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  • MIL-Evening Report: It’s wild mushroom season in Australia. Here’s how to stay safe and avoid poisoning

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Darren Roberts, Conjoint Associate Professor in Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, St Vincent’s Healthcare Clinical Campus, UNSW Sydney

    dannersjb/Shutterstock

    A number of Australian states including New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia have issued warnings in recent weeks about the risks of eating wild mushrooms.

    Mushrooms generally grow in cooler and wetter times. Although these conditions are present in some parts of Australia for much of the year, in many parts of the country, mushroom growth is seen around this time (autumn and early winter).

    Wild mushrooms can be easily accessible in public spaces, including parks, nature strips and forests. They’re also found in people’s gardens.

    Wild mushrooms attract attention for many reasons, including a new or unexpected location, their interesting colours and shapes, or sometimes because they look similar to edible varieties.

    So what do you need to know about the risks of eating wild mushrooms? And what’s the best way to stay safe?

    The health risks of eating wild mushrooms

    Eating toxic wild mushrooms can have varied effects on people. The reaction can depend on the person, but mostly depends on the type of mushroom.

    The most common consequences are gastrointestinal, for example nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhoea. Less commonly, people can experience sleepiness, confusion or vision changes including hallucinations.

    Fortunately, most people experiencing these reactions will fully recover as their body eliminates the toxins.

    But some people suffer severe poisoning requiring admission to hospital. And eating certain high-risk mushrooms can result in permanent damage to vital organs such as the liver or kidneys, or even death.

    These effects have occurred from eating wild mushrooms in Australia, and consuming even a single death cap mushroom (Amanita phalloides) can be fatal.

    Amanita phalloides has increasingly been detected in Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory in recent years. It’s also known to exist in Tasmania and SA, and has recently been found in NSW.

    It’s possible death cap mushrooms are found elsewhere in Australia, but we just haven’t seen them yet.

    Incidents are increasing

    Recent alerts from NSW and SA show the annual number of calls to poisons information centres about mushroom poisoning is increasing.

    In NSW for example, the Poisons Information Centre responded to 363 calls in 2024 regarding exposures to wild mushrooms in NSW and the ACT, an increase of 26% compared to 2023.

    What’s more, a higher proportion of cases are requiring referral to hospital.

    Roughly half of calls to poisons information centres relate to exposures among young children under the age of five. While most children didn’t have any symptoms, this volume of calls pertaining to young kids is still worrying. A number of these children required assessment and monitoring in hospital.

    Death cap mushrooms are notoriously dangerous.
    Janny2/Shutterstock

    Many calls to poisons information centres also involve adolescents and adults who forage and eat wild mushrooms. Some consume mushrooms as a food, while others seek their hallucinogenic effects. This group is usually symptomatic when the poisons information centre is contacted, and many require treatment in hospital.

    Adults tend to have more severe symptoms because they consume more than children. Most adults who contact poisons information centres with symptoms have eaten wild mushrooms that were foraged outside of a guided tour with an expert.

    Not all cases of mushroom poisoning are notified to a poisons information centre, so it’s very likely these case counts represent a significant underestimation of the actual number of exposures and poisonings.

    All this suggests we may need more public health messaging around the dangers of wild mushrooms.

    Some tips for avoiding poisoning

    There’s no easy way to know if a wild mushroom is edible or poisonous, so we advise people against foraging for, and eating, wild mushrooms.

    Outside perhaps of an organised tour with an expert, the only mushrooms people should eat are those purchased from a reputable supermarket, grocer or market.

    Wild mushrooms can pop up in your garden overnight and toddlers learn about their environment by touching and putting things in their mouths. So it’s worth pre-emptively removing any wild mushrooms from areas where young children play. Wear gloves and discard mushrooms in rubbish bins for landfill.

    Some websites, such as iNaturalist, allow people to upload pictures of wild mushrooms so experts may be able to help identify them. However, the quality of the photos can affect an expert’s ability to identify the mushroom species correctly.

    If you’re going to use a platform like this, consider taking pictures from multiple angles, showing the top of the cap, under the cap, the stem, the size of the mushroom and the trees that it was found close to.

    Research has suggested certain apps may not be reliable on their own for identifying mushrooms.

    If you decide to eat wild mushrooms, as well as taking lots of photos, keep samples. In the event you or someone else gets sick, it may be possible for a mycologist (mushroom expert) to identify the mushroom consumed. Knowing the mushroom species can help determine which treatments are required, if any.

    Finally, note it’s not possible to detoxify mushrooms. Washing, peeling, cooking or drying a mushroom does not deactivate or remove the toxins.

    Who to call if you’re worried

    If you or someone you know develops any symptoms from eating a wild mushroom, immediately contact the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 for advice. This is a national phone number that will direct you to the nearest poisons information centre, 24 hours a day.

    Even if a child or someone else has no symptoms after eating a potentially poisonous mushroom, call before symptoms develop. Symptoms can take many hours to present with Amanita phalloides, so being asymptomatic is not necessarily reassuring.

    In a medical emergency, for example seizures, collapse or unconsciousness, call 000.

    Darren Roberts is the Medical Director of the NSW Poisons Information Centre and a clinical toxicologist at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW.

    – ref. It’s wild mushroom season in Australia. Here’s how to stay safe and avoid poisoning – https://theconversation.com/its-wild-mushroom-season-in-australia-heres-how-to-stay-safe-and-avoid-poisoning-256561

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Man arrested for serious offences

    Source: New South Wales – News

    Last night police conducted an operation in a suburb south east of the city.

    Subsequently a man was arrested for serious offences relating to an ongoing investigation.

    The man is expected to appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court today, where prosecutors will seek a suppression order.
    ​
    CO25300019872

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Truck crash at Nangkita

    Source: New South Wales – News

    A fully laden cattle truck rolled at Nangkita this morning.

    Just before 10am Thursday 15 May, emergency services were called to Nangkita Road, Nangkita (near Willowburn Drive), after reports a cattle truck had rolled. Patrols arrived to find the truck down an embankment and in a creek.

    The driver, a 29-year-old man from Craigmore was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and he will undergo mandatory blood tests. Due to the location of the truck, the number of cattle injured is currently unknown.

    A heavy vehicle tow truck is at the scene and PIRSA personnel are in attendance to assist with euthanasia of the animals.

    Nangkita Road is currently closed and road users are asked to avoid the area.

    The investigation into the circumstances of the crash is ongoing.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Footy tipping comp win results in new turf for Lake Weeroona

    Source: New South Wales Ministerial News

    What does the City of Greater Bendigo, local company CVGT Employment and a footy tipping competition have in common?  The answer is Lake Weeroona!

    In 2021 CVGT’s CEO Jason Russell, won the Bendigo Advertiser’s Footy Tipping competition with the prize being 100 square metres of turf from another local company Coolabah Turf.

    CVGT Employment, who also facilitate the City’s Parks and Open Space apprenticeship program, approached the City wishing to donate the turf to a local project.  The City gratefully accepted the offer and decided to use the turf on a newly irrigated parcel of land at Lake Weeroona located at the railway end of the lake.

    City of Greater Bendigo Sports Fields and Reserves Coordinator Tyrone Downie said this was a terrific gesture by CVGT and the City was pleased to accept the turf donation to help grass an area at the northern end of the lake.

    “Best of all the City’s Parks and Open Space apprentices will lay the turf, making this project a truly great collaboration between the City and CVGT,” Mr Downie said.

    “The City has recently installed new irrigation in this area so the turf donation has come at a great time.

    “Lake Weeroona is Greater Bendigo’s most visited and loved parklands and this project will help improve the northern end of the lake area.”

    CVGT Employment CEO Jason Russell said trying to find a local community project to donate 100square metres of turf to has been an interesting problem to have, and why it has taken a few years to resolve.

    “Coolabah Turf have been really supportive and understanding through the process,” Mr Russell said.

    “We are thrilled to donate it to the City for this project that not only beautifies this open space at Lake Weeroona but also gives the City’s CVGT apprentices a chance to work on a great collaborative project. We look forward to seeing the end result.”

    Coolabah Marketing Manager Josh Kerr said Coolabah Turf are passionate about building healthy communities, one green space at a time, ditching screen time for green time and inspiring active bodies and healthy minds.

    “We have a great relationship with the City of Greater Bendigo and are proud to supply instant turf for the Lake Weeroona project for the community to enjoy,” Mr Kerr said.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Ferocity, fitness and fast bowling: how Virat Kohli revolutionised Indian cricket

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Vaughan Cruickshank, Senior Lecturer in Health and Physical Education, University of Tasmania

    Virat Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket on Monday.

    While his Instagram message just said this was the “right time”, his poor recent Test form, mental fatigue and desire to spend more time with his family, charity foundation and expanding business empire have been suggested as other influential factors.

    During his 14-year Test career “King Kohli” has been the backbone of the Indian batting line-up, and his absence is a huge blow as the Indians prepare to tour England next month.

    The megastar scored 9,230 runs in 123 Tests at an average of 46.85, including 30 centuries.

    These numbers put him in the top five Indian test batsmen of all time, but his legacy extends far beyond his batting achievements.

    Kohli, 36, quit Twenty20 Internationals last year (after India won its second world title). He may continue to play one-day internationals.

    Rising to the top of Test cricket

    Kohli has been the greatest Indian batsman of his generation.

    He made his Test debut in 2011 against the West Indies and played his final match against Australia in January.

    He scored centuries against every country he played against, with more than half of these coming overseas.

    His seven Test centuries in Australia is the second most by an overseas batsman.

    He was at his peak between 2014 and 2019, when he averaged more than 60 in Test cricket and became one of the “fab four” (the world’s best Test batsmen) alongside Steve Smith, Kane Williamson and Joe Root.



    Read more:
    Is Steve Smith set to become the best? What data says about Test cricket’s elite 10,000+ run club

    This period also included six double-hundreds in 18 months, and 13 months as the number one ranked Test batsman in the world.

    Kohli the leader

    Kohli is India’s greatest ever Test captain.

    His tenure from 2014 to 2022 was a golden age for Indian Test cricket.

    India won 40 of 68 Tests (59%) in this period and did not lose a Test series at home. India was the number one ranked Test team in the world from 2016–20 and won its first Test series in Australia in 2018–19.

    These statistics make Kohli one of the most successful Test captains of all time.

    Beyond these numbers, he was a charismatic and aggressive captain who redefined India’s approach to Test cricket by bringing a more competitive edge to the team.

    He drove higher expectations around fitness, training intensity and fast bowling that continue to shape Indian cricket.

    Mandatory fitness testing and improved dieting and recovery practices, which redefined the team’s standards, are attributed to Kohli’s leadership.

    Similarly, Indian success was strongly contributed to by Kohli encouraging the development of a world-class pace bowling attack, which marked a significant shift from the spin-heavy approach of Indian cricket.

    Controversies

    While Kohli’s energy, passion and intensity contributed to his success as batsman and captain, they also led to numerous confrontations with opposition players, which some believed to be disrespectful and arrogant.

    His intense celebrations and assertive body language also drew criticism from conservative cricketing audiences.

    Kohli’s collision with Sam Konstas during the Boxing Day Test versus Australia.

    Many of these controversies have occurred in Australia, where Kohli enjoyed a love-hate relationship with Australian players and crowds.

    Examples include flipping the bird to the crowd, making sandpaper gestures (in reference to the 2018 Australian ball tampering scandal, also known as Sandpapergate) and shoulder-barging young Australian batsman Sam Konstas.

    What will his Test legacy be?

    For more than a decade, Kohli has been the heartbeat of the Indian Test team, and his retirement marks the end of an era.

    He reshaped the mindset of Indian cricket and cultivated a faster, fitter, fiercer, more successful team.

    Kohli was also one of the greatest ambassadors of Test cricket, and has played a significant role in ensuring the game remains relevant in an era increasingly dominated by T20 cricket.

    He made Test cricket aspirational again because he wanted it to thrive. He knew India needed to dominate the hardest format to be respected.

    His social media reach (272 million followers on Instagram and 67.8 million on X) is more than Tiger Woods, LeBron James and Tom Brady combined, and was even referred to by LA2028 Olympics organisers when they announced cricket’s entry into the games.

    In recent days, Kohli has been described as “a modern-day giant”, a “provocateur in chief”, and “his generation’s most profound figure”.

    Love him or hate him, he elevated the spectacle of Test cricket. His electric energy brought the best out of India and its opponents and made him impossible to ignore when batting or fielding.

    As respected cricket writer Peter Lalor noted recently:

    Nobody is irreplaceable, but nobody can replace Virat.

    The Conversation

    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. Ferocity, fitness and fast bowling: how Virat Kohli revolutionised Indian cricket – https://theconversation.com/ferocity-fitness-and-fast-bowling-how-virat-kohli-revolutionised-indian-cricket-256560

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Winner announced for Living Arts Space Small Portrait Prize

    Source: New South Wales Ministerial News

    An artist’s beautiful oil painting capturing her eldest grandchild’s curiosity has won the Living Arts Space Small Portrait Prize.

    Lou Tehan won the $2,000 prize for her portrait, Sylvie Confounded by Life, using oil on board.

    Darren Crothers was highly recommended for his vibrant artwork, Cheryl, using oil paint on linen and he received the $500 award.

    As a City of Greater Bendigo initiative, the Small Portrait Prize was launched to complement the exclusive international exhibition Frida Kahlo: In her own image at Bendigo Art Gallery. The Mexican artist was famous for her extraordinary portraits.

    The Small Portrait Prize attracted a wide range of portraits from local artists inspired by people in the Greater Bendigo community.

    Arts Officer, First Nations Michellie Charvat shortlisted the submissions and 29 finalists were chosen to have their work displayed in the Living Arts Space, located in the Bendigo Visitor Centre on Pall Mall.

    The winner and highly commended artist were selected by Bendigo Art Gallery Curatorial Manager Lauren Ellis.

    Ms Ellis said judging the Small Portrait Prize was not easy.

    “It revealed a very impressive display of the artistic talent here in Greater Bendigo,” Ms Ellis said.

    “The winning painting immediately caught my eye as I began looking through the 29 works.

    “The dramatic and moody light, sophisticated use of colour, and the very enigmatic subject. It has timeless and very modern qualities. As I deliberated, this was the work I kept coming back to, and that is a quality of a great painting – one that keeps drawing you back.

    “In the highly commended category, this is clearly an accomplished painter who has deftly combined confident, expressive brushwork and delicately rendered lifelike details. The beautiful cool colours in the palette offer a sense of this subject’s calm and insightful nature. A wonderful portrait.”

    Lou Tehan created the winning portrait from a photograph of her first grandchild Sylvie.

    “Sylvie is a very wise curious and intuitive 12-year-old. The painting was from a photographed portrait. Initially in this painting I hoped to just capture an accurate image but as the painting evolved, I realised I had captured Sylvie’s quirky sense of curiosity,” Lou said.

    “Being somewhat reticent initially Sylvie seems to now be enjoying her brush with fame.

    “I am very grateful to the Living Art Space for the opportunity to exhibit and no one was more surprised than I to be the winner. The calibre of the exhibition is beautiful in its diversity and skill. I am therefore humbled by the acknowledgement of my work.”

    The Small Portrait Prize exhibition is free and open daily from 9am to 4:30pm at the Bendigo Visitor Centre on Pall Mall until Sunday July 20. 

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI China: McIlroy signs on for 2025, 2026 Australian Open

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

    World No. 2 golfer Rory McIlroy will headline Australia’s most prestigious tournament in 2025 and 2026, organizers announced on Wednesday.

    The government of Australia’s state of Victoria said in a statement that Melbourne will be the home of the Australian Open for the next two years, with Northern Ireland’s McIlroy committing to play in both tournaments.

    Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland celebrates with the trophy after winning the 2025 Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, the United States, on April 13, 2025. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)

    The Victorian government and Golf Australia announced that the 2025 tournament would be held at the Royal Melbourne Golf Club from December 4 to 7 and that Kingston Heath Golf Club would host the 2026 event.

    Both courses are on the Melbourne Sandbelt, a renowned golfing region some 20 kilometers southeast of the city center.

    “I’m proud to be committing to the Australian Open for the next two years, especially with it being played on the world-class Melbourne Sandbelt, somewhere I’ve always wanted to play professionally,” McIlroy said in a statement.

    The announcement comes after McIlroy in April won The Masters Tournament for the first time, completing a career grand slam of golf’s major championships.

    The 36-year-old McIlroy won the Australian Open in 2013 when it was played in Sydney. He has not played a professional tournament in Australia since 2014.

    Australia’s 9News network reported that McIlroy will be joined in the 2025 field by top-ranked Australians Cam Smith, Min Woo Lee and Adam Scott.

    Steve Dimopoulos, Victoria’s Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, described McIlroy’s commitment to play at the Australian Open as a “major coup” that will be “fantastic” for the state’s visitor economy. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Shark attack at Port Noarlunga

    Source: New South Wales – News

    Police are at the scene of a shark attack at Port Noarlunga.

    About 9.45am today (Thursday 15 May), emergency services were called to the Port Noarlunga jetty after reports that a man swimming in the water had been bitten by a shark.

    He was helped from the water and treated at the scene by paramedics before he was taken to hospital in a serious condition.

    Swimmers have been evacuated from the water.

    Please avoid the area.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Tackling the housing emergency

    Source: Scottish Government

    Increasing housing supply and reducing temporary accommodation use.

    A range of measures have been taken by the Scottish Government to increase investment in housebuilding and help reduce the number of households in temporary accommodation since declaring a housing emergency last year.

    Actions taken in the last year include:

    • Investing £600 million in affordable housing in 2024/25. £40 million of which was used to purchase properties and bring empty social homes back into use.
    • Helping to reduce the number of households in temporary accommodation in 12 council areas, according to the latest figures.
    • Making an additional £1 million available to Registered Social Landlords and third sector organisations to prevent homelessness and support people to stay in rented accommodation.
    • Boosting supply through other funding models, including the Charitable Bonds programme which has seen investment of £46m in the past year, supporting the delivery of 325 homes.

    Further action will be taken in the coming year to continue to tackle the housing emergency and ensure more people can access a safe and affordable home, including:

    • Investing £768 million in this financial year in affordable housing, which will support the delivery of 8,000 homes for social and mid-market rent and low-cost home ownership.
    • Providing local authorities with £15 billion this financial year for a range of services, including in homelessness services.
    • £2 million invested through the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership to continue to reduce the number of privately owned empty homes.

    Commenting, Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said:

    “Providing everyone in Scotland the right to a warm, safe and affordable home is essential to our key priority of eradicating child poverty. The measures we have taken have meant increased investment in the affordable housing sector and fewer families living in temporary accommodation.

    “As a result of our actions, an estimated more than 2,600 households with children have been helped into affordable housing in the year up to December 2024.

    “We have delivered 136,000 affordable homes, with 97,000 of those for social rent, between 2007 and the end of December 2024. We are also working to identify and turn around empty private and social homes and encouraging more funding streams into the sector through our Housing Investment Taskforce.

    “It is encouraging that we are seeing a reduction in families in temporary accommodation in some local authority areas. However, we know there is more to do which is why we have increased the affordable housing budget for this financial year by £200 million to £768 million. In the longer term we will also introduce homelessness prevention measures and a system of long-term rent controls in our Housing Bill.

    “We are determined to tackle the housing emergency and ensure that everyone in Scotland can have somewhere to call home.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Dedicated decade: more than 370 children removed from harm thanks to tireless work of joint SA child protection taskforce

    Source: New South Wales – News

    During its decade-long efforts to detect and stamp out hideous online child sexual exploitation committed by South Australian offenders, a small and dedicated taskforce of AFP and South Australia Police investigators have protected more than 370 children around the world from further abuse.

    The South Australian Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team (SA JACET) was formed in 2015 to provide a more coordinated investigative response and achieve the best possible outcomes for vulnerable young people in Australia and overseas.

    In the decade since SA JACET was established, more than 370 child victims, ranging from toddlers to teenagers, from countries including Australia, the United Kingdom, United States and Southeast Asia, have been identified and removed from further harm.

    During this time, SA JACET received 677 referrals from national and international law enforcement agencies relating to alleged South Australian-based offenders, resulting in the arrest of 654 people locally.

    So far this financial year (2024-25)*, SA JACET investigations have resulted in the removal of 14 children from harm in Australia and overseas, and the charging of 49 men and women in South Australia for their alleged involvement in the online sexual exploitation or abuse of children.

    AFP Detective Acting Sergeant Stephen Hegarty, from SA JACET, said there was no greater reward than being part of a resilient and dedicated team focused on protecting the youngest, and often most vulnerable, members of the community.

    “As an original member of the SA JACET, I can say that repeatedly viewing videos and images of children being exploited, abused or tortured is tough – but it does not compare to the trauma that child victims endure,” a/Sgt Hegarty said.

    “The team’s common goal is to make a difference in children’s lives – ensure victims are identified and removed from further harm and protect other children from having their innocence stolen.

    “Our team can spend weeks, months, or even years investigating just one of these evil and horrendous crimes and sadly, are often investigating several matters at once.

    “Identifying suspects can require extensive intelligence gathering and investigative techniques, including using the execution of search warrants to gather evidence, and forensic examination of equipment and images.

    “It’s also important to remember an investigation does not end with an arrest.

    “Police will continue to review seized images and videos to try to identify child victims, prepare evidence for the judicial process, investigate possible other offending, and provide referrals to other local and international agencies if required.

    “JACET investigators are relentless, and we never give up trying to combat this crime type.”

    Acting Sergeant Hegarty said the co-location of the AFP and South Australian investigators provided significant opportunity to quickly and efficiently share jurisdiction-specific intelligence.

    “JACET teams are in most Australian states and territories, and complement the efforts of the AFP-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE),” a/Sgt Hegarty said.

    “With the AFP’s involvement, JACET can also reach into our broad international network.”

    South Australia Police Acting Assistant Commissioner, Crime Service, Catherine Hilliard commended the hard work of SAPOL and AFP investigators over the past 10 years.

    “Child protection will always be a key priority for South Australia Police, and we will continue working with partner agencies to keep children safe and remove them from harm,” she said.

    “We also work with other agencies across the world to identify and bring those involved in child exploitation to justice.

    “Our hardworking investigators often spend their days examining confronting material, but seeing the results over the past 10 years of JACET provides further motivation to overcome obstacles and persist in our quest to detect and apprehend child sex offenders.

    “SA JACET will continue to pursue child sex offenders wherever they may hide.”

    Acting Assistant Commissioner Hilliard urged parents to discuss online safety with their children.

    “As a community it’s important to be aware of the risks and warning signs in children to prevent their exploitation online,” she added.

    “This may include changes in behaviour, secrecy around devices, changing passcodes and isolating themselves in their rooms.

    “Be approachable, have open conversations with your children, and know educational resources are available to assist in these vital conversations.”

    *Figures from the period 1 July, 2024 to 1 May, 2025.

    Significant SA JACET sentencings from the past 12 months

    June 2024

    A South Australian man was sentenced to 23 years’ imprisonment for soliciting sexually explicit material from 10 foreign children (Philippines) via social media platforms.

    The sentencing is the first conviction in South Australia under mandatory minimum sentencing provisions for Commonwealth child sexual abuse offences.

    November 2024

    A South Australian man was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment – with a non-parole period of nine years – for child abuse offences, including the live streaming of young children overseas (Philippines).

    Case studies

    Criminal Asset Confiscation Taskforce (CACT) seizures and forfeiture of homes in South Australia of convicted online child abuse offenders 

    • In November, 2020, the CACT restrained the Adelaide home of a man who was then accused of ordering and instructing live distance child abuse of children overseas, which he watched online from his home. It was the first time the AFP had restrained the home of an alleged child sex offender, who was not accused of profiting from his crimes. The man was later convicted and sentenced to more than 15 years’ imprisonment. A total of 50 per cent of the market value of the property was ultimately confiscated.
    • In December, 2024, the CACT restrained the home of a South Australian man who had been charged with more than 50 offences, largely relating to the alleged transmission and production of child abuse material on social media platforms.

    ·

    Other states (assets restrained/forfeited online child abuse offenders)

    • In October, 2020, a Belgian national living in Sydney was the first person to have assets restrained by the CACT as part of a child protection investigation. He had been selling child abuse material from a website he operated. The CACT restrained the man’s assets, estimated to be worth $30,000, which included funds in two bank accounts, camera equipment, a drone and scuba diving gear. The matter has been finalised, with the Supreme Court of NSW ordering all property be forfeited to the Commonwealth.
    • In March, 2024, the CACT restrained the home of a Northern Territory man who was convicted of online child abuse offences. The home was subsequently forfeited to the Commonwealth in June, 2024.
    • In March, 2025, the CACT restrained the home of a New South Wales man, charged with three offences relating to use of a carriage service to transmit, possess, and access child abuse material.
    • In April, 2025, a Victorian Court made consent orders for a Geelong man, 32, to pay a sum of more than $850,000, being equal to the benefits he derived from the commission of his offences. He was convicted of controlling, producing and possessing child abuse material and dealing with proceeds of crime. The Court also ordered the forfeiture of various other property, including the proceeds of sale of two vehicles, 48 household items, including high-end televisions, audio-visual equipment, furniture and appliances, and more than $30,000 in funds.

    Top tips for parents and carers

    • Supervision is essential. This means knowing what your children are doing online, who they are interacting with and what platforms, apps or games they are using.
    • Have open conversations, often. Talk to your children often about their online activities.
    • Check privacy settings. We recommend parents and carers research and understand app settings, including privacy settings. This could include turning off location settings, setting profiles to private, or turning off chat functions.
    • Encourage your child to recognise safe or unsafe situations and inappropriate contact. This can empower them to make informed decisions, including when they’re unsupervised.
    • Advise children not to share personal information with any ‘friends’ they have only met online.
    • Be approachable if your child needs help. Coming forward isn’t always easy, and children may feel reluctant to tell you about online issues if they believe they will be punished or have their devices taken away.
    • Know how to make a report. It’s important immediate action is taken if your child is in danger of online sexual abuse. If something goes wrong online, it is critical your child is supported. Parents and carers need to know how to act.

    What are the warning signs a child may be groomed online?

    Common online grooming behaviour to look out for includes:

    • Unsolicited friend requests;
    • An online user asking children personal questions;
    • Promising something in exchange for self-generated child abuse material; or
    • Fake social media accounts.

    How can a report be made to the ACCCE or law enforcement?

    • If parents or carers believe a child is being groomed, it is important to collect as much evidence as possible before the content is removed. This will assist police in their investigation.
    • This evidence includes:
    • Screenshots or photos of conversations. However, do not screenshot, save, share or distribute any explicit images of the underage person as this is an offence.
    • Recorded social media details, including account profile and username profiles.
    • Webpage addresses (URLs).
    • Dates and times of when the online grooming occurred.
    • Any other information you have about the interaction or the potential offender.
    • Block or delete. It’s important to capture this information before blocking or deleting the user or you may lose important evidence.
    • Members of the public who have information about people involved in child abuse and exploitation are urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report through the ACCCE website, https://www.accce.gov.au/report.
    • If you know abuse is happening right now, or a child is at risk, call police immediately on 000.
    • The AFP and its partners are committed to stopping child exploitation and abuse and the ACCCE is driving a collaborative national approach.

    The AFP-led ACCCE is committed to stopping child exploitation and abuse and is at the centre of a collaborative national approach to combatting organised child abuse.

    The Centre brings together specialist expertise and skills in a central hub, supporting investigations into child sexual abuse and developing prevention strategies focused on creating a safer online environment.

    Members of the public who have any information about people involved in child abuse and exploitation are urged to call Crime stoppers on 1800 333 000.

    You can also make a report online by alerting the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation via the Report Abuse button.

    Note to media:

    Use of term ‘CHILD ABUSE’ MATERIAL NOT ‘CHILD PORNOGRAPHY’

    The correct legal term is Child Abuse Material – the move to this wording was among amendments to Commonwealth legislation in 2019 to more accurately reflect the gravity of the crimes and the harm inflicted on victims.

    Use of the phrase “child pornography” is inaccurate and benefits child sex abusers because it:

    • indicates legitimacy and compliance on the part of the victim and therefore legality on the part of the abuser; and
    • conjures images of children posing in ‘provocative’ positions, rather than suffering horrific abuse.

    Every photograph or video captures an actual situation where a child has been abused.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Improved PE and sport for more than 240,000 pupils with SEND

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    Improved PE and sport for more than 240,000 pupils with SEND

    Government launches Inclusion 2028 programme which will improve access to PE and school sports for pupils with SEND.

    Hundreds of thousands of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are set to benefit from a national programme to improve access to PE and school sports.

    Backed by an initial £300,000 for the first year, the Inclusion 2028 programme will work with a network of 50 Youth Sport Trust lead schools to provide expert training to teachers to help them create and deliver lessons that meet the diverse needs of all pupils – including those with physical, sensory, cognitive, communication or social and emotional needs.

    In doing this, the programme encourages more varied and creative teaching methods that engage all learners – in turn, improving attendance and creating a school environment where all children can achieve and thrive. It will also provide leadership opportunities for 1,500 pupils who will develop activities for their peers as part of the programme, with schools across the country set to host events inspired by the Paralympic Games and Commonwealth Games. Alongside this, it will see 600 new extra-curricular clubs established offering pupils, including those with diverse needs, the opportunity to take part in a range of sports such as tennis, boccia and archery after the school day.

    Taking part in physical exercise can support muscle and motor skills, as well as a sense of achievement, confidence, social connection and better mental health.

    The programme supports the government’s Plan for Change in breaking down barriers to opportunity and ensuring every child and young person can achieve and thrive. It expects to work with over 8,000 schools supporting more than 240,000 pupils and 10,000 teachers and practitioners in England across the three years.

    School Standards Minister, Catherine McKinnell said:

    Sport has the unique power to break down barriers, build confidence and foster a sense of belonging.

    Inclusion 2028 will ensure young people experience the benefits of sport and physical activity, from improved mental wellbeing and teamwork skills to greater resilience.

    By building a generation of teachers with the skills and confidence to deliver high-quality PE and school sport for all pupils, we can ensure that every child gets their chance to shine.

    Paralympian, Laura Sugar MBE PLY, said:

    As a Paralympian and a PE teacher I see first-hand the importance of inclusive sport for all and access to PE in schools for disabled children, so I’m absolutely delighted to be a part of this campaign which is so close to my heart. Growing up as a child with a disability I have experienced how physical activity can help improve day-to-day life and enhance mobility, as well as social and mental benefits so it is important that we make PE accessible for all.

    It’s fantastic that the new direction of the Inclusion 28 programme will support the calls made by ParalympicsGB’s Equal Play campaign to ensure that no disabled child is excluded from school sport, and I know that together the Consortium can help drive important, positive change.

    Eden Hays, 13, a pupil at Brooklands Middle School, said:

    Sport is important for everyone’s mental health and wellbeing, but especially for children with disabilities, where life is that bit harder. Being active has helped keep me both physically and mentally strong and ensured opportunities both in and out of school. Opportunities not just in competing, but both leading and educating too. Sport can be adapted for everyone and should be enjoyed by all.

    CEO of the Youth Sport Trust, Ali Oliver MBE said:

    We are pleased the Department for Education is continuing to support the transformation of PE and school sport, and access to daily physical activity for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.

    The Youth Sport Trust believes these opportunities play a fundamental role in the education and enrichment provided by schools, and the experience offers an invaluable opportunity for young people to express themselves, enjoy movement, and develop essential life skills.

    Too many children, particularly those with additional needs, are either missing out or still face barriers to inclusion and there is so much more to do to create the capacity capability and opportunity in the system for every child.

    We feel incredibly proud to continue leading the delivery of this important programme working alongside a distinguished collaboration of partners all of which are equally committed to this mission. Together through our work with schools, teachers and young people we know inclusive practice can give every child equal access, increase participation, and as a result enjoy the life-changing benefits of play and sport.

    Inclusion 2028 is delivered by a consortium of the Youth Sport Trust, ParalympicsGB, Swim England, Activity Alliance and nasen and supported by the Association for PE and Sport for Confidence.

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK to clamp down on criminal networks in Western Balkans as the Prime Minister travels to Albania

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    UK to clamp down on criminal networks in Western Balkans as the Prime Minister travels to Albania

    The UK will step up efforts to break the crime web fuelling illegal migration across the Western Balkans on a historic visit to the region by the Prime Minister. 

    • Prime Minister visits Albania in historic first official visit, as the two countries step up cooperation on defence and security, organised immigration crime and economic growth  
    • UK to expand Joint Migration Task Force in the Western Balkans to intercept migrants upstream before they reach UK shores  
    • Discussions on illegal migration come after the Prime Minister unveiled the government’s Immigration White Paper, a comprehensive plan to drive down net migration 
    • Prime Minister set to see UK cooperation with Albania in action during visit to Port, as both countries double down on efforts to tackle forged documents, illicit finance and incentives to migration  

    The UK will step up efforts to break the crime web fuelling illegal migration across the Western Balkans on a historic visit to the region by the Prime Minister.  

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer will begin a two-day visit to Tirana today, to step up cooperation on migration and expand successful joint initiatives with Albania to more countries in the region.  

    It comes after the Prime Minister unveiled the government’s Immigration White Paper, a comprehensive plan that will bring net migration to the UK down significantly, earlier this week. 

    During the first ever official visit to Albania by a UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer will visit the Port of Durres to see firsthand how UK cooperation is intercepting people smugglers, deterring would-be migrants and snaring criminals using fake documents.  

    The UK’s cooperation with Albania has underlined how this government’s approach of intercepting and deterring migrants upstream can dramatically cut illegal migration to British shores. 

    There has been a 95% reduction in Albanian small boat arrivals in the last three years, while the number of Albanians returned to the country has also doubled in the past two years, with 5,294 Albanians returned in 2024, more than double the 2,035 Albanian nationals returned two years earlier.  

    But the Prime Minister has been clear that the government cannot be complacent about the success, and while in Albania this week, he is expected to announce the expansion of the Joint Migration Task Force with Albania and Kosovo to include North Macedonia and will further progress positive discussions with Montenegro.

    The task force brings together specialists from the countries involved to design and execute operations to detect, deter and manage illegal migration. It will see the UK share greater intelligence to allow local law enforcement to intercept smuggling gangs and deploy UK funded drones to snare gangsters funnelling migrants through the Western Balkans corridor and on to the UK.  

    The UK will also support both countries to reinforce checks at border crossing points.  

    The expansion of the task force comes ahead of the UK hosted Western Balkans Summit in the Autumn, which is expected to focus on regional security, economic growth and tackling shared challenges such as foreign interference and illegal migration with innovative solutions. 

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:   

    Global challenges need shared solutions, and the work the UK and Albania is doing together is delivering security for working people in both countries.   

    And our joint work to deter, detect and return illegal migrants is further proof that intervening upstream to protect British shores and secure our borders is the right approach.   

    Every step we take to tackle illegal migration overseas, cripple the criminal networks that facilitate it and stem the finance streams that fund it is delivering safer streets in the UK, and reducing the strain on taxpayer funded services.  

    But we cannot take this action alone, through closer partnerships and greater cooperation, we are creating real change with our partners across Europe and delivering on our Plan for Change.

    The UK will also double down on its success with Albania, ensuring the barriers deterring migrants from making the journey from Tirana to British shores remain in place.  

    As part of an enhanced strategic partnership with Albania, the Prime Minister and Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama are expected to agree to go further on clamping down on people smuggling, supporting human trafficking victims and ensuring Albanians deported home do not attempt a second journey.   

    The two countries will also launch a new project to tackle illicit finance and investigate underground finance streams that are laundering money between Albania and the UK.   

    Two forgery detection machines will also be donated to the Albanian State Police to quickly identify discrepancies and confirm document authenticity through regular checks, allowing Albanian law enforcement to track and apprehend individuals trying to illegally enter the UK on stolen or fake passports.  

    And the UK will support Albania tackle what is known as the ‘revolving door effect’ – when a migrant is returned home, only to evade law enforcement and leave the country again –  through a new programme to help young Albanians reintegrate into society and find meaningful employment. The focus of the programme will be in northern Albania, where the majority of migrants who arrive illegally in the UK are traced back to.   

    The leaders are also expected to step up cooperation to counter serious organised crime, including the funding of a new forensic evidence programme to share and track the DNA swabs of criminals in Albania to solve crimes in the UK.   

    The recent roll out of the programme saw more than 55 serious criminals – including murderers, rapists and manslaughter offenders – taken off UK streets thanks to the closer cooperation between the two countries. The project has seen 1000 hits in the past 18 months in UK data bases, resulting in 55 arrests in the UK.  

    The government will invest a further £1 million in the partnership this year to upgrade Albania’s forensics, biometrics and digital capability to detect and detain further criminals and protect UK streets. It will also allow law enforcement in both countries to identify and gather evidence in some of the most serious crimes committed in Albania, the UK and beyond.  

    Later in the day, the Prime Minister will see firsthand the deeper defence and security cooperation between the UK and Albania when he visits troops from both countries working together to train up Ukrainian soldiers under Operation Interflex.  

    Day two of the programme will see the Prime Minister attend the European Political Community summit, where he will convene a roundtable on Defence and Security and continue conversations on innovative solutions to the challenge of illegal migration.

    Updates to this page

    Published 15 May 2025

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Bayesian interim report published

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    News story

    Bayesian interim report published

    Foundering of a yacht, with the loss of seven lives, 0.5 nautical miles south-east of Porticello, Italy.

    Photograph of Bayesian courtesy of Karsten Börner, Skipper of Sir Robert Baden Powell.

    Our interim report on the investigation of the fatal foundering of yacht Bayesian, 0.5 nautical miles south-east of Porticello, Italy on 19 August 2024, is now published.

    Statement from the Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents, Andrew Moll OBE:

    The interim report presents a desktop study of the facts as we know them. The study has reviewed the yacht’s stability, the likely local weather conditions at the time, and the effect of that weather on the yacht. The findings indicate that the extreme wind experienced by Bayesian was sufficient to knock the yacht over. Further, once the yacht had heeled beyond an angle of 70° the situation was irrecoverable.

    The results will be refined as the investigation proceeds, and more information becomes available.

    The interim report, available via this link, contains information from the investigation completed to date.

    Our investigation is ongoing and the full report will be published in due course.

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Bathing water season in England begins as applications re-open

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 2

    Press release

    Bathing water season in England begins as applications re-open

    The Environment Agency will be testing water quality more than 7000 times during the season

    The bathing water season has officially started (Thursday 15 May 2025), marking the beginning of rigorous testing of water quality from the Environment Agency at bathing sites. 

    Our bathing waters bring important social and health benefits to local communities and help coastal towns prosper by attracting tourists from across the UK and the world.   

    Throughout the season, which runs from 15 May until the end of September, the Environment Agency will be taking more than 7000 samples at 451 designated bathing waters across England.   

    Today also marks the re-opening of applications for new bathing waters which have been closed since October 2023 and since then, the government has announced significant reforms to the Bathing Water Regulations to better reflect public use of iconic swimming spots. Successful sites will be announced next year. 

    Environment Agency Chair Alan Lovell said:  

    We know just how important England’s swimming spots are to people and to local economies, so our teams are out taking regular samples at bathing waters across England from today. 

    The information from those tests helps us keep people safe, target our regulation and encourage investment to drive up water quality standards. It’s part of our core commitment to protect people and the environment. 

    We also welcome the opportunity to improve the management of bathing waters through the incoming reforms as we all want to see better bathing water quality. 

    Water Minister Emma Hardy said: 

    Our bathing waters across the country are a great source of pride.

    That is why this Government is committed to protecting them. Our landmark Water Act includes new powers to ban bonuses for polluting water bosses and to bring criminal charges against them if they break the law.

    A record £104 billion in private investment has also been secured to upgrade and build new sewage pipes to help clean up our waterways for good as part of the government’s Plan for Change.

    The water samples are tested in labs and then the results are uploaded onto Swimfo, which displays regular information on water quality across all designated bathing waters to help the public make informed choices about where to swim.  

    After the season has ended, the sample results are used to classify each bathing water as either ‘excellent’, ‘good’, ‘sufficient’ or ‘poor’. Classifications are shown on Swimfo and on signs at the site to inform bathers of typical quality.  

    This comes alongside applications for new bathing waters which will be assessed against the planned core reforms, set to come into effect later this year, and include changes to designation criteria for future sites. 

    Prospective applicants are encouraged to submit their applications using the updated guidance to make sure new sites are designated in line with the changes to the Regulations.

    Notes to editors:

    • Bathing waters are officially designated outdoor swimming sites. England has 451 designated bathing waters, which are monitored and classified by the Environment Agency.  
    • Applicants are encouraged to use the bathing water season to gather evidence for their applications. Prospective sites will be assessed for their suitability as a designated bathing water. Applications for the 2026 season will close on 31 October 2025.  
    • Defra has published updated guidance on how to apply for a site to be designated.
    • The Environment Agency has driven £2.5 billion of investment and facilitated partnerships to dramatically improve our bathing waters.  
    • Last year, nearly 92% of bathing waters in England met the minimum water quality standards. More information on 2024 bathing water classifications is available here. 
    • The UK Health Security Agency and Environment Agency also offer advice in their ‘swim healthy’ guidance, which is available to read before making any decision on swimming. 
    • Bathing waters are stretches of water throughout England which we monitor for two types of bacteria: E.coli and intestinal enterococci. We monitor for these two bacteria because they indicate that there are germs in the water which can make you ill.

    Updates to this page

    Published 15 May 2025

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: NHS leaders face both ‘carrot and stick’ in new performance drive

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 2

    Press release

    NHS leaders face both ‘carrot and stick’ in new performance drive

    NHS leaders will face new performance-based pay system with bonuses for improved patient care and penalties for failing trust executives.

    • CEOs cutting waiting times and delivering improvements for patients could be rewarded with bonuses of up to 10% 

    • But failing trust execs face will have annual pay rises docked under tough new government measures 

    • New measures are part of government’s Plan for Change to deliver investment and reform for the NHS 

    Failing trust leaders will have annual pay rises docked under tough new measures aimed at improving NHS performance and driving progress on cutting waiting lists. 

    Bonuses of up to 10% will also be on offer for top performers under the new ‘carrot and stick’ approach. 

    The bold shakeup will transform NHS services from boardroom to bedside, cutting waiting lists and driving better patient care as part of the government’s Plan for Change. 

    Under the new plans, the government will look to learn from some of the most effective businesses in the country to recruit top talent to struggling trusts – with leadership vacancies in badly performing areas coming with a temporary pay increase of 15%, worth up to £45,000**.  

    Pay bands for senior managers will also be refreshed to attract and retain effective leaders within the NHS.

    At the same time, failing CEOs could see up to £15,000* docked from their salaries if they run into debt or fail to deliver improvements. This is in addition to any existing processes to tackle poor performance, where persistently failing managers could be sacked if they do not turn things around.

    The bold overhaul also establishes stricter accountability for very senior managers, demanding greater financial rigour across all NHS trusts and Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) and drive productivity.   

    Today’s announcement comes after Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting declared in November there would be ‘no more reward for failure’.

    Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said:  

    Some of the best businesses and most effective organisations across Britain and the world reward their top talent so they can keep on delivering. There’s no reason why we shouldn’t do the same in our NHS.

    We will reward leaders who are cutting waiting times and making sure patients get better services. But bonuses and pay rises will be a reward and not a right – because I’m determined that every penny we invest through our Plan for Change is money well spent.

    Our carrot and stick reforms will boost productivity, tackle underperformance and drive-up standards for patients.

    Sir Jim Mackey, NHS England Chief Executive, said:

    If we are to consistently reach the standards of care the public rightly expect, it is clear that we need to reward those who are delivering for patients.

    An important element of driving improvements must be strengthening the link between pay and operational performance at a very senior level – this happens in almost every other sector and there is no reason for the NHS to shy away from it, particularly when we rely on money that comes directly from taxpayers’ pockets.

    We will be working together with local leaders to improve transparency and ensure progress is recognised, while offering sufficient flexibility to attract talented candidates to the most challenging roles and organisations.

    Today’s guidelines setting out new penalties and rewards for trust leaders will introduce learning from leading businesses in the NHS.

    It will include strict rules for NHS bosses, who will be expected to spend budgets wisely and ensuring trusts are not going into debt. The government wants to see trusts deliver more efficiency, ensuring patients get more for taxpayers’ money being invested.

    Today’s move follows some of the most ambitious efficiency targets in the health service’s history. As set out in NHS England’s Planning Guidance published in January, NHS organisations will need to reduce their cost base by at least 1% and achieve 4% improvement in productivity and efficiency this financial year to deal with demand growth.

    The new performance-based pay structure will help deliver on these targets, improving services and delivering better care for patients. 

    As part of the plans, the government is also bringing together pay structures for senior managers at ICBs and NHS trusts to boost consistency and align standards. 

    Any trust or ICB that fails to comply with the new guidelines will be required to publicly justify its decision in its annual report under a strict “comply or explain” approach. 

    The tough new measures form part of the government’s Plan for Change, which will see the government deliver investment and reform to cut waiting times from 18 months to 18 weeks. 

    Notes to editors: 

    • *The £15,000 is based on last year’s 5% pay uplifts, and the highest current salary of a trust CEO being £299,250 (under the new framework). 

    • **Based on the highest current salary of a trust CEO (under the new framework).

    Updates to this page

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK at heart of NATO talks on strengthening Euro-Atlantic security and support for Ukraine

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

    Press release

    UK at heart of NATO talks on strengthening Euro-Atlantic security and support for Ukraine

    NATO Allies are in Turkey to underline the Alliance’s support for Ukraine and commitment to a secure and stable Euro-Atlantic.

    • UK leading calls for Europe to support Ukraine
    • UK and NATO Allies will commit to building a stronger, fairer and more lethal NATO at meeting of Foreign Ministers in Antalya 
    • Visit follows UK hosted talks with European partners on bolstering security and support for Ukraine 

    As President Zelenskyy further demonstrates his commitment to peace by travelling to Istanbul for direct talks with Russia, NATO Allies are gathering in Turkey today to underline the Alliance’s support for Ukraine and commitment to a secure and stable Euro-Atlantic, with a stronger, fairer and more lethal NATO at its core. 

    At the NATO informal Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Antalya, the Foreign Secretary will lead calls for the strongest Alliance in history to stand united in the face of a generational threat from our adversaries, and stand behind Ukraine to secure a just and lasting peace. Security is the foundation of our Plan for Change and central to this government’s plans to deliver growth and prosperity to British working people.

    Ahead of the Hague Summit in June, Allies are meeting in Antalya with a clear message that NATO must step up together to meet this critical moment for our collective security. The Foreign Secretary will say that Europe must shoulder more responsibility for its own security, as security threats from Russia and its enablers continue to mount. 

    Foreign Secretary David Lammy said: 

    Today, President Zelenskyy is in Turkey in a further demonstration of his commitment to peace, ready to enter talks direct with Russia and continuing to push for a full ceasefire as a first crucial step.

    As myself and my fellow NATO Allies also travel to Turkey, we are united alongside Ukraine in our determination to secure a just and lasting peace. We are working to deliver more for our collective security and bring this barbaric war to an end.

    Euro-Atlantic security is the foundation of our Plan for Change. Without the security NATO provides, we cannot deliver the growth and prosperity the British people deserve.” 

    During his remarks in an informal meeting of the North Atlantic Council, the Foreign Secretary will update on UK steps to protect Euro-Atlantic security and disrupt Russia’s reckless actions to force Putin’s hand. He will say that every step the Alliance takes to increase pressure on Russia and achieve peace in Ukraine is another step towards security and prosperity at home and abroad. 

    Earlier this week, six spies working for Russia were sentenced in the UK, as the UK cracks down on Russian espionage attempts on British soil. The successful convictions came about as a result of close international cooperation with a number of NATO Allies, including Bulgaria, France and Germany, demonstrating a unified front against hostile Russian activity. 

    The visit follows the UK-hosted Weimar+ meeting on Monday, where representatives from France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Poland and the EU joined the Foreign Secretary in London to share Europe’s unwavering support for Ukraine’s right to peace and freedom. 

    It also comes after the Prime Minister’s visit to Oslo last week where the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) announced enhanced support for the Ukrainian Armed Forces through intensive training exercises, increasing interoperability across military platforms and enhancing countering disinformation support as well as allowing JEF Nations to learn from the battlefield experience of Ukraine’s armed forces.

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Competition watchdog gets green light for growth in latest move to back business

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

    Press release

    Competition watchdog gets green light for growth in latest move to back business

    Businesses and consumers will benefit from new growth-focused Strategic Steer set for the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), in the latest step of the government’s agenda to reform regulation to drive growth as part of the plan for change.

    • Government delivers new strategic steer to competition watchdog to prioritise growth while ensuring effective competition and consumer protection
    • The steer reset CMA’s priorities with aim to create a level-playing field for businesses through more transparent, timely and responsive regulation
    • Part of wider push to ensure regulators drive investor confidence and support economic growth across the UK as part of the plan for change

    Businesses and consumers will benefit from new growth-focused Strategic Steer set for the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) today (Thursday 15 May), in the latest step of the government’s agenda to reform regulation to drive growth as part of the plan for change.

    The steer resets the competition watchdog’s priorities, with a renewed focus on prioritising growth and investment while ensuring free and fair competition and protecting the rights of consumers.

    In addition to this, the steer is focused on minimising uncertainty for businesses by encouraging the CMA to be proactive, transparent, timely, predictable and responsive in its engagement, underpinning the government’s upcoming industrial strategy.

    The independent CMA has already set out positive plans to address these issues to deliver meaningful reforms, by announcing their new public commitment to the pace, predictability, proportionality and process of their mergers investigations, digital and consumer work   – giving businesses more clarity and confidence in the CMA’s work. The Government wants to see the same level of ambition from other regulators.

    This is just one part of its wider commitment to reforming the regulatory landscape with work underway to improve licensing regulations for businesses, a new regulation innovation office to speed up regulatory decisions and consolidating the Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) into the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

    This is to ensure delivery not only for businesses but for taxpayers too by driving investment, boosting confidence and setting out the stall for the upcoming industrial strategy that will articulate a new relationship between business and government to boost growth – delivering the plan for change.

    Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:

    This government believes in promoting and protecting competition – that is fundamental to our growth mission and Britain’s modern Industrial Strategy. Our economic regulators are crucial to creating the conditions for increased growth and investment. This steer sets out the government’s priorities for the CMA.

    I am grateful for the positive approach taken by the new Interim Chair and the Chief Executive as they re-focus the work of the CMA, supporting our Plan for Change to drive growth, investment and business confidence while protecting consumers.

    Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, said:

    Competitive markets are more important than ever for attracting investment into the UK and driving economic growth, and our new Strategic Steer for the CMA will help us achieve these goals, making Britain the best country to do business.

    We fully support the CMA’s independence and welcome the steps it has already taken to act swiftly, predictably, independently, and proportionately to promote competition, protect consumers and strengthen our economy.

    Sarah Cardell, Chief Executive of the CMA, said: 

    The Strategic Steer reinforces the importance of a strong, independent competition and consumer protection regime, whilst situating this squarely in the context of the growth mission. 

    The steer provides helpful clarity on how the CMA should prioritise and go about our work, promoting competition and protecting consumers with a sharp focus on supporting higher levels of investment and economic growth.

    It reinforces the approach we have set out in the CMA’s 2025/26 Annual Plan and in the roll out of our 4Ps approach, focused on driving greater pace, predictability, proportionality and an improved process committed to strong stakeholder engagement. 

    The government expects the CMA to clearly communicate how it is taking account of the steer and report on how it has applied the steer in practice in its annual report.

    Updates to this page

    Published 15 May 2025

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Media law reforms to boost press sustainability and protect independence

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    Media law reforms to boost press sustainability and protect independence

    People’s access to independent and accurate news will be better protected under updated government rules, which will modernise powers around media mergers while supporting investment and growth.

    • Long-term sustainability and independence of UK press protected with government plans to modernise media merger rules in public interest
    • Powers to call in media mergers extended beyond TV, radio and newspapers to include online news sites and news magazines
    • Introduction of a 15% cap for state-owned investors will minimise potential ‘chilling effect’ whilst ensuring there is minimal risk of foreign state influence or control

    People’s access to independent and accurate news will be better protected under updated government rules being set out today, which will modernise powers around media mergers while supporting investment and growth.

    The Culture Secretary will today confirm reforms to extend powers to scrutinise takeovers beyond traditional media to online news sites and magazines for the first time.

    The media mergers regime will now cover acquisitions of UK online news publications and periodical news magazines, expanding beyond just television, radio and print newspapers as it presently stands.

    This reflects modern news consumption habits, with Ofcom reporting that seven in ten UK adults say they consume online news in some capacity.

    The expanded powers will allow greater scrutiny of takeovers that might negatively impact accurate reporting, freedom of expression and media plurality – which are essential to the UK’s democracy.

    The government is also introducing targeted exceptions to allow certain state-owned investment funds – such as sovereign wealth funds or pension funds – to invest up to 15% in UK newspapers and news periodicals. This balanced approach will still limit any scope for foreign state control or influence of news organisations while giving them much-needed flexibility to seek business investment that supports their long-term sustainability. 

    Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said:

    Britain’s free and independent press is a national asset like no other and it is right that we have strong measures in place to allow scrutiny of UK takeovers that might go against the public interest.

    These important, modernising reforms are about protecting media plurality and reflect the changing ways in which people are consuming news.

    We are fully upholding the need to safeguard our news media from foreign state control whilst recognising that  news organisations must be able to raise vital funding. We are taking a proportionate, balanced approach to a threshold for low-risk investments that will remove a potential chilling effect on press sustainability, while supporting growth under our Plan for Change.

    Secondary legislation will be laid to enact these changes and will be subject to votes in both Houses of Parliament.

    The proposed amendments to the definition of newspaper for the Foreign State Influence regime will apply with retrospective effect from today.

    ENDS

    Notes to editors:

    Exceptions to Foreign State Influence Regime 

    The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 created new rules to prevent foreign states from acquiring ownership, control or influence over UK newspapers and news magazines.

    The legislation covers a number of scenarios in which a foreign power could control or influence the policy of a newspaper or a news magazine enterprise – including if it holds, whether directly or indirectly, any shares or voting rights in a corporate body that carries on a newspaper enterprise, or if it has the right to appoint or remove members of staff.

    The regime defines ‘foreign power’ broadly to include: the sovereign or head of a foreign state, any part of a foreign government including ministers, government agencies and authorities, and any governing political party or its officers. It applies where a foreign power could acquire control or influence over the policy of a newspaper through persons associated with it.

    As permitted by the Act, the Government intends to introduce a number of targeted and specific exceptions to the regime via regulations, which are intended to offset potential negative impacts on inward investment into the press sector without undermining the core principles of the regime.

    The previous government launched a consultation on exceptions to the regime which closed in July 2024. Ministers have carefully considered the responses received, including the views of newspaper groups that the previous government’s suggested thresholds were too low and would place unnecessary restrictions on their ability to raise funding. 

    Ministers consider that setting the threshold for State Owned Investors’ investment at 15% of shares or voting rights in a newspaper or news magazine is the most effective, simple and proportionate approach. State Owned Investors (SOIs) include sovereign wealth funds or public pension or social security schemes that make long-term investments on behalf of that state and which in many cases are operated at arms length. 

    The new measures carefully balance the need for newspapers and news magazines to have access to a range of investment from SOIs where control or influence by foreign states is unlikely to be a risk. It will avoid the need for the Culture Secretary to refer low levels of investment to the CMA for investigation where there is no likelihood of any material influence.

    The UK has a strong track record for encouraging investment critical to growth within the media industry, and this pro-growth decision will continue that trend while providing a robust regulatory framework that protects press freedom and free speech. 

    Extending the scope of the media mergers regime

    In November, the government launched a consultation on proposals to broaden the scope of the UK’s media merger regime. Having taken into account responses to the consultation, the government has decided to expand the scope of the media mergers regime from print newspapers and broadcasters to encompass online news platforms and periodical news magazines.

    This will mean the Culture Secretary has the ability to intervene in a merger involving an online news publication that meets certain conditions relating to turnover or share of supply, where they believe a public interest consideration may be relevant. According to Ofcom’s annual report on news consumption in the UK, 71 percent of UK adults consume online news in some capacity, level with news consumed via TV and on demand (70 percent); and nearly a quarter of UK adults (22 percent) access news via print newspapers, increasing to 34 percent when including their online platforms.

    News publications circulated on a weekly or monthly basis will also be brought in scope of the regime to ensure the legislation is fit for purpose given daily, local, and Sunday publications are already included. 

    The measures will ensure that the public interest can be safeguarded across these popular sources of news content for people across the UK. They will enable the Culture Secretary to intervene where necessary to protect the availability of a wide range of accurate and high-quality news, particularly for younger audiences as technology and news habits evolve. 

    The announcement follows recommendations from the independent regulator Ofcom as part of its statutory review of media ownership rules.

    The inclusion of online news sites will apply both to the public interest media mergers regime and to the new Foreign State Influence regime.

    Updates to this page

    Published 15 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: expert reaction to trial of treating depression with mindfulness-based cognitive therapy in those who haven’t improved after NHS Talking Therapies

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    A trial published in Lancet Psychiatry looks at mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depression in those who haven’t improved after NHS Talking Therapies. 

    Dr Elena Makovac, Senior Lecturer in Clinical Psychology, Brunel University of London, said:

    “Treatment-resistant or difficult-to-treat depression poses a significant challenge for the NHS system, with its impact on healthcare costs being substantial and possibly underestimated. This is due to the multifaceted nature of depression, which often includes various somatic symptoms. This study addresses a critical question: what additional treatment options can be offered to patients who have exhausted first-line interventions, including a full course of Talking Therapies—typically 12 or more sessions? Patients with treatment-resistant depression not only continue to suffer, but the knowledge that no further treatment options are available exacerbates feelings of hopelessness, leading to further deterioration of their mental health.

    “A key limitation of the study is that, by comparing MCBT (Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy) plus treatment-as-usual with the treatment-as-usual group, we cannot definitively determine whether the observed improvements were specifically due to the MCBT, or if they resulted from the fact that the MCBT group received more treatment overall compared to the control group. This improvement could potentially have been achieved with an extension of the originally delivered Talking Therapies.

    “While research into additional treatments for difficult-to-treat depression is essential, it is even more important to offer interventions grounded in well-understood mechanisms. This process begins with a crucial first step: answering the question of why some patients do not respond to Talking Therapies.”

    From our colleagues at SMC Spain

    Maria Serra-Blasco, Principal investigator, Digital Health Programme ICOnnecta’t, and member of the Group of Psycho-oncology and Digital Health at IDIBELL, said:

    “This study provides very strong evidence for the value of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) as a treatment option for people with depression who have not improved after receiving intensive psychological treatments within the NHS. Compared to treatment as usual, adding MBCT – delivered in a group and by video call – achieved a greater reduction in depressive symptoms, with benefits sustained up to six months later. Improvements in participants’ work and social functioning were also observed.

    “A particularly relevant finding is that this intervention, validated in a group and online format, proves to be effective even in people with complex clinical conditions: many of the participants had a history of depression from an early age, several relapses, comorbidities and were on medication. The fact that MBCT works in this context suggests that it can be an effective and safe alternative in cases of difficult-to-treat depression, and not only as an add-on, but also as a possible next step when other approaches have failed.

    “Validating this approach in an online and group format is an important step forward, as it considerably improves its scalability: it allows it to be offered to more people, at lower cost and without the need for travel, which is key to broadening access to evidence-based psychological treatments.

    “Furthermore, from a health perspective, MBCT showed good cost-effectiveness: not only was it clinically more effective, but it also reduced costs in health and social services, even considering the resources needed for its implementation. This evidence, together with previous studies, supports its inclusion in clinical guidelines as a second- or third-line treatment.

    “In Spain, MBCT has also been shown to be feasible and safe in primary care (Elices et al., 2022). Although it does not replace conventional treatments, it represents a promising, accessible and scalable tool that can expand therapeutic options in the public health system.”

    Jesús Montero-Marín, Miguel Servet Senior Researcher at the Teaching, Research and Innovation Unit of the Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, member of the Department of Psychiatry at Warneford Hospital-University of Oxford (UK) and member of Spain’s Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), said:

    “The study published in The Lancet Psychiatry represents a major advance in the treatment of resistant depression. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) showed higher effectiveness compared to treatment as usual, even in patients who had not remitted after previous intensive interventions. The study methodology is robust, with a randomised, controlled design and 34-week follow-up, which supports the robustness of its conclusions.

    “This work provides conclusive evidence that MBCT can be an effective and cost-effective second-line treatment option in structured clinical settings. Although direct extrapolation to other health systems, such as the Spanish one, should be done with caution and requires further research, the model is scalable and compatible with primary mental health care. Its implementation could lead to a substantial improvement in the continuity of care for cases of difficult-to-treat depression.”

    ‘Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy versus treatment as usual after non-remission with NHS Talking Therapies high intensity psychological therapy for depression: a UK-based clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness randomised, controlled, superiority trial’ by Thorsten Barnhofer et al. was published in Lancet Psychiatry at 23:30 UK time on Wednesday 14th May. 

     

    Declared interests

    Maria Serra-Blasco:She declares that she has no conflicts of interest.

    Jesús Montero-Marín:“I am a member of the Oxford Mindfulness Centre and collaborate regularly with some of the papers’ authors.”

    For all other experts, no reply to our request for DOIs was received.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: North American Construction Group Ltd. Announces Results for the First Quarter Ended March 31, 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ACHESON, Alberta, May 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — North American Construction Group Ltd. (“NACG”) (TSX:NOA/NYSE:NOA) today announced results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025. Unless otherwise indicated, financial figures are expressed in Canadian dollars, and comparisons are to the prior period ended March 31, 2024.

    First Quarter 2025 Highlights:

    • Combined revenue of $391.5 million, the second-highest quarter in company history, compared favorably to $345.7 million in the same period last year and was driven equally by higher heavy equipment fleet commissioned in Australia and higher equipment utilization in Canada.
    • Reported revenue of $340.8 million, compared to $297.0 million in the same period last year, was driven primarily by increased capacity in Australia and a 68% utilization in Canada. However, lower utilization in Australia, due to the high number of rain days in February and March, far exceeding historical average, tempered overall performance.
    • Our net share of revenue from equity consolidated joint ventures was $50.7 million in 2025 Q1, compared to $48.7 million in the same period last year. While the Fargo project saw a quarter-over-quarter increase, this was offset by lower volumes within the Nuna Group of Companies and the discontinuation of the Brake Supply joint venture.
    • Adjusted EBITDA of $99.9 million was a slight increase of $2.5 million, or 3%, compared to the 2024 Q1 result of $97.4 million. However, the operational challenges of excessive rainfall in Australia and an extended bitter cold snap in Canada fully offset the 15% increase in revenue.
    • Combined gross profit of $51.6 million and margin of 13.2% declined compared to the $62.4 million and 18.1% metrics posted in the same period last year. The overall margin decrease reflects the specific impacts of rain and cold weather in Australia and Canada.
    • Cash flows generated from operating activities reached $51.4 million, exceeding the $19.0 million reported in the same period last year, primarily due to a lower working capital draw in the current quarter. Sustaining capital additions of $89.9 million reflect the front-loaded nature of our capital maintenance program in Canada.
    • Free cash flow resulted in a use of cash of $41.6 million in the quarter, driven by the consumption of $24.5 million by our working capital accounts. The working capital draw on cash remains directionally consistent to 2024 Q1 and aligns with the typical seasonal impacts of our annual business cycle.
    • Net debt was $867.5 million at March 31, 2025, an increase of $11.3 million from December 31, 2024, as free cash flow usage and growth spending required debt financing. The cash-related interest rate during the quarter on our debt was 6.2% due to Bank of Canada posted rates and the impact on equipment financing rates.
    • Additional highlights during and after the quarter: i) the Fargo-Moorhead flood diversion project passed the 65% completion mark prior to March 31; ii) successfully commenced the early development work at a copper mine in New South Wales; iii) first operational wins achieved under the new Finning parts and component supply and services agreement; iv) converted $73 million of debentures to 3.0 million common shares; and v) on May 1, completed $225 million of senior unsecured financing to increase liquidity as we advance efforts on heavy civil infrastructure and mining opportunities in Australia and North America.

    Joe Lambert, President and CEO stated, “It’s no surprise that severe weather impacts our business, and Q1 2025 proved especially challenging across both geographies. However, we remain optimistic about the more stable conditions expected for the remainder of the year. Our full-year expectations remain intact, and we are eager to execute the contracted scopes for our customers. We continue to see significant opportunities and tailwinds in the heavy civil infrastructure and mining industries in Australia and North America and are diligently advancing efforts to secure new scopes, leveraging our strong reputation in these regions.”

    Consolidated Financial Highlights

        Three months ended    
        March 31,    
    (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)     2025     2024   Change
    Revenue   $ 340,833     $ 297,026     $ 43,807  
    Cost of sales(i)     242,228       195,670       46,558  
    Depreciation(i)     60,714       47,862       12,852  
    Gross profit(i)   $ 37,891     $ 53,494     $ (15,603 )
    Gross profit margin(i)(ii)     11.1 %     18.0 %   (6.9 )%
    General and administrative expenses (excluding stock-based compensation)(ii)     11,090       10,835       255  
    Stock-based compensation (benefit) expense     (3,408 )     3,608       (7,016 )
    Operating income(i)     30,582       38,480       (7,898 )
    Interest expense, net     13,516       15,597       (2,081 )
    Net income(i)     6,163       11,511       (5,348 )
    Comprehensive income(i)     6,641       10,818       (4,177 )
                 
    Adjusted EBITDA(i)(ii)     99,932       97,386       2,546  
    Adjusted EBITDA margin(i)(ii)(iii)     25.5 %     28.2 %   (2.7 )%
                 
    Per share information            
    Basic net income per share   $ 0.22     $ 0.43     $ (0.21 )
    Diluted net income per share   $ 0.21     $ 0.39     $ (0.18 )
    Adjusted EPS(ii)   $ 0.52     $ 0.79     $ (0.27 )

    (i)The prior year amounts are adjusted to reflect a change in policy. See “Accounting Estimates, Pronouncements and Measures”.
    (ii)See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures”.
    (iii)Adjusted EBITDA margin is calculated using adjusted EBITDA over total combined revenue.

        Three months ended
        March 31,
    (dollars in thousands)     2025       2024  
    Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows        
    Cash provided by operating activities(i)   $ 51,418     $ 18,959  
    Cash used in investing activities(i)     (93,781 )     (66,095 )
    Effect of exchange rate on changes in cash     (1,075 )     (99 )
    Add back of growth and non-cash items included in the above figures:        
    Growth capital additions(ii)     28,066       19,607  
    Capital additions financed by leases(ii)     (26,203 )     (14,156 )
    Free cash flow(i)   $ (41,575 )   $ (41,784 )

    (i)The prior year amounts are adjusted to reflect a change in policy. See “Accounting Estimates, Pronouncements and Measures”.
    (ii)See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures”.

    Declaration of Quarterly Dividend

    On May 14th, 2025, the NACG Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly dividend (the “Dividend”) of twelve Canadian cents ($0.12) per common share, payable to common shareholders of record at the close of business on June 4, 2025. The Dividend will be paid on July 11, 2025, and is an eligible dividend for Canadian income tax purposes.

    Resignation of Vanessa Guthrie

    Effective May 14, 2025, Dr. Vanessa Guthrie, AO, resigned from her position as a director of NACG for personal reasons. Martin Ferron, Chair of the Board, stated “We wish to extend our sincerest thanks to Dr. Guthrie for the insight and perspectives she brought to the company during what was an important transitional period for us as we expanded operations into Australia. We wish her all the best in the future.”

    Results for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2025

    Revenue of $340.8 million represented a $43.8 million (or 15%) increase from 2024 Q1 as Heavy Equipment – Australia and Heavy Equipment – Canada were up 18% and 13%, respectively.

    Revenue within Heavy Equipment – Australia, which is primarily comprised of the MacKellar Group (“MacKellar”), increased $23.8 million quarter-over-quarter primarily due to a 25% increase in the large capacity heavy equipment fleet over the past twelve months. This fleet increase was offset by the 12% decrease in equipment utilization (68% versus 2024 Q1 of 80%) as the high number of rain days experienced in both February and March well exceeded historical averages and operational expectations. The Carmichael mine was significantly affected by rain, receiving over 340 mm of rainfall over the two months, nearly double the historical average and our forecast of 180 mm. Excessive rainfall caused the slowdown of mining activity and the parking of the large capacity heavy mining equipment due to flooding of the lower lying mining areas as well as certain mine, access and service roads requiring additional maintenance.

    Equipment utilization in the oil sands region of 68% drove a 13% increase from 2024 Q1 in the Heavy Equipment – Canada segment. Demand for large capacity heavy equipment was strong for the full quarter, with top-line performance constrained only by extended periods of cold weather and mechanical availability. The Millennium mine currently has approximately 40% of our fleet operating on site and is the primary driver of both equipment utilization and top-line revenue.

    Combined revenue in the quarter of $391.5 million, the second-highest quarter in company history, represented a $45.8 million (or 13%) increase from 2024 Q1. Our share of revenue generated in the quarter by joint ventures and affiliates was $50.7 million, compared to $48.7 million in 2024 Q1 (an increase of 4%) with quarter-over-quarter increases in the Fargo project offset by lower volumes within the Nuna Group of Companies (“Nuna”) as well as the termination of the Brake Supply Joint Venture which occurred in the latter half of 2024. The Fargo project progressed past the 65% completion mark during the quarter with the modest top-line revenue reflecting the expected impact of winter conditions on civil earth-moving scopes.

    Adjusted EBITDA of $99.9 million was a slight increase of $2.5 million, or 3%, from the 2024 Q1 result of $97.4 million as the operational challenges of excessive rainfall in Australia and a bitter extended cold snap in Canada fully offset the 15% increase in revenue. The adjusted EBITDA margin of 25.5% was lower compared to the previous quarter, primarily due to the challenging weather conditions in both segments, which affected operational efficiency. 2024 Q1, which experienced typical seasonal conditions, posted a 28.2% adjusted EBITDA margin with the approximate 3.0% variance being a fair reflection of the weather’s impact to 2025 Q1.

    Excessive rainfall in Australia in February and March impacted operating margins with the Carmichael mine being the most affected in terms of the sheer quantity of rainfall experienced in those two months. Steady margin performance depends on the continuous operation of the primary fleet of large capacity heavy mining equipment. When this equipment is parked due to weather or other interruptions, not only is top-line revenue constrained, but it also becomes an opportune time to perform certain maintenance activities. While these activities support longer-term equipment reliability and utilization, they can increase costs, impacting margins in the current quarter. Additionally, rain days contribute to further cost pressures, as they introduce expenses not typically incurred during normal operations, such as site cleanup, dewatering, and related weather recovery efforts.

    Based on historical precedent, gross margins at that site were over 10% lower than operational expectation and drove the decrease in gross profit margin in this segment from 24.7% in 2024 Q1 to 16.1% in 2025 Q1.

    The extreme cold snap in the oil sands region in February impacted operating margins with all five operating sites being equally affected. This segment gross profit margin of 5.5% was impacted significantly by this cold weather with the correlated high idle time and required additional cost incurred to operate at frigid temperatures for an extended period of time. Using 2024 Q1 and 2023 Q1 as reasonable benchmarks, it is estimated that the cold weather impacted gross profit margin by approximately 5.0% to 7.0%. In addition to the weather, extraordinary early component failures related to the now discontinued component supply agreement with a third-party vendor impacted margins by $4.3 million in the quarter.

    Depreciation of our equipment fleet was 17.8% of revenue in the quarter, compared to 16.1% in 2024 Q1. The Heavy Equipment – Canada fleet averaged approximately 24.0% of revenue due to required high idle time in February. This is offset by depreciation on the Heavy Equipment – Australia fleet, which averaged approximately 12.4% of revenue, largely driven by MacKellar depreciation of 13.0% of revenue in the quarter. On a combined basis, depreciation averaged 17.1% of combined revenue in the quarter, compared to 15.0% in 2024 Q1, due to high depreciation experienced in Canada during the quarter.

    General and administrative expenses (excluding stock-based compensation) were $11.1 million, or 3.3% of revenue, compared to $10.8 million, or 3.6% of revenue, in 2024 Q1. Cash related interest expense incurred on our debt for the quarter was $12.9 million at an average cost of debt of 6.2%, compared to 8.1% in 2024 Q1, as rate decreases posted by the Bank of Canada directly impact our Credit Facility and have a delayed impact on the rates for secured equipment-backed financing.

    Adjusted earnings per share (“EPS”) of $0.52 and adjusted net earnings of $14.5 million were down 34.2% and 31.0% from the prior year figures of $0.79 and $21.0 million, respectively. The $6.5 million decrease in adjusted net earnings is due to the slightly higher EBITDA being more than offset by the higher depreciation expenses, as discussed above, as well as higher interest expenses associated with the fleet acquired and debt assumed upon acquisition of MacKellar.

    Adjusted earnings per share (“EPS”) of $0.52 was down $0.27 per share from the prior year figure of $0.79 per share primarily from the factors mentioned above. Weighted-average common shares outstanding for the first quarters of 2025 and 2024 were 27,859,886 and 26,733,473, respectively.

    Between January 29 and February 28, 2025, approximately 3.0 million common shares were issued to convertible debenture holders for a value of $72.7 million and which contributed approximately $0.02 in the aforementioned quarter-over-quarter adjusted earnings per share variance of $0.27 per share.

    Free cash flow was a use of cash of $41.6 million in the quarter primarily due to the consumption of $24.5 million by our working capital accounts. The working capital draw on cash is directionally consistent to 2024 Q1 and is comparable with past seasonal impacts of our annual business cycle. Adjusted EBITDA generated $99.9 million and when factoring in sustaining capital additions ($89.9 million) and cash interest paid ($16.2 million), $6.2 million of cash was used by the overall business in the quarter.

    Business Updates

    2025 Strategic Focus Areas

    • Safety – maintain our uncompromising commitment to health and safety while elevating the standard of excellence in the field, particularly with regards to front-line leadership training;
    • Operational excellence – put into action practical and experienced-based protocols to ensure predictable high-quality project execution in Australia;
    • Execution – enhance equipment availability in Canada through improved fleet maintenance, equipment telematics and reliability programs, technical improvements and management systems;
    • Integration – utilize recently implemented ERP at MacKellar Group to optimize business processes to lower overall costs and improve working capital management;
    • Organic growth – based on strong site operating performance, leverage customer satisfaction to earn contract extensions and expansions
    • Diversification – pursue diversification of customers and resources through strategic partnerships, industry expertise and investment in Indigenous joint ventures; and
    • Sustainability – further develop and deliver into our environmental, social, and governance goals.

    Liquidity

    Our current liquidity positions us well moving forward to fund organic growth and the required correlated working capital investments. Including equipment financing availability and factoring in the amended Credit Facility agreement, total available capital liquidity of $198.5 million includes total liquidity of $147.2 million and $32.9 million of unused finance lease borrowing availability as at March 31, 2025. Liquidity is primarily provided by the terms of our $524.7 million credit facility which allows for funds availability based on a trailing twelve-month EBITDA as defined in the agreement, and is now scheduled to expire in May 2028.

        March 31,
    2025    		   December 31,
    2024
    Cash   $ 78,241     $ 77,875  
    Credit Facility borrowing limit     524,675       522,550  
    Credit Facility drawn     (421,702 )     (395,844 )
    Letters of credit outstanding     (33,998 )     (33,992 )
    Cash liquidity(i)   $ 147,216     $ 170,589  
    Finance lease borrowing limit     400,000       400,000  
    Other debt borrowing limit     20,000       20,000  
    Equipment financing drawn     (310,362 )     (253,639 )
    Guarantees provided to joint ventures     (58,314 )     (61,675 )
    Total capital liquidity(i)   $ 198,540     $ 275,275  

    (i)See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures”.

    Subsequent to the three months ended March 31, 2025, on April 25, 2025, we announced that we entered into an underwriting agreement to sell, pursuant to a private placement offering, $225 million aggregate principal amount of 7.75% Senior Unsecured Notes due May 1, 2030 (the “Notes”). The agreement closed on May 1, 2025. The Notes were issued at a price of $1,000 per $1,000 of Notes. The Notes will accrue interest at the rate of 7.75% per annum, payable in cash in equal payments semi-annually in arrears each November 1 and May 1, commencing on November 1, 2025. We intend to use the net proceeds of the Offering to repay indebtedness under our existing Credit Agreement, and for general corporate purposes.

    NACG’s outlook for 2025

    The following table provides projected key measures for 2025. These measures are predicated on contracts currently in place, including expected renewals, and the heavy equipment fleet that we own and operate.

    Key measures   2025
    Combined revenue(i)   $1.4 – $1.6B
    Adjusted EBITDA(i)   $415 – $445M
    Sustaining capital(i)   $180 – $200M
    Adjusted EPS(i)   $3.70 – $4.00
    Free cash flow(i)   $130 – $150M
         
    Capital allocation    
    Growth spending(i)   $65 – $75M
    Net debt leverage(i)   Targeting 1.7x

    (i)See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures”.

    Conference Call and Webcast

    Management will hold a conference call and webcast to discuss our financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, tomorrow, Thursday, May 15, 2025, at 7:00 am Mountain Time (9:00 am Eastern Time).

    The call can be accessed by dialing:
          Toll free: 1-800-717-1738
          Conference ID: 42703

    A replay will be available through June 12, 2025, by dialing:
          Toll Free: 1-888-660-6264
          Conference ID: 42703
          Playback Passcode: 42703

    The Q1 2025 earnings presentation for the webcast will be available for download on the company’s website at www.nacg.ca/presentations/

    The live presentation and webcast can be accessed at:

    https://onlinexperiences.com/scripts/Server.nxp?LASCmd=AI:4;F:QS!10100&ShowUUID=5E415713-29A1-4D60-A023-BF0345BED32F

    A replay will be available until June 12, 2025, using the link provided.

    Basis of Presentation

    We have prepared our consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“US GAAP”). Unless otherwise specified, all dollar amounts discussed are in Canadian dollars. Please see the Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, for further detail on the matters discussed in this release. In addition to the MD&A, please reference the dedicated Q1 2025 Results Presentation for more information on our results and projections which can be found on our website under Investors – Presentations.

    Change in significant accounting policy – Classification of multi-use tires

    Effective in the first quarter of 2025, we have changed our accounting policy for the classification of multi-life tires. These tires are now recognized as property, plant, and equipment on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and are amortized through depreciation on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income. Previously, multi-life tires were classified as inventories and expensed through cost of sales when placed into service. This change in accounting policy provides a more accurate reflection of the role of multi-life tires as components of the heavy equipment in which they are utilized, aligning the accounting treatment with the economic substance of their use.

    We have applied this change retrospectively in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 250, Accounting Changes and Error Corrections, by restating the comparative period. For further details regarding the retrospective adjustments, refer to Note 16 in the consolidated financial statements for the period ended March 31, 2025.

    Forward-Looking Information

    The information provided in this release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements preceded by, followed by or that include the words “anticipate”, “believe”, “expect”, “should” or similar expressions.

    The material factors or assumptions used to develop the above forward-looking statements include, and the risks and uncertainties to which such forward-looking statements are subject, are highlighted in the MD&A for the three months ended March 31, 2025. Actual results could differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements because of any number of factors and uncertainties, many of which are beyond NACG’s control. Undue reliance should not be placed upon forward-looking statements and NACG undertakes no obligation, other than those required by applicable law, to update or revise those statements. For more complete information about NACG, please read our disclosure documents filed with the SEC and the CSA. These free documents can be obtained by visiting EDGAR on the SEC website at www.sec.gov or on the CSA website at www.sedarplus.com.

    Non-GAAP Financial Measures

    This press release presents certain non-GAAP financial measures because management believes that they may be useful to investors in analyzing our business performance, leverage and liquidity. The non-GAAP financial measures we present include “adjusted EBIT”, “adjusted EBITDA”, “adjusted EBITDA margin”, “adjusted EPS”, “adjusted net earnings”, “capital additions”, “capital work in progress”, “cash liquidity”, “cash provided by operating activities prior to change in working capital”, “cash related interest expense”, “combined gross profit”, “combined gross profit margin”, “equity investment depreciation and amortization”, “equity investment EBIT”, “free cash flow”, “general and administrative expenses (excluding stock-based compensation)”, “gross profit margin”, “growth capital”, “margin”, “net debt”, “net debt leverage”, “sustaining capital”, “total capital liquidity”, “total combined revenue”, and “total debt”. A non-GAAP financial measure is defined by relevant regulatory authorities as a numerical measure of an issuer’s historical or future financial performance, financial position or cash flow that is not specified, defined or determined under the issuer’s GAAP and that is not presented in an issuer’s financial statements. These non-GAAP measures do not have any standardized meaning and therefore are unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. They should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. Each non-GAAP financial measure used in this press release is defined and reconciled to its most directly comparable GAAP measure in the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section of our Management’s Discussion and Analysis filed concurrently with this press release.

    Reconciliation of total reported revenue to total combined revenue

        Three months ended
        March 31,
    (dollars in thousands)     2025       2024  
    Revenue from wholly-owned entities per financial statements   $ 340,833     $ 297,026  
    Share of revenue from investments in affiliates and joint ventures     136,237       125,838  
    Elimination of joint venture subcontract revenue     (85,566 )     (77,151 )
    Total combined revenue(i)   $ 391,504     $ 345,713  

    (i)See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures”.

    Reconciliation of reported gross profit to combined gross profit

        Three months ended
        March 31,
    (dollars in thousands)     2025       2024  
    Gross profit from wholly-owned entities per financial statements   $ 37,891     $ 53,494  
    Share of gross profit from investments in affiliates and joint ventures     13,677       8,935  
    Combined gross profit(i)(ii)   $ 51,568     $ 62,429  

    (i)See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures”.
    (ii)The prior year amounts are adjusted to reflect a change in policy. See “Accounting Estimates, Pronouncements and Measures”.

    Reconciliation of net income to adjusted net earnings, adjusted EBIT and adjusted EBITDA

        Three months ended
        March 31,
    (dollars in thousands)     2025       2024  
    Net income(i)   $ 6,163     $ 11,511  
    Adjustments:        
    Stock-based compensation (benefit) expense     (3,408 )     3,608  
    (Gain) loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment     (974 )     261  
    Change in fair value of contingent obligations from adjustments to estimates     (1,317 )     1,438  
    Loss on derivative financial instruments     6,912       —  
    Equity investment loss on derivative financial instruments     1,019       1,954  
    Equity investment restructuring costs     —       4,517  
    Depreciation expense relating to early component failures     4,274       —  
    Post-acquisition asset relocation and integration costs     1,640       —  
    Tax effect of the above items     208       (2,260 )
    Adjusted net earnings(i)(ii)     14,517       21,029  
    Adjustments:        
    Tax effect of the above items     (208 )     2,260  
    Interest expense, net     13,516       15,597  
    Equity investment EBIT(ii)     3,310       (3,768 )
    Equity (earnings) loss in affiliates and joint ventures     (3,283 )     1,512  
    Change in fair value of contingent obligations     4,347       3,955  
    Income tax expense     4,244       4,467  
    Adjusted EBIT(i)(ii)     36,443       45,052  
    Adjustments:        
    Depreciation(i)     60,714       47,862  
    Amortization of intangible assets     601       310  
    Depreciation expense relating to early component failures     (4,274 )     —  
    Equity investment depreciation and amortization(ii)     6,448       4,162  
    Adjusted EBITDA(i)(ii)   $ 99,932     $ 97,386  
    Adjusted EBITDA margin(i)(ii)(iii)     25.5 %     28.2 %

    (i)The prior year amounts are adjusted to reflect a change in policy. See “Accounting Estimates, Pronouncements and Measures”.
    (ii)See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures”.
    (iii)Adjusted EBITDA margin is calculated using adjusted EBITDA over total combined revenue.

    Reconciliation of equity earnings in affiliates and joint ventures to equity investment EBIT

        Three months ended
        March 31,
    (dollars in thousands)     2025       2024  
    Equity (loss) earnings in affiliates and joint ventures   $ 3,283     $ (1,512 )
    Adjustments:        
    Loss (gain) on disposal of property, plant and equipment     2       (175 )
    Interest income     (29 )     (573 )
    Income tax expense (benefit)     54       (1,508 )
    Equity investment EBIT(i)   $ 3,310     $ (3,768 )

    (i)See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures”.

    About the Company

    North American Construction Group Ltd. is a premier provider of heavy civil construction and mining services in Australia, Canada, and the U.S. For 70 years, NACG has provided services to the mining, resource and infrastructure construction markets.

    For further information contact:

    Jason Veenstra, CPA, CA
    Chief Financial Officer
    North American Construction Group Ltd.
    (780) 960-7171
    IR@nacg.ca
    www.nacg.ca

    Interim Consolidated Balance Sheets

    (Expressed in thousands of Canadian Dollars)
    (Unaudited)

        March 31,
    2025    		   December 31,
    2024(i)
    Assets        
    Current assets        
    Cash   $ 78,241     $ 77,875  
    Accounts receivable     186,850       166,070  
    Contract assets     19,676       4,135  
    Inventories     74,242       69,027  
    Prepaid expenses and deposits     6,523       7,676  
    Assets held for sale     782       683  
          366,314       325,466  
    Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $503,486 (December 31, 2024 – $500,303)     1,314,635       1,251,874  
    Operating lease right-of-use assets     11,539       12,722  
    Investments in affiliates and joint ventures     86,341       84,692  
    Intangible assets     10,072       9,901  
    Other assets     5,581       9,845  
    Total assets   $ 1,794,482     $ 1,694,500  
    Liabilities and shareholders’ equity        
    Current liabilities        
    Accounts payable   $ 138,700     $ 110,750  
    Accrued liabilities     59,454       78,010  
    Contract liabilities     6,734       1,944  
    Current portion of long-term debt     150,301       84,194  
    Current portion of contingent obligations     40,139       39,290  
    Current portion of operating lease liabilities     1,475       1,771  
          396,803       315,959  
    Long-term debt     663,622       719,399  
    Contingent obligations     91,107       88,576  
    Operating lease liabilities     10,612       11,441  
    Other long-term obligations     42,792       44,711  
    Deferred tax liabilities     127,615       125,378  
          1,332,551       1,305,464  
    Shareholders’ equity        
    Common shares (authorized – unlimited number of voting common shares; issued and outstanding – March 31, 2025 – 30,601,681 (December 31, 2024 – 27,704,450))     298,858       228,961  
    Treasury shares (March 31, 2025 – 1,004,074 (December 31, 2024 – 1,000,328))     (16,036 )     (15,913 )
    Additional paid-in capital     20,856       20,819  
    Retained earnings     158,877       156,271  
    Accumulated other comprehensive loss     (624 )     (1,102 )
    Shareholders’ equity     461,931       389,036  
    Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity   $ 1,794,482     $ 1,694,500  

    (i)The prior year amounts are adjusted to reflect a change in policy. See “Accounting Estimates, Pronouncements and Measures”.

    Interim Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income

    (Expressed in thousands of Canadian Dollars, except per share amounts)
    (Unaudited) 

        Three months ended
        March 31,
          2025     2024(i)  
    Revenue   $ 340,833     $ 297,026  
    Cost of sales     242,228       195,670  
    Depreciation     60,714       47,862  
    Gross profit     37,891       53,494  
    General and administrative expenses     7,682       14,443  
    Amortization of intangible assets     601       310  
    (Gain) loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment     (974 )     261  
    Operating income     30,582       38,480  
    Interest expense, net     13,516       15,597  
    Equity (earnings) loss in affiliates and joint ventures     (3,283 )     1,512  
    Loss on derivative financial instruments     6,912       —  
    Change in fair value of contingent obligations     3,030       5,393  
    Income before income taxes     10,407       15,978  
    Current income tax expense     1,777       4,296  
    Deferred income tax expense     2,467       171  
    Net income   $ 6,163     $ 11,511  
    Other comprehensive income        
    Unrealized foreign currency translation (gain) loss     (478 )     693  
    Comprehensive income   $ 6,641     $ 10,818  
    Per share information        
    Basic net income per share   $ 0.22     $ 0.43  
    Diluted net income per share   $ 0.21     $ 0.39  

    (i)The prior year amounts are adjusted to reflect a change in policy. See “Accounting Estimates, Pronouncements and Measures”.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-Evening Report: This 6-point plan can ease Australia’s gambling problems – if our government has the guts

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

    WHYFRAME/Shutterstock

    We have a refreshed and revitalised Australian government, enriched with great political capital.

    During the last term of parliament before the election, opportunities to address Australia’s raging gambling habit were neglected.

    Could this government now have enough authority and courage to take on the gambling ecosystem?

    A massive issue

    Australians are the world’s biggest gambling losers.

    Many attribute this to some inherent Australian trait. But what it really comes down to is the proliferation of gambling operators and their products.

    They’re everywhere, along with their marketing and promotion.

    Half of the gambling problems in Australia are associated with poker machines, ubiquitous in all states and territories other than Western Australia (WA).

    Consequently, and unsurprisingly, WA has the lowest rate of gambling harms. The state has 2,500 pokies at a single Perth casino and none in clubs or pubs.

    New South Wales boasts nearly 90,000 pokies, the highest pokie “density” in Australia, and its clubs and pubs make $8.1 billion a year.

    Overall, pokie losses in Australia total $15.8 billion per year.

    Wagering (betting on sport, racing and even elections), is now mainly online, and reaps another $8.4 billion in Australia. This is the fastest growing gambling sector, with growth, adjusted for inflation, of more than 45% between 2018-19 and 2022-23.

    Pokies grew by a more modest 7.6% during the same period. Only casinos went backwards.

    Overall, gambling costs Australians more than $32 billion annually.

    This has been fuelled by relentless promotion and marketing and the expansion of the gambling ecosystem: the network of commercial actors who reap a major dividend from gambling losses.

    It includes the bookies, pub and club chains as well as sporting leagues, financial services providers, software and game developers, charitable organisations, broadcasters, and state and territory governments.

    Of course, gambling comes at a cost: it is strongly linked to broken relationships, loss of assets, employment and educational opportunities, and crime rates.

    Intimate partner violence and neglect of children, along with poor mental and physical health, are also connected to gambling accessibility. As, unfortunately, is suicide.

    However, there are ways to reduce gambling harm.

    Six ways to tackle the problem

    1. First up, we need a national gambling regulator. This was an important recommendation in the 2023 report of the all-party parliamentary committee chaired by the late Peta Murphy.

    Currently, gambling is regulated by each state and territory. Some have reasonably robust systems in place. Others, somewhat less so. None are best practice.

    A national system is long overdue, as many gambling businesses operate across multiple Australian jurisdictions.

    In the absence of national regulation, the Northern Territory has become the de facto national regulator for online wagering. It offers a low-tax and arguably low intervention regulatory system.

    Yet the vast majority of losses from punters come in other jurisdictions.

    National regulation would also assist in standardising tax rates and maintaining reasonable uniform standards of regulation and enforcement.

    2. Poker machines are Australia’s biggest gambling problem, but a national precommitment scheme would provide a tool for people to manage their gambling.

    This proposal has been frequently mooted in Australia since the Productivity Commission recommended it in 2010.

    It has worked well in Europe: forms of it now operate in 27 European countries.

    Both Victoria and Tasmania have proposed it, as did the Perrottet government in the lead into the last NSW election.

    Unfortunately, the power of the pokie lobby, supercharged by the addiction surplus it reaps from punters, has slowed or stopped its implementation.

    But it’s eminently feasible and is highly likely to significantly reduce the harm of pokies.

    The technical challenges are far from insurmountable, despite what industry interests argue.



    Read more:
    Pokies line the coffers of governments and venues – but there are ways to tame this gambling gorilla

    3. Limiting accessibility to pokies is an important way to reduce harm.

    Nothing good happens in a pokie room after midnight, yet they are often open until 4am, with reopening time only a little later.

    Closing down venues after midnight and not opening until 10am would help a lot of people.

    4. We can’t talk about political access without considering some key tools of the gambling ecosystem.

    Pokie operators have enormous ability to influence politicians. Donations are a typical method to ensure access, backed up by the “revolving door” of post-politics jobs.

    Politicians also enjoy a stream of freebies from the gambling ecosystem, which allow these businesses to bend the ear of a guest for hours at a time, at lunch, over drinks, or during an event.

    To address this, we need better rules around acceptance of hospitality and gifts. Some states have moved towards such arrangements but there has been little action on the national front.

    5. Another major recommendation from the Murphy committee was the banning of online gambling ads.

    The majority of Australians want it to happen, and gambling ads are banned for almost all other forms of gambling.

    The special treatment for this rapidly growing, highly harmful gambling product makes no sense.

    6. Finally, we need to properly resource research into gambling harm and its prevention.

    Much gambling research (and its conferences) are funded by the gambling ecosystem, either directly or via representative organisations.

    This raises massive conflicts and has lead to a poor evidence base for policy making.

    The time is now

    Anything that stops people getting into trouble with gambling will be opposed by the gambling ecosystem because their best customers are those with the biggest losses.

    But nobody is saying we should do away with gambling.

    The evidence-based ideas above would help people with existing problems, and stop many more from ending up in trouble.

    Gambling is a problem we can solve.

    It does need political effort – but the Albanese government has the political capital to solve this problem.

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

    Angela Rintoul holds a postdoctoral fellowship funded by Suicide Prevention Australia. In the past she has received funding from the Victoria Responsible Gambling Foundation, which was supported by allocations from the Community Support Fund, a government administered trust fund constituted from direct taxes on EGMs in hotels. She has also received funding from the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust and ANROWS. She is a member of the WHO meeting on gambling and received travel funding from the Turkish Green Crescent Society and consultancy funding from WHO. She has been paid to review grants by the British Academic Forum for the Study of Gambling, which administered via Gambling Research Exchange Ontario, funded by regulatory settlements from gambling companies who have breached the law.

    – ref. This 6-point plan can ease Australia’s gambling problems – if our government has the guts – https://theconversation.com/this-6-point-plan-can-ease-australias-gambling-problems-if-our-government-has-the-guts-256442

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Shaheen Introduces Bill to Direct Restoration and Protection Efforts of the 5-State Connecticut River Watershed Region

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen
    (Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) is reintroducing the Connecticut River Watershed Partnership Act (CRWPA), which would formalize a partnership between federal, state, local and private entities to promote conservation, restoration, education and recreation efforts in the Watershed and establish a voluntary grant program to facilitate these activities. This collaborative effort will benefit fish and wildlife habitats, protect drinking water sources, enhance flood resilience and help promote access to the Watershed’s public spaces, particularly for excluded and marginalized communities. U.S. Representative Jim McGovern (MA-02) leads a companion bill in the House of Representatives.
    “The Connecticut River and its watershed are a vibrant part of New England’s landscape, providing habitat for fish and wildlife, supplying safe drinking water for our communities and spurring tourism that contributes to the whole region’s economy,” said Senator Shaheen. “Only by working together at the federal, state and local level can we effectively protect and preserve this critical environmental and economic resource—and that’s just the kind of partnership this legislation would create.”
    The Connecticut River, New England’s longest river, drains a 7.2-million-acre watershed across five New England states: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont. The Watershed is home to 396 communities and provides multiple environmental and economic benefits to diverse stakeholders and industries, including fisheries, farming, hunting, recreation, boating and tourism. The Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge encompasses the entire Watershed and is the only refuge of its kind in the National Wildlife Refuge System.
    Specifically, the CRWPA would:
    Require the Secretary of Interior to establish a non-regulatory Watershed Partnership Program intended to identify, prioritize and implement restoration and protection activities within the Watershed in consultation with federal, state, local and non-profit stakeholders;
    Create a grant and technical assistance program for state and local governments; tribal organizations; nonprofit organizations; institutions of higher education; and other eligible entities for activities in the Watershed;
    Implement a 75% Federal cost share for the grant program, except where the Secretary determines a larger cost share is appropriate; and
    Ensure other activities conducted by the Secretary in the Watershed would supplement, not supplant activities carried out by the partnership program.
    The legislation is supported by a broad coalition of more than 50 public and private organizations throughout New England, including the Connecticut River Watershed Partnership. Along with Shaheen, the legislation is co-sponsored by U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Ed Markey (D-MA), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Peter Welch (D-VT).
    Full bill text is available here.
    Shaheen has led efforts to safeguard our natural environment and invest in climate resiliency while boosting New Hampshire’s recreation economy. Shaheen led the bipartisan Outdoor Recreation Jobs and Economic Impact Act into law to require the federal government to measure the impact of the outdoor recreation on the economy. In November 2024, Shaheen applauded the release of an annual report showing a $1.2 trillion economic contribution by the outdoor recreation sector in 2023, including $3.9 billion in New Hampshire. Shaheen also helped reintroduce the Ski Hill Resources for Economic Development (SHRED) Act to fuel investment in outdoor recreation in national forests that benefits mountain communities.
    Shaheen has also led efforts to help secure full funding and permanent authorization for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), which has helped protect more than 2.5 million acres of land and supported tens of thousands of state and local outdoor recreation projects throughout the nation. In 2020, Shaheen helped lead the Great American Outdoors Act into law to permanently fund the LWCF and provide mandatory funding for deferred maintenance on public lands. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Apache Corporation Tree Grant Program Opens U.S. Applications for 2025-2026 Planting Season

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    HOUSTON, May 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Apache Corporation, a subsidiary of APA Corporation (Nasdaq: APA), today announced the opening of applications for the Apache Corporation Tree Grant Program’s 2025-2026 planting season. To receive tree grants, applicants must be based in the United States.

    Since 2005, the program has partnered with more than 1,000 nonprofit organizations and government agencies across the company’s U.S. operating areas. In 2023, the program surpassed the significant milestone of donating more than 5 million trees to U.S. partners and expanded internationally launching a similar program in Scotland, where the company also operates.

    “We maintain a legacy of supporting land conservation through our environmental stewardship initiatives,” said John J. Christmann IV, Apache’s chief executive officer. “Our award-winning Tree Grant Program is a key part of this as we focus on enhancing public green spaces through reforestation and environmental education. We have worked with a range of partners over the last 20 years to support conservation efforts, whether it is to enrich neighborhoods, preserve natural habitats, or restock areas affected by natural disasters. Our team at Apache is honored to collaborate with our tree grant partners to create a more sustainable world for future generations.”

    The program is open to U.S.-based nonprofit organizations and government agencies in Texas and Louisiana. Grant recipients must request a minimum of 50 one-gallon, three-gallon or five-gallon trees per project or a minimum of 1,000 bareroot seedlings. Additionally, recipients must agree to receive all awarded trees in a single delivery and are required to provide ongoing care and maintenance of the trees. Grant awards will be announced Oct. 1, 2025, and all trees must be received and planted or distributed no later than May 31, 2026.

    Last season, Apache donated more than 134,000 trees to 52 nonprofit partner organizations in the U.S., including carbon mitigation efforts with Houston Wilderness, an alliance of business, environmental and government interests protecting the Gulf Coast ecoregion, and In Alpine, Texas, BBCA is a nonprofit organization that serves local wildlife by nurturing relationships within shared environments to create inclusive, equitable and just approaches to conservation with communities in the region. The company also partnered with TPWD has provided outdoor recreational opportunities by managing and protecting wildlife, parklands and historic areas that are essential to the natural and cultural resources of Texas.

    For more information and to apply to the 2025-2026 Apache Tree Grant Program, please visit www.apachelovestrees.com to submit an application by the July 13, 2025, deadline. To view the Apache Tree Grant Program video and learn more, click here.

    About Apache

    Apache Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of APA Corporation (Nasdaq: APA), is an oil and gas exploration and production company with operations in the United States, Egypt and the United Kingdom. Apache’s parent corporation, APA Corporation, posts announcements, operational updates, investor information and press releases on its websitewww.apacorp.com.

    About Apache Corporation Tree Grant Program

    Founded in 2005, the Apache Corporation Tree Grant Program is a philanthropic initiative of Apache Corporation that donates trees to nonprofits and government entities in the company’s operational areas. The program focuses on grants that support large-scale conservation, protection of habitats for wildlife and native species, as well as the restoration and enhancement of public greenspaces. This award-winning environmental stewardship initiative has provided more than 5 million trees to over 1,000 to qualified partners in the U.S. In addition to the development and improvement of public parks and greenspaces, community partners often request trees to support a broad range of conservation efforts, including preservation of natural habitats and reforestation. To learn more about the program, visit www.apachelovestrees.com.

    APA-T

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New Lord Mayor of Westminster Elected at Full Council | Westminster City Council

    Source: City of Westminster

    Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg has been elected the new Right Worshipful Lord Mayor of Westminster following a vote at Full Council tonight (14th May).

    Speaking at the Mayor Making event held at Marylebone Town Hall, Cllr Dimoldenberg said:

    It is a huge honour and a privilege to serve as Lord Mayor; the culmination of my political career. We are lucky that so many different communities call Westminster their home and it will be a privilege to represent them all as their First Citizen. I hope during my time as Lord Mayor, I can meet as many people and communities as possible in all parts of Westminster”.

    Cllr Dimoldenberg has represented Hyde Park Ward since May 2022. He was first elected to Westminster City Council to represent Harrow Road Ward from 1982 to 1990 and was later elected to represent Queen’s Park Ward from 1997 to 2022. From 2022 to 2025, he was Cabinet Member for City Management and Air Quality, having previously been the Opposition’s City Management spokesperson. He was also the Leader of the Opposition from 1987-1990 and from 2004-2015, and has served on a wide range of committees, including as Chair of the Education Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

    He has chosen two charities to support throughout the year. These are the Avenues Youth Project a youth centre in Queens Park and Hotel School who provide training in the hospitality industry to those who have experienced homelessness. His chosen consorts for the mayoral year will be his wife Linda and two daughters, Amelia and Zoe. 

    Upon election, the new Lord Mayor said:

    I chose the Avenues Youth Project as one of my charities as I have known the organisation for over 25 years and am a strong supporter of the great work they do with young people in North Paddington.”

    “Hotel School is my other charity choice. I heard the founder, Jeremy Goring, give an inspirational talk about the practical ways in which Hotel School helps homeless and other vulnerable people learn the skills to build a career in the hospitality industry.”

    In his spare time, the Lord Mayor enjoys going to the cinema and theatre, watching Manchester United, and listening to jazz and brass band music. An avid historian, the new Lord Mayor has written five books on British and local Westminster political history. Born in Manchester, he moved to Westminster in 1973 and has been involved in Westminster politics ever since.

    During his term, he plans to be ‘the walking Lord Mayor’ with a programme of walks promoting environmental and personal wellbeing and encouraging residents to explore and learn more about their local area.

    At the special Full Council service, the Lord Mayor presented Cllr Robert Rigby with an illuminated Vote of Thanks together with a past Lord Mayor’s badge and a past Lady Mayoress badge to Emiko Murai Rigby.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: King Lashes Out at Administration’s Decision to Cut Critical Research Budgets

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Maine Angus King
    WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME), in a hearing of the Energy and Natural Resource (ENR) Committee, pressed Connor Prochaska, nominee to serve as the Director of Advanced Research Projects Agency within the Department of Energy, and Dr. Ned Mamula to serve as the Director of U.S. Geological Survey within the Department of the Interior, on extreme budget cuts impacting critical research programs at both departments. During his exchange with Prochaska, Senator King repeatedly asked him to justify drastic budget cuts to the Advanced Research Project Agency for Energy (ARPA-E) after he touted the value of its work, and grilled him on the Trump Administration’s attacks on renewable energy sources such as wind and solar.
    “One of the sages of New England, Ralph Waldo Emerson said, ‘what you do speak so loudly that I cannot hear what you say.’ I have never been at a hearing where what’s being done is at such variance with what is being said. Mr. Prochaska, you waxed eloquent about the talented and dedicated staff of ARPA-E and all the great work that they’ve done. Their budget’s being cut by 57%. How do you justify all this nice talk about what you’re going to do when your agency’s being cut more than in half? You can talk until you’re blue in the face, but what speaks here is 57% cut. Tell me. And you went through your entire testimony, all of your answers to your questions, until you got to Senator Cortez-Masto, and never once mentioned renewables, the fastest growing, cheapest source of electricity in the United States today. And let me read from the budget document, ‘green new scam technologies are not supported.’ That’s in the ARPA-E budget document, green new scam technology are not supported. That means no renewables, right? You’ve got an order from the President of the United States, no renewables. Is that correct,” began Senator King.
    “That is not correct,” said Prochaska.
    “So what? What does he mean? Green, new scam technologies. He’s talking about solar and wind. Everybody knows that,” replied Senator King.
    “Senator, I can’t opine on what the definition of that language is. I can commit to, if confirmed, that the ARPA-E and the portfolio that we investigate and we look into will include all technologies,” Prochaska responded.
    “So, it was just a coincidence that when you listed the technologies, the nearest you got to renewables was a mention of geothermal. You never mentioned solar and wind, and you use the code word reliable, which is a new code word for we don’t like solar and wind because they’re intermittent, but as you indicated in your answer to Senator Cortez-Masto, when you have batteries with solar and wind, it’s base load. Is that correct,” asked Senator King.
    “Senator, it very well could be. It depends on the situation. But the portfolio that we will investigate will include all technologies and reliable is important to the energy that we need for the future, to fund some of the some of the emerging technologies that we’ve talked about,” Prochaska replied.
    “I appreciate what you’re saying here. What I’m going to watch is what you do. Understood, budgets are policy, and this budget, the policy of this budget, is a drastic cut, a drastic cut, more than half in the in ARPA-E, I think, one of the most important agencies the United States government. It’s where fracking started. The shale revolution started with research funds for the Department of Energy, and we’re talking about a more than half cut. So, I’m going to watch what you do and not what you say,” concluded Senator King.
    Later in the hearing, Senator King raised his concerns to Dr. Mamula about the Trump Administration’s attempts to downsize the U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS) biology and hydrology research, including the stream gauge program which provides data on river and stream flow that is critical to ensure adequate water supply and safety. During the exchange, Dr. Mamula refused to provide satisfactory answers about his familiarity with the Administration’s slashes to the USGS’ budget.
    “Now, Mr. Mamula, you talked about the importance of data and science and all of those kinds of things. And yet, there have been reports in the last few weeks that biological research in the in the USGS is being cut entirely, and 25 water science centers, which are stream gages measuring storms. I get the feeling this is like, if we don’t measure anything on climate change, it will go away. Is that what’s going on here,” asked Senator King.
    “I don’t think so, Senator, thanks for the question. Let’s discuss it. Again, I’m not at the survey, but I want to take a look, if confirmed, I want to go out and look at each and every single program, its budget and cuts proposed,” replied Dr. Mamula.
    “Somebody has already done that and cut your budget 37% before you even walk in the door. Assuming Congress agrees, which I hope they won’t,” said Senator King.
    “Yeah, I don’t know about that either, but I’m not familiar. But the program, the contents of the program that has a cut associated with it, I’m not familiar. I don’t know what’s in, what’s being cut,” responded Dr. Mamula.
    “I thought you’re pretty familiar with USGS,” questioned Senator King.
    “I am, but I don’t know what —,” said Dr. Mamula.
    “Do you believe it’s appropriate to cut all of their biological research programs,” pressed Senator King.
    “Well, I have to see what they’re talking about, if they’re talking about,” replied Dr. Mamula.
    “All means all as I understand it,” finished Senator King.
    As a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Senator King has advocated for climate solutions that deliver on the clean energy potential of the historic Inflation Reduction Act. He has repeatedly emphasized the importance of permitting reform to deliver carefully considered, timely approvals of sorely-needed clean energy projects. Senator King has also been one of the Senate’s most vocal advocates for improving energy storage technologies and development and worked to include significant storage investments in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act. Earlier this year, Senator King reiterated the importance of an “all of the above” energy policy strategy during an ENR hearing considering the nominations of Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum. In a recent ENR hearing, he received agreement from two nominees to prioritize renewable energy storage technology.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Milestone for Naver bridge project

    Source: Scotland – Highland Council

    Works on the Naver Bridge replacement scheme, on the A836 section of the North Coast 500 route near Bettyhill, have reached a major milestone this week with the completion of the in-river works.

    This includes all piling works for the bridge foundations, and enables the contractor, Wills Bros Civil Engineering Ltd, to continue with the remaining foundation and bridge superstructure works throughout the summer months.

    All equipment associated with the piling works, such as piling rig and support cranes, are now off site.

    Chair of The Highland Council’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee, Councillor Ken Gowans said: “I am delighted to see progress on this vital transport link – a major north coast project which demonstrates our commitment to improving the infrastructure in rural areas of Highland.”

    The next phases of the scheme involves the construction of the bridge abutments and piers, with the main bridge beams due to be delivered to site towards the end of the year.

    Road makeup, utility diversion and retaining wall construction works will also progress alongside the bridge construction works.

    This milestone was achieved with the unwavering support of all stakeholders, particularly the River Naver Fisheries and Naver District Salmon Fisheries Board, who have worked with the project team to support the scheme and complete the in-river works.

    Without stakeholder support, delivery of the works would be infinitely more difficult.

    Works are planned to continue throughout year, with bridge construction, utility diversion, road construction and landscaping works due to be completed and open to traffic by Summer 2026. Demolition of the existing bridge structure is scheduled for the in-river working window in November 2026, enabling full project completion by December 2026.

    Highland Council appreciates the impact these works are having on the local community and North Coast 500 traffic, particularly as we approach the busier summer months.

    The works will be managed with a view to introducing as little disruption as possible.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK advocates clean energy development in Guatemala

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    World news story

    UK advocates clean energy development in Guatemala

    An official from the UK’s Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) engaged with stakeholders in Guatemala to advance energy transition.

    Mitchell Lloyd, Senior Policy Advisor on International Energy Transition at DENZ visited Guatemala 12-14 May.  He met with the General Directorate of Energy at the Ministry of Energy and Mines, other government departments, private sector and international financing institutions developing clean energy initiatives in Guatemala.

    The discussions included a series of topics ranging from the need to galvanize global and local leadership and foster international cooperation on a clean energy transition, to unlocking clean growth, job opportunities and build robust clean energy supply chains.

    Guatemala has significant potential to develop clean energy projects, with a renewable capacity potential of 3,700 MW that could be integrated into the country’s electricity grid between 2024 and 2040. This includes various sources such as solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal energy.

    The visit supports the UK’s government mission to become a clean energy superpower, protecting households from unstable fossil fuel markets, including coal, while at the same time unlocking job opportunities at home and abroad for the clean energy sector.

    Updates to this page

    Published 14 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Managing risk-reduction even in times of crisis: UK Statement to the OSCE

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Speech

    Managing risk-reduction even in times of crisis: UK Statement to the OSCE

    Ambassador Holland reiterates the UK’s support to Ukraine, calls on Russia to end its war and to use this unique Forum for risk-reduction, even in crisis.

    Thank you Madam Chair, dear Kaja, and to the Secretary General, for setting out Estonia’s priorities for the Forum for Security Co-operation this Trimester.  You can count on the UK’s continued support, as you chair our Forum at this crucial time for Euro-Atlantic Security. 

    Madam Chair, as we know, the FSC’s mandate is broad and has rightly evolved over decades.  In 1996, our Heads of State and Government adopted a Decision tasking the Forum to manage “preventive diplomacy, crisis management and post-conflict rehabilitation”.  In the 1996 Budapest Document, Ministers tasked the FSC with: “tackling regional security problems (including crises) flexibly in ways appropriate to each case”.  So not only did our Ministers mandate the Forum to manage risk-reduction, they also saw value in our politico-military dialogue continuing even in times of crisis.   

    The OSCE has an extensive acquis and toolkit to do this work.  But it relies on political will to be effective.  Participating States have used the toolkit, including transparency mechanisms, to offer de-escalation.  For example, by Georgia in 2008, by Ukraine – twenty times – in 2014, and again by Ukraine in 2022.  As these examples proved, transparency mechanisms can offer a ladder to defuse a situation or at least an early warning indicator.  But no tool can substitute for the political will required to de-escalate.  Especially if that State has decided to invade, as Russia’s actions have shown so clearly. 

    Madam Chair, the Code of Conduct commits us to act in solidarity if OSCE norms and commitments are violated.  As catalogued by the OSCE Moscow Mechanisms, ODIHR and UN, there is irrefutable independent evidence of Russia violating international law.  As per the Code, such breaches are a “direct and legitimate” concern for us all.  

    That is why our weekly statements will continue reiterating our support for Ukraine and calling for Russia to end its war and return to abiding by the UN Charter and the Helsinki Final Act.  That is why we welcome Estonia’s three Security Dialogue topics on the Code of Conduct; Women, Peace & Security; and protection of children in armed conflicts, keeping a focus on Russia’s invasion.  That is also why we will keep on using this Forum and its tools to execute our mandate, including on risk-reduction and voluntary briefs on military exercises. 

    Madam Chair, our Ministers mandated the Forum to hold a weekly politico-military dialogue in order to execute our vital mandate.  We can only do that if we respect the Forum and meet weekly to fulfil, not to frustrate, its work. 

    I wish to conclude by welcoming Finland to the FSC Troika, and to thank Denmark for their work as they leave the Troika.  And most importantly, I wish you, Madam Chair, and your able teams here in Vienna and in Tallinn the best of luck this Trimester.  You can count on the support of the UK delegation.

    Updates to this page

    Published 14 May 2025

    Invasion of Ukraine

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Worcester Man Pleads Guilty to Drug Distribution Conspiracy

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Defendant attempted to receive one kilogram of cocaine in package mailed from Puerto Rico

    BOSTON – A Worcester man pleaded guilty yesterday to his role in a cocaine distribution conspiracy.

    Hector Torres, 33, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and one count of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. U.S. District Court Judge Margaret R. Guzman scheduled sentencing for Aug. 26, 2025. Torres was indicted by a federal grand jury in November 2023.

    In or about June 2022, a package sent from Puerto Rico to Worcester found to contain approximately 6.5 kilograms of cocaine was intercepted. On June 21, 2022, law enforcement executed a controlled delivery of the package. While accepting the delivered package, Torres apologized for not being there earlier, took the package, and set it on the ground in order to sign for delivery. When law enforcement attempted to arrest Torres, he fled on foot and was subsequently apprehended.

    The charges of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and conspiracy to do the same each provide for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 40 years in prison, at least four years of supervised release and a fine of up to $5 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

    United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge for Homeland Security Investigations in New England; Colonel Geoffrey D. Noble, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and Worcester Police Chief Paul B. Saucier made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kaitlin J. Brown of the Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Universities and social care depend on immigration. The UK government’s plans could be an economic own goal

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Tom Montgomery, Lecturer in Work and Organisations, University of Stirling

    James Jiao/Shutterstock

    The recent launch of plans to reform the UK’s immigration system reflects the government’s effort to regain the initiative on this issue. But looking at the finer detail of migration to the UK shows restrictions introduced by the previous government, particularly around visas for social care workers and international students, have already led to fewer people arriving in the UK.

    What’s more, these latest proposals risk worsening crises in these key sectors. In adult social care and higher education, accelerating the decline in the numbers of migrants could create, rather than solve, problems for the government.

    The government argues there is a need to move away from the reliance on migrant workers in the UK’s adult social care sector. It has announced the closure of a visa route to new applications.

    But in its new white paper laying out its policy changes, the government acknowledges that following the tightening of the health and care worker visa route (particularly in terms of bringing dependants to the UK) the number of these visas granted for both main applicants and dependants fell by 68% in 2024 compared to the previous year. This means that, even before any new restrictions, fewer workers were arriving to plug the staffing shortages in the sector.

    Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK’s latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences.

    Keir Starmer’s government rightly points out that there have been longstanding issues of recruitment and retention in the social care sector across the UK. After all, it is often associated with poor pay and conditions.

    The government also highlights initiatives to address worker shortages, such as the independent commission into adult social care as well as proposed fair pay agreements. But care sector bodies such as Care England say the measures will not arrive in time and that international recruitment is being cut off before a solution is in place.

    Trade unions in the sector, including Unison, have also highlighted how migrant workers have been crucial for the sustainability of delivering care across the UK.

    Pay remains stubbornly low in the social care sector.
    Pressmaster/Shutterstock

    This points to the potential destabilising effect the white paper may have for a sector already in crisis. Attracting UK citizens to work in social care will also be difficult considering the stubbornly low pay for what can be a challenging job.

    Added to this, opportunities for pay progression are often limited. Care workers in England with five or more years’ experience are on average earning only around 10p more per hour than those with less than a year of experience. Research also indicates how attracting young people to a career in care is particularly difficult.

    The crisis in higher education

    Just as Starmer could blame the crisis in social care on the previous government, the same could be said for the emergency that is engulfing higher education.

    Over the past 15 years there has been a clear shift in the balance of funding for universities away from government grants and towards income from fees. Fee income from international students has been declining, especially since January 2024 in part due a tightening of restrictions by the previous government, such as students bringing family members with them.

    Debates around funding in the sector are taking place against the backdrop of institutions across the UK facing budget deficits and announcements of thousands of redundancies.

    The UK sector is clearly in a fragile state, and dependent on income from overseas students. But the government has indicated it wants to tighten requirements for recruiting international students and reduce students’ ability to remain in the UK after their studies to 18 months.

    It is also exploring a levy on UK higher education providers’ income from international students. These moves were said to be in response to the “misuse and exploitation” of student visas.

    These new measures have understandably caused alarm in the sector. Many institutions are still trying to convince students from around the world that the UK should be their destination for study, particularly when political developments may have made the US less attractive.

    Representatives such as the sector body Universities UK have asked the government to consider the damage a levy could do to the appeal of the UK higher education market. The University and College Union has also warned that moves to deter international students could lead to UK “universities going under”.

    In these ways, the white paper may have sought to see off political challenge, but it could instead expose the government to risk. The restrictions proposed in the white paper in relation to social care and higher education could easily worsen the crises in these sectors.

    Thousands of redundancies in the higher education sector and the shrinking of these institutions could also have a huge negative effect on local economies across the UK given the economic benefits that universities bring.

    And the measures will also have implications for Wales and Scotland, both due to hold elections next year. Recent polling indicates that support for pro-independence parties is surging, as Plaid Cymru and the SNP position themselves as the counterweight to further restrictions on immigration

    The immigration white paper has been an effort by the prime minister and his advisers to seize short-term political advantage. In the long term it could prove to be an economic own goal.

    Tom Montgomery works in higher education. He has conducted research on issues of social care, migration and labour markets that has been funded by the European Commission.

    – ref. Universities and social care depend on immigration. The UK government’s plans could be an economic own goal – https://theconversation.com/universities-and-social-care-depend-on-immigration-the-uk-governments-plans-could-be-an-economic-own-goal-256707

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –