohibits businesses from misleading people about the prices they charge.

    The Competition and Consumer Act also prohibits businesses from charging a card payment surcharge that is excessive. A card payment surcharge is considered excessive if it is higher than the business’s ‘cost of acceptance’.

    For example, if a business’s ‘cost of acceptance’ for Visa credit card payments, including the merchant service fee and all other permissible costs, is 1 per cent, and they choose to charge a card payment surcharge, they can only apply a surcharge of up to 1 per cent to their customers that pay using a Visa credit card.

    The ACCC has commenced an education and compliance campaign to inform businesses, particularly small businesses, of their obligations and help them to comply with the relevant laws.

    As part of this campaign, the ACCC is helping businesses to comply with the law through advertisements and updated guidance material. It will also be engaging closely with relevant industry representatives to help them support their small business members in complying with the laws.

    The ACCC will also be actively monitoring business compliance, and may take appropriate compliance or enforcement action, in line with our Compliance and Enforcement Policy.

    “We understand that small businesses need to be across a lot of information to comply with all of the laws that apply to their business, however, charging excessive surcharges and not being upfront with customers about pricing can result in small businesses losing customers,” Mr Keogh said.

    “It is important for small businesses to ensure they understand their obligations and check their costs of acceptance to know what amounts they can legally charge their customers as a payment surcharge, as well as reviewing how they inform customers of their prices, including any applicable surcharges.”

    More information to help businesses comply with the law is available on the ACCC website.

    Businesses may also wish to seek advice from their bank or payment facilitator, an accountant or business advisor to assist them with working out what their ‘cost of acceptance’ is.

    Background

    A standard set by the Reserve Bank of Australia sets out the costs that businesses can include when working out their ‘cost of acceptance’ for each payment type they accept. More information about this can be found on the Reserve Bank of Australia’s website.

    Businesses’ banks or payment facilitators provide businesses with statements or similar payment processing information, which includes their main costs of accepting different payment types, typically shown as a percentage figure amount.

    There are other costs that businesses may be able to include when calculating their ‘cost of acceptance’. Businesses need to be able to verify and calculate these costs with reference to contracts, statements or invoices from their providers.

    The costs for accepting card payments can vary between businesses. This means that the card payment surcharges charged to customers can also vary between businesses.

    The ACCC’s education and compliance engagement campaign is about the existing surcharging laws.

    The Reserve Bank of Australia is currently finalising a Review of Retail Payments Regulation – Merchant Card Payment Costs and Surcharging.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Digging up the past for Archaeology Week

    Source: Auckland Council

    Sometimes to uncover Auckland’s past, you need to dig deep. Just ask Chris Mallows, Team Leader Cultural Heritage Implementation in Auckland Council’s Heritage Unit. He’s part of a team of archaeologists unearthing the fascinating history of Tāmaki Makaurau.

    Auckland’s rich and varied landscape – encompassing coastland, forest, wetlands, maunga and volcanic fields – mirrors the diverse heritage of the people who have settled here since around the 14th century. With Archaeology Week running from 3-11 May, it’s the perfect time to acknowledge the groundbreaking work of archaeologists who help further our knowledge of our region’s past.

    Archaeology is the study of past human societies through the analysis of material culture, including artefacts or the remains of buildings.

    “Archaeologists look at the physical evidence that’s left behind and interpret how people lived and worked in the past,” explains Chris.

    In Tāmaki Makaurau, archaeological work could involve everything from protecting maunga and Māori pā settlement sites, preservation of the Wilson Cement Works in Warkworth or uncovering artefacts from the former Queen Street Gaol that was on the corner of Queen and Victoria Streets from 1841-1865.

    “During an archaeological excavation, we’re always finding something new and expanding our understanding of how people lived in that specific area,” says Chris.

    Auckland Council’s archaeologists work on a range of projects including preservation work, providing advice on heritage sites and as well as reviewing on resource consent applications around areas with scheduled heritage sites.

    While fictional archaeologist Indiana Jones’ favourite tool was his whip, in reality archaeologists are more likely to be armed with a trowel. Excavating can be physically demanding and painstaking work, as archaeologists work carefully to uncover artefacts without damaging anything in the process. The sharp edge of the trowel is used to meticulously unearth fragile items, such as ceramics, from the earth.

    “Buying your first trowel is a bit like a rite of passage”, says Chris, who still has his first William Hunt and Sons trowel he received as a fledgling archaeologist in the UK.

    Archaeologists use trowels to carefully unearth artefacts without damaging any fragile parts. Chris Mallows still has his WHS trowel from his first excavation in the UK.

    “When you’re a field archaeologist, a trowel is the first tool you’ll ever get. It helps you excavate the small features in a controlled manner. For example, if you’re on a European-era site in Auckland dating from the 1860s or 1870s, you may use a trowel to find glass, ceramics, animal bones or other remnants that people were eating.”

    Other tools include sieves for sorting very small remnants, measurement tools for mapping out a site and a “good old fashioned spade and shovel”, Chris adds.

    While traditional excavation tools are still part of the work of an archaeologist, there have been a number of digital advances that make this work a little easier. Auckland Council’s archaeologists have access to LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) data. This technology uses laser light pulses emitted from a drone or plane to create three-dimensional maps of the environment.

    “LiDAR uncovers things that were previously hidden by the landscape. For example, on farmland, LiDAR has uncovered pits hidden by long grass which were later revealed to be kūmara pits (rua),” says Chris.

    Another modern tool is photogrammetry, a process of creating a 3D model of an artefact or structure using a series of overlapping photographs.

    Chris uses photographic scales to measure the site.

    “Photogrammetry is a great tool and allows our communities to see artefacts and heritage sites really easily,” says Chris. “Even if you can’t physically gain access to the artefacts – they may be a museum, for example, or you may not be able to travel to these sites – having photogrammetry allows anyone to look at them. It’s a really good tool for the future.”

    There have been a number of notable archaeological discoveries in Auckland, but one that sticks out to Chris is the Sunde Site on Motutapu Island. In 1958, archaeologist Rudy Sunde discovered what has since been spoken of as ‘New Zealand’s Pompeii’ when he found artefacts from a pre-European kainga (village).

    Later, in 1981, University of Auckland archaeologist Reg Nicol uncovered footprints of eight people and one dog beneath a layer of ash from Rangitoto Island. This is evidence that mana whenua living on or near Motutapu witnessed the eruption of Rangitoto in around 1400 CE.

    “What I find fascinating about this site is you have evidence of somebody going about everyday life and then you’ve got a volcanic eruption happening, and we can only wonder what that experience was like,” says Chris. “There’s a clear timeline of the eruption and you can see the people adapting to the changing climate because of the natural disaster.”

    Through archaeology, we can learn from the past and see how people adapted to change and use this to understand how we adapt to change in the future.”

    “Recent damage to an Auckland park by treasure hunters highlights why our heritage needs protecting”, says Chris.

    Mary Barrett Glade near Ngataringa Park in Devonport is a scheduled heritage place on Department of Conservation (DOC) land, and was unfortunately recently targeted by vandals looking to dig up vintage bottles. Auckland Council archaeologists are supporting DOC in the protection and restoration of the area.

    The site is the former location of Duder’s Brickworks, which operated between 1875 and 1942. The factory used clay from Ngataringa Bay to make ordinary and decorative bricks as well as sanitary pipes and chimney heads, and employed many Devonport locals up until the 1920s. The factory supplied clay bricks for many of the Edwardian buildings in Devonport including the pumphouse (now the PumpHouse Theatre).

    The PumpHouse Theatre is built with bricks from Duder’s Brickworks.

    Following a fire on Victoria Road in 1888, the Devonport Borough Council made a rule that buildings in the main shopping area were to be constructed from bricks only, and the bricks are part of the suburb’s its distinctive look.

    “The brickworks are part of Devonport’s industrial heritage and character. You never know what’s around the corner, so we do need to be vigilant in protecting our history. As archaeologists, we are the kaitiaki (guardians) of our heritage sites, preserving them for our future generations.”

    For more information about Archaeology Week and to see what events are on, head to the New Zealand Archaeological Association website.

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