NewzIntel.com

Category: AM-NC

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China-Central Asia Cooperation Development Forum and 3rd Silk Road International Communication Conference Held in Astana

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    ASTANA, June 22 (Xinhua) — The China-Central Asia Cooperation Forum and the 3rd Silk Road International Communication Conference are being held at the Presidential Center of Kazakhstan on Sunday.

    At the opening ceremony of the forum, a congratulatory message from the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev was read out.

    “I congratulate you on the visit of the Chairman of the People’s Republic of China Mr. Xi Jinping to Kazakhstan and the beginning of the collegial meetings held on the occasion of the 2nd Central Asia-China Summit. Such events contribute to the establishment of humanitarian dialogue between Kazakhstan, the countries of Central Asia and China, and the intensification of cultural cooperation. Kazakh-Chinese relations, based on the principles of good-neighborliness, friendship and eternal comprehensive strategic partnership, are strengthening every year,” says the address, which was read by the assistant to the President of Kazakhstan Arman Kyrykbayev.

    The address notes that in 2025, declared the Year of China Tourism in Kazakhstan, events will be held aimed at deepening mutual understanding and cooperation between the two countries. “I am convinced that important proposals and valuable opinions will be expressed at this meeting, which will improve communication between the media of our countries. I wish the participants fruitful work, prosperity and success,” added K.-Zh. Tokayev.

    In his speech at the opening of the forum, Fu Hua, Director General of the Chinese news agency Xinhua, noted that Chinese President Xi Jinping has consistently paid special attention to the development of cooperation between China and Central Asia. According to the Director General, a stable, prosperous, harmonious and interconnected Central Asia is of great importance to the entire world.

    Fu Hua said that Xinhua is willing to work with its counterparts in media and think tanks in Central Asian countries to strengthen media exchanges, deepen cooperation in various fields such as news journalism, technological development, personnel exchanges, focus on the actual situation and development needs of China and Central Asia, conduct joint research on issues of common concern, strengthen field research, analysis and evaluation, information exchange and sharing of results, issue more meaningful and practical analytical reports, and put forward proposals for developing China-Central Asia cooperation.

    As Qiu Xiaoqi, deputy head of the China Society for Public Diplomacy, noted, the official launch of the China-Central Asia Cooperation Forum marks a new stage of exchanges and cooperation between the journalistic, analytical and cultural circles of the six countries, which will provide stronger and more effective intellectual support and public opinion support for the process of building a China-Central Asia community with a shared future. According to Qiu Xiaoqi, all parties should make every effort to better tell the stories of China-Central Asia cooperation and the modernization of the Global South.

    First Deputy Director of the Agency for Cultural Heritage of Uzbekistan Tursunali Kuziev emphasized that the Uzbek side fully agrees with the proverb “A close neighbor is better than a distant relative” and makes constant efforts to build good-neighborly, friendly, mutually beneficial and win-win relations between Central Asia and China. He expressed hope that the current conference will become another highly effective platform for the Central Asian states and China to exchange views, stimulate innovative ideas and plan areas for future cooperation.

    In his speech, Chinese Ambassador to Kazakhstan Han Chunlin pointed out that the “China-Central Asian spirit” demonstrates the six countries’ firm aspiration for good-neighborliness, friendship, solidarity and mutual assistance. According to him, the media is an important bridge and link that promotes mutual understanding and rapprochement between peoples. The ambassador called for joint efforts for common development, proper interpretation of the “China-Central Asian spirit” and the creation of a favorable public opinion environment to promote high-quality development of relations between China and Central Asia.

    Speaking at the opening ceremony, Secretary-General of the China-Central Asia Format Sun Weidong stated that think tanks and media outlets of the six countries bear an important responsibility in strengthening the social foundation of the China-Central Asia community with a shared future. He assured that the Secretariat of the China-Central Asia Format is willing to work closely with all parties to actively serve the cooperation mechanisms and platforms in all areas and contribute to building an even closer China-Central Asia community with a shared future.

    In his speech, Zu Bin, a board member of China Huadian Corporation, pointed out that China Huadian, as one of the world’s largest energy enterprises, intends to comprehensively implement the initiative to jointly build the “Belt and Road” and the agreement of the “China-Central Asia” summit, adhere to the concept of mutual benefit and common gain, help Central Asian countries convert their resource advantages into development advantages, and promote the rapid development of green cooperation within the framework of the “Belt and Road”.

    During the forum, the analytical center’s report “Development of the China-Central Asia Spirit: Achievements, Opportunities and Prospects for Regional Cooperation” was published in Chinese, Russian and English.

    The theme of the forum is “Media Integration and Accumulation of Wisdom to Create a New Chapter of China-Central Asia Cooperation.” Participants of the event discuss ways to expand regional information exchanges, launch joint projects and strengthen humanitarian ties. The organizers are the Xinhua News Agency and the Television and Radio Complex of the President of Kazakhstan. The forum is attended by about 140 representatives of the media industry of China and five Central Asian countries. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Xinhua Publishes Report “Development of the China-Central Asia Spirit: Achievements, Opportunities, and Prospects for Regional Cooperation”

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    ASTANA, June 22 (Xinhua) — The state-run Xinhua Analytical Center on Sunday released a report in the Kazakh capital Astana titled “Development of the China-Central Asia Spirit: Achievements, Possibilities and Prospects of Regional Cooperation.”

    The report describes the fruitful results of cooperation between China and Central Asia, highlights existing opportunities and challenges, and analyzes the prospects for regional cooperation.

    According to the report, since the beginning of the new era, China-Central Asia cooperation has achieved fruitful results in seven key areas: trade and economic exchanges, infrastructure, energy cooperation, emerging economic sectors, enhancing development potential, mutual learning among civilizations, and safeguarding peace and tranquility.

    As the authors point out, China and the five Central Asian countries have become good neighbors, friends, partners, and brothers sharing a common destiny. Together, the six countries have created a new landscape of friendly, stable, and prosperous neighborhood in Eurasia.

    China and Central Asian countries have formed a “China-Central Asian spirit” of mutual respect, mutual trust, mutual benefit, mutual assistance and promoting joint modernization through high-quality development, setting a standard for regional cooperation for the world.

    The report notes that China’s high-quality development and its high-level opening up to the outside world, together with a new wave of scientific, technological and industrial transformation, have provided significant opportunities for cooperation between China and Central Asian countries. However, their interaction faces risks and challenges such as unilateralism, protectionism, geopolitical risks and non-traditional security threats.

    The authors emphasize that further cooperation between China and Central Asia should be guided by the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind, as well as three major global initiatives – the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative.

    The report calls for the principle of mutual support, common development, common security and friendship passed down from generation to generation to be firmly upheld. The parties should make joint efforts to consolidate the foundation of a regional community with a shared future, open a new chapter in the history of regional prosperity, build a common shield of security and stability, and compose a new symphony of people-to-people ties. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Canada deepens bilateral and trade ties with United Arab Emirates

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    June 22, 2025 – Ottawa, Ontario – Global Affairs Canada

    From June 18 to 20, 2025, the Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs, welcomed to Canada His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.), for a high-level visit of the U.A.E.’s delegation that he led, where they discussed key areas of cooperation and reinforced the strong ties between Canada and the UAE.

    The Honourable Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario also met the delegation and discussed opportunities for Canada and the U.A.E. to collaborate on AI, through research and development, commercialization, and capital investments. 

    As part of this visit, the Honourable Maninder Sidhu, Minister of International Trade, met with members of the delegation to advance economic opportunities as part of Canada’s commitment to trade diversification. Minister Sidhu also spoke with his counterpart H.E. Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, U.A.E. Minister of State for Foreign Trade, about the importance of strengthening the trade and investment relationship between the two countries.

    At a business roundtable hosted by the Canada-UAE Business Council, Minister Sidhu spoke about how Canada and the UAE can continue to expand their trade relationship. He noted, for example, the recent opening of the Dubai Chambers office in Toronto, which will help unlock new opportunities for Canadian and Emirati businesses.

    The Honourable Randeep Sarai, Secretary of State (International Development), also took this opportunity to meet with Reem Al Hashimy, the U.A.E.’s Minister of State for International Cooperation, to discuss relief efforts in Gaza and potential development cooperation between Canada and UAE.

    Through a joint statement between Canada and the U.A.E., both countries reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation across trade, investment, innovation, people-to-people ties, international development and regional peace and security. Growing Canada’s commercial ties with countries like the U.A.E. builds on Canada’s trade diversification strategy, creating new opportunities for Canadian businesses.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: New Zealand announces further aid for Ukraine

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have announced a new $16 million package of support for Ukraine ahead of this week’s NATO Summit in the Hague.   
    “New Zealand stands in solidarity with Ukraine. Its war of self-defence is well into its fourth year and our condemnation of Russia’s illegal full-scale invasion remains undiminished,” Mr Luxon says.
    New Zealand will make $4 million contributions to two multi-national funds providing lethal and non-lethal military assistance for Ukraine: the NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU) fund; and the United Kingdom and Latvia-led Drone Coalition for Ukraine.
    “The defence of Ukraine has significant implications not only for the security of the Euro-Atlantic, but also for the Indo-Pacific,” Mr Peters says.  
    “We must continue to work with others in the international community to uphold a rules-based order that serves all our interests.”
    New Zealand will also provide $7 million in further humanitarian assistance for conflict affected communities in Ukraine, and $1 million for Ukrainians displaced in neighbouring countries.  
    “The scale of need remains vast, as Russia continues its bombardment of densely populated civilian areas of Ukraine,” Mr Luxon says.
    This support package follows the recently announced sanctions targeting Russia’s “shadow fleet” and other enablers of Russia’s war in Ukraine. 
    “It is vital the international community maintains pressure on Russia to end its war and engage meaningfully with efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine,” Mr Peters says.  
    More information about diplomatic, military, humanitarian and economic support to Ukraine, as well as sanctions, travel bans, and export controls against Russia, can be found on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade website here.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: DHS Issues National Terrorism Advisory System Bulletin Amid Israel-Iran Conflict

    Source: US Department of Homeland Security

    There are currently no specific credible threats against the homeland 

    WASHINGTON – Today, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem issued a National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS) Bulletin regarding a heightened threat environment across the United States due to the direct involvement of the United States in the ongoing conflict between the nations of Israel and Iran. There are currently no specific credible threats against the homeland.   

    “It is our duty to keep the nation safe and informed, especially during times of conflict,” said Secretary Kristi Noem. “The ongoing Israel-Iran conflict brings the possibility of increased threat to the homeland in the form of possible cyberattacks, acts of violence, and antisemitic hate crimes.”

    This NTAS Bulletin will expire on September 22, 2025.  The public should report any suspicious activity or threats of violence to local law enforcement, FBI Field Offices, or a local Fusion Center.  

    Read the NTAS Bulletin here.   

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Labubu plushies aren’t just toys. They’re a brand new frontier for Chinese soft power

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ming Gao, Research Fellow of East Asia Studies, Lund University

    Katerina Elagina/Shutterstock

    One of the most sought-after items of 2025 isn’t a designer handbag or the latest tech gadget. It’s a plush elf with a snaggle-toothed grin.

    Labubu (拉布布) is a global sensation. From David Beckham and Rihanna to Dua Lipa and Blackpink’s Lisa, celebrities – and even members of the Thai royal family – have been spotted showcasing their Labubu collections.

    Created in 2015 by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung for his picture-book series The Monsters, Labubu gained mass popularity when toy company Pop Mart began releasing it as blind-box collectables in 2019. The toys are often sold in these blind-boxes, where people don’t know what make they’ve bought until after opening the box.

    The niche designer toy has since spiralled into a multi billion-dollar obsession. Plushies sell out within minutes, fans queue for hours, and rare editions like the human-sized mint-green-coloured Labubu have fetched over A$230,000 at auction.

    Labubu isn’t just a toy. It’s a glimpse of how China’s long-awaited soft power is beginning to take shape in unexpected ways.

    China’s accidental soft power icon?

    For years, the Chinese government has tried to cultivate a positive image abroad through the Belt and Road Initiative, introducing visa-free entry to boost tourism, and promoting homegrown brands.

    None of these efforts have matched the spontaneous global appeal of this small plush creature. Unlike Japan’s government-funded “Cool Japan” initiative launched in 2010, or South Korea’s highly coordinated export of creative industries, Labubu succeeded without central planning. It went viral organically: fanned by fandoms, fuelled by TikTok and amplified by celebrity endorsements.

    Now, China is starting to look “cool” to the outside world.

    Pop Mart’s blind-box sales model taps into the same reward mechanisms as online gaming. More than buying a toy, it’s about the thrill of unboxing the rarest edition, the social status of ownership, and the resale value of a seemingly childish product. This cultural product is emotionally charged and economically strategic.

    Labubu uses ‘blind boxes’ – where buyers don’t know what model they’ll get – to emotionally hook collectors.
    Tatiana Diuvbanova/Shutterstock

    For China, Labubu represents an unintentional yet potent form of soft power: a quirky figure that makes the country feel playful, creative and emotionally accessible.

    In an era when global perceptions of China are often shaped by geopolitics, surveillance, and authoritarianism, Labubu seems to offer something different – something disarming.

    How Japan and Korea use cultural exports

    Japan, long celebrated for its exports of anime, fashion, and food culture, launched its “Cool Japan” strategy in 2010 to formalise and promote its creative industries abroad.

    The initiative helped amplify global interest in sectors such as anime and cuisine but it often struggled with bureaucratic inefficiency, market misjudgements and unclear performance metrics.

    Many of the country’s cultural successes – from Pokémon and Studio Ghibli to ramen and izakaya – were largely driven by market forces and fan communities, rather than by the government.

    South Korea provides a more recent, effective model. The Korean Wave, or hallyu, has been heavily supported by state investment and infrastructure.

    From the film Parasite to global icons such as K-Pop band BTS, South Korea’s cultural output has earned international acclaim and helped rebrand the nation on the world stage.

    Importantly, it was a case of soft power being harnessed intentionally and strategically, with entertainment at the forefront of foreign policy.

    Labubu represents a third model: accidental soft power born from a commercial ecosystem in China increasingly focused on intellectual property (IP), lifestyle branding and consumer-driven trends.

    The emotional politics of toys

    Beyond its political implications, the Labubu craze reflects wider shifts in global consumer culture. Today’s toy market is no longer just for children.

    The adult “kidult” sector, driven by nostalgia, comfort-seeking, and collectability, is rising.

    The frenzy over Labubu is part of this trend, where millennials and Gen Z buyers invest in emotionally charged objects as expressions of identity, status and belonging.

    The popularity of labubu has seen long lines at PopMart shops around the world, like this one in South Jakarta.
    petanicupu/Shutterstock

    At the same time, Labubu represents a growing intersection between play and finance. The resale market treats plushies like speculative assets. Their scarcity creates value; their emotional resonance creates demand.

    It’s capitalism with a fuzzy face.

    Not everything is cuddly. In cities like London or Seoul, Pop Mart was forced to suspend sales after scuffles broke out among fans competing to buy the toys. And a surge in global counterfeits has raised growing concerns over IP protection and consumer trust.

    The rise of China’s soft power

    Labubu may look like a mischievous little elf, but it carries serious cultural weight.

    It reflects a China that is no longer just a producer of goods, but a producer of desire.

    It’s tempting to see Labubu as a fad like fidget spinners, Beanie Babies, or Tamagotchis. But it signals something deeper: a shift in how Chinese cultural products can evoke emotion, status and aspiration on a global scale.

    This tiny plush toy took nearly a decade to become a global sensation. China’s hopes of fully realising its soft power potential may take even longer. But if Labubu is any indication, the way forward may depend less on state-led campaigns and more on organic, bottom-up cultural momentum.

    Ming Gao receives funding from the Swedish Research Council. This research was produced with support from the Swedish Research Council grant “Moved Apart” (nr. 2022-01864). Ming Gao is a member of Lund University Profile Area: Human Rights.

    – ref. Labubu plushies aren’t just toys. They’re a brand new frontier for Chinese soft power – https://theconversation.com/labubu-plushies-arent-just-toys-theyre-a-brand-new-frontier-for-chinese-soft-power-259146

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Labubu plushies aren’t just toys. They’re a brand new frontier for Chinese soft power

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ming Gao, Research Fellow of East Asia Studies, Lund University

    Katerina Elagina/Shutterstock

    One of the most sought-after items of 2025 isn’t a designer handbag or the latest tech gadget. It’s a plush elf with a snaggle-toothed grin.

    Labubu (拉布布) is a global sensation. From David Beckham and Rihanna to Dua Lipa and Blackpink’s Lisa, celebrities – and even members of the Thai royal family – have been spotted showcasing their Labubu collections.

    Created in 2015 by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung for his picture-book series The Monsters, Labubu gained mass popularity when toy company Pop Mart began releasing it as blind-box collectables in 2019. The toys are often sold in these blind-boxes, where people don’t know what make they’ve bought until after opening the box.

    The niche designer toy has since spiralled into a multi billion-dollar obsession. Plushies sell out within minutes, fans queue for hours, and rare editions like the human-sized mint-green-coloured Labubu have fetched over A$230,000 at auction.

    Labubu isn’t just a toy. It’s a glimpse of how China’s long-awaited soft power is beginning to take shape in unexpected ways.

    China’s accidental soft power icon?

    For years, the Chinese government has tried to cultivate a positive image abroad through the Belt and Road Initiative, introducing visa-free entry to boost tourism, and promoting homegrown brands.

    None of these efforts have matched the spontaneous global appeal of this small plush creature. Unlike Japan’s government-funded “Cool Japan” initiative launched in 2010, or South Korea’s highly coordinated export of creative industries, Labubu succeeded without central planning. It went viral organically: fanned by fandoms, fuelled by TikTok and amplified by celebrity endorsements.

    Now, China is starting to look “cool” to the outside world.

    Pop Mart’s blind-box sales model taps into the same reward mechanisms as online gaming. More than buying a toy, it’s about the thrill of unboxing the rarest edition, the social status of ownership, and the resale value of a seemingly childish product. This cultural product is emotionally charged and economically strategic.

    Labubu uses ‘blind boxes’ – where buyers don’t know what model they’ll get – to emotionally hook collectors.
    Tatiana Diuvbanova/Shutterstock

    For China, Labubu represents an unintentional yet potent form of soft power: a quirky figure that makes the country feel playful, creative and emotionally accessible.

    In an era when global perceptions of China are often shaped by geopolitics, surveillance, and authoritarianism, Labubu seems to offer something different – something disarming.

    How Japan and Korea use cultural exports

    Japan, long celebrated for its exports of anime, fashion, and food culture, launched its “Cool Japan” strategy in 2010 to formalise and promote its creative industries abroad.

    The initiative helped amplify global interest in sectors such as anime and cuisine but it often struggled with bureaucratic inefficiency, market misjudgements and unclear performance metrics.

    Many of the country’s cultural successes – from Pokémon and Studio Ghibli to ramen and izakaya – were largely driven by market forces and fan communities, rather than by the government.

    South Korea provides a more recent, effective model. The Korean Wave, or hallyu, has been heavily supported by state investment and infrastructure.

    From the film Parasite to global icons such as K-Pop band BTS, South Korea’s cultural output has earned international acclaim and helped rebrand the nation on the world stage.

    Importantly, it was a case of soft power being harnessed intentionally and strategically, with entertainment at the forefront of foreign policy.

    Labubu represents a third model: accidental soft power born from a commercial ecosystem in China increasingly focused on intellectual property (IP), lifestyle branding and consumer-driven trends.

    The emotional politics of toys

    Beyond its political implications, the Labubu craze reflects wider shifts in global consumer culture. Today’s toy market is no longer just for children.

    The adult “kidult” sector, driven by nostalgia, comfort-seeking, and collectability, is rising.

    The frenzy over Labubu is part of this trend, where millennials and Gen Z buyers invest in emotionally charged objects as expressions of identity, status and belonging.

    The popularity of labubu has seen long lines at PopMart shops around the world, like this one in South Jakarta.
    petanicupu/Shutterstock

    At the same time, Labubu represents a growing intersection between play and finance. The resale market treats plushies like speculative assets. Their scarcity creates value; their emotional resonance creates demand.

    It’s capitalism with a fuzzy face.

    Not everything is cuddly. In cities like London or Seoul, Pop Mart was forced to suspend sales after scuffles broke out among fans competing to buy the toys. And a surge in global counterfeits has raised growing concerns over IP protection and consumer trust.

    The rise of China’s soft power

    Labubu may look like a mischievous little elf, but it carries serious cultural weight.

    It reflects a China that is no longer just a producer of goods, but a producer of desire.

    It’s tempting to see Labubu as a fad like fidget spinners, Beanie Babies, or Tamagotchis. But it signals something deeper: a shift in how Chinese cultural products can evoke emotion, status and aspiration on a global scale.

    This tiny plush toy took nearly a decade to become a global sensation. China’s hopes of fully realising its soft power potential may take even longer. But if Labubu is any indication, the way forward may depend less on state-led campaigns and more on organic, bottom-up cultural momentum.

    Ming Gao receives funding from the Swedish Research Council. This research was produced with support from the Swedish Research Council grant “Moved Apart” (nr. 2022-01864). Ming Gao is a member of Lund University Profile Area: Human Rights.

    – ref. Labubu plushies aren’t just toys. They’re a brand new frontier for Chinese soft power – https://theconversation.com/labubu-plushies-arent-just-toys-theyre-a-brand-new-frontier-for-chinese-soft-power-259146

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Freak wind gusts made worse by climate change threaten airline passenger safety

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Milton Speer, Visiting Fellow, School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, University of Technology Sydney

    Unexpected severe turbulence injured crew and passengers on a Qantas Boeing 737 during descent at Brisbane on May 4 2024. The subsequent Australian Transport Safety Bureau investigation suggested the severity of the turbulence caught the captain by surprise.

    This is not an isolated event. Thunderstorms featuring severe wind gusts such as violent updrafts and downbursts are hazardous to aircraft. Downbursts in particular have been known to cause many serious accidents.

    Our new research suggests global warming is increasing the frequency and intensity of wind gusts from thunderstorm “downbursts”, with serious consequences for air travel.

    We used machine learning techniques to identify the climate drivers causing more thunderstorm downbursts. Increased heat and moisture over eastern Australia turned out to be the key ingredients.

    The findings suggest air safety authorities and airlines in eastern Australia must be more vigilant during takeoff and landing in a warming world.

    The weather radar system on a 737 jet plane can detect a microburst just before it causes heavy turbulence.
    Qantas, annotated by the ATSB

    Warm, moist air spells trouble for planes

    Global warming increases the amount of water vapour in the lower atmosphere. That’s because 1°C of warming allows the atmosphere to hold 7% more water vapour.

    The extra moisture typically comes from adjacent warmer seas. It evaporates from the surface of the ocean and feeds clouds.

    Increased heat and water vapour fuels stronger thunderstorms. So climate change is expected to increase thunderstorm activity over eastern Australia

    For aircraft, the main problem with thunderstorms is the risk of hazardous, rapid changes in wind strength and direction at low levels.

    Small yet powerful

    Small downbursts, several kilometres wide, are especially dangerous. These “microbursts” can cause abrupt changes in wind gust speed and direction, creating turbulence that suddenly moves the plane in all directions, both horizontally and vertically.

    Microburst wind gusts can be extremely strong. Brisbane airport recorded a microburst wind gust at 157km per hour in November 2016. Three planes on the tarmac were extensively damaged.

    On descent or ascent, aircraft encountering microbursts can experience sudden, unexpected losses or gains in altitude. This has caused numerous aircraft accidents in the past. Microbursts will become increasingly problematic in a warming climate.

    Delta Flight 191 is the most famous aviation accident caused by a microburst | Smithsonian Channel Aviation Nation

    Microburst analysis and prediction

    Microbursts are very difficult to predict, because they are so small. So we used machine learning to identify the environmental factors most conducive to the formation of microbursts and associated severe wind gusts.

    We accessed observational data from the Bureau of Meteorology’s extensive archives. Then we applied eight different machine learning techniques to find the one that worked best.

    Machine learning is a field of study in artificial intelligence using algorithms and statistical models to enable computers to learn from data without explicit programming. It enables systems to identify patterns, make predictions and improve performance over time as they take in more information.

    We found atmospheric conditions in eastern Australia are increasingly favouring the development of stronger, more frequent thunderstorm microbursts.

    We investigated a microburst outbreak from a storm front in 2018. It produced severe surface wind gusts at six regional airports in New South Wales: Bourke, Walgett, Coonamble, Moree, Narrabri and Gunnedah.

    Regional airports in Australia and around the world often use small aircraft. Small planes with 4–50 passenger seats are more vulnerable to the strong, even extreme, wind gusts spawned by thunderstorm microbursts.

    Widespread consequences

    Our extensive regional case study identified the weather patterns that create severe thunderstorms in eastern Australia during the warmer months.

    High cloud water content creates a [downward force] [https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/11215] in the cloud. This force induces a descending air current. When the heavier air reaches the ground, wind gusts spray out in multiple directions.

    A small yet powerful downburst can deflect a plane from it’s intended path of descent, pushing it down towards the ground.
    Mehmood, K., et al (2023) Fluids., CC BY

    These wind gusts endanger aircraft during takeoff and landing, because rapid wind shifts from tail winds to head winds can cause the aircraft to dangerously gain or lose altitude.

    Our analysis highlights the elevated aviation risks of increased atmospheric turbulence from thunderstorm microbursts across eastern Australia.

    Smaller aircraft at inland regional airports in southeastern Australia are especially vulnerable. But these sudden microburst-generated wind gusts will require monitoring by major east coast airports, such as Sydney and Brisbane.

    Beware of heightened microburst activity

    Flying has long been recognised as a very safe mode of travel, with an accident rate of just 1.13 per million flights.

    However, passenger numbers worldwide have increased dramatically, implying even a small risk increase could affect a large number of travellers.

    Previous research into climate-related risks to air travel has tended to focus on high-altitude cruising dangers, such as clear air turbulence and jet stream instability. In contrast, there has been less emphasis on dangers during low-level ascent and descent.

    Our research is among the first to detail the heightened climate risk to airlines from thunderstorm microbursts, especially during takeoff and landing. Airlines and air safety authorities should anticipate more strong microbursts. More frequent wind gust turbulence from microbursts is to be expected over eastern Australia, in our ongoing warming climate.

    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. Freak wind gusts made worse by climate change threaten airline passenger safety – https://theconversation.com/freak-wind-gusts-made-worse-by-climate-change-threaten-airline-passenger-safety-258823

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Freak wind gusts made worse by climate change threaten airline passenger safety

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Milton Speer, Visiting Fellow, School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, University of Technology Sydney

    Unexpected severe turbulence injured crew and passengers on a Qantas Boeing 737 during descent at Brisbane on May 4 2024. The subsequent Australian Transport Safety Bureau investigation suggested the severity of the turbulence caught the captain by surprise.

    This is not an isolated event. Thunderstorms featuring severe wind gusts such as violent updrafts and downbursts are hazardous to aircraft. Downbursts in particular have been known to cause many serious accidents.

    Our new research suggests global warming is increasing the frequency and intensity of wind gusts from thunderstorm “downbursts”, with serious consequences for air travel.

    We used machine learning techniques to identify the climate drivers causing more thunderstorm downbursts. Increased heat and moisture over eastern Australia turned out to be the key ingredients.

    The findings suggest air safety authorities and airlines in eastern Australia must be more vigilant during takeoff and landing in a warming world.

    The weather radar system on a 737 jet plane can detect a microburst just before it causes heavy turbulence.
    Qantas, annotated by the ATSB

    Warm, moist air spells trouble for planes

    Global warming increases the amount of water vapour in the lower atmosphere. That’s because 1°C of warming allows the atmosphere to hold 7% more water vapour.

    The extra moisture typically comes from adjacent warmer seas. It evaporates from the surface of the ocean and feeds clouds.

    Increased heat and water vapour fuels stronger thunderstorms. So climate change is expected to increase thunderstorm activity over eastern Australia

    For aircraft, the main problem with thunderstorms is the risk of hazardous, rapid changes in wind strength and direction at low levels.

    Small yet powerful

    Small downbursts, several kilometres wide, are especially dangerous. These “microbursts” can cause abrupt changes in wind gust speed and direction, creating turbulence that suddenly moves the plane in all directions, both horizontally and vertically.

    Microburst wind gusts can be extremely strong. Brisbane airport recorded a microburst wind gust at 157km per hour in November 2016. Three planes on the tarmac were extensively damaged.

    On descent or ascent, aircraft encountering microbursts can experience sudden, unexpected losses or gains in altitude. This has caused numerous aircraft accidents in the past. Microbursts will become increasingly problematic in a warming climate.

    Delta Flight 191 is the most famous aviation accident caused by a microburst | Smithsonian Channel Aviation Nation

    Microburst analysis and prediction

    Microbursts are very difficult to predict, because they are so small. So we used machine learning to identify the environmental factors most conducive to the formation of microbursts and associated severe wind gusts.

    We accessed observational data from the Bureau of Meteorology’s extensive archives. Then we applied eight different machine learning techniques to find the one that worked best.

    Machine learning is a field of study in artificial intelligence using algorithms and statistical models to enable computers to learn from data without explicit programming. It enables systems to identify patterns, make predictions and improve performance over time as they take in more information.

    We found atmospheric conditions in eastern Australia are increasingly favouring the development of stronger, more frequent thunderstorm microbursts.

    We investigated a microburst outbreak from a storm front in 2018. It produced severe surface wind gusts at six regional airports in New South Wales: Bourke, Walgett, Coonamble, Moree, Narrabri and Gunnedah.

    Regional airports in Australia and around the world often use small aircraft. Small planes with 4–50 passenger seats are more vulnerable to the strong, even extreme, wind gusts spawned by thunderstorm microbursts.

    Widespread consequences

    Our extensive regional case study identified the weather patterns that create severe thunderstorms in eastern Australia during the warmer months.

    High cloud water content creates a [downward force] [https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/11215] in the cloud. This force induces a descending air current. When the heavier air reaches the ground, wind gusts spray out in multiple directions.

    A small yet powerful downburst can deflect a plane from it’s intended path of descent, pushing it down towards the ground.
    Mehmood, K., et al (2023) Fluids., CC BY

    These wind gusts endanger aircraft during takeoff and landing, because rapid wind shifts from tail winds to head winds can cause the aircraft to dangerously gain or lose altitude.

    Our analysis highlights the elevated aviation risks of increased atmospheric turbulence from thunderstorm microbursts across eastern Australia.

    Smaller aircraft at inland regional airports in southeastern Australia are especially vulnerable. But these sudden microburst-generated wind gusts will require monitoring by major east coast airports, such as Sydney and Brisbane.

    Beware of heightened microburst activity

    Flying has long been recognised as a very safe mode of travel, with an accident rate of just 1.13 per million flights.

    However, passenger numbers worldwide have increased dramatically, implying even a small risk increase could affect a large number of travellers.

    Previous research into climate-related risks to air travel has tended to focus on high-altitude cruising dangers, such as clear air turbulence and jet stream instability. In contrast, there has been less emphasis on dangers during low-level ascent and descent.

    Our research is among the first to detail the heightened climate risk to airlines from thunderstorm microbursts, especially during takeoff and landing. Airlines and air safety authorities should anticipate more strong microbursts. More frequent wind gust turbulence from microbursts is to be expected over eastern Australia, in our ongoing warming climate.

    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. Freak wind gusts made worse by climate change threaten airline passenger safety – https://theconversation.com/freak-wind-gusts-made-worse-by-climate-change-threaten-airline-passenger-safety-258823

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: How pregnant women are tested for gestational diabetes is changing. Here’s what this means for you

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alexis Shub, Obstetrician & Maternal Fetal Medicine specialist, The University of Melbourne

    How Australian pregnant women are tested for gestational diabetes is set to change, with new national guidelines released today.

    Changes are expected to lead to fewer diagnoses in women at lower risk, reducing the burden of extra monitoring and intervention. Meanwhile the changes focus care and support towards women and babies who will benefit most.

    These latest recommendations form the first update in screening for gestational diabetes in more than a decade, and potentially affect more than 280,000 pregnant women a year across Australia.

    The new guidelines, which we have been involved in writing, are released today by the Australasian Diabetes in Pregnancy Society and published in the Medical Journal of Australia.

    What is gestational diabetes? Why do we test for it?

    Gestational diabetes (also known as gestational diabetes mellitus) is one of the most common medical complications of pregnancy. It affects nearly one in five pregnancies in Australia.

    It is defined by abnormally high levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood that are first picked up during pregnancy.

    Most of the time gestational diabetes goes away after the birth. But women with gestational diabetes are at least seven times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes later in life.

    In Australia, routine screening for gestational diabetes is recommended for all pregnant women. This will continue.

    That’s because treatment reduces the risk of poorer pregnancy outcomes. This includes
    babies being born very large – a condition called macrosomia – which can lead to difficult births, and a caesarean. Treatment also reduces the risk of pre-eclampsia, when women have high blood pressure and protein in their urine, and other serious pregnancy complications.

    Screening for gestational diabetes is also an opportunity to identify women who may benefit from diabetes prevention programs and ways to support their long-term health, including support with nutrition and physical activity.

    Why is testing changing?

    Most women benefit from detection and treatment. However, for some women, a diagnosis can have negative impacts. This often relates to how care is delivered.

    Women have described feeling shame and stigma after the diagnosis. Others report challenges accessing the care and support they need during pregnancy. This may include access to specialist doctors, allied health professionals and clinics. Some women have restricted their diet in an unhealthy way, without appropriate supervision by a health professional. Some have had to change their preferred maternity care provider or location of birth because their pregnancy is now considered higher risk.

    So we must diagnose the condition in women when the benefits outweigh the potential costs.

    Which pregnant women need a blood test and when? And when are other types of testing warranted?
    Elizaveta Galitckaia/Shutterstock

    When are blood sugar levels too high?

    Diagnosing gestational diabetes is based on having blood glucose levels above a certain threshold.

    However, there is no clear level above which the risk of complications starts to increase. And determining the best thresholds to identify who does, and who does not, have gestational diabetes has been subject to much research and debate.

    Globally, screening approaches and diagnostic criteria vary substantially. There are differences in who is recommended to be screened, when in pregnancy screening should occur, which tests should be used, and what the diagnostic glucose levels should be.

    So, what changes?

    The new recommendations are the result of reviewing up-to-date evidence with input from a wide range of professional and consumer groups.

    Screening will continue

    All pregnant women who don’t already have a diagnosis of pre-pregnancy diabetes, or gestational diabetes, will still be recommended screening at between 24 and 28 weeks’ gestation. They’ll still have an oral glucose tolerance test, a measure of how the body processes sugar. The test involves fasting overnight, and having a blood test in the morning before drinking a sugary drink. Then there are two more blood tests over two hours. However, fewer women will have this test twice in their pregnancy.

    Changes mean more targeted care

    The following changes mean health services should be able to reorient resources to ensure women have access to the care they need to support healthier pregnancies, including early support for women who need it most:

    • women with risk factors of existing, undiagnosed diabetes (such as a higher body-mass index or BMI, or a previous large baby) will be screened in the first trimester, with a single, non-fasting blood test (known as HbA1c)

    • fewer women will have an oral glucose tolerance test early in the pregnancy, ideally between ten and 14 weeks gestation. This early testing will be reserved for women with specific risk factors, such as gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy, or a high level on the HbA1c test

    • women will only be diagnosed if their blood glucose level is above new, higher cut-off points for the oral glucose tolerance test, for tests conducted early or later in the pregnancy.

    Which tests do I need?

    These changes will be implemented over coming months. So women are encouraged to speak to their maternity care provider about how the changes apply to them.

    Alexis Shub is a board director of the Australasian Diabetes in Pregnancy Society. She has received research funding from ADIPS.

    Matthew Hare has received research funding from the NHMRC, MRFF, Diabetes Australia, Australian Diabetes Society, Royal Australasian College of Physicians, Viertel Charitable Foundation and Australian government Department of Health. He has received honoraria for consultancies, steering committees and invited talks from Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly, Boehringer Ingelheim and AstraZeneca. He is president and board chair of the Australasian Diabetes in Pregnancy Society, and a member of the Australian Diabetes Society and Endocrine Society of Australia.

    Susan de Jersey has received research funding from the NHMRC, MRFF, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital Foundation, Diabetes Australia, Metro North Health. She is a member of Dietitians Australia, Australian Diabetes Educators Association, and is vice chair and board director of the Australasian Diabetes in Pregnancy Society.

    – ref. How pregnant women are tested for gestational diabetes is changing. Here’s what this means for you – https://theconversation.com/how-pregnant-women-are-tested-for-gestational-diabetes-is-changing-heres-what-this-means-for-you-259260

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: How pregnant women are tested for gestational diabetes is changing. Here’s what this means for you

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alexis Shub, Obstetrician & Maternal Fetal Medicine specialist, The University of Melbourne

    How Australian pregnant women are tested for gestational diabetes is set to change, with new national guidelines released today.

    Changes are expected to lead to fewer diagnoses in women at lower risk, reducing the burden of extra monitoring and intervention. Meanwhile the changes focus care and support towards women and babies who will benefit most.

    These latest recommendations form the first update in screening for gestational diabetes in more than a decade, and potentially affect more than 280,000 pregnant women a year across Australia.

    The new guidelines, which we have been involved in writing, are released today by the Australasian Diabetes in Pregnancy Society and published in the Medical Journal of Australia.

    What is gestational diabetes? Why do we test for it?

    Gestational diabetes (also known as gestational diabetes mellitus) is one of the most common medical complications of pregnancy. It affects nearly one in five pregnancies in Australia.

    It is defined by abnormally high levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood that are first picked up during pregnancy.

    Most of the time gestational diabetes goes away after the birth. But women with gestational diabetes are at least seven times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes later in life.

    In Australia, routine screening for gestational diabetes is recommended for all pregnant women. This will continue.

    That’s because treatment reduces the risk of poorer pregnancy outcomes. This includes
    babies being born very large – a condition called macrosomia – which can lead to difficult births, and a caesarean. Treatment also reduces the risk of pre-eclampsia, when women have high blood pressure and protein in their urine, and other serious pregnancy complications.

    Screening for gestational diabetes is also an opportunity to identify women who may benefit from diabetes prevention programs and ways to support their long-term health, including support with nutrition and physical activity.

    Why is testing changing?

    Most women benefit from detection and treatment. However, for some women, a diagnosis can have negative impacts. This often relates to how care is delivered.

    Women have described feeling shame and stigma after the diagnosis. Others report challenges accessing the care and support they need during pregnancy. This may include access to specialist doctors, allied health professionals and clinics. Some women have restricted their diet in an unhealthy way, without appropriate supervision by a health professional. Some have had to change their preferred maternity care provider or location of birth because their pregnancy is now considered higher risk.

    So we must diagnose the condition in women when the benefits outweigh the potential costs.

    Which pregnant women need a blood test and when? And when are other types of testing warranted?
    Elizaveta Galitckaia/Shutterstock

    When are blood sugar levels too high?

    Diagnosing gestational diabetes is based on having blood glucose levels above a certain threshold.

    However, there is no clear level above which the risk of complications starts to increase. And determining the best thresholds to identify who does, and who does not, have gestational diabetes has been subject to much research and debate.

    Globally, screening approaches and diagnostic criteria vary substantially. There are differences in who is recommended to be screened, when in pregnancy screening should occur, which tests should be used, and what the diagnostic glucose levels should be.

    So, what changes?

    The new recommendations are the result of reviewing up-to-date evidence with input from a wide range of professional and consumer groups.

    Screening will continue

    All pregnant women who don’t already have a diagnosis of pre-pregnancy diabetes, or gestational diabetes, will still be recommended screening at between 24 and 28 weeks’ gestation. They’ll still have an oral glucose tolerance test, a measure of how the body processes sugar. The test involves fasting overnight, and having a blood test in the morning before drinking a sugary drink. Then there are two more blood tests over two hours. However, fewer women will have this test twice in their pregnancy.

    Changes mean more targeted care

    The following changes mean health services should be able to reorient resources to ensure women have access to the care they need to support healthier pregnancies, including early support for women who need it most:

    • women with risk factors of existing, undiagnosed diabetes (such as a higher body-mass index or BMI, or a previous large baby) will be screened in the first trimester, with a single, non-fasting blood test (known as HbA1c)

    • fewer women will have an oral glucose tolerance test early in the pregnancy, ideally between ten and 14 weeks gestation. This early testing will be reserved for women with specific risk factors, such as gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy, or a high level on the HbA1c test

    • women will only be diagnosed if their blood glucose level is above new, higher cut-off points for the oral glucose tolerance test, for tests conducted early or later in the pregnancy.

    Which tests do I need?

    These changes will be implemented over coming months. So women are encouraged to speak to their maternity care provider about how the changes apply to them.

    Alexis Shub is a board director of the Australasian Diabetes in Pregnancy Society. She has received research funding from ADIPS.

    Matthew Hare has received research funding from the NHMRC, MRFF, Diabetes Australia, Australian Diabetes Society, Royal Australasian College of Physicians, Viertel Charitable Foundation and Australian government Department of Health. He has received honoraria for consultancies, steering committees and invited talks from Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly, Boehringer Ingelheim and AstraZeneca. He is president and board chair of the Australasian Diabetes in Pregnancy Society, and a member of the Australian Diabetes Society and Endocrine Society of Australia.

    Susan de Jersey has received research funding from the NHMRC, MRFF, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital Foundation, Diabetes Australia, Metro North Health. She is a member of Dietitians Australia, Australian Diabetes Educators Association, and is vice chair and board director of the Australasian Diabetes in Pregnancy Society.

    – ref. How pregnant women are tested for gestational diabetes is changing. Here’s what this means for you – https://theconversation.com/how-pregnant-women-are-tested-for-gestational-diabetes-is-changing-heres-what-this-means-for-you-259260

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: NZ’s changing diet: Māori bread and jackfruit join other new foods in the country’s nutritional database

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nick William Smith, Associate Investigator in Nutritional Science, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University

    Shutterstock/Alesia Bierliezova

    The latest update to the New Zealand food composition database, a comprehensive collection of nutrient data collated jointly by Plant & Food Research and the Ministry of Health, brings more than just numbers: it adds insights into culturally important foods and their role in diets.

    For the first time, certain traditional foods such as rēwena (Māori bread) and ingredients such as natto, paneer, jackfruit and lentils are included. Alongside these are modern supermarket staples, including lactose-free yoghurts and dairy-free cheeses.

    As New Zealand’s population continues to diversify and people’s food choices evolve, the database is keeping pace, ensuring everyone’s plate is represented. The latest update introduces 191 new or updated food records, each with a detailed list of all nutrients, from a wide range of culturally relevant, plant-based and speciality diet foods. These include:

    • traditional Māori foods such as rēwena

    • ethnic staples, including natto, paneer, black beans

    • high-protein yoghurts, dairy-free cheeses and lactose-free options, reflecting market trends.

    New Zealanders’ changing food habits

    New Zealand’s population is becoming more ethnically diverse. The 2023 census shows nearly a third of New Zealand residents were born overseas and the population of people with Asian ethnicity is the fastest growing in the country. Our supermarkets and food services reflect these changes in their offering.

    At the same time, demand is growing for plant-based options, allergen-friendly foods and products tailored to different dietary needs. The database update captures these shifts, offering data on foods that might previously have been overlooked or underestimated.

    For example, including rēwena means nutrition professionals working with Māori communities or individuals can offer tailored advice using culturally relevant foods. Including natto or paneer gives dietitians more information to support New Zealanders of Asian or Indian heritage.

    Rēwena includes potato and is higher in protein and dietary fibre than most white breads.
    Shutterstock/EQRoy

    The newly added foods weren’t chosen at random. They reflect real changes in the way New Zealanders eat, informed by surveys that reflect the quantities of foods consumed and also how important they are for delivering essential nutrients. The additions also capture new products available in supermarkets or significant changes in recipes.

    Foods are collected from around the country to represent our geographically spread population. They are then sent for independent lab analysis to quantify their content of macro (proteins, carbohydrates, fats) and micronutrients (minerals and vitamins).

    Including new foods ensures the database stays relevant for a modern, multicultural population and provides accurate nutrition information for consumers, healthcare providers, food businesses and researchers. This facilitates future national surveys to more accurately capture the diversity of New Zealand diets and their implications for population nutrition.

    Where these new foods sit in a healthy diet

    With the addition of 74 new food components, including detailed profiles of fatty acids and a new method for measuring dietary fibre, the database doesn’t just tell us what is in our food, but also how these foods contribute to nutrition.

    Many of the newly included foods are rich in protein, dietary fibre or plant-based nutrients. This is true for rēwena, which includes potato and is higher in protein and dietary fibre than most white breads. Black beans and lentils are affordable sources of protein and iron, while jackfruit offers a low-fat, meat-like texture for vegetarian meals.

    The database is reviewed and updated every two years to reflect what people are actually eating. With 2,857 foods and 434 nutrient components now in the system, it offers an unparalleled window into New Zealand’s food supply and provides information to support national nutrition surveys and dietary intake studies.

    The data also supports educational resources, such as those produced by organisations that encourage New Zealanders to eat fruits and vegetables.

    The food composition database is New Zealand’s most comprehensive source of high-quality nutrient data. It is used by researchers, the food industry, public health agencies and regulators to develop and reformulate products, create accurate nutrition labels, model dietary trends and monitor how changing food habits affect nutrition.

    Nick William Smith works for Plant & Food Research.

    Carolyn Elizabeth Lister 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. NZ’s changing diet: Māori bread and jackfruit join other new foods in the country’s nutritional database – https://theconversation.com/nzs-changing-diet-maori-bread-and-jackfruit-join-other-new-foods-in-the-countrys-nutritional-database-257791

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: NZ’s changing diet: Māori bread and jackfruit join other new foods in the country’s nutritional database

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nick William Smith, Associate Investigator in Nutritional Science, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University

    Shutterstock/Alesia Bierliezova

    The latest update to the New Zealand food composition database, a comprehensive collection of nutrient data collated jointly by Plant & Food Research and the Ministry of Health, brings more than just numbers: it adds insights into culturally important foods and their role in diets.

    For the first time, certain traditional foods such as rēwena (Māori bread) and ingredients such as natto, paneer, jackfruit and lentils are included. Alongside these are modern supermarket staples, including lactose-free yoghurts and dairy-free cheeses.

    As New Zealand’s population continues to diversify and people’s food choices evolve, the database is keeping pace, ensuring everyone’s plate is represented. The latest update introduces 191 new or updated food records, each with a detailed list of all nutrients, from a wide range of culturally relevant, plant-based and speciality diet foods. These include:

    • traditional Māori foods such as rēwena

    • ethnic staples, including natto, paneer, black beans

    • high-protein yoghurts, dairy-free cheeses and lactose-free options, reflecting market trends.

    New Zealanders’ changing food habits

    New Zealand’s population is becoming more ethnically diverse. The 2023 census shows nearly a third of New Zealand residents were born overseas and the population of people with Asian ethnicity is the fastest growing in the country. Our supermarkets and food services reflect these changes in their offering.

    At the same time, demand is growing for plant-based options, allergen-friendly foods and products tailored to different dietary needs. The database update captures these shifts, offering data on foods that might previously have been overlooked or underestimated.

    For example, including rēwena means nutrition professionals working with Māori communities or individuals can offer tailored advice using culturally relevant foods. Including natto or paneer gives dietitians more information to support New Zealanders of Asian or Indian heritage.

    Rēwena includes potato and is higher in protein and dietary fibre than most white breads.
    Shutterstock/EQRoy

    The newly added foods weren’t chosen at random. They reflect real changes in the way New Zealanders eat, informed by surveys that reflect the quantities of foods consumed and also how important they are for delivering essential nutrients. The additions also capture new products available in supermarkets or significant changes in recipes.

    Foods are collected from around the country to represent our geographically spread population. They are then sent for independent lab analysis to quantify their content of macro (proteins, carbohydrates, fats) and micronutrients (minerals and vitamins).

    Including new foods ensures the database stays relevant for a modern, multicultural population and provides accurate nutrition information for consumers, healthcare providers, food businesses and researchers. This facilitates future national surveys to more accurately capture the diversity of New Zealand diets and their implications for population nutrition.

    Where these new foods sit in a healthy diet

    With the addition of 74 new food components, including detailed profiles of fatty acids and a new method for measuring dietary fibre, the database doesn’t just tell us what is in our food, but also how these foods contribute to nutrition.

    Many of the newly included foods are rich in protein, dietary fibre or plant-based nutrients. This is true for rēwena, which includes potato and is higher in protein and dietary fibre than most white breads. Black beans and lentils are affordable sources of protein and iron, while jackfruit offers a low-fat, meat-like texture for vegetarian meals.

    The database is reviewed and updated every two years to reflect what people are actually eating. With 2,857 foods and 434 nutrient components now in the system, it offers an unparalleled window into New Zealand’s food supply and provides information to support national nutrition surveys and dietary intake studies.

    The data also supports educational resources, such as those produced by organisations that encourage New Zealanders to eat fruits and vegetables.

    The food composition database is New Zealand’s most comprehensive source of high-quality nutrient data. It is used by researchers, the food industry, public health agencies and regulators to develop and reformulate products, create accurate nutrition labels, model dietary trends and monitor how changing food habits affect nutrition.

    Nick William Smith works for Plant & Food Research.

    Carolyn Elizabeth Lister 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. NZ’s changing diet: Māori bread and jackfruit join other new foods in the country’s nutritional database – https://theconversation.com/nzs-changing-diet-maori-bread-and-jackfruit-join-other-new-foods-in-the-countrys-nutritional-database-257791

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Global warming is changing cloud patterns. That means more global warming

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Christian Jakob, Director, ARC Centre of Excellence for the Weather of the 21st Century, Monash University

    Caleb Weiner / Unsplash

    At any given time, about two-thirds of Earth’s surface is covered by clouds. Overall, they make the planet much cooler than it would be without them.

    But as Earth gets warmer, mostly due to the rise in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere from humans burning fossil fuels, clouds are changing too. And that might already be causing more warming – adding to the greenhouse heat boost, and changing clouds even more.

    Over the past few years, the world’s average temperature has increased more than climate scientists were expecting. In our latest research, led by NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies, we show that changes in clouds have made a significant contribution to turning up the thermostat.

    Clouds and climate

    Clouds help to keep Earth cool by reflecting sunlight back out to space before it can reach the ground. But not all clouds are equal.

    Shiny, white clouds reflect away more sunlight – especially when they are closer to the equator, in the parts of Earth that receive the most sun. Grey, broken clouds reflect less sunlight, as do clouds closer to the poles where less light falls.

    Research published last year showed that Earth has been absorbing more sunlight than the greenhouse effect alone can explain. Clouds were involved, but it wasn’t clear exactly how.

    Bright cloud zones are shrinking

    Our new study shows what is happening. The areas covered by highly reflective clouds are shrinking. At the same time, the areas containing broken, less reflective clouds are growing.

    The net effect is that additional energy from sunlight is reaching Earth’s surface. Here it is absorbed, leading to extra heating.

    We also looked at the effect of changes in the properties of the highly reflective clouds, caused by things such as changes in the amount of aerosol pollution in the atmosphere. However, we found these effects are much smaller than the effect of the change in area.

    The global picture

    In the big picture, Earth’s wind patterns are driven by hot air rising near the equator and the rotation of the planet. This creates huge, looping currents of atmospheric circulation around the globe.

    Local weather systems – the kind that determine the location and type of clouds – depend on these major, large-scale wind systems. The major circulation patterns in the atmosphere are changing as a result of global warming.

    We found much of the cloud action is taking place at the edges of these major wind systems.

    Cloud cover is changing in several parts of Earth.
    NASA Earth Observatory

    Highly reflective clouds are on the decline in a region near the equator called the intertropical convergence zone, and also two other bands called the storm tracks, which lie between 30 and 40 degrees of latitude.

    At the same time the subtropical trade-wind regions, home to ever-present but less reflective broken clouds, are expanding.

    A feedback loop

    In short, the global warming induced by increased greenhouse gases changes the major wind systems on Earth. This in turn reduces the area of highly reflective clouds, leading to additional warming.

    Warming changes wind patterns, which changes cloud patterns, which results in more warming. This is what we call a “positive feedback” in the climate system: warming leads to more warming.

    We still have a lot to learn about the details of this feedback loop. Our research will use ongoing satellite-based observations of clouds and how much energy Earth receives and radiates back out to space.

    Christian Jakob receives funding from the Australian Research Council.

    – ref. Global warming is changing cloud patterns. That means more global warming – https://theconversation.com/global-warming-is-changing-cloud-patterns-that-means-more-global-warming-259376

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Global warming is changing cloud patterns. That means more global warming

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Christian Jakob, Director, ARC Centre of Excellence for the Weather of the 21st Century, Monash University

    Caleb Weiner / Unsplash

    At any given time, about two-thirds of Earth’s surface is covered by clouds. Overall, they make the planet much cooler than it would be without them.

    But as Earth gets warmer, mostly due to the rise in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere from humans burning fossil fuels, clouds are changing too. And that might already be causing more warming – adding to the greenhouse heat boost, and changing clouds even more.

    Over the past few years, the world’s average temperature has increased more than climate scientists were expecting. In our latest research, led by NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies, we show that changes in clouds have made a significant contribution to turning up the thermostat.

    Clouds and climate

    Clouds help to keep Earth cool by reflecting sunlight back out to space before it can reach the ground. But not all clouds are equal.

    Shiny, white clouds reflect away more sunlight – especially when they are closer to the equator, in the parts of Earth that receive the most sun. Grey, broken clouds reflect less sunlight, as do clouds closer to the poles where less light falls.

    Research published last year showed that Earth has been absorbing more sunlight than the greenhouse effect alone can explain. Clouds were involved, but it wasn’t clear exactly how.

    Bright cloud zones are shrinking

    Our new study shows what is happening. The areas covered by highly reflective clouds are shrinking. At the same time, the areas containing broken, less reflective clouds are growing.

    The net effect is that additional energy from sunlight is reaching Earth’s surface. Here it is absorbed, leading to extra heating.

    We also looked at the effect of changes in the properties of the highly reflective clouds, caused by things such as changes in the amount of aerosol pollution in the atmosphere. However, we found these effects are much smaller than the effect of the change in area.

    The global picture

    In the big picture, Earth’s wind patterns are driven by hot air rising near the equator and the rotation of the planet. This creates huge, looping currents of atmospheric circulation around the globe.

    Local weather systems – the kind that determine the location and type of clouds – depend on these major, large-scale wind systems. The major circulation patterns in the atmosphere are changing as a result of global warming.

    We found much of the cloud action is taking place at the edges of these major wind systems.

    Cloud cover is changing in several parts of Earth.
    NASA Earth Observatory

    Highly reflective clouds are on the decline in a region near the equator called the intertropical convergence zone, and also two other bands called the storm tracks, which lie between 30 and 40 degrees of latitude.

    At the same time the subtropical trade-wind regions, home to ever-present but less reflective broken clouds, are expanding.

    A feedback loop

    In short, the global warming induced by increased greenhouse gases changes the major wind systems on Earth. This in turn reduces the area of highly reflective clouds, leading to additional warming.

    Warming changes wind patterns, which changes cloud patterns, which results in more warming. This is what we call a “positive feedback” in the climate system: warming leads to more warming.

    We still have a lot to learn about the details of this feedback loop. Our research will use ongoing satellite-based observations of clouds and how much energy Earth receives and radiates back out to space.

    Christian Jakob receives funding from the Australian Research Council.

    – ref. Global warming is changing cloud patterns. That means more global warming – https://theconversation.com/global-warming-is-changing-cloud-patterns-that-means-more-global-warming-259376

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: PM call with President Trump of the United States: 22 June 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    PM call with President Trump of the United States: 22 June 2025

    The Prime Minister spoke to the President of the United States Donald Trump this evening.

    The Prime Minister spoke to the President of the United States Donald Trump this evening.

    The leaders discussed the situation in the Middle East and reiterated the grave risk posed by Iran’s nuclear programme to international security. They discussed the actions taken by the United States last night to reduce the threat and agreed that Iran must never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon. 

    They discussed the need for Iran to return to the negotiating table as soon as possible and to make progress on a lasting settlement.

    They agreed to stay in close contact in the coming days.

    Updates to this page

    Published 22 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: State of Emergency Declared Following Severe Weather

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Kathy Hochul today declared a State of Emergency in 32 counties in response to severe weather and extreme heat impacting communities across New York. A cluster of severe thunderstorms impacted parts of the North Country, Central New York, Southern Tier, and the Capital District early this morning causing downed trees and power lines, structural damage and numerous power outages. Rainfall rates of up to two inches per hour will continue with additional two to four inches totals likely. The heaviest rain will likely continue to fall over areas in Central New York and Southern Tier that have already seen heavy rain. Flash flooding may extend into the Southern Tier and Mid-Hudson regions, especially from Broome to Ulster/Sullivan Counties. Numerous power outages exist from the North Country to the Southern Tier Regions. In addition, a multi-day heatwave will begin today statewide, with a combination of high temperatures and humidity resulting in feels-like temperatures between 90 to over 100 degrees through Wednesday.

    “Our hearts break for the tragic loss of life during last night’s storms, and my administration has been in touch with local elected officials offering support,” Governor Hochul said. “State emergency response personnel are already on the ground providing resources and support as we work to recover from this severe weather and restore power quickly. I urge all New Yorkers to stay weather aware and take precautions to stay vigilant and safe as extreme heat and severe weather are expected to continue impacting the State over the next couple of days.”

    The State of Emergency includes Albany, Bronx, Broome, Chenango, Clinton, Columbia, Cortland, Delaware, Dutchess, Essex, Greene, Kings, Madison, Nassau, New York, Oneida, Onondaga, Orange, Otsego, Putnam, Queens, Rensselaer, Richmond, Rockland, Saratoga, Schenectady, Suffolk, Tioga, Ulster, Warren, Washington, Westchester and contiguous counties.

    At Governor Hochul’s direction, the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services has activated the State Emergency Operations Center to Enhanced Monitoring Mode to track the storms and damage. They are working closely with local emergency managers and governments to support requests and provide assistance as requested. State agencies stand ready to respond with equipment and personnel. Light towers have been provided to Oneida County and other materials stored in the State’s nine stockpiles including generators and pumps are also available to support local needs.

    The New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control has activated its Fire Operations Center and can deploy teams, including canine units to provide support. The State’s swift water rescue teams are also prepared to respond.

    New Yorkers can sign up for text weather and emergency alerts by texting their county or borough to 333111.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Qatar Strongly Condemns Attack on Church in Damascus

    Source: Government of Qatar

    Doha, June 22, 2025 

    The State of Qatar strongly condemns the attack on St. Elias Church in Damascus, the capital of the Syrian Arab Republic, which resulted in  deaths and injuries.

    The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirms the State of Qatar’s firm position of all forms of violence, terrorism, and criminal acts, regardless of their motives or causes. It strongly condemns any targeting of places of worship and acts that terrorize civilians. The Ministry also expresses Qatar’s full solidarity with the Syrian government in all measures it undertakes to preserve security and stability.

    The Ministry extends the State of Qatar’s heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims, as well as to the government and people of Syria , and  wishes the injured a speedy recovery.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Now is the time for de-escalation and a return to diplomacy: UK statement at the UN Security Council

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

    Speech

    Now is the time for de-escalation and a return to diplomacy: UK statement at the UN Security Council

    Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward, UK Permanent Representative to the UN, at the emergency UN Security Council meeting on Iran.

    This is a pivotal moment for the region.

    A further spiral of conflict poses serious risks to regional and international peace and stability. Our foremost priority must now be to support de-escalation.

    We have long made clear that Iran must not have a nuclear weapon and their nuclear programme represents a serious threat to international peace and security.

    The United States took action last night to alleviate that threat. 

    The United Kingdom did not participate in US or Israeli strikes.

    But military action alone cannot bring a durable solution to concerns about Iran’s nuclear programme.

    My Prime Minister has been clear. We urge Iran  now to show restraint, and we urge all parties to return to the negotiating table and find a diplomatic solution, which stops further escalation and brings this crisis to an end.

    It is in the interests of all parties to pursue such a deal.

    This was the joint call made by my Prime Minister, with his French and German counterparts earlier today. Together with our E3 partners, the UK has long pursued a diplomatic solution to address Iran’s nuclear escalation. On Friday, alongside E3 and EU colleagues, my Foreign Secretary met Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi in Geneva to press directly for a return to diplomacy. My Foreign Minister spoke to Foreign Minister Araghchi again today and stressed the urgency of this and we continue to engage partners across the region.

    President, the UK reiterates its full support for the IAEA and Director General Grossi for their critical work, professionalism and impartiality. The IAEA and the Non-Proliferation Treaty are key pillars of international security. Threats against IAEA staff and the DG are unacceptable. We urge Iran to cooperate fully with the IAEA. Failure to do so will only further fuel escalation.

    President, now is the time for de-escalation and a return to diplomacy. It is essential Iran chooses this path.

    Updates to this page

    Published 22 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SPC Tornado Watch 451 Status Reports

    Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

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    Watch 451 Status Reports

    Watch 451 Status Message has not been issued yet.

    Top/Watch Issuance Text for Watch 451/All Current Watches/Forecast Products/Home

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SPC Tornado Watch 451

    Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

    Note:  The expiration time in the watch graphic is amended if the watch is replaced, cancelled or extended.Note: Click for Watch Status Reports.
    SEL1

    URGENT – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
    Tornado Watch Number 451
    NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
    255 PM CDT Sun Jun 22 2025

    The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

    * Tornado Watch for portions of
    West-central and Northern Minnesota
    Eastern North Dakota

    * Effective this Sunday afternoon and evening from 255 PM until
    1000 PM CDT.

    * Primary threats include…
    A few tornadoes and a couple intense tornadoes possible
    Scattered large hail and isolated very large hail events to 2.5
    inches in diameter possible
    Scattered damaging wind gusts to 70 mph possible

    SUMMARY…Severe thunderstorms are expected to develop and move
    northeast across the watch area this afternoon and evening. A few
    tornadoes will be possible, including the potential for a couple
    strong tornadoes. Large hail and damaging thunderstorm wind gusts
    will also accompany the most intense storms.

    The tornado watch area is approximately along and 70 statute miles
    east and west of a line from 35 miles west northwest of
    International Falls MN to 55 miles south southwest of Fargo ND. For
    a complete depiction of the watch see the associated watch outline
    update (WOUS64 KWNS WOU1).

    PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

    REMEMBER…A Tornado Watch means conditions are favorable for
    tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch
    area. Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for
    threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements
    and possible warnings.

    &&

    AVIATION…Tornadoes and a few severe thunderstorms with hail
    surface and aloft to 2.5 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind
    gusts to 60 knots. A few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 550. Mean
    storm motion vector 23030.

    …Bunting

    SEL1

    URGENT – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
    Tornado Watch Number 451
    NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
    255 PM CDT Sun Jun 22 2025

    The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

    * Tornado Watch for portions of
    West-central and Northern Minnesota
    Eastern North Dakota

    * Effective this Sunday afternoon and evening from 255 PM until
    1000 PM CDT.

    * Primary threats include…
    A few tornadoes and a couple intense tornadoes possible
    Scattered large hail and isolated very large hail events to 2.5
    inches in diameter possible
    Scattered damaging wind gusts to 70 mph possible

    SUMMARY…Severe thunderstorms are expected to develop and move
    northeast across the watch area this afternoon and evening. A few
    tornadoes will be possible, including the potential for a couple
    strong tornadoes. Large hail and damaging thunderstorm wind gusts
    will also accompany the most intense storms.

    The tornado watch area is approximately along and 70 statute miles
    east and west of a line from 35 miles west northwest of
    International Falls MN to 55 miles south southwest of Fargo ND. For
    a complete depiction of the watch see the associated watch outline
    update (WOUS64 KWNS WOU1).

    PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

    REMEMBER…A Tornado Watch means conditions are favorable for
    tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch
    area. Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for
    threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements
    and possible warnings.

    &&

    AVIATION…Tornadoes and a few severe thunderstorms with hail
    surface and aloft to 2.5 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind
    gusts to 60 knots. A few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 550. Mean
    storm motion vector 23030.

    …Bunting

    Note: The Aviation Watch (SAW) product is an approximation to the watch area. The actual watch is depicted by the shaded areas.
    SAW1
    WW 451 TORNADO MN ND 221955Z – 230300Z
    AXIS..70 STATUTE MILES EAST AND WEST OF LINE..
    35WNW INL/INTERNATIONAL FALLS MN/ – 55SSW FAR/FARGO ND/
    ..AVIATION COORDS.. 60NM E/W /30WNW INL – 38SSW FAR/
    HAIL SURFACE AND ALOFT..2.5 INCHES. WIND GUSTS..60 KNOTS.
    MAX TOPS TO 550. MEAN STORM MOTION VECTOR 23030.

    LAT…LON 48759257 46179580 46179872 48759565

    THIS IS AN APPROXIMATION TO THE WATCH AREA. FOR A
    COMPLETE DEPICTION OF THE WATCH SEE WOUS64 KWNS
    FOR WOU1.

    Watch 451 Status Report Message has not been issued yet.

    Note:  Click for Complete Product Text.Tornadoes

    Probability of 2 or more tornadoes

    Mod (50%)

    Probability of 1 or more strong (EF2-EF5) tornadoes

    Mod (30%)

    Wind

    Probability of 10 or more severe wind events

    Mod (40%)

    Probability of 1 or more wind events > 65 knots

    Low (10%)

    Hail

    Probability of 10 or more severe hail events

    Mod (40%)

    Probability of 1 or more hailstones > 2 inches

    Mod (40%)

    Combined Severe Hail/Wind

    Probability of 6 or more combined severe hail/wind events

    High (70%)

    For each watch, probabilities for particular events inside the watch (listed above in each table) are determined by the issuing forecaster. The “Low” category contains probability values ranging from less than 2% to 20% (EF2-EF5 tornadoes), less than 5% to 20% (all other probabilities), “Moderate” from 30% to 60%, and “High” from 70% to greater than 95%. High values are bolded and lighter in color to provide awareness of an increased threat for a particular event.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: At least 19 killed in suicide bombing at church in eastern Damascus

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    DAMASCUS, June 22 (Xinhua) — A suicide bomber detonated an explosive device at Mar Elias Church in the Syrian capital Damascus on Sunday during a mass, killing at least 19 people and wounding dozens more, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

    According to local media, the explosion occurred in the Mar Elias church in the Al-Dueila area.

    Syria’s internal security agency said the attacker belonged to the extremist group Islamic State, also known as Daesh.

    The explosion caused numerous civilian casualties, the Syrian Civil Defense said, without giving exact figures.

    Authorities have called on residents not to gather at the scene of the incident so as not to interfere with the work of emergency services.

    At this time, no one has claimed responsibility for the attack. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Statement from Rep. Cuellar on U.S. Strikes in Iran

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28)

    Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar, Ph.D. (TX-28), released the following statement in response to United States strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities:

    “Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons is a direct threat to the safety of the United States, our allies, and the stability of the Middle East. The regime has made its intentions clear by developing its nuclear program in secret, violating international agreements, and refusing transparency with global inspectors.

    “At the same time, Iran has built and sustained a violent network of terrorist proxies across the region. The regime trains, funds, and commands Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza, and the Houthis in Yemen. These groups launch attacks on civilians, American military personnel, and our regional partners. Their actions are not spontaneous. They are orchestrated by a regime that embraces terrorism as a tool of statecraft.

    “The United States has responded with precision and purpose. Our forces have taken necessary action to dismantle Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and disrupt its military capabilities. These operations reflect our determination to defend American lives, protect our partners, and hold the Iranian regime accountable. But let me be clear: Congress must play a decisive role in any decision involving the deployment of American troops into harm’s way.

    “As a senior member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, I remain focused on ensuring our military and national security agencies have the tools they need to keep our country safe. We owe it to our servicemembers and the American people to approach this moment with bipartisan resolve and constitutional responsibility. Congress needs to be actively engaged to achieve these goals.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kamlager-Dove Statement on U.S. Strikes in Iran

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager California (37th District)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on South and Central Asia, released the following statement on the U.S. strikes in Iran:

    “The ‘President of peace’ just bombed Iran without Congressional authorization, without clear evidence that Iran is imminently close to having a nuclear weapon, without properly notifying both parties in Congress, and with no clear plan for what comes next. 

    “I support the longstanding U.S. policy that Iran, an adversary and state-sponsor of terror, must never acquire a nuclear weapon. However, I have not received any classified briefing on the intelligence that shows Iran could imminently develop a nuclear weapon, which directly contradicts DNI Tulsi Gabbard’s testimony to Congress in March. Equally concerning, President Trump and his incompetent national security team have not shown to the American people what their day after plan is and how they will manage the possibility of another forever war in the Middle East.

    “The U.S. must not be dragged into a wider war in the Middle East, and I pray for the U.S. servicemembers Trump has now placed in harm’s way. The Trump Administration must come before Congress to seek approval for further actions and my colleagues on both sides of the aisle must reassert Congress’s constitutional authority to ensure we do not repeat the mistakes of past conflicts.”

    # # #

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Secretary-General’s remarks to the Security Council – on threats to international peace and security [as delivered]

    Source: United Nations secretary general

    Madam President, 

    I would like to make a small introduction and then my two colleagues will brief the Council.

    Excellencies,

    Two days ago, in this very chamber, I made a direct appeal: Give peace a chance.

    That call was not heeded.

    Instead, the bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities by the United States marks a perilous turn in a region that is already reeling.

    From the outset of the crisis, I have repeatedly condemned any military escalation in the Middle East. 

    The people of the region cannot endure another cycle of destruction. 

    And yet, we now risk descending into a rathole of retaliation after retaliation.

    To avoid it, diplomacy must prevail.  Civilians must be protected.  Safe maritime navigation must be guaranteed.  

    We must act – immediately and decisively – to halt the fighting and return to serious, sustained negotiations on the Iran nuclear programme.  

    We need a credible, comprehensive and verifiable solution – one that restores trust – including with full access to inspectors of the IAEA, as the United Nations technical authority in this field.  

    The Non-Proliferation Treaty is a cornerstone of international peace and security.  

    Iran must fully respect it.

    And all Member States must act in accordance with their obligations under the UN Charter and other rules of international law, including international humanitarian law. 

    The United Nations stands ready to support any and all efforts toward a peaceful resolution. 

    But peace cannot be imposed – it must be chosen. 

    Madam President,

    We face a stark choice.  

    One path leads to wider war, deeper human suffering, and serious damage to the international order. 

    The other leads to de-escalation, diplomacy and dialogue.

    We know which path is right. 

    I urge this Council – and all Member States – to act with reason, restraint, and urgency.

    We cannot – and must not – give up on peace. 

    Thank you.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Statement by Prime Minister Carney on the passing of the Honourable John McCallum

    Source: Government of Canada – Prime Minister

    “Deeply saddened to learn of the passing of John McCallum, who was an inspiration, a mentor, and a friend. 

    “John served Canada and academia with great distinction, helping us to find solutions to our biggest economic challenges, and always with good humour and grace.   

    “As an exemplary public servant, economist, diplomat, and parliamentarian, John’s contributions to Canada were as deep as they were diverse. Outside of politics, his ideas and analysis established him as one of Canada’s foremost economists. As Chief Economist at the Royal Bank of Canada, his insights shaped national conversations on fiscal policy, growth, and competitiveness.

    “As a Member of Parliament, he brought that same purpose and conviction to public service. His leadership in Canada’s Cabinet included serving as Minister of National Defence, Veterans Affairs, Immigration, and more. As Canada’s Ambassador to China, he brought his expertise to shaping one of Canada’s most consequential bilateral relationships.

    “John believed in Canada as a place of opportunity and enormous potential. With his values of humility and service, John leaves a lasting legacy to his community and country. With my deepest condolences to John’s friends and family at this difficult time.”

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Statement ahead of protest in support of Palestine Action

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has issued the following statement ahead of a planned protest in support of Palestine Action, due to take place in Westminster on Monday, 23 June.

    “I’m sure many people will be as shocked and frustrated as I am to see a protest taking place tomorrow in support of Palestine Action.

    “This is an organised extremist criminal group, whose proscription as terrorists is being actively considered. Members are alleged to have caused millions of pounds of criminal damage, assaulted a police officer with a sledgehammer and last week claimed responsibility for breaking into an airbase and damaging aircraft. Multiple members of the group are awaiting trial accused of serious offences.

    “The right to protest is essential and we will always defend it, but actions in support of such a group go beyond what most would see as legitimate protest. Thousands of people attend protests of a different character every week without clashing with the law or with the police. The criminal charges faced by Palestine Action members, in contrast, represent a form of extremism that I believe the overwhelming majority of the public rejects.

    “We have laid out to Government the operational basis on which to consider proscribing this group. If that happens we will be determined to target those who continue to act in its name and those who show support for it.

    “Until then we have no power in law to prevent tomorrow’s protest taking place. We do, however, have the power to impose conditions on it to prevent disorder, damage, and serious disruption to the community, including to Parliament, to elected representatives moving around Westminster and to ordinary Londoners.

    “Breaches of the law will be dealt with robustly.”

    Details of the conditions in place for this protest will be shared on the Met’s X account once they have been confirmed.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Sunday, June 22, 2025

    Source: Government of Canada – Prime Minister

    Note: All times local

    National Capital Region, Canada

    7:30 a.m. The Prime Minister will depart for Brussels, Belgium.

    Note for media:

    • Open coverage

    Brussels, Belgium

    8:30 p.m. The Prime Minister will arrive in Brussels, Belgium.

    Note for media:

    • Pooled coverage

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Minister Solomon to participate in Toronto Tech Week 2025

    Source: Government of Canada News

    June 22, 2025 – Toronto, Ontario 

    The Honourable Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, will participate in a series of events, meetings and visits with Canada’s AI ecosystem and business leaders for Toronto Tech Week 2025.

    Minister Solomon to participate in a site visit at Xanadu

    Date: Monday, June 23, 2025

    Time: 11:00 am (ET)

    Note: Members of the media are asked to contact ISED Media Relations at media@ised-isde.gc.ca to receive event location details and confirm their attendance.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: McClellan Statement on U.S. Strikes on Iran

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (Virginia 4th District)

    Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) issued the following statement after the U.S. launched direct strikes on Iran:

    “President Trump’s decision to launch air strikes on Iran without Congressional consultation or approval absent an imminent threat to the United States risks triggering a broader regional war that drags us deeper into an avoidable conflict with no clear strategy.

    “Escalating tensions through force without a coordinated diplomatic effort dangerously undermines our national security and the safety of our allies, and puts our over 40,000 servicemembers stationed throughout the Middle East within reach of Iranian missiles and drones at risk. The American people deserve transparency and accountability when it comes to decisions that could cost American lives. I urge the Administration to brief all members in Congress on the intelligence that compelled these strikes, the effectiveness of the strikes, the plans for what comes next, and the actions that the Administration is taking to protect American servicemembers and potential domestic targets from Iranian reprisals.

    “While we remain firm in our commitment to preventing a nuclear armed Iran, using force that at best merely delays nuclear weapons development by a few years will not bring long-term success. Only robust and aggressive diplomatic action has ever successfully contained Iran’s nuclear ambitions in a meaningful way. Unfortunately, the President abandoned the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action agreement successfully negotiated by the Obama-Biden Administration, without any clear alternatives in mind to avoid the current crisis that we find ourselves in at this moment.

    “I urge the Administration to  pursue every available diplomatic channel to deescalate this crisis, prevent further bloodshed and achieve a lasting and durable solution to Iran’s nuclear ambitions.”

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –