NewzIntel.com

Category: AM-NC

  • US begins uneasy FIFA World Cup countdown as Trump moves Marines to Los Angeles

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    U.S. cities hosting next year’s FIFA World Cup faced questions on Wednesday about how to reassure international fans concerned by President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown and travel ban as the year-to-go countdown began.

    The United States, along with Canada and Mexico, is set to co-host the finals, which will feature 48 teams and a record 104 matches in a tournament that FIFA boss Gianni Infantino said would usher in a new generation of soccer fans.

    Celebrities and soccer stars were due to walk the red carpet at the Fox Studio Lot in Los Angeles – one of the host cities – for the year-to-go event there, a day after President Trump deployed Marines and the National Guard to quell protests.

    California Governor Gavin Newsom described the deployment as an “unmistakable step toward authoritarianism,” while Trump officials defended it and branded the protests as lawless, blaming local and state Democrats for permitting upheaval.

    Los Angeles is one of several host cities marking the year-to-go occasion.

    New York-New Jersey held a waterside party on Wednesday, where local officials and fans celebrated against the backdrop of Ellis Island.

    Asked about comments Vice President JD Vance made last month warning World Cup travellers not to overstay their welcome, New York-New Jersey host Committee CEO Alex Lasry said: “Our goal is to make sure everyone who comes to New York-New Jersey has an incredible time.”

    “Something that you have to kind of know, when you’re putting on mega sporting events … is the world is still going on. The world doesn’t stop for these sporting events,” said Lasry.

    “And you kind of have to go with the flow and make sure that you’re able to adapt.”

    Minky Worden, director of global initiatives at Human Rights Watch, said FIFA needed to work with the U.S. government to ensure the rights of competitors, support staff, fans and media were protected regardless of their identities or views.

    “FIFA should publicly acknowledge the threat US immigration and other anti-human rights policies pose to the tournament’s integrity … (and) should establish clear benchmarks and timelines for the US policy changes needed to ensure respect for immigrants’ rights during the 2026 World Cup and beyond,” she said.

    The Sport & Rights Alliance, a global coalition of non-governmental organisations that promotes human rights in sports, on Wednesday said that it had identified “areas where government policies in the 2026 host countries, particularly the United States under President Donald Trump, pose significant and immediate risks to the human rights of immigrants.”

    Special Assistant to the President and Principal Deputy Press Secretary Harrison Fields told Reuters: “President Trump is proud to have secured our great country as one of the hosts for the 2026 World Cup, and he is eager to welcome fans from across the globe to celebrate America and this great pastime.”

    “The Trump Administration will work diligently to facilitate the entry of law-abiding and applicable fans, ensure that all attendees are properly vetted and that these are the most secure and historic games,” said Fields.

    U.S. Democratic leaders, meanwhile,raised concerns over a national crisis on Tuesday as Trump moved U.S. Marines into Los Angeles to tackle civilian protests over his immigration policies.

    “There are certainly things that are happening at the national level, the international level, there are going to be geopolitical issues that we don’t even know right now that are going to affect the tournament,” Meg Kane, a host city executive for Philadelphia told reporters at a Paley Center event on Monday.

    “So we recognise that we’re planning within uncertainty.”

    FIFA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

    INFANTINO CONFIDENT

    FIFA President Gianni Infantino said last month after meeting Trump that he was confident the world would be welcomed in for the 2026 World Cup and this year’s Club World Cup, which runs from June 14 to July 13.

    But the task of reassuring international fans was complicated by a travel ban that went into effect on Monday, cracking down on what Trump called “foreign terrorists”.

    Of the 12 countries facing travel bans, Iran is the only one that has qualified for the 2026 tournament so far. Tehran said on Saturday that the ban showed “deep hostility” toward Iranians and Muslims.

    European fans, supporter groups and former players contacted by Reuters said it was too early for anyone to be thinking about revising schedules or reevaluating plans for attending the World Cup.

    Alina Hudak, the Miami host committee president and CEO, told Reuters she had been in touch with the local consular corps to address their concerns and to offer support.

    “My responsibility is to make sure that we’re ready, that we’re safe, that we’re coordinating logistically with all of our law enforcement agencies, that we’ve done everything we can to ensure that our mass transit system is ready and can handle the volume,” said Hudak.

    “And so for me, you know, what’s happening outside of that is something that we’re monitoring, but not something that, quite frankly, I have an impact (on).”

    REUTERS

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Coons Statement on Joint Resolution of Disapproval Vote

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Delaware Christopher Coons
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) issued the following statement after voting against two Joint Resolutions of Disapproval over U.S. arms sales to Qatar and the United Arab Emirates:
    “In just a few months, Donald Trump has shown that his second term will be the most corrupt in American history. He needs to be held accountable for this corruption by the courts and by Congress, and I have repeatedly worked to do so over the past several months. I appreciate my colleagues’ efforts to shine a light on this stunning level of corruption by exploring new avenues to do so while we are in the minority.
    “Unfortunately, these resolutions don’t hold President Trump accountable. Instead, they target other countries for the actions of our president, countries that host more than 10,000 U.S. troops on strategically important bases and are our partners. President Trump himself will feel no consequences.”
    “President Trump and his administration are both creating a more dangerous world and driving wedges between our nation and nearly every one of our partners and allies. Canceling these long-planned sales won’t just weaken two nations the world relies on for stability in a region made more volatile by President Trump’s actions, they will also distance us from key partners at a time we cannot afford to do so.
    “The United States negotiated contracts for these arms sales years ago. Many nations already know they cannot count on our president to keep his word. I am concerned that passing these resolutions would send a message that they can’t count on Congress to do so, either.”
    Senator Coons is Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense and a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Bonamici Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Improve Access to Support Services for College Students with Disabilities

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Suzanne Bonamici (1st District Oregon)

    WASHINGTON, DC [6/11/25] – Today Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Joe Courtney (D-CT), and Kim Schrier, M.D. (D-WA) introduced bipartisan legislation to streamline the transition from high school to college for students with disabilities and improve access to support services.  

    The Respond, Innovate, Support, and Empower (RISE) Act allows college students to use previous documentation as proof of disability when seeking accommodations in their courses, making it simpler and more affordable to access necessary accommodations. Currently, students often must obtain expensive and redundant evaluations before institutions of higher education provide special education services.

    “Reducing barriers to support services will help students with disabilities access the accommodations they need to succeed on campus,” said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici, Senior Member of the Education and the Workforce Committee’s Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development. “The RISE Act will remove burdensome and costly requirements that force students to undergo further testing when they already have a documented disability. I’m pleased to join my colleagues in leading this commonsense legislation to make our higher education system more inclusive of students with disabilities.”

    “The transition from high school to higher education is already stressful enough for students with learning disabilities, without requiring them to waste time and money getting documentation proving their already documented, lifelong learning disability,” said Congressman Joe Courtney. “The RISE Act is an important step to removing barriers for these students by allowing them to continue to use previous documentation of a disability when they go to college. With the changes made by this legislation, students will be able to immediately receive the special education or accommodations that they need to overcome their learning disability so that they are able to hit the ground running when classes begin.”

    “Every student deserves a fair shot at success,” said Congresswoman Erin Houchin. “The RISE Act removes unnecessary red tape so students can access the accommodations they need to succeed. As a mom of a child with a learning disability, I understand how critical these resources are. This bill empowers parents and students, levels the playing field, and strengthens opportunity in higher education.”

    “I’m proud to help introduce the bipartisan RISE Act with my colleagues to ease paperwork burdens on college students,” said Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. “Going to college can be a stressful time, especially for students with disabilities. This legislation will allow high school diagnoses and treatment plans to transfer to the college level, decreasing unnecessary paperwork and ensuring a seamless transition to college. There should be no gap in support for students, so they have every opportunity to succeed.”

    “Our recent survey found that the process for disclosing a disability in college was not easy for students with learning disabilities. Many students shared that they felt like they were a burden in their classes when they asked for the support they needed to succeed. It’s well-past time to address the ableist mindset and arbitrary rules that keep students with disabilities from participating fully in higher education settings,” said Dr. Jacqueline Rodriguez, CEO of the National Center for Learning Disabilities. “The RISE Act is such an important legislative solution to removing barriers to accessing accommodations, and we commend Congresswoman Bonamici and other Congressional leaders for their leadership.”

    Qualifying documentation in the RISE Act includes 504 plans, individualized education programs (IEP), and accommodation plans from another higher education institution—potentially saving students and their families thousands of dollars. 

    The legislation also provides an additional $10 million in funding for the National Center for Information and Technical Support for Postsecondary Students with Disabilities, a technical assistance center that helps students and families understand how to access accommodations, and their rights and responsibilities in higher education. The Center also assists colleges to adopt best practices for supporting students with disabilities.  

    The RISE Act requires colleges to inform students, families, and faculty about available accommodations under the legislation, and improve reporting on academic outcomes for students with disabilities.

    Representatives Erin Houchin (R-IN) and Mike Lawler (R-NY) are original co-sponsors of the legislation.

    The RISE Act is supported by: the National Center for Learning Disabilities, the Advocacy Institute, AHEAD, All4Ed, American Federation of Teachers, American Psychological Association, Autism Society of America, Autism Speaks, Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, CAST, Center for Learner Equity, Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities Education Taskforce, Council for Exceptional Children, Council of Administrators for Special Education (CASE), Disability Rights Oregon, the Education Trust, Institute for Higher Education Policy (IHEP), Learning Disabilities Association of America, National Alliance on Mental Illness, National Association of School Psychologists, National Down Syndrome Congress, National Down Syndrome Society, National PLACE, Public Advocacy for Kids, Disability Belongs, SchoolHouse Connection, Show and Tell, SPAN Parent Advocacy Network, The Arc of the United States, and the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA). 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Bonamici Announces Town Hall Meetings in June

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Suzanne Bonamici (1st District Oregon)

    WASHINGTON, DC [6/11/25] – Today Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) announced the dates for two town hall meetings in the First Congressional District, which includes large portions of Washington and Multnomah counties and all of Clatsop, Tillamook, and Columbia counties.

    Bonamici will answer questions from constituents and provide an update about her work in Congress. The town hall meetings will be in Hillsboro and Seaside.

    “My work is informed by the many conversations I have with Oregonians,” said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. “Everyone in NW Oregon is welcome to attend my town hall meetings this June. I look forward to talking about issues of concern and discussing what I am doing to represent them through my work at home in Oregon and in Washington, DC.” 

    Members of Bonamici’s staff will be at the town hall meetings to assist anyone who is experiencing problems with federal agencies including the VA, Social Security Administration,  and the IRS.

    Doors to the town hall meetings will open an hour before each event. Guests are asked not to bring large bags or backpacks.

    Washington County Town Hall Meeting

    Tuesday, June 17 – 6 p.m.
    Raymond Arthur Brown Middle School – Gymnasium 
    1505 SE Cornelius Pass Rd, Hillsboro, OR 97123

    Clatsop County Town Hall Meeting

    Friday, June 20 – 2 p.m.
    Seaside High School – Gymnasium
    2600 Spruce Dr Ste 200, Seaside, OR 97138

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Stay safe on Kunanyi / Mt Wellington

    Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

    Stay safe on Kunanyi / Mt Wellington

    Thursday, 12 June 2025 – 2:47 pm.

    Be prepared and don’t take chances – that’s the simple message from Tasmania Police to people looking to experience Kunanyi/Mount Wellington, one of the state’s most popular nature attractions.
    Tasmania Police joined forces with the City of Hobart on Thursday for a message urging visitors and locals to respect Kunanyi / Mt Wellington’s potentially dangerous alpine weather conditions as winter sets in.
    “People need to be aware that it can take just a matter of minutes for the weather to turn treacherous on the mountain,” Tasmania Police Search and Rescue Senior Constable Cameron Rennie, pictured, said.
    “Certainly, we’ve seen it turn to blizzard-like conditions in a short space of time, with extremely strong wind, sleet and snow, and that can, and does, catch people out.
    “It can be quite a serious situation, if they are not properly prepared.
    “It’s not just bushwalkers. Even if you’ve driven a car up to the Springs or the Pinnacle for sight- seeing, make sure you are prepared for the possibility those conditions can change and that you have suitable clothing and can access shelter.
    “Be aware that the pathways and roads could become wet and slippery and potentially, the roads will be icy to drive on.” Tasmania Police emphasises the following points.
    Plan ahead: Research the difficulty level of your trip and inform others of your planned route and expected return time. Don’t set off alone. For safety, walk in pairs, or as part of a group.
    Carry essential equipment: Bring warm and waterproof clothing, hiking shoes, a fully charged mobile phone, and a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB). Take a back-up light source that is not your phone, such as a camping-style headlamp.
    Monitor conditions: Check weather forecasts and road / track access updates before heading up the mountain.
    Be mindful of visibility: Low cloud cover can reduce visibility to just a few metres, and snow or ice can make tracks and roads dangerously slippery.
    If in trouble, ask for help: Don’t leave it to the last minute to raise the alarm. If you have become lost, or injured, or the weather conditions are going to cause you difficulty, ask for advice. Call police on 131 444 or, call triple zero 000 if it is an emergency. Waiting to late in the day or when darkness falls adds to the complexity of a search and rescue.
    “These precautions are vital to ensuring a safe experience on the mountain,” Senior Constable Rennie said.
    Supporting police, City of Hobart Program Leader Bushland Greg Milne said people were drawn to the mountain’s special experiences, including snow events, but many do not realise the dangers that can come with it.
    “Kunanyi / Mount Wellington is a true alpine mountain range and can be deadly for the unprepared or in-experienced,” Mr Milne said.
    “Every snow event, our staff working on the mountain see so many unprepared visitors. Last September, at the request of Police Search and Rescue … (we) rescued 18 people from the pinnacle in blizzard-like conditions at night after a storm front surged through.”
    Tasmania Police Search and Rescue responded to 11 incidents on Kunanyi/Mt Wellington since July 1 last year.
    In five of those callouts, police identified that people were simply not sufficiently prepared.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: The Jack’s Law expansion is a symbolic step – it’s not a solution to knife crime

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Janet Ransley, Professor, Griffith Criminology Institute, Griffith University

    khak/Shutterstock

    Laws just passed in Queensland give police unprecedented powers to scan people with a handheld wand and potentially search them in all public places, without needing a warrant or reasonable suspicion.

    Earlier versions of “Jack’s Law” were copied in other jurisdictions, such as New South Wales, Tasmania, the Northern Territory and Western Australia. Queensland’s expanded laws may flow on to them now, too.

    However, while the newly expanded Jack’s Law may detect more weapons, there’s no evidence it reduces violent crime. It may, in fact, do more harm than good, while putting human rights at risk.

    What is Jack’s Law?

    Jack’s Law is named after 17-year-old Jack Beasley who was stabbed to death outside a convenience store in Surfers Paradise in 2019.

    Passed in 2021, the law resulted in a time-limited trial allowing officers to “wand” people with metal detectors in some entertainment precincts.

    Since then, the trial was expanded twice to include public transport, stations, shopping centres and licensed entertainment venues.

    In a little more than two years, Queensland police conducted 116,287 scans and removed 1,126 weapons – a detection rate of about 0.9%.

    The majority of charges that followed were for minor drug offences, or breaches of knife-carrying bans.

    The trial was set to expire on October 30, 2026 after another mandatory review.

    Instead, the law has now been made permanent with the scope extended again to allow wanding in all public places.

    The changes also remove safeguards, such as the need for senior officer oversight, reporting requirements and a further review of the impact of wands on crime and on civil liberties.

    Our research into Jack’s Law

    Our review of the 12-month trial of Jack’s Law on the Gold Coast in 2021–22 is the only publicly available evidence about the impact of metal detector wanding on knife violence in Queensland.

    We found there was no reduction in violence as a result of the use of the hand-held scanners.

    There’s also potential for bias when officers using the wands are influenced by factors that aren’t related to evidence. This includes the unfair targeting of minorities. More people could also be caught up in the justice system for minor, non-violent breaches.

    What’s needed to reduce knife violence are evidence-based programs addressing underlying causes such as mental health, poverty, child maltreatment and domestic and family violence.

    Wanding has no impact on these underlying causes and diverts resources and police attention from where they’re really needed.

    Does the law reduce knife crime?

    While the intention behind Jack’s Law is to enhance public safety by deterring knife-related crimes, the evidence suggests this is unlikely to happen.

    Our study found that although the use of metal-detecting wands can lead to increased detection of weapons, there is no evidence this in turn reduces violent crimes involving knives.

    Confiscated knives are easily replaced and we found no evidence that scanning deterred people from carrying weapons.

    This is consistent with research from the UK showing “stop and search” laws had no effect on violent crime, and Victorian research showing no effect of similar stop and search laws on violent crimes.

    Concern over human rights

    The expansion of police powers under Jack’s Law raises human rights concerns.

    The ability to stop and search people without reasonable suspicion may lead to racial profiling and erode public trust in law enforcement.

    A 2022 independent inquiry into the Queensland Police Service highlighted issues of systemic racism and sexism within the force, underscoring the potential risks of granting broader discretionary powers without adequate oversight.

    Our review also found evidence of police wanding decisions being based on discriminatory stereotypes. This makes the removal of oversight and review mechanisms of particular concern.

    Additionally, searches for knives following wanding have led to a rise in minor drug charges. This funnels more young people into the criminal justice system, which increases their risk of re-offending and also places more pressure on an already overburdened criminal justice system.

    While the expansion of Jack’s Law is a visible response to public concerns about knife crime, it is essential to recognise such measures are not a silver bullet.

    Further erosion of the already tenuous trust in the police service among minority communities in Queensland, particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, could lead to reduced public trust and have long-term negative impacts on public safety.

    Why a holistic approach is needed

    Addressing the root causes of knife violence requires a comprehensive approach that includes investment in support services and community programs.

    We also need to recognise around 50% of serious violent crime occurs in the context of domestic and family violence, in private settings. Wanding does nothing to help those victims.

    Understanding why people carry knives and implementing targeted prevention strategies are crucial steps toward creating a safer society.

    While Jack’s Law serves as a symbolic gesture honouring the memory of Jack Beasley, its efficacy in reducing knife crime remains unlikely and will now not be reviewed.

    Policymakers must balance the desire for immediate action with evidence-based strategies that address underlying factors contributing to violence.

    Only through a holistic approach can we hope to achieve lasting change and truly honour the lives lost to such senseless acts.

    Janet Ransley receives funding from the Australian Research Council and the Paul Ramsay Foundation. The Queensland Police Service funded the research referred to in this article.

    – ref. The Jack’s Law expansion is a symbolic step – it’s not a solution to knife crime – https://theconversation.com/the-jacks-law-expansion-is-a-symbolic-step-its-not-a-solution-to-knife-crime-258804

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • Delhi boils under heatwave, red alert issued for today

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Delhi will continue to sizzle under a scorching heatwave on Thursday as the mercury is expected to remain dangerously high, prompting the issuance of a red alert across the national capital, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

    The IMD said that temperatures ranged from 40.9 to 45 degrees Celsius across various weather stations on Wednesday, while the heat index – a measure of how hot it feels when humidity is taken into account – reached an alarming 51.9 degrees Celsius.

    At 5:30 p.m., Ayanagar was the hottest location in the city, recording a blistering 45 degrees Celsius.

    Other parts of the capital were not far behind: Ridge 43.6 degrees Celsius, Palam logged 44.5 degrees Celsius, Pitampura 43.5 degrees Celsius, Safdarjung — Delhi’s base weather station — 43.3 degrees Celsius, and Lodhi Road 43.4 degrees Celsius.

    Meanwhile, Mayur Vihar reported a relatively lower yet severe 40.9 degrees Celsius.

    The soaring temperatures are forecast to persist until the end of the day, with a gradual decrease expected from Friday, June 13, onward.

    The IMD bulletin observed that these temperatures are three to four degrees Celsius higher than usual, contributing to ongoing heatwave conditions expected to persist until Thursday.

    The red alert, the highest warning level issued by the IMD, advises residents to take action by staying hydrated, avoiding direct sun exposure, and limiting outdoor activities, especially during peak afternoon hours.

    Looking ahead to Thursday, the weather department has predicted maximum temperatures between 43 and 45 degrees Celsius.

    Gusty winds with speeds of 40 to 60 kmph are likely, accompanied by a possibility of very light to light rain or thunderstorms in the evening or night.

    Relief is expected from June 13, when the severity of the heatwave is anticipated to ease, prompting the IMD to downgrade the warning to an orange alert.

    Between June 14 and 17, Delhi may see a notable dip in temperatures, ranging from 37 to 42 degrees Celsius.

    The drop will likely be accompanied by light to moderate rainfall and gusty winds, which could alleviate the ongoing heat stress to some extent.

    (IANS)

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Diplomats from different countries held a dialogue on issues of exchanges between civilizations

    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 12 (Xinhua) — Ambassadors and diplomats from nearly 30 countries held an event at the Forbidden City Museum on Tuesday to discuss exchanges and learning among civilizations.

    The event, marking the International Day of Dialogue among Civilizations, was jointly organized by the Palace Museum, the Diplomatic Missions Services Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China and the Xinhua News Agency.

    Speaking at the event, museum director Wang Xudong recalled that this year the Palace Museum celebrates its centenary.

    “Holding discussions with foreign guests on strengthening intercultural cooperation, promoting mutual learning between civilizations and finding ways to achieve universal prosperity and progress of human civilization is of great practical significance,” he stressed.

    Xi Yanchun, deputy director general of Xinhua News Agency, said the event provided diplomats from different countries with an opportunity to talk about the diversity and commonality of human civilizations and contribute to building a more harmonious and beautiful world.

    The event participants viewed an exhibition of Chinese and foreign gardens, as well as a photo exhibition.

    The diplomats were impressed by the architectural beauty of the Palace and its philosophical reflection of harmony between humanity and nature, noting that the Palace is an ideal platform for establishing a dialogue among civilizations.

    In 2024, at the 78th session of the UN General Assembly, a resolution proposed by China to establish an International Day of Dialogue among Civilizations was unanimously adopted. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China Increases Number of Countries Allowed 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit to 55

    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 12 (Xinhua) — China has added Indonesia to the list of countries whose citizens enjoy 240-hour visa-free transit, bringing the total number of such countries to 55, the National Immigration Administration said Thursday.

    Starting Thursday, Indonesian passport holders will be able to enter China through any of 60 checkpoints in 24 provincial-level regions in the country and stay in the country without a visa for up to 240 hours or 10 days before heading on to their next destination, the ministry said.

    The measure is part of China’s broader efforts to boost international travel and exchanges. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: EU, Spain, UK and Gibraltar reach agreement on future Gibraltar deal

    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

    BRUSSELS, June 12 (Xinhua) — Senior officials from the European Union (EU), Spain and Britain, along with representatives from Gibraltar, reached agreement in Brussels on Wednesday on key aspects of a future EU-UK treaty on Gibraltar, aimed at removing border barriers and promoting regional prosperity.

    “The future agreement is without prejudice to the respective legal positions of Spain and the United Kingdom regarding sovereignty and jurisdiction,” the joint statement said.

    According to the statement, the aim of the future agreement is to ensure the prosperity of the region by removing all physical barriers, checks and controls on persons and goods moving between Spain and Gibraltar.

    This will be done while maintaining the Schengen area, the EU single market and the customs union.

    As for the movement of people, checks at the checkpoint between Gibraltar and La Linea in Spain will be abolished for those who cross the border daily for work. Double checks will be carried out at the port and airport of Gibraltar.

    With regard to goods, close cooperation between both customs authorities and the abolition of checks on goods will lead to the creation of a customs union between the EU and Gibraltar.

    The future agreement also covers areas such as state aid, taxation, labour relations, environment, trade and sustainable development, anti-money laundering, transport, environment, cohesion and employment. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: ATO Vulnerability Framework consultation opening 12 June

    Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

    Have your say: Help shape the ATO Vulnerability Framework

    We’ve developed the ATO Vulnerability Framework to better support taxpayers experiencing vulnerability so they can engage with the tax and super systems more easily and with the help they need. 

    This framework outlines our commitment to inclusive and respectful engagement. It includes:

    • 6 guiding principles
      • Equity and Fairness
      • Accessibility and Inclusion
      • Empathy and Compassion
      • Transparency and Accountability
      • Privacy and Data Security
      • Continuous Improvement
    • 4 core focus areas
      • Support
      • Services
      • Design
      • Staff
    • a clear approach to how we listen, communicate, and connect people with the right support.

    While it doesn’t change your legal obligations, it helps shape how we design policies and processes to ensure more consistent and compassionate interactions.

    Why your feedback matters

    Your insights will help shape the framework to ensure it reflects the real needs and experiences of the people it’s designed to support.

    For more information, see Consultation paper – ATO Vulnerability Framework and visit our website to watch videoExternal Link.

    Submit your feedback by 18 July to VulnerabilityConsultation@ato.gov.au.

    Please share this opportunity with your SMSF members to help build a more inclusive tax and super system.

    Looking for the latest news for SMSFs? – You can stay up to date by visiting our SMSF newsroom and subscribingExternal Link to our monthly SMSF newsletter.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: ATO Vulnerability Framework consultation opens 12 June

    Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

    Have your say: Help shape the ATO Vulnerability Framework

    We’ve developed the ATO Vulnerability Framework to better support taxpayers experiencing vulnerability so they can engage with the tax and super systems more easily and with the help they need. 

    This framework outlines our commitment to inclusive and respectful engagement, it includes:

    • 6 guiding principles
      • Equity and Fairness
      • Accessibility and Inclusion
      • Empathy and Compassion
      • Transparency and Accountability
      • Privacy and Data Security
      • Continuous Improvement
    • 4 core focus areas
      • Support
      • Services
      • Design
      • Staff
    • a clear approach to how we listen, communicate, and connect people with the right support.

    While it doesn’t change your legal obligations, it helps shape how we design policies and processes to ensure more consistent and compassionate interactions.

    Why feedback matters

    Your insights, and the insights of your members, will help shape the framework to ensure it reflects the real needs and experiences of the people it’s designed to support.

    Public consultation helps us understand different perspectives, including lived experiences, identify gaps and strengthen transparency and accessibility.

    We welcome feedback from individuals, advocates, professionals and organisations that support people affected by vulnerability.

    For more information, see Consultation paper – ATO Vulnerability Framework and visit our website to watch videoExternal Link.

    Submit your feedback by 18 July to VulnerabilityConsultation@ato.gov.au.

    Please share this opportunity with your members to help build a more inclusive tax and super system.

    Looking for the latest news for Super funds? You can stay up to date by visiting our Super funds newsroom and subscribingExternal Link to our monthly Super funds newsletter and CRT alerts.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: How visionary Beach Boys songwriter Brian Wilson changed music – and my life

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jadey O’Regan, Senior Lecturer in Contemporary Music, Sydney Conservatorium of Music, University of Sydney

    The Beach Boys in 1962 in Los Angeles, California. Brian Wilson is on the left. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

    Brian Wilson, leader, songwriter and producer of the Beach Boys, has passed away at age 82.

    He leaves behind a legacy of beautiful, joyous, bittersweet and enduring music, crafted over a career spanning six decades.

    While this news isn’t unexpected – Wilson was diagnosed with dementia last year and entered a conservatorship after the loss of his wife, Melinda – his passing marks the end of a long and extraordinary chapter in musical history.

    A life of music

    Formed in the early 1960s in Hawthorne California, the Beach Boys were built on a foundation of family and community: brothers Brian, Dennis and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and school friend Al Jardine.

    Growing up, the Wilson household was a turbulent place; their father, Murry Wilson, was strict and at times violent. Music was the one way in which the family could connect.

    During these early years Brian discovered the sounds that would shape his musical identity: Gershwin, doo wop groups, early rock and roll, and, a particular favourite, the vocal group the Four Freshmen, whose tight-harmony singing style Wilson studied meticulously.

    The Beach Boys in rehearsal in 1964; Brian Wilson sits at the piano .
    Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

    It was an unexpected combination of influences for a pop band. Even from the Beach Boys’ earliest recordings – the surf, the cars, the girls – the stirrings of the complexity and musical adventurousness Wilson is known for is audible. Listen to the unexpected structure of The Lonely Sea (1962), the complex chords of The Warmth of the Sun (1963), or the subtle modulation in Don’t Worry Baby (1964).

    These early innovations hinted at a growing creativity that would continue to evolve over the rest of the 1960s, and beyond.

    A story of resilience

    In later years, Brian Wilson often appeared publicly as a fragile figure. But what stands out most in his story is resilience.

    His ability to produce such an expansive and diverse catalogue of work while navigating difficult family relationships, intense record label pressures, misdiagnosed and mistreated mental health conditions, addiction and much more, is extraordinary. Wilson not only survived, but continued to create music.

    Brian Wilson on the piano and Al Jardine on guitar perform in Los Angeles in 2019.
    Scott Dudelson/Getty Images

    He eventually did something few Beach Boys’ fans would have imagined – he returned to the stage.

    Wilson’s unexpected return to public performance during the Pet Sounds and SMiLE tours in the early 2000s began a revival interest in the Beach Boys, and a critical reconsideration of their musical legacy. This continues with a consistent release of books, documentaries, movies and podcasts about Wilson and the legacy of the Beach Boys’ music.

    The focus of a thesis

    I grew up near Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast in Queensland. Their early songs about an endless summer had a particular resonance to my hometown, even if, like Brian Wilson, I only admired the beach from afar.

    I chose to study the Beach Boys’ music for my PhD thesis and spent the next few years charting the course of their musical development from their early days in the garage to creating Pet Sounds just five years later.

    The Beach Boys perform onstage around 1963. Brian Wilson is on the left.
    Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

    I was fascinated by how a band could create such a groundbreaking volume of work and progress so quickly from the delightful, yet wobbly Surfin’ to the complex arrangements of God Only Knows.

    To understand their music, I spent years listening to Beach Boys’ tracking sessions, take after take, to hear how their songs were so cleverly and delicately put together.

    What struck me just as powerfully as the music itself was the sound of Brian Wilson’s voice in those recordings. Listening to Wilson leading hours of tracking sessions was to hear an artist at the top of their game – decisive, confident, funny, collaborative and deeply driven to make music that would express the magic he heard in his mind, and connect with an audience.

    One of the more unexpected discoveries in my analysis of the Beach Boys’ music came from their lyrics. Using a word frequency tool to examine all 117 songs in my study, I found that the most common word was “now”.

    The Beach Boys pose for a portrait around1964. Brian Wilson stands at the back.
    Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

    In many cases, it appears in a conversational sense – “Well, she got her Daddy’s car, and she cruised through the hamburger stand now” – but on a broader level, it perfectly encapsulates what Brian Wilson’s music offered so many listeners.

    He created an endless present: a world where the sun could always be shining, where you could feel young forever, and you could visit that world any time you needed to.

    Jadey O’Regan with Brian Wilson, Enmore Theatre, Sydney 2010.
    Jadey O’Regan

    In 2010, I had the remarkable experience of meeting Brian Wilson in his dressing room before his performance at the Enmore Theatre in Sydney. He was funny and kind. He sat at a small keyboard, taught me a harmony and for a moment, we sang Love and Mercy together.

    It was one of the most magical moments of my life. It is also one of Wilson’s most enduring sentiments: “love and mercy, that’s what we need tonight”.

    Farewell and thank you, Brian. Surf’s up.

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

    – ref. How visionary Beach Boys songwriter Brian Wilson changed music – and my life – https://theconversation.com/how-visionary-beach-boys-songwriter-brian-wilson-changed-music-and-my-life-258794

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Global: How visionary Beach Boys songwriter Brian Wilson changed music – and my life

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Jadey O’Regan, Senior Lecturer in Contemporary Music, Sydney Conservatorium of Music, University of Sydney

    The Beach Boys in 1962 in Los Angeles, California. Brian Wilson is on the left. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

    Brian Wilson, leader, songwriter and producer of the Beach Boys, has passed away at age 82.

    He leaves behind a legacy of beautiful, joyous, bittersweet and enduring music, crafted over a career spanning six decades.

    While this news isn’t unexpected – Wilson was diagnosed with dementia last year and entered a conservatorship after the loss of his wife, Melinda – his passing marks the end of a long and extraordinary chapter in musical history.

    A life of music

    Formed in the early 1960s in Hawthorne California, the Beach Boys were built on a foundation of family and community: brothers Brian, Dennis and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and school friend Al Jardine.

    Growing up, the Wilson household was a turbulent place; their father, Murry Wilson, was strict and at times violent. Music was the one way in which the family could connect.

    During these early years Brian discovered the sounds that would shape his musical identity: Gershwin, doo wop groups, early rock and roll, and, a particular favourite, the vocal group the Four Freshmen, whose tight-harmony singing style Wilson studied meticulously.

    The Beach Boys in rehearsal in 1964; Brian Wilson sits at the piano .
    Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

    It was an unexpected combination of influences for a pop band. Even from the Beach Boys’ earliest recordings – the surf, the cars, the girls – the stirrings of the complexity and musical adventurousness Wilson is known for is audible. Listen to the unexpected structure of The Lonely Sea (1962), the complex chords of The Warmth of the Sun (1963), or the subtle modulation in Don’t Worry Baby (1964).

    These early innovations hinted at a growing creativity that would continue to evolve over the rest of the 1960s, and beyond.

    A story of resilience

    In later years, Brian Wilson often appeared publicly as a fragile figure. But what stands out most in his story is resilience.

    His ability to produce such an expansive and diverse catalogue of work while navigating difficult family relationships, intense record label pressures, misdiagnosed and mistreated mental health conditions, addiction and much more, is extraordinary. Wilson not only survived, but continued to create music.

    Brian Wilson on the piano and Al Jardine on guitar perform in Los Angeles in 2019.
    Scott Dudelson/Getty Images

    He eventually did something few Beach Boys’ fans would have imagined – he returned to the stage.

    Wilson’s unexpected return to public performance during the Pet Sounds and SMiLE tours in the early 2000s began a revival interest in the Beach Boys, and a critical reconsideration of their musical legacy. This continues with a consistent release of books, documentaries, movies and podcasts about Wilson and the legacy of the Beach Boys’ music.

    The focus of a thesis

    I grew up near Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast in Queensland. Their early songs about an endless summer had a particular resonance to my hometown, even if, like Brian Wilson, I only admired the beach from afar.

    I chose to study the Beach Boys’ music for my PhD thesis and spent the next few years charting the course of their musical development from their early days in the garage to creating Pet Sounds just five years later.

    The Beach Boys perform onstage around 1963. Brian Wilson is on the left.
    Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

    I was fascinated by how a band could create such a groundbreaking volume of work and progress so quickly from the delightful, yet wobbly Surfin’ to the complex arrangements of God Only Knows.

    To understand their music, I spent years listening to Beach Boys’ tracking sessions, take after take, to hear how their songs were so cleverly and delicately put together.

    What struck me just as powerfully as the music itself was the sound of Brian Wilson’s voice in those recordings. Listening to Wilson leading hours of tracking sessions was to hear an artist at the top of their game – decisive, confident, funny, collaborative and deeply driven to make music that would express the magic he heard in his mind, and connect with an audience.

    One of the more unexpected discoveries in my analysis of the Beach Boys’ music came from their lyrics. Using a word frequency tool to examine all 117 songs in my study, I found that the most common word was “now”.

    The Beach Boys pose for a portrait around1964. Brian Wilson stands at the back.
    Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

    In many cases, it appears in a conversational sense – “Well, she got her Daddy’s car, and she cruised through the hamburger stand now” – but on a broader level, it perfectly encapsulates what Brian Wilson’s music offered so many listeners.

    He created an endless present: a world where the sun could always be shining, where you could feel young forever, and you could visit that world any time you needed to.

    Jadey O’Regan with Brian Wilson, Enmore Theatre, Sydney 2010.
    Jadey O’Regan

    In 2010, I had the remarkable experience of meeting Brian Wilson in his dressing room before his performance at the Enmore Theatre in Sydney. He was funny and kind. He sat at a small keyboard, taught me a harmony and for a moment, we sang Love and Mercy together.

    It was one of the most magical moments of my life. It is also one of Wilson’s most enduring sentiments: “love and mercy, that’s what we need tonight”.

    Farewell and thank you, Brian. Surf’s up.

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

    – ref. How visionary Beach Boys songwriter Brian Wilson changed music – and my life – https://theconversation.com/how-visionary-beach-boys-songwriter-brian-wilson-changed-music-and-my-life-258794

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • Monsoon rain brings much-needed relief from heatwave in MP

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    After a blistering day under a relentless sun, Madhya Pradesh witnessed a dramatic shift in weather on Wednesday evening. Around 9 p.m., Bhopal was swept by gusty winds, followed by a refreshing spell of rain, providing much-needed relief to residents.

    In Tikamgarh’s Mau Ghat, thunder cracked across the sky as rain lashed the area, accompanied by pea-sized hailstones, the report said.

    Similar weather conditions were reported from Vidisha and Raisen, where skies opened up after a day of oppressive heat. The India Meteorological Department has issued a fresh alert for lightning, moderate thunder, and rainfall across Burhanpur, Khandwa, Harda, Vidisha, Raisen, and Barwani. Nighttime thunderstorms are also anticipated in Bhopal, Indore, Dewas, Sagar, Shajapur, Sehore, Rajgarh, Dhar, and Harda. The arrival of the monsoon is now imminent.

    According to the Meteorological Department, monsoon activity has picked up pace and is likely to enter Madhya Pradesh between June 14 and 15, advancing from the eastern districts—Mandla, Seoni, Dindori, Balaghat, and Anuppur—where the heaviest rainfall is expected. The entire state is projected to be under monsoon cover by June 20. This year’s monsoon is ahead of schedule; in 2024, it arrived on June 21.

    Meanwhile, the pre-monsoon heat has remained intense.

    On Wednesday, six cities recorded temperatures exceeding 44 degrees C. Naugaon in Chhatarpur district was the hottest at 44.8 degrees C, followed by Guna at 44.5 degrees C, and Gwalior and Shajapur at 44.2 degrees C. Shivpuri and Tikamgarh also reached 44 degrees C. Major urban centres also experienced sweltering conditions, with Bhopal recording a temperature of 42.6 degrees C, Indore 41.6 degrees C, Ujjain 42.8 degrees C, and Jabalpur 40.6 degrees C. Khajuraho, Narmadapuram, and Narsinghpur hovered above 43 degrees C.

    A heatwave alert remains in place for the Gwalior, Chambal, Ujjain, and Sagar divisions until June 12. Although showers are forecast from June 13 onward, heat will likely persist in districts that remain dry. May brought a string of meteorological surprises. For the first time in recorded history, Madhya Pradesh experienced storms or rain every single day of the month, weather experts said.

    Fifty-three districts—including Bhopal, Indore, Ujjain, and Gwalior—received measurable rainfall. Ujjain set a new record for May rainfall with 111.8 mm.

    “This unusual pattern is attributed to persistent cyclonic circulation, western disturbances, and active trough systems that influenced the state throughout May,” said a meteorologist. These systems are expected to continue shaping the weather into mid-June, with storm and rain alerts valid through June 12.

    Looking ahead, while the advancing monsoon promises relief, forecasters warn of a final wave of intense heat. Historical patterns show pre-monsoon heatwaves are typical in early June, especially in Gwalior-Chambal and the western divisions. However, night temperatures are expected to drop by 8 to 10 degrees once the rains arrive. In Bhopal, temperatures are expected to remain high until June 15, the weather department said.

    Over the past decade, the capital has seen temperatures exceed 45 degrees C in early June, with night lows plunging to 17.4 degrees C. In 2020, the city recorded 16 inches of rain in June; last year, it saw 10.9 inches—five of them within a single day. In the last 24 hours, rainfall was recorded at isolated locations in the Indore, Jabalpur, and Shahdol divisions, while the rest of the state remained dry.

    A heatwave prevailed across Bhopal, Ratlam, Chhindwara, Khajuraho, Nowgong, Sagar, Tikamgarh, Guna, and Pachmarhi, with severe conditions noted in Narmadapuram. No significant changes in maximum temperatures were observed across divisions. The forecast warns of thunderstorms with lightning and gusts reaching 40–50 kmph, along with heatwave conditions, in isolated areas of Bhopal, Vidisha, Raisen, Sehore, Rajgarh, and Narmadapuram.

    Similar conditions are expected in parts of Betul, Harda, Burhanpur, Khandwa, Khargone, Barwani, Dewas, Shajapur, Narsinghpur, Chhindwara, Seoni, Mandla, Balaghat, and Pandhurna.

    (IANS)

  • Respite in heatwave conditions likely over northwest India from June 14

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    After days of intense heat, a gradual respite in heatwave conditions is likely over northwest India beginning June 14, according to the forecast by the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

    Severe heatwave conditions were reported at a few places in west Rajasthan, with isolated areas experiencing extreme temperatures. According to the weather department, the highest maximum temperature reported over the plains of the country was Sri Ganganagar (Rajasthan) at 48.0 degrees Celsius.

    Heat wave conditions also prevailed in parts of Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and isolated pockets of east Rajasthan, south Uttar Pradesh, and northwest Madhya Pradesh.

    In its forecast for the maximum temperature, the IMD said that there was no significant change likely over Northwest and Central India during the next three days and predicted a gradual fall in mercury by 2 to 4 degrees Celsius thereafter.

    “No significant change in maximum temperatures likely over East India during the next 24 hours and a gradual fall by 2-3°C thereafter for subsequent three days and no significant change thereafter. No significant change in maximum temperatures likely over rest parts of the country,” IMD shared on X.

    On Tuesday, IMD official Radheshyam Sharma said that Western Rajasthan, particularly Ganganagar, Hanumangarh, and Bikaner, was experiencing a severe heat wave with temperatures above 47 degrees Celsius. The heat wave is expected to continue for three to four days.

    “Strong south-west winds, carrying dust, will prevail in the region for two to three days. Eastern Rajasthan may experience thunderstorm activities from June 15-16, bringing possible relief from the heat. A drop in temperature is expected in eastern Rajasthan around June 18-20 due to thunderstorm activities”, Sharma added.

    According to the weather department, the temperatures recorded on Wednesday across different districts of Rajasthan were 48.0 degrees Celsius in Sri Ganganagar, 45.1 degrees Celsius in Bikaner, 44.2 degrees Celsius in Barmer, 45.8 degrees Celsius in Churu, 45.8 degrees Celsius in Phalodi, 44.4 degrees Celsius in Jaipur, and 45.1 degrees Celsius in Kota.

    On June 10, Sri Ganganagar and Hanumangarh issued orange alerts. Bikaner, Churu, Jhunjhunu, Alwar, Bharatpur, Karauli, and Dholpur issued yellow warnings.

    (ANI)

  • Orange alert issued for TN’s Ghat region, Nilgiris braces for extremely heavy rain

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) has issued an orange alert for several ghat districts in Tamil Nadu, forecasting intense rainfall between June 13 and 16.

    The Nilgiris, Coimbatore, and adjoining hilly regions are expected to receive heavy to very heavy rain, with isolated areas in the Nilgiris likely to witness extremely heavy downpours exceeding 204.4 mm on June 14 and 15.

    Authorities have urged residents in these districts to remain alert and take necessary precautions against potential disruptions such as landslides, waterlogging, and reduced visibility.

    According to the MeT department, an orange alert in weather forecasts signifies a potentially disruptive weather situation, often due to heavy rainfall, and requires people to be prepared for sudden changes in conditions.

    Gusty winds ranging from 30-40 kmph are also expected to accompany the rains, heightening the risk in vulnerable zones.

    The seven-day weather outlook suggests a gradual intensification of rainfall across the state.

    From Tuesday, parts of North Tamil Nadu — including Cuddalore and Ariyalur — will begin to see an uptick in precipitation.

    The ghat areas of Coimbatore and the Nilgiris will experience increased rainfall from June 12, leading up to the peak on June 14.

    Southern districts such as Theni, Tenkasi, and Kanniyakumari are also likely to experience heavy rainfall throughout the week.

    The meteorological department has advised district administrations to remain prepared with disaster response teams and emergency protocols in place.

    In Chennai and its surrounding areas, the onset of rainfall over the past 24 hours has brought significant relief from the oppressive summer heat. Other parts of the city also experienced moderate showers during the day. By 7.30 p.m. on Wednesday, the Nungambakkam weather station recorded 15.6 mm of rain, offering some respite as daytime temperatures had consistently hovered around 38 degrees Celsius in recent days.

    The local forecast for Chennai over the next two days predicts partly cloudy skies with intermittent light to moderate showers, continuing the much-needed relief from the recent heatwave conditions.

    (IANS)

  • China, Hong Kong stocks retreat as trade optimism fades

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    China and Hong Kong stocks fell on Thursday, led by declines in the rare-earth and tech sectors, as markets struggled to sustain positive momentum from Sino-U.S. trade talks that provided few concrete details.

    A deal getting the fragile truce in the U.S.-China trade war back on track was reached after negotiators from Washington and Beijing agreed on a framework covering tariff rates, U.S President Donald Trump said on Wednesday.

    The deal removes Chinese export restrictions on rare-earths minerals and allows Chinese students access to U.S. universities, but many specifics and detailed terms were absent, leaving investors cautious.

    China‘s blue-chip CSI300 Index .CSI300 fell 0.6% from a three-week high touched in the previous session. Hong Kong‘s benchmark Hang Seng index .HSI lost 0.7% to pull back from its highest level in nearly three months.

    The CSI Rare Earth Index CSI930598 slipped 0.8% from a seven-month high, and the semiconductor sector subindex .CSI931865 slid more than 1%.

    In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Tech Index .HSTECH lost 1.5% in early trades.

    -Reuters

  • Trump met with cheers, boos at Kennedy Center as he attends ‘Les Miserables’

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    U.S. President Donald Trump was greeted with a high-volume mix of boos and cheers on Wednesday as he took his seat for his first production at the Kennedy Center, the performing arts facility he has subjected to a conservative takeover.

    The mixed reception for Trump and his wife Melania as they arrived in the presidential box before a performance of “Les Miserables” reflected the heightened emotions that have been unleashed by his overhaul of the cultural center.

    Trump has pushed out its former chairman,fired its longtime president and pledged to overhaul an institution that he criticized as too liberal. The center, a leading U.S. arts facility, had long enjoyed bipartisan support.

    Ticket sales have fallen since and some shows, including the hit “Hamilton,” have canceled their appearances at the 2,300-capacity theater.

    At Wednesday’s performance, several drag queens in full regalia sat in the audience, likely in response to Trump’s criticism of the venue for hosting drag shows.

    One person shouted “Viva Los Angeles” as Trump stepped out of the presidential box at the intermission. Trump has sent military troops to quell protests against his immigration raids in that city.

    Trump’s appearance was meant to boost fundraising for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and he said donors raised over $10 million.

    “We’re going to make it incredible. We have all the funding. We raised a lot tonight, and we’ll put in a lot of money to bring it back to the highest level,” a tuxedo-clad Trump told reporters after other administration officials arrived on the red carpet.

    SUBSCRIPTIONS DOWN

    Still, overall year-on-year subscription revenue was down 36% to $2.8 million as of early June for next season, which begins in the autumn, according to a person briefed on the data. Theater subscriptions, normally a major revenue driver for the center, were down 82%.

    A Kennedy Center official said the comparisons reflected in those subscription sales were not accurate because the center had launched its subscription renewal campaign later in 2025 than 2024.

    “Our renewal campaign is just kicking off,” Kim Cooper, senior vice president of marketing, said in a statement. Cooper also noted the center had launched a new subscription option that allowed customers to “mix and match” genres and said more announcements of shows were coming.

    The Kennedy Center depends on revenue from tickets and subscriptions as well as donations to operate. Ticket sales for “Les Miserables” have been robust, according to another Kennedy Center official.

    Donors who pay $100,000 to $2 million got to attend a reception before the show, receive a photo with the president and be seated in good locations in the theater.

    “We’ve raised a little more than $10 million for tonight, which is pretty remarkable, and it’s an organization that needs the money right now,” said Ric Grenell, a close Trump ally and former ambassador to Germany who now heads the Kennedy Center.

    Under his leadership, the center has sought to add more conservative-leaning programming, including a show that Grenell has described as a celebration of the birth of Christ.

    Trump said he particularly enjoyed “Les Miserables,” a musical about citizens rising up against their government. “I’ve seen it many times, it’s one of my favorites,” he said.

    Along with the first lady, Vice President JD Vance, Attorney General Pam Bondi and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. also attended.

    Vance was likewise met with boos when he attended a Kennedy Center show with his wife earlier this year.

    Trump has zeroed in on drag shows to argue that the Kennedy Center had lost its way before he took office. But multiple upcoming musicals on the Kennedy Center’s agenda include characters dressed in drag, such as “Mrs. Doubtfire” and “Chicago.”

    Other musicals have pulled out, according to a former Kennedy Center official.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Update: Search for missing person in Taranaki

    Source: New Zealand Police

    The search is continuing for missing New Plymouth woman Jan, with Police, LandSAR and other volunteers out searching around the Thomason Road and Lake Mangamahoe areas today.

    We’re asking anyone out along the mountain bike and walking tracks to keep an eye out for Jan.

    In addition to this, if any farmers or residents in the surrounding areas of Alfred Road and Albert Road could check their paddocks, backyards, sheds, sleepouts and under anything where a person could seek shelter.

    Jan was last seen walking north along State Highway 3 near the intersection of Thomason Road, between Egmont Village and New Plymouth at around 11am on Tuesday 10 June.

    She was last seen wearing long pants and a green jacket.

    If you have seen Jan, or have any information that could help, please contact Police via our 105 service, either over the phone or online at 105.police.govt.nz.

    Please reference the file number 250611/5626.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Reserve Bank – Statement from RBNZ Chair Neil Quigley about OIAs on Adrian Orr’s resignation as Governor

    Source: Reserve Bank of New Zealand

    12 June 2025 – “RBNZ was late in producing a response to some of the OIAs we received on Adrian Orr’s resignation. I regret that this delay occurred,” Reserve Bank of New Zealand – Te Pūtea Matua Chair Neil Quigley says.

    “The circumstances and the volume of information associated with the OIAs on Adrian Orr’s resignation were complex, and we needed to be sure that our consideration of relevant information was comprehensive.

    “As well as our obligations under the Official Information Act, we needed to take into careful consideration the former Governor’s exit agreement and privacy law. For this reason, we extended consultation on the information and our response, including review by senior external counsel,” he said.

    “On 5 March I was limited in what I could say about the former Governor’s resignation both by the terms of his exit agreement and the fact that we were still working through finalisation of the detail of the next Five-Year Funding Agreement (FYFA).

    “We were conscious of the need to explain to staff of the RBNZ the potential implications for staffing levels of a lower level of funding and needed time to consider the details of that.

    “We are taking into account the feedback that we have received on our management of these OIA requests and looking carefully at how we can improve our response times in the future,” Mr Quigley said.

    More information: 
    OIA requests for information about the resignation of Adrian Orr – Reserve Bank of New Zealand – Te Pūtea Matua

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Agriculture – New legal requirement to record raw milk movement

    Source: OSPRI New Zealand

    An ongoing risk in the fight to eradicate the cattle disease Mycoplasma bovis has led to some new requirements for raw milk destined to be used as cattle feed.
    Disease eradication agency OSPRI is alerting farmers to new legal requirements which apply from 1 July 2025 to keep records of the movement of raw milk on and off farm.
    OSPRI’s national manager, Mycoplasma bovis, Mackenzie Nicol, says it’s known that M. bovis can spread between properties when raw milk is used for cattle feed, so, from 1 July, the new National Pest Management Plan for M.bovis requires anyone receiving raw milk on to a farm with the intention of feeding it to cattle, to accurately record it.
    “Farmers and industry have worked so hard to eradicate M.bovis, what we are doing with this requirement is all about closing one of the last loops, where we know there is risk of disease spread. It makes good sense to be vigilant.
    “We know this change will affect businesses transporting raw milk to be used for cattle feed, the farmers receiving it, and will rely on dairy processing operators offering up information about the milk they supply.
    “Luckily most of this information is already recorded – so the requirement should fit with good farm biosecurity practices,” Mackenzie says.
    To help with the record-keeping, OSPRI has created a template form which can be downloaded from its website.
    “When you use our form, you’ll be noting down all the information we need to collect, like the date and time of delivery, where the raw milk came from, how it got to your farm and how much was delivered.
    “It would also be worthwhile to make notes on sales invoices or receipts for raw milk purchases, the farm diary, or a driver’s logbook.
    “We need to do the best we can to keep track of all the risks we know of when it comes to extremely tough diseases to fight, like M.bovis,” Mackenzie says.
    Recording these movements could also play an important role in containing and limiting the spread of other infectious diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease or bovine viral diarrhoea.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Weather News – Thunderstorms, Rain Watches, and a weekend weather shift – MetService

    Source: MetService

    Covering period of Thursday 12th – Sunday 15th June – Thunderstorm activity is set to continue across parts of the North Island today (Thursday), bringing hail and heavy downpours in some areas. Meanwhile, a Heavy Rain Watch remains in place for North Otago until 5pm. 

    This region has seen persistent rain overnight and into this morning, with further rainfall expected that could reach warning thresholds, keep an eye on local severe weather information.
    Looking ahead to Friday, Cloudy and wet for eastern parts of the South Island, while the rest of the island enjoys settled and sunny weather. The North Island’s unsettled spell continues, with more showers and thunderstorms expected throughout the day.
     
    Weekend Outlook
    MetService meteorologist Kgolofelo Dube says “The South Island is in for a treat this weekend, with plenty of sunshine, perfect for enjoying snow-capped views, getting outdoors, or hitting the ski fields across Canterbury, the Southern Lakes, and Central Otago.”
    While ski conditions are expected to be excellent, some valleys may experience thick fog at times.”
    Meanwhile, the North Island is likely to continue seeing periods of rain across several regions. Fieldays in Hamilton has so far experienced showery and windy conditions. The good news is that more settled weather is expected to arrive from late Friday into Saturday, a welcome change for event-goers.

    By Sunday, a high-pressure system is expected to move in from the south, bringing more settled and sunny conditions to much of the country, though a few showers may linger in places.

    Temperatures for the South Island will remain low, with overnight temperatures near or below freezing. This will keep snow on the mountain tops and frosty conditions in sheltered areas. A noticeable temperature drop is expected across the North Island early next week, something to keep an eye on as we head into the new week.
     
    Stay up to date with the latest developments via the MetService website or weather app.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Agriculture – Feds back launch of new fertiliser spreading standard

    Source: Federated Farmers

    Federated Farmers says the launch of a new fertiliser spreading standard is a key step in efforts to improve nutrient management across New Zealand farms.
    “Fertiliser is a significantly large spend for farmers,” Federated farmers board member Colin Hurst says.
    “Having confidence that it’s being applied accurately and responsibly is essential – for productivity, profitability and for meeting environmental expectations.
    “The launch of a modernised Spreadmark Assurance Programme at Fieldays is a milestone moment and we fully support it.”
    Spreadmark, founded by Groundspread NZ and now managed by the Fertiliser Quality Council, is the national fertiliser spreading assurance programme.
    The new Spreadmark Code introduces updated standards that will help farmers and contractors lift the bar even further when it comes to nutrient precision and environmental care.
    Hurst says Federated Farmers was proud to host the official launch at its Rural Advocacy Hub at Fieldays.
    “We’ve had a long-standing connection with the Fertiliser Quality Council, which was formed by Federated Farmers in 1992.
    “It’s a partnership rooted in practical, farmer-driven solutions – so it’s fitting that we helped launch this next chapter at the heart of New Zealand’s farming community.
    “It was also great to have National Party MP Barbara Kuriger there to launch the Code.”
    Hurst says assurance programmes like Spreadmark will play an important role as new regulatory requirements come into effect.
    “As farm planning and environmental standards become more embedded across the sector, programmes like Spreadmark will be essential.
    “They’re not just tools for compliance-they’re tools for good farming.”
    “We see this modernised Spreadmark Programme as a strong example of how the sector can lead from the front – delivering better outcomes for farmers, the environment, and the communities they support.
    “We’re proud to be part of its continued evolution and success.” 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Fire Safety – Older people are more likely to die in a house fire this winter – check they are fire safe today

    Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

    More than half of the fatalities in house fires in the last five years were people over 60, Fire and Emergency New Zealand says.
    Acting Deputy Chief Executive Nick Pyatt says the harm happening to older people from housefires is far too high, and all New Zealanders could do much more to protect them.
    “Fifty-five per cent of house fire deaths in the last five years were people over 60,” he says.
    “Every one of these tragedies was preventable.
    “We’re asking people to ensure whānau, fri

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Defence News – Regional interoperability front of mind as Anzac Army chiefs strengthen special ties with Fijian Forces

    Source: New Zealand Defence Force

    Australia’s Chief of Army Lieutenant General Simon Stuart and his New Zealand Army counterpart Major General Rose King have met with senior Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) leaders in Suva this week to kick-start a week-long tour of the Pacific.

    On Tuesday and Wednesday the joint Australia-New Zealand delegation held a series of engagements, including with Commander Land Forces Brigadier General Onisivoro Covinisaqa and Commander RFMF Major General Jone Kalouniwai Logavatu.

    The talks reinforced the shared commitment to the region’s security and stability, acknowledged a deepening of strategic dialogue between the three nations and cast an eye to future engagements and opportunities.

    “We had great, insightful and honest discussions about our current landscape and what direction we’re all heading in. We were also able to discuss some of our common challenges and shared some lessons learned, which has been really valuable,” Lieutenant General Stuart said.  

    “We only have the ability to have such conversations because of the incredibly strong relationship we’ve built over an extended period of time between our three nations. You cannot build trust and relationships overnight when you need them – our commitments to each other, our comradeship and fri

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former CEO of Guam Helicopter Company Sentenced to 405 Months in Federal Prison for Criminal Aviation Violations

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Hagåtña, Guam – SHAWN N. ANDERSON, United States Attorney for the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, announced that John D. Walker, age 60, was sentenced by Chief Judge Frances Tydingco-Gatewood in the District Court of Guam to 405 months imprisonment.  On September 9, 2022, a jury returned guilty verdicts against Walker and his company, Hansen Helicopters, Inc., on 110 counts involving conspiracy to defraud the Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”) and National Transportation Safety Board (“NTSB”), aircraft parts fraud that caused serious bodily injury and death, employing a mechanic without a mechanic’s certificate, registration violations involving helicopters, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering.  Walker was also ordered to pay a $250,000 fine, and a $9,900 special assessment fee.  Walker forfeited $58,407,513, which represented the proceeds of aircraft parts fraud and wire fraud, in addition to $11,770,000, which represented the amount of money involved in the money laundering offenses.

    Hansen Helicopters, Inc., was found guilty of conspiracy to defraud the FAA and NTSB, in addition to aircraft parts fraud that caused serious bodily injury and death.  Hansen received a five-year term of probation, a $4,900,000 fine, and a $2,000 special assessment fee.

    Walker subverted aviation laws and regulations, enforced by the FAA and NTSB, which protect public health and safety.  Walker used at least 48 shell companies, most incorporated internationally, to operate an illicit helicopter/pilot/mechanic leasing business in Guam. By concealing that his aircraft were unregistered or illegally registered, unairworthy, and maintained and operated by uncertificated airmen, Walker entered fraudulent lease agreements with numerous tuna boat companies.  He earned over $400 million dollars through his scheme. He concealed his crimes by forging documents, counterfeiting aircraft parts, and bribing aviation officials.

    “The defendants built helicopters from an assortment of discarded frames and counterfeit parts,” stated United States Attorney Anderson. “They blatantly disregarded aviation laws to build and operate aircraft that should never have left the ground.  Fishing companies throughout the Pacific region relied on these aircraft for spotting tuna.  Unfortunately, the defendants’ quest for money resulted in the deaths of many pilots.  This was a difficult case to investigate and prosecute, but well worth federal resources. I commend our law enforcement partners on bringing these defendants to justice.”

    “Unchecked greed and flagrant disregard for aviation safety create a recipe for disaster with catastrophic results,” said Special Agent in Charge Cory LeGars of the Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General, Western Region. “This sentencing epitomizes the criminal justice system’s commitment to holding individuals and companies accountable for egregious illicit conduct. I commend the relentless efforts of our special agents and the outstanding collaboration between our law enforcement, prosecutorial, and regulatory partners, whose collective efforts brought this complex and hazardous fraud scheme to justice.”

    “How many times have we heard, ’It’s just money…’ when it comes to financial crime?” asked Special Agent in Charge Adam Jobes, IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Seattle Field Office. “This case shows that all too often, innocent people suffer catastrophic harm because of someone else’s greed. Financial crime is not victimless, and IRS-CI will continue to protect our communities from people like Mr. Walker who put their greed above all else.”

    “Over several years, Mr. Walker engaged in a multi-layered scheme to bribe public officials and defraud the government, significantly jeopardizing public safety in the process,” said FBI Honolulu Special Agent in Charge David Porter. “The FBI remains steadfast and persistent in our efforts to investigate these schemes and bring bad actors to justice.”

    This investigation was conducted by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and in partnership with the Customs and Quarantine Agency of Guam.

    Assistant United States Attorney Stephen F. Leon Guerrero, Special Assistant United States Attorney Marie L. Miller, and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Samantha R. Miller prosecuted this case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: ASEAN TVET Council advances inclusive skills development for rural and regional communities

    Source: ASEAN

    MELAKA, 12 June 2025 -The 4th Regional Policy Dialogue of ASEAN TVET Council on “TVET for Rural and Regional Advancement” was successfully convened on 11–12 June 2025 in Melaka, Malaysia. The Dialogue brought together approximately 220 participants both onsite and online from ASEAN Member States and partner organisations, representing ministries of labour, education, and economic planning, TVET institutions, industry leaders, and international development partners.
     
    Hosted by the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development of Malaysia with the support of the ASEAN Secretariat, Aus4ASEAN Digital Transformation and Future Skills Initiative (funded by the Government of Australia), and RECOTwin (funded by the Government of Germany), and the Dialogue provided a platform for participants to exchange strategies and good practices on how TVET can serve as a driver of inclusive, sustainable growth in rural and regional communities across ASEAN.
     
    Key discussions focused on expanding access to TVET, fostering technopreneurship, promoting green and digital skills, and aligning curricula with the demands of high-growth, high-value sectors. The Dialogue concluded with actionable insights and recommendations to guide ASEAN’s collective efforts toward enhancing employability, productivity, and socio-economic resilience through skills development.
     
    During the Dialogue, the Study Report on the Promotion of Business Engagement Models for Upskilling and Reskilling of the ASEAN Workforce was launched on 12 June 2025. Coordinated by the ASEAN Secretariat under the guidance of ASEAN Senior Labour Officials Meeting (SLOM) and with the support of the Aus4ASEAN Digital Transformation and Future Skills Initiative, the Study explores how ASEAN businesses are adapting to rapid changes in technology, Industry 4.0, and the green economy by investing in workforce upskilling and reskilling. It emphasises the importance of inclusive training and stronger engagement between governments, businesses, and TVET institutes. Find out more about the Study here.
     
    ###

    The post ASEAN TVET Council advances inclusive skills development for rural and regional communities appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-Evening Report: ‘He stopped me from talking to male colleagues’: new research shows how domestic violence so often starts with isolation and control

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Elizabeth McLindon, Research Fellow, The University of Melbourne

    PeopleImages.com – Yuri A/Shutterstock

    When it comes to domestic violence, cases involving catastrophic physical violence are the ones that most often make it into the media.

    But our new research shows there are often signs of trouble long before such tragic outcomes – before couples move in together or get married.

    We asked a large group of women about how domestic violence (also known as intimate partner violence) they’d experienced had started and escalated.

    A general pattern emerged. First came psychological abuse, then physical abuse, then sexual abuse.

    So if women, health workers and others can recognise the signs of psychological abuse early on, there’s a chance to intervene before abusive behaviour progresses.

    How does this relate to coercive control?

    The types of psychological abuse women told us about indicate they’d experienced coercive control.

    Coercive control is defined as a pattern of restrictive, manipulative and dominating behaviours used to undermine a partner’s autonomy and freedom. While it can occur in any type of relationship, it is most commonly perpetrated by men against women partners and is underpinned by inequitable gender roles and misogynistic attitudes.

    Another way of describing coercive control is a pattern of behaviours that aim to prevent a partner from being in charge of their life. For instance, this could mean controlling who a partner can see, what they can wear, or where they can go. Or it could mean questioning a partner’s sanity when they raise concerns about abusive behaviour.

    There’s been growing awareness of the impact of coercive control and domestic violence more broadly on women’s health and wellbeing. There’s also growing awareness that coercive control can escalate to catastrophic abuse against women and children, including homicide.

    So, Australian states and territories have scrambled to tackle the issue legally. Queensland recently joined New South Wales in making coercive control a standalone criminal offence.

    What we did and what we found

    We wanted to know more about the progression of domestic violence and if there were key stages to intervene to help prevent the worst harms.

    So we surveyed a nationally representative sample of 815 Australian women who had experienced domestic violence in the past five years and asked them to create a timeline of their relationship.

    Women started with the earliest warning signs that something was wrong and then added what happened around important life events, such as moving in together, having children, seeking help or leaving. Women could describe their experiences in their own words.

    When we analysed all the timelines together, we created a summary of the general sequence of abuse over time.

    First, there were attacks to a survivor’s mind, then her physical body, then her sexual self.

    How behaviours escalated, from the earliest sign something was wrong.
    Author provided

    Psychological abuse an early sign

    Psychological abuse was present in almost all relationships early in the timeline. It usually emerged before moving in together or getting married.

    The earliest indicator of abuse was being isolated from others, as one woman said:

    He stopped me from talking to male colleagues.

    Controlling a woman’s day-to-day activities happened next. One survivor told us how her money and car were used against her:

    He kept my belongings from me […] to prevent me from leaving.

    Then, as one woman said, there was other emotional abuse:

    If I said anything he didn’t like, a brick wall would be erected […] I wouldn’t be spoken to for two to three days.

    Another said:

    He called me crazy when he had done something wrong.

    On average, women told us physically abusive behaviours first appeared after a major life commitment, such as marriage or moving in together.

    In general, sexual abuse by a partner first emerged after the psychological and physical abuse started.

    For survivors who had a child during the relationship and whose partner was sexually abusive, the worst of that sexual violence generally came sometime after giving birth.

    For many survivors, a growing concern about the impact of abuse on their children occurred around the same time as leaving their relationship and trying to get help.

    What next?

    This research sets out clear opportunities for prevention and early intervention.

    We need to train health professionals to look for signs and ask about psychological abuse when their patients are contemplating life transitions. This includes raising awareness and targeted resources for staff working in pregnancy care.

    Future research should see if these patterns of abuse apply in different diverse groups of survivors.

    We also need better community education, particularly for young women, about the features of psychological abuse that occur early in relationships, before physical and sexual abuse.

    As one participant told us:

    More domestic violence campaigns should focus on emotional abuse. We focus so much on the physical, but I can feel immediately when I am hit. It takes longer to feel gaslighting, manipulation and other emotionally heavy abuse. It lingers with you. It alters the way you think and traps you far worse than the physical does.

    The National Sexual Assault, Family and Domestic Violence Counselling Service – 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) – is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for any Australian who has experienced, or is at risk of, family and domestic violence and/or sexual assault.

    Elizabeth McLindon received funding from Oak Foundation for this research. She is affiliated with The Royal Women’s Hospital, Victoria, where she is the Deputy Director of the Centre for Family Violence Prevention.

    Kelsey Hegarty receives funding from Oak Foundation, Medical Research Futures Fund, and National Health and Medical Research Council.

    – ref. ‘He stopped me from talking to male colleagues’: new research shows how domestic violence so often starts with isolation and control – https://theconversation.com/he-stopped-me-from-talking-to-male-colleagues-new-research-shows-how-domestic-violence-so-often-starts-with-isolation-and-control-257457

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI China: China adds Indonesia to 240-hour visa-free transit program, expands list to 55 countries

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

    China adds Indonesia to 240-hour visa-free transit program, expands list to 55 countries

    BEIJING, June 12 — China has added Indonesia to its 240-hour visa-free transit program, bringing the total number of countries eligible for the policy to 55, immigration authorities announced on Thursday.

    Effective Thursday, eligible Indonesian travelers can enter through any of the 60 ports across 24 provincial-level regions and stay up to 240 hours, or 10 days, without a visa before heading to a third destination, according to the National Immigration Administration.

    The policy is part of China’s broader efforts to boost international travel and exchanges.

    MIL OSI China News –