Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Migrants and refugees are taking up Australian citizenship, engaging in educational opportunities, finding employment and opening businesses in large numbers, according to new data.

These are the key insights into the economic, education, health, housing, and citizenship outcomes of permanent migrants in Australia, published this week by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

The snapshot shows more than half (59 per cent) of permanent migrants were Australian citizens and Australian citizenship was highest for skilled migrants, at 64 per cent and lowest for family migrants, at 48 per cent.

Citizenship take-up was higher for permanent migrants who had lived in Australia for longer, the ABS data showed.

It was four per cent for migrants who lived in Australia for less than five years; it was 77 per cent for migrants who lived in Australia for more than 10 years and highest among humanitarian migrants (refugees) who lived in Australia for more than ten years, at 89 per cent.

The proportion of permanent migrants enrolled in further education was five per cent, compared with sic per cent of the total Australian population aged 15-64 years, the data showed.

Enrolment was highest for humanitarian migrants, at seven per cent, and lowest for family migrants, at three per cent.

Enrolment proportions were higher for permanent migrants who had lived in Australia for longer. It was two per cent for migrants who lived in Australia for less than five years, seven per cent for migrants who lived in Australia for more than ten years and highest among humanitarian migrants who lived in Australia for more than ten years, at ten per cent.

Of migrants enrolled in further education, 20 per cent completed a qualification in 2019, the same proportion as the total Australian population aged 15-64 years.

This was highest for skilled migrants, at 21 per cent, and lowest for humanitarian migrants, at 15 per cent.

Across all visa streams, this proportion was lowest for migrants who lived in Australia for less than 5 years. The proportions were 15 per cent for migrants who lived in Australia for less than 5 years and 19 per cent for migrants who lived in Australia for 5 to 10 years.

The figure was 20 per cent for migrants who lived in Australia for more than ten years.

The ABS data showed the proportion of permanent migrants who earned personal income was 70 per cent, compared with 76 per cent of the total Australian population aged 15-64 years.

The rate of employment or entrepreneurialism was highest for skilled migrants, at 76 per cent, and lowest for humanitarian migrants, at 49 per cent.

“By visa stream, the proportions of permanent migrants who earned personal income varied by length of time in Australia. It was lower for skilled migrants in who lived in Australia for longer and higher for Family and humanitarian migrants who lived in Australia for longer,” the ABS report said.

The proportion of permanent migrants who earned business income was 11 per cent, the same proportion as the total Australian population aged 15-64 years, the ABS data showed.

But it was highest for humanitarian migrants (or refugees) who lived in Australia for 5 to 10 years, at 16 per cent, and lowest for humanitarian migrants who lived in Australia for less than five years, at 6 per cent.

The proportion of permanent migrants who received unemployment payments was 11 per cent, compared with 13 per cent of the total Australian population aged 15-64 years.

“This was highest for humanitarian migrants, at 31 per cent, and lowest for skilled migrants at 8 per cent,” the ABS report said.

“By visa stream, proportions who received unemployment payments varied by length of time in Australia. It was higher for family migrants who had lived in Australia for more than 10 years (13 per cent) compared with those who lived in Australia for less than 5 years (8 per cent).

“It was lower for humanitarian migrants who had lived in Australia for more than 10 years (24 per cent) compared with those who lived in Australia for less than 5 years (49 per cent),” the ABS report said.

CEO of migrant and refugee settlement agency AMEs Australia Cath Scarth said the positive settlement outcomes data showed migrants and refugees were making positive contributions to Australia.

“The data points to the fact that refugees can create shared prosperity when they are welcomed into new communities,” Ms Scarth said.

“They contribute to local economies by revitalising cities and rural communities, starting local businesses, bringing diverse skills and creating jobs,” she said.

Ms Scarth said the settlement data came at a time when record numbers of refugees were displaced across the globe.

“Recently we heard from UNHCR that there are now 123 million people across the globe forced to flee their homes because of war, violence or persecution,” she said.

“Forty-four million of these are refugees forced to flee to neighbouring countries and more than half are women and children. The number is an all-time record and represents the 13th year in a row it has increased with the global displaced population now equivalent to that of Japan.

“In the face of these stark numbers, it is important to remember that, as many countries around the globe are closing their borders, Australia has committed to maintaining what is one of the world's most generous and sophisticated refugee settlement programs in the world,” Ms Scarth said.

30 JUNE 2025 – Equinor has struck oil in exploration well 7720/7-DD-1H, Drivis Tubåen, on the Johan Castberg field in the Barents Sea.

The well was drilled in the Drivis structure on the Johan Castberg field in the Barents Sea. According to preliminary estimates the size of the discovery is 9-15 million barrels of oil.

Grete Birgitte Haaland, Equinor's senior vice president for Exploration & Production North

“Only a short time after Johan Castberg came on stream and is producing at full capacity, we have made a new discovery that can provide additional reserves for the field. The Johan Castberg volume base originally estimated at 450–650 million barrels, our clear ambition is to increase the reserves by a another 250–550 million barrels. 

The KOF Economic Barometer decreases in June. After a moderate increase in the previous month, it now falls to its lowest level so far this year. The outlook for the Swiss economy deteriorates.

In June, the KOF Economic Barometer decreases by 2.5 points to a level of 96.1 (after revised 98.6 in the previous month). The negative developments are reflected in the majority of the indicator bundles included in the KOF Economic Barometer. In particular, the indicator bundle for manufacturing is considerably under pressure. The negative perspectives are slightly cushioned by the indicator bundle for foreign demand which shows an improved outlook this month.

Within the producing industry (manufacturing and construction), the sub-indicators for different aspects of business activity exhibit predominantly negative developments. The sub-indicators for the general business situation show a particularly strong downward tendency. Also weakened are the sub-indicators for production activity, stockpiling of intermediate goods, order backlogs, and stocks of finished products. Slightly positive, but almost unchanged, are the perspectives for the exports sub-indicators.

The predominantly negative developments are present along the majority of sub-indicators within manufacturing. Particularly weakened are the sub-indicators for the wood, glass, stone and earth segment, the chemical and pharmaceutical industry, as well as the metal industry. The sub-indicators for the textile industry remain nearly unchanged.

Hear how Australians from sport, entertainment and social enterprise turned doubt into action – as part of CommBank’s refreshed brand platform championing everyone to fulfil their personal potential.

Doubt is something we all face, but it’s how we respond that defines us.

CommBank’s new campaign, Doubt Never Did, shares the real stories of Australians from all walks of life who have faced self-doubt, setbacks and uncertainty – and kept going. From personal reinvention to pushing through rejections, doubt is part of the turning point that helped them succeed.

Jo Boundy, CommBank Chief Marketing Officer, said: “Doubt can hold us back – whether it’s taking the first steps to start a business or savings goal, or hitting a roadblock further along in your journey. This campaign shows Australians they’re not alone, and that doubt can be a powerful turning point. Back yourself and know that with CommBank in your corner, you can.”

Meet the Australians who turned doubt into something more

From elite sport to the stage and kitchen, the inspiring Australians who feature in the national campaign have each faced down their own moments of doubts. Hear conversations with:

Mary Fowler, CommBank Matilda’s superstar – who rose from Cairns to the world stage, overcoming pressure and expectation to become one of the most exciting talents in global football;
Zoe Karatzovalis, Yellow Wiggle, inclusivity champion and business owner of inclusive dance studio, Infinite Abilities Performance Arts; and
Shaun Christie-David, social entrepreneur, Founder of Plate it Forward and Colombo Social;

From today, see these stories on billboards across the country with QR codes to listen to the full audio interviews hosted by podcaster Matty J.

https://youtu.be/81FiIPeJerk

28 June, Gaza: The Israeli-US food distribution scheme in Gaza, launched one month ago, is degrading Palestinians by design, forcing them to choose between starvation or risking their lives for minimal supplies. With over 500 people killed and nearly 4,000 wounded while seeking food, this scheme is slaughter masquerading as humanitarian aid and must be immediately dismantled. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) calls on the Israeli authorities and their allies to lift the siege on food, fuel, medical, and humanitarian supplies and to revert to the pre-existing principled humanitarian system, coordinated by the UN.

This disaster has been orchestrated by the Israeli-US proxy operating under the name Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). The way supplies are distributed forces thousands of Palestinians, who have been starved by an over 100 day-long Israeli siege, to walk long distances to reach the four distribution sites and fight for scraps of food supplies. These sites hinder women, children, the elderly, and people with disabilities from accessing aid and people are killed and wounded in the chaotic process. Yet each renewed atrocity now happens with barely a shrug, let alone condemnation, from an international community seemingly resigned to its role in allowing and perpetuating a campaign consistent with patterns of genocide. This cannot be allowed to continue.

“The four distribution sites, all located in areas under the full control of Israeli forces after people had been forcibly displaced from there, are the size of football fields surrounded by watch points, mounds of earth and barbed wire. The fenced entrance gives only one access point in or out,” says Aitor Zabalgogeazkoa, MSF emergency coordinator in Gaza. “GHF workers drop the pallets and the boxes of food and open the fences, allowing thousands in all at once to fight down to the last grain of rice.

“If people arrive early and approach the checkpoints, they get shot. If they arrive on time, but there is an overflow and they jump over the mounds and the wires, they get shot,” says Zabalgogeazkoa. “If they arrive late, they shouldn't be there because it is an 'evacuated zone', they get shot.”

Every day, MSF teams see patients who have been killed or wounded trying to get food at one of these sites.

“A lot of people were getting directly shot at. This is not aid – it's a death trap,” says Hani Abu Soud, a community member at Al-Mawasi primary healthcare centre. “They were going to kill us one by one.  We were hungry, we were just trying to feed our children. What else can I do?  A bag of lentils costs around 30-40 shekels [€6 – €10]”.

“We do not have that kind of money. Death has become cheaper than survival.”

As the distributions have continued, medical teams have noticed a stark increase in the number of patients with gunshot wounds. In the MSF field hospital in Deir Al-Balah the number of patients with gunshot wounds increased by 190 per cent the week of 8 June, compared to the week before. The still barely functioning hospitals in Gaza are devastated; running on minimal supplies of pain relief, anaesthetic and blood. Fully functioning hospitals would struggle to cope with such a high number of trauma patients flooding emergency rooms every day.

Injured patients seek help at basic healthcare clinics or field hospitals, since larger hospitals better equipped to provide treatment for violent trauma have been damaged by Israel's attacks on healthcare facilities, with many no longer functioning. The MSF clinic in Al Mawasi, which is not typically equipped to treat trauma patients, has received 423 people wounded from the distribution sites since 7 June.  Ten or more patients with violent injuries arrive from distribution sites each day. These injuries require immediate life-saving treatment, like blood transfusions or surgery, that our medical teams cannot provide in a basic healthcare clinic. Patients are referred to the few remaining hospitals still functioning like Nasser hospital, but with healthcare so scarce, MSF has received reports of people wounded at aid distribution sites dying from their injuries before they can receive treatment.

With no food in the tent he shared with his family, seventeen-year-old Ashraf went to a distribution site on 23 June. “I told him it was too dangerous. He said he wanted to get something for his sister,” says Hanan, Ashraf's mother. “Thirty minutes later he called me, crying for help. He had been shot. This 'aid' is soaked in blood.”

Ashraf was being treated at Al Mawasi basic healthcare clinic.

Aid must not be controlled by a warring party to further its military objectives. The Israeli authorities have used a deliberate tactic of food deprivation against Palestinians in Gaza. They have weaponised food supply by denying it to people, then by limiting it to a trickle, in a complete violation of international humanitarian law. Humanitarian principles exist to enable the facilitation of aid to those who need it most, with dignity. Aid must be delivered at scale, consistent with these principles. The people of Gaza are in vital and immediate need of the re-establishment of a genuine aid system, and a sustained ceasefire, for their very survival.

MSF is an international, medical, humanitarian organisation that delivers medical care to people in need, regardless of their origin, religion, or political affiliation. MSF has been working in Haiti for over 30 years, offering general healthcare, trauma care, burn wound care, maternity care, and care for survivors of sexual violence. MSF Australia was established in 1995 and is one of 24 international MSF sections committed to delivering medical humanitarian assistance to people in crisis. In 2022, more than 120 project staff from Australia and New Zealand worked with MSF on assignment overseas. MSF delivers medical care based on need alone and operates independently of government, religion or economic influence and irrespective of race, religion or gender. For more information visit msf.org.au  

In an Australian banking first, CommBank is collaborating with cyber-intelligence firm Apate.ai to harness near real-time scam intelligence and help protect Australians from harm.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CommBank) today unveiled a new weapon in the fight against scams: a fleet of thousands of AI-powered bot profiles, deployed by Apate.ai – a cyber-intelligence firm and spin-out from Macquarie University. These AI-bots are engineered to engage scammers, gather critical intelligence and disrupt scam operations – with near real-time scam intelligence harnessed by CommBank to safeguard both our customers and the wider Australian community.

“This is about flipping the script,” said James Roberts, CommBank’s General Manager of Group Fraud. “Scammers are increasingly using AI to target Australians – we’re turning the tables by using AI to fight back. Every minute a scammer is engaging with a bot, is a minute they're not targeting an Australian. The near real-time intelligence being gathered is a game-changer in how we help to protect our customers and the broader community.”

Every day, Apate.ai deploys thousands of conversational AI bots to disrupt scammers targeting unsuspecting Australians, via text-based conversations and voice calls. This expanded and increasingly sophisticated bot network follows a successful pilot program announced by Macquarie University in late 2024.

When a scammer calls or texts, sophisticated bots engage them in extended conversations, gather intelligence, and feed near real-time insights directly into CommBank’s scam control systems and the broader cross-sector anti-scam ecosystem.

“We’re on a mission to dismantle the business models of scammers around the world. Our bots share near real-time intelligence to our partners like CommBank to fight scams, helping to shield consumers and businesses and making it harder for scammers to operate,” said Professor Dali Kaafar, CEO & Founder of Apate.ai.

“Our system is based on a “Honeypot” strategy. In collaboration with our telco partners, Apate.ai operates a vast and constantly growing network of dedicated telephone numbers connected to the telcos networks and designed specifically to be discovered and targeted by scammers. When a scammer dials or messages one of these numbers, they actually engage in conversations with one of our AI-powered bots and not a person,” Professor Kaafar added.

Mr Roberts emphasised that protecting Australians from scams requires a united, cross-sector approach.

“At CommBank, we’re focused on investing in innovative technologies to help combat scams and strengthen Australia’s broader anti-scam ecosystem. Our initiatives focus on enhancing cybersecurity, raising public awareness, and collaborating with industry leaders to build a safer digital environment for all Australians.”

Phone and text scams remain Australia’s biggest threat

In 2024, phone scams accounted for the highest overall financial losses and were more likely to result in significant individual losses, according to National Anti-Scams Centre data about contact methods used by scammers.1

During the same period, text messages were the second most common contact method used by scammers, with investment scams responsible for the highest losses via this channel.2

Intelligence in action

CommBank is using intelligence gathered by Apate.ai in near real-time to help protect our customers and the broader Australian community.

This intelligence helps CommBank to identify emerging scam tr

27 JUNE 2025 – The name of the UK North Sea’s largest independent oil and gas producer has been revealed today, marking a major milestone in the creation of the new company.

Equinor and Shell made the joint announcement to staff this afternoon – with Adura chosen as the bold new presence for their incorporated joint venture (IJV).

With a long-standing presence in the North Sea, the two companies have collaborated closely to identify the new name – rooted in their respective heritage and focused on shaping the future of the basin in the years ahead. Adura has been created to bring together the A of Aberdeen and the dura of durability. It’s a company built on firm foundations, much like the strong granite synonymous with the city.

The creation of Adura follows the announcement in December 2024 that Equinor and Shell would be combining their UK offshore oil and gas assets and world-class expertise to form a new company.

Adura will sustain domestic oil and gas production and security of energy supply in the UK and beyond, headquartered at the Silver Fin building in Aberdeen city centre.

Aberdeen, the UK’s energy capital and a major centre of global engineering and supply chain excellence, is at the heart of operations and central to the name of Adura, alongside an enduring commitment to the future of energy from the North Sea.

Work continues towards securing regulatory approvals, with launch of the IJV expected by the end of this year.

Camilla Salthe, Senior Vice President Equinor UK Upstream, said:

“We are so pleased to have reached this major milestone in the creation of the new company with Shell. For us, the name Adura represents the very heart of this company and speaks to its people and place within the energy community anchored in Aberdeen, alongside its longevity and commitment to the North Sea.”

Simon Roddy, Senior Vice President Shell UK Upstream, said:

“Adura takes an exciting step forward today as we unveil its new name – rooted in a proud history in the North Sea and looking forward with confidence to delivering secure energy for the UK for many years to come.When Adura launches later this year it will become the UK’s largest independent producer. Through combining assets and expertise, we will create a robust portfolio, with a shared purpose, to unlock long term value.”

Notes

In the UK, Equinor currently produces approx. 38,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day; Shell UK produces over 100,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day. Adura is expected to produce over 140,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day in 2025.
On deal completion, Adura will be jointly owned by Equinor (50%) and Shell (50%)
Adura will include Equinor’s equity interests in Mariner, Rosebank and Buzzard; and Shell’s equity interests in Shearwater, Penguins, Gannet, Nelson, Pierce, Jackdaw, Victory, Clair and Schiehallion. A range of exploration licences will also be part of the transaction.
Equinor will retain ownership of its cross-border assets, Utgard, Barnacle and Statfjord and offshore wind portfolio including Sheringham Shoal, Dudgeon, Hywind Scotland and Dogger Bank. It will also retain the hydrogen, carbon capture and storage, power generation, battery storage and gas storage assets.
Shell UK will retain ownership of its interests in the Fife NGL plant, St Fergus Gas Terminal and floating wind projects under development – MarramWind and CampionWind. Shell UK will also remain Technical Developer of Acorn, Scotland’s largest carbon capture and storage project.
Equinor employs around 300 people in oil and gas roles in the UK, while Shell employs approximately 1000 supporting its oil and gas business in the UK.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. – Pacific Defense, the leading provider of Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) products, announced it has secured the inaugural launch for its Moonraker MOSA space Radio Frequency (RF) payload on board the K2 Space Gravitas Mission in February 2026. The mission includes a series of multi-orbit Space Situational Awareness (SSA) demonstrations showcasing the payload's mission flexibility.

Moonraker is a RF sensing and high-performance computing (HPC) Payload for Space Situational Awareness (SSA). The payload demonstrates the rapidly deliverable, mission-flexible modular open systems approach (MOSA).

Moonraker is a 3U Open VPX multi-function, RF payload with application software capable of performing a range of RF missions that fundamentally changes the cost, schedule, and deployment concept for responsive space missions. Designed for SSA, Moonraker payload architecture fully supports a range of receive and transmit Electromagnetic Spectrum Operation (EMSO) functions to command the electromagnetic operational environment.

“We're thrilled to take the United States Department of Defense's MOSA initiative to new heights with Moonraker,” said Bryan Terlecky, Vice President of Space Systems at Pacific Defense. “As global space competition intensifies, there is a pressing need for adaptable, software-driven solutions that can rapidly evolve to counter emerging threats. This mission marks a significant step in our commitment to providing innovative and flexible solutions for space control”.

The on-orbit demonstration, being completed under a contract with the Air Force Research Lab/Space Vehicles Directorate (AFRL/RV), is a critical milestone for Pacific Defense's Space MOSA payloads and will inform future operational systems. For more information, please visit Space Systems (ref. https://www.pacific-defense.com/space-systems?utm_source=Business+Wire&utm_medium=Press+Release&utm_campaign=MoonrakerLaunch )

About Pacific Defense

Pacific Defense is purpose-built to drive the open systems transformation necessary to unlock rapid innovation and the power of commercial technology. Specializing in C5ISR and Electronic Warfare (EW) solutions for mission-critical environments, Pacific Defense leverages Modular Open Systems Architecture (MOSA) standards to deliver innovative, adaptable technology that enables faster response to emerging threats and evolving mission requirements. Learn more at https://pacific-defense.com 

Food, water, energy crises, human tragedies in 2023-2025 detailed in sweeping analysis by U.S. National Drought Mitigation Center and the UN Convention to Combat Desertification.

Fuelled by climate change and relentless pressure on land and water resources, some of the most widespread and damaging drought events in recorded history have taken place since 2023, according to a UN-backed report launched today. Prepared by the U.S. National Drought Mitigation Center (NDMC) and the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), with support from the International Drought Resilience Alliance (IDRA), the report “Drought Hotspots Around the World 2023-2025” provides a comprehensive account of how droughts compound poverty, hunger, energy insecurity, and ecosystem collapse. Says UNCCD Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw: “Drought is a silent killer. It creeps in, drains resources, and devastates lives in slow motion. Its scars run deep.” “Drought is no longer a distant threat,” he adds. “It is here, escalating, and demands urgent global cooperation. When energy, food, and water all go at once, societies start to unravel. That’s the new normal we need to be ready for.” “This is not a dry spell,” says Dr. Mark Svoboda, report co-author and NDMC Founding Director. “This is a slow-moving global catastrophe, the worst I've ever seen. This report underscores the need for systematic monitoring of how drought affects lives, livelihoods, and the health of the ecosystems that we all depend on.” “The Mediterranean countries represent canaries in the coal mine for all modern economies,” he adds. “The struggles experienced by Spain, Morocco and Türkiye to secure water, food, and energy under persistent drought offer a preview of water futures under unchecked global warming. No country, regardless of wealth or capacity, can afford to be complacent.” A wide-ranging crisis The new report synthesizes information from hundreds of government, scientific and media sources to highlight impacts within the most acute drought hotspots in Africa (Somalia, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Botswana, Namibia), the Mediterranean (Spain, Morocco, Türkiye), Latin America (Panama, Amazon Basin), Southeast Asia, and beyond. Africa:  Over 90 million people across Eastern and Southern Africa face acute hunger. Some areas have been enduring their worst ever recorded drought. Southern Africa, already drought-prone, was devastated with roughly 1/6th of the population (68 million) needing food aid in August 2024.  In Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Malawi, maize and wheat crops have failed repeatedly. In Zimbabwe alone, the 2024 corn crop was down 70% year on year, and maize prices doubled while 9,000 cattle died of thirst and starvation.  In Somalia, the government estimated 43,000 people died in 2022 alone due to drought-linked hunger. As of early 2025, 4.4 million people – a quarter of the population – face crisis-level food insecurity, including 784,000 expected to reach emergency levels. Zambia suffered one of the world's worst energy crises as the Zambezi River in April 2024 plummeted to 20% of its long-term average. The country’s largest hydroelectric plant, the Kariba Dam, fell to 7% generation capacity, causing blackouts of up to 21 hours per day and shuttering hospitals, bakeries, and factories. Mediterranean: Spain: Water shortages hit agriculture, tourism, and domestic supply. By September 2023, two years of drought and record heat caused a 50% drop in Spain’s olive crop, causing its olive oil prices to double across the country.  Morocco: The sheep population was 38% smaller in 2025 relative to 2016, prompting a royal plea to cancel traditional Eid sacrifices. Türkiye: Drought accelerated groundwater depletion, triggering sinkholes that present hazards to communities and their infrastructure while permanently reducing aquifer storage capacity. Latin America: Amazon Basin: Record-low river levels in 2023 and 2024 led to mass deaths of fish and endangered dolphins, and disrupted drinking water and transport for hundreds of thousands. As deforestation and fires intensify, the Amazon risks transitioning from a carbon sink to a carbon source. Panama Canal: Water levels dropped so low that transits were slashed by over one-third (from 38 to 24 ships daily between October 2023 and January 2024), causing major global trade disruptions. Facing multi-week delays, many ships were rerouted to longer, costlier paths via the Suez Canal or South Africa’s infamous Cape of Good Hope. Among the knock-on effects, U.S. soybean exports slowed, and UK grocery stores reported shortages and rising prices of fruits and vegetables. Southeast Asia: Drought disrupted production and supply chains of key crops such as rice, coffee, and sugar. In 2023-2024, dry conditions in Thailand and India, for example, triggered shortages leading to a 8.9% increase in the price of sugar in the US. “A Perfect Storm” of El Niño and climate change The 2023–2024 El Niño event amplified already harsh climate change impacts, triggering dry conditions across major agricultural and ecological zones. Drought’s impacts hit hardest in climate hotspots, regions already suffering from warming tr