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Category: Transport

  • MIL-OSI China: Giant panda Fu Bao returns after health scare

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    Visitors take photos of giant panda Fu Bao on Tuesday at the Shenshuping base of the Wolong National Nature Reserve in Southwest China’s Sichuan province. [Photo/China News]
    After more than 100 days of rest, giant panda Fu Bao returned to public display on Tuesday at the Shenshuping base in Wolong National Nature Reserve in southwest Sichuan province, according to the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda.
    In December, she was observed trembling while foraging and was immediately subjected to a physical examination and close monitoring by keepers and veterinarians.
    After undergoing a series of medical tests, including blood work and screenings for parasites and infectious diseases, no abnormalities were found. Fu Bao was then moved to a non-exhibit area for rest.
    In January and February, the panda exhibited normal estrus behavior, during which she received meticulous care from keepers and veterinarians. Renowned experts from Beijing were also invited to collaborate with the panda base’s veterinarians for a joint consultation to further investigate potential causes of the trembling.
    The latest test results for Fu Bao show no abnormalities. Experts have determined that she is fit for display based on her current condition and medical examination results.
    Fu Bao was born in July 2020 at South Korea’s Everland theme park in Yongin, about 40 kilometers south of Seoul. She is the first offspring of Hua Ni and Yuan Xin, a pair of giant pandas leased from China to South Korea in 2016.
    Her birth marked the first time a giant panda was born in South Korea, and she quickly became a beloved figure. Everland said that since her public debut in January 2021, she has attracted more than 5.4 million visitors.
    In April last year, in accordance with international agreements, Fu Bao was sent to China. Her departure was met with an emotional farewell from thousands of fans who gathered at Everland to see her off.
    Fu Bao’s arrival in China has also sparked interest among South Korean tourists. Travel agencies have offered “panda tourism” packages to Sichuan, allowing fans to visit her in her new habitat.
    Some avid South Korean panda fans alleged mistreatment of Fu Bao shortly after her arrival in China, pointing to a patch of fur loss on her neck.
    The China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda refuted the claims, saying that tests suggested no abnormalities such as allergies, scabs or thickening of the skin. A spokesperson for the center said the Shenshuping base will continue to closely monitor and care for Fu Bao. To ensure her well-being, the base will adjust display times or suspend displays based on her health status and weather conditions.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Dream becomes a reality for EIT Auckland Valedictorian | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

    Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

    7 minutes ago

    When Mai Nguyễn first arrived in New Zealand in April 2023, she could only dream of one day standing on stage delivering the valedictory speech at her own graduation.

    Yesterday, (March 25), she did just that — speaking as Valedictorian and graduating with a Master of Digital Business at one of two EIT Auckland ceremonies at the Aotea Centre.

    “I’m so proud of it, super proud,” Mai says. “When I first started studying, I helped out at graduation ceremonies. I watched the valedictorians speak and I dreamed of being one of them. And now, it’s come true.”

    EIT Auckland Valedictorian Mai Nguyễn has graduated with a Master of Digital Business.

    Originally from Vietnam, Mai holds a Bachelor in Hospitality Management and had a successful career in marketing at a cybersecurity company before moving abroad with her husband Tran Khanh Hiep and their then two-and-a-half-year-old son Tran Khanh An. Despite the challenges of starting over in a new country, Mai embraced every opportunity with determination and heart.

    She completed her Master of Digital Business at EIT Auckland and quickly became a valued part of the student community, serving as a student representative and mentor.

    That sense of support is something she felt from the moment she enrolled. “The EIT philosophy of providing the support to succeed is true. From day one, I felt it. Even when I lost my first assignment due to a technical issue, and the librarian from Napier helped me late at night. That meant so much.”

    She describes the Auckland campus as small but warm — a place where “everyone knows your name” and where international students are truly looked after.

    “I always felt like I belonged. There’s something special about how EIT supports students. They see more than just your grades; they see your heart and your effort.”

    EIT Auckland Valedictorian Mai Nguyễn pictured with her husband Tran Khanh Hiep and their then two-and-a-half-year-old son Tran Khanh An on their way to New Zealand.

    Now working as a business development manager for an immigration company, Mai helps other migrants find their path in Aotearoa. She hopes to become a licensed immigration advisor and continue supporting Vietnamese students who want to study in New Zealand — including, she hopes, at EIT.

    “I still tell EIT staff, if you ever need my help, I’ll be there,” she says. “I believe in what EIT offers — not just education, but care.”

    “I wasn’t always this helpful or reflective,” she adds. “Back in Vietnam, I was career focused. But studying here helped me grow. I realised that success isn’t just about what you achieve — it’s about the impact you have on others.”

    To new international students, Mai offers heartfelt advice.

    “Change is not scary, it’s part of growth. You might suffer and struggle, but everything will be fine in the end. Do good, and good will always come back to you.”

    EIT Auckland Campus Director Cherrie Freeman says this achievement is a testament to Mai’s dedication, hard work, and commitment to excellence throughout her studies.

    “The team at EIT is incredibly proud of all that Mai has accomplished. We are also deeply grateful for the unwavering support she has shown to the student community. Time and time again, Mai stepped up to help—whether by helping, providing guidance, or simply being there when needed. Her willingness to lend a hand, often on short notice, and her consistent presence on campus, sometimes on a daily basis, have made a significant impact.

    “Mai has truly earned this distinction, and EIT wishes her all the best in her future endeavours. She will always have a special place in the EIT family.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI China: US stocks inch higher despite lower consumer confidence

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    U.S. stocks ended higher on Tuesday, extending gains from the previous session as optimism over a potential narrowing of U.S. tariffs continued to support investor sentiment.

    The Dow Jones Industrial Average inched up 4.18 points or 0.01 percent to 42,587.5, while the S&P 500 rose 9.08 points or 0.16 percent to 5,776.65. The Nasdaq Composite gained 83.26 points or 0.46 percent to 18,271.85, marking its third consecutive day of gains.

    Among the 11 primary S&P 500 sectors, seven closed higher, with communication services up 1.43 percent and consumer discretionary rising 0.98 percent leading the advances. Utilities fell 1.61 percent and healthcare declined 1.29 percent, making them the biggest laggards.

    Investors largely brushed off March’s weak consumer confidence report, which showed a sharp decline in U.S. consumers’ short-term outlook on income, business conditions, and employment. The Conference Board’s consumer confidence index dropped to 92.9, missing expectations of 93.5. The measure of future expectations fell to 65.2, the lowest in 12 years, signaling potential recession risks.

    Tuesday’s action follows the prior session’s sharp gains for all three major averages after U.S. President Donald Trump said he would give “a lot of countries breaks” when it comes to reciprocal tariffs expected on April 2.

    “Sentiment continues to wane among investors, consumers and businesses as economic concerns and economic policy uncertainty takes its toll,” said Bret Kenwell, U.S. investment analyst at eToro. “Until there’s more certainty on the tariff and macro front, sentiment and confidence remain vulnerable.”

    David Rubenstein, co-founder and co-chairman of the Carlyle Group, said tariffs could slow down the economy, but it wouldn’t trigger recession. “Tariffs have done a pretty good job of getting people’s attention around the world, getting people’s attention in the business community as a negotiating technique,” he said Tuesday. “Whether you implement them across the board, all kinds of tariffs everywhere … that might be more complicated to do and might have some inflationary impact.”

    In the bond market, the 10-year Treasury yield slipped to 4.315 percent as of 4:18 p.m. EDT, down from 4.33 percent at Monday’s close and an intraday peak of 4.37 percent, its highest in over a month.

    Mega-cap tech stocks extended Monday’s gains, with Tesla climbing another 3.45 percent despite continued weakness in European sales. Apple, Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon, and Meta Platforms also advanced, while chipmakers Nvidia and Broadcom saw slight declines.

    Looking ahead, investors are awaiting earnings reports from Lululemon, GameStop, and Dollar Tree later this week. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Trump stands by national security adviser despite war plan leak

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday stood by his national security adviser, Mike Waltz, after The Atlantic’s editor-in-chief was accidentally added to Signal group chat where high-level national security officials were discussing military plans in Yemen.

    “Michael Waltz has learned a lesson, and he’s a good man,” Trump said Tuesday in a phone interview with NBC News.

    When asked what he was told about how Goldberg came to be added to the Signal chat, Trump said, “It was one of Michael’s people on the phone. A staffer had his number on there.”

    Trump also said Goldberg’s presence in the chat had “no impact at all” on the military operation against Houthi forces in Yemen.

    Trump’s remarks came one day after Jeffrey Goldberg, the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, said in an article on Monday that senior U.S. national security officials recently added him to a Signal group chat discussing a military strike on Houthi forces in Yemen. He said he became aware of the airstrike plan about two hours before the U.S. operation.

    “I have never seen a breach quite like this,” said Goldberg in the article.

    When asked by media about this, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Monday that “Nobody was texting war plans. And that’s all I have to say about that.” The defense secretary also lashed out at Goldberg, calling him “a deceitful and highly discredited so-called ‘journalist’ who’s made a profession of peddling hoaxes time and time again.”

    The incident has sparked grave concerns and harsh criticism.

    “If true, this story represents one of the most egregious failures of operational security and common sense I have ever seen,” Jack Reed, the Senate Armed Services Committee’s top Democrat, said in a statement.

    “Military operations need to be handled with utmost discretion, using approved, secure lines of communication, because American lives are on the line. The carelessness shown by President Trump’s Cabinet is stunning and dangerous. I will be seeking answers from the administration immediately,” said the Democratic senator.

    Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer described the incident as “amateur behavior” and called for “a full investigation into how this happened and the damage it created.”

    “This kind of security breach is how people get killed. How our enemies take advantage. How our national security falls into danger. These people are clearly not up for the job,” he posted on X. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Interview with Raf Epstein, Melbourne Mornings, ABC Radio

    Source: Australian Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry

    Raf Epstein:

    Jim Chalmers has delivered his fourth Budget. He’s the federal Treasurer. Good morning.

    Jim Chalmers:

    Good morning, Raf. How are you?

    Epstein:

    I’m good. Look, people on $45 grand might really need it, but people earning $200 grand don’t need an extra $500 a year in a tax cut. High earners are getting tax cuts. Why?

    Chalmers:

    Well, every Australian taxpayer’s getting another 2 tax cuts in addition to the one that started rolling out in July. And that’s what we’re doing in the Budget. We’re topping up the tax cuts.

    And when you cut the bottom rate from 19 cents all the way down to 14 cents, that flows to every taxpayer. That’s just how the tax system works. But the benefits will be disproportionately felt for people on lower incomes, younger people, people entering the workforce, and that’s deliberate.

    Epstein:

    Why are high income earners getting it? I just want to understand the rationale. You and I don’t need that money. It could be better spent by the government, it could be targeted at people who need it. Why are we getting it?

    Chalmers:

    Because the way the tax system works is it’s a marginal tax system and when you cut the bottom rate, it means that every taxpayer benefits and the –

    Epstein:

    – that’s an explanation. That’s not a reason.

    Chalmers:

    The only easy way to limit the tax cuts is to provide it in people’s tax returns. We’ve done that in the past, but we wanted to make this a weekly, enduring, ongoing benefit to people. The benefit, when you combine our 3 tax cuts together is an average tax cut of about $50 a week.

    You ask me about cost‑of‑living relief more broadly. It’s not the only thing we’re doing. You know, strengthening Medicare is about out of pocket health costs, cheaper medicines, energy bill rebates, cutting student debt. These are all of the ways that we are responsibly helping people with the cost of living.

    Epstein:

    Without an election, would there have been tax cuts?

    Chalmers:

    Yes, we’re very keen to top up the tax cuts which started flowing in July. And that’s because we recognise that even though we’re making a heap of very encouraging progress in the fight against inflation, we’ve got inflation down lower and earlier in the budget than was expected, even at the end of last year.

    But we know that people are still under pressure and so we’re providing cost‑of‑living relief, really one of the main focuses in the Budget. And, and we’re doing that in a whole bunch of ways and giving people 2 more tax cuts to top up the tax cuts, which are already flowing, is a very effective way of doing that.

    Epstein:

    Jim Chalmers, as Treasurer, your shared equity scheme, it is extra help for some people to buy a house, but there’s not much for most people trying to buy a house. Why do you keep kicking that can down the road?

    Chalmers:

    I don’t think we are. You know, the Help to Buy scheme, the expansion means about 40 – helping about 40,000 Australians into the housing market. That’s a significant amount of people. But it’s not the only thing we’re doing in housing.

    There’s about $33 billion being invested in housing in all kinds of responsible ways, from social and affordable housing to the Help to Buy scheme, to working with the states to open up new estates and make sure that it’s got the infrastructure that it needs.

    We’re investing in housing in a whole bunch of ways. We know that there’s a shortage. It’s one of the big challenges in our economy, as you and I have spoken about, I think, on a number of occasions, Raf and that’s why we’re doing something about it.

    Epstein:

    But aren’t those changes on the edges? The big changes are how we incentivise people to build wealth. Negative gearing, capital gains, like that’s the big lever that you haven’t pulled?

    Chalmers:

    We haven’t. That’s correct. But whether it’s cost of living or housing, it’s best not to look at any one measure in isolation. You look across what we’re doing in housing, we’ve got the most ambitious housing programme of any government in my lifetime.

    Epstein:

    Are you scared of negative gearing changes?

    Chalmers:

    We’re not going down that route because we’re not convinced that it would build more homes to change that. We’ve made that clear. And our emphasis is on housing supply. We want to build more homes, 1.2 million homes in the next 5 years. That’s going to be difficult. It’s ambitious, but it’s achievable if everybody does their bit.

    We’ve shown a willingness and enthusiasm to invest in housing because we know it’s the source of a lot of this cost‑of‑living pressure, which is still hanging around. We know we don’t have enough homes. That’s why we’re acting decisively with $33 billion of investment.

    Epstein:

    Jim Chalmers is the Treasurer on 774. We’ll have a word to the Shadow Treasurer, Angus Taylor, soon as well.

    Treasurer, if you had 60 seconds in a lift with Donald Trump, what would you say to him?

    Chalmers:

    I think I’d tell President Trump, exactly what I told his Treasury Secretary in Washington D.C. a few weeks ago. Ours is an economic relationship of mutual benefit. They run a big trade surplus with us, they enjoy tariff‑free access to our markets. We believe that should be taken into consideration and we will always speak up for and stand up for our interests.

    Epstein:

    Do you think he cares about Australia?

    Chalmers:

    I don’t think that’s a question really for me. You’d have to ask him. But I do believe whoever is in the White House and whoever is in the Lodge, this is such an important economic relationship and security relationship, it benefits both countries. And we will continue to make our case to stand up and speak for our interests.

    We don’t want to trade away the things that we’re proud of in Australia, things like the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme that I invested in in the Budget. We want to make sure that we’re strengthening that because Australians need us to, not weakening it because American multinationals want us to. So that’s been in the mix. That’s been some of the things that have been discussed. I would make the same points to President Trump that I made to his Treasury Secretary.

    Epstein:

    You did pull a bit of a rabbit out of your hat with the tax cuts last night. One thing you did not mention is Melbourne’s suburban rail loop. Why not?

    Chalmers:

    Because we’d already funded that. As you know, I think the funding got released a few weeks ago. But that’s been in our, that $2 billion or so has been in our budget for a while. Usually in the Budget speech, you mentioned the new things.

    Epstein:

    You don’t think it’s a sketchy project, you’ve got faith in it?

    Chalmers:

    Well, it’s cleared the hurdles. And So we’re providing that $2 billion. We believe in it. We think it’s a project worthy of Commonwealth investment. That’s why Catherine King, my colleague, has been working closely with the Victorians to provide and release that funding for Suburban Rail Loop. But in the Budget speech last night, we focused on Sunshine Station because that’s part of a big new investment we’re making in the Airport Rail line.

    Epstein:

    Tobacco excise. I think it’s about $1.40 of tax per cigarette at the moment. That is failing in your Budget. You’re taking in even less money than you thought you would. It’s failing on the streets. Why are you sticking with that while shops are burning?

    Chalmers:

    There are 2 reasons why tobacco excise is down. There’s a good reason and there’s a bad reason. Good reason is more people giving it away. But I do acknowledge the essence of your question, which is we’ve got a challenge here and too many people are avoiding the excise, and that’s why we’ve actually invested a substantial amount of money and resources in the Budget last night to try and crack down on people avoiding the excise. There’s a lot of money in the Budget for compliance and enforcement because we do have a problem there. I acknowledge that. We’re doing something about it.

    Epstein:

    Will we ever get a surplus?

    Chalmers:

    We’ve delivered 2 surpluses, Raf.

    Epstein:

    I’m talking looking forward.

    Chalmers:

    I know, but this is too easily lost. When we came to office, there were deficits in every year, we turned 2 of them into surpluses. And we’ve shrunk the deficit this year and that’s helping us get debt down this year by $177 billion. I think that is too easily lost.

    We do acknowledge there are structural issues in the budget in the medium term and in the longer term. That’s what’s motivated us in terms of making spending on the NDIS and in aged care more sustainable. We have made a structural difference, a structural improvement to the budget over time with those measures. But the work of budget repair is ongoing.

    In every single one of our 4 Budgets, we’ve had savings. We’ve tried to. When we’re investing money in helping with the cost of living or strengthening Medicare, we’ve done it in the most responsible way that we can, which recognises these pressures on the budget.

    Epstein:

    Thanks so much for your time this morning.

    Chalmers:

    Appreciate it, Raf. All the best.

    Epstein:

    Jim Chalmers there, the federal Treasurer.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Interview with Sarah Abo and James Bracey, Today Show, Channel 9

    Source: Australian Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry

    James Bracey:

    Now more on the Albanese government’s fourth federal Budget. Jim Chalmers catching the country off guard with a surprise tax cut for every Australian, a move the Coalition is calling an election bribe.

    Sarah Abo:

    And the Treasurer joins us live now from Parliament House in Canberra. Good morning to you, Treasurer, or should I call you the re‑election salesman with a Budget like that? $5 a week barely buys a cup of coffee. Can it buy an election?

    Jim Chalmers:

    It’s more than that, Sarah, that’s the first point. If you combine the 3 tax cuts that Labor is providing, it’s around $50 a week on average. It’s not the only cost‑of‑living help that we’re providing. We know that cost of living is front of mind for most Australians and it’s absolutely front and centre in the Budget. The tax cuts, strengthening Medicare, cheaper medicines, cutting student debt, providing energy bill rebates. This is all about providing the most cost‑of‑living help that we can in the most responsible way that we can.

    Bracey:

    Treasurer, why across the whole board, for everyone with this tax cut? We spoke to Kirsty earlier, cafe owner, mother of 7, who says the $5 bucks a week just won’t touch the sides.

    Chalmers:

    That’s only one of the 2 tax cuts that we’re providing, and 3 in total in our time in office, the average –

    Abo:

    But why is it for everyone Treasurer?

    Chalmers:

    The average is $50 a week. That’s the first point.

    Abo:

    Shouldn’t you prioritise the first 2?

    Chalmers:

    When you cut the bottom rate of tax, it flows right up and down the income scale, so it’s a tax cut for every taxpayer. These are modest tax cuts, they’re responsible tax cuts, but they’re meaningful when you take them in combination with the tax cuts which are flowing already, we’re topping up those tax cuts and we’re also providing cost‑of‑living relief in other ways.

    Abo:

    It’s barely going to help those top part of the brackets, as you know but it will, if it was doubled, be more of an impact for those underneath. I mean, there is still a big household onus now to find savings. The cost‑of‑living pressures are unlikely to change in the short term.

    Chalmers:

    That’s why we’re helping people with the cost of living. We’ve made a lot of progress together as Australians on inflation and in our economy more broadly. The Australian economy is turning a corner and that’s a very good thing. But we know that there’s more work to do. That’s why we’re providing more cost‑of‑living help and that’s why it beggars belief that the Coalition is opposing this cost‑of‑living relief.

    What it means for the election is that it’s a simple choice between Labor cutting taxes to help with the cost of living versus Peter Dutton’s secret cuts which will make people worse off. Peter Dutton wants to cut everything except income taxes and that will be part of the choice that we’ll be asking people to make at the election.

    Bracey:

    There really is no Treasurer budget for an election and you set aside a further billion dollars for that election. What is up your sleeve?

    Chalmers:

    I don’t agree with that characterisation. It’s a budget about building Australia’s future and strengthening Medicare and helping with the cost of living. When it comes to that line in the Budget about decisions taken but not announced, that’s actually very small by historical standards. There are good reasons to have a small amount of money provisioned for in that way. If you compare that with earlier budgets, that line item is actually incredibly small.

    Abo:

    The surpluses are firmly in the review mirror, aren’t they, Treasurer? I mean, what a legacy; 10 years of deficit. Now you’re staring down extraordinary debt as far as the eye can see and without a real concrete plan to pay for it.

    Chalmers:

    I think it’s unusual, Sarah, that your question doesn’t acknowledge that when we came to office there were only deficits, and we turned 2 of them into surpluses and we shrunk the deficit for this year. We’ve made a lot of progress in the Budget. We’ve helped engineer the biggest ever nominal improvement in the Budget position in a single parliamentary term. More than $200 billion improvement, much less debt than what we inherited from our predecessors and that’s making a structural improvement to the budget as well. We have got the budget in better nick. We’re providing responsible cost‑of‑living help, we’re strengthening Medicare and we’re investing in the future of this country. And we’re doing that in the most responsible way that we can.

    Bracey:

    There’s a legitimate crisis in amongst all this though, Treasurer. The tobacco taxes collapsed to a 14‑year low. It’s blown a $17.6 billion hole in the tax base. Meanwhile, we see fire bombings almost daily, fuelling the black‑market wars that are going on as we speak. So, what will the government be doing about it all?

    Chalmers:

    There are 2 reasons why tobacco excise goes down. One of them is a good reason, one of them is a bad reason. The good reason is more and more people giving up the darts, which is what we want to see. But the bad reason is the case that people are finding more ways around tobacco excise. That’s why we’ve invested a substantial amount of money in new resources for compliance and enforcement. We do know there’s an issue. We acknowledge that. That’s why we’re trying to resource some more compliance and some more enforcement, because there has been some leakage in the Budget in that regard.

    Abo:

    Long night for you, Treasurer, and an early start. Thank you for joining us this morning and speaking to our audience. Appreciate it.

    Chalmers:

    Nice to talk to you both. Thank you.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Headline and underlying inflation fall in February

    Source: Australian Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry

    New figures show that headline and underlying inflation fell last month.

    This is more positive and promising news that shows we’re making progress together in the fight against inflation.

    Monthly inflation fell to 2.4 per cent in the year to February 2025.

    Annual trimmed mean inflation fell to 2.7 per cent.

    Today’s headline result was below the median market expectation.

    Inflation was high and rising when we came to government and now it’s much lower and falling.

    Headline inflation has been at or below the midpoint of the Reserve Bank’s target band for six consecutive months.

    Underlying inflation has been below three per cent for three consecutive months.

    This is even more proof that inflation continues to moderate in our economy.

    The Budget we handed down this week continues the fight against inflation and shows that Treasury now expects inflation to return sustainably to the target band six months sooner – in the middle of this year, rather than at the end.

    Today’s result is a reminder of our substantial and sustained progress in the fight against inflation.

    Under Labor, inflation is down, wages are up, unemployment is low, interest rates have started to come down and we’ve topped up our tax relief to give every taxpayer two new tax cuts from next year.

    We know that these monthly numbers are volatile and can bounce around but the direction of travel on inflation is clear.

    On the official quarterly measure, inflation under Labor is almost a third of the 6.1 per cent we inherited. Australia’s inflation is now lower than most major advanced economies.

    While most other advanced economies have paid for progress on inflation with much higher unemployment, growth going backwards, or a recession, we’ve managed to preserve the progress we’ve made in our labour market while inflation has come down.

    Electricity prices fell 13.2 cent in the year to February but would have fallen only 1.2 per cent without the energy rebates for every household we are rolling out with the states.

    Rents rose 5.5 per cent in the year but would have increased 6.8 per cent without the recent increase to Commonwealth Rent Assistance.

    Even with this substantial progress, we know people are still under pressure and that’s why our cost‑of‑living help is so important.

    We’re delivering two new tax cuts that will put an average of about $50 a week back in taxpayers’ pockets when combined with our tax cuts from 2024.

    Our Budget is all about helping with the cost of living and finishing the fight against inflation, strengthening Medicare and building Australia’s future.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Notification of avian influenza and Vibrio parahaemolyticus infection

    Source: FairTrading New South Wales

    Key messages

    • From 1 April 2025, avian influenza and Vibrio parahaemolyticus infection will become notifiable conditions in Victoria.
    • Avian influenza in a person will become an urgent notifiable condition. Medical practitioners and pathology services must notify cases immediately (as soon as practicable, and in any case, within 24 hours) upon diagnosis to the Department of Health. Pathology services must also provide written notification within 5 working days.
    • Vibrio parahaemolyticus infection will become a routine notifiable condition for pathology services only. Pathology services must provide written notification of Vibrio parahaemolyticus detection or isolation in a clinical specimen to the Department of Health within 5 working days.
    • Avian influenza is a highly contagious viral infection of birds that can rarely affect people. Those who have had close or prolonged contact with infected birds or other animals or their contaminated environments are at highest risk of infection.
    • Vibrio parahaemolyticus infection most commonly presents as acute gastroenteritis associated with consumption of raw and undercooked seafood.

    What is the issue?

    The Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 requires that prescribed conditions and micro-organisms are notified to the Department of Health. This law exists to monitor, prevent and control the occurrence of infectious diseases and other specified conditions to protect the Victorian community from further illness.

    From 1 April 2025, avian influenza will become an urgent notifiable condition and Vibrio parahaemolyticus infection will become a routine notifiable condition for both medical practitioners and pathology services in Victoria.

    Making these conditions notifiable enables public health response actions to be initiated more promptly and facilitates the collection of more comprehensive and accurate surveillance data.

    Avian influenza, commonly referred to as ‘bird flu’, is a contagious infection of birds, caused by multiple avian influenza viruses. Wild birds are considered the natural host for these viruses. Sometimes these viruses spill over from wild birds into domestic bird populations causing disease. Several outbreaks have previously occurred in Australia among commercial flocks of birds. In May 2024, Australia reported its first human case of avian influenza H5N1 in a returned overseas traveller.

    Vibrio parahaemolyticus is a bacterium found in marine waters that most commonly causes acute gastroenteritis with watery diarrhoea, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, fever and headache. Illness is primarily associated with consumption of raw or undercooked seafood, particularly oysters and other shellfish. In Australia, several multi-jurisdictional outbreaks linked to locally grown oysters have occurred over the past ten years, with significant human health, economic and international trade impact. Less commonly Vibrio parahaemolyticus can also cause wound infection when sea water contaminates an open wound.

    Who is at risk?

    Most people are not at risk of avian influenza, as the viruses do not spread easily from birds to people. People who have close or prolonged unprotected contact with infected birds or animals or their contaminated environments are at highest risk of infection.

    Although limited human-to-human transmission of avian influenza viruses may have occurred in some instances, sustained human-to-human transmission has not been identified to date.

    People cannot be infected with avian influenza through eating fully cooked poultry or eggs, even in areas with an outbreak.

    Vibrio parahaemolyticus infection can infect individuals of any age. Risks factors for developing severe disease include underlying chronic illness, being immunocompromised, consumption of antibiotics and medications that reduce stomach acid levels.

    Vibrio parahaemolyticus does not usually spread from person to person, however, person-to-person transmission is possible if there is poor personal hygiene.

    Diagnosis

    Diagnosis of avian influenza is confirmed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for avian influenza viruses, on nasopharyngeal and throat swabs. As sample collection may induce coughing, where avian influenza is suspected swabs should be collected in a negative pressure room if available and using appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).

    Not everyone with symptoms of influenza needs to be tested for or notified as having suspected avian influenza.

    A suspected case of avian influenza requires both clinical evidence and epidemiological evidence. Epidemiological evidence may include:

    • close contact with a probable or confirmed human avian influenza case
    • exposure to birds, bird carcasses, or to environments contaminated by bird faeces, in an area with suspected or confirmed avian influenza infections in birds or other animals
    • consumption of raw or undercooked poultry products from an area with suspected or confirmed avian influenza infections in birds
    • close contact with a confirmed avian influenza infected animal other than birds (for example, cat or pig)
    • handling samples suspected of containing avian influenza virus in a laboratory or other setting.

    For more information refer to the Communicable Diseases Network Australia Surveillance Case Definition – Avian influenzaExternal Link.

    Diagnosis of Vibrio parahaemolyticus infection relies on laboratory detection of Vibrio parahaemolyticus by nucleic acid testing or isolation of the bacterium from an appropriate clinical specimen. For more information refer to the Communicable Diseases Network Australia Surveillance Case DefinitionExternal Link.

    Confirmed cases of Vibrio parahaemolyticus infection are designated based only on definitive laboratory evidence and are therefore required to be notified by pathology services.

    Recommendations

    For medical practitioners

    • From 1 April 2025, medical practitioners must notify all patients with suspected or confirmed avian influenza to the Department of Health immediately (as soon as practicable and within 24 hours) upon diagnosis by telephone on 1300 651 160 (24/7). Notifying medical practitioners will be connected to the appropriate Local Public Health Unit.
    • Seek laboratory confirmation urgently for all suspected cases of avian influenza. All suspected cases should be discussed with the relevant Local Public Health Unit who can provide advice on testing and coordinate with the laboratory.
    • All samples should be sent for urgent testing at the Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory (VIDRL). Record relevant clinical details, suspected diagnosis and risk factors on the request form.
    • Consider the need for contact management of patients with avian influenza. This may include post-exposure prophylaxis in eligible high-risk contacts. For further advice, refer to an infectious disease specialist or contact your Local Public Health Unit (after hours contact via 1300 651 160).
    • Further information about the notification process and the Public Health and Wellbeing legislation are available on the Notifiable infectious diseases, conditions and micro-organisms page.

    For pathology services

    • From 1 April 2025, pathology services must notify any isolation or detection of avian influenza (subtype of Influenza A) to the Department of Health immediately (as soon as practicable and within 24 hours) upon diagnosis by telephone on 1300 651 160 (24/7). Notifying pathology services will be connected to the appropriate Local Public Health Unit. Pathology services must also follow up with written notifications within 5 working days.
    • From 1 April 2025, pathology services must provide written notification of any isolation or detection of Vibrio parahaemolyticus within five working days to the Department of Health by electronic laboratory report (ELR) or by faxing the laboratory report to 1300 651 170.

    More information

    For more information, please contact the Department of Health on 1300 651 160 (24/7).

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Our work and home lives are blending more than ever – how do we navigate this new ‘zigzag’ reality?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Candice Harris, Professor of Management, Auckland University of Technology

    Black Salmon/Shutterstock

    For decades, researchers examined work and home life as separate domains. If they were taken together it was usually to study so-called work-life balance.

    But these days, the reality is more complex. Our work and home lives are more seamlessly integrated than ever, largely because of communications technology and the work-from-home trend.

    This can mean we deal with a work matter and a bit of domestic or family business virtually simultaneously, shifting attention and focus from one to the other within seconds.

    We’ve dubbed this phenomenon “zigzag working” to describe how employees blend work and family roles within times and spaces that might once have been separate.

    During and in the immediate aftermath of the pandemic, this became more common as many working parents had to perform their paid work at home. But as workers increasingly return to the office, has zigzag working become the new normal?

    In our research, we studied zigzag working beyond COVID to test support for it, and to understand its effects on conflict and happiness. Our study used a survey with two samples: 318 employees and 373 managers.

    Zigzag working in action

    Zigzag working provides a unique way to examine the blending of work and life. Frequent interspersing of family and work happens regularly. But what does it look like?

    Consider Raj, a senior banking professional and solo parent of a 14-year-old. Here’s how a couple of hours of interspersing work and family while in the office unfold:

    11:02 am. While listening to the CEO’s update, Raj messages his son, encouraging him to play basketball in the school break instead of gaming. His son responds with “whatever”.

    11:09 am. Raj replies: “Yes, whatever – go have a run.”

    11:48 am. He dashes out to buy lunch, remembering school camp fees are due by 5 pm.

    11:54 am. Heading back to his office, he takes a call from a colleague.

    12:02 pm. Back at his desk, Raj checks his diary while on the call, realising it’s his mother’s birthday.

    12:11 pm. Raj orders flowers for her, remembering he often said “whatever” as a teenager. He starts a message to his son but is interrupted when pulled into an urgent meeting.

    12:27 pm. As the meeting unfolds, Raj realises it has minimal impact on his division. Multitasking, he messages his son, replies to an email and mentally reviews his to-do list, including the camp fees.

    12.43 pm. Working on a product proposal, he notices no replies from his son or the florist, but his mother has messaged telling him not to bring anything for dinner since he’s so busy.

    Technology has allowed employees to blend work and family roles simultaneously.
    GaudiLab/Shutterstock

    Zigzag working results

    After speaking with employees and managers, we were able to identify several key points.

    • Zigzag working, characterised by frequent small transitions between work and family responsibilities, occurs throughout the workday.

    • Both men and women regularly zigzag between work and family responsibilities during the day. Gender differences were tested for, finding no significant variation in zigzagging behaviour. This contrasts with prior research that often finds gender differences in work-family conflict.

    • Managers zigzag more than employees.

    • Zigzag working is more prevalent for those working from home. This aligns with the idea that remote work environments make it easier for employees to switch rapidly between work and personal responsibilities.

    • Even those not working from home still reported moderate levels of zigzag working, suggesting this phenomenon is not limited to remote work.

    • Zigzag working was linked to both work-family conflict and happiness, underscoring its unique impact. While managing multiple responsibilities can be challenging, it can also be rewarding – especially when individuals feel a sense of control over their time and tasks.

    The key takeaway? Zigzagging exists, and it is practised across genders, levels of seniority and locations. While it makes workers busier, our research found it also makes them happier.

    Employers should embrace zigzag working

    Recognising zigzagging as a normal work dynamic can foster a more supportive workplace, enhancing employee wellbeing, focus and overall performance. Employers can promote discussions about zigzagging to challenge rigid work-life boundaries.

    Encouraging men to share their zigzagging experiences broadens the conversation beyond the assumption that openly juggling work and family is primarily a women’s issue. Normalising work-family intersections can make them feel more manageable and even gratifying.

    Zigzagging is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Employers should recognise that zigzagging can vary by job role, time constraints and caregiving responsibilities, differing across professions and individuals.

    Technology can further support zigzag working, enabling staff to efficiently manage both work and family responsibilities.

    Zigzagging provides a fresh perspective on the blend of work and family, revealing the interplay between work and family can be simultaneously both beneficial and detrimental. Zigzaggers may be busy, but they are also happy – working as masters of their own universes.

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

    – ref. Our work and home lives are blending more than ever – how do we navigate this new ‘zigzag’ reality? – https://theconversation.com/our-work-and-home-lives-are-blending-more-than-ever-how-do-we-navigate-this-new-zigzag-reality-251601

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: 50 Years of Good Friday in Lakes Entrance

    Source:

    Lakes Entrance Fire Brigade is this year celebrating 50 years of collecting for the Good Friday Appeal.

    Lakes Entrance Fire Brigade is this year celebrating 50 years of collecting for the Good Friday Appeal. 

    Over their incredible 50 years of fundraising the brigade has raised a total of $607,155.31 

    The appeal began in Lakes Entrance over 50 years ago when local barber Billy Bills was asked to coordinate the effort.  

    Billy was motivated to take on the role because of a well-known local boy who was living at the Royal Children’s Hospital with Spina Bifida. 

    After Billy’s passing his son, Alan Bills, continued the work for over 30 years until ill health led him to pass the responsibility to Area Manager and Lakes Entrance Brigade member John Upton.  

    John, along with his daughter Lesley Garth, continue to coordinate the appeal today. 

    John said it is amazing to have watched the appeal grow into what it is today.  

    “It is a pretty good effort for a small town like ours to keep it going, to keep collecting, and to keep supporting the cause,” he said. 

    Fundraising efforts started with a collection point at Billy’s own home, with a focus around can collection and support from local businesses.  

    John said the support from local businesses has only grown in recent years and he is thankful to have such a supportive community behind the brigade’s efforts.  

    “Over time, raffles were introduced, and CFA members, their partners, and children all became involved,” he said.  

    “Families assisted with collections at caravan parks, using a fire truck to attract attention. 

    “Fire trucks and community buses filled with children collect from local houses, and we hold raffles at several evening venues.” 

    Brigade Captain Phil Loukes said it has become a real community event and it’s heartwarming to see the brigade still going strong after 50 years of collecting.  

    “It is a whole brigade thing, it is absolutely embraced by all of the brigade,” he said.  

    “Lakes has really suffered first from covid and then from the 2019/2020 bushfires, we haven’t really recovered so our community has been amazing in supporting us.” 

    The Good Friday Appeal became personal for John after his granddaughter was diagnosed with cancer when she was 18 months old. 

    John’s own children and another grandchild also needed to rely on the services of the RCH. he said it is a special place that deserves all the help it gets.  

    “It is an absolute necessity to make sure the kids are okay,” he said. 

    He said many members of the brigade and the broader community have been touched by the world class care of the Royal Children’s Hospital. 

    “The RCH is unique and a very important place for kids who need it,” he said 

    “The legacy that those early people have left, they built a really strong foundation and as a brigade it is a highlight.  

    “It pulls people together with a common goal.” 

    John said the totals the brigade sees each year are a testament to the hard work of so many people behind the scenes including brigade life member Graeme Adams and his wife Truus who have been involved since the very beginning.   

    “None of this would have been possible without the ongoing support of CFA members, their partners, children, and the broader community,” John said. 

    “To anyone out there please give as generously as you can as you can afford to, even just a few cents, it all goes a long way.” 

    This year, CFA volunteers are aiming to surpass $40 million in total funds collected for the Good Friday Appeal across 74 years. 

    On Good Friday call 1300 APPEAL between 9am and 11pm. 

    Submitted by Brittany Carlson

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Research reveals gender bias blind spot among men in local leadership

    Source:

    26 March 2025

    Men in local leadership positions are unaware of gender leadership disparities and are less likely to challenge dominant stereotypes compared to women, suggests new research by the University of South Australia.

    UniSA researchers interviewed more than 30 people in local leadership roles in regions experiencing industrial transformation, across government, business, sporting clubs, religious organisations and academia. All participants were from communities directly affected by the closure of Australia’s automotive industry in 2017, in suburban Melbourne, northern Adelaide and Geelong. They were interviewed in 2023 about gendered stereotypes that existed when the crisis unfolded and progressed, as well as when COVID hit.

    The findings suggest that women and men leaders agreed on what makes a good leader. However, women experienced daily impacts related to gender leadership stereotypes and actively worked to break down these biases. On the other hand, men leaders tended to be unaware of gender differences, believing they didn’t exist.

    Lead researcher Dr Lynette Washington says the men in the study largely accepted dominant gender leadership norms without questioning them, limiting their ability to push for alternative leadership styles which might assist to drive real change in regions undergoing a major industrial shift.

    “The thing that was most striking was that when we spoke to women, they immediately identified that they were impacted by stereotypes and they undertook detailed, sophisticated work to deconstruct those ideas. They understood how stereotypes impacted them, they thought about that impact regularly and deeply, and it was very much front of mind for them,” she says.

    “When we asked the men about gender bias, they didn’t believe that it existed for women or men leaders. And because of that, they couldn’t deconstruct these ideas to understand how they functioned and impacted people in the workplace.”

    The research was centred around the concept of ‘place-based leadership’, a collaborative, community-led approach to leadership that aims to improve the social and economic outcomes for a specific community.

    Dr Washington says place-based leadership is not much so much about the job a leader is doing but the way they’re doing it – with an emphasis on collaboration, leading through persuasion, soft power and networking.

    “It’s about their understanding and care of the place. Many place-based leaders live in the place they lead and key to being a placed-based leader is having a connection or a personal investment,” she says.

    “The findings of our study suggest that greater awareness of gender in leadership would help create more inclusive and effective leadership and this could lead to fairer outcomes.”

    One of the research participants shared her experience with gender bias in local government. 

    “The first time I stood up to speak in council the town clerk said to me, “Well that’s very nice. Now be a good girl and sit down,” she said.

    Researchers have documented gender bias in leadership since the 1970s, a phenomenon that US researcher Dr Virginia Schein called “think manager, think male”. Dr Washington explains the issue now is that men must do more to help deconstruct bias.

    “If men can’t take that first step of acknowledging gender stereotyping in the workplace is real, they can’t do the work to address it. Women are acknowledging it and working hard to deconstruct and change it, but part of the reason it’s not progressing in the way that it needs to is that men aren’t also doing that work to the degree that is required for change,” she says.

    “Without equality in leadership, we can’t access the full wealth of knowledge, experience and ability that exists in places. Left behind places need to access the full range of skills and abilities that they hold to ensure they can meet the challenges ahead.

    “Places like the northern suburbs in Adelaide and Geelong in Victoria experienced significant disruption when the car manufacturing industry closed and were also hit hard during the pandemic. We need the best possible leadership in these places and that means challenging old ways of leading and introducing new, more effective leadership styles. One way to do that is to have a greater awareness of gender within leadership.

    “This will result in more equal outcomes across the regions.”

    To access the research paper: Washington, L., Beer, A., & Kulik, C. T. (2024). Gender, place leadership and levelling up across regions. Contemporary Social Science, 19(4), 583–601. https://doi.org/10.1080/21582041.2024.2441856

    …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

    Contact for interview: Dr Lynette Washington, Research Fellow, UniSA E: Lynette.Washington@unisa.edu.au

    Media contact: Melissa Keogh, Communications Officer, UniSA M: +403 659 154 E: Melissa.Keogh@unisa.edu.au

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: TPG pays penalties for alleged non-compliance with its Functional Separation Undertaking

    Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development

    TPG Telecom Limited has paid $75,120 in penalties after the ACCC issued it with four infringement notices for alleged contraventions of the Telecommunications Act by failing to comply with its joint functional separation undertaking.

    TPG’s undertaking includes obligations designed to ensure separation of wholesale and retail functions as required by the carrier separation rules in the Telecommunications Act.

    The ACCC alleges that, from 31 August 2023 to 22 May 2024, TPG failed to have measures in place to prevent staff of its wholesale and retail businesses from accessing the other’s premises unless accompanied to the extent practicable while on the premises, as required in the undertaking.

    It is alleged that on four occasions a senior TPG wholesale staff member worked unaccompanied in offices where TPG retail staff were located without any physical or other security barriers separating the respective staff.

    The staff separation obligations are intended to prevent staff from the two businesses sharing sensitive information that could favour TPG’s own retail operations over third-party retailers on its Vision Network.

    Although there was no evidence that sensitive information was shared, the alleged conduct had the potential to affect competition in relation to the supply of retail broadband services to a significant number of consumers.

    “This is our first enforcement action for an alleged contravention of the carrier separation rules as we continue to focus on promoting competition in essential services, such as telecommunications,” ACCC Commissioner Liza Carver said.

    “Carriers must comply with the carrier separation rules which are designed to promote retail competition and choice for consumers on alternative fixed-line broadband networks.” 

    “The new telecommunications infringement notice powers allow us to respond quickly to instances of non-compliance. However, where warranted, we will not hesitate to pursue matters in the Federal Court and seek significant penalties, of up to $10 million per contravention,” Ms Carver said.

    Background

    On 7 April 2022, the ACCC accepted a joint functional separation undertaking given by TPG on behalf of the TPG Retailers and TPG Wholesalers under Part 8 of the Telecommunications Act.

    The undertaking was given under the carrier separation rules in the Telecommunications Act, which require superfast network operators to operate on a wholesale-only basis, unless they seek an exemption from the ACCC. This means that a company that controls a superfast broadband network cannot supply retail services over it unless there is a class exemption or a functional separation undertaking in place.

    On 4 September 2024, the ACCC issued the ACCC Telecommunications (Infringement Notices) Guidelines 2024 informing telecommunications operators of the ACCC’s approach to exercising its infringement notice powers for failure to comply with the carrier separation rules under Part 8 of the Telecommunications Act.

    The ACCC has also published industry guidance on the carrier separation rules that provides an overview of the obligations which apply to network operators and intermediaries supplying retail services, including apartment building owners, property managers and retirement village operators.

    Details of the infringement notices given to TPG are available on the Telecommunications infringement notices register.

    Note to editors

    The payment of a penalty specified in an infringement notice is not an admission of a contravention of the Telecommunications Act 1997.

    The ACCC Chair, as an authorised infringement notice officer, can give an infringement notice when they have reasonable grounds to believe a person or business has contravened certain civil provisions of the Telecommunications Act 1997.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Tesla sales halve in EU amid broader EV boom

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Sales of electric vehicles in the European Union (EU) rose in the first two months of 2025, but Tesla saw a sharp drop in new registrations, industry data showed on Tuesday.

    Battery-electric car sales grew by 28.4 percent year-on-year to about 255,489 units, accounting for 15.2 percent of the total EU market, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA).

    Tesla registered around 19,000 new vehicles during the same period, down nearly 49 percent from more than 37,000 a year earlier.

    The decline comes amid strained transatlantic ties, worsened by U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent remarks about “buying” Greenland and tariff hikes on the EU. Tesla, whose CEO Elon Musk has close ties with Trump, has faced growing consumer backlash in parts of Europe. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: BMW launches 360-degree full-chain AI strategy in China

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    German automaker BMW on Tuesday announced the launch of its 360-degree full-chain artificial intelligence (AI) strategy in China, aimed at accelerating the integration of AI across its operations in the country.

    The newly unveiled AI strategy has three main pillars of focus: enhancing user experience, empowering business processes to improve efficiency, and fostering win-win supply chain cooperation, according to the German auto behemoth.

    “BMW views AI as a key driver in creating more human-centered, smarter and safer mobility solutions. The Group remains committed to innovation and responsibility, advocating for the responsible use of AI,” said BMW CEO Oliver Zipse, who recently visited China and addressed the China Development Forum 2025.

    The German company said AI-powered large language models (LLMs) and intelligent systems will be integrated into its first China-made, next-generation model, set to launch in 2026, which will enhance the natural and seamless interaction between cars and drivers. Earlier this month, BMW revealed that the next-generation model, Neue Klasse, will feature a smart interconnection solution from Huawei.

    With research and development (R&D) centers in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenyang and Nanjing, BMW has established its largest R&D network outside of Germany in China.

    “As a central focus of our AI strategy, BMW will continue to innovate based on the next-generation technology cluster, consistently enhancing and enriching the all-scenario intelligent experience for Chinese users,” said Sean Green, president and CEO of BMW Group Region China.

    In 2012, BMW became the first automotive client of Chinese battery giant CATL. Moving forward, the German carmaker has announced plans to collaborate with more top Chinese tech companies in cutting-edge areas such as AI LLMs and intelligent voice interaction, jointly developing solutions that best meet the needs of Chinese users.

    Since 2010, BMW’s total investment in its Shenyang production base has totaled 116 billion yuan (about 16.16 billion U.S. dollars), making the city home to BMW’s largest production facility worldwide. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s Xinfeng to establish 1.65B USD industrial complex in Egypt’s Suez Canal Economic Zone

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    The Chinese-funded enterprise XinFeng Egypt signed a land use rights agreement on Tuesday with Egypt’s General Authority of the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone) to establish a manufacturing complex.

    Under the agreement, Xinfeng Egypt will invest 1.65 billion U.S. dollars to build a manufacturing complex covering 3.75 million square meters in the SCZone’s Ain Sokhna Integrated Zone, the Egyptian cabinet said in a statement.

    Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Industry Kamel al-Wazir, Chairman of the SCZone General Authority Waleid Gamal El-Dein, and other Egyptian officials attended the signing ceremony.

    The complex, planned for completion in two phases over five years, will include nine factories, a solid waste treatment workshop, and an R&D and training center. It will primarily manufacture automobile and transportation parts, industrial standard parts, and industrial non-standard parts.

    Xinfeng Egypt Chairman Tian Haikui said the manufacturing complex, expected to create 8,000 direct jobs, will focus on terminal industrial product manufacturing and high-value-added industries such as automobiles, engineering machinery, and home appliances.

    “This will not only enhance the competitiveness of Egypt’s manufacturing industry but also create a large number of employment opportunities, improve local skills, and promote export growth, which is highly consistent with Egypt’s ‘Vision 2030’ goals,” he said. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Heraeus launches 83.6M USD quartz plant in China’s Shenyang

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    German technology company Heraeus Group on Tuesday officially launched its new quartz manufacturing plant in Shenyang, the capital of northeast China’s Liaoning Province, in its latest move to deepen Sino-German manufacturing cooperation.

    With a total investment of nearly 600 million yuan (about 83.6 million U.S. dollars), the plant is Heraeus’ largest semiconductor project in China. It will focus on the development and production of high-purity and ultra-high-purity synthetic quartz products for the semiconductor industry.

    The new factory’s operations are a strong demonstration of Heraeus’ “In China, for China” strategy, said Frank Stietz, COO and member of the board of managing directors of Heraeus Group.

    With intelligent and environmentally friendly facilities and techniques, the new plant will optimize its logistics, workforce and information flows to enhance production efficiency.

    The plant will also explore new products and techniques in a bid to meet the latest demands of China’s semiconductor clients, the company said.

    Ai Zhouping, president of Heraeus Greater China, said the company will build the new factory into an advanced manufacturing and innovation base to help drive the development of the semiconductor sector and improve the semiconductor industrial chain in China’s northeastern region.

    Heraeus Group, a global Fortune 500 company, operates in various sectors, including environmental protection, electronics, health care and industrial applications. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: German chancellor, gov’t dismissed by president

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Olaf Scholz (C) attends the first gathering of the 21st Bundestag in Berlin, Germany, on March 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and his cabinet were officially dismissed by President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Tuesday afternoon.

    Scholz will remain as caretaker chancellor until a new government takes office.

    The negotiation to build a ruling coalition is underway. Germany’s conservative bloc, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the Christian Social Union (CSU), took the lead in the country’s 2025 federal election, followed by the Social Democratic Party (SPD). The results have paved the way for a CDU/CSU and SPD coalition.

    CDU leader Friedrich Merz is expected to head the new government. He has voiced the willingness to put the government in place by Easter.

    Also on Tuesday, CDU’s Julia Kloeckner was elected as the new president of the Bundestag, the lower house of parliament.

    Born in 1972, Kloeckner served as a Bundestag member from 2002 to 2011. She held the position of Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection from 2009 to 2011. From 2018 to 2021, she served as minister of food and agriculture and again a member of the Bundestag from 2021.

    The election took place during the first gathering of the 21st Bundestag following February’s election. The first sitting marks the end of the previous electoral term and the Bundestag adopted its rules of procedure.

    The term of the current federal government concludes with the constitution of the new Bundestag. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: US military conducts fresh airstrikes on Yemen’s Saada province

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    The U.S. military carried out two airstrikes on Yemen’s northern Saada province Tuesday night, Houthi-run al-Masirah TV reported.

    The strikes targeted the Sahar district in central Saada, the report said, without providing further details. There were no immediate reports of casualties. The U.S. military has not commented.

    Saada is the main stronghold of the Iran-aligned Houthi movement, which has controlled northern Yemen, including the capital Sanaa, since the civil war erupted in late 2014.

    The airstrikes are part of an ongoing U.S. campaign against Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, launched in mid-March.

    The Houthis have vowed to continue targeting Israeli sites and ships in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza and to retaliate against “American aggression.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Europe urged to unite amid US tariffs, rising debt, and big tech challenges

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    European unity is vital to tackling economic challenges ranging from new U.S. tariffs and rising public debt to the expanding influence of big tech firms, Italian political figures and analysts have said at a conference in Rome.

    The conference, titled “Governing Europe and Italy in the Age of Donald Trump,” was hosted by LUISS University on Monday evening and featured prominent speakers, including former Italian Prime Ministers Mario Monti and Giuliano Amato, Finance Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti, European Commission Vice-President Raffaele Fitto, and LUISS professors.

    “What we are seeing today is not the only time Europe has faced big challenges,” said Monti, who served as Italy’s prime minister between 2011 and 2013 during the global sovereign debt crisis. “But we must act together to confront the current challenges.”

    Earlier this month, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 25-percent tariff on aluminum, steel, and related imports, with another round set to take effect on April 2, though details remain unclear. In response, the European Union initially planned retaliatory tariffs for April 1 but postponed them by at least two weeks following a European Council meeting to allow more time for negotiations.

    On the sidelines of the conference, economics professor Pietro Reichlin told Xinhua that the Trump administration’s unpredictable tariff policies complicate the EU’s response strategies.

    Reichlin stressed the importance of understanding U.S. trade goals to reach an agreement, pointing to the EU’s surplus in goods and the U.S. strengths in services and energy as potential negotiation points.

    Italy’s Finance Minister Giorgetti warned that mounting debt and the growing influence of big tech firms – particularly U.S. giants such as Google and leading players in artificial intelligence, are increasingly limiting the policymakers’ options.

    According to Eurostat, the EU’s average debt stood at 81.6 percent of GDP at the end of the third quarter of 2024 while the eurozone recorded an average ratio of 88.1 percent. Italy’s debt-to-GDP ratio reached 136.3 percent, second only to Greece.

    Speakers stressed the need for greater cohesion within Europe to address external trade pressures, the Ukraine conflict, and internal disputes within the bloc. Amato emphasized that cooperation, not conflict, drives prosperity.

    Reichlin also stressed the importance of adapting to evolving trade dynamics with China. “Adjusting trade relations is crucial, as both sides stand to benefit from deeper engagement,” he said. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Russia, Ukraine hold parallel US-mediated talks in Saudi Arabia

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Three days of technical-level negotiations on the details of a potential ceasefire in Ukraine concluded Tuesday without an official joint statement, as participating parties offered somewhat conflicting assessments of the talks.

    The intense parallel interactions between the United States and delegations from Ukraine and Russia on the table, including a 12-hour one between the United States and Russia on Monday, and two shorter rounds between the United States and Ukraine on Sunday and Tuesday, came as fighting on the battlefield remains intense.

    Although Washington signaled on Tuesday its willingness to continue facilitating negotiations between the warring parties, analysts remain skeptical about the prospects of such a diplomatic push, citing deep-seated distrust, conflicting demands among stakeholders, and the inherent complexities of the process.

    Conflicting assessments

    For the latest talks, which build on previous negotiations held in Saudi Arabia and subsequent phone exchanges between the presidents of the three countries, the U.S. delegation included Andrew Peek, a senior director at the White House National Security Council, and Michael Anton, a senior official from the State Department. The Russian delegation was led by Grigory Karasin, chair of the Federation Council’s Foreign Affairs Committee, and Sergei Beseda, an advisor to the director of the Federal Security Service. Defense Minister Rustem Umerov headed the Ukrainian delegation.

    On Tuesday, hours after the U.S. and Ukrainian delegations concluded their second round of talks, the White House issued separate statements elaborating on its understanding of the parallel meetings.

    It stated that the United States had agreed separately with Russia and Ukraine to “ensure safe navigation, eliminate the use of force, and prevent the use of commercial vessels for military purposes in the Black Sea,” and to develop measures for implementing the presidents’ agreement to “ban strikes against energy facilities of Russia and Ukraine.”

    The United States, with Russia and Ukraine respectively, also “welcomes the good offices of third countries with a view toward supporting the implementation of the energy and maritime agreements” and “will continue working toward achieving a durable and lasting peace,” the statement added.

    Among the outcomes of the U.S.-Russia talks, the United States pledged to help restore Russia’s access to the global market for agricultural and fertilizer exports, reduce maritime insurance costs, and improve access to ports and payment systems for such transactions.

    In the U.S.-Ukraine talks, both sides reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to facilitating the exchange of prisoners of war, securing the release of civilian detainees, and ensuring the return of forcibly transferred Ukrainian children.

    Meanwhile, the Kremlin stated on Tuesday that Russia and the United States had agreed to ensure the implementation of the Black Sea Initiative, contingent on the easing of sanctions on Russia’s agricultural and food trade.

    Russia also stipulated the removal of restrictions on its food and fertilizer producers and exporters, the servicing of related Russian-flagged vessels in ports, and the supply of agricultural machinery to Russia, according to the Kremlin.

    It further announced that a “temporary moratorium” on strikes against energy facilities — including nuclear power plants, oil refineries, gas pipelines, and hydroelectric dams — would be in effect for 30 days starting March 18 and “may be extended by mutual agreement.”

    Previously, Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed on March 18 to halt attacks on energy facilities in a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump.

    As for Kiev, while Umerov stated on Tuesday that “all parties” had agreed on the need to prohibit attacks on energy infrastructure in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, he also warned that any movement of Russian military vessels beyond the eastern part of the Black Sea would “violate the agreement’s spirit” and be considered a “threat to Ukraine’s national security.” In response, Ukraine would exercise its right to self-defense, he cautioned.

    Mixed sentiments

    Commenting on the three-day peace negotiations, Trump said the U.S. side was “in deep discussions with Russia and Ukraine,” which were “going well.”

    He added that he would look into Russia’s requests for sanctions relief.

    However, the mood is quite different for both Russia and Ukraine. Although the meetings in Saudi Arabia hinted at the possibility of a broader ceasefire, the two countries remain wary of the latest deal, voicing contrasting concerns over its implementation.

    In an interview with local media, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Moscow needs “clear guarantees” from the White House regarding the agreement on the safety of shipping in the Black Sea.

    “Given the sad experience of agreements with just Kiev, the guarantees can only be the result of an order from Washington to (Ukrainian President Volodymyr) Zelensky and his team,” Lavrov said.

    Zelensky accused the Kremlin of “lying” and “manipulating” by saying the Black Sea ceasefire depends on “sanctions,” warning that the Russians “must understand that if they launch strikes, there will be a strong response.”

    At a press conference earlier Tuesday, Zelensky criticized Washington’s decision to help restore Russia’s access to the world market for agricultural goods, dismissing it as “a weakening of the position and a weakening of sanctions.”

    The Ukrainian president said he hopes to gain clarity from an upcoming summit in Paris regarding which countries would deploy forces to enforce the peace agreements.

    “Our task is to come out with the result of understanding who we have and who is ready” to contribute forces to implement measures to halt the conflict, Zelensky said.

    In the meantime, Europe, once again finding itself sidelined in addressing the conflict, has been actively organizing support for Ukraine in recent weeks.

    French President Emmanuel Macron announced that leaders of the so-called “coalition of the willing” will meet again this week, focusing on short-term military support for Ukrainian forces and exploring long-term “security guarantees” to help sustain Ukraine’s defense. Macron’s remarks have been dismissed by the United States as “a posture and a pose.”

    The meeting in Paris with Zelensky will be the latest in a series of high-stakes gatherings among European leaders, following London’s hosting of discussions on Thursday among European military chiefs from the coalition backing Ukraine.

    Britain and France are taking a leading role in organizing Western support for Ukraine after Trump surprised Europe by initiating talks with Putin. The two European powers have pledged to help provide the military force needed to keep Russia “at bay” if a ceasefire is reached.

    Uncertain future

    Notably, the battlefield showed no signs of quieting despite the peace talks in Saudi Arabia, with both Russia and Ukraine reporting fresh waves of drone strikes and accusing each other of escalation.

    On Tuesday, the Russian Defense Ministry said Ukraine had “continued to deliberately strike Russian peaceful energy infrastructure facilities using UAVs.”

    “By continuing daily attacks on Russian energy infrastructure, Zelensky confirms his inability to negotiate and his lack of control by external guarantors responsible for ensuring compliance with any possible agreements,” the ministry said.

    In Ukraine, the number of people injured on Monday in a Russian missile strike on the northeastern city of Sumy rose to 101, including 23 children, according to the Sumy regional administration.

    Preliminary data indicated that a Russian missile struck a residential area of the city, damaging several apartment buildings and an educational institution, the Sumy Regional Prosecutor’s Office said in a statement.

    Experts have pointed out that a real, permanent peace settlement could be far off, citing deep-rooted divisions and a growing trust deficit among the stakeholders.

    Khalid Almatrafi, Bureau Chief of Asharq TV in Saudi Arabia, told Xinhua that “the escalating mutual attacks … reflect the deepening gap between the two sides and complicate any negotiating process.”

    The repeated accusations deepen mistrust and make it difficult to establish any “confidence-building measures,” which are essential for transitioning from a ceasefire to a sustainable political settlement, said Almatrafi.

    Echoing Almatrafi’s viewpoint, Abdulaziz Alshaabani, a Saudi researcher at Al Riyadh Center for Political and Strategic Studies, said that “a lack of trust” poses a major threat to reaching an agreement, “given the history of violations of agreements between the two sides.”

    “In 2022, several rounds of negotiations took place … in the end, nothing came of it,” said Andrey Kortunov, a scholar with the Valdai Discussion Club in Russia. “Over the past three years, there has been a major escalation, and the situation has changed,” making it “difficult for both sides to find compromises,” Kortunov said.

    “Given the difficulty in enforcing a halt to strikes on energy infrastructure agreed upon last week, it remains to be seen how effective the latest deal will be,” The Independent, a British online newspaper, reported.

    The newspaper also questioned Washington’s motives in assuming the mediator’s role, particularly concerning Ukraine’s mineral and energy resources.

    “The Trump administration has claimed that Washington’s stake in Ukraine’s minerals and energy resources could deter Russia from launching future attacks,” but such a diplomatic push would, in fact, grant Washington “a vast stake in Ukraine’s rare earth mineral deposits,” it said.

    “Ukraine’s gas infrastructure could also be of interest to the White House, with Kiev owning the world’s third-largest underground gas storage capacity,” it noted. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: 4.2-magnitude quake strikes Hebei: CENC

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    A 4.2-magnitude earthquake struck the county of Yongqing in Langfang, north China’s Hebei Province at 1:21 a.m. Wednesday (Beijing Time), according to the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC).
    The epicenter was monitored at 39.42 degrees north latitude and 116.60 degrees east longitude. The quake struck at a depth of 20 km, said a report issued by the CENC.
    Tremor was felt in Beijing, and many residents in the capital received an earthquake early warning message.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China discovers large shale oil reserve in major oilfield

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    This file photo shows the drilling site of the Jiyang shale oil national demonstration zone in east China’s Shandong Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
    The China Petrochemical Corporation (Sinopec Group), the country’s largest oil refiner, has announced the discovery of more than 140 million tonnes of proven shale oil reserve in east China’s Shandong Province.
    This is the first shale oilfield with proven reserves exceeding 100 million tonnes to be certified by the Ministry of Natural Resources, and a major breakthrough in oil and gas exploration in the Jiyang shale oil national demonstration zone.
    To date, the estimated shale oil resources have reached 10.5 billion tonnes in the demonstration zone, owned by the Shengli Oilfield in Shandong, with cumulative oil output surpassing 1 million tonnes.
    “The estimated shale oil reserves of Shengli Oilfield are equivalent to the conventional oil and gas resources discovered in Shengli Oilfield over the past over 60 years,” said Sun Yongzhuang, assistant president of Sinopec and executive director of Shengli Petroleum Administrative Bureau Co., Ltd.
    The Shengli Oilfield was discovered in 1961, and its development began in 1964.
    Shale oil mainly refers to liquid hydrocarbons that are trapped in formations of shale rock that can be extracted for refining. It is often found in organic-rich shale and thin interlayers of carbonate rocks, sandstones and siltstones.
    China has established three national-level shale oil demonstration zones in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Heilongjiang Province and Shandong Province, respectively.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Australia stands firm behind its foreign aid in the budget, but the future remains precarious

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Melissa Conley Tyler, Honorary Fellow, Asia Institute, The University of Melbourne

    This week’s budget will come as a relief to Australia’s neighbours in the Indo-Pacific that rely on development assistance. The Albanese government did not follow the lead of US President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in cutting its foreign aid.

    The Trump administration froze foreign assistance and dismantled the US Agency for International Development (USAID) when it came into office. Meanwhile, the UK announced 40% aid cuts of its own.

    It is to Australia’s credit this has not happened here. Australia’s development budget remains intact this year and in forward estimates.

    Sensible policymakers seem to recognise that Australia’s strategic circumstances are different. As a nation surrounded by low- and middle-income countries, Australia cannot vacate the field on development issues without enormous reputational, diplomatic and strategic damage.

    This budget shows Australia is committed to its region – with 75% of the foreign assistance budget flowing to the Indo-Pacific – and sees development partnerships as a way to solve shared problems.

    What’s in the budget for aid and development

    The details of the development budget show Australia has been listening to its partners to identify critical gaps and reprioritise funds.

    In the Pacific, funding has risen to a historic high, with no country receiving less aid. There have been changes in focus to respond to the US funding cuts, including programs on HIV/AIDS in Papua New Guinea and Fiji and gender-based violence in the Pacific.

    This fits with Australia’s desire to be a partner of choice – and to prevent an increased Chinese presence in the region.

    In Southeast Asia, Australia has increased its aid to all countries and has shifted funding, particularly in health where the US was a major donor.

    This is in Australia’s interest. A new program on Indonesian human and animal health, for example, will help prevent health system failures in areas such as tuberculosis and polio elimination on Australia’s doorstep.

    Funds have also been reallocated to support civil society organisations working in vital areas like media freedom and human rights, which would have been a casualty in the US cuts.

    There was also a shift in humanitarian funding to Myanmar and Bangladesh, where the US aid withdrawal has left Rohingya refugees in a desperate state.

    Importantly, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is helping local organisations survive US cuts by allowing temporary flexibility in the use of grant funding to help them continue to deliver essential services.

    Beyond these reprioritisations, the other heartening thing about the budget is its normality.

    It maintains funding for assistive technology for people with disabilities and an Inclusion and Equality Fund to support LGBTQIA+ civil society organisations and human rights defenders. There are programs on maternal health, including reproductive rights.

    The future is still precarious

    However, it would be wrong to think this budget will fill the gaps left by the US withdrawal.

    The ANU Development Policy Centre estimates that traditional OECD donors will cut at least 25% of their aid by 2027. It said, “when that much of a thing goes missing, it’s clearly at risk of collapse”.

    Some development organisations will close their doors, potentially including household names that Australians have donated to for years. This is a time of huge transformation for the sector.

    Another future problem will be maintaining multilateral institutions that rely on US funding – including the World Health Organization, World Food Programme, World Bank and Asian Development Bank. This will require a concerted effort with other countries.

    So, while the Australian budget shows a government deploying current funding as intelligently as possible, there will eventually be limits to this approach.

    In the “new world of uncertainty” described in the treasurer’s budget speech, it simply won’t be possible to meet Australia’s strategic aims and keep development spending at its current rate. It is still far away from 1% of the federal budget.

    At some point, Australia must rethink the trajectory of its international commitments.

    Analysis by the Development Intelligence Lab, a think tank working on development cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, has shown that over the last 25 years, the international parts of the federal budget – defence, intelligence, diplomacy and development – have held steady at around 10%.

    In a time of disruption, this might need to change. In 1949, for example, Australia invested almost 9% of the federal budget on development and diplomacy alone – not including defence.

    Those in the foreign aid sector can celebrate Australia has not pulled back on its commitments like the US and UK. At the same time, we should expect the next government will inevitably be called on to do more.

    Melissa Conley Tyler is Executive Director at the Asia-Pacific Development, Diplomacy & Defence Dialogue (AP4D), an initiative funded by the foreign affairs and defence portfolios and hosted by the Australian Council for International Development..

    – ref. Australia stands firm behind its foreign aid in the budget, but the future remains precarious – https://theconversation.com/australia-stands-firm-behind-its-foreign-aid-in-the-budget-but-the-future-remains-precarious-253028

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Leak of US military plans on Signal is a classic case of ‘shadow IT’. It shows why security systems need to be easy to use

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Toby Murray, Professor of Cybersecurity, School of Computing and Information Systems, The University of Melbourne

    Yesterday, The Atlantic magazine revealed an extraordinary national security blunder in the United States. Top US government officials had discussed plans for a bombing campaign in Yemen against Houthi rebels in a Signal group chat which inadvertently included The Atlantic’s editor in chief, Jeffrey Goldberg.

    This is hardly the first time senior US government officials have used non-approved systems to handle classified information. In 2009, the then US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton fatefully decided to accept the risk of storing her emails on a server in her basement because she preferred the convenience of accessing them using her personal BlackBerry.

    Much has been written about the unprecedented nature of this latest incident. Reporting has suggested the US officials involved may have also violated federal laws that require any communication, including text messages, about official acts to be properly preserved.

    But what can we learn from it to help us better understand how to design secure systems?

    A classic case of ‘shadow IT’

    Signal is regarded by many cybersecurity experts as one of the world’s most secure messaging apps. It has become an established part of many workplaces, including government.

    Even so, it should never be used to store and send classified information. Governments, including in the US, define strict rules for how national security classified information needs to be handled and secured. These rules prohibit the use of non-approved systems, including commercial messaging apps such as Signal plus cloud services such as Dropbox or OneDrive, for sending and storing classified data.

    The sharing of military plans on Signal is a classic case of what IT professionals call “shadow IT”.

    It refers to the all-too-common practice of employees setting up parallel IT infrastructure for business purposes without the approval of central IT administrators.

    This incident highlights the potential for shadow IT to create security risks.

    Government agencies and large organisations employ teams of cybersecurity professionals whose job it is to manage and secure the organisation’s IT infrastructure from cyber threats. At a minimum, these teams need to track what systems are being used to store sensitive information. Defending against sophisticated threats requires constant monitoring of IT systems.

    In this sense, shadow IT creates security blind spots: systems that adversaries can breach while going undetected, not least because the IT security team doesn’t even know these systems exist.

    It’s possible that part of the motivation for the US officials in question using shadow IT systems in this instance might have been avoiding the scrutiny and record-keeping requirements of the official channels. For example, some of the messages in the Signal group chat were set to disappear after one week, and some after four.

    However, we have known for at least a decade that employees also build shadow IT systems not because they are trying to weaken their organisation’s cybersecurity. Instead, a common motivation is that by using shadow IT systems many employees can get their work done faster than when using official, approved systems.

    Usability is key

    The latest incident highlights an important but often overlooked lesson in cybersecurity: whether a security system is easy to use has an outsized impact on the degree to which it helps improve security.

    To borrow from US Founding Father Benjamin Franklin, we might say that a system designer who prioritises security at the expense of usability will produce a system that is neither usable nor secure.

    The belief that to make a system more secure requires making it harder to use is as widespread as it is wrong. The best systems are the ones that are both highly secure and highly usable.

    The reason is simple: a system that is secure yet difficult to use securely will invariably be used insecurely, if at all. Anyone whose inbox auto-complete has caused them to send an email to the wrong person will understand this risk. It likely also explains how The Atlantic’s editor-in-chief might have been mistakenly added by US officials to the Signal group chat.

    While we cannot know for certain, reporting suggests Signal displayed the name of Jeffrey Goldberg to the chat group only as “JG”. Signal doesn’t make it easy to confirm the identity of someone in a group chat, except by their phone number or contact name.

    In this sense, Signal gives relatively few clues about the identities of people in chats. This makes it relatively easy to inadvertently add the wrong “JG” from one’s contact list to a group chat.

    Signal is one of the most secure messaging apps, but should never be used to store and send classified information.
    Ink Drop/Shutterstock

    A highly secure – and highly usable – system

    Fortunately, we can have our cake and eat it too. My own research shows how.

    In collaboration with Australia’s Defence Science and Technology Group, I helped develop what’s known as the Cross Domain Desktop Compositor. This device allows secure access to classified information while being easier to use than traditional solutions.

    It is easier to use because it allows users to connect to the internet. At the same time, it keeps sensitive data physically separate – and therefore secure – but allows it to be displayed alongside internet applications such as web browsers.

    One key to making this work was employing mathematical reasoning to prove the device’s software provided rock-solid security guarantees. This allowed us to marry the flexibility of software with the strong hardware-enforced security, without introducing additional vulnerability.

    Where to from here?

    Avoiding security incidents such as this one requires people following the rules to keep everyone secure. This is especially true when handling classified information, even if doing so requires more work than setting up shadow IT workarounds.

    In the meantime, we can avoid the need for people to work around the rules by focusing more research on how to make systems both secure and usable.

    Toby Murray receives funding from the Department of Defence. He is Director of the Defence Science Institute, which is funded by the Victorian, Tasmanian and Commonwealth Governments. He previously worked for the Department of Defence.

    – ref. Leak of US military plans on Signal is a classic case of ‘shadow IT’. It shows why security systems need to be easy to use – https://theconversation.com/leak-of-us-military-plans-on-signal-is-a-classic-case-of-shadow-it-it-shows-why-security-systems-need-to-be-easy-to-use-253036

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: What makes a good search engine? These 4 models can help you use search in the age of AI

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Simon Coghlan, Senior Lecturer in Digital Ethics, Centre for AI and Digital Ethics, School of Computing and Information Systems, The University of Melbourne

    beast01/Shutterstock

    Every day, users ask search engines millions of questions. The information we receive can shape our opinions and behaviour.

    We are often not aware of their influence, but internet search tools sort and rank web content when responding to our queries. This can certainly help us learn more things. But search tools can also return low-quality information and even misinformation.

    Recently, large language models (LLMs) have entered the search scene. While LLMs are not search engines, commercial web search engines have started to include LLM-based artificial intelligence (AI) features into their products. Microsoft’s Copilot and Google’s Overviews are examples of this trend.

    AI-enhanced search is marketed as convenient. But, together with other changes in the nature of search over the last decades, it raises the question: what is a good search engine?

    Our new paper, published in AI and Ethics, explores this. To make the possibilities clearer, we imagine four search tool models: Customer Servant, Librarian, Journalist and Teacher. These models reflect design elements in search tools and are loosely based on matching human roles.

    The four models of search tools

    Customer Servant

    Workers in customer service give people the things they request. If someone asks for a “burger and fries”, they don’t query whether the request is good for the person, or whether they might really be after something else.

    The search model we call Customer Servant is somewhat like the first computer-aided information retrieval systems introduced in the 1950s. These returned sets of unranked documents matching a Boolean query – using simple logical rules to define relationships between keywords (e.g. “cats NOT dogs”).

    Librarian

    As the name suggests, this model somewhat resembles human librarians. Librarian also provides content that people request, but it doesn’t always take queries at face value.

    Instead, it aims for “relevance” by inferring user intentions from contextual information such as location, time or the history of user interactions. Classic web search engines of the late 1990s and early 2000s that rank results and provide a list of resources – think early Google – sit in this category.

    Librarians don’t just retrieve information, they strive for relevance.
    Tyler Olson/Shutterstock

    Journalist

    Journalists go beyond librarians. While often responding to what people want to know, journalists carefully curate that information, at times weeding out falsehoods and canvassing various public viewpoints.

    Journalists aim to make people better informed. The Journalist search model does something similar. It may customise the presentation of results by providing additional information, or by diversifying search results to give a more balanced list of viewpoints or perspectives.

    Teacher

    Human teachers, like journalists, aim at giving accurate information. However, they may exercise even more control: teachers may strenuously debunk erroneous information, while pointing learners to the very best expert sources, including lesser-known ones. They may even refuse to expand on claims they deem false or superficial.

    LLM-based conversational search systems such as Copilot or Gemini may play a roughly similar role. By providing a synthesised response to a prompt, they exercise more control over presented information than classic web search engines.

    They may also try to explicitly discredit problematic views on topics such as health, politics, the environment or history. They might reply with “I can’t promote misinformation” or “This topic requires nuance”. Some LLMs convey a strong “opinion” on what is genuine knowledge and what is unedifying.

    No search model is best

    We argue each search tool model has strengths and drawbacks.

    The Customer Servant is highly explainable: every result can be directly tied to keywords in your query. But this precision also limits the system, as it can’t grasp broader or deeper information needs beyond the exact terms used.

    The Librarian model uses additional signals like data about clicks to return content more aligned with what users are really looking for. The catch is these systems may introduce bias. Even with the best intentions, choices about relevance and data sources can reflect underlying value judgements.

    The Journalist model shifts the focus toward helping users understand topics, from science to world events, more fully. It aims to present factual information and various perspectives in balanced ways.

    This approach is especially useful in moments of crisis – like a global pandemic – where countering misinformation is critical. But there’s a trade-off: tweaking search results for social good raises concerns about user autonomy. It may feel paternalistic, and could open the door to broader content interventions.

    The Teacher model is even more interventionist. It guides users towards what it “judges” to be good information, while criticising or discouraging access to content it deems harmful or false. This can promote learning and critical thinking.

    But filtering or downranking content can also limit choice, and raises red flags if the “teacher” – whether algorithm or AI – is biased or simply wrong. Current language models often have built-in “guardrails” to align with human values, but these are imperfect. LLMs can also hallucinate plausible-sounding nonsense, or avoid offering perspectives we might actually want to hear.

    Staying vigilant is key

    We might prefer different models for different purposes. For example, since teacher-like LLMs synthesise and analyse vast amounts of web material, we may sometimes want their more opinionated perspective on a topic, such as on good books, world events or nutrition.

    Yet sometimes we may wish to explore specific and verifiable sources about a topic for ourselves. We may also prefer search tools to downrank some content – conspiracy theories, for example.

    LLMs make mistakes and can mislead with confidence. As these models become more central to search, we need to stay aware of their drawbacks, and demand transparency and accountability from tech companies on how information is delivered.

    Striking the right balance with search engine design and selection is no easy task. Too much control risks eroding individual choice and autonomy, while too little could leave harms unchecked.

    Our four ethical models offer a starting point for robust discussion. Further interdisciplinary research is crucial to define when and how search engines can be used ethically and responsibly.

    Damiano Spina has received funding from the Australian Research Council and is an Associate Investigator of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making and Society (ADM+S).

    Falk Scholer has received funding from the Australian Research Council and is an Associate Investigator of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making and Society (ADM+S).

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

    – ref. What makes a good search engine? These 4 models can help you use search in the age of AI – https://theconversation.com/what-makes-a-good-search-engine-these-4-models-can-help-you-use-search-in-the-age-of-ai-252927

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: PSNA calls on NZ govt to condemn renewed Israel air strikes on Gaza – 320 killed

    Asia Pacific Report

    A national Palestinian advocacy group has called on the Aotearoa New Zealand government to immediately condemn Israel for its resumption today of “genocidal attacks” on the almost 2 million Palestinians trapped in the besieged Gaza enclave.

    Media reports said that more than 320 people had been killed — many of them children — in a wave of predawn attacks by Israel to break the fragile ceasefire that had been holding since mid-January.

    The renewed war on Gaza comes amid a worsening humanitarian crisis that has persisted for 16 days since March 1.

    This followed Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s decision to block the entry of all aid and goods, cut water and electricity, and shut down the Strip’s border crossings at the end of the first phase of the ceasefire agreement.

    “Immediate condemnation of Israel’s resumption of attacks on Gaza must come from the New Zealand government”, said co-national chair John Minto of the Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa (PSNA) in a statement.

    “Israel has breached the January ceasefire agreement multiple times and is today relaunching its genocidal attacks against the Palestinian people of Gaza.”

    Israeli violations
    He said that in the last few weeks Israel had:

    • refused to negotiate the second stage of the ceasefire agreement with Hamas which would see a permanent ceasefire and complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza;
    • Issued a complete ban on food, water, fuel and medical supplies entering Gaza — “a war crime of epic proportions”; and
    • Cut off the electricity supply desperately needed to, for example, operate desalination plants for water supplies.

    ‘Cowardly silence’
    “The New Zealand government response has been a cowardly silence when the people of New Zealand have been calling for sanctions against Israel for its genocide,” Minto said.

    “The government is out of touch with New Zealanders but in touch with US/Israel.

    “Foreign Minister Winston Peters seems to be explaining his silence as ‘keeping his nerve’.

    Minto said that for the past 17 months, minister Peters had condemned every act of Palestinian resistance against 77 years of brutal colonisation and apartheid policies.

    “But he has refused to condemn any of the countless war crimes committed by Israel during this time — including the deliberate use of starvation as a weapon of war.

    “Speaking out to condemn Israel now is our opportunity to force it to reconsider and begin negotiations on stage two of the ceasefire agreement Israel is trying to walk away from.

    “Palestinians and New Zealanders deserve no less.”

    A Netanyahu “Wanted” sign at last Saturday’s pro-Palestinian rally in “Palestinian Corner”, Auckland . . . in reference to the International Criminal Court arrest warrants issued last November against the Israeli Prime Minister and former defence minister Yoav Gallant. Image: APR

    ‘Devastating sounds’
    Al Jazeera reporter Maram Humaid said from Gaza: “We woke up to the devastating sounds of multiple explosions as a series of air attacks targeted various areas across the Gaza Strip, from north to south, including Jabalia, Gaza City, Nuseirat, Deir el-Balah and Khan Younis.”

    Protesters picket outside the US Consulate in Auckland today in protest against Israel resuming air strikes on the besieged Gaza enclave. Image: Kathy Ross/APR

    “The strikes hit homes, residential buildings, schools sheltering displaced people and tents, resulting in a significant number of casualties, including women and children, especially since the attacks occurred during sleeping hours.

    The Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza said at least 232 people had been killed in today’s Israeli raids.

    The Palestinian resistance group Hamas called on people of Arab and Islamic nations — and the “free people of the world” — to take to the streets in protest over the devastating attack.

    Hamas urged people across the world to “raise their voice in rejection of the resumption of the Zionist war of extermination against our people in the Gaza Strip”.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI China: View of Boao zero-carbon demonstration zone

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

    View of Boao zero-carbon demonstration zone

    Updated: March 26, 2025 08:52 Xinhua
    This photo taken on March 25, 2025 shows an area of coconut forest in the Boao zero-carbon demonstration zone in Boao, south China’s Hainan Province. China’s Boao has announced the establishment of its first zero-carbon zone, a significant step forward in the country’s pursuit of low-carbon development, according to authorities in Hainan. One expert has said that the achievement is a pioneering example for global carbon reduction efforts, and underscores China’s commitment to carbon neutrality and sustainable development. Spanning about 190 hectares, the demonstration zone includes Dongyu Island, which is the permanent site of the annual Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) conference. By focusing on green building renovation and renewable energy adoption, the demonstration zone has successfully reduced carbon dioxide emissions from buildings and other infrastructure from 11,300 tonnes in 2019 to zero tonnes in 2024, according to data from local authorities. [Photo/Xinhua]
    This photo taken on March 25, 2025 shows the view of a garden in the Boao zero-carbon demonstration zone in Boao, south China’s Hainan Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
    This photo taken on March 25, 2025 shows the view of a garden in the Boao zero-carbon demonstration zone in Boao, south China’s Hainan Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
    An aerial drone photo taken on March 19, 2025 shows the Boao zero-carbon demonstration zone in the Dongyu Island in Boao Town of Qionghai City, south China’s Hainan Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
    An aerial drone photo taken on March 16, 2025 shows the photovoltaic devices at a parking lot in the Boao zero-carbon demonstration zone in Boao, south China’s Hainan Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
    This photo taken on March 25, 2025 shows an electric vehicle charging station in the Boao zero-carbon demonstration zone in Boao, south China’s Hainan Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
    An aerial drone photo taken on March 16, 2025 shows the photovoltaic devices on the roof of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) International Conference Center and a BFA hotel in the Boao zero-carbon demonstration zone in Boao, south China’s Hainan Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
    This photo taken on March 25, 2025 shows keychains made from recycled materials being displayed at a zero-carbon rest area for the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) in Boao, south China’s Hainan Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
    This photo taken on March 25, 2025 shows an operation management center of the Boao zero-carbon demonstration zone in Boao, south China’s Hainan Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
    An attendee drinks direct drinking water in the Boao zero-carbon demonstration zone in Boao, south China’s Hainan Province, March 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    People experience a cycling challenge at a park on Dongyu Island in Boao, south China’s Hainan Province, March 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    This photo taken on March 25, 2025 shows a zero-carbon bar in the Boao zero-carbon demonstration zone in Boao, south China’s Hainan Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Staff members demonstrate the procedure of plastic recycling in the Boao zero-carbon demonstration zone in Boao, south China’s Hainan Province, March 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    This photo taken on March 25, 2025 shows the outdoor photovoltaic floor tiles in the Boao zero-carbon demonstration zone in Boao, south China’s Hainan Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
    An aerial drone photo taken on March 16, 2025 shows the photovoltaic devices on the roof of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) News Center and its annex buildings in the Boao zero-carbon demonstration zone in Boao, south China’s Hainan Province. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Shareholder activism: reflections on the current, and future, landscape

    Source: Allens Insights (legal sector)

    Campaigns keep evolving, with more high stakes ahead 11 min read

    Last year was another big one for shareholder activists globally, with investor sentiment in 2024 taking its cues from disruption across the broader economic and geopolitical landscape. Closer to home, activity was more stable in Australia—as it typically is, owing to our smaller footprint, more stringent company laws and stable markets—but campaigns continue to evolve, with activists refining their strategies to both capitalise on financial opportunities and seek redress for governance concerns.

    We expect high stakes for the rest of the year as the Trump administration’s policies upend commercial and regulatory settings and potentially tip the scales in favour of activists. While shareholder activism is now a standard part of the investment landscape in the US, the practice is reverberating around Australia and the rest of the world.

    In this Insight, we bring together the key takeaways from 2024 and provide our thoughts on what we see ahead.

    A snapshot of the numbers

    Activist activity has well and truly bounced back from the subdued levels brought about by the pandemic.

    Over 1000 companies were targeted by activist campaigns worldwide for the second consecutive year.1 The US continues to be the epicentre of activity, with nearly 600 US-listed companies facing activist demands, marking a 7% increase from 2023 and 16% from 2022. There was a strong showing from non-traditional and first-time activists—a record-breaking 160 different investors launched campaigns in the US in 2024, which included 45 first-time activists, also a record.

    Activity in Asia was similarly strong (particularly in Japan and South Korea), though Europe trended down, owing to ongoing disruption brought about by the conflict in Ukraine and generally subdued economic activity. There, the United Kingdom hosts the lion’s share of activity, with 42% of campaigns targeting British companies.

    Australia saw a modest rise in activity year on year, with 56 companies targeted, up nominally from the 54 campaigns recorded in 2023. While the volume of campaigns remained steady, the effectiveness of Australian activists improved—activists were assessed as having achieved their objectives in 25% of resolved campaigns, up from 16% in 2023.

    Despite this, Australian activists struggled to secure board representation in target companies, with only seven board seats gained in 2024, down significantly from 26 in 2023. This divergence suggests that although activism remains a powerful force for corporate engagement, the dominant institutional investors and influential proxy advisors remain selective and largely hesitant in delivering changes at the board level.

    All up, campaign volumes continue to be strong, though success is trickier to measure. Whether the public demands of activists are met is one tangible way of assessing effectiveness, but the overall impact of a campaign can often manifest in less direct ways. For example, the opportunity cost of management in responding to a campaign, the inherent value derived from the ensuing publicity and any derivative or other trading in the target securities—and, of course, the concessions that play out behind closed doors—often contribute to the effectiveness of shareholder activism.

    Stories from the front line

    These are some of the headline-grabbing campaigns that played out in the last year or so that have set the tone for activist causes.

    One of the most closely watched activist campaigns was Glenview Capital’s attempt to gain board representation at CVS Health. Glenview increased its stake in CVS in the third quarter of 2024 by 31%, making its US$635 million holding (equivalent to 1% of the stock) the largest of all three activist hedge funds with an interest in the company. The intervention came following a 27% drop in share price since the beginning of 2024, a market reaction reportedly attributed to higher medical costs in CVS’s insurance segment caused by an influx of medical procedures delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Glenview secured four board seats in November 2024, including Glenview CEO Larry Robbins. It was reported that the board appointments were made amid the prospect of Glenview initiating a public and more aggressive proxy fight. This case highlights the increasing sophistication of activist investors targeting high-profile global companies, and underscores the importance of clear, proactive shareholder engagement strategies—a strategy that Australian boards should observe as activism intensifies.

    The activist campaign led by Elliott Investment Management resulted in a change of CEO at Starbucks and a correspondent increase in share value by 24%, equating to US$26 billion in value and marking the company’s most successful day since its initial public offering in 1992.

    In July 2024, it was reported that Elliott had become one of the largest investors in Starbucks, and sought to leverage its position by presenting a proposal to the board for an overhaul of domestic and international strategy. The move followed the stock price having declined by 24% since the former CEO, Laxman Narasimhan, was appointed in March 2023. While Elliott approached the board in private and did not publicly advocate for a replacement CEO, there were persistent leaks to the media, which commentators assessed as likely prompting the decision. On 13 August 2024, the board announced the appointment of Brian Niccol, former CEO of restaurant chain Chipotle, who is credited with Chipotle’s modernisation and an increase in its stock price by 770% since 2018.

    The campaign illustrates that one response strategy in dealing with activists, particularly high-profile investors, can be to move pre-emptively to instigate change before the issues are forced.

    In June 2024, Elliott also disclosed an 11% economic stake in Southwest Airlines worth US$1.9 billion, and converted enough of its derivate holdings in September to amass a 10% common stock holding that enabled Elliott to call a special meeting. Conversely to its approach for Starbucks, it engaged in a more public campaign, by proposing that ‘enhancing the board, upgrading leadership and a comprehensive business review’ were necessary to increase Southwest’s stock price. In October 2024, it was announced that Southwest would appoint five independent directors nominated by Elliott in addition to another board member, and that the former chief executive and then chairman would accelerate his retirement. Following the announcement of the personnel changes, Elliott withdrew its demand for a special shareholder meeting intended to replace 10 members of Southwest’s 15-person board. Elliott’s influence has continued to grow since then, with Southwest disclosing on 19 February 2025 that the company’s agreement with Elliott has been amended to increase the maximum aggregate economic exposure that Elliott may acquire, from 14.9% to 19.9%, but limit it from acquiring more than 12.49% of outstanding common stock until 1 April 2026. When Elliott disclosed its position in June 2024, the Southwest stock price was US$29.70, and as at 14 March 2025, it was US$31.73.

    Consistent with the sentiments of the Trump administration’s focus on rolling back diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs, a group of Apple shareholders submitted on 25 February 2025 a proposal titled ‘Request to Cease DEI Efforts’. This was rejected at Apple’s shareholder meeting in February 2025, with 97.67% of the vote being against the proposal. The campaign against Apple is one of several anti-DEI proposals that have been levied against prominent companies, including Costco, where the proposal was defeated by 98% of votes, and farm equipment maker John Deere, where the proposal was defeated by 98.7%. These proposals have attracted significant attention, by harnessing viral social media campaigns advocating for customer boycotts, inundating company social media accounts with negative comments, and lobbing the threat of lawsuits alleging that DEI initiatives constitute a breach of fiduciary duty. Despite the spotlight (or perhaps because of it?), shareholders of the world’s most valuable listed company voted overwhelmingly not to abandon its DEI initiatives.

    Activist themes

    We see two broad themes that motivate activists at the moment. For the reasons set out in the next section, we think the global economic and geopolitical settings provide an opportunity to shape activist behaviours.

    First, there is the more traditional activist strategy where professional investors identify companies that they perceive could optimise their performance or enhance their governance structures, and then seek to exert influence to encourage the company to focus on increasing shareholder returns. They do this by pushing for one or a combination of:

    Second, there is the rising influence of public sentiment and political undercurrents playing out in the theatre of public markets, and the volatility that comes with it. Activist campaigns are increasingly becoming a proxy for broader societal dissatisfaction.

    In Australia, this dual-track activism—balancing financial imperatives with political and social influences—reinforces the heightened investor expectations for action and accountability for these issues at the board level.

    For instance, shareholder dissent on pay has markedly increased in Australia recently, seeing over 40 strikes among ASX 300 companies in 2023 and 2024, compared with 22–26 strikes recorded between 2018 and 2022.2 Among those receiving a strike was the Australian Securities Exchange itself, with 26.15% of votes against the adoption of the remuneration report. Commentators assessed that the vote was an expression of shareholder dissatisfaction with the $250 million write-down and anticipated cost of a further $300 million to replace the CHESS technology system. Although 13 companies in the ASX 300 received a second strike in 2024, not a single board spill proposal came close to succeeding, with none receiving more than 20% of votes in favour.3 This demonstrates that while strikes are increasing, this is not being accompanied by momentum to trigger broader change to leadership structures—it would appear that shareholders are looking to use their vote to send a shot across the bow as an appropriate warning, rather than achieve a fundamental governance reset.

    Shareholders and special interest groups have also used the proxy forum to express dissatisfaction regarding climate action, reflecting broader societal concerns around environmental sustainability and climate change. Last year, Market Forces led an activist campaign against Woodside Energy, advocating for an overhaul to its climate transition action plan and encouraging other shareholders to push for further board renewal at the 2025 AGM. At the AGM in April 2024, 58.4% of proxies cast were against the transition strategy, following three hours of questions. Earlier this month, another activist shareholder group, the Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility, advised investors to vote against the re-election of all three directors standing at the 2025 AGM and continues to integrate climate concerns into its analysis of shareholder returns.

    There is a similar experience in the UK, where Shell shareholders are still asked to vote on resolutions brought by activists to align the company’s medium-term emissions reduction targets with the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement and to factor ‘Scope 3’ emissions from fuels burnt by consumers into such calculations. Although the resolution received just 18.6% support from shareholders in 2024 (down 1.4% from 2023), the sustained pressure and media exposure may have contributed to the environmental, social and governance (ESG) proposals instead advanced by Shell’s board.

    For a more detailed analysis of the specific tactics that activists deploy pursuing these issues and how companies can prepare, see our earlier Insight.

    Our expectations for the road ahead

    Economic and geopolitical disruption to fuel activity

    The global economy is currently experiencing disruption. The focal point is, of course, the US, where the combination of (promised) tax cuts and deregulation will free up capital for investors to pursue short-term opportunities. As the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority Chair, John Lonsdale, remarked in his recent address at the Australian Financial Review Banking Summit, ‘what happens in the world’s biggest economy has implications for the world, and therefore for Australia’. We thus expect the positive conditions for activists will spill across borders, and perhaps the momentum will too—the Australian Securities and Investments Commission recently outlined its first steps towards easing compliance obligations for directors.

    The hoped-for spike in M&A activity creates the opportunity for shareholder activism, so we anticipate elevated volumes of activity in the near term. At the same time, the imposition of tariffs and other protectionist policies—and the market volatility and trade war they may set off—will create winners and losers, with companies that struggle in the turbulence becoming targets for activists.

    A reckoning on ESG and DEI initiatives

    There has been mounting pushback on ESG and, more recently, DEI policies of corporations, with activists querying their necessity and appropriateness. Critics, who may not be shareholders, will be even more emboldened by the priorities and tone of the Trump administration.

    We expect that activists will continue to seek out opportunities to make high-profile examples of some companies. However, while proponents of these initiatives have attracted significant attention, we haven’t yet seen this noise translate into strong shareholder support for campaigns, as the recent experience with Apple demonstrates.

    The anti-anti-ESG and DEI cause

    While some activists are seeking to challenge ESG and DEI initiatives as a corporate priority, we anticipate others that may already be frustrated with perceived slow progress on sustainability, diversity and broader governance issues will look to double down and push for companies to stay the course.

    This sentiment will be particularly emboldened if governments consider rolling back regulations or shifting priorities. If it is perceived that lawmakers and regulators aren’t creating the framework to manage these issues, then we expect activists to take matters into their own hands by using shareholder meetings as forums or otherwise turning to the courts.

    Scrutiny of board composition and director accountability

    We are seeing investors pay closer attention to the fitness for office of individual board members, by using their vote to signal dissatisfaction and impose accountability for governance missteps when directors stand for election or re-election. This can be in relation to a company that has experienced an issue, or could follow individual directors to unrelated companies.

    Expect to see closer scrutiny of board composition and more protest votes against director elections. Even if candidates still easily obtain the ordinary majority needed to carry the resolution, this is a far cry from the near 100% backing candidates would typically receive, and, particularly for larger companies, shows at least some institutional investors (whose holding may have previously been seen as more passive) are sending a message.

    Leveraging technology and AI in activist strategies

    Artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed a number of different fields, and has a role to play in the shareholder activism space as well, by making campaigns data driven and, as a consequence, more cost effective.

    AI can be deployed by activists to monitor and analyse tremendous amounts of data associated with corporate disclosures and financial performance, and to recognise the vulnerabilities and patterns in would-be candidates for a campaign. As these tools grow in sophistication, we expect to see activists be able to penetrate the market more deeply, and move with greater efficiency and precision in identifying opportunities.

    Activism has never been a simple strategy. We anticipate a continued evolution of the activist playbook in light of the above.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Wyden, Colleagues Slam Draconian Immigration Registration Order

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore)

    March 25, 2025

    Washington D.C.—U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today joined Senate colleagues in a letter to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) opposing the Trump administration’s resurrection of a draconian and discriminatory immigration policy that forces immigrants to register with the federal government and carry proof of their registration at all times.   

    “The Administration has explicitly linked this revived registration requirement to enforcement efforts, empowering federal prosecutors to target immigrants who fail to comply. This creates a perilous dilemma for immigrants who entered the country without inspection and have had no prior contact with federal authorities,” the lawmakers wrote to USCIS senior official Kika Scott. “Those who register risk exposing themselves to removal proceedings, while those who refrain from registering face the threat of criminal prosecution. The policy further jeopardizes millions of immigrants—including those with lawful status—by subjecting them to penalties for simply failing to carry proof of registration.” 

    The lawmakers continued, “This registration policy echoes historical precedents that have been widely discredited and condemned. The Alien Registration Act of 1940 was initially implemented during World War II in a climate of fear and xenophobia, requiring noncitizens to register at post offices across the country. Now, by dusting off and weaponizing an outdated law, the Trump administration is reviving a dangerous precedent that will undermine fundamental civil liberties, disproportionately burden immigrant communities and millions of mixed-status families, and transform America into a ‘carry your papers’ country.” 

    The lawmakers request answers by April 8, 2025, to questions including: 

    1. How does USCIS plan to implement this registration requirement, and what resources will be allocated to its implementation and enforcement?  
    2. What mechanisms will be in place to ensure that individuals who register are not automatically placed in removal proceedings or expedited removal? 
    3. What safeguards exist to prevent racial profiling and discriminatory enforcement practices in the application of this law?  
    4. Who will have access to any registration database and for what purposes? 

    The letter was led by U.S. Senator Edward J. Markey, D-Mass. In addition to Wyden, the letter was signed by Democratic Whip Dick Durbin, D-Ill., and Senators Alex Padilla, D-Calif., Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii., Cory Booker, D-N.J., Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., and Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. 

    The full text of the letter is here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Man taken into custody following Murupara incident

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Attributable to Inspector Lincoln Sycamore, Bay of Plenty District Commander (Acting)

    A man has been taken into custody following an incident in Murupara today.

    About 6:45am, the man allegedly forced entry into the unmanned Murupara Police station by smashing a glass door. A vehicle was not used to gain entry to the station.

    Police cordoned off Pine Drive, with some staff armed as a precaution, and the Police Negotiation Team was called to assist.

    An axe and machete were located during a search of the man’s vehicle, along with a chainsaw that had been thrown over a fence.

    The Police Negotiation Team engaged with the man for several hours before he was arrested outside the station without further incident, just after 12pm.

    All cordons have since been stood down and Pine Drive has reopened to the public.

    Charges against the man are being considered.

    I want to commend our attending staff on their response to this incident, negotiating a tricky situation to get a peaceful resolution.

    We would like to thank the members of the Murupara community for their cooperation and understanding while this incident unfolded.

    We understand these incidents can be distressing, however there was not believed to be any risk to public safety during or following today’s events.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –