NewzIntel.com

Category: AM-NC

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murphy: Unregulated AI Will Destroy Our Economy and Culture

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Connecticut – Chris Murphy

    June 17, 2025

    WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) on Monday wrote a Substack post sounding the alarm on the existential risks unregulated artificial intelligence pose to America’s economy and collective well-being. Murphy advocated for strong government policy and intervention to ensure that citizens, rather than corporate interests, are managing the transformational effects of this new technology and protected from the worst of its potential harms.
    “A fraud is being perpetuated on the American people and our pliant, gullible political leaders.” Murphy wrote. “If America does not protect its economy and culture from the potential ravages of advanced AI, our nation will rot from the inside out, giving China a free lane to pass us politically and economically.”
    Murphy stressed that unregulated AI will ship jobs overseas, permanently hollow out the American job market, and leave workers with no recourse: “The job displacement will be massive and devastating. That’s just common sense… Not enough jobs will be created to replace the jobs we lose, and even the new jobs likely won’t stay in the United States due to the industry’s insatiable desire to maximize profits… the industry doesn’t really care about creating U.S.-based infrastructure or jobs. They are hunting profits, and to boost return on investment, without any guardrails imposed on them by government, they will use the same labor arbitrage techniques that other industries utilize and ship as many AI jobs as they can to countries with lower labor costs.”
    Speaking from discussions with industry leaders, Murphy slammed the tech companies’ reckless disregard for the human impact of their technology: “The only value that guides the AI industry right now is the pursuit of profit. In all my meetings, it was crystal clear that companies like Google and Apple and OpenAI and Anthropic are in a race to deploy consumer-facing, job-killing AGI as quickly as possible, in order to beat each other to the market. Any talk about ethical or moral AI is just whitewash… They are in such a hurry that they can’t even explain how the large language models they are marketing come to conclusions or synthesize data. Every single executive I met with admitted that they had built a machine that they could not understand or control.”
    Murphy pushed back against the common argument that targeted regulations would undercut innovation and enable China to win the AI race: “This argument assumes, wrongly, that the Chinese will put no constraints on the development and dissemination of their own AI models. We know this isn’t true because as we speak, China is being relatively careful with how it develops and rolls out AI. From 2021 to 2023, China began to build out a governance framework with some of the world’s earliest AI regulations and technical standards, bringing service providers into compliance on issues from ethics, data protection, safety, and security…That China has been actively building towards a national AI law, while producing a cutting-edge model like DeepSeek’s, makes clear that AI regulation and innovation can, and do, co-exist.” 
    Murphy concluded: “I want to beat China in the race for advanced AI. I do. But not at any cost. If we do not use government policy and intervention to control for the job loss and to protect consumers, it won’t matter that we get to AGI before China. Unbounded, AGI could eliminate so many jobs and undermine so many of our values, that China will cheer our decision to rush to AGI in our blind, feverish desire to be first. Ultimately, China could end up winning the race, because we destroy ourselves along the race route.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Serious Crash, Nelson

    Source: New Zealand Police

    Emergency services are in attendance following a serious crash on Trafalgar Street in Nelson.

    Police were notified at around 3:15pm this afternoon after a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle.

    At this stage it appears they have suffered serious injuries.

    Traffic is currently flowing. Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are underway.

    ENDS.

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Further appeal for missing west Auckland teenager

    Source: New Zealand Police

    Police is issuing a further appeal to west Aucklanders who may have come across missing teenager Alexander.

    An updated sighting and description of the 15-year-old boy from Oratia has been obtained.

    Alexander was reported missing to Police at about 8.30pm on 16 June.

    Earlier that day, he was dropped off at Henderson High School at about 8.15am but didn’t attend classes.

    Further enquiries today have established a possible sighting of Alexander in the Henderson area.

    That sighting was on Monday morning at about 9am on Forrest Hill Road, near the intersection with Pine Avenue.

    He was described as wearing dark shorts, brown tramping boots, and carrying a dark-coloured tramping pack.

    Alexander is a competent in the outdoors, and frequently spends time in the bush.

    However, Police has concerns for him given his age and the weather conditions the Auckland region is currently experiencing.

    Police is interested in hearing from anyone who might have seen Alexander in the wider area, or interacted with him.

    If you see Alexander, please call 111.

    Anyone with further information can also updated Police online now or call 105 using the reference number 250616/4732.

    ENDS.

    Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ20: Carbon emission reduction

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Following is a question by the Hon Adrian Ho and a written reply by the Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, in the Legislative Council today (June 18):
      
    Question:
     
    In October 2021, the Government announced Hong Kong’s Climate Action Plan 2050, which aims to reduce Hong Kong’s carbon emissions by half from the 2005 level before 2035 and outlines four major decarbonisation strategies, namely net-zero electricity generation, energy saving and green buildings, green transport and waste reduction. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
     
    (1) whether it will duly adjust its green policies in response to Hong Kong’s actual carbon emissions in recent years to accelerate the overall pace of decarbonisation in Hong Kong and thus achieve its carbon reduction targets as scheduled;
     
    (2) of the respective performances of various government departments over the past five years in key carbon reduction measures, such as energy saving, emission reduction, consumption and carbon emission reduction, as well as green procurement; whether government departments have set carbon reduction targets and timetables for the series of policy measures implemented in recent years, including the establishment of the Green Technology and Finance Development Committee and the implementation of the Uncertificated Securities Market initiative;
     
    (3) as there are views that the broad participation of businesses in decarbonisation efforts is vital for Hong Kong to achieve carbon neutrality, how many businesses and organisations have, as of May this year, joined the “Green Hong Kong．Carbon Audit” campaign by signing the Carbon Reduction Charter and agreeing to undertake and implement activities in support of reducing greenhouse gas emissions; whether it has assessed the effectiveness of the participating businesses and organisations in formulating and implementing carbon reduction measures;
     
    (4) as it is learnt that the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited established the Hong Kong International Carbon Market Council and subsequently launched an international carbon marketplace “Core Climate” in 2022, whether Government is aware of the current operational status of both the Council and Core Climate, as well as their respective effectiveness in promoting the implementation of decarbonisation measures among businesses in Hong Kong; and
     
    (5) given that green transport is one of the Government’s decarbonisation strategies, which includes achieving zero vehicular emissions and zero carbon emissions in the transport sector before 2050 through promoting the electrification of vehicles, and ceasing new registrations of fuel-propelled and hybrid private cars in or before 2035, whether the Government has assessed if the current progress of such efforts will enable the carbon reduction targets to be achieved on schedule?
     
    Reply:
     
    President,
     
    In consultation with the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau, the reply to the question raised by the Hon Adrian Ho is as follows:
     
    (1) The Government has proposed four major decarbonisation strategies in the Hong Kong’s Climate Action Plan 2050, namely net-zero electricity generation, energy saving and green buildings, green transport and waste reduction, to lead Hong Kong to halve its carbon emissions from the 2005 level by 2035, with a view to achieving carbon neutrality before 2050. With our efforts in recent years in these four decarbonisation strategies, Hong Kong is making steady progress towards the carbon reduction target of 2035.
     
    Hong Kong’s total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have been on a downward trend after reaching its peak in 2014. With the gradual replacement of coal-fired power generation by natural gas and zero-carbon energy, the popularisation of electric vehicles, the reduction of municipal solid waste disposal, and the increased recovery and use of landfill gas for energy generation in Hong Kong, the total GHG emissions in 2023 were reduced by about 20 per cent from the 2005 level and about a quarter from the peak in 2014. The per capita GHG emissions in 2023 was 4.58 tonnes, which is a new low since 1990. It is nearly 30 per cent lower than those in 2005 and 2014, and is about a quarter of that of the United States and 60 per cent of that of the European Union.

    Combating climate change is a long-term task. In line with the spirit of the Paris Agreement, we will review the Hong Kong’s Climate Action Plan 2050 about every five years to update the strategies and targets for decarbonisation and other climate actions, and expect to release the review result in 2026.
     
    (2) To enhance the performance of government departments in energy conservation and carbon emissions, the Government has promulgated relevant internal circulars and guidelines to require departments to perform well in the area of environmental protection in their daily operations. Specific measures include energy conservation, adoption of renewable energy (RE), waste reduction and recycling, installation of electric vehicle charging facilities, water conservation and recycling, procurement of green products and services, etc. with a view to reducing carbon emissions. These government circulars and guidelines cover environmental targets for government buildings, carbon emission management, preparation of environmental reports by government departments, as well as green procurement, etc.
     
    The Government strives to improve the overall energy performance of government buildings and infrastructure by more than 6 per cent in 2024-25, compared to the 2018-19 baseline. To this end, the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) has requested all bureaux and departments (B/Ds) to provide information on the energy consumption and RE of government buildings and facilities annually, and organised briefing sessions to discuss energy performance, and provides technical advice on energy-saving measures and planning of RE projects. As at 2022-23, the Government’s overall energy performance has improved by about 5.3 per cent. While the data for 2023-24 is still being compiled, based on the recent trends in energy performance, the Government is confident that the target of over 6 per cent improvement can be achieved. The Environment and Ecology Bureau (EEB) will continue to encourage all B/Ds to take measures to enhance energy performance and explore means to leverage innovative technologies to promote cost-effective solutions for improving energy efficiency in government buildings. 
    (3) The Government launched the “Green Hong Kong．Carbon Audit” campaign with a view to encouraging organisations of various sectors to support greenhouse gas emission reduction activities. The participating organisations would, according to their respective situations, formulate and implement carbon reduction measures such as promoting carbon audits, establishing environmental management systems, and installing and replacing energy-efficient office equipment. Currently, over 140 organisations, including property management companies, universities, professional bodies, non-profit-making organisations and other business organisations, have joined the “Green Hong Kong．Carbon Audit” campaign. In addition to raising the awareness of participating organisations in carbon reduction and encouraging these organisations to conduct carbon audits and implement carbon reduction plans, the campaign also helps corporates prepare for addressing new climate-related disclosure requirements.
     
    The Government launched in December last year the Roadmap on Sustainability Disclosure in Hong Kong (Roadmap), injecting new impetus into the carbon management work of large publicly accountable entities (PAEs) (including large listed issuers and non-listed financial institutions carrying a significant weight). As the first step, Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) has introduced new climate-related disclosures requirements (New Climate Requirements) which have been developed based on International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) S2 Climate-related Disclosures. The New Climate Requirements, covering, among others, mandating all listed issuers to disclose scope 1 and scope 2 GHG emissions, have been implemented in phases starting from January 2025. 
    (4) HKEX launched the Hong Kong International Carbon Market Council (the Council) in July 2022, with members comprising Mainland, Hong Kong, and international corporates and financial institutions, to facilitate the development of an efficient and effective Hong Kong-based international carbon market with best-in-class market infrastructure, products and services, promoting the transition to a low-carbon economy in the region.
     
    Subsequently, HKEX launched the Core Climate, an international carbon marketplace, in October in the same year, facilitating effective and transparent trading of carbon credits and instruments to support the global transition to Net Zero. It offers quality carbon credits from internationally-certified projects in Asia, South America and Africa, covering forestry, solar, wind and biomass initiatives. Core Climate is currently the only carbon marketplace that offers HKD and RMB settlement for the trading of international voluntary carbon credits. The platform’s participant number reached 100 by end of 2024. Core Climate has facilitated carbon credit trading by various corporates through the provision of trustworthy settlement services, enhancing efficiency and mitigating risks, including Cathay Pacific Airways Limited’s settlement of 50 000 tonnes of voluntary carbon credits in December last year, fully demonstrating the important role of Core Climate in supporting corporates on their climate transition journey. 
    (5) The Government is committed to promoting the use of electric vehicles (EV). The Hong Kong Roadmap on Popularisation of Electric Vehicles announced in March 2021 covers policy directions and targets in various areas in promoting the adoption of new energy transport technologies, so as to guide Hong Kong towards zero vehicular emissions before 2050. In recent years, Hong Kong has achieved remarkable results in the popularisation of EV. The number of EV was eightfold from about 14 000 five years ago to about 110 000 at the end of last year. Currently, about seven out of every ten newly registered private cars are electric private cars (e-PC), and the proportion is among the highest in the world, with a good growth momentum.
     
    Charging network is critical to the popularisation of EV. As of March 2025, Hong Kong had nearly 100 000 parking spaces equipped with charging infrastructure. There are 11 180 public charging facilities, of which about 2 000 are quick or fast charging facilities. We will continue to adopt a multi-pronged approach to increase charging facilities, including (i) tightening the exemption measure for calculating the gross floor area of buildings to encourage parking spaces in new private buildings to be equipped with charging infrastructure; and (ii) launching the $3.5 billion “EV-charging at Home Subsidy Scheme” to assist existing private residential buildings and housing estate car parks to install EV charging infrastructure. It is estimated that by mid-2027, more than 200 000 parking spaces in private buildings will be equipped with charging infrastructure.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Diamond Energy pays penalties for failing to adequately communicate pricing information to consumers

    Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development

    Electricity provider Diamond Energy Pty Ltd has paid $46,950 in penalties after the ACCC issued it with three infringement notices for allegedly breaching the Electricity Retail Code (the Code).

    Under the Code, electricity retailers must provide certain information about pricing, such as the lowest possible price, to help consumers compare different electricity plans.

    The three infringement notices relate to allegations that Diamond Energy failed to communicate mandatory information to three of its customers.

    The ACCC has also accepted a court-enforceable undertaking from Diamond Energy in which it has admitted it contravened the Code.

    Diamond Energy admitted that in June 2024 it sent communications to 12,809 customers which failed to include the required pricing information under the Code, when notifying these customers of price changes to their electricity plans.

    Diamond Energy also admitted that it failed to include on its website some of the required pricing information under the Code between 1 January and 30 June 2024 in relation to 44 of its electricity plans, and then also between 1 July and 20 September 2024 in relation to a further 44 plans.

    “By not disclosing the required pricing information to its customers, Diamond Energy has impacted consumers’ ability to make an informed decision when comparing prices across electricity retailers,” ACCC Commissioner Anna Brakey said.

    “It is vital that electricity retailers provide consumers with accurate information so they can compare and access the most competitive prices in the market.”

    In the court-enforceable undertaking, Diamond Energy has committed to introduce a compliance program to ensure it complies with the Code.

    “We will continue to monitor electricity providers to ensure they adequately disclose pricing information to consumers,” Ms Brakey said.

    What electricity retailers must tell consumers

    The Code requires retailers to include certain information when it communicates its offered prices to residential and small business customers by advertising or publishing the price, offering to supply electricity at that price, or notifying the customer of a change to the price.

    Consumers who believe their retailer has failed to provide the required information should in the first instance contact their retailer, which is obliged to inform them of this information under the Code.

    The undertaking is available at Diamond Energy Pty Ltd.

    Notes to editors

    The ACCC can issue an infringement notice when it has reasonable grounds to believe a person or business has contravened certain provisions of an industry code.

    A person or business is not regarded has having contravened the provision of the industry code merely by paying the penalty specified in an infringement notice.

    Background

    The Code applies to electricity retailers that supply electricity to residential and small business customers in applicable distribution regions in New South Wales, South Australia, and South East Queensland. Diamond Energy is a retail electricity supplier in these regions.

    Since the Code was introduced in 2019, the ACCC has issued infringement notices to Locality Planning Energy, CovaU, ReAmped Energy and Dodo Power & Gas for allegedly failing to include certain mandatory information when communicating prices. The ACCC has also accepted a court-enforceable undertaking from CovaU and Dodo in response to breaches of the Code.

    In September 2024, the Federal Court ordered Energy Australia pay penalties of $14 million for making false, misleading or deceptive statements to around 566,000 consumers about electricity prices and failing to provide mandatory information required by the Code.

    One of the ACCC’s Compliance and Enforcement Priorities for 2025-26 is ‘misleading pricing and claims in relation to essential services, with a particular focus on energy and telecommunications’.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Concrete consequences for GST crooks

    Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

    The Australian Taxation Office’s (ATO) relentless pursuit against GST fraud sees 3 more individuals sentenced in June 2025 under Operation Protego.

    These latest sentencings bring the total of Operation Protego offenders convicted in May and June to 6, joining the ranks of over 100 individuals sentenced to date.

    ATO Deputy Commissioner and Serious Financial Crime Taskforce (SFCT) Chief John Ford said the recent convictions show that the ATO is bringing criminals who commit GST fraud to justice.

    ‘Our compliance and debt recovery actions demonstrate that we are addressing fraud. Where we see deliberate attempts to cheat the system, there will be severe consequences.’

    ‘These crooks face long-term consequences. Not only do they need to repay the money, but they now have a criminal record set in stone, which may affect their ability to secure employment, obtain finance or insurance and travel overseas.’

    ‘GST fraud steals funds that could have been used to support community services such as healthcare, infrastructure and education, instead of funding offenders’ personal luxuries,’ Mr Ford said.

    The following sentencings show the ATO is working with cross-agency partners through the SFCT, including law enforcement agencies, to bring criminal consequences, not just financial consequences, for GST fraudsters:

    • Ms Darnelle Te Kiri was sentenced to 17 months imprisonment in the Melbourne County Court contrary to section 134.2(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth) for fraudulently obtaining $202,936 through false business activity statements (BAS). Ms Te Kiri registered an ABN in 2021 for hospitality and bar work services and lodged 8 false BAS over 7 months, claiming to have spent over $2 million in purchases despite reporting little to no income. An ATO audit found no evidence of a legitimate business. The funds were spent on rent, groceries, pubs and gaming, ATM withdrawals, and transfers to third parties and international money services. She was released immediately on $1,000 recognisance, to be of good behaviour for 2 years and ordered to repay the full $202,936.
    • Mr Daniel Copeland was sentenced to 3 years imprisonment to be released after serving 12 months in the Newcastle District Court contrary to section 134.2(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth) for fraudulently obtaining over $1.1 million in GST refunds from the ATO. Mr Copeland registered an Australian business number (ABN) for a plastering services business and submitted 23 false BAS in 2021. An ATO audit was unable to identify any evidence of the Offender’s purported enterprise and that he was not entitled to claim the GST refunds. The funds were used for gambling, personal living expenses, accommodation, purchases at a car dealership and cash withdrawals. He was released on $100 recognisance, to be of good behaviour for 5 years and ordered to repay the full $1.1 million.
    • Mr Tewhanaupani Nukunuku was sentenced to 2 years and 3 months imprisonment to be released after serving 9 months on recognisance release order requiring him to give security in the sum of $1000 on condition he be of good behaviour for 2 years. Mr Nukunuku pleaded guilty in the Melbourne County Court for one offence of obtaining a financial advantage of $168,000 by deception from the Commonwealth and one offence of attempting to obtain a further $100,000 in GST refunds. He claimed to operate a concreting business and lodged 8 false BAS over a 6-month period. An ATO audit found he was not in business and did not hold the necessary registration or license to perform the claimed work. The funds were partly spent on some luxury items including retail expenses and a car. He was also ordered to repay the full $168,000.

    These sentencing outcomes are a direct result of the ATO’s sustained and strategic efforts to prevent, detect, investigate and prosecute serious financial crime.

    Mr Ford said these results are not just numbers; they represent our strong and ongoing commitment to protecting the integrity of Australia’s tax and super systems.

    These matters were prosecuted by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (Cth) (CDPP) following a referral from the ATO.

    You can confidentially report suspected tax crime or fraud to us by making a tip-off online or calling 1800 060 062.

    For more information about Operation Protego including recent sentencings, visit ato.gov.au/protego.

    Notes to journalists

    • As part of Operation Protego, the ATO has applied treatment against more than 57,000 alleged offenders. Those involved in this fraud have already been handed in the order of $300 million in penalties and interest.
    • As at 31 May 2025, 112 people have been convicted with a range of sentencing outcomes, including jail terms of up to 7 years and 6 months and with orders made to restrain real property.
    • The ATO has finalised 62 investigations and referred 52 briefs of evidence to the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions.
    • A high-resolution headshot of Deputy Commissioner and Serious Financial Crime Taskforce Chief John FordThis link will download a file is available from the ATO media centre.
    • ATO stock footage and images is available for download and use in news bulletins from the ATO media centre.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Ice hockey movie ‘Never Give Up’ delivers inspiring message

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

    “Never Give Up,” a new film releasing in August, portrays the inspirational journey of parents who use love and wisdom to support their daughter’s pursuit of ice hockey glory against all odds.

    “Never Give Up” actors Pan Binlong, Hou Jiayin and Zuo Xiaoqing pose for a photo at the opening of the 27th Shanghai International Film Festival in Shanghai, June 14, 2025. [Photo courtesy of SIFF Organizing Committee]

    Written and directed by Qi Xing, the film stars Pan Binlong as a father whose unbreakable perseverance drives a decade-long mission to cure his daughter’s severe Achilles tendon contracture while nurturing her dream of playing ice hockey. With unyielding spirit, he helps her conquer physical and psychological barriers, proving extraordinary growth comes through relentless determination.

    Pan sheds his comedic persona to portray a father who gives everything to champion his daughter, played by Hou Jiayin. “The father figure I play in this film is completely different from my previous roles,” Pan said at a press event in Shanghai on June 15. “To give his daughter a better life, he challenges societal prejudices with wisdom and unyielding determination to overcome all obstacles. This father resembles the ordinary community elders I knew growing up — love was their greatest and most abundant resource.”

    Playing his wife is Zuo Xiaoqing, who takes on the role of a passionate mother who frequently clashes with him over their daughter’s welfare. Their dynamic as unconventional Chinese parents delivers compelling on-screen chemistry.

    Cast and crew of “Never Give Up” pose for a photo at a press event in Shanghai, June 15, 2025. [Photo courtesy of Huaxia Film]

    Director Qi stated at the press event that “Never Give Up” uses ice hockey as its backdrop because the sport epitomizes strength and tenacity. Through its portrayal of an unsung heroic father, the film delivers an emotionally powerful story about familial love, relentless perseverance and chasing one’s dreams.

    At the Shanghai press conference, held on Father’s Day, with the theme “tearing off old labels and redefining fatherly love,” the cast and crew shared their own heartwarming family memories and stories about fathers.

    “Never Give Up” will open in theaters nationwide on Aug. 8.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • Prime Minister meets Prime Minister Mark Carney on the sidelines of the G7 Summit

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, on Tuesday.

    This was the first in-person interaction between the two leaders since Prime Minister Carney assumed office following Canada’s recent general elections. The meeting provided an opportunity for both sides to hold frank and forward-looking discussions on the state of India-Canada relations and the way ahead.

    The leaders reaffirmed the importance of India-Canada ties, based on shared democratic values, respect for the rule of law. and commitment to upholding the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity. They underlined the need to pursue a constructive and balanced partnership grounded in mutual respect for concerns and sensitivities, strong people-to-people ties, and growing economic complementarities. In this regard, both sides agreed to take calibrated and constructive steps to restore stability in the relationship, beginning with the early return of High Commissioners to each other’s capitals.

    They also emphasized the importance of restarting senior ministerial and working-level engagements across various domains to rebuild trust and inject momentum into the bilateral relationship.

    During their talks, the leaders discussed potential areas of future collaboration, including clean energy, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, liquefied natural gas (LNG), food security, critical minerals, higher education, mobility, and supply chain resilience. They reiterated their shared interest in promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific.

    The two leaders also stressed the importance of restarting negotiations on the stalled Early Progress Trade Agreement (EPTA), with a view to eventually concluding a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). To that end, they agreed to instruct their respective officials to intensify engagement.

    Both sides acknowledged the significant progress made at the G7 Summit and expressed their shared commitment to working together constructively on global priorities such as climate action, inclusive growth, and sustainable development.

    They further underlined the strength of the deep-rooted people-to-people ties between India and Canada, agreeing to leverage this living bridge for the benefit of both nations.

    The leaders concluded their meeting with a commitment to remain in touch and expressed hope to meet again at the earliest opportunity.

  • Prime Minister meets Prime Minister Mark Carney on the sidelines of the G7 Summit

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, on Tuesday.

    This was the first in-person interaction between the two leaders since Prime Minister Carney assumed office following Canada’s recent general elections. The meeting provided an opportunity for both sides to hold frank and forward-looking discussions on the state of India-Canada relations and the way ahead.

    The leaders reaffirmed the importance of India-Canada ties, based on shared democratic values, respect for the rule of law. and commitment to upholding the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity. They underlined the need to pursue a constructive and balanced partnership grounded in mutual respect for concerns and sensitivities, strong people-to-people ties, and growing economic complementarities. In this regard, both sides agreed to take calibrated and constructive steps to restore stability in the relationship, beginning with the early return of High Commissioners to each other’s capitals.

    They also emphasized the importance of restarting senior ministerial and working-level engagements across various domains to rebuild trust and inject momentum into the bilateral relationship.

    During their talks, the leaders discussed potential areas of future collaboration, including clean energy, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, liquefied natural gas (LNG), food security, critical minerals, higher education, mobility, and supply chain resilience. They reiterated their shared interest in promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific.

    The two leaders also stressed the importance of restarting negotiations on the stalled Early Progress Trade Agreement (EPTA), with a view to eventually concluding a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). To that end, they agreed to instruct their respective officials to intensify engagement.

    Both sides acknowledged the significant progress made at the G7 Summit and expressed their shared commitment to working together constructively on global priorities such as climate action, inclusive growth, and sustainable development.

    They further underlined the strength of the deep-rooted people-to-people ties between India and Canada, agreeing to leverage this living bridge for the benefit of both nations.

    The leaders concluded their meeting with a commitment to remain in touch and expressed hope to meet again at the earliest opportunity.

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Update: Police drone launch in search for Elisabeth Nicholls

    Source: New Zealand Police

    Attribute to Detective Sergeant Lucy Aldridge of Christchurch Police:

    Police will be deploying a drone in central Christchurch tomorrow as part of ongoing efforts to locate missing woman Elisabeth ‘Lis’ Nicholls.

    The drone will be flying over the Riccarton and Hagley Park areas between 8am and midday, Thursday 19 June.

    Lis was last seen at the Chateau on the Park in Riccarton, on the evening of Wednesday 4 June, and Police and her family are desperate to locate her.

    Searchers and Police have gone door to door, reviewed CCTV footage and made extensive enquiries, “but we have not been able to find Lis,” DSS Aldridge says.

    “We do not know where she travelled to after the Chateau and have not been able to locate any items that would lead us closer to her.

    “We have grave concerns for Lis, and sincerely hope the use of a drone will help us find her,” she says.

    Police continue to appeal to the public for help in locating Lis, and urge people to continue checking your backyards, sheds and sleepouts, and look under anything where a person could seek shelter.

    For anyone with CCTV or video footage, we would ask you to please review any footage you have from 6.40pm on Wednesday 4 June to 8am on Thursday 5 June.

    While Lis went missing in the Riccarton area, she is physically strong, and may have walked some distance.

    Anyone who sees Lis should ring 111 immediately and use the reference number 250604/5465. Non-urgent information can be provided online at 105.police.govt.nz, using “Update Report,” quoting the same reference number.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Regular Press Briefing of the Ministry of National Defense on June 9, 2025 2025-06-18 On the afternoon of June 9, 2025, Senior Colonel Jiang Bin, Deputy Director-General of the Information Office of China’s Ministry of National Defense and Spokesperson for the MND, responded to recent media queries concerning the military.

    Source: People’s Republic of China – Ministry of National Defense

    On the afternoon of June 9, 2025, Senior Colonel Jiang Bin, Deputy Director-General of the Information Office of China’s Ministry of National Defense (MND) and Spokesperson for the MND, responded to recent media queries concerning the military.

    On the afternoon of June 9, 2025, Senior Colonel Jiang Bin, Deputy Director-General of the Information Office of China’s Ministry of National Defense (MND) and Spokesperson for the MND, answers recent media queries concerning the military. (Photo by Li Xiaowei)

    (The following English text is for reference. In case of any divergence of interpretation, the Chinese text shall prevail.)

    Jiang Bin: First, I would like to announce two pieces of information.

    First, at the invitation of the Ministry of Defense of Mongolia, PLA Army soldiers will go to Mongolia in mid-June to participate in the Khaan Quest-2025 multinational peacekeeping exercise.

    Secondly, the 20th meeting of the Experts’ Working Group on Peacekeeping Operations under the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus) will be held in Nanjing from June 11 to 14. The member states and observer states of the ADMM-Plus, as well as the United Nations and the ASEAN Secretariat will send representatives to the event. Themed on “Technology and Innovation: Enhancing Military Cooperation in Peacekeeping Operations”, the meeting aims to deepen military mutual trust and security cooperation among regional countries and enhance their capacities for peacekeeping operations.

    Journalist: President Xi Jinping, Chairman of the Central Military Commission, recently signed an order to release the Regulation on Awarding Military Scientific Research. Please provide more information about this.

    Jiang Bin: As the first military-wide document on awarding military scientific research, the Regulation features three characteristics. First, it incorporates the standard of combat effectiveness throughout the entire awarding process, takes the contribution to the generation of combat capabilities as the primary criterion for evaluation, and assigns it the greatest weight. Second, it categorizes awards as theoretical research, scientific and technological advancement, and technological innovation, and establishes different levels of rewards including special, first-class, second-class, and third-class awards, constituting a well-structured military research award system with sound classification and evaluation methods. Third, it adjusts the awarding process, sets limits on the total number of awards, and emphasizes discipline and conduct. This will let researchers stay focused on their work and pursue innovation through solid efforts. The Regulation is expected to enhance innovation in military research, accelerate breakthroughs in military theory and defense technology, and support the building of a strong military in the new era with high-quality technology.

    Journalist: It is reported that the British government recently released its Strategic Defense Review, claiming that China is leveraging its economic, technological, and military capabilities to establish dominance in the Indo-Pacific, posing a “sophisticated and persistent challenge.” What’s your comment on this?

    Jiang Bin: China stays committed to the path of peaceful development and a defense policy that is defensive in nature. China has worked all along to uphold, promote and contribute to security in the Asia Pacific region. China’s development brings opportunities, not challenges, to other countries, and contributes stability and positive energy to world peace. We hope that the UK side adopts a right perception of China, respect facts, take a rational view of China and its military development, stop hyping up the so-called “China threat”, and do more to facilitate the development of bilateral ties and military relations between the two countries.

    On the afternoon of June 9, 2025, Senior Colonel Jiang Bin, Deputy Director-General of the Information Office of China’s Ministry of National Defense (MND) and Spokesperson for the MND, answers recent media queries concerning the military. (Photo by Li Xiaowei)

    Journalist：It is reported that the US is transporting a new batch of M1A2 tanks to Taiwan and plans to increase its arms sales to Taiwan over the next four years. New arms sales may surpass that of the first Trump administration. In addition, a former official of the US military said that about 500 US military personnel are operating in Taiwan, which is over ten times of the number previously disclosed by the US Congress. What’s your comment on this?

    Jiang Bin: This is another solid piece of evidence that the US side and the “Taiwan independence” separatist forces are taking efforts to violate China’s core interests, change the status quo across the Taiwan Strait and escalate regional tensions. Who is making provocations despite strong opposition from the Chinese side? Who is undermining cross-Strait stability and repeatedly stirring up troubles? We believe we all know the answers. The Chinese side is strongly dissatisfied and firmly opposed to this act.

    The Taiwan question is at the very core of China’s core interests, and is the first red line that must not be crossed in China-US relations. We urge the US side to stop its military collusion with Taiwan in any form; otherwise it will get burnt for playing with fire and gain more harm than good. We warn the DPP authorities that US weapons cannot save them, and soliciting external support for “Taiwan independence” will only fail. The PLA will continue to strengthen military training and combat readiness and enhance its capability to fight and win. We will take resolute measures to thwart “Taiwan independence” separatist activities and external interference.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • PM Modi takes part in G7 Summit’s outreach session on energy security

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday participated in the outreach session on energy security at the 51st G7 Summit, where he underscored the need for a sustainable and inclusive approach to global energy access.

    Addressing the gathering, PM Modi emphasised the importance of ensuring energy security for all people through green and sustainable pathways. He highlighted India’s key international initiatives in this area, including the International Solar Alliance, the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), and the Global Biofuels Alliance, according to Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.

    “Artificial Intelligence itself is an energy-intensive technology. The only sustainable way to meet the energy demands of a technology-driven world is through renewable energy,” the Prime Minister said. “Ensuring affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy remains India’s top priority.”

    He also reiterated India’s belief that technology holds real value only when its benefits reach every person, particularly in the Global South. “No country in the Global South should be left behind,” he said.

    Referring to India’s experience with digital governance, he noted that the country has democratised access to technology through its Digital Public Infrastructure, empowering both the economy and citizens. He also stressed that meaningful and high-quality data is essential for developing inclusive, capable, and responsible AI systems.

    Highlighting the growing relevance of artificial intelligence, PM Modi called for global governance mechanisms to address its associated risks and to promote innovation. He underlined the strategic link between critical minerals and emerging technologies, and called for resilient and secure supply chains. “In the era of AI, close collaboration between critical minerals and technology is essential,” he said.

    He raised concerns over the misuse of AI, particularly the rise of deepfake technology. “Deepfakes are a serious concern. There must be clear watermarks or disclosures on AI-generated content,” he said.

    Reflecting on historical trends, PM Modi noted that while the last century was marked by competition for energy, the current century demands cooperation in the realm of technology. “India is moving ahead on the principles of availability, accessibility, affordability, and acceptability, and has chosen the path of inclusive development,” he said.

    Despite being the world’s fastest-growing major economy, India has already fulfilled its Paris Agreement commitments ahead of schedule, he noted. “We are moving rapidly toward our target of Net Zero by 2070. Currently, renewable energy constitutes about 50 per cent of our total installed capacity,” he added.

    Turning to geopolitical challenges, PM Modi drew attention to the disproportionate impact of crises—such as those related to food, fuel, fertilisers, and finance—on Global South nations. “These countries suffer the most from global uncertainties and conflicts. India considers it its responsibility to bring their concerns to the global stage,” he said.

    On the issue of terrorism, the Prime Minister made a strong statement against double standards. Referring to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, he said, “This was not just an attack on a place; it was an assault on the soul, identity, and dignity of every Indian — and indeed, on humanity itself.”

    “Terrorism is the enemy of humanity and threatens all nations that uphold democratic values. There must be no ambiguity: if a country supports terrorism, it must be held accountable,” he said. “While we are quick to impose sanctions on various issues, the same urgency must be applied to terrorism.”

    The Prime Minister thanked world leaders at the G7 Summit for condemning the Pahalgam attack and urged the international community to take strong action against those who support or sponsor terrorism.

    He concluded by reiterating India’s commitment to promoting a human-centric and inclusive approach to technology, and called for strengthened global cooperation to ensure peace, sustainability, and equitable development.

    (IANS)

  • PM Modi takes part in G7 Summit’s outreach session on energy security

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday participated in the outreach session on energy security at the 51st G7 Summit, where he underscored the need for a sustainable and inclusive approach to global energy access.

    Addressing the gathering, PM Modi emphasised the importance of ensuring energy security for all people through green and sustainable pathways. He highlighted India’s key international initiatives in this area, including the International Solar Alliance, the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), and the Global Biofuels Alliance, according to Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.

    “Artificial Intelligence itself is an energy-intensive technology. The only sustainable way to meet the energy demands of a technology-driven world is through renewable energy,” the Prime Minister said. “Ensuring affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy remains India’s top priority.”

    He also reiterated India’s belief that technology holds real value only when its benefits reach every person, particularly in the Global South. “No country in the Global South should be left behind,” he said.

    Referring to India’s experience with digital governance, he noted that the country has democratised access to technology through its Digital Public Infrastructure, empowering both the economy and citizens. He also stressed that meaningful and high-quality data is essential for developing inclusive, capable, and responsible AI systems.

    Highlighting the growing relevance of artificial intelligence, PM Modi called for global governance mechanisms to address its associated risks and to promote innovation. He underlined the strategic link between critical minerals and emerging technologies, and called for resilient and secure supply chains. “In the era of AI, close collaboration between critical minerals and technology is essential,” he said.

    He raised concerns over the misuse of AI, particularly the rise of deepfake technology. “Deepfakes are a serious concern. There must be clear watermarks or disclosures on AI-generated content,” he said.

    Reflecting on historical trends, PM Modi noted that while the last century was marked by competition for energy, the current century demands cooperation in the realm of technology. “India is moving ahead on the principles of availability, accessibility, affordability, and acceptability, and has chosen the path of inclusive development,” he said.

    Despite being the world’s fastest-growing major economy, India has already fulfilled its Paris Agreement commitments ahead of schedule, he noted. “We are moving rapidly toward our target of Net Zero by 2070. Currently, renewable energy constitutes about 50 per cent of our total installed capacity,” he added.

    Turning to geopolitical challenges, PM Modi drew attention to the disproportionate impact of crises—such as those related to food, fuel, fertilisers, and finance—on Global South nations. “These countries suffer the most from global uncertainties and conflicts. India considers it its responsibility to bring their concerns to the global stage,” he said.

    On the issue of terrorism, the Prime Minister made a strong statement against double standards. Referring to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, he said, “This was not just an attack on a place; it was an assault on the soul, identity, and dignity of every Indian — and indeed, on humanity itself.”

    “Terrorism is the enemy of humanity and threatens all nations that uphold democratic values. There must be no ambiguity: if a country supports terrorism, it must be held accountable,” he said. “While we are quick to impose sanctions on various issues, the same urgency must be applied to terrorism.”

    The Prime Minister thanked world leaders at the G7 Summit for condemning the Pahalgam attack and urged the international community to take strong action against those who support or sponsor terrorism.

    He concluded by reiterating India’s commitment to promoting a human-centric and inclusive approach to technology, and called for strengthened global cooperation to ensure peace, sustainability, and equitable development.

    (IANS)

  • MIL-OSI USA: Booker Statement on Passage of GENIUS Act

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Jersey Cory Booker

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) issued the following statement following the passage of the bipartisan GENIUS Act:

    “As new technologies and payment systems emerge, it is essential that Congress moves quickly to establish regulatory frameworks that protect consumers from predatory practices, keep our markets safe, and prevent bad actors from exploiting regulatory gaps. Stablecoins, which millions of consumers already use to facilitate digital asset trading, are undeniably a part of the future of the global financial system, but are largely operating outside of the regulatory system or relying on a patchwork of inconsistent state regulations, posing serious risks to businesses and consumers alike. The U.S. should be a leader in setting standards for consumer protection and responsible innovation in the space.  

    “This bill is the result of months of bipartisan negotiations and offers robust guardrails for consumers in the U.S. It offers an important starting point for protecting financial security and our broader economy, closing loopholes on foreign-issued stablecoins that pose risks to national security, strengthening federal oversight over stablecoin issuers, and expanding consumer protections in the event of a stablecoin collapse. The bill also expands ethics requirements on government employees, ensuring special government employees like Elon Musk cannot enrich themselves while serving in government.

    “This bill is the beginning. There is still a significant amount of work to do to ensure that digital assets are operating in a way that protects and benefits consumers and holds industry accountable. I am also deeply concerned by the ongoing corruption by the Trump administration, as President Trump, his family, and other administration officials seek to exploit their roles in order to cut big real estate deals and enrich themselves on memecoin schemes.  I urge my colleagues to continue to work in a bipartisan manner to craft legislation that evolves alongside our changing financial system, and to hold the Trump family accountable.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LD to hold Youth Recruitment Day

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    LD to hold Youth Recruitment Day 
    The recruitment event will be held at Southorn Stadium, Wan Chai. A total of 27 organisations from various industries, including transport, airline services, public services, retail, catering and property management, will participate in the recruitment event, offering full-time and part-time on-the-job training vacancies for young people.
     
    The job vacancies cover a wide variety of positions that do not require relevant work experience, such as supervisor trainee, aircraft maintenance mechanic trainee, barista, cargo services officer, technical trainee, engineering technician and sales associate. Job seekers aged 15 to 29 with educational attainment at sub-degree level or below are welcome to submit applications on the spot and may be invited for on-site interviews.
     
    The recruitment event also features career talks on the prospects and characteristics of different industries. Artist Cheung Tin-fu and billiard athlete Ng On-yee have been invited to join the event to share their stories of pursuing career development, encouraging young people to pursue their career goals with perseverance and determination. The session will be conducted in Cantonese. Priority admission will be given to the Youth Employment and Training Programme (YETP) service targets due to limited seats.
     
    Eligible young people can enrol in the YETP on the spot. Various service providers will assist them in selecting and enrolling in suitable training courses and provide advice on resume preparation and career consultation.
     
    The recruitment event will be held from 11am to 5.30pm at Southorn Stadium, 111 Johnston Road, Wan Chai (near Wan Chai MTR Station Exit A3). Admission is free. The last admission time is 5pm. For details, please visit the YETP website at www.yes.labour.gov.hkIssued at HKT 11:30

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Money Market Operations as on June 17, 2025

    Source: Reserve Bank of India
    (Amount in ₹ crore, Rate in Per cent)
      Volume
    (One Leg)    		 Weighted
    Average Rate    		 Range
    A. Overnight Segment (I+II+III+IV) 6,22,236.08 5.18 3.00-6.55
         I. Call Money 13,828.18 5.26 4.50-5.35
         II. Triparty Repo 4,09,067.30 5.20 5.01-5.25
         III. Market Repo 1,96,647.50 5.14 3.00-5.59
         IV. Repo in Corporate Bond 2,693.10 5.49 5.38-6.55
    B. Term Segment      
         I. Notice Money** 45.90 5.17 5.10-5.25
         II. Term Money@@ 185.00 – 5.50-6.00
         III. Triparty Repo 4,474.00 5.18 5.15-5.40
         IV. Market Repo 27.89 5.50 5.50-5.50
         V. Repo in Corporate Bond 0.00 – –
      Auction Date Tenor (Days) Maturity Date Amount Current Rate /
    Cut off Rate
    C. Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF), Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) & Standing Deposit Facility (SDF)
    I. Today’s Operations
    1. Fixed Rate          
    2. Variable Rate&          
      (I) Main Operation          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
      (II) Fine Tuning Operations          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
    3. MSF# Tue, 17/06/2025 1 Wed, 18/06/2025 1,297.00 5.75
    4. SDFΔ# Tue, 17/06/2025 1 Wed, 18/06/2025 2,99,971.00 5.25
    5. Net liquidity injected from today’s operations [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*       -2,98,674.00  
    II. Outstanding Operations
    1. Fixed Rate          
    2. Variable Rate&          
      (I) Main Operation          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
      (II) Fine Tuning Operations          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
    3. MSF#          
    4. SDFΔ#          
    D. Standing Liquidity Facility (SLF) Availed from RBI$       8,471.32  
    E. Net liquidity injected from outstanding operations [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*     8,471.32  
    F. Net liquidity injected (outstanding including today’s operations) [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*     -2,90,202.68  
    G. Cash Reserves Position of Scheduled Commercial Banks
         (i) Cash balances with RBI as on June 17, 2025 9,57,930.37  
         (ii) Average daily cash reserve requirement for the fortnight ending June 27, 2025 9,54,173.00  
    H. Government of India Surplus Cash Balance Reckoned for Auction as on¥ June 17, 2025 0.00  
    I. Net durable liquidity [surplus (+)/deficit (-)] as on May 30, 2025 5,84,684.00  
    @ Based on Reserve Bank of India (RBI) / Clearing Corporation of India Limited (CCIL).
    – Not Applicable / No Transaction.
    ** Relates to uncollateralized transactions of 2 to 14 days tenor.
    @@ Relates to uncollateralized transactions of 15 days to one year tenor.
    $ Includes refinance facilities extended by RBI.
    & As per the Press Release No. 2019-2020/1900 dated February 06, 2020.
    Δ As per the Press Release No. 2022-2023/41 dated April 08, 2022.
    * Net liquidity is calculated as Repo+MSF+SLF-Reverse Repo-SDF.
    ¥ As per the Press Release No. 2014-2015/1971 dated March 19, 2015.
    # As per the Press Release No. 2023-2024/1548 dated December 27, 2023.
    Ajit Prasad          
    Deputy General Manager
    (Communications)    
    Press Release: 2025-2026/556

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-Evening Report: ‘Guerrilla rewilding’ aims for DIY conservation – but it may do more harm than good

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Patrick Finnerty, Postdoctoral Research Fellow in conservation and wildlife management, University of Sydney

    Fidel Fernando / Unsplash

    Ever since modern environmentalism took off in the 1960s, people have tried to undo the damage humans have caused to nature. Efforts have ranged from reducing threats, to restoring habitats, to reintroducing vanished species – and the results have been mixed.

    However, these efforts have helped shape modern conservation science. This branch of knowledge uses ecological, genetic and behavioural insights to guide smarter, more ethical conservation actions.

    Governments often use this science to decide whether restoration projects should be approved. However, approval processes may be slow, under-resourced and complex, leaving passionate people feeling shut out.

    In response, some have turned to “guerilla rewilding” without approval, and often without due consideration of the potential for unintended impacts. As a recent ABC investigation showed, these passionate souls may release species into the wild or build self-managed sanctuaries, often dismissing scientists as “purists”.

    What is rewilding?

    Rewilding aims to restore wildlife and natural processes to ecosystems where they’ve been lost, often due to land clearing, agriculture or other human activities.

    It may involve reintroducing a species that has disappeared from a landscape, or using a similar surrogate species to revive lost ecological functions. The goal is to rebuild functioning, self-sustaining systems. It’s not just about individual species, but the roles they play in sustaining nature.

    In Australia, rewilding typically takes place in fenced reserves or on islands where invasive predators such as foxes and cats have been removed. These barriers offer protection, but require intensive planning, long-term management and ongoing funding.

    Rewilding often occurs in fenced sanctuaries.
    Stephen Mabbs / Unsplash

    The term “rewilding” itself has been criticised for harking back to a pre-colonial “wilderness”, overlooking First Nations’ connections to Country. But the goal of these projects is to restore ecological function and self-sustaining wildlife populations in shared, lived-in landscapes – including urban environments.

    When done well, rewilding can support species recovery, repair ecosystems, and help reconnect people with nature. But success depends on evidence-based design, clear goals, ongoing monitoring, and (often) additional management over time (such as adding or removing animals).

    Guerilla rewilding is risky

    Guerrilla rewilding can go wildly wrong. Ecology, evolution, behaviour and welfare are deeply complex — and every species is a unique part of a much larger puzzle.

    Scientists and conservationists are still learning how different animals survive and thrive in changing environments. Restoring these delicate systems without unintended consequences is also a challenge.

    Without rigorous planning, there is a risk of inbreeding or a mismatch between animals and their environment. Animals raised inside fences may become overabundant, or too naive to survive in the wild. Disease, overgrazing and long-term habitat degradation are other risks.

    Learning from science, not bypassing it

    Successful rewilding draws on decades of ecological insight — genetics, behaviour, predator-prey dynamics, health, and ecosystem function.

    Guerilla rewilders may see these as unnecessary academic add-ons. But when reintroductions fail, it’s often because one of these elements was overlooked. Frequently reported problems include animal behaviour, monitoring difficulties, quality of release habitat, and lack of baseline knowledge.

    However, accessing the science – and navigating the approvals that rely on it – isn’t always easy. Conservation processes are often slow, under-resourced and opaque. It’s no surprise some view them as “green tape”.

    In Australia, it can be easier to get permission to clear land than to restore it.
    Matt Palmer / Unsplash

    Indeed, in Australia, it’s harder to get a restoration project approved than it is to get approval for land clearing.

    Yet bypassing this system risks repeating old mistakes. So if we want rewilding to work, we need to make it easier to engage with evidence, expertise and ethical safeguards.

    Engagement may be as simple as working with the right partners from the outset. This may include Traditional Owners, universities, non-government organisations, and local conservation and environmental community groups.

    Collaboration, not conflict

    A lot of people and groups have the same goal: to restore thriving wild animal populations as part of more complete, diverse and resilient ecosystems. That outcome is best achieved through collaboration, sharing of expertise, and trust.

    Traditional Owners, scientists, carers, zoos, non-government organisations and government agencies all bring crucial knowledge. By turning shared passion into practical, evidence-based action, we can ensure rewilding efforts contribute to real, lasting outcomes for Australian and global biodiversity.

    So what does this look like in practice? First of all, it’s about getting connected.

    People with land or passion to contribute can contact organisations such as the Australian Wildlife Conservancy, WWF-Australia, Arid Recovery, several universities, or state parks and wildlife services. These groups have likely already done the groundwork, from habitat assessment to long-term planning. Joining existing efforts may get more done than starting solo.

    Policymakers can contribute not only funding, but also transparency. More open and understandable approval processes may lower the barriers for community-led rewilding efforts.

    As for scientists like us, we need to step beyond peer-reviewed papers. That means clearer communication, real-world partnerships, and embracing outreach – particularly in urban or accessible rewilding projects.

    The authors wish to acknowledge the contributions of Peter Banks, Donna Houston, Phil McManus, Catherine Grueber and Mareshell Wauchope to this article.

    Patrick Finnerty is the current director for early career ecology at the Ecological Society of Australia, the Early Career Coordinator at the Australasian Wildlife Management Society, and a council member for the Royal Zoological Society of NSW. He receives funding from the Australian Research Council.

    Alex Carthey is the founding Director of ReHabitat Pty Ltd. She receives funding from the Australia Research Council and the Hermon Slade Foundation. She is the immediate past-Treasurer and recently ex-Council member of the NSW Royal Zoological Society.

    Benjamin Pitcher is a Co-funded Research Fellow in Behavioural Biology at Macquarie University and Taronga Conservation Society Australia. He receives funding from the Australian Research Council and NSW Environmental Trust.

    John Martin receives funding from the Australian Research Council.

    Thomas Newsome receives funding from the Australian Research Council. He is immediate past-president of the Australasian Wildlife Management Society and President of the Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales.

    – ref. ‘Guerrilla rewilding’ aims for DIY conservation – but it may do more harm than good – https://theconversation.com/guerrilla-rewilding-aims-for-diy-conservation-but-it-may-do-more-harm-than-good-258818

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Over 700 quality job vacancies to be offered at Creating New Opportunities Job Fair

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Labour Department (LD) will hold the Creating New Opportunities Job Fair at the Sau Mau Ping Community Hall in Kwun Tong on June 20, providing a large number of vacancies from various industries for job seekers.

         The job fair is co-organised by the LD and the Office of Legislative Council Member Mr Ngan Man-yu of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong. About 15 organisations will participate in the job fair, offering over 700 quality job vacancies from various industries, among which more than 500 are from the catering, real estate and retail industries. Around 15 organisations will set up booths and conduct recruitment on the spot. A wide variety of positions will be offered, including branch manager/manageress, concierge officer, property officer, guest services agent, sales coordinator, artisan, taxi driver, cleaner, chef, security guard, baker, airport cargo cleaner, shop assistant, technician, etc. Job seekers can visit the LD’s Interactive Employment Service website (www.jobs.gov.hk) for more details on the vacancies.

         Around 92 per cent of the vacancies offered at the job fair are full-time jobs. Most vacancies offer monthly salaries ranging from $12,000 to $22,000. About 97 per cent of the vacancies require a Secondary Seven education level or below. Around 72 per cent are open to job seekers without relevant work experience.

         Job seekers can submit job applications during the event and may be selected for on-the-spot interviews. They can also make enquiries about the employment services provided by the LD at its counter inside the venue.

         The job fair will be held from 11am to 5.30pm at the Sau Mau Ping Community Hall, 100 Sau Ming Road, Sau Mau Ping Estate, Kwun Tong (near Sau Mau Ping Shopping Centre). Admission is free, with the final admission time at 5pm.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Buildings Energy Efficiency (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 to be gazetted on Friday

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    The Buildings Energy Efficiency (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 (the Ordinance) and its Buildings Energy Efficiency (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 (Commencement) Notice (the Notice) will be published in the Gazette on Friday (June 20).
     
    A spokesman for the Environment and Ecology Bureau said, “The Ordinance not only improves the buildings energy efficiency management regime of Hong Kong by extending the scope of energy efficiency regulation to more types of buildings, shortening the intervals of energy audits and disclosing technical information in energy audit reports, but also helps to achieve a win-win scenario of saving electricity costs for buildings, reducing carbon emissions, and boosting the development of the green economy, thereby assisting Hong Kong to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.”
     
    The Ordinance will come into effect in two stages. The Notice will be tabled by the Government before the Legislative Council at its sitting on June 25. Upon the completion of negative vetting, the amendments for updating the qualifications eligible for registration as Registered Energy Assessors will commence first on September 20, 2025 (i.e. three months after the gazettal of the Ordinance), to enable professionals’ early registration. The remaining provisions will commence on September 20, 2026 (i.e. 15 months after the gazettal of the Ordinance), to allow adequate time for the sectors to make necessary preparations for compliance with the new regulations. The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department will continue the promotion and publicity efforts to inform building owners of the latest statutory requirements in a timely manner, and provide technical support to assist them in complying with the new requirements.
     
    The spokesman added, “Upon the full implementation of the Ordinance, it is estimated that an additional 500 million kilowatt-hours of electricity, equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of about 150 000 three-person households, could be saved in 2035.”

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • Tehran Command Hit, Shadmani Killed: Iran-Israel War Enters Sixth Day

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Israel’s military has confirmed the killing of Ali Shadmani, Iran’s wartime Chief of Staff and a close adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in an airstrike on a command center in Tehran. Shadmani had recently assumed leadership of Iran’s Khatam-al Anbiya Central Headquarters following the death of his predecessor during Israel’s initial offensive on Friday.

    Iran’s Cyber Security Command has accused Israel of launching a widespread cyber war targeting its digital infrastructure, reportedly disrupting essential services, according to the state-run IRIB news agency.

    Israel’s air force has struck deep within Tehran, killing one of Iran’s top military officers, Ali Shadmani — a high-ranking adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei.

    Continuous and intense explosions are being heard in west Tehran, according to Iranian state news agency IRNA, as the conflict enters its sixth day with no signs of abating.

    Iran’s newly appointed army chief has issued a stark warning, saying the strikes carried out against Israel so far were merely a deterrent message.

    In a televised address, the new army chief General Abdolrahim Mousavi declared that punitive action will be carried out soon, signaling further escalation.

    Meanwhile, United States President Donald Trump made a social media call for Iran to surrender unconditionally.

    As tensions rise, the Pentagon announced it is speeding up the deployment of the USS Nimitz and other naval hardware to the Middle East, the second carrier strike group to be deployed to the area.

    Calls for restraint are growing louder. Egypt has urged both Iran and Israel to pull back, warning that continued escalation could destabilize the entire region.

    Speaking in Brussels, Jordan’s King Abdullah II addressed the European Parliament, cautioning that Israeli strikes on Iran risk igniting a far wider war.

    The G7 summit in Canada issued a collective call for a de-escalation of hostilities across the Middle East, including a ceasefire in Gaza. However, the group stopped short of directly calling for a ceasefire between Israel and Iran.

    Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty urged an immediate cessation of hostilities in phone calls with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff. Egypt warned the conflict risked igniting broader regional upheaval, a message echoed by Jordan’s King Abdullah II, who, in an address to the European Parliament, stressed the potential for wider instability triggered by continued Israeli strikes on Iran.

    French President Emmanuel Macron revealed that a US-backed ceasefire proposal is on the table, though its contents remain undisclosed. Tehran, however, has reportedly maintained a hardline stance on nuclear negotiations, with some sources indicating Iran may only consider compromise after retaliatory action against Israel is complete.

    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that ongoing operations have dealt a major blow to Iran’s nuclear program, saying, “I estimate we are sending them back a very, very long time.” Israel has reportedly targeted multiple nuclear facilities and eliminated several senior Iranian military commanders in a tightly coordinated campaign.

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China’s State Council takes charge of investigation into explosion at fireworks factory in central China

    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

    BEIJING, June 18 (Xinhua) — The Industrial Safety Commission of the State Council has decided to take charge of the investigation into the explosion at a fireworks factory in central China’s Hunan Province, the Ministry of Emergency Management told Xinhua.

    The blast occurred at 8:23 a.m. Monday in Linli County, killing nine people and injuring 26 others.

    The Committee ordered that an investigation into the explosion be promptly organized and conducted, that the causes of the explosion be determined as soon as possible, and that those responsible be held accountable in accordance with the law and regulations.

    On Tuesday, China’s Ministry of Emergency Management said a task force had been dispatched to Hunan Province to lead rescue efforts at the scene. The ministry called on local authorities to quickly verify information about the victims and make every effort to prevent such tragedies from happening again. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Expanding biodiversity markets in NZ – Speech to the NZ Farm Environment Trust alumni

    Source: New Zealand Government

    It’s my pleasure to be here today amongst some of the strongest guardians of our native biodiversity in the country. 
    Wouldn’t we rather have more carrot than stick if we work for nature on our land? 
    That’s what my announcement about expanding a voluntary nature credits market in New Zealand was about last week at Fieldays. 
    We are backing the expansion of a market that will be durable, measurable and transparent. An enduring legacy of commitment to the land.
    The market will hopefully help you and other landowners and conservation groups unlock new income streams for looking after nature on your land. 
    Now I say ‘hopefully’ because I haven’t yet fully transitioned into being a politician. I’m still a pragmatist. I still prefer to under promise and over deliver, and 28 years of farming makes me a firm believer in Murphy’s Law. But the only way to find out if this will work is to give it a crack, do some trials, see what works and doesn’t, and then take the lessons on board and move forward. 
    So, assuming Murphy gives us a break, how do I envision these nature credit markets could work?
    Nature and carbon credit markets connect investors looking for reputable nature and climate opportunities with landowners, farmers and community groups who are actively restoring and repairing nature by adding biodiversity value to their land. 
    At a high-level nature and carbon projects are developed, according to established evidence-based standards, to produce voluntary credits that can be issued for sale on a marketplace for purchasers to buy. 
    Purchasers can then either use the credits, claiming support for the project and retiring the credits, or they can hold onto the credits (without claim) for resale or use down the track.

    I’m often asked who would buy these credits? 
    International and domestic investors—including corporates, banks, and philanthropists—are seeking high-quality nature and carbon credits that meet global standards. 
    They are looking for reputable nature and climate action projects undertaken by landowners, farmers, and community groups. This allows investors to demonstrate their environmental commitment to their customers. 
    In 2024 New Zealand investors spent over $20 million on voluntary nature and carbon credits; mostly on offshore projects due to the lack of suitable New Zealand projects. 
    But with the right framework, we can keep more of that investment at home and restore and protect New Zealand’s unique native species.
    I’m told there’s interest from international investors in New Zealand credits with overseas companies and international investment funds purchasing them.  

    Expanding the nature credit market is both important to investors and New Zealand’s reputation.  We all know how heavily New Zealand’s economy is dependent on the natural environment to support our exports and economy. 
    Our exports rely on our ‘clean green’ environmental image. 80% of our exports ( $59.6 billion) go to markets where environmental, social, and governance reporting is required.
    Voluntary carbon and nature credits can help companies demonstrate commitment to addressing nature loss and climate change while satisfying regulation, trade agreements, and supply chain requirements of international markets and customers. 
    A successful voluntary nature credits market can enable the many private and public agencies, individuals, and councils that already do great work, but lack the networks, expertise and resources to connect, to do more.  This approach has worked well in nature markets in the United Kingdom and Australia.
    And it’s worth it financially.  A 2024 report from the Worldwide Fund for Nature and EY suggests that halting and reversing biodiversity loss could save New Zealand more than $270 billion over the next 50 years.
    Many New Zealand carbon and nature credits projects use international standards to develop credits. However, the high costs and stringent reporting requirements often make this impractical for smaller landowners and projects. This results in untapped potential. Consequently, smaller-scale New Zealand carbon and nature credits projects are effectively excluded from the market due to these prohibitive costs and requirements.
    Market participants say formal arrangements and support from the New Zealand Government are necessary to create trust, growth and investment in the New Zealand market.

    Privately funded pilot projects are underway to test how nature credits markets can work in the New Zealand context. As part of these pilots, we will test the role for Government which may include a government endorsed qual mark for project standards and measures to assure participants that market conduct is fair, honest and transparent.
    The pilots represent different land conditions – including many farms – locations, types of market participants, and activities. This real-life experience will provide valuable insights as we move to the next stage of market design. 

    Before I close – you’re probably wanting to know what’s next. 
    We’ll be announcing further details on the Government’s role and the design of the expanded market in the coming months. 
    In the meantime, we’re looking forward to working alongside groups and individuals involved in the pilots, and others interested in this project. Please get in touch with the Ministry for the Environment if you’re interested.  
    It is also my pleasure to announce the Ministry for the Environment’s sponsorship of the biodiversity award which recognizes work done to protect our native flora and fauna. Our government believes in celebrating the fantastic work that you and many other farmers are doing and this is a tangible example of how we will support those who are investing in sustainable agriculture.
    Thank you for your time today – and I hope you enjoy the National Sustainability Showcase; I look forward to catching up with you later this evening.
     

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Artist Eric Smith won 3 Archibalds, then vanished. A new show reveals his unseen works

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tom Murray, Professor in Screen Media and Creative Arts, Macquarie University

    Photograph by Robert Walker, Eric Smith in the studio, c.1973 black and white photograph, 52cmx42cm. Barbara Smith Collection. Used with permission

    There are many routes to artistic obscurity. The surest path, of course, is to have never been discovered in the first place. But this wasn’t the case with the late Eric Smith (1919-2017).

    His story is not that of Vincent Van Gogh or Vivian Maier, who only achieved fame after death. Nor did he go out of his way to try and remain obscure, like Ron Gittens or James Hampton.

    Rather, Smith’s is a story of a major artist who quite simply, and unexpectedly, vanished from public life.

    The Raising of Lazarus, 1953, oil on composition board, 91cmx82cm. David and Diane Taylor Family Collection.

    A new exhibition at the Macquarie University Art Gallery, which I am co-curating, will display a range of Smith’s work – including paintings from the last four decades of his career that have never been shown before.

    From fame to phantom

    Smith was an artist constantly in search of ways to “express truths in our times”, and employed diverse ways of doing so across a career that included religious paintings, portraits and large abstract works.

    Between his breakthrough year in 1956, when he won the first of six Blake Prizes with The Scourged Christ, and 1982, when he won the last of his three Archibalds with a portrait of Peter Sculthorpe, Smith was as lauded as an artist could be.

    He had a significant role in launching Australian abstract expressionism in the famous group show, Direction 1. His art was installed in churches and public buildings, and collected by major institutions. He was quoted and photographed in the press.

    Then, while working as prolifically as ever, he seemed to disappear. Why?

    Rudy Komon, 1981, oil on canvas, 184.1cm x 172.4cm x 3.9cm. Art Gallery of New South Wales, purchased 1982.

    The death of Rudy Komon

    Rudy Komon was a Czech emigrant and a larger than life bon vivant and gallerist who launched the careers of many of Australia’s finest painters.

    Komon represented Smith, who he called “meister”, from 1963 and throughout the most publicly productive part of Smith’s career. Smith even won the 1981 Archibald with a painting of Komon.

    However, Komon died the following year.

    And according to David Taylor, an art collector and later a patron of Smith’s, “Eric’s art career died with him”.

    “When Rudy died Eric had no one to connect him to the art world anymore. He was a modest man and no self-publicist,” Taylor explained to me.

    “It was pretty much only me that was left buying his paintings.”

    And there were a lot of paintings. Despite Smith’s exhibiting career grinding to a near halt, with no major-gallery shows after 1989, he spent the next four decades on an 8am to 6pm studio regime punctuated only by lunch and tea breaks.

    Untitled [Fool’s Gold], 2004, oil on canvas, 164.5cm x 204.5cm. David and Diane Taylor Family Collection.

    “He’d finish just in time for the 6pm news”, Barbara Smith told me.

    Barbara is Smith’s daughter and the manager of his legacy.

    “Dad was always driven by what he saw as the challenges in his work and resolving them in the studio.”

    Smith was also heavily self-critical. He admitted to destroying more than half of his artistic output – completely repainting or throwing away paintings that didn’t meet his vision.

    At the age of 90, ever the self-critic and despite his successes, he said to his family: “You can’t change styles like I did and hope to get anywhere.”

    Forms that express deeper feelings

    Smith converted to Catholicism in the 1950s and was a life-long consumer of art-history and philosophy. These tendencies can be seen in his 1950s religious paintings and later abstract works.

    The Scourged Christ, 1956, oil on composition board, 116cm x 85cm. Gift of Hugh Jamieson, Penrith Regional Gallery Collection.

    In the 1950s he found inspiration in the works of the Fauvist painter Georges Rouault, and later in the works of Alfred Manessier. We see these influences in the bold outlines and church-window-esque colours used in paintings such as The Raising of Lazarus (1953) and The Scourged Christ (1956).

    Smith’s later large abstract paintings such as Eternity I (1998), Orange Dawn (1999) and Untitled (Fools Gold) (2004) are evidence of his artistic quest to “find forms that express the deeper feelings” he wanted to convey.

    Orange Dawn, 1999, oil on canvas, 171cm x 213cm. David and Diane Taylor Family Collection.

    Some of these later works share concerns aligned with Mark Rothko and Barnett Newman’s explorations of the “sublime” (influenced by Immanuel Kant’s ideas on the sublime), Richard Pousette-Dart’s soulful paintings of geometric forms, and Paul Partos rectangular forms representing inner emotions.

    Smith was also skilled in portraiture, as evidenced by his depictions of fellow artists Leonard Hessing, Norman Lindsay, Louis James and Hector Gilliland, as well as his Archibald-winning portrait of Rudy Komon.

    His luminous Portrait of Diane (1998), a family friend and patron, is a particularly powerful image which Smith described as his Mona Lisa.

    Portrait of Diane, 1998, oil on canvas, 69cm x 50cm. David and Diane Taylor Family Collection.

    It’s easy to see why writer and critic Paul McGillick argues Smith should be considered “one of Australia’s most visionary portraitists”.

    Yet, without exhibitions and dealers and auctioneers to champion him over the decades, Smith’s work has largely vanished from the public.

    Then again, “not having exhibitions didn’t bother him too much, it was the painting and process that really mattered to him,” said Barbara.

    An exhibit 40 years in the making

    Luckily for posterity, a number of Smith’s masterpieces survived his destructive self-critique.

    These works, which are now mostly privately held, will be on display at Eric Smith: The metaphysics of paint. It is the first major exhibition of Smith’s work since the 1980s, and the first retrospective or survey of his work since his death in 2017.

    “I’m sure Dad would have been extremely excited and honoured,” Barbara said.

    Eric Smith: The metaphysics of paint is showing at the Macquarie University Art Gallery from June 19 to August 1.

    Tom Murray works for Macquarie University and receives funding from the Australian Research Council.

    – ref. Artist Eric Smith won 3 Archibalds, then vanished. A new show reveals his unseen works – https://theconversation.com/artist-eric-smith-won-3-archibalds-then-vanished-a-new-show-reveals-his-unseen-works-255957

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for June 18, 2025

    ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on June 18, 2025.

    Saving species starts at home: how you can help Australia’s 1,000 threatened invertebrates
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kate Umbers, Associate Professor in Zoology, Western Sydney University Atlas Moth (_Attacus wardi_) Garry Sankowsky/flickr, CC BY When we think about animals, we tend to think of furry four-legged mammals. But 95% of all animal species are invertebrates – bees, butterflies, beetles, snails, worms, octopuses, starfish, corals,

    Matariki and our diminishing night sky: light pollution from cities and satellites is making stars harder to see
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Shea Esterling, Senior Lecturer Above the Bar, University of Canterbury Zhang Jianyong/Xinhua via Getty Images This week, Aotearoa New Zealand officially celebrates Matariki for the fourth time, marked by the reappearance in the night sky of the star cluster also known as the Pleiades. Yet, ironically, the

    Why a US court allowed a dead man to deliver his own victim impact statement – via an AI avatar
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James D Metzger, Senior Lecturer in Law & Justice, UNSW Sydney Composite image: Arrington Watkins Architects / AI avatar: YouTube/StaceyWales, CC BY In November 2021, in the city of Chandler, Arizona, Chris Pelkey was shot and killed by Gabriel Horcasitas in a road rage altercation. Horcasitas was

    What’s the difference between food poisoning and gastro? A gut expert explains
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Vincent Ho, Associate Professor and Clinical Academic Gastroenterologist, Western Sydney University Andrey_Popov/Shutterstock If you’ve got a dodgy tummy, diarrhoea and have been vomiting, it’s easy to blame a “tummy bug” or “off food”. But which is it? Gastro or food poisoning? What’s the difference anyway? What’s gastroenteritis?

    Sharks come in many different shapes and sizes. But they all follow a centuries-old mathematical rule
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jodie L. Rummer, Professor of Marine Biology, James Cook University Rachel Moore From hand-sized lantern sharks that glow in the deep sea to bus-sized whale sharks gliding through tropical waters, sharks come in all shapes and sizes. Despite these differences, they all face the same fundamental challenge:

    Iran war: from the Middle East to America, history shows you cannot assassinate your way to peace
    ANALYSIS: By Matt Fitzpatrick, Flinders University In the late 1960s, the prevailing opinion among Israeli Shin Bet intelligence officers was that the key to defeating the Palestinian Liberation Organisation was to assassinate its then-leader Yasser Arafat. The elimination of Arafat, the Shin Bet commander Yehuda Arbel wrote in his diary, was “a precondition to finding

    Solomon Islanders safe but unable to leave Israel amid war on Iran
    RNZ Pacific The Solomon Islands Foreign Ministry says five people who completed agriculture training in Israel are safe but unable to come home amid the ongoing war between Israel and Iran. The ministry said in a statement that the Solomon Islands Embassy in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, was closely monitoring the situation and maintaining

    We tracked Aussie teens’ mental health. The news isn’t good – and problems are worse for girls
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Scarlett Smout, Postdoctoral Research Fellow at The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use and Australia’s Mental Health Think Tank, University of Sydney skynesher/Getty Images We know young people in Australia and worldwide are experiencing growing mental health challenges. The most recent national survey

    Australia could become the world’s first net-zero exporter of fossil fuels – here’s how
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Frank Jotzo, Professor, Crawford School of Public Policy and Director, Centre for Climate and Energy Policy, Australian National University Photo by Jie Zhao/Corbis via Getty Images Australia is the world’s third largest exporter of gas and second largest exporter of coal. When burned overseas, these exports result

    Would a corporate tax cut boost productivity in Australia? So far, the evidence is unclear
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Isaac Gross, Lecturer in Economics, Monash University The Conversation, CC BY-NC The first term of the Albanese government was defined by its fight against inflation, but the second looks like it will be defined by a need to kick start Australia’s sluggish productivity growth. Productivity is essentially

    How high can US debt go before it triggers a financial crisis?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Luke Hartigan, Lecturer in Economics, University of Sydney rarrarorro/Shutterstock The tax cuts bill currently being debated by the US Senate will add another US$3 trillion (A$4.6 trillion) to US debt. President Donald Trump calls it the “big, beautiful bill”; his erstwhile policy adviser Elon Musk called it

    Jaws at 50: how two musical notes terrified an entire generation
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alison Cole, Composer and Lecturer in Screen Composition, Sydney Conservatorium of Music, University of Sydney Universal Pictures Our experience of the world often involves hearing our environment before seeing it. Whether it’s the sound of something moving through nearby water, or the rustling of vegetation, our fear

    As Luxon heads to China, his government’s pivot toward the US is a stumbling block
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Robert G. Patman, Professor of International Relations, University of Otago Ahead of his first visit to China, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has been at pains to present meetings with Chinese premier Xi Jinping and other leaders as advancing New Zealand’s best interests. But there is arguably a

    The story of the journalist on the Rainbow Warrior’s last voyage, David Robie
    Report by Dr David Robie – Café Pacific. – In April 2025, several of the Greenpeace crew visited Matauri Bay, Northland, the final resting place of the original flagship, the Rainbow Warrior. This article was one of the reflections pieces written by an oceans communications crew member. COMMENTARY: By Emma Page I was on the

    As Israeli attacks draw tit-for-tat missile responses from Iran and shuts Haifa refinery, Gaza genocide continues
    Israeli media report that Iranian missile strikes on Haifa oil refinery yesterday killed 3 people and closed down the installation. The Israeli death toll has risen to 24, with 400 injured and more than 2700 people displaced. Israeli authorities report 370 missiles fired by Iran in total, 30 reaching their targets. Iranian military report they

    View from the Hill: Cancelled Albanese-Trump meeting a setback on tariffs, AUKUS
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Anthony Albanese’s failure to get his much-anticipated meeting with US President Donald Trump is not the prime minister’s fault, nor should it be characterised as a “snub” by the president. There was always a risk of derailment by outside events,

    Decoding PNG leader Marape’s talks with French President Macron
    ANALYSIS: By Scott Waide, RNZ Pacific PNG correspondent The recent series of high-level agreements between Papua New Guinea and France marks a significant development in PNG’s geopolitical relationships, driven by what appears to be a convergence of national interests. The “deepening relationship” is less about a single personality and more about a calculated alignment of

    There’s a new ban on vaping in childcare centres, but what else do we need to keep kids safe?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Erin Harper, Lecturer, School of Education and Social Work, University of Sydney On Monday, the federal government announced new rules to boost safety in the early childhood sector. From September there will be mandatory reporting of any allegations or incidents of child physical or sexual abuse within

    Regime change wouldn’t likely bring democracy to Iran. A more threatening force could fill the vacuum
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew Thomas, Lecturer in Middle East Studies, Deakin University The timing and targets of Israel’s attacks on Iran tell us that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s short-term goal is to damage Iran’s nuclear facilities in order to severely diminish its weapons program. But Netanyahu has made clear another

    Why is there so much concern over Iran’s nuclear program? And where could it go from here?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Benjamin Zala, Senior Lecturer, Politics & International Relations, Monash University Maxar satellite imagery overview of the Fordow enrichment facility located southwest of Tehran. Maxar/Contributor/Getty Images Conflict between Israel and Iran is intensifying, after Israeli airstrikes on key nuclear sites and targeted assassinations last week were followed by

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for June 18, 2025

    ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on June 18, 2025.

    Saving species starts at home: how you can help Australia’s 1,000 threatened invertebrates
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kate Umbers, Associate Professor in Zoology, Western Sydney University Atlas Moth (_Attacus wardi_) Garry Sankowsky/flickr, CC BY When we think about animals, we tend to think of furry four-legged mammals. But 95% of all animal species are invertebrates – bees, butterflies, beetles, snails, worms, octopuses, starfish, corals,

    Matariki and our diminishing night sky: light pollution from cities and satellites is making stars harder to see
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Shea Esterling, Senior Lecturer Above the Bar, University of Canterbury Zhang Jianyong/Xinhua via Getty Images This week, Aotearoa New Zealand officially celebrates Matariki for the fourth time, marked by the reappearance in the night sky of the star cluster also known as the Pleiades. Yet, ironically, the

    Why a US court allowed a dead man to deliver his own victim impact statement – via an AI avatar
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James D Metzger, Senior Lecturer in Law & Justice, UNSW Sydney Composite image: Arrington Watkins Architects / AI avatar: YouTube/StaceyWales, CC BY In November 2021, in the city of Chandler, Arizona, Chris Pelkey was shot and killed by Gabriel Horcasitas in a road rage altercation. Horcasitas was

    What’s the difference between food poisoning and gastro? A gut expert explains
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Vincent Ho, Associate Professor and Clinical Academic Gastroenterologist, Western Sydney University Andrey_Popov/Shutterstock If you’ve got a dodgy tummy, diarrhoea and have been vomiting, it’s easy to blame a “tummy bug” or “off food”. But which is it? Gastro or food poisoning? What’s the difference anyway? What’s gastroenteritis?

    Sharks come in many different shapes and sizes. But they all follow a centuries-old mathematical rule
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jodie L. Rummer, Professor of Marine Biology, James Cook University Rachel Moore From hand-sized lantern sharks that glow in the deep sea to bus-sized whale sharks gliding through tropical waters, sharks come in all shapes and sizes. Despite these differences, they all face the same fundamental challenge:

    Iran war: from the Middle East to America, history shows you cannot assassinate your way to peace
    ANALYSIS: By Matt Fitzpatrick, Flinders University In the late 1960s, the prevailing opinion among Israeli Shin Bet intelligence officers was that the key to defeating the Palestinian Liberation Organisation was to assassinate its then-leader Yasser Arafat. The elimination of Arafat, the Shin Bet commander Yehuda Arbel wrote in his diary, was “a precondition to finding

    Solomon Islanders safe but unable to leave Israel amid war on Iran
    RNZ Pacific The Solomon Islands Foreign Ministry says five people who completed agriculture training in Israel are safe but unable to come home amid the ongoing war between Israel and Iran. The ministry said in a statement that the Solomon Islands Embassy in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, was closely monitoring the situation and maintaining

    We tracked Aussie teens’ mental health. The news isn’t good – and problems are worse for girls
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Scarlett Smout, Postdoctoral Research Fellow at The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use and Australia’s Mental Health Think Tank, University of Sydney skynesher/Getty Images We know young people in Australia and worldwide are experiencing growing mental health challenges. The most recent national survey

    Australia could become the world’s first net-zero exporter of fossil fuels – here’s how
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Frank Jotzo, Professor, Crawford School of Public Policy and Director, Centre for Climate and Energy Policy, Australian National University Photo by Jie Zhao/Corbis via Getty Images Australia is the world’s third largest exporter of gas and second largest exporter of coal. When burned overseas, these exports result

    Would a corporate tax cut boost productivity in Australia? So far, the evidence is unclear
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Isaac Gross, Lecturer in Economics, Monash University The Conversation, CC BY-NC The first term of the Albanese government was defined by its fight against inflation, but the second looks like it will be defined by a need to kick start Australia’s sluggish productivity growth. Productivity is essentially

    How high can US debt go before it triggers a financial crisis?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Luke Hartigan, Lecturer in Economics, University of Sydney rarrarorro/Shutterstock The tax cuts bill currently being debated by the US Senate will add another US$3 trillion (A$4.6 trillion) to US debt. President Donald Trump calls it the “big, beautiful bill”; his erstwhile policy adviser Elon Musk called it

    Jaws at 50: how two musical notes terrified an entire generation
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alison Cole, Composer and Lecturer in Screen Composition, Sydney Conservatorium of Music, University of Sydney Universal Pictures Our experience of the world often involves hearing our environment before seeing it. Whether it’s the sound of something moving through nearby water, or the rustling of vegetation, our fear

    As Luxon heads to China, his government’s pivot toward the US is a stumbling block
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Robert G. Patman, Professor of International Relations, University of Otago Ahead of his first visit to China, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has been at pains to present meetings with Chinese premier Xi Jinping and other leaders as advancing New Zealand’s best interests. But there is arguably a

    The story of the journalist on the Rainbow Warrior’s last voyage, David Robie
    Report by Dr David Robie – Café Pacific. – In April 2025, several of the Greenpeace crew visited Matauri Bay, Northland, the final resting place of the original flagship, the Rainbow Warrior. This article was one of the reflections pieces written by an oceans communications crew member. COMMENTARY: By Emma Page I was on the

    As Israeli attacks draw tit-for-tat missile responses from Iran and shuts Haifa refinery, Gaza genocide continues
    Israeli media report that Iranian missile strikes on Haifa oil refinery yesterday killed 3 people and closed down the installation. The Israeli death toll has risen to 24, with 400 injured and more than 2700 people displaced. Israeli authorities report 370 missiles fired by Iran in total, 30 reaching their targets. Iranian military report they

    View from the Hill: Cancelled Albanese-Trump meeting a setback on tariffs, AUKUS
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Anthony Albanese’s failure to get his much-anticipated meeting with US President Donald Trump is not the prime minister’s fault, nor should it be characterised as a “snub” by the president. There was always a risk of derailment by outside events,

    Decoding PNG leader Marape’s talks with French President Macron
    ANALYSIS: By Scott Waide, RNZ Pacific PNG correspondent The recent series of high-level agreements between Papua New Guinea and France marks a significant development in PNG’s geopolitical relationships, driven by what appears to be a convergence of national interests. The “deepening relationship” is less about a single personality and more about a calculated alignment of

    There’s a new ban on vaping in childcare centres, but what else do we need to keep kids safe?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Erin Harper, Lecturer, School of Education and Social Work, University of Sydney On Monday, the federal government announced new rules to boost safety in the early childhood sector. From September there will be mandatory reporting of any allegations or incidents of child physical or sexual abuse within

    Regime change wouldn’t likely bring democracy to Iran. A more threatening force could fill the vacuum
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew Thomas, Lecturer in Middle East Studies, Deakin University The timing and targets of Israel’s attacks on Iran tell us that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s short-term goal is to damage Iran’s nuclear facilities in order to severely diminish its weapons program. But Netanyahu has made clear another

    Why is there so much concern over Iran’s nuclear program? And where could it go from here?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Benjamin Zala, Senior Lecturer, Politics & International Relations, Monash University Maxar satellite imagery overview of the Fordow enrichment facility located southwest of Tehran. Maxar/Contributor/Getty Images Conflict between Israel and Iran is intensifying, after Israeli airstrikes on key nuclear sites and targeted assassinations last week were followed by

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Following Reports of USPS Reversing Decision, Cortez Masto, Rosen Demand USPS Recommit to Keeping Local Mail in Nevada

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Nevada Cortez Masto

    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) sent a letter to Acting U.S. Postmaster General Doug Tulino and the Board of Governors demanding that the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) recommit to keeping local letter mail processing in Nevada. Despite announcing last year that local first-class letter mail would continue to be processed in Reno, the USPS has removed the press release containing the announcement from their website, and Nevadans have reported seeing local, first-class letter mail being processed out of state.

    “On April 23, 2024, USPS officially announced its decision to proceed with its misguided plan to downsize and relocate outgoing mail processing operations from Reno, Nevada to Sacramento, California. After immense pushback from members of Congress, local officials, and the public, USPS agreed to keep local, first-class letter mail processing operations in Reno rather than moving forward with its plan to send local letter mail out of state to Sacramento and back again,” wrote the Senators. “In an August 2024 press release that has since been taken down from the USPS website, USPS officials announced that ‘[t]here will be no change to the location for canceling certain origination mail in Reno. In simpler terms, outgoing single piece mail will continue to be processed at its current location.’”

    “We are therefore alarmed to hear concerns from Nevadans that local, first-class letter mail processing operations may indeed move out of state,” they continued. “As such, we would like for the Postal Service to reaffirm its commitment to the public to not proceed with its original misguided plan, and provide us with the official USPS policy at the Reno facility with respect to local, first-class letter mail processing.”

    The full text of the letter can be found here.

    Senator Cortez Masto has consistently pushed to ensure first-class letter mail is processed in Nevada. She fought alongside bipartisan members of the Nevada delegation in an ultimately successful push to ensure former USPS Postmaster General Louis DeJoy abandon his ill-advised plan to relocate outgoing mail processing operations from Reno to Sacramento. She repeatedly called on DeJoy provide detailed information about the impact of his misguided plan, and she joined a group of over 20 Senators in a letter urging DeJoy to stop any changes or relocations to USPS processing facilities that could hurt mail delivery and kill jobs nationwide. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cortez Masto Statement on Vote to Pass GENIUS Act

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Nevada Cortez Masto

    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement after voting to pass the GENIUS Act, which would create a new regulatory framework for payment stablecoins and incentivize stablecoin issuers to be headquartered in the U.S., while providing a roadmap for more robust regulations and consumer protections. This iteration of the bill includes hard-fought changes negotiated by Democrats to strengthen national security and encourage domestic industry growth.

    “We need to do more to regulate cryptocurrencies and support American businesses, consumers, and our national security,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “If Congress doesn’t act, we risk sidelining ourselves in favor of foreign countries who would gladly take our place in helping shape this growing sector. This bill is the first step to ensure stablecoins issued in the United States are not used to scam or defraud people or facilitate illicit finance, while also providing regulatory clarity our domestic industry needs to innovate here at home.”

    The updated GENIUS Act includes Senator Cortez Masto’s language to ensure payment stablecoin issuers can only issue, redeem, and manage reserves to back up their stablecoins. This change bans issuers from engaging in speculative and high-risk ventures that could increase the likelihood of a failure.

    The negotiated legislation also increases scrutiny for foreign stablecoin issuers, giving Treasury the power to ban shady offshore actors from trading in the U.S. on centralized exchanges. It cracks down on deceptive marketing, allows for the suspension of an issuer’s registration after reckless and willful noncompliance, and prohibits stablecoin issuers from automatically accessing Federal Reserve Master accounts.  

    Senator Cortez Masto has consistently supported measures to rein in big corporations and crack down on fraud and money laundering. She is also pushing for additional legislation to crack down on crypto corruption by banning the President, Vice President, Senior Executive Branch Officials, Members of Congress, and their immediate families from financially benefiting from issuing, endorsing, or sponsoring crypto assets, such as meme coins and stablecoins. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Alejandro Radawski Awarded the 2025 World Heritage Scholarship

    Source: United Nations

    The Cultural and Competence Committee at Region Gävleborg, Sweden, has decided to award the 2025 World Heritage Scholarship to Polish playwright and poet Alejandro Radawski. His poetic project connects the World Heritage Site Decorated Farmhouses of Hälsingland with the Historic Centre of Krakow – and was selected from among 993 applications from 100 countries.

    “It’s fantastic that the World Heritage Scholarship sparks such curiosity. It weaves places together – Gävleborg reaches out to the World, and the World finds its way into Gävleborg”.

    Now in its seventh year, the scholarship has attracted record levels of interest. But it was Polish playwright and poet Alejandro Radawski who caught the jury’s attention.

    His project, Symphony of the Little Simple Things, is a poetic diary in which each poem reflects sensory experiences from two World Heritage Sites – the Decorated Farmhouses of Hälsingland in Sweden and the Historic Centre of Krakow in Poland. Through words, a journey is created that allows the reader to walk through the two cultural environments.

    “That the scholarship has grown so much in seven years is fantastic – and also a challenge. Managing so many applications takes time as interest continues to grow”.

    The scholarship gives Alejandro the opportunity to stay at one of the World Heritage farmhouses for one month. He will also receive 50,000 SEK for his project, which is expected to result in a unique literary interpretation of two places with strong cultural histories.

    “There is great interest in the World Heritage Site Decorated Farmhouses of Hälsingland all around the World. We naturally hope that the World Heritage Scholarship will gain even more international recognition going forward”.

    A Growing International Success

    Since its inception, the World Heritage Scholarship has gained increasing international traction. It is open to professional artists, researchers, and cultural practitioners with a connection to World Heritage – regardless of where in the World they are based. The aim is to encourage innovative thinking and create unexpected encounters between World Heritage Sites, in line with UNESCO’s intentions.

    Read more at: halsingegardar.se – stipendium/residens

    Contact:

    • Frida Stål (M), Chair of the Cultural and Competence Committee
      frida.stal@regiongavleborg.se | +46 72 147 94 03
    • Anna-Karin Ferm, Cultural and World Heritage Development Officer
      anna-karin.ferm@regiongavleborg.se | +46 26 65 02 16

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Update: Missing 17-year-old located

    Source: New Zealand Police

    Police can advise the teenage girl subject of an earlier missing person’s appeal has been located.

    The 17-year-old girl, reported missing from Takapuna, is safe.

    We appreciate the community’s assistance in sharing our appeal today.

    ENDS.

    Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Former SBA Employee from South Florida Headed to Federal Prison After Defrauding COVID-19 Relief Programs

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    Click Here to View the Original U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Press Release

    A former Small Business Administration (SBA) employee who fraudulently obtained COVID-19 relief money to spend on luxury items was sentenced on June 13.

    United States District Judge Rodolfo A. Ruiz II sentenced Malaina Chapman, 38, to 54 months imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release. Judge Ruiz further ordered Chapman to pay $1,297,178 in restitution.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, Chapman was employed as a Disaster Relief Specialist with the SBA from September 28, 2020 through March 18, 2021. While employed by the SBA, Chapman became involved in multiple schemes to defraud the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan program, as well as local credit unions and local and state programs designed to assist those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

    On February 10, 2021, Chapman submitted an online loan application in the name of Upscale Credit Lounge, LLC to a lender. In support of her application, Chapman submitted a false and fraudulent Schedule C (Form 1040) that reported gross revenues of $103,674 and a tentative profit of $81,860 for 2020. The lender relied upon the representations in Chapman’s application to approve a loan in the amount of $17,052.50.

    On February 19, 2021, Chapman submitted an online PPP loan application with the lender on behalf of DA TRAP, LLC. In her application, Chapman claimed that she had four employees and an average monthly payroll of $14,191.  In support of her application, Chapman submitted a false and fraudulent Employers Quarterly Tax Return (Form 941), which purportedly documented the wages paid by DA TRAP.  Relying on the representations in the application, the lender approved a loan in the amount of $35,477.50.

    In total, Chapman received $230,246 for the loan applications she submitted on her own behalf.

    Chapman also conspired with others to submit false and fraudulent PPP loan applications on their behalf. Six defendants were charged under case number 24-cr-20079. For that conspiracy, Chapman was held accountable for losses of $837,716.

    In addition to defrauding the PPP program, Chapman also took advantage of the State of Florida and the City of Miami’s COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Programs.

    Chapman spent the money on luxury items from Louis Vuitton, Nordstrom, Goyard, Chanel, Fendi, as well as a designer teacup puppy. Chapman also spent over $7,500 on a stay at a Key Largo luxury resort.

    U.S. Attorney Hayden P. O’Byrne for the Southern District of Florida; Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Ulrich, U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General (USPS OIG); Special Agent in Charge Amaleka McCall-Brathwaite, U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General (SBA OIG), Investigations Division’s Eastern Region; and Special Agent in Charge Mathew Broadhurst of the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General (DOL-OIG), Southeast Region, made the announcement.

    This case was investigated by USPS-OIG, SBA-OIG, and DOL-OIG.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Bernstein prosecuted the case.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Gabrielle Charest-Turken is handling asset forfeiture.

    In March 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act was enacted. It was designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Among other sources of relief, the CARES Act authorized and provided funding to the SBA to provide EIDLs to eligible small businesses, including sole proprietorships and independent contractors, experiencing substantial financial disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic to allow them to meet financial obligations and operating expenses that could otherwise have been met had the disaster not occurred.  EIDL applications were submitted directly to the SBA via the SBA’s on-line application website, and the applications were processed and the loans funded for qualifying applicants directly by the SBA.

    On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.

    On September 15, 2022, the Attorney General selected the Southern District of Florida’s U.S. Attorney’s Office to head one of three national COVID-19 Fraud Strike Force Teams. The Department of Justice established the Strike Force to enhance existing efforts to combat and prevent COVID-19 related financial fraud. For more information on the department’s response to the pandemic, please click here.

    Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov, under case number  24-cr-20321.

    MIL OSI USA News –