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Category: Universities

  • MIL-Evening Report: These 3 arguments are part of the long game in Trump’s trade wars

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Markus Wagner, Professor of Law and Director of the UOW Transnational Law and Policy Centre, University of Wollongong

    Since returning to office in January, US President Donald Trump has doubled down on using trade measures – mostly tariffs – to reshape global trade. He plans to impose reciprocal tariffs on what he has labelled “Liberation Day”, April 2.

    The Trump administration claims US producers face higher tariffs and more restrictions abroad than foreign producers when they export to the US.

    The administration also examined tax systems such as Europe’s Value Added Tax and Australia’s GST, import regulations and other factors. It believes – mostly wrongly – these unfairly disadvantage American businesses and contribute to the US trade deficit.

    As with many Trump initiatives, actual tariffs often change significantly between announcement and implementation, if they are implemented at all.

    His reciprocal tariffs have been narrowed to imports from the US’ largest trading partners instead of imports from all countries. There may also be tariffs on specific sectors. Last week, Trump announced 25% tariffs on cars from overseas. At the weekend said he “couldn’t care less” if this made cars more expensive for US consumers.

    Coercive control, revenue and re-shoring

    President Trump has raised a myriad of puzzling arguments in favour of tariffs. They largely fall into three categories:

    The first is the use of tariffs as a coercion tool against other countries. In the first Trump presidency, trading partners were pressured to renegotiate trade agreements such as the renamed but largely identical US-Mexico-Canada agreement.

    Similarly, the Trump administration used the threat of tariffs to gain market access, elicit better trade terms or as a form of weaponised trade to achieve unrelated foreign policy goals.

    Last week, Trump suggested he would consider a reduction in tariffs on China in exchange for a sale of TikTok by its Chinese owner.

    The second category is the use of tariffs as a source of revenue. The Trump administration envisions tariffs to be collected by a yet-to-be-created External Revenue Service. This would form the flip side of the powerful and much-maligned Internal Revenue Service.

    Trump claims tariffs will be paid by the exporting country. This would be in theory to finance future tax cuts. In practice, tariffs are almost always paid by the importer of goods and usually get passed on to consumers.

    There is a potential contradiction between these two rationales. It appears the Trump administration wants to make at least some tariffs permanent. But doing so would almost nullify the use of tariffs as a bargaining chip and coercion tool.

    The final category is to encourage companies to “re-shore” production to the US to avoid tariffs and to support US jobs.

    This would signal a reversal of what 1994 presidential candidate Ross Perot, speaking of the North American Free Trade Agreement, called the “giant sucking sound going south”. Some manufacturing may return to the US. But the high costs of building new factories, re-routing supply chains and uncompetitive US labour costs will hinder large-scale re-shoring efforts.

    A long-term plan?

    The Trump administration’s trade moves can be seen as part of a larger strategy to reshape the US domestic and the global economic system.

    In a recent speech, US Vice-President JD Vance argued for a structural reshaping of the US economy, to increase domestic innovation capacity.

    Vance warned “deindustrialisation poses risks both to our national security and our workforce”. Vance himself sums up this approach by characterising tariffs as a “necessary tool to protect our jobs and our industries”.

    This line of argument overlooks a number of critical factors. Tariffs lead to higher prices for consumers. Unless currencies adjust, the inflationary impact could disadvantage the very people that can least afford it.

    The same is true if other countries respond to US trade measures by responding in kind, as Canada and the European Union already have.

    American farmers and other export-oriented industries will be hard hit. From a strategic perspective, the US position as global leader has suffered a severe blow. Some countries are openly pivoting to its geopolitical and economic rival, China.

    If this scenario comes to pass, the US pullback – an outright withdrawal is unlikely – from the highly integrated international trading system might end up a more chaotic version of the UK’s pursuit of Brexit.

    A step back in time

    The world of liberalised trade that followed the end of the Cold War in 1990 is ending. Countries will turn inwards, prioritising their economic security and resilience. The costs of this turn away from multilateralism and international institutions, however, are not just economic.

    The close economic integration we have witnessed post-1990 has led to reduced uncertainty in international economic relations, increased international security and greater prosperity.

    A return of the “beggar thy neighbour” policies of the 1930s would be a dangerous path, with the world inching closer to the abyss. “Liberation Day” might push the world over the edge.



    Read more:
    What are non-tariff barriers – and why is agriculture so exposed?

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

    – ref. These 3 arguments are part of the long game in Trump’s trade wars – https://theconversation.com/these-3-arguments-are-part-of-the-long-game-in-trumps-trade-wars-252516

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: The best space telescope you never heard of just shut down

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Laura Nicole Driessen, Postdoctoral Researcher in Radio Astronomy, University of Sydney

    ESA / Gaia / DPAC, CC BY-SA

    On Thursday 27 March, the European Space Agency (ESA) sent its last messages to the Gaia Spacecraft. They told Gaia to shut down its communication systems and central computer and said goodbye to this amazing space telescope.

    Gaia has been the most successful ESA space mission ever, so why did they turn Gaia off? What did Gaia achieve? And perhaps most importantly, why was it my favourite space telescope?

    Running on empty

    Gaia was retired for a simple reason: after more than 11 years in space, it ran out of the cold gas propellant it needed to keep scanning the sky.

    The telescope did its last observation on 15 January 2025. The ESA team then performed testing for a few weeks, before telling Gaia to leave its home at a point in space called L2 and start orbiting the Sun away from Earth.

    L2 is one of five “Lagrangian points” around Earth and the Sun where gravitational conditions make for a nice, stable orbit. L2 is located 1.5 million kilometres from Earth on the “dark side”, opposite the Sun.

    L2 is a highly prized location because it’s a stable spot to orbit, it’s close enough to Earth for easy communication, and spacecraft can use the Sun behind them for solar power while looking away from the Sun out into space.

    It’s also too far away from Earth to send anyone on a repair mission, so once your spacecraft gets there it’s on its own.

    Keeping L2 clear

    L2 currently hosts the James Webb Space Telescope (operated by the USA, Europe and Canada), the European Euclid mission, the Chinese Chang’e 6 orbiter and the joint Russian-German Spektr-RG observatory. Since L2 is such a key location for space missions, it’s essential to keep it clear of debris and retired spacecraft.

    A final status update from Gaia.
    ESA, CC BY-SA

    Gaia used its thrusters for the last time to push itself away from L2, and is now drifting around the Sun in a “retirement orbit” where it won’t get in anybody’s way.

    As part of the retirement process, the Gaia team wrote farewell messages into the craft’s software and sent it the names of around 1,500 people who worked on Gaia over the years.

    What is Gaia?

    Gaia looks a bit like a spinning top hat in space. Its main mission was to produce a detailed, three-dimensional map of our galaxy, the Milky Way.

    To do this, it measured the precise positions and motions of 1.46 billion objects in space. Gaia also measured brightnesses and variability and those data were used to provide temperatures, gravitational parameters, stellar types and more for millions of stars. One of the key pieces of information Gaia provided was the distance to millions of stars.

    A cosmic measuring tape

    I’m a radio astronomer, which means I use radio telescopes here on Earth to explore the Universe. Radio light is the longest wavelength of light, invisible to human eyes, and I use it to investigate magnetic stars.

    But even though I’m a radio astronomer and Gaia was an optical telescope, looking at the same wavelengths of light our eyes can see, I use Gaia data almost every single day.

    I used it today to find out how far away, how bright, and how fast a star was. Before Gaia, I would probably never have known how far away that star was.

    This is essential for figuring out how bright the stars I study really are, which helps me understand the physics of what’s happening in and around them.

    A huge success

    Gaia has contributed to thousands of articles in astronomy journals. Papers released by the Gaia collaboration have been cited well over 20,000 times in total.

    Gaia has produced too many science results to share here. To take just one example, Gaia improved our understanding of the structure of our own galaxy by showing that it has multiple spiral arms that are less sharply defined than we previously thought.

    Not really the end for Gaia

    It’s difficult to express how revolutionary Gaia has been for astronomy, but we can let the numbers speak for themselves. Around five astronomy journal articles are published every day that use Gaia data, making Gaia the most successful ESA mission ever. And that won’t come to a complete stop when Gaia retires.

    The Gaia collaboration has published three data releases so far. This is where the collaboration performs the processing and checks on the data, adds some important analysis and releases all of that in one big hit.

    And luckily, there are two more big data releases with even more information to come. The fourth data release is expected in mid to late 2026. The fifth and final data release, containing all of the Gaia data from the whole mission, will come out sometime in the 2030s.

    This article is my own small tribute to a telescope that changed astronomy as we know it. So I will end by saying a huge thank you to everyone who has ever worked on this amazing space mission, whether it was engineering and operations, turning the data into the amazing resource it is, or any of the other many jobs that make a mission successful. And thank you to those who continue to work on the data as we speak.

    Finally, thank you to my favourite space telescope. Goodbye, Gaia, I’ll miss you.

    Laura Nicole Driessen is an ambassador for the Orbit Centre of Imagination at the Rise and Shine Kindergarten, in Sydney’s Inner West.

    – ref. The best space telescope you never heard of just shut down – https://theconversation.com/the-best-space-telescope-you-never-heard-of-just-shut-down-253343

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: NSU scientists have used a CT scanner to study ancient bone knives for the first time beyond the Urals

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –

    In the Laboratory of Nuclear and Innovative Medicine Physics Department of NSU Research is being conducted on archaeological finds from the collections of the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences using a computer tomograph. Until recently, this device was used by the laboratory’s research staff in preclinical studies of neuron capture therapy to examine animals and solve similar problems. However, the technical capabilities of the computer tomograph allow us to study not only biological but also non-biological objects. Currently, computer tomography is being performed on composite bone and horn tools from the late Pleistocene-early Holocene.

    Composite tools – in this case knives, arrowheads and spearheads – made using insert technology. They are a horn or bone base with grooves cut along the edges, into which cutting elements are successively attached – sharp, elongated knife-shaped stone plates. They are fixed in the grooves using glue of plant or animal origin: resin, tar, bone glue, honey or clay. Such tools appeared in Eastern Siberia about 15 thousand years ago and in a short time became widespread throughout its territory.

    The project of the junior researcher at the Institute of Archeology and Ethnography of the SB RAS Ekaterina Bocharova, who received the support of the RNF grant (No. 25-79-30002), is aimed at a comprehensive study of composite bone and horn tools using the most modern methods, among which computer tomography is important. At the moment, the study has no analogues in Russian or foreign archaeological studies. Scientists seek to obtain fundamentally new information about the technology for the manufacture of composite tools with stone inserts, their use and repair. Researchers plan to reconstruct these processes using modern methods such as three -dimensional scanning and CT. The data obtained during the project will allow you to study at a higher scientific level to study the technological and cultural features of the archaeological complexes of the late Pleistocene – the initial holocene in Eastern Siberia, as well as to explore the mobility of the ancient population and the processes of transmission of technologies and ideas. But for this, it is necessary to obtain high -quality models of the inner surface of the grooves of the studied tools, which is possible only with the help of high -precision three -dimensional scanning and computed tomography. More recently, this was not possible, since the conduct of research of non -biological objects on computer tomographs, which have medical centers, medical institutions and clinics, is prohibited at the legislative level. Last year, a laboratory -class microtomograph appeared at the Institute of Archeology and Ethnography of the SB RAS, but very small samples can be explored on it. Bone knives with 15 cm long for him are too large.

    – When we started preclinical studies on a computer tomograph in the framework of neutron -grinding therapy and hyperthermia on animal models, there were proposals to use this device to study non -biological objects – various archaeological artifacts and bone structures. Scientists of the Institute of Archeology and Ethnography of the SB RAS proposed conducting computed tomography of bone and stone tools from their funds. Such studies in our laboratory were carried out for the first time, but their quality turned out to be quite high. Now we have in joint plans – large -scale work on in -depth tomographic research of archaeological finds that have been accumulated by scientists of the IAET of the SB RAS for many decades. The benefits of these works are mutual: employees of the NSU Lihs master new competencies, and archaeologists receive a unique opportunity to study ancient artifacts using tomography. Of course, many medical institutions are equipped with computer tomographs, however, their use is prohibited at the legislative level to study non -biological objects. In our case, there are no such restrictions: our tomograph is the only one in Siberia and the Far East, permitted for scientific research. We are ready to cooperate with scientists who need this method. The strategy and concept of our Center for Tomographic Studies of the NSU is to eliminate this gap in science-in providing researchers with the opportunity to use CT-methodics to study artifacts and other objects that previously remained outside the tomographic analysis zone, ”said Vladimir Kanygin, head of the LEGU, NSU.  

    Researchers at the tomography department of the NSU Laboratory of Mathematical Analysis believe that it is much easier to work with non-living samples. There is no need for anesthesia, the introduction of a contrast agent, or the work of anesthesiologists, which is necessary when studying animals.

    — The samples are placed on the tomograph table in the order determined by the archaeologists: either as individual objects or as part of a composition studied as a whole. Then, together with the archaeologists, the obtained data is analyzed — mainly with the aim of studying the internal structures and identifying changes that cannot be seen with the naked eye. Ultimately, we provide a full information package, including three-dimensional reconstructions created by our equipment, — Vladimir Kanygin explained.

    Tomographic studies provide scientists with valuable information about archaeological objects that cannot be obtained using other research methods. The image of the object is scanned in three projections. It can be rotated, zoomed in, zoomed in, and broken down into fragments. The physical parameters of the image can be used to determine the material it is made of — stone, bone — or at least get as close to the answer as possible.

    — In the process of scanning objects, we obtain thin-section images based on X-ray examination and then create its reconstructions — both two-dimensional and three-dimensional — allowing us to see finer internal structures without damaging the samples. Based on this data, we can say what substances or their combinations a particular structure consists of, whether it is monolithic or folding, whether there is an adhesive composition that holds its parts together, or they are held due to the tightness of the fit. We can also reliably establish the shape and size parameters of the grooves of composite tools, examine internal microcracks and their direction. Based on this data, archaeologists will be able to establish the purpose of the object: household, hunting, combat or ritual. It is even possible to determine whether the weapon was used in battle, or was lost immediately after production, — explained radiologist, senior lecturer at the Institute of Medicine and Medical Technologies of NSU Lyubov Vasilkiv.

    Composite insert tools, according to scientists, are considered universal because their owner, when going hunting or into battle, did not have to carry several monolithic stone tools of similar purpose with the expectation that they would break. Instead, he could carry many small and light pointed replaceable stone plates, and quickly repair the tool as needed, replacing broken inserts with new ones.

    — Tools with replaceable inserts gave ancient people more mobility. Such tools were more convenient to use than simple stone knives or tips. As part of the project, we take a new look at composite tools. Using tomographic images, we will be able to look “inside” the object: accurately determine the shape of the groove and track its changes along the entire length, as well as measure, for example, the depth of the grooves or the angles of convergence of the sides. This data will help us determine how and with what tool the groove could have been cut. In addition, we plan to make replicas of such tools and try to model different options for their use. And then compare CT images of experimental and archaeological tools: what microdamages occur and from what action. The use of new, digital methods allows us to obtain new information about how the tool was made and how it was used, — said Ekaterina Bocharova.

    For the research, the scientists formed a sample of composite tools from the late Pleistocene-early Holocene industries of Eastern Siberia from several sites: Kazachka, Ust-Keul, Ust-Edarma (Northern Angana), Ust-Kyakhty-3 (Transbaikalia). For comparison, composite tools from the early Holocene complex of the Kaminnaya site (Altai), the Chernoozerye site (Western Siberia), the Gorbunovsky peat bog sites (Middle Trans-Urals), as well as materials from museum collections will be studied.

    — The use of computer tomography in archaeology in Siberia has not yet become widespread, which opens up great opportunities for technological research. Since inanimate objects are being studied, new tomographic approaches can be developed, various scanning modes can be tested, and device options that are rarely used in medical research can be used. As practice has shown, a number of available tomograph modes allow such studies to be carried out with technical novelty, which makes them especially valuable for archaeological science, — said Vladimir Kanygin.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: ‘Furious kickback against equality’ must end, UN chief tells women activists as conference adopts landmark declaration

    Source: United Nations 4

    “A surge in misogyny, and a furious kickback against equality threaten to slam on the brakes, and push progress into reverse,” he said.

    “Let me be clear: This is unacceptable, immoral, and self-defeating. We must stop it – and we must stop it together.”

    The event, marking 30 years since the Beijing Declaration and 25 years since the landmark Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security, saw civil society leaders raise concerns about shrinking civic space, underfunding of feminist movements and rising gender-based violence.

    Backsliding on rights

    While acknowledging progress in maternal health and education, the Secretary-General warned that hard-won gains are at risk.

    “Women’s organizations and civil society played a major role in securing those gains. I applaud your efforts. Yet, women and girls still face an appalling array of wrongs,” he said.

    The threats facing women’s rights defenders were a major concern. “Around the world, women’s rights defenders face harassment, threats and violence – even murder.”

    “They face shrinking civil space and shrinking funds. The result: the erosion of rights and a deficit of accountability,” he warned.

    Linda Sestock of the Canadian Federation of University Women asked the UN chief how civil society could be better integrated into CSW negotiations.

    Mr. Guterres acknowledged the challenge, noting that “power is never given, it must be taken” and urged feminist movements to mobilise.

    Power and parity

    The Secretary-General emphasised the structural inequalities that persist. “We still live in a male-dominated world with a male-dominated culture,” he said.

    Highlighting progress within the UN system, he stated that “the UN system has reached, and sustained, gender parity at leadership level.”

    Women now hold 53 per cent of senior management positions, though he admitted challenges remain in field offices in conflict zones, where representation is lower.

    Speakers also highlighted male dominance in technology and engineering.

    “Clear male predominance in areas like technologies, engineering and mathematics (…) can be seen in many of the algorithms produced by the tech industry being biased against women,” he noted.

    Funding gaps

    A representative from the youth movement Restless Development called for dedicated funding for young feminists, particularly those living in conflict zones.

    “True inclusion requires co-creation, dedicated funding and decision-making power for young people at every level,” she said.

    The Secretary-General agreed, pointing to the limited resources available. “Let’s be clear, the Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund has raised $100 million since 2023 for this purpose, which is completely insufficient to support adequately the civil society.”

    Civil society leaders pressed for concrete commitments, urging the UN and Member States to revitalise CSW by decentralising consultations and improving accessibility, and guarantee sustainable funding for feminist organizations.

    A woman Secretary-General?

    As the event concluded, a representative from the Sociologists for Women in Society asked the question many have long posed:

    “When are we finally going to have the first woman, female UN Secretary-General?”

    Mr. Guterres responded candidly. “Now, I’m not going to apologise for the fact that I’m not a woman,” he said as the Assembly responded with laughter, but he suggested he had been determined to “act decisively against the routine and to promote an effective mechanism of gender parity for the UN.”

    He reaffirmed the UN’s goal of full gender parity by 2028, with steady progress already made, and expressed “hope” that those who will choose the next Secretary General “will be wise.”

    “We share a common vision: a world of equality, where the human rights of women and girls are realised in full. Let’s keep working together to make that vision a reality,” he concluded.  

    Political Declaration adopted

    Later in the day, Member States adopted by consensus a powerful Political Declaration reaffirming their commitment to advancing the rights, equality and empowerment for all women and girls.

    Recognizing that 2025 presents a significant opportunity to intensify efforts toward the full implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, originally adopted in 1995 at the Fourth World Conference on Women, Member States reaffirmed that gender equality is essential for sustainable development and for fulfilling the pledge to leave no one behind.

    Welcoming its adoption, Sima Bahous, Under Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women said that “at a time when hard-fought gains for gender equality are under attack the global community has come together in a show of unity for all women and girls, everywhere”.

    2025, ‘a pivotal moment’

    The Declaration reinforces commitments to women, peace, and security, emphasising the need to integrate women’s voices and leadership into all stages of conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and conflict resolution.

    It recommits Member States to eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls, including emerging forms such as digital violence, online harassment, and cyberbullying.

    “No nation has yet fully achieved gender equality”, Ms. Bahous added, stating that the Declaration “makes clear that the world’s governments recognize 2025 as a pivotal moment, where promises made 30 years ago can no longer be deferred”. 

    Soundcloud

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Foreign auto brands seize growth opportunities in China

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    An increasing number of foreign-funded enterprises are seizing development opportunities in China’s new energy vehicle (NEV) sector by boosting investment, expanding their market presence, and advancing projects, research and cooperation.

    The global automotive industry’s shift from internal combustion vehicles to NEVs has opened new opportunities for both China and Germany, said Helmut Stettner, CEO of Audi FAW NEV Co., Ltd.

    “We see that the switch to electric mobility is accelerating in China, especially in the premium market. Despite some challenges, it continues to offer significant growth potential for Audi. We want to and will participate in this development,” he added.

    In March, German carmaker BMW partnered with Chinese tech giant Huawei to develop an in-car digital ecosystem specifically tailored for the Chinese market. Tesla’s Megafactory in east China’s Shanghai, the first of its kind built by Tesla outside the United States, also exported its first batch of Megapack energy-storage batteries this month.

    “China’s NEV market holds immense potential, continuously improving business environment and complete, efficient industrial and supply chains, which are the key factors driving foreign auto companies to invest and deepen their presence in the Chinese market,” said Gao Yuning, deputy dean of School of Public Policy and Management, Tsinghua University.

    In 2024, China’s production and sales of NEVs both exceeded 12 million units, solidifying the country’s leading position in the global market. China has established a comprehensive industrial chain, supplying 70 percent of the world’s battery materials and 60 percent of power batteries.

    In recent years, the Chinese government has created a favorable development environment for the NEV market through policies and measures such as purchase subsidies, extensive charging infrastructure, and the construction of intelligent connected vehicle demonstration zones.

    Data from the Ministry of Commerce showed that over 60 percent of vehicles purchased under the automobile replacement and renewal subsidy policy in 2024 were NEVs. As of Dec. 19, 2024, foreign brands accounted for more than 35 percent of the vehicles purchased through the policy.

    The open-mindedness of Chinese consumers toward new technologies and innovation, coupled with their focus on intelligent networking technology, has created new avenues for reform and business opportunities for foreign car companies.

    According to a Tesla salesperson in Changchun, northeast China’s Jilin Province, in the past, customers paid more attention to cruising range and cost performance, but now they look at the intelligent configuration of vehicles, such as smart cockpits and automatic parking.

    An increasing number of foreign car companies in China believe that developing new models tailored to the Chinese market is key to their future success. They are focusing on integrating smart driving, car networking and green solutions that align with the preferences and habits of Chinese consumers to achieve market breakthroughs.

    Among them, Volkswagen Group signed a strategic cooperation agreement with China’s First Automobile Works (FAW) in March to introduce 11 new models specifically tailored for the Chinese market, starting in 2026.

    “Our enduring partnership with FAW is a strong pillar of our success in China. Aligned with our ‘In China, for China’ strategy, we are further advancing FAW-VW’s product portfolio covering all powertrains, with a strong focus on NEVs, to meet evolving customer needs,” said Ralf Brandstaetter, chairman and CEO of Volkswagen Group China.

    The steady development of the Chinese economy and China’s continuous high-level opening-up are the biggest sources of confidence for foreign investment to boost their presence in China, Gao Yuning said. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: School phone ban one year on: our student survey reveals mixed feelings about its success

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Cara Swit, Associate professor, School of Health Sciences, University of Canterbury

    DavideAngelini/Shutterstock

    One year after the government banned cellphones from schools to help students focus and reduce distractions in class, we’re beginning to see how it has been implemented and how successful it’s been.

    As part of that process, our new research asked young people about the ban. Unsurprisingly, they had a lot to say.

    Schools around the world, including in Australia, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, China and parts of the United States, have implemented similar bans. The guiding principle everywhere has been to help students do better in school.

    When New Zealand’s ban came into effect in April 2024, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said it was time to cut the distractions so kids could learn and achieve.

    But studies have shown these bans often don’t work as planned. For example, recent research from the UK involving over 1,200 students found no significant difference in academic grades or wellbeing between schools with strict phone bans and those with more relaxed policies.

    With so many questions at the time of the ban about how it would be enforced, we wanted to hear what was going on in schools and what young people really thought. We spoke to 77 young people aged 12 to 18 from 25 schools around the country. Some liked the bans, some didn’t and some weren’t sure.

    Mixed feelings

    Many students had mixed feelings about the bans. Some admitted the bans helped reduce distractions and gave them a break from using their phones. As one explained,

    otherwise, we’ll be on our phone all day, all afternoon, all night, and it won’t be healthy for our minds.

    But other students said the ban had created new problems.

    First, some students felt stressed and anxious when they couldn’t contact their parents or caregivers during the day. Second, they said the rules weren’t always clear or fair. Some teachers were strict, others weren’t. And sometimes, teachers used their phones in class, but students couldn’t.

    That perceived double standard – where teachers can use phones but students can’t – left many of our respondents feeling frustrated and unfairly treated. In some cases, it even made them more secretive about their phone use. One student said,

    Even though we’re not allowed to use our phones, everyone is sneaky and uses it anyway.

    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said the cellphone ban would cut distractions so kids could learn and achieve.
    Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images

    A lack of consultation

    A lot of students said they weren’t asked what they thought before the bans were introduced. They felt as if adults made the rules without asking them or listening to them. One of our interviewees said,

    It feels like they just ban everything, thinking it will fix the problem.

    Many didn’t understand the purpose of the ban, especially since they still have to use laptops and other technology in class.

    Recent research found more than 80% of students in Aotearoa New Zealand say technology in class is distracting – not just phones.

    Already, some students have found clever ways around the phone ban. At one Auckland school, students started using walkie-talkies instead of phones to stay connected with their peers.

    Examples like this show bans don’t always change behaviour the way they’re intended to. It can simply make students feel as though adults underestimate how tech-savvy they really are.

    Young people as active problem solvers

    The young people in our research offered some alternatives to the ban.

    Many suggested allowing phones at break and lunch times. That way, they could stay connected without interrupting class. They also said adults needed to model healthy digital habits, not just set the rules.

    Based on student responses, it does appear that learning and teaching how to use phones in healthy ways would be more helpful than banning them altogether.

    Research from the Digital Wellness Lab supports this balanced approach, emphasising skill building over restriction. But for this to work, adults need support too. Teachers and parents need training and resources to help guide young people – and should also be surveyed on how they feel about the ban.

    Banning phones doesn’t fix the bigger issue of helping young people to use technology safely and responsibly. If schools really want to support students, they need to move beyond one-size-fits-all rules.

    Our research shows young people aren’t just passive users of technology. They’re active problem solvers. They want to be part of the conversation – and part of the solution.

    This would involve replacing top-down bans with meaningful conversations involving young people and adults to build fair and practical digital guidelines, where everyone benefits.

    Cara Swit received funding from The Oakley Mental Health Foundation, InternetNZ and the University of Canterbury’s Vision Mātauranga Development Fund to conduct this research.

    Aaron Hapuku received funding from The Oakley Mental Health Foundation, InternetNZ and the University of Canterbury’s Vision Mātauranga Development Fund to conduct this research.

    Helena Cook received funding from InternetNZ, Oakley Mental Health Foundation and UC Vision Mātauranga Development Fund.

    Jennifer Smith received funding from Internet New Zealand and The Oakley Mental Health Foundation.

    – ref. School phone ban one year on: our student survey reveals mixed feelings about its success – https://theconversation.com/school-phone-ban-one-year-on-our-student-survey-reveals-mixed-feelings-about-its-success-252179

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: New graduate health professionals ready to help Canberrans

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    New nurses Ainslie and Shreejana are excited to get started on their clinical placements at Canberra Hospital.

    Canberrans can expect to see many new faces in healthcare settings around the city.

    A new cohort of over 360 graduate health professionals have joined Canberra Health Services (CHS) in recent weeks.

    There are over 200 nurses and midwives, 96 junior medical officer interns and 59 allied health graduates starting their first year of supported practice in Canberra’s public health system.

    These graduate programs help build and develop the city’s public health workforce.

    Graduates will experience a broad range of specialities across their rotations which span Canberra Health Services.

    Placements include:

    • Canberra Hospital
    • North Canberra Hospital
    • University of Canberra Hospital
    • justice health
    • outpatient clinics
    • community health care centres
    • Hospital in the Home
    • locations in south-east NSW.

    Shreejana and Ainslie are two of the new graduates starting at Canberra Hospital this week.

    Between them they will be rotating through the geriatrics, oncology, cardiology and orthopaedic wards.

    For registered nurse Shreejana, this career was a childhood dream.

    “I’m feeling very nervous, as well as excited,” she said.

    “Seeing all the support and the guidance that I will be receiving from the CHS team, I’m very, very much looking forward to this journey.”

    Enrolled nurse Ainslie completed her 18-month certification at CIT.

    “I wanted to care for people and give back to my community,” she said.

    “Honestly, it’s the little things. It’s when you ask someone “how can I help you?” It’s giving them a cup of tea, giving them coffee, giving them warm blanket. The little things that put a smile on someone’s face and just knowing that you’ve made them happy.”

    In a Canberra Health Services first, three cohorts of graduate nurses are undergoing orientation at the same time.

    This includes:

    • the graduate Transition to Practice Program
    • North Canberra Hospital’s existing graduate program
    • the Novice Nurse Consolidation Program, which offers an alternative pathway to join the nursing workforce for those who may only be able to work part-time or hold a working visa.

    “The new starters bring a great amount of enthusiasm and energy into our services and teams, and it is hugely fulfilling for all our staff to support and guide these new health professionals at a critical time in their career,” Executive Director Nursing and Midwifery at North Canberra Hospital Judy Ryall said.

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    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Step length, a devastating finish and ‘springs in his spikes’: the science behind Gout Gout’s speed

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dylan Hicks, Lecturer & Movement Scientist / PhD Sports Biomechanics, Flinders University

    2024 Chemist Warehouse Australian All Schools Championships live stream, Australian Athletics

    Every now and then an athlete comes along who makes people wonder, “how are they so fast?”

    Let me introduce you to Gout Gout.

    Gout is a 17-year-old sprint sensation from Australia, whose blistering 100m and 200m times have drawn comparison to none other than Jamaican sprint legend Usain Bolt.

    While he was edged out over 200 metres in Melbourne last weekend by 21-year-old Lachlan Kennedy – recent 60-metre world indoor silver medallist who is a rising sprinter poised to break the ten-second barrier for 100 metres – Gout’s performances continue to signal a bright future on the track.

    In a seven-month period since last August, Gout has:

    • won silver in the 200m at the World Junior Championships (20.60 seconds, -0.7 metres/second wind)
    • broken Peter Norman’s long-standing Australian 200m record (20.04 seconds, +1.5m/s)
    • two weeks ago in Brisbane, smashed through the magical 20-second barrier for the 200m, recording a world-leading 19.98 seconds (+3.6m/s), albeit wind-aided (anything greater than 2.0 metres/second is considered wind-aided).

    But what makes Gout so fast?

    Is it his explosive start, long stride, top speed or smooth technique?

    The answer, as with all athletic outliers, is likely a combination of several unique attributes.

    Let’s dive into the science.

    The science of sprinting

    Sprinting is an ongoing battle of force and mass.

    Gravity is pulling the athlete’s body mass down. Meanwhile, the athlete must apply muscular force into the track to keep the body upright.

    Research suggests the world’s fastest sprinters generate the highest ground reaction force relative to their body mass and apply it in the shortest period, in the right direction (more horizontally in acceleration and more vertically at top speed).

    At 5’11” (180cm) and 66kg, Gout does not display the muscular physiques of past champion sprinters including Asafa Powell (Jamaica), Justin Gatlin (the USA), or Australia’s own Matt Shirvington. Yet his performances suggest is he redefining the archetype of elite sprinting.

    For anyone who has run at school, you know the difficulty of holding your top speed for the duration of a 200-metre race.

    But Gout defies logic. His speed endurance (maintaining speed) sets him apart from nearly all athletes.

    And not just compared to his age group, although he currently sits second on the all-time under-18 200-metre list behind US runner Erriyon Knighton.

    Gout’s speed endurance is up there with the best in 200-metre history: Bolt, Michael Johnson or Noah Lyles. Each of them has won multiple Olympic medals.

    The fastest official 100-200 metre segment (the final 100 metres of the race) ever run in a 200-metre event is 9.16 seconds by American Lyles, on his way to winning the 2022 world athletics championships in Oregon (19.31 seconds overall).

    In Gout’s recent performance in Brisbane, he completed this segment of the race in 9.31 seconds. Bolt and Johnson’s best 100-200 metre segment is 9.27 and 9.20 seconds respectively.

    This statistic puts Gout in elite company.

    The magic of Gout

    Closer analysis of Gout’s performance highlights some sprinting anomalies.

    He covers the first 100m of the race in 10.67 seconds, which is quite slow relative to his finishing time of 19.98.

    For comparison, when Bolt broke the 200-metre world record in 2009 (19.19 seconds), he ran 9.92 seconds on the curve (and 9.27 seconds on the straight).

    But once Gout enters the straight, his magic is on full display.

    Gout has an average step length of 2.60 metres. Bolt’s average step length in his 100-metre world record performance was 2.45m, with Lyles displaying a similar result, 2.35m, in his 100-metre win in Paris.

    This allows Gout to take between 3.75-4 steps for each ten-metre segment, which he covers at an average speed of 10.8m/s (or 38.8km/h). Like Bolt, his step length is a huge advantage over his competitors.

    However, there is a trade-off with step length and step frequency.

    Gout’s longer-than-average step length reduces his average step frequency to 4.15Hz (steps per second), much lower than Bolt who averaged 4.47Hz when at his best.

    However, research highlights elite sprinters are reliant on either step length or frequency, and athletes should train to their strengths, rather than fixing their weaknesses.

    So this may not be an area of concern for the teenager.

    Gout also displays a unique coordination pattern in how he interacts with the ground: the way he strikes the track with his feet almost makes it look like he has springs in his spikes.

    Well, we all do in a sense.

    Elastic energy is stored and released in our Achilles tendon which acts as a muscle power amplifier during running.

    Longer Achilles tendon length and stiffness play a huge role in sprint efficiency. This allows athletes to move at faster speeds for longer periods at a reduced energy cost, and may be another one’s of Gout advantages over his contemporaries.

    A bright future

    At 17, Gout’s performances are out of this world.

    The way he generates and maintains speed challenges some conventional paradigms in sprinting – namely that raw power and muscle mass are the primary determinants of speed.

    With most elite sprinters peaking in their mid-20s, Gout’s performances at this stage of his career are even more noteworthy.

    His success likely highlights the role of his unique coordination patterns, biomechanics, technical efficiency, hard work and great coaching all bundled together.

    Gout has already rewritten Australian sprinting history. Next up, he’s taking on the world.

    Just don’t blink – he’s that fast, you might miss him.

    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. Step length, a devastating finish and ‘springs in his spikes’: the science behind Gout Gout’s speed – https://theconversation.com/step-length-a-devastating-finish-and-springs-in-his-spikes-the-science-behind-gout-gouts-speed-252629

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Some Gen Zs are taking a ‘micro-retirement’. It’s one way to address burnout – but it comes with risks

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sugumar Mariappanadar, Senior Academic Researcher – Human Resource Management and Management, Australian Catholic University

    Dmitry Molchanov/Shutterstock

    For young people in the early stages of their career, the idea of waiting 40 years or more to retire might feel like a marathon. For those already feeling burnt out, it can be an excruciating thought.

    So – why not take a break or two somewhere along the way?

    The concept of “micro-retirement” is having a moment. While the term appears to have been first coined in 2007, it’s recently found new popularity on social media.

    The idea is that retirement doesn’t have to be a fixed, clearly defined period at the end of your working life. Rather, it’s possible to restore your human energy and levels of wellbeing by dipping in and out of it, with small or large career breaks.

    Many onlookers have pointed out that the underlying concept is not a new idea. Sabbaticals and other kinds of career breaks have been a feature of the workforce for a long time.

    However, the trend gripping some of the Gen Z workforce on social media appears to be slightly different. And while it’s trying to solve some legitimate problems, it could also carry some unique risks.

    Taking a break

    The notion that rest is crucial – that humans shouldn’t just work themselves into the ground – is very old indeed.

    Major religions around the world have long preached the importance of rest and restoration for human beings to survive the hardship of paid work.

    Letting employees get burnt out isn’t a good outcome for anyone.
    fizkes/Shutterstock

    Career breaks, however, are a bit different from the ordinary rest opportunities we get such as weekends, public holidays and annual leave. There are a few different types.

    The first is the full-time career break, such as a sabbatical. This is where an employee, in consultation with their employer, hits pause for an extended period.

    This might be to enjoy travel, develop new hobbies or complete training necessary for career progression. However, the company typically continues to pay a salary (or a percentage of it) during the mutually agreed period.

    In Australia, many employees are entitled to paid long service leave after serving between seven and 10 years with the same employer, depending on which state or territory they’re in.

    Taking a full-time job part-time, can also constitute a kind of career break for some. This is where an employee reduces their working hours or days and earns reduced pay compared to full-time work.

    Other types of long-term leave can include parental leave and leave for medical assistance.

    In Belgium, a government scheme allows employees to take a career break of up to a year, during which they receive a paid allowance from the government. Previous research into the scheme showed 76% of employees taking full-time career breaks from both public and private sectors were aged between 25 and 49.

    In Belgium, a government scheme allows people to take career breaks.
    Werner Lerooy/Shutterstock

    Micro-retirement might be different

    When Gen Z is talking about micro-retirement, they often aren’t talking about exactly the same thing as a paid, mutually agreed sabbatical.

    For many, micro-retirement is a voluntary choice to terminate their employment and support their living through personal savings or government support.

    But they are trying to solve similar problems: the health and wellbeing risks associated with pushing too hard – or for too long – at work.

    Research by the World Health Organization found the number of deaths from heart disease and stroke that could be attributed to long working hours increased by 29% between 2000 and 2016.



    Read more:
    What’s the difference between burnout and depression?

    The energy ceiling

    My own previous research has examined the “ceiling effect” of human energy. This is when an employee’s energy depletion reaches a tipping point due to their work and begins to affect their wellbeing.

    When employees reach the tipping point, or ceiling effect at work, they often use coffee and alcohol as a coping mechanism. This has long-term negative impacts on health.

    Sleep also becomes a problem, which can lead to “presenteeism” – where employees show up physically to work but function poorly. This can cost businesses in lost employee productivity.

    Flexible or hybrid work can be a double-edged sword that leads to intrusion on home life.

    Like any extended break, micro-retirement is a way to replenish or restore the energy depleted. Research into Belgium’s career break scheme found it did improve individual physical and mental health – but it’s important to remember this scheme paid an allowance.

    What are the risks?

    Micro-retirement might be a new label. But drawing parallels from research into career breaks, there is evidence of so-called “scarring” effects.

    This is where the future wages of an individual attempting to re-enter the job market after a career break may be lower than if they had an uninterrupted career.

    This can impact physical and mental health, and lead to lower income levels in retirement.

    Businesses may not be too inclined to develop policies to implement paid career breaks such as sabbaticals. That may lead more young people to take their own unpaid breaks.

    Outside of taking extended breaks, there’s a broader discussion to be had about increasing productivity by redesigning the way we work every day with sustainability and flexibility in mind.

    It’s crucial there are ways for employees to disengage from work on a daily basis to restore and replenish their energy.

    In addition to his academic post at Australian Catholic University, Sugumar Mariappanadar is a senior sustainability advisor at InSync Australia, where he has advised businesses on environmental, social and governance (ESG) sustainability business strategy.

    – ref. Some Gen Zs are taking a ‘micro-retirement’. It’s one way to address burnout – but it comes with risks – https://theconversation.com/some-gen-zs-are-taking-a-micro-retirement-its-one-way-to-address-burnout-but-it-comes-with-risks-252505

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: ‘It is a seriously difficult role and only getting harder’: school principals speak about stress, violence and abuse in their jobs

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Paul Kidson, Senior Lecturer in Educational Leadership, Australian Catholic University

    Isuzek/Getty Images

    School principals around Australia are responsible for about 4.5 million staff and students in almost 10,000 schools. Not only do they oversee students’ progress, but they are also responsible for the performance of staff and the wellbeing of everyone at their school. Their jobs are huge.

    As we have previously tracked in our annual survey of principals, their jobs are also extremely stressful and they are subject to regular abuse – often from parents.

    Our latest survey shows these trends are not changing. And more than 50% of those we surveyed are seriously thinking about quitting.

    Our research

    Since 2011, we have surveyed Australian school leaders. This includes principals, deputy principals, and other school leaders such as heads of junior or senior schools.

    In our new report, we surveyed almost 2,200 people, which is more than 20% of Australian school leaders. In 2024, we surveyed primary and high school leaders from government, independent and Catholic schools all around the country.

    This makes it the most comprehensive data set on principals’ health and wellbeing in Australia. It is also the longest-running survey of its type in the world.

    The survey asked almost 2,200 school leaders about their jobs and wellbeing.
    Sol Stock/ Getty Images

    High workloads and stress

    Previous surveys have shown school principals face unsustainably high workloads and high levels of stress. Unfortunately, these trends continue in our latest 2024 results.

    School leaders work an average of 54.5 hours a week during term time and 20.6 hours during holidays. They nominated the “sheer quantity of work” as the biggest source of their stress.

    This was closely followed by “lack of time to focus on teaching and learning” and “student-related issues”.

    As a high school principal from Western Australia told us:

    I do love what I do however it is a seriously difficult role and only getting harder.

    Generalised anxiety and depression reports have also increased from last year’s survey. Severe anxiety was reported by 14.8% of participants, up from 11.4% in 2023. Moderate depression is reported by 11.1% of participants, up from 10.6%.

    Critical incidents

    For the first time, our 2024 survey asked principals about the number of “critical incidents” they have to deal with. These are defined as an “often unexpected event that may involve loss or threat to wellbeing or personal goals”.

    Nearly three-quarters (73.7%) said they had experienced a critical incident while in their role. The most common type of incident was violence and security threats (43.9%). Suicide and suicidal threats represented 12.6% of reported incidents. Participants also reported medical emergencies (10.3%) and custody or child-protection incidents (7%).

    As one NSW principal told us:

    I think it is untenable for principals to continue to be under constant stress at this level and am aware that many of my colleagues are also retiring or considering retiring. I have only just turned 59 and would like to work for another 5-10 years but can’t continue due to the ridiculous workload and pressure.

    Schools are not safe for principals

    An increasing number of principals report being subject to offensive behaviours that are unacceptable in any workplace – let alone one that involves children and young people.

    Nearly 55% reported they are subjected to threats of violence, 57% are subjected to gossip and slander, and 35% are subjected to cyberbullying. These are the highest levels we have ever reported.

    When asked “from whom”, more than 65% of school leaders said parents and caregivers. Students also contribute, but unfortunately, so do staff. They were the source of 29% of “gossip and slander” reported by school leaders.

    As one ACT school leader told us:

    The major cause of distress are parents. Parents behave in an unreasonable manner, have ridiculous expectations and think that because they went to school they can therefore run a school. Principals are constantly defending staff from parents. Parents are rarely told to stop and desist by Education Support Offices.

    While many principals report loving their jobs, stress and abuse are constant features.
    Rawpixel.com/ Shutterstock

    Many prinicpals want to leave

    In 2023, we first asked the question whether school leaders seriously consider leaving their job. More than half (56%) agreed or strongly agreed with the statement.

    It’s pleasing to report this has reduced slightly to 53% nationally, but the trend is, unfortunately, not consistent across the country.

    For example, the figure in NSW has dropped from 63% to 51%, but in Victoria it has increased from 48% to 54%. Policymakers across jurisdictions could benefit from working together to address these findings, to see what is working and what is not.

    How can we help?

    The demands on today’s school principals are significant – the work takes an emotional toll – and this means we need different approaches to supporting them.

    It’s why we recommend education departments and school boards provide “reflective supervision” for school leaders. This gives professionals a regular chance to reflect on what they are doing with a confidential and experienced practitioner in the field, which in this case would be another experienced school leader.

    This is a widespread practice in other demanding workplaces, such as family violence, healthcare, and child mental health. Practitioners in these fields benefit through improved management of their own wellbeing, which in turn helps them support their clients and patients.

    We also need to make sure governments regularly and routinely consult principals about education policy.

    Schools and education departments should also explore alternative models to make the job more sustainable. This could include co-principals or job sharing models.

    Without change, too many leaders will leave too quickly, without anyone left to replace them.

    Herb Marsh receives funding from ARC research grant funding

    Theresa Dicke has received funding from ARC and still receives funding from several peak principal associations to complete this research.

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

    – ref. ‘It is a seriously difficult role and only getting harder’: school principals speak about stress, violence and abuse in their jobs – https://theconversation.com/it-is-a-seriously-difficult-role-and-only-getting-harder-school-principals-speak-about-stress-violence-and-abuse-in-their-jobs-253327

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Brisbane 2032 is no longer legally bound to be ‘climate positive’. Will it still leave a green legacy?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Marcus Foth, Professor of Urban Informatics, Queensland University of Technology

    When Brisbane was awarded the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, it came with a widely publicised landmark promise: the world’s first “climate-positive” games.

    The International Olympic Committee had already announced all games would be climate-positive from 2030. It said this meant the games would be required to “go beyond” the previous obligation of reducing carbon emissions directly related to their operations and offsetting or otherwise “compensating” for the rest.

    In other words, achieving net-zero was no longer sufficient. Now each organising committee would be legally required to remove more carbon from the atmosphere than the games emit. This is in keeping with the most widely cited definition of climate-positive.

    Both Paris 2024 and Los Angeles 2028 made voluntary pledges. But Brisbane 2032 was the first contractually required to be climate-positive. This was enshrined in the original 2021 Olympic Host Contract, an agreement between the IOC, the State of Queensland, Brisbane City Council and the Australian Olympic Committee.

    But the host contract has quietly changed since. All references to “climate-positive” have been replaced with weaker terminology. The move was not publicly announced. This fits a broader pattern of Olympic Games promising big on sustainability before weakening or abandoning commitments over time.

    A quiet retreat from climate positive

    Research by my team has shown the climate-positive announcement sparked great hope for the future of Brisbane as a regenerative city. We saw Brisbane 2032 as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to radically shift away from the ongoing systemic issues underlying urban development.

    This vision to embrace genuinely sustainable city design centred on fostering circular economies and net positive development. It would have aligned urban development with ecological stewardship. Beyond just mitigating environmental harm, the games could have set a new standard for sustainability by becoming a catalyst to actively regenerate the natural environment.

    Yet, on December 7 2023, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) initiated an addendum to the host contract. It effectively downgraded the games’ sustainability obligations.

    It was signed by Brisbane City Council, the State of Queensland, the Australian Olympic Committee and the IOC between April and May 2024.

    The commitment for the 2032 Brisbane Games to be climate positive has been removed from the Olympic Host Contract.
    International Olympic Committee

    Asked about these amendments, the IOC replied it “took the decision to no longer use the term ‘climate-positive’ when referring to its climate commitments”.

    But the IOC maintains that: “The requirements underpinning this term, however, and our ambition to address the climate crisis, have not changed”.

    It said the terminology was changed to ensure that communications “are transparent and easily understood; that they focus on the actions implemented to reduce carbon emissions; and that they are aligned with best practice and current regulations, as well as the principle of continual improvement”.

    Similarly, a Brisbane 2032 spokesperson told The Conversation the language was changed:

    to ensure we are communicating in a transparent and easily understood manner, following advice from the International Olympic Committee and recommendations of the United Nations and European Union Green Claims Directive, made in 2023.

    Brisbane 2032 will continue to plan, as we always have, to deliver a Games that focus on specific measures to deliver a more sustainable Games.

    But the new wording commits Brisbane 2032 to merely “aiming at removing more carbon from the atmosphere than what the Games project emits”.

    Crucially, this is no longer binding. The new language makes carbon removal an optional goal rather than a contractual requirement.

    A stadium in Victoria Park violates the 2032 Olympic Host Contract location requirements.
    Save Victoria Park, CC BY

    Aiming high, yet falling short

    Olympic Games have adopted increasingly ambitious sustainability rhetoric. Yet, action in the real world typically falls short.

    In our ongoing research with the Politecnico di Torino, Italy, we analysed sustainability commitments since the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin. We found they often change over time. Initial promises are either watered down or abandoned altogether due to political, financial, and logistical pressures.

    Construction activities for the Winter Olympic Games 2014 in Sochi, Russia, irreversibly damaged the Western Caucasus – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Rio 2016 failed to clean up Guanabara Bay, despite its original pledge to reduce pollutants by 80%. Rio also caused large-scale deforestation and wetland destruction. Ancient forests were cleared for PyeongChang 2018 ski slopes.

    Our research found a persistent gap between sustainability rhetoric and reality. Brisbane 2032 fits this pattern as the original promise of hosting climate-positive games is at risk of reverting to business as usual.

    Victoria Park controversy

    In 2021, a KPMG report for the Queensland government analysed the potential economic, social and environmental benefits of the Brisbane 2032 games.

    It said the government was proposing to deliver the climate-positive commitment required to host the 2032 games through a range of initiatives. This included “repurposing and upgrading existing infrastructure with enhanced green star credentials”.

    But plans for the Olympic stadium have changed a great deal since then. Plans to upgrade the Brisbane Cricket Ground, commonly known as the Gabba, have been replaced by a new stadium to be built in Victoria Park.

    Victoria Park is Brisbane’s largest remaining inner-city green space. It is known to Indigenous peoples as Barrambin (the windy place). It is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register due to its great cultural significance.

    Page 90 of the Olympic Host Contract prohibits permanent construction “in statutory nature areas, cultural protected areas and World Heritage sites”.

    Local community groups and environmental advocates have vowed to fight plans for a Victoria Park stadium. This may include a legal challenge.

    The area of Victoria Park (64 hectares) compared with Central Park (341h), Regent’s Park (160h), Bois de Vicennes (995h).
    Save Victoria Park

    What next?

    The climate-positive commitment has been downgraded to an unenforceable aspiration. A new Olympic stadium has been announced in direct violation of the host contract. Will Brisbane 2032 still leave a green legacy?

    Greater transparency and public accountability are needed. Otherwise, the original plan may fall short of the positive legacy it aspired to, before the Olympics even begin.

    Marcus Foth receives funding from the Australian Research Council. He is a Senior Associate with Outside Opinion, a team of experienced academic and research consultants. He is chair of the Principal Body Corporate for the Kelvin Grove Urban Village, chair of Brisbane Flight Path Community Alliance, and a member of the Queensland Greens.

    – ref. Brisbane 2032 is no longer legally bound to be ‘climate positive’. Will it still leave a green legacy? – https://theconversation.com/brisbane-2032-is-no-longer-legally-bound-to-be-climate-positive-will-it-still-leave-a-green-legacy-246672

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Uncertainty and pessimism abound. Will fear be enough to push Dutton into office?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Frank Bongiorno, Professor of History, ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences, Australian National University

    Tony Abbott was once unelectable. So were Donald Trump and Boris Johnson.

    And so was Peter Dutton, not so long ago. But opinion polls over much of 2024 and early 2025 indicated otherwise, and a nightly assault of pre-election political advertising – as my wife and I watched reruns of Law & Order: Criminal Intent – suggested that the Liberals had done their research and needed to humanise their man.

    Devotees of Detectives Goren and Eames in that venerable program were able to enjoy briefly reviewing Detective Senior Constable Dutton’s time as a Queensland cop, as well as his splendid business career (which has received some closer scrutiny since) and his more recent meeting and greeting of ordinary Australians as a likeable everyman and all-round good guy.

    The ad sometimes played twice in a particular break: the saturation coverage suggested that the Liberals had done rather well with donors. Unfortunately for Dutton, we later gained a deeper insight into the very high priority he attaches to rattling the can for the Liberal Party. Dutton’s decision to attend a fundraiser in Sydney while a cyclone was descending on Queensland did him immense damage, recalling his predecessor’s “I don’t hold a hose, mate” response to the Black Summer bushfires of 2020-21.

    If historical precedent is any guide, Dutton’s task should be somewhere between formidable and impossible. When Australians elect their national governments, they can normally assume they are doing so for at least two terms. The last one-termer was the Labor government of James Scullin, elected in October 1929 and sent into oblivion via an election held a few days before Christmas in 1931.

    Scullin was a victim of the century’s greatest international economic crisis; governments everywhere faltered or disintegrated under similar pressures. The economic challenges faced by the present Labor government have been more modest. But will it suffer a similar fate to Scullin’s Depression-era administration?

    Normally, the rarity of one-termers might have provided Anthony Albanese with a measure of reassurance. But we live in an era where historical precedent seems to count for little.

    That was clear enough even at the 2022 election. It was unprecedented in several respects. There was nothing resembling the atmosphere of excitement of 1972, 1983 and 2007 – or, for that matter, 1929 – which had brought Labor governments to power from opposition and awarded them solid or large majorities.

    Labor’s majority on the floor of the House of Representatives following the 2022 election was piddling – a mere three seats, and just two after the election of a speaker. Its primary vote was about 32%. It won just five of the 30 available seats in the third most populous Australian state, Queensland.

    There had never been a Labor victory like this one. Its exceptionalism haunts Labor’s efforts to gain re-election in 2025.

    Labor won in 2022 rather like many state Labor oppositions have won in recent decades. The margin was narrow. The unpopularity of a government, and its leader, was there to be exploited. Again and again, state Labor oppositions have fallen over the line at an initial election, sometimes able only to form minority government: Bob Carr, Mike Rann, Peter Beattie, Steve Bracks and Annastacia Palaszczuk were all examples.

    Voters seemed at best grudging in their support, but enough were willing to give Labor a go and then look over the results when a new election came round a few years later. In each case, governments were able to consolidate, sometimes winning landslide victories by establishing their credentials, exploiting incumbency, and building new constituencies.

    There were signs Albanese might do the same after May 2022. His slim three-seat majority became a five-seat advantage when Labor’s Mary Doyle won the Aston byelection on April 1 2023 – a seat deep in the traditional Liberal heartland. As late as the Dunkley byelection of March 2 2024, also in Melbourne, the base of electoral support that had seen Albanese into office almost two years before looked to be more or less intact.

    Part of the problem for the Coalition seemed to lie with Dutton himself. Would Australians vote for him? Or to put it more precisely: would the kinds of voters in the mainland capital cities who had turned so sharply against Scott Morrison in 2022 shift their votes to a figure as conservative and as bleak as Dutton?

    That bleakness always struck me as being a bigger problem than the conservatism. Australians routinely elect conservative prime ministers. They elected Malcolm Fraser when they thought he was a conservative (as indeed he was). Then they elected him twice more. They elected John Howard, who had proudly called himself the Liberal Party’s most conservative leader ever. Then they elected him another three times. They elected Abbott, even if buyer’s remorse quickly followed. They elected Morrison when the Coalition had seemed dead in the water.

    But leaders such as Howard and Morrison were much more optimistic than Dutton. They both seemed to think Australia was a pretty good place full of pretty good people and that all things being equal, the future was likely to be pretty good too while there were pretty good blokes in charge (but, of course, it would be much better under a Coalition government, which had the best blokes).

    Abbott, to be sure, was more pessimistic – his description of the Syrian conflict as a struggle between “baddies” and “baddies”, and his references to “death cults”, said more about his habit of reducing complexity to melodrama than it did about that Middle East. Yet Abbott’s outlook, at least as expressed publicly while in office, was nowhere near as dismal as Dutton’s.

    For Dutton, the enemy is close to home, menacing us in the dark. His bleakness is in a league of its own.

    Lech Blaine’s portrait in his Quarterly Essay Bad Cop was convincing: Dutton was a man formed and perhaps damaged by his experience as a policeman, and a political hardman in the habit of painting whole groups of people – commonly politically vulnerable – as a threat to society. Dutton evokes a vision of good people besieged by bad, of the decent and law-abiding as in constant danger of being swamped by the immoral and the criminal – or possibly mugged on their way home from a Melbourne restaurant.

    As 2024 unfolded, no one doubted there was sufficient dissatisfaction with Labor building, especially in many outer Australian suburbs, to do the government serious damage at an election. Persistently high interest rates had increased the cost of a mortgage. Inflation had moderated, but living standards had taken a beating. The chattering classes started talking of the inevitability of minority government, but they usually meant minority Labor government. Then they started talking about minority Coalition government, as the polls turned nastier for Labor.

    Labor spirits have revived in recent weeks after Dutton’s missteps over Cyclone Alfred, a comfortable victory in the Western Australian election, and opinion polling that shows the ALP ahead on a two-party preferred count. Still, uncertainty abounds.

    Albanese often campaigned poorly last time: will he again falter? Dutton, meanwhile, is untested as leader in an election campaign, has little policy on the table, and has a habit of going missing when there are hard questions to be answered.

    For me, the key to this election is whether there is a sufficient number of voters, concentrated in the right places, who share enough of Dutton’s pessimism about their own circumstances and, to a lesser extent, about the general state of the country. If, indeed, there is enough congruence between Dutton’s bleakness and theirs, Australia may well have a new government and a new prime minister by winter.

    But Dutton’s blessed run might well have now come to an end. Inflation has moderated, the Reserve Bank has made a cut to interest rates, and a sense of scepticism seems to have settled in about Dutton among voters taking a serious look at him as a potential prime minister a few weeks ago.

    He now looks more like Old Mother Hubbard with a bare policy cupboard, desperately seeking to shore up the hard right vote against depredations from Pauline Hanson and Clive Palmer, than Australia’s answer to Donald Trump.

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

    – ref. Uncertainty and pessimism abound. Will fear be enough to push Dutton into office? – https://theconversation.com/uncertainty-and-pessimism-abound-will-fear-be-enough-to-push-dutton-into-office-247360

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: What are caretaker conventions and how do they limit governments during election periods?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anne Twomey, Professor Emerita in Constitutional Law, University of Sydney

    Now that the election has been called for May 3, parliament has been dissolved and the caretaker government period has commenced. During this period, the caretaker conventions require the government to exercise self-restraint. It must stick to routine government business and not embark on major new commitments.

    There are commonly claims in the media that various actions by the government breach the caretaker conventions. Before the accusations start flying, here are the basics to help you make your own assessment.

    Why do we have caretaker conventions?

    There are two reasons for caretaker conventions. First, once parliament is dissolved, the government can no longer be called to account by parliament. It should therefore be more restrained in its actions while not under parliamentary scrutiny.

    Second, as a matter of fairness, the government should not be entering into binding commitments immediately before an election, if they will burden an incoming government. It is unfair for an outgoing government to stack important statutory positions with its own people or enter into contracts that commit a new government to policies it opposes.

    When do the caretaker conventions apply?

    The caretaker conventions commence from the moment parliament is dissolved. They continue until the election result shows the existing government has been returned to office or a new government is formed.

    If there is a hung parliament, it may take a few weeks before we know who will form the new government. If important matters have to be resolved during that prolonged caretaker period, the opposition may be consulted to try to get a cooperative outcome. The existing government, however, retains full legal power to act at all times.

    How do the caretaker conventions restrict government actions?

    Before each federal election, the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet issues a document called Guidance on Caretaker Conventions. It sets out the rules for ministers and public servants.

    During the caretaker period, a government must avoid:

    • making major policy decisions that are likely to commit an incoming government
    • making significant appointments
    • entering into major contracts or undertakings, such as entry into treaties or other international agreements.

    Whether a decision, appointment or policy is major, is a matter of judgement. In making this assessment, consideration is given to whether it is likely to be controversial or a matter of contention between the government and the opposition. The cost of the decision and its impact on future resources and policies will also be considered.

    Both the government and the opposition can still, of course, make election commitments about future action. The caretaker conventions only apply to actions taken within the caretaker period. They also do not apply to decisions made and actions taken before the caretaker period commenced, even if they are only announced after it has commenced.

    The public service and the caretaker period

    Rules have also developed on the fair use of the public service and public resources before and after elections. Technically, these are not part of the caretaker conventions, which concern self-restraint by ministers. But because they concern fairness in relation to elections, they are often lumped in with the caretaker conventions and they are included within the official guidance document.

    These rules are based upon obligations imposed on public servants by statutes and other instruments, such as the Public Service Act 1999 (Cth), and APS Code of Conduct. They require public servants to behave in an impartial and apolitical manner. They also require that public resources not be used to advantage political parties during an election campaign.

    It is also customary to restrict the use of government advertising during the caretaker period to necessary matters, and those that do not highlight the role of ministers or promote the achievements or policies of the government.

    Two recent examples show how these rules can become controversial during an election campaign. In 2013, the Rudd Labor government was criticised by the opposition for breaching the caretaker conventions by running ads, within Australia, about asylum-seekers not being settled in Australia. The ads were reluctantly approved by public servants under a ministerial direction that they were obliged to obey.

    The opposition was happy for the ads to be run in overseas countries, as a source of information and deterrence, but regarded their publication in Australia as partisan and breaching the rules. Opposition spokesperson Scott Morrison called it a “shameless and desperate” grab for votes, with the government spending taxpayers’ money to advertise to the vote-people, rather than the boat people.

    On the day of the 2022 election, the Morrison Coalition government instructed the Department of Home Affairs to publish a statement that a boat containing asylum seekers had been intercepted.

    It requested that this information be emailed immediately to journalists and tweeted by the Australian Border Force. The issue was highly political. Prime Minister Scott Morrison told a press conference before any announcement had been made that:

    I’ve been here to stop this boat. But in order for me to be here to stop those that may come from here, you need to vote Liberals and Nationals today.

    Officials published a factual statement about the boat, because they were required to act as directed by the minister. But, as a subsequent investigation revealed, they refused requests to amplify the controversy by sending material to journalists and to publish it on social media, as this would breach their obligations to be apolitical.

    Who enforces the caretaker conventions?

    The caretaker conventions are not legally binding and cannot be enforced by a court. But some governors-general have given effect to the conventions by deferring action on anything that would breach them. Then, when the election is over, a new government can decide whether to proceed with the matter.

    Breaches by public servants of their obligations under codes of conduct and the Public Service Act can have real consequences, such as disciplinary action being taken against them.

    While conventions are not legally enforceable, they ordinarily work because there is agreement among political actors that these rules are fair and politically binding on them. Controversy in the media about breaches of conventions can raise public anger. Punishment is left in the hands of the voters.

    Anne Twomey has received funding from the Australian Research Council and occasionally does consultancy work for governments, parliaments and inter-governmental bodies.

    – ref. What are caretaker conventions and how do they limit governments during election periods? – https://theconversation.com/what-are-caretaker-conventions-and-how-do-they-limit-governments-during-election-periods-251366

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Show your working: how the ‘open science’ movement tackles scientific misconduct

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Danny Kingsley, Visiting Fellow, Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science, Australian National University

    VTT Studio/Shutterstock

    In December 2001, a small but lively meeting in Budapest, Hungary, launched a whole new international movement. The resulting Budapest Open Access Initiative opened with the words: “An old tradition and a new technology have converged to make possible an unprecedented public good”.

    This was the first definition of open access and referred to harnessing the internet to make scientific research openly available, without a subscription. It was a “statement of principle, a statement of strategy, and a statement of commitment”.

    More than two decades later, the open access movement has broadened beyond simply research articles. It now incorporates research data, protocols, software and all aspects of the research process. The universal term for this is “open science”.

    With its focus on transparency, open science offers part of the solution to the growing problem of scientific misconduct.

    A system that enables misconduct

    Academic institutions and researchers are focused on a very narrow set of metrics for success. These come down to authorship on a publication being the most valued currency in academia because this is the primary measure towards career progression and academic prestige.

    Another industry resulting from these metrics is the international university ranking systems. These are run by commercial organisations that publish lists of universities, which in turn promote their institution as being in the “top X%” of whichever list they have done well in.

    Despite widespread criticism, these systems continue to give institutions incentive to reward their academics for publishing in certain journals for the purpose of raising their rank.

    With its focus on transparency, open science offers part of the solution to the growing problem of scientific misconduct.
    ssi77/Shutterstock

    This “publish or perish” push is undermining science.

    For example, it has opened up several exploitative industries, such as predatory publishers. These are entities that exploit authors by charging fees for publication without providing adequate editorial services.

    Also on the rise are covert entities known as “paper mills”, which manufacture academic articles (either using a human or a machine) and submit them to journals on behalf of paying researchers. This causes serious issues for editors who need to work through an increasing number of rubbish articles to choose which ones are genuine before sending them out for review by other researchers.

    These paper mills create major problems for the scientific record. Some experts believe they are also illegal.

    Many of the current problems with research integrity were highlighted by a 2024 study, which estimated that as many as one in seven papers is based on suspect data. A whole new area of research called forensic scientometrics has developed to try to identify some of these questionable publishing practices.

    Science does have a way of correcting itself through retractions, where a problematic paper is withdrawn from the journal and a retraction notice put up instead. But identifying problem papers is only part of the solution. For example, one 2024 study found less than 5% of all papers identified as retracted were actually removed from journal websites.

    University ranking systems give institutions incentive to reward their academics for publishing in certain journals.
    Olga Kashubin/Shutterstock

    Working openly improves science

    So how can making science more open and transparent help?

    When we talk about research integrity, we often look to the integrity of the researcher – expecting them to show “moral character”. However, ultimately it is the integrity of the research itself that really matters.

    Working in an open environment helps research integrity in several ways.

    Making the data used for the work freely available means the work can be better scrutinised. This is something that would have helped prevent the publication of the now-retracted study in The Lancet examining whether the antimalarial drug hydroxychloroquine was effective at treating COVID. The study was retracted after investigations revealed the data the research was based on was deeply flawed and unable to be verified.

    Requiring clinical trials to be registered means drug studies that are unfavourable or show no effect cannot be buried.

    Reviewing the “instruction manuals” of how research studies are going to be conducted, called the protocols, before the studies are undertaken also ensures more rigorous research. That’s because the quality of the protocols determines the robustness of the work.

    These are just a few of the ways open science creates an environment where poor research practice is much harder to undertake.

    Working openly won’t necessarily stop bad actors. But it will make it much harder for them to operate without being noticed.

    A true paradigm shift

    A 2022 study on open access policies in Australian universities showed only 50% had an open access policy at the time, even though this is a requirement under the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research.

    Despite this, there is some hope for open science in Australia.

    For example, in 2024, the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia convened a roundtable event to discuss how to transition to a fair and equitable open research system. This led to the formation of the National Open Science Taskforce, which is currently co-ordinating open activity in Australia.

    Internationally, the European Union was an early advocate for open science, beginning work on the European Open Science Cloud in 2015.

    Individual European countries are forging ahead, with The Netherlands having a National Open Science program and Ireland launching its National Framework on the Transition to an Open Research Environment in 2019.

    The EU-funded Open and Universal Science is being implemented by a consortium of 18 organisations across the world. It’s due to be completed this year.

    Countries worldwide also submitted their first reports last month on their implementation of the 2021 UNESCO Recommendation on Open Science.

    Open science is a radical departure from traditional research practices. As the summary report of the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia’s roundtable event says, transitioning to it requires “a true paradigm and cultural shift”.

    But for the sake of improving research integrity, this shift is urgently needed.

    Danny Kingsley is a member of the National Open Science Taskforce, a Board member of FORCE11 (Future of Research Communications and eScholarship) and a member of the Royal Society Advisory Group on the Future of Scientific Publishing.

    – ref. Show your working: how the ‘open science’ movement tackles scientific misconduct – https://theconversation.com/show-your-working-how-the-open-science-movement-tackles-scientific-misconduct-249020

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: expert reaction to an unpublished conference abstract on association between use of antidepressant medication and risk of sudden cardiac death

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    An unpublished conference abstract presented at the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) conference 2025 looks at the association between antidepressant medication use and and risk of sudden cardiac death. 

    Dr Paul Keedwell, Consultant Psychiatrist and Fellow of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said:

    “This study suggests that the risk of sudden cardiac death might increase by 50% in individuals exposed to 1-5 years of antidepressant treatment and roughly double if exposed for 6 years or more, averaged across all age groups. The risks were higher above 40 years of age.

    “The results should be treated with caution because the study was unable to separate the risks of antidepressant treatment from the risk of having depression per se. Depression is associated with high levels of heart disease, including sudden cardiac death (60% higher than non-depressed), life-threatening abnormal heart rhythm (50-90% increase in risk) and heart attack (roughly double the risk).

    “People with depression die younger than those in the general population – up to 14 years earlier for males and 10 years earlier for females. Although suicide accounts for a lot of this increase in mortality, the most significant cause is poor physical health. This is thought to be because depressed individuals have an unhealthy lifestyle – they are more inactive and lack the motivation to cook healthy meals because of their illness.

    “Therefore, the risk of early death associated with depressed people under treatment needs to be weighed against the risk of depressed people not under treatment. As far as absolute risk is concerned (the number of people actually affected), sudden cardiac death is a relatively rare event in the total population of depressed people, especially below 40, while the absolute risk of early death from suicide and other physical health problems is likely to be much higher: the increased risk of dying young from all causes in depression is up to double the risk in the general population, depending on the severity of the depression and the population studied.

    “More research is needed to directly compare the life expectancy in treated and untreated depression, but, as things stand, the weight of evidence supports the conclusion that the risk of early death is much higher when depression is left untreated than when it is treated. Therefore, people should not stop their antidepressant treatment based on this study.”

     

    Prof Glyn Lewis, Professor of Epidemiological Psychiatry, University College London (UCL), said:

    “There is a well established association between depression and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. This association is not well understood but could be as a result of increased inflammation. This study does not provide good evidence that antidepressants themselves cause sudden death. It is likely that the association with sudden death is either due to depressive symptoms or to confounding by other factors.”

    Dr Charles Pearman, Consultant Cardiologist and Electrophysiologist at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, and Honorary Research Fellow at The University of Manchester, said:

    “This research, looking at the health records of 4.3 million Danish people, asked whether people were more likely to die suddenly and unexpectedly if they were taking an antidepressant.  They found that the risk of sudden death was low (1 in 1000 per year), but that people taking an antidepressant were twice as likely to die suddenly.   Previous studies have also shown that more powerful medicines called antipsychotics used to treat serious mental health problems are also associated with an increased risk of sudden death.

    “There are several possible explanations for these findings.  It is well known that some antidepressants can increase the risk of dangerous abnormal heart rhythms in people with rare genetic heart conditions such as Long QT syndrome, a condition that can run in families.  Sometimes long QT syndrome is undetected before someone dies suddenly, and this may therefore have led to a small number of these sudden deaths. 

    “Another possibility is that people who take antidepressants may not be directly responsible for these deaths, but instead antidepressant use may be a marker for having other health problems.  The most common cause of sudden death in people aged over 60 is from a heart attack caused by narrowings and blockages of the heart arteries.  These narrowings are more likely to occur in people who are overweight, who smoke, who do not exercise regularly, and who have high blood pressure or diabetes.  It is possible that people with depression who take antidepressants are more likely to have these other risk factors and health problems too.  The investigators tried to account for this possibility, but it is unclear which risk factors they considered.

    “Overall, while there was an increased risk from taking antidepressants, the risk remains small.  People who are concerned about their risks should speak to their GP rather than stopping their medicines abruptly.  People who have a family history of sudden death, particularly at a young age, may want to be tested to see if they are at risk, and those with long QT syndrome should be aware of potential medicines that they need to avoid.  People with depression need to ensure that they look after other aspects of their health including taking regular exercise, avoiding smoking, and watching their weight.”

    The abstract ‘The impact of length of antidepressant use on risk of sudden cardiac death’ was presented at European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) conference 2025. The embargo lifted at 16:30 UK time Sunday 30 March 2025.

    Declared interests

    Prof Glyn Lewis: I have funding from NIHR and Wellcome Trust. Travel and subsistence to ECNP 2023.

    Dr Paul Keedwell: No conflicts.

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

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: G20 nations must place inequality at the heart of economic policymaking: Deputy Minister Mohai

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Department of Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation (DPME) Deputy Minister Seiso Mohai has stressed the urgency of addressing persistent global inequalities.

    “G20 nations must place inequality at the heart of economic policymaking, as disparities in wealth and development are neither just nor sustainable. The consequences of these inequalities are most pronounced in the Global South, where poverty, unemployment, and a lack of access to essential services continued to hinder progress,” Mohai said.

    The Deputy Minister was delivering a keynote address during a two-day G20 Seminar focused on the theme: “Public Good, Development Finance, and Social Protection”. 

    The seminar was hosted by the DPME in collaboration with the South African Association for Public Administration and Management (SAAPAM) and Tshwane University of Technology (TUT). 

    The seminar was a key part of South Africa’s strategic G20 priorities – to explore innovative solutions for addressing economic disparities, advancing sustainable development, and ensuring social protection for vulnerable communities.

    It provided a platform for fostering dialogue among government officials, academia, civil society, and the private sector, with a focus on tackling challenges such as economic disparities, mobilising development finance, and advancing inclusive social protection policies. 

    Deputy Minister Mohai emphasised the importance of constructive dialogue throughout the seminar. 

    “This gathering provided a unique platform for engagement among key stakeholders. We looked forward to brutally frank debates aimed at addressing the challenges of inequality, unemployment, and poverty.

    “We were encouraged by this partnership between DPME, SAAPAM, TUT, and other academic institutions, civil society, and non-government organizations, and we looked forward to successfully hosting this prestigious G20 seminar,” he said.

    Discussions at the seminar also explored ways to overcome structural barriers to sustainable development, including the mobilisation of innovative financing solutions for climate action and other pressing global issues.

    The seminar focused on the following key areas:

    • Public Good: Ensuring equitable access to essential services and resources for all citizens.
    • Development Finance: Mobilising sustainable funding mechanisms to stimulate economic growth.
    • Social Protection: Strengthening policies aimed at reducing inequality and providing support for the most vulnerable.

    Mohai also highlighted the pivotal role of academia and professional bodies in developing innovative solutions to global development challenges. 

    “South Africa’s engagement with the G20 has been guided by strategic foreign policy pillars, including national interests, the African agenda, South-South cooperation, and multilateralism. Our presidency came at a time when the world faced overlapping global crises such as climate change, inequality, and geopolitical instability, which disproportionately affected developing nations,” he noted.

    The Deputy Minister also reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to addressing the structural causes of economic disparities. 

    “Through collaboration, innovation, and shared commitment, we can create a future that is inclusive, resilient, and sustainable,” he stated.

    The two-day seminar featured several distinguished academic dignitaries, including UNISA Vice Chancellor Puleng Lenkabula and Tshwane University Dean, Professor Mashupye Maserumule, among others.

    Professor Maserumule shared valuable insights on the crucial role of an ethical, capable, and professional public service in driving innovation in planning and development. He emphasised the importance of a well-equipped public sector in fostering sustainable growth and effective governance.

    In her address, UNISA Vice Chancellor Lenkabula highlighted the vital role of academia in South Africa’s leadership during the DPME G20 Seminar. She focused on the contribution of academic institutions, research, and higher education can make toward both national and international G20 objectives.

    “Academia plays a pivotal role by conducting research that addresses global challenges on the G20 agenda, such as climate change, global health, economic recovery post-pandemic, and sustainable development,” she said.  

    “South African universities and research institutions have the opportunity to collaborate with their international counterparts to generate data and policy recommendations that support both South Africa’s national interests and the broader goals of the G20,” Prof Lenkabula added. 

    The department said that the outcomes of the seminar will contribute to South Africa’s G20 agenda, focusing on building a future that is inclusive, resilient, and sustainable for all. 

    The event aimed to generate actionable recommendations and innovative policy solutions to guide the global community in confronting critical issues such as inequality, unemployment, and poverty.

    “This seminar marked a critical milestone in South Africa’s leadership of the G20, with a continued focus on fostering solidarity, equality, and sustainability in global development,” the department said. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Labour urged to extend maternity pay to support parents and children

    Source: Scottish Greens

    30 Mar 2025

    Maternity pay in the UK is far lower than other parts of Europe.

    The UK still trails behind other European countries when it comes to maternity and paternity pay, says Scottish Green MSP Gillian Mackay, who has called for Downing Street to act.

    Ms Mackay, who is expecting her first child this summer, has urged the UK government to give mothers everywhere the gift of more time with their loved ones by expanding support for statutory maternity, paternity and shared parental leave to cover 52 weeks full pay.

    This would be paid for through wealth taxes, which researchers from the University of Greenwich have shown could raise £70 billion a year.

    This would empower new parents, allowing them to spend more quality time with their children without having to be so concerned about the financial impact from loss of earnings.

    Survey data from Maternity Action and UNISON show a majority of new and expectant mothers rely on credit cards, loans and borrowing from friends and family to get through maternity leave (62%) with more than a fifth (23%)  accumulating debts of more than £4,000. A majority (59%) or respondents said that they cut short their maternity leave or planned to do so because of financial concerns.

    Ms Mackay said:

    “The early days of a child’s life are vital, and every new parent should have the opportunity to spend quality time with them and to introduce them to the world. But many are unable to do so in the way they want to and are being forced back to work early.

    “This Mother’s Day the UK government could make a big difference for expectant-parents by expanding maternity and paternity pay and offering them far greater peace of mind and stability.

    “Statutory maternity pay in the UK is far too low, and lags far behind many other European countries. A lot of young workers in particular are finding themselves squeezed, with far too many forced to decide against having a family or delaying doing so for financial reasons.

    “Not everybody will want to have children, but people who do should not be deterred by poor parental pay. Particularly at a time when household bills and living costs are going up, we should be supporting parents and ensuring that babies are given the best start in life.

    “By increasing support for parents and putting money in their pockets we can support our next generation and spread opportunity.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Moving ahead on essential city infrastructure

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Design work for Stage 1 of EPIC’s redevelopment will include a new large multipurpose exhibition hall to accommodate larger exhibitions, galas and large-scale events.

    Funding will be provided through the ACT Government Budget Review to progress planning on three of Canberra’s major precincts – Exhibition Park in Canberra (EPIC), a new Convention Centre Precinct and the Bruce Sports, Health and Education Precinct.

    This investment will support further investigation of a new rectangular stadium in Bruce.

    The stadium will form part of an expanded sports, health and education precinct.

    It will link investments in the AIS precinct, CIT Bruce, University of Canberra and the Northside Hospital.

    Design work will also begin for a new Convention Centre Precinct in Canberra’s city centre.

    This will include new convention facilities and an indoor Entertainment Pavilion suitable for live music and major indoor sporting events.

    Design work for Stage 1 of EPIC’s redevelopment will include a new large multipurpose exhibition hall to accommodate larger exhibitions and gala sit-down dinners for thousands.

    It will also cater for multiple large-scale community-based events. The first stage will also include new intersections and a new public entrance.

    The redevelopment will allow existing events to grow and for multiple events to be held concurrently.

    The Budget Review will also support the refurbishment of Fitzroy Pavilion at EPIC, with $4.6 million to be invested this year to refurbish the pavilion and turn it into a versatile event space.

    This will meet the immediate demand for large-scale community and multicultural events in Canberra.

    Get ACT news and events delivered straight to your inbox, sign up to our email newsletter:


    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: View from The Hill: Dutton has questions to answer on gas; Albanese has supermarket answer still hunting for the problem

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra

    Peter Dutton is a tease when it comes to the fine print of policies. At least that’s the benign explanation. Critics have a harsher take on why we’re always being told to wait for the detail. They would claim his policies are often thin, or unfolded on the run.

    Right now, we’re into the first week of the campaign and we’re still waiting for more on the Coalition’s gas reservation policy, announced in Dutton’s budget reply, as well as precision on its immigration policy and for how much extra it would spend on defence.

    Dutton said on Sunday we’d get information on the gas policy in the next “couple of days”.

    Danny Price, of Frontier Economics, has been hard at work, putting some modelling together. Price did the modelling for the opposition’s controversial nuclear policy, finding it much cheaper than the government’s energy transition plan. But those numbers depend on the assumptions. That modelling was contested, and no doubt so will be the gas policy analysis.

    Whatever the numbers that come out, they won’t include one key figure: what you would (arguably) save on your power bill. The opposition has learned something from Labor’s debacle of promising, before the last election, that its energy policy would save households $275 by 2025.

    At the weekend Albanese dismissed Labor’s modelling before the 2022 election as “RepuTex modelling based on the circumstances at the time”. Indeed.

    Dutton has, however, suggested his gas policy would reduce the wholesale domestic price from $14 per gigajoule to under $10 a gigajoule. More gas would mean cheaper prices, is its logic.

    The opposition’s thinking is that it lands the generality of a policy first, lets the public absorb that, and then produces detail. But the trouble with releasing the detail so late is the Coalition is likely to get bogged down in a confusing and damaging debate over what opponents will say are dodgy numbers and assumptions.

    This can lose a day or more and there aren’t that many days in a five-week campaign, especially when pre-polling starts a fortnight before the end.

    While Dutton was batting off questions about gas at the weekend, Anthony Albanese swung into his campaign stride in a comfort zone – at attack on supermarkets.

    He announced that if re-elected, Labor will legislate against supermarkets being able to price gouge. Not immediately though. There’d be a taskforce to work out the detail.

    There’s more than a touch of chutzpah here. We’ve just seen the report of a long inquiry by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission into supermarkets. It found they were very profitable but it didn’t find price gouging. Its raft of recommendations did not include legislation on price gouging.

    This hasn’t deterred the PM, who provided his own definition of the problem. “I got asked today by someone … ‘how do you know what price gouging is?’ Price gouging is when supermarkets are taking the piss off Australian consumers. That’s what it is. That’s what price gouging is. Everyone out there knows. Consumers know. We’ll take action here.”

    He did give the rather less colloquial EU definition.“In the EU, a price is unfair and excessive if, and to quote their law, ‘it has no reasonable relation to the economic value of the product supplied’.”

    After a fairly ordinary start to the campaign, this week Donald Trump will step right into the centre of it, with his much-anticipated tariff announcement. Australian officials continue to lobby the US; no one is confidently predicting whether or not we’ll be escape the firing line.

    Before the Trump announcement will come Tuesday’s first meeting of the new monetary policy board that has been set up under Labor’s changes to the Reserve Bank.

    Unlike February, when all the heat was on the bank’s governor to deliver that rate cut (which did come), nobody is expecting another cut yet. Michele Bullock can relax this week.

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

    – ref. View from The Hill: Dutton has questions to answer on gas; Albanese has supermarket answer still hunting for the problem – https://theconversation.com/view-from-the-hill-dutton-has-questions-to-answer-on-gas-albanese-has-supermarket-answer-still-hunting-for-the-problem-253118

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI China: China sticks to opening up despite growing global protectionism

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    An aerial drone photo shows a view of Yangpu International Container Port in the Yangpu Economic Development Zone in Danzhou, south China’s Hainan Province, Jan. 11, 2025. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu)

    As protectionism surges across the globe, bringing in economic headwinds, China is doubling down on opening its doors and positioning itself as a stabilizing force in an increasingly fractured global economy.

    This message was front and center during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s meeting with representatives of the international business community on Friday, where he said that China has been and will remain an ideal, secure and promising destination for foreign investors.

    For more than four decades, China’s reform and opening-up has fundamentally transformed the country and impacted the wider world. Today, China remains the locomotive of the world economy, contributing about 30 percent to global growth.

    International businesses have thrived in China’s vast and dynamic market, with numerous success stories of win-win cooperation. Today, the appeal of the Chinese market remains stronger than ever, with its growing and increasingly sophisticated consumer base offering unparalleled opportunities.

    China’s ongoing transition toward a greener and smarter economy is unlocking new frontiers for innovation and industrial cooperation. Despite external pressures, the country’s business environment continues to evolve toward greater transparency and predictability, ensuring a stable foundation for long-term investment.

    Staff workers assemble an offshore wind turbine in the waters of Laizhou City, east China’s Shandong Province, Nov. 15, 2022. (Photo by Lin Songfei/Xinhua)

    Stability has become a defining trait of China amid geopolitical turbulence, providing a socio-economic environment that investors find reassuring. As global markets grapple with rising uncertainty, China serves as a stabilizing force, promoting shared growth over zero-sum competition.

    The message of cooperation was also echoed at the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2025, held this week on the tropical island of Hainan. Rather than focusing solely on trade figures and policy targets, discussions at the forum underscored China’s efforts to foster a more open, inclusive global economy, one that embraces innovation, strengthens supply chains, and deepens cooperation in areas such as green development and digital trade.

    As noted by scholars like Ian Goldin, professor of globalization and development at the University of Oxford, China recognizes the necessity of global cooperation, not just for its own future but for the broader world as well.

    History has shown that openness leads to progress, and cooperation — not fragmentation — drives prosperity. In the turbulent times, China’s unwavering commitment to opening-up is not only crucial for its own growth but for the future of the global economy.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: AUT Dean’s outburst shows virus of racism alive and well in universities

    Source: ACT Party

    “A racist outburst from the Dean of the AUT Law School targeting an ACT MP on the basis of her being an immigrant reveals exactly why we need the Treaty Principles Bill,” says ACT Leader David Seymour.

    In response to Dr Parmjeet Parmar’s draft bill to stop the allocation of university resources based on race, Khylee Quince posted on Facebook: ‘Alternative headline: Immigrant forgets where she lives.’

    Dr Parmar has responded, saying: “I am a New Zealand citizen and I am not here at Ms Quince’s mercy, or anyone’s mercy. I know exactly where I live: in a democracy where everyone has the right to freedom from discrimination. Including immigrants.“

    “This law school Dean believes immigrants should be singled out for different treatment,” says Mr Seymour.

    “The Vice Chancellor needs to stop this rhetoric. How many immigrant students study law at AUT? Should they be treated differently with demands to ‘remember where they live?’

    “In another time that would be called racism. But it’s 2025 and institutions like universities have cloaked that kind of view with respectability.

    “Of course, all New Zealand citizens are either immigrants or descended from immigrants. It’s extraordinary that we need to debate whether some citizens should have the same basic rights as other citizens, but here we are.

    “Whether the Treaty promised equal rights is a civil rights issue, and our major institutions are on the wrong side of history. They’re experiencing collective brain rot.

    “Universities are infecting the minds of young people with the virus of identity politics. Journalism and law schools are pumping out young left-wing activists who believe tangata whenua and tangata tiriti should have different rights.

    “The courts, of course, have decided the Treaty is a partnership requiring different rights for different groups. The question is, what will our elected Parliament decide when it’s asked to take a stand?”

    Editor’s note: AUT Dean of Law Khylee Quince has previously drawn attention for saying Gary Judd KC “can go die quietly in the corner” for opposing compulsory tikanga studies at law schools.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: President Lai observes 2025 Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee field exercises

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    President Lai observes 2025 Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee field exercises
    At noon on March 27, President Lai Ching-te observed 2025 Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee field exercises incorporating expanded emergency medical facilities at the Yuping Post Office in Tainan. In remarks, President Lai thanked all the participants and everyone who helped with the preparations. He expressed hope that we can contribute to future exercises through building on collaboration between the central and local governments, participation by reliable civilian forces, cross-regional integration of resources, and self-initiative of communities and private-sector entities. The president said that to ensure Taiwan’s security, we hope to rely not just on the armed forces, but also on the forces of defense resilience throughout our society, and that in that way we can achieve peace through strength.
    After arriving at the venue, the president first listened to a report on “expanded emergency medical facilities.” He then observed the work done at various operational areas, including a medical command center, a district-level coordination center, a mobile police station, an emergency (including disease prevention) triage station, a moderate-to-severe trauma treatment area, a forward surgical operating area, and a disaster-related mental healthcare work area, for first-hand understanding of the field exercises. 
    A translation of the president’s remarks follows:
    I am very happy to be back in Tainan to take part in the first field exercises of the Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee. These exercises had scenarios but no scripts. This was also our first time conducting exercises that incorporated expanded emergency medical facilities. Over 1,500 people from the central and local governments as well as private-sector entities took part in the exercises. Just moments ago, I observed all the various activities taking place and saw the well-trained participants fully applying their expertise in a sudden emergency.
    The success of today’s exercises demonstrated the full commitment and professionalism of the participants, while also highlighting several important principles that can be promoted in the future. The first is coordination among authorities at the central and local levels. The Office of the President, the Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee, and the Tainan City Government team worked together closely, from planning and design to implementation of the exercises. The second is participation by reliable civilian forces, including the Tzu Chi Charity Foundation, the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan, the Mustard Seed Mission, and SHOWBA Store.
    The third is cross-regional integration of resources. The exercises in Tainan had participants from other counties and cities such as Chiayi and Kaohsiung. The fourth is where communities and private-sector entities take action on their own initiative. Examples include the involvement of the Huweiliao residents’ rescue team, Songan independent flood disaster prevention community, Xinan resilience community, Kainan Community, and Anping District. In the future, whether it is collaboration between the central and local governments, participation by reliable civilian forces, cross-regional integration of resources, or participation of communities and private-sector entities, all parties can act together in concert and conduct comprehensive exercises.
    I want to thank Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) for leading his team and for coming here yesterday to personally inspect the preparations, Minister of the Interior Liu Shyh-fang (劉世芳) and Minister without Portfolio of the Executive Yuan Chi Lien-cheng (季連成) for their support in directing the exercises, and Mayor Huang Wei-che (黃偉哲) for leading his Tainan City Government team. Everyone gave it their all to make sure the event went smoothly.
    I also want to thank the civil society organizations and self-initiating community forces I mentioned earlier, as well as the Tainan City medical organizations that took part, including Chi Mei Medical Center, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Tainan Medical Association, and other district hospitals and clinics. In addition, the participation of auxiliary police, auxiliary firefighters, auxiliary traffic police, and other community service workers was another wonderful aspect of today’s exercises.
    I established the Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee at the Office of the President after taking office. Our committee conducted tabletop exercises last December. And today we have followed those exercises with these small-scale live exercises in Tainan. We are also preparing to conduct urban exercises this April, the objective being to build resilience in Taiwan’s society so it can properly respond when there are large numbers of injuries resulting from natural disasters or major accidents and be prepared in the event of geopolitical changes in the region. It is said that “an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure” and “do not count on the enemy not showing up; count on being ready should it strike.” We have made preparations so that, should a contingency occur, we can reduce the number of injuries. To ensure Taiwan’s security we hope to rely not just on the armed forces, but also on the forces of defense resilience throughout our society. In that way we can achieve peace through strength.
    Also in attendance at the event were members of 13 foreign diplomatic corps in Taiwan, including American Institute in Taiwan Taipei Office Director Raymond Greene, Head of the European Economic and Trade Office Lutz Güllner, and Finland Trade Center Representative Lauri Matti Raunio.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: A taxi service based on Cooperative model to start soon

    Source: Government of India

    A taxi service based on Cooperative model to start soon

    Cooperative Taxi Service will allow registration of two wheelers, taxis, rickshaws and four wheelers

    Based on principles of Sahakar se Samriddhi, a cooperative taxi service will be formed by willing taxi drivers and the management will rest with the members of such society

    The objective is to ensure that maximum profit earned by such cooperative taxi society is distributed equitably among the taxi drivers who will be members of that society

    Posted On: 28 MAR 2025 9:30PM by PIB Delhi

    While replying to the discussion on Tribhuvan Sahkari University Bill, 2025 in the Lok Sabha, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah on Wednesday said that in near future, a cooperative taxi service will be started, in which registration of two wheelers, taxis, rickshaws and four wheelers will be possible and the profit will go directly to the driver.

    Based on principles of “Sahakar se Samriddhi”, a taxi-service cooperative will be formed by willing taxi drivers and the management will rest with the members of such society. The objective of this initiative is to ensure democratic management by active participation of all members and to ensure that maximum profit earned by such cooperative taxi society is distributed equitably among the taxi drivers who will be members of that society. Such an initiative will lead to overall prosperity and improving the income, working conditions, and standard of living for such taxi drivers/members of the cooperative society while providing better services to the consumers.

    Sahkar or Cooperation is a concept where a group of people voluntarily come together and form a cooperative society or Sahkari society based on mutual benefit and common economic interest. Sahkari models of economic cooperation have been found to be more fruitful for its members, being more equitable and resulting in inclusive growth for all, like in the case of Amul.

    Government has promoted and assisted Startups and other enterprises in the past for equitable & inclusive growth of the nation. India is home to over 8 lakh cooperative societies, serving nearly 30 crore members across 30 different sectors.

    These cooperatives play a crucial role in promoting self-reliance, financial inclusion, and rural development, particularly in agriculture, dairy, fisheries, banking, housing, consumer services, labour, sugar etc. These cooperatives compete in the market alongside other players including private enterprises. The cooperatives are registered under the cooperative laws of the respective state/UT and societies which work in multiple states/UTs and are registered under the Multi State Cooperative Societies Act.

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre (GTMC) in Jamnagar to emerge as a Centre of global wellness; bolster evidence-based research, training and awareness for Traditional Medicine

    Source: Government of India

    WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre (GTMC) in Jamnagar to emerge as a Centre of global wellness; bolster evidence-based research, training and awareness for Traditional Medicine

    Central Sector Scheme (CSS) for the Promotion of International Cooperation (IC) in AYUSH to facilitate the International promotion, development and recognition of Ayush system of medicine

    Department of Integrative Medicine operationlised at Vardhman Mahavir Medical College (VMMC) & Safdarjung Hospital and Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi to promote integrative healthcare

    Posted On: 28 MAR 2025 6:30PM by PIB Delhi

    The Ministry of Ayush has taken initiative for World Health Organization’s (WHO’s) Collaborative Centre for Traditional Medicines at Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda (ITRA), Jamnagar and Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY), New Delhi, and National Institute of Indian Medical Heritage (NIIMH), Hyderabad, a unit under Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), New Delhi. ITRA is running an International Centre of Ayurveda Studies (ICAS) centre to promote Ayurveda as a key component of global healthcare systems.

    The WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre (GTMC) in Jamnagar would emerge as a Centre of global wellness; bolster evidence-based research, training and awareness for Traditional Medicine. It will serve as a key knowledge hub for evidence-based Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine (TCIM) on a global scale. This is the first and only global out posted Centre (Office) for traditional medicine across the world.

    With regard to enhance international collaboration in Ayurveda through various forums, the Ministry of Ayush has developed a Central Sector Scheme (CSS) for the Promotion of International Cooperation (IC) in Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Homoeopathy (AYUSH) under which the Ministry of Ayush provides support to Indian Ayush drug Manufacturers/ Ayush Service providers to give boost to the export of AYUSH products & services; facilitates the International promotion, development and recognition of Ayush system of medicine; foster interaction of stakeholders and market development of Ayush at international level; promote academics and research through the establishment of Ayush Academic Chairs in foreign countries and holding training workshop/symposiums for promoting and strengthening awareness and interest about Ayush Systems of Medicine at international level. Under various components of the CSS IC Scheme, the Ministry of Ayush supports AYUSH entrepreneurs, Ayush drug manufacturing industry, Ayush Health Care providers etc. Participation/ organization of International exhibitions/ conferences/ workshops/ seminars/ road shows/ trade fairs, etc. in India and abroad by the Ministry of Ayush through Indian Mission/ Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)/ Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI)/ India Trade Promotion Organization (ITPO)/ Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM)/ Pharmaceutical Export Promotion Council of India (Pharmexcil), etc.

    The Ministry of Ayush has supported various international events/ conferences/ seminars/ workshops etc. organized by various organizations including World Ayurveda Congress to enhance international collaboration in Ayurveda.

    The Ministry of Ayush has taken various steps to integrate Ayurveda with modern medical practices to address contemporary health challenges through the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) Ayush Vertical. The Ayush Vertical under DGHS, established by the Ministry of Ayush and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), serves as a dedicated institutional mechanism for planning, monitoring, and supervising Ayush-specific public health programs. This vertical provides technical support to both Ministries in developing strategies for public health, healthcare, Ayush education, and training. The Ministry of Ayush and MoHFW have jointly established Integrated Ayush Departments in Central Government Hospitals to promote integrative healthcare. As part of this initiative, the Department of Integrative Medicine has been set up and is operational at Vardhman Mahavir Medical College (VMMC) & Safdarjung Hospital and Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi.

    Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences(CCRAS), as the apex body of research in Ayurveda, has undertaken research projects on the treatment of various diseases in collaboration with modern institutions to promote the integration of Ayurveda with the modern system of medicine.

    CCRAS has undertaken various research studies to examine the benefits and feasibility of integration of Ayurveda through the following research projects for integration of Ayurveda with modern system of medicine:

    1. Operational study to explore the feasibility of integrating Ayurveda with modern system of medicine in a tertiary care hospital (Safdarjung Hospital New Delhi) for the management of Osteoarthritis (Knee). The study has been completed.
    2. Feasibility of introducing Indian System of Medicine (Ayurveda) in the National Reproductive and Child Health services at Primary Health Care (PHC) level” in Himachal Pradesh. The study has been completed.
    3. Integration of AYUSH systems in the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases & Stroke (NPCDCS). The study has been completed.
    4. Feasibility of introducing Ayurveda Intervention in Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) in PHCs of Selected district (Gadchiroli) of Maharashtra (Effectiveness of Ayurvedic intervention for Ante-Natal care (Garbhini Paricharya) at Primary Health Care level: A Multi Centre Operational Study.
    5. Further, under the Extramural Research Programme, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) under Ministry of Ayush has taken an initiative to set up Ayush-ICMR Advanced Centre for Integrative Health Research (AI-ACIHR), at AIIMS to conduct research on identified areas focusing on integrative healthcare. Under this program, four research areas in four AIIMS have been identified, which are as follows:
      1. AIIMS Delhi:
        1. Advanced Centre for Integrative Health Research in Gastro-intestinal Disorders
        2. Advanced Centre for Integrative Health Research in Women and Child Health
      2. AIIMS- Jodhpur: Advanced Centre for Integrative Health Research in Geriatric Health
      3. AIIMS Nagpur: Advanced Centre for Integrative Health Research in Cancer Care
      4. AIIMS Rishikesh: Advanced Centre for Integrative Health Research in Geriatric Health.

    Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda (ITRA), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Ayush encourages Post Graduate (PG) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) scholars and faculty researchers to collaborate with modern medical faculty to ensure Ayurveda’s efficacy and relevance in modern healthcare. Since 2019, 25 integrative researches have been undertaken.

    The Ministry of Ayush, developed the Central Sector Scheme for Promotion of International Cooperation for AYUSH (IC Scheme). The details are provided at Point (a)&(b)

    The Ministry also implements the CSS Scheme for Promotion of Information Education and Communication (IEC) in Ayush to create awareness regarding Ayush Systems of Medicine including Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy system of medicine. This aims to reach out to all sections of the population across the country. This scheme provides assistance for organizing National/State Arogya Fairs, Yoga fests/ Utsavs, Ayurveda Parvs, etc. The Ministry also undertakes Multi-Media, Print Media Campaigns for creating awareness about Ayush Systems.

    The Ministry of Ayush, through Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda (ITRA), an Institute of National Importance, organizes various public participatory programs on regular basis to increase public awareness and acceptance of Ayurvedic practices domestically.

    North Eastern Institute of Ayurveda and Homoeopathy (NEIAH) has taken various steps for health awareness among citizen in rural areas. NEIAH has opened a Peripheral Outpatient Department (OPD) in Ayurveda and Homoeopathy OPD at Smit areas, East Khasi Hills district of the State of Meghalaya to promote Ayurveda and Homoeopathy. The Institute also conducted a Health camps under the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN) programmes. The Institute regularly gives free consultation in the Institute Hospitals both OPD and In-Patient Department (IPD) and conducting free Medical & Awareness Camps at Villages, schools, Govt. Dept., Military personnel and at community levels. Organized National Seminars/worships, Panel discussions, Doctor se Mileye in All India Radio, Shillong in English, Hindi and Regional Language (Khasi), TV Talks shows on Ayurveda in Doordarshan Kendra, Shillong etc.

    For increasing awareness domestically, Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) provides clinical care and engages in awareness activities to promote Ayurveda through its Information Education and Communication (IEC) Activities through its networks of 30 peripheral Institutes.

    CCRAS has been engaged in popularizing the Ayurveda system among the masses through electronic and print media for common people in English, Hindi, and regional languages, which are widely distributed through National/State level Arogya melas, Health camps, exhibitions, expos, etc., and also through CCRAS outreach programs viz. Schedule Caste Sub Plan (SCSP) Research Program, Tribal Health Care Research Program (THCRP), etc., in different states of the country through its robust 30 peripheral institutes. The Council website is also generally embodied with IEC materials and hyperlinked with other important websites that provide information for wider utility.

    The Council has three journals named Journal of Drug Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (JDRAS), Journal of Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (JRAS), and Journal of Indian Medical Heritage (JIMH) which is also available electronically in the public domain free of cost to enable dissemination of the outcomes of research among the public. The CCRAS is also publishing CCRAS Bulletin quarterly for dissemination of Research outcomes in common languages for the public. So far, the Council has published books, monographs, and technical reports, and they are being sold or distributed to disseminate research outcomes and merits of Ayurveda at large.

    To increase awareness internationally, the CCRAS under the Ministry of Ayush has signed MoU/LoI/Agreements with different countries / foreign Universities/ Institutions/ organizations to promote International cooperation for the establishment of Academic Chair.

    This information was given by Union Minister of State (I/C) for Ayush, Shri Prataprao Jadhav in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Museum Summit 2025 successfully concludes (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) in partnership with The Guimet – National Museum of Asian Arts in France, the Museum Summit 2025, an international mega event in the museum sector, successfully concluded today (March 29). The Summit was held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre for two consecutive days, receiving a record-high total registration of over 7 000. One-third of them were non-Hong Kong registrants, from 39 countries.
     
    The registrants of the Summit were from a wide range of sectors. Apart from local, the Mainland and overseas museum counterparts, representatives from cultural and art institutions and galleries, there were also practitioners from various industries including museum-related service or product suppliers, educational institutions, production houses, public institutions, as well as finance, technology, tourism, cultural communication, vocational training, etc. The Summit proved to be an expanding platform for dialogues, networking and business opportunities.
     
    With the theme of “Going Beyond”, this year’s Summit brought together over 30 cultural leaders and professionals from renowned museums and institutions across 17 countries to exchange and share their professional experiences, research findings and innovative concepts, as well as delegations comprising over 40 museum practitioners from the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Museum Alliance and ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations).
     
    Addressing the closing ceremony, the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Manda Chan said, Hong Kong has been achieving progressive developments. For museums, there are M+ and the Hong Kong Palace Museum in the West Kowloon Cultural District. The LCSD manages 15 museums and two art spaces, with the Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong Museum of History, Hong Kong Science Museum and Hong Kong Heritage Museum as our flagships. There are also many interesting private museums like our partners this year, the Tsz Shan Monastery Buddhist Art Museum, the Art Museum of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, amongst others. They are all telling the Hong Kong stories with a multiplying breadth and depth.
     
    Ms Chan said, like museums, and the society at large, the Museum Summit endeavoured to reinvent itself and go beyond usual parameters in its fourth edition. This Summit included topics like cultural tourism and social wellness in our dialogues, alongside the need to leverage technological advancements and achieve sustainability as its themes. These expanded roles were reflecting the transformative power of museums to connect people with heritage. She said, museum was no longer something about the past; rather it had become an integral element of the city’s cultural life. It was also an indispensable part of the city’s pride of its people and warm welcome to guests from across the globe.
     
    Other than the discussion sessions, this year’s Summit also arranged various extended programmes for speakers, moderators, delegation and attendees, which received an attendance of around 1 000. Highlights included local cultural visits, such as visiting Tai Fu Tai Mansion in San Tin, Yuen Long, and experiencing and intangible cultural heritage items including Cantonese Opera and Nanyin performances. They also visited local museums, and participated in Museum Night at the Hong Kong Museum of Art, enjoyed live music performances and guided tours of the galleries. They will travel to Shenzhen to visit the Shenzhen Museum, the Shenzhen Museum of Contemporary Art and Urban Planning, the Shenzhen Art Museum (New Venue), and the Sea World Culture and Arts Center.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China to ban cameras in locations like B&Bs to protect privacy

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

    BEIJING, March 29 — China will ban the installation of image-collecting devices in locations such as bed-and-breakfasts, dormitories and fitting rooms, with the aim of protecting privacy more effectively, according to a set of new regulations to take effect on April 1.

    The regulations standardize the management of video systems and complement laws to safeguard public safety, as well as citizens’ rights and interests, legal experts say.

    Though video and image collection in public spaces has become vital to ensuring public safety, concerns over data security and personal privacy have drawn increasing public attention in China in recent years.

    The new regulations clearly define where recording devices can be installed and who is authorized to install them, said Jin Ying, a professor at the school of politics and public administration with the Southwest University of Political Science and Law in Chongqing.

    Those who install image-collecting devices illegally, or share or disseminate video footage unlawfully will face penalties, which could involve the confiscation of equipment, the forced deletion of video footage, or the imposition of fines, according to the regulations on the management of video-image information systems for public safety.

    Individuals caught spying, filming covertly, or eavesdropping on the privacy of others will be subject to administrative penalties in accordance with the law, per the regulations.

    As these regulations concern various stakeholders, further efforts are needed to realize the goal of protecting public safety, national security, and individual rights and interests, Jin said.

    These efforts will include the early introduction of standards for relevant video-image systems — covering their registration, construction and technology — and the enhancement of transparency in the collection, storage and use of videos and images.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: The move toward AI deregulation could put financial markets at risk

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Sana Ramzan, Assistant Professor in Business, University Canada West

    As Canada moves toward stronger AI regulation with the proposed Artificial Intelligence and Data Act (AIDA), its southern neighbour appears to be taking the opposite approach.

    AIDA, part of Bill C-27, aims to establish a regulatory framework to improve AI transparency, accountability and oversight in Canada, although some experts have argued it doesn’t go far enough.

    Meanwhile, United States President Donald Trump’s is pushing for AI deregulation. In January, Trump signed an executive order aimed at eliminating any perceived regulatory barriers to “American AI innovation.” The executive order replaced former president Joe Biden’s prior executive order on AI.



    Read more:
    How the US threw out any concerns about AI safety within days of Donald Trump coming to office

    Notably, the U.S. was also one of two countries — along with the U.K. — that didn’t sign a global declaration in February to ensure AI is “open, inclusive, transparent, ethical, safe, secure and trustworthy.”

    Eliminating AI safeguards leaves financial institutions vulnerable. This vulnerability can increase uncertainty and, in a worst-case scenario, increase the risk of systemic collapse.



    Read more:
    The Paris summit marks a tipping point on AI’s safety and sustainability

    The power of AI in financial markets

    AI’s potential in financial markets is undeniable. It can improve operational efficiency, perform real-time risk assessments, generate higher income and forecast predictive economic change.

    My research has found that AI-driven machine learning models not only outperform conventional approaches in identifying financial statement fraud, but also in detecting abnormalities quickly and effectively. In other words, AI can catch signs of financial mismanagement before they spiral into a disaster.

    In another study, my co-researcher and I found that AI models like artificial neural networks and classification and regression trees can predict financial distress with remarkable accuracy.

    Artificial neural networks are brain-inspired algorithms. Similar to how our brain sends messages through neurons to perform actions, these neural networks process information through layers of interconnected “artificial neurons,” learning patterns from data to make predictions.

    Similarly, classification and regression trees are decision-making models that divide data into branches based on important features to identify outcomes.

    Our artificial neural networks models predicted financial distress among Toronto Stock Exchange-listed companies with a staggering 98 per cent accuracy. This suggests suggests AI’s immense potential in providing early warning signals that could help avert financial downturns before they start.

    However, while AI can simplify manual processes and lower financial risks, it can also introduce vulnerabilities that, if left unchecked, could pose significant threats to economic stability.

    The risks of deregulation

    Trump’s push for deregulation could result in Wall Street and other major financial institutions gaining significant power over AI-driven decision-making tools with little to no oversight.

    When profit-driven AI models operate without the appropriate ethical boundaries, the consequences could be severe. Unchecked algorithms, especially in credit evaluation and trading, could worsen economic inequality and generate systematic financial risks that traditional regulatory frameworks cannot detect.

    Algorithms trained on biased or incomplete data may reinforce discriminatory lending practices. In lending, for instance, biased AI algorithms can deny loans to marginalized groups, widening wealth and inequality gaps.

    In addition, AI-powered trading bots, which are capable of executing rapid transactions, could trigger flash crashes in seconds, disrupting financial markets before regulators have time to respond. The flash crash of 2010 is a prime example where high-frequency trading algorithms aggressively reacted to market signals causing the Dow Jones Industrial Average to drop by 998.5 points in a matter of minutes.

    Furthermore, unregulated AI-driven risk models might overlook economic warning signals, resulting in substantial errors in monetary control and fiscal policy.

    Striking a balance between innovation and safety depends on the ability for regulators and policymakers to reduce AI hazards. While considering financial crisis of 2008, many risk models — earlier forms of AI — were wrong to anticipate a national housing market crash, which led regulators and financial institutions astray and exacerbated the crisis.

    A blueprint for financial stability

    My research underscores the importance of integrating machine learning methods within strong regulatory systems to improve financial oversight, fraud detection and prevention.

    Durable and reasonable regulatory frameworks are required to turn AI from a potential disruptor into a stabilizing force. By implementing policies that prioritize transparency and accountability, policymakers can maximize the advantages of AI while lowering the risks associated with it.

    A federally regulated AI oversight body in the U.S. could serve as an arbitrator, just like Canada’s Digital Charter Implementation Act of 2022 proposes the establishment of an AI and Data Commissioner. Operating with checks and balances inherent to democratic structures would ensure fairness in financial algorithms and stop biased lending policies and concealed market manipulation.

    Financial institutions would be required to open the “black box” of AI-driven alternatives by mandating transparency through explainable AI standards — guidelines that are aimed at making AI systems’ outputs more understandable and transparent to humans.

    Machine learning’s predictive capabilities could help regulators identify financial crises in real-time using early warning signs — similar to the model developed by my co-researcher and me in our study.

    However, this vision doesn’t end at national borders. Globally, the International Monetary Fund and the Financial Stability Board could establish AI ethical standards to curb cross-border financial misconduct.

    Crisis prevention or catalyst?

    Will AI still be the key to foresee and stop the next economic crisis, or will the lack of regulatory oversight cause a financial disaster? As financial institutions continue adopt AI-driven models, the absence of strong regulatory guardrails raises pressing concerns.

    Without proper safeguards in place, AI is not just a tool for economic prediction — it could become an unpredictable force capable of accelerating the next financial crisis.

    The stakes are high. Policymakers must act swiftly to regulate the increasing impact of AI before deregulation opens the path for an economic disaster.

    Without decisive action, the rapid adoption of AI in finance could outpace regulatory efforts, leaving economies vulnerable to unforeseen risks and potentially setting the stage for another global financial crisis.

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

    – ref. The move toward AI deregulation could put financial markets at risk – https://theconversation.com/the-move-toward-ai-deregulation-could-put-financial-markets-at-risk-251208

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: AFRICA/SOUTH SUDAN – Catholic University: A Sign of Hope in South Sudan

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    ceduta da Javier Trapero, Direttore comunicazione MSC

    by Javier TraperoRumbek (Agenzia Fides) – When we talk about South Sudan, the focus is usually on conflicts and humanitarian crises. But in this country, one also senses the energy and dynamism of young people who want to build a better future for their country.At the Catholic University of South Sudan in Rumbek, “transformation” is promoted. The Missionaries of the Sacred Heart of Jesus pay special attention to the most vulnerable, with a particular focus on the education of women, convinced that education is the key to a more prosperous country. The university represents a concrete opportunity to overcome the crisis South Sudan continues to face.The challenges, however, are enormous. The most serious is currently the civil war in Sudan, which is having devastating consequences: many parishes, schools, and clinics have had to close. In some areas, priests, religious, and lay people continue to work for their communities despite the growing danger. They refuse to abandon the people, even if it means enduring extreme hardship: to reach some parishes, one must travel three days in a small canoe, sleep under a mosquito net on makeshift islands, and then walk for two days. Often, a priest only manages to visit a parish once a year, if not less frequently, making local catechists key figures in the life of the Church. In South Sudan, the Church truly consists of “living stones” who build a spiritual house day by day.Meanwhile, the country’s education system is fragile: primary and secondary schools offer only a very low level of education. The Catholic University of South Sudan is trying to reverse this trend by offering high-quality education thanks to expert teachers and internship programs in Catholic institutions such as Loreto or La Salle.The University’s first graduates have already made a difference in their communities. Among them are many women who are the first in their families to complete higher education and return to their villages as teachers, social workers, nurses, and other skilled workers. These young women not only improve their lives but also transform the social fabric, help overcome prejudices about women’s education, and offer new perspectives for the future.Classes are held in the afternoons, with an intensive study program so that students can support their families or work to support themselves in the mornings. The University offers three programs: Business Administration and Management, Education with a specialization in English and English Literature and Commerce, Religious Education and Citizenship.The annual tuition fee is $120, but the Sacred Heart Missionaries offer financial assistance to students who cannot afford it.The campus is accessible to all: the facilities have been designed to be accessible, including wheelchair-accessible restrooms. The only requirements for studying here is determination and passion.The Missionaries of the Sacred Heart work with dedication to make a tangible difference in people’s lives so that they can build a more solid and dignified future for themselves and their country. (Agenzia Fides, 29/3/2025)
    Ceduta da Javier Trapero, Direttore Comunicazione MSC

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    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: How is classified information typically shared and can officials declassify secrets whenever they want? A national security expert explains

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Dakota Rudesill, Associate Professor of Law, The Ohio State University

    Director of Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard testifies during a House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence hearing on March 26, 2025, in Washington, D.C. Nathan Posner/Anadolu via Getty Images

    U.S. District Judge James Boasberg on March 27, 2025, ordered top Trump administration officials to preserve records of their messages sent on the messaging app Signal from March 11 to March 15 following a transparency watchdog group’s lawsuit alleging that the officials have violated the Federal Records Act.

    This marked the latest development since The Atlantic on March 24 published a Signal chat among Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other national security officials discussing specific plans to attack Houthi militants in Yemen. Jeffrey Goldberg, the editor in chief at The Atlantic, was mistakenly included in the chat and wrote about what he saw.

    Trump administration officials have shared contrasting accounts about whether they were discussing sensitive war information on Signal – but maintain that they did not share classified information.

    Senator Roger Wicker, the Republican chair of the Senate Arms Services committee, and Senator Jack Reed, the top Democrat chairing the committee, on March 27 requested an investigation into how the Trump officials used Signal to discuss military strikes.

    Amy Lieberman, a politics and society editor, spoke with national security scholar Dakota Rudesill to better understand what constitutes classified information and how the government typically handles its most closely kept secrets.

    Democratic representatives share text messages on March 26, 2025, sent by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to other top Trump administration officials.
    Kayla Bartowski/Getty Images

    How are government officials supposed to communicate about classified information?

    The first way someone with the proper clearance can communicate about classified information is in person. They can talk about secret things in what is called a sensitive compartmented information facility, or SCIF. This means a secure place, often with a big, heavy door and a lock on it, where security officials have swept the area for bugs and no one can easily eavesdrop. People who are in SCIFs usually have to leave their cell phones outside of the room, and then they can talk freely about secret information. A SCIF can be a particular room, or a floor of a building, or even an entire building.

    Second, there is print communication: written documents with classification markings, which have to be handled in really particular ways, like in a safe location, and can be transported between SCIFs in secure containers.

    Third, intelligence agencies, the White House and the Department of Defense also all have secure electronic systems. These include visual teleconferences, which are similar to a Zoom call and are secure for discussing highly classified information, as well as secure email systems and secure phones.

    Many people with clearances have what is called “high side” email, which is shorthand lingo for classified email and messaging. Many people with security clearance would have two work hard drives and two computers. One of them is “low side,” where there is access to unclassified official email, documents and the internet.

    All of these methods of secure communication can be clunky and take more time than people in our smartphone age are used to. That is the cost of protecting the nation’s secrets. My sense is the Trump administration officials wanted to move fast and turned to Signal, a commercial app that promises encryption. Signal is generally considered secure but is not perfect. There is abundant public evidence that Signal is not totally secure and indeed has been penetrated by Russian intelligence.

    Can something be declassified after the information has been shared?

    Yes. The president can classify and declassify at will via oral or written instruction.

    The president’s constitutional powers include removing classification controls after information has been released or leaked. Trump could at any point declassify the information shared on Signal. Several of the Cabinet-level officials on that Signal chat also have expansive delegated powers over classification.

    Even so, Trump’s national security Cabinet would have presumably still violated the law. For example, by putting national defense information inappropriately on an insecure app and not checking to verify the clearances of everyone on the chat and thereby allowing a reporter to be present, one could reasonably conclude that the team was showing “gross negligence,” running afoul of the Espionage Act.

    The Espionage Act, enacted in 1917, criminalizes unauthorized retention and dissemination of sensitive information that could undermine the national security of the U.S. or help a foreign country.

    Was the information shared on Signal likely classified?

    Looking at the Signal message transcript that The Atlantic shared, it seems like at least four things were all but surely classified.

    The most obvious was the details that Secretary of Defense Hegseth provided on the strike plans. These include the precise times that planes were taking off, what kind and when the bombs would fall. Recent reports have quoted defense officials confirming that this information at the time was classified.

    Second, the chat revealed that the president gave a green light for secret strikes at a Situation Room meeting.

    Third, there is the mere fact of these top officials deciding whether and when to execute attacks authorized by the president.

    And fourth, according to media reports, the chat included the name of an intelligence officer whose position may have been secret.

    The Trump administration says that there was no classified information in the chat. But several analysts have noted that defies belief. The exception would be a prior decision to declassify, but we have no evidence of that.

    FBI Director Kash Patel, left, Tulsi Gabbard, director of National Intelligence, and CIA Director John Ratcliffe testify during a House Select Intelligence Committee hearing in Washington, D.C., on March 26, 2025.
    Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

    What other issues does this bring to mind?

    First, we don’t know whether the Trump officials carefully thought about it before they set up this chat on Signal, which the Pentagon has warned government officials against using because of hacking concerns.

    Second, even if the officials did make a focused decision to use Signal, what is the wisdom of that? I find it really, really hard to imagine that was a prudent decision when we think about how insecure this app is. There is also the fact that Steve Witkoff, Trump’s envoy to Ukraine and the Middle East, was party to the chat while he was in Russia. We do not know for sure if he had a device running Signal on him personally while he was in Russia, but in any event he would have been under intense Russian surveillance.

    A broader issue is how the Trump administration is enforcing the law is a giant question mark. Usually, the law both authorizes the U.S. government to do things, and also says it cannot do things. Law enables and limits everyone, including the president. However, Trump wrongly claims that he is the final authority on the law, and so far the Justice Department only seems to be enforcing the law against people outside of the administration.

    So does the law limit the Trump administration in any practical sense? Right now it is not clear – and there is abundant reason to be concerned about that from a rule of law standpoint.

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

    – ref. How is classified information typically shared and can officials declassify secrets whenever they want? A national security expert explains – https://theconversation.com/how-is-classified-information-typically-shared-and-can-officials-declassify-secrets-whenever-they-want-a-national-security-expert-explains-253207

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The State University of Management outlined vectors of cooperation with DonNUET

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –

    A business meeting was held at the State University of Management between the Vice-Rector of the State University of Management Maria Karelina and the Vice-Rector for Science of the Donetsk National State University of Economics and Trade named after Mikhail Tugan-Baranovsky Elena Azaryan.

    The main objective of the meeting was to discuss issues of scientific cooperation and educational initiatives aimed at strengthening ties between the two universities. During the dialogue, important topics were raised concerning the implementation of joint research projects and the organization of inter-university events.

    Following the negotiations, a decision was made to organize a series of scientific events aimed at exchanging experience and knowledge among students and teachers of both universities. An order was given to develop a list of events and prepare a memorandum of cooperation that will open up new prospects for the development of academic mobility and joint scientific research.

    The vice-rectors expressed satisfaction with the results achieved and noted the high level of mutual understanding, which will allow both parties to move forward within the framework of further strategic partnership.

    Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 03/29/2025

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –