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Category: AM-NC

  • MIL-Evening Report: Governments are becoming increasingly secretive. Here’s how they can be made to be more transparent

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gabrielle Appleby, Professor of Law, UNSW Law School, UNSW Sydney

    Transparency is vital to our democratic system of government.

    It promotes good government, spurring those in power into better practice. Even when what is revealed is pretty revolting, transparency means those transgressions are known, and accountability for them can follow.

    Transparency is particularly important for people who otherwise do not have access to government, who are not “in the room” or “at the table”, whether that be directly or through lobbyists or other connections.

    But recent data reveal government transparency in Australia is on the decline. Given the connection between transparency and a well-functioning democracy, this is deeply concerning.

    The Albanese government’s compliance rate with Senate orders for documents is the lowest of any government since 2016, and the second-worst of any government since 1993. Disclosures under freedom of information laws have dropped dramatically over the past decade.

    The problem isn’t a lack of solutions, but that governments appear perpetually unwilling to open up.

    How should transparency work?

    In Australia, there is a complex system of institutions and laws that provide government accountability and transparency.

    Outside of the blunt instrument of electoral accountability through the ballot box, the parliament, and in particular the non-government-dominated Senate, plays a key role in providing accountability and transparency.

    The transparency work of the Senate is supplemented by a number of regimes, chief among them freedom of information. Under freedom of information, members of the public can request specific information from government departments and agencies, and this is supported by a “freedom of information champion”, the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner.

    To work properly, these schemes and regimes need the ongoing support, cooperation and buy-in (literally in the form of funding) from government. This has, at times, been less than forthcoming, which can hobble their operation in different ways.

    There are also several reasons why a government might refuse to publicly disclose what it is doing. Former High Court Chief Justice Harry Gibbs said “government at a high level cannot function without some degree of secrecy”.

    But limits and exceptions to transparency regimes are controversial. Does there need to be an exception at all? Does a particular document fall within the exception?

    The government holds the upper hand in asserting whether a document falls within an exception, because they are the ones who know what the documents are. This gives rise to cynicism that these exceptions can be and are being abused.

    Documents remaining buried

    This cynicism may be warranted, as two recent reports by the Centre for Public Integrity show successive governments lack true commitment to transparency.

    The first report was about Senate orders for the production of documents and how often the government complies with them.

    One of the Senate’s most powerful tools in holding the executive to account is its ability to order the production of government documents.

    But governments have a long history of avoiding compliance with Senate orders. They either outright refuse to respond, or offer broad claims of “public interest immunity” over sensitive documents, such as those relating to national security, Cabinet, federal relations or law enforcement.

    While the Senate can sanction ministers who refuse to comply with its orders, such as through suspending them from the chamber, it has historically done little in response to government insouciance.

    This means we don’t know whether the public interest immunity claims being made over the documents are valid, and there is currently no mechanism to find out.

    The recent data show the government’s compliance rates with Senate orders to produce documents have fallen from 92% in 1993–96, to approximately 33% for the current parliament.

    This is a low that only the Abbott/Turnbull government in the 44th parliament has the ignominious record of beating in the past 30-odd years.

    It is coupled with the government increasingly claiming public interest immunity. Public interest immunity rejections as a proportion of non-compliance sat at 61% over the 46th Parliament, this rose to almost 68% over the Albanese government’s first term.

    These averaged roughly one claim per week under Albanese, compared with about one claim every three weeks under by the Morrison government in the 46th parliament.

    What about freedom of information?

    The second report is on the operation of the Commonwealth’s freedom of information (FOI) regime.

    The Albanese government’s performance on delivering transparency this way is a mixed bag.

    First, the good news: the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner is better resourced, first-instance processing times have improved, and more of the reviews received by the OAIC are being finalised.

    But the plaudits end there.

    Whereas the proportion of requests granted in full stood at 59% in 2011–12, by 2023–24 it had fallen to just 25%.

    Over the same period, outright refusals have ballooned from 12% to 23%.

    The precipitous decline in the “refusal gap” (the difference between the proportion of requests granted in full and those refused) is alarming.

    Moreover, it’s difficult to have confidence in the correctness of these refusals. In 2023–24, almost half of initial decisions were found to be flawed following internal review.

    Processing timeframes are also cause for significant concern. Average processing time for Office of the Australian Information Commissioner reviews has blown out from 6 months in 2016-17, to 15.5 months in 2023-24.

    Fixing the mess

    Of course, numbers are not a full story. But they also cannot be denied, and these tell a damning story for government.

    So how could they be addressed?

    The Senate should adopt an independent legal arbiter to oversee claims for public interest immunity. This would discourage secrecy by providing an independent review mechanism for parliament to check the government’s immunity claims.

    For this reform to work, the Senate must not shy away from flexing its enforcement muscles either. The government must know that lack of transparency has consequences.

    In response to the freedom of information crisis, there’s a number of reforms that could improve transparency. These cover:

    • legislative changes such as clarifying that existing applications are not invalidated with a change in minister or portfolio title

    • greater resourcing to support information officer training and ongoing monitoring

    • and increasing parliamentary oversight of the regime.

    Transparency is not an elite concern, but one of those who are otherwise not in the room. It is the peoples’ concern. Governments, however, have incentives to keep the status quo.

    So even though Labor spoke a big transparency game in opposition, they have done little in government. We need to demand that they do.

    The author would like to thank Catherine Williams, Executive Director of the Centre for Public Integrity, for her contributions to this article.

    Gabrielle Appleby is a Director of the Centre for Public Integrity.

    – ref. Governments are becoming increasingly secretive. Here’s how they can be made to be more transparent – https://theconversation.com/governments-are-becoming-increasingly-secretive-heres-how-they-can-be-made-to-be-more-transparent-262012

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Why UK recognition of a Palestinian state should not be conditional on Israel’s actions

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Karen Scott, Professor in Law, University of Canterbury

    Getty Images

    The announcement this week by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on the recognition of a Palestininian state has been welcomed by many who want to see a ceasefire in Gaza and lasting peace in the region.

    In contrast to other recent statements on the status of Palestine, however, the UK has said it will recognise Palestine as a state in September

    unless the Israeli government takes substantive steps to end the appalling situation in Gaza and commits to a long term sustainable peace, including through allowing the UN to restart without delay the supply of humanitarian support to the people of Gaza to end starvation, agreeing to a ceasefire, and making clear there will be no annexations in the West Bank.

    Until this week, the UK’s position had been that recognition would only follow a negotiated two-state solution in Israel-Palestine. Other countries have now begun to shift from that position, too.

    The latest UK statement was preceded by announcements from France on July 25 and Canada on July 31 that they too would recognise Palestine as a state in September.

    But the UK position is different in one important way: it is conditional on Israel failing to comply with its international humanitarian obligations in Gaza and the West Bank.

    In other words, recognition of Palestine as a state by the UK is being used as a stick to persuade Israel to agree to a ceasefire. Should Israel agree to those conditions, the UK will presumably not recognise Palestine as a state in September, but will revert to its original position on a two-state solution.

    Conditional recognition subject to action by Israel – a third state – represents an unwelcome and arguably dangerous departure from international practice.

    While recognition (or otherwise) of states is inherently political – as demonstrated by the unique status of Taiwan, for example – it is not and should not be made conditional on the action or inaction of third states.

    How states are recognised

    According to the Convention on the Rights and Duties of States, a state must have a permanent population, territory, an independent government, and the capacity to enter into relations with other states, as well as self-determination.

    Palestine has arguably met all these criteria, with the possible exception of an independent government, given the level of Israeli intervention in the West Bank and the current situation in Gaza.

    Although recognition by other states is arguably not a formal criterion of statehood, it is very difficult to function as a state without reasonably widespread recognition by other states.

    Some 147 countries – two-thirds of UN members – now recognise the State of Palestine, including Spain, Ireland and Norway, which made announcements in 2024.

    Those choosing not to formally recognise a Palestinian state are now in a small minority, including Australia and New Zealand. This is inevitably leading to calls in those countries to change position.

    Australia is considering such a shift, subject to conditions similar to those set out by Canada – including the release of Israeli hostages, the demilitarisation of Hamas, and reform of the Palestinian Authority.

    New Zealand is currently maintaining its longstanding position of recognising Palestine within the context of a two-state solution. On July 30, Foreign Minister Winston Peters and 13 of his counterparts issued a joint statement – the “New York Call” – demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and reiterating “unwavering commitment to the vision of the two-State solution”.

    The statement also asserted that “positive consideration” to recognise the state of Palestine is “an essential step towards the two-state solution”.

    Better options are available

    The UK’s position, however, introduces another dynamic. By using recognition of Palestine as a tool to punish Israel for its actual and alleged breaches of international law in Gaza, it is implicitly failing to respect Palestine’s right to self-determination.

    If Palestine deserves statehood, it is on its own terms, not as a condition of Israel’s policies and actions.

    But it is also setting a dangerous precedent. Countries could choose to recognise (or not recognise) states to pressure or punish them (or indeed other states) for breaches of international law. Such breaches may or may not be connected to the state actually seeking recognition.

    This is important, because the post-colonial settlement of geographical boundaries remains deeply insecure in many regions. As well, low-lying island nations at risk of losing territory from sea-level rise may also find their status challenged, as territory has traditionally been a requirement of statehood.

    The UK’s apparent conditional recognition of Palestine is only likely to increase this international instability around statehood.

    While the UK’s announcement may be “clever politics” from a domestic perspective, and avoids outright US opposition internationally, it has conflated two separate issues.

    The better option would be for the UK to recognise Palestine as a state, joining a growing number of countries that plan to do so in advance of the UN General Assembly meeting in September. It could make this subject to conditions, including the release of hostages and exclusion of Hamas from Palestinian governance.

    And it should continue to press Israel to agree to a ceasefire in addition to the other demands set out in its announcement, and hold Israel accountable for its gross breaches of international law in Gaza. It can back up those demands with appropriate diplomatic and trade sanctions.

    New Zealand, too, has a range of options available, and can help increase the pressure on Israel by using them.

    Karen Scott 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. Why UK recognition of a Palestinian state should not be conditional on Israel’s actions – https://theconversation.com/why-uk-recognition-of-a-palestinian-state-should-not-be-conditional-on-israels-actions-262345

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: From Coast to Coast, Americans Are Seeing the Benefits of President Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill

    Source: US Whitehouse

    Americans will see the benefits of President Donald J. Trump’s landmark One Big Beautiful Bill for years to come through historic tax relief, strengthened public programs, secure borders, military investments, and much more.

    Here is some of what is being written in local news outlets across the country:

    KCRG-TV (Cedar Rapids, IA): Small businesses say ‘no tax on tips’ a step in the right direction

    “Some business owners in eastern Iowa say new ‘no tax on tips’ provisions will help grow local businesses … It’s a relief some businesses say will make a huge difference with their employees.

    ‘More money in their pocket which will mean more money in the community,’ said Crystal Blin. Blin owns 319 social house, a bowling alley in Independence. She said small businesses can struggle to recruit employees against bigger companies, but no tax on tips means higher take home pay, which could help close the gap. …

    Some view no tax on tips as a reinvestment in their workers and a way to offer some stability. ‘In the service industry too, you’re always constantly worried about what that end of the year number is going to be, and now with this we kind of have some relief with that,’ said Cora Krueger. Krueger is the assistant general manager of Denali’s on the River … ‘The more money we can put in our employees pockets, that means that they can take those dollars and support our local community and surrounding communities,’ Blin said.”

    WENY-TV (Elmira, NY): Seniors Get a Boost: What to Know about the New Senior Tax Break Included in “One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act”

    “A new tax break is heading to seniors’ wallets. It comes in the form of a new deduction tucked into the ‘One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act,’ recently signed into law by President Donald Trump … Starting next year, the IRS is cutting many retirees a bit more slack. Under the new law, individuals age 65 and older can claim an additional $6,000 deduction—on top of the existing standard senior deduction. Married couples where both qualify? That’s a $12,000 tax break.”

    KSTP-TV (Saint Paul, MN): How the new US federal government $1,000 ‘baby bonus’ can help children

    “President Trump’s ‘big beautiful bill’ includes a new savings plan for children with a one-time deposit of $1,000 from the federal government for newborns … For new parents, it’s being called a ‘baby bonus.’ Every baby born this year, next year, and in 2027 will get the bonus, which parents can add to the account.”

    The Charlotte Observer (Charlotte, NC): How the “Big Beautiful Bill” boosts QSBS benefits for startup employees and founders

    “The new GOP budget legislation includes a massive win for startup employees and founders: dramatically expanded Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS) benefits that could save qualifying investors from paying 28% capital gains taxes on millions of dollars in returns. The changes increase the maximum tax exclusion from $10 million to $15 million while allowing partial benefits after just three years instead of the current five-year minimum.”

    WCMH-TV (Columbus, OH): Anduril, the company behind Ohio’s new megaproject, favored in ‘Big Beautiful Bill’

    “As Anduril Industries ambitiously hopes to open its central Ohio-based drone and vehicular weapons manufacturing plant by July 2026, the defense systems manufacturer is already securing business. Trump’s new government spending bill allocates several billion dollars to border security and includes favorable policies for Anduril.”

    Anchorage Daily News (Anchorage, AK): Alaska has the chance to seize prosperity with the Big Beautiful Bill

    “These investments strengthen Alaska’s role in domestic energy production and in Arctic policy. At a time when global energy markets are uncertain and international competition is increasing, this legislation ensures Alaska is part of the solution. It’s also worth emphasizing that the bill doesn’t relax standards or bypass environmental oversight. It supports development within existing regulatory frameworks and honors Alaska’s history of balancing economic activity with environmental responsibility.”

    Fort Worth Star-Telegram (Forth Worth, TX): Trump signs ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ into law. How much money will Texans save?

    “Right now, taxpayers can deduct up to $10,000 in state and local taxes from their federal income tax bill. The One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act raises that to $40,000 for 2025. The amount will go up 1% each year in 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029. There are additional limitations for people earning more than $500,000 a year.”

    Startland News (Kansas City, MO): KC Tech Council celebrates tax fix in Trump’s ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ that boosts growing businesses

    “A tax fix included in the recently signed ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ — sprawling legislation meant to overhaul taxes in the United States — marks a major win for Kansas City’s tech and innovation economy, said Kara Lowe. At issue: a long-awaited change to Section 174 research and development expensing that now allows businesses to fully and permanently expense such investments, explained Lowe, CEO of KC Tech Council, which championed the fix alongside TECNA (Technology Councils of North America).”

    WCAU-TV (Philadelphia, PA): Trump’s ‘big beautiful bill’ locks in key tax breaks for homeowners—here’s what to know

    “President Donald Trump’s tax and spending bill revives and expands homeowner tax breaks — while making the current mortgage interest deduction cap permanent. The $750,000 limit on deductible mortgage debt ($375,000 for single filers) had been set to expire after 2025 and revert to the previous $1 million cap. Under the new law, that change is off the table.

    The bill also temporarily raises the SALT deduction cap from $10,000 to $40,000 per household for tax years 2025 through 2029, with a phaseout beginning at $500,000 of income in 2025. The deduction cap reverts to $10,000 in 2030. The change could be especially impactful for homeowners in high-tax states like New York, New Jersey and California, where deductible state and local taxes often exceed the previous $10,000 cap.”

    The Orange County Register (Irvine, CA): Big Beautiful bill delivers win for HSAs

    “Starting Jan. 1, 2026, Americans enrolled in Bronze or Catastrophic Affordable Care Act plans may contribute to HSAs — around 7.3 million people who previously lacked access in 2025. The bill also allows HSA funds to pay for direct primary care memberships — modernizing how Americans can save for and manage health care expenses — and makes permanent the ability of high-deductible health plans to waive the deductible for telehealth visits.”

    KARK-TV (Little Rock, AR): New federal budget includes relief for Arkansas farmers

    “Reference prices — set federal rates that trigger support payments when market prices drop — are one of the most relied-on tools in the farm safety net. For Arkansas rice producers, who say they’ve been using outdated prices from 2012, the new adjustment is expected to make a meaningful difference in margins.

    ‘We hope that this gives us some stability and some consistency where we can make better decisions,’ Coker said. ‘That affects everything — labor, equipment, fertilizer — it all depends on what we can afford.’”

    The Tennessean (Nashville, TN): Big Beautiful Bill includes tax credit for school vouchers: Here’s how much, how it works

    “As an example, if someone donates $1,000, they can later receive a $1,000 credit on their federal tax return, so long as they itemize their tax return and have a tax liability to apply the credit toward. That means the federal government absorbs the cost of the scholarships, essentially making them federal school vouchers.

    The tax credit far outweighs the benefits of a typical tax-deductible, charitable donation. At most, people are allowed to deduct 50% of their adjusted gross income for charitable donations, according to the IRS. In some cases 20% and 30% limits apply.

    ‘This is an unprecedented tax break, at the federal level,’ he said. ‘It’s just a super-sized incentive.’”

    Antelope Valley Press (Los Angeles, CA): President Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill is a step ahead for America

    “President Donald Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ is the latest political victory in an action-packed first six months in office. The bill restores some good governance that protects taxpayers and citizens and is a huge boost to working families and entrepreneurs. The bill should increase prosperity and start to slow our unsustainable growth in government spending.”

    MageeNews.com (Mendenhall, MS): The “OBBB” Puts Americans and Farmers First

    “For working Americans including our farmers, ranchers and landowners, the OBBB was and is a series of HUGE ‘wins.’ Perhaps the greatest win was the significant tax relief delivered to all hardworking Americans. Recognizing that ‘Farm Security is National Security,’ these wins through the OBBB will strengthen our American producers for years – for generations – of future farm families.”

    The Berkeley Independent (Summerville, SC): 529 updates in ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ give families even more flexibility for educational savings

    “As administrator of South Carolina’s Future Scholar 529 Plan, I’m happy to share that the recent passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act spells good news for South Carolina families who are using tax-advantaged 529 savings plans to save for their children’s education. The bill expands qualified uses for 529 funds, providing greater flexibility for families and making an already effective program even more beneficial.”

    Agweek (Fargo, ND): ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ enhances farm program safety net

    “The large reconciliation bill, or the so-called ‘One Big Beautiful Bill,’ was passed by Congress and signed into law in early July … there are some adjustments and enhancements in the legislation that could be very beneficial to farmers, including increased reference prices and improved crop insurance provisions. … Approximately 90% of the added funding for ag-related programs in the reconciliation bill is targeted to farm ‘safety net’ programs, such as PLC, ARC-CO, crop insurance, and the Dairy Margin Coverage Program.”

    Sen. Marsha Blackburn (The Chronicle of Mt. Juliet, Mt. Juliet, TN): One Big Beautiful Bill is a victory for American people

    “On Independence Day, President Trump made history. He signed into law the One Big Beautiful Bill—a once-in-a-generation victory that fulfills his promise to Make America Great Again. By providing the largest tax cut in our nation’s history, it will supercharge our economy. Tennessee households will save an average of $2,600 in taxes next year and see an average annual take-home pay increase of over $10,000. With the largest-ever investment in border security, it empowers the Department of Homeland Security to complete President Trump’s border wall and hire thousands of new Border Patrol agents. It also bolsters our military, enacts common-sense permitting reforms to make America energy dominant again and eliminates hundreds of billions of dollars in far-left, Green New Deal spending, putting our nation on a more sustainable fiscal path.”

    Sen. Katie Britt (The Alexander City Outlook, Alexander City, AL): The one big beautiful bill delivers for Alabama

    “There’s been a lot of national conversation about how transformational this bill is. But let’s talk about what it means for Alabama. To start, Alabamians can expect to keep more of their hard-earned money because of this bill. We extended President Trump’s 2017 tax cuts and, as a result, prevented the largest tax hike in modern history. Alabama families were staring down an average of a $2,200 tax increase—we made sure that didn’t happen. We made sure to take care of our seniors as well, who will now be able to deduct up to $6,000 – $12,000 for couples filing jointly – from their taxes annually.”

    Sen. Mike Crapo (The Post Register, Idaho Falls, ID): A stronger future for Idahoans

    “Responsibility to Idaho taxpayers: The law also achieves the most significant spending reductions in history by slashing Green New Deal spending, eliminating tax loopholes, and rooting out waste, fraud and abuse in federal spending programs. When combined with the pro-growth elements of President Trump’s economic agenda, the Council of Economic Advisers estimates the United States will achieve nearly $4.5 trillion in deficit reduction over ten 10 years.”

    Sen. Steve Daines (Clark Fork Valley Press, Plains, MT): Big Beautiful Bill is a win for Montana

    “President Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill is a tremendous win for Montana. It will spur economic growth, strengthen border security as well as expand Montana’s energy sector and provide much-needed funding for our military. And thanks to the diligent work of the entire Montana congressional delegation, we defeated attempts to sell our public lands.”

    Sen. Deb Fischer (Syracuse Journal-Democrat, Syracuse, NE): How the One Big, Beautiful Bill Delivers Tax Relief to Nebraska Families

    “When Americans went to the polls last November, they sent a clear message. They want a government that prioritizes safer neighborhoods, more affordable energy, and real economic relief — especially for working families. Earlier this month, Congress responded with a tangible solution. We stopped a $4 trillion tax hike and advanced a law that locks in the economic policies that have helped families and small businesses thrive. This new law cements the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) into permanent policy, preserving critical tax benefits for families across the country. For the average Nebraska household, that means $2,400 a year in savings — money that can help pay for groceries, utilities, or a child’s education.”

    Rep. Ken Calvert (The Desert Sun, Palm Springs, CA): Tax Relief on the way for Coachella Valley taxpayers

    “The Coachella Valley is home to a unique mix of residents, including large populations of retired senior citizens and employees who support the region’s tourism economy. Despite the different demographics of these two groups, they will both see targeted benefits from the recent working family tax law I voted to pass earlier this month. Retired Americans who live on a fixed income rely heavily on the Social Security and Medicare benefits. Protecting those benefits is a top priority for our seniors – and it’s one of my top priorities, too. I promised the seniors I represent that I would not cut their benefits, and the recent tax and spending bill that was signed into law honors that commitment. There are no cuts to either Social Security or Medicare benefits in the bill.”

    Rep. Jeff Crank (The Colorado Springs Gazette, Colorado Springs, CO): Why I voted in favor of the One Big, Beautiful Bill

    “The One Big, Beautiful Bill, some of the most conservative legislation worked on in Congress, delivers the largest tax cuts in American history, ensures no tax on tips or overtime, protects Medicaid for our nation’s most vulnerable, increases defense spending, secures our borders and more. The bill promises a prosperous future for our country, yet there are some who continue to promote falsehoods about what this bill does. As the Representative for Colorado’s 5th Congressional District, it is my duty to outline why I voted for this bill. Let’s get this straight: the One Big, Beautiful Bill protects the Medicaid system for the most vulnerable and those that truly need it; benefits for pregnant women, children, seniors, and individuals with disabilities would see no changes with their Medicaid plans.”

    Rep. Randy Feenstra (The Gazette, Cedar Rapids, IA): ’Big Beautiful Bill’ grows our economy

    “For farmers and small businesses, the ‘One, Big, Beautiful Bill’ protects millions of smaller operations and businesses from excessive taxation by raising the death tax exemption. These entities also will benefit from doubled small business expensing, immediate R & D expensing, and deductions on qualified business income. It also increases reference prices for corn and soybeans, strengthens crop insurance, and fully funds foreign animal disease prevention, mitigation, and response.”

    Rep. Brett Guthrie (The Owensboro Messenger and Inquirer, Owensboro, KY): Here’s the truth: The One Big Beautiful Bill actually strengthens Medicaid

    “The Medicaid provisions included in the One, Big Beautiful Bill ensure our most vulnerable Americans continue receiving the support they need. It strengthens the program by removing deceased recipients from the Medicaid rolls, requiring states to conduct more frequent eligibility checks for the expansion population, ensuring that individuals are not enrolled in multiple states and enacting commonsense work requirements for able-bodied Americans who choose not to work. Additionally, our bill expands access to Home and Community Based Services for low-income seniors and individuals living with a disability.”

    Rep. Lisa McClain (The Detroit News, Detroit, MI): Big Beautiful Bill is a win for Michiganians

    “This landmark legislation combines common-sense reforms with bold investments in our communities. At its heart, the bill is about rebuilding the American dream from the ground up; making it more affordable to live, work and raise a family in Michigan. Whether you’re running a small business, working long shifts at a restaurant or raising kids, this bill will make your life better.”


    Rep. Tom Tiffany (Wausau Pilot & Review, Wausau, WI): What the One Big Beautiful Bill means for you

    “The bill also raises the Child Tax Credit to $2,200 per child and establishes a $1,000 investment account for American newborns, helping give every child a head start. It also supports working parents by expanding the Employer-Provided Child Care Credit, encouraging more businesses to offer affordable child care.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Samsung Partners With Liberty To Bring Iconic British Designs to Samsung Art Store

    Source: Samsung

    Samsung Electronics today announced its collaboration with iconic British design house Liberty, bringing a curated collection of the brand’s most celebrated designs to Samsung Art Store.1 With this partnership, Samsung Art TV users around the world can now display 20 new designs from Liberty’s rich archive of timeless art and patterns from the comfort of their own homes.
     
    The collaboration merges the elegance of Samsung Art TVs with Liberty’s world-renowned archive, making the stunning designs available as digital artworks for the first time. Samsung curators worked closely with the in-house Liberty team to select patterns that would translate beautifully into a large-scale digital display that is alive with detail, light and color.
     
    “This partnership was driven by a shared desire to celebrate British design in new ways,” said Rachael Roberts, Partnerships Manager at Samsung UK. “With no other British design houses currently represented on Samsung Art Store, it felt like the perfect opportunity to bring Liberty’s unique voice to our global audience.”
     
    ▲ One of the most celebrated designs from Liberty named Artemis (2023), shown on 2025 The Frame by Samsung.
     
    Founded in 1875, Liberty has long been a symbol of British creativity and craftsmanship. Known for its distinctive prints and established history of design innovation, the brand’s influence spans art, fashion and interiors. For this partnership, the collection is introduced with Artemis as the featured design — a bold, botanical take on a classic Liberty design. Spanning over a century of heritage and creativity, the collection includes everything from the whimsical Enchanted Wood to the vibrant Jungle Trip design.
     
    “At Liberty, we’ve always believed in design that tells a story, and stories that evolve with time,” said Pere Bruach, Design Manager at Liberty. “Partnering with Samsung allowed us to reimagine our most iconic prints as living art, infusing them with a new dimension. These works, once found on silk and paper, are now reinterpreted for the home — bringing the spirit of Liberty and the timeless beauty of pattern and print into people’s everyday spaces.”
     
    ▲ 2025 The Frame Pro showcases ‘Marina’s Tea Garden,’ from Liberty’s Autumn/Winter 2025 collection. This bold floral patternhas been meticulously recreated to capture the rich colors and subtle tones of gouache brushstrokes. Available as a digital artworktailored to Samsung Art Store, it brings character, history and a touch of British charm to living spaces everywhere.
     
    Among the 20 Liberty designs featured, standout works include “Artemis,” “Marina’s Tea Garden,” “Fantasy Land,” and “My Grown Up Star,” from Liberty’s Autumn/Winter 2025 collection. Each design is presented as a digital artwork tailored to Samsung Art Store, bringing character, history and a touch of British charm into living spaces everywhere.
     
    “When selecting the right pieces for Samsung Art Store, we were drawn to those that best encapsulate Liberty’s visual language,” Bruach added. “From nostalgic 1930s florals and hand-painted botanicals to eclectic geometric designs and enchanting landscapes, the collection reflects the full spectrum of our creative heritage. Artemis, for example, felt like a natural fit for The Frame — it speaks to the blend of tradition and modernity that defines both our brands.”
     
    “Liberty’s legacy of storytelling makes them a dream partner,” said Roberts. “Our vision for the Art Store has always been to make art and design that brings meaning to people’s lives accessible, and Liberty’s prints bring exactly that — a daily joy and a sense of place.”
     
    This new collaboration underscores Samsung Art Store’s mission to democratize access to global art, with a growing archive of over 3,500 artworks from the world’s most renowned museums and art institutions. Now, with the addition of Liberty’s British classics, a new chapter in which printmaking heritage meets innovation begins.
     
     
    About Liberty 
    Liberty is a movement dedicated to discovery, animated by arts, culture, design and the pursuit of beauty. Liberty is famed for its original curation, directional design and celebration of craftsmanship. In the spirit of our founder, Arthur Lasenby Liberty, we remain unapologetically eccentric and committed to bringing good design to all.
     
     
    1 Liberty artworks are available through the Samsung Art Store in all service countries except India.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Facing Earthquakes and Extremes, Asia-Pacific Deepens Disaster Cooperation Incheon, Republic of Korea | 01 August 2025 Issued by the APEC Emergency Preparedness Working Group The meeting’s agenda covered digital-based disaster risk management strategies, community leadership in disaster response and strengthening multi-layered governance.

    Source: APEC – Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation

    A powerful earthquake off the coast of Kamchatka jolted the Asia-Pacific just hours before emergency officials from APEC economies convened in Incheon for the 21st meeting of the APEC Emergency Preparedness Working Group (EPWG), a timely reminder of how disasters can ripple across the region without warning.

    “Disasters know no borders, and they affect not only local communities but have long-term consequences for entire economies,” said Kim Gwang-yong, Vice Minister of Korea’s Ministry of the Interior and Safety, in his welcome address. “Cooperation and solidarity among APEC economies are more important than ever.”

    Vice Minister Kim highlighted Korea’s recent experiences with typhoons, heavy rainfall and wildfires, noting that the country has continuously improved its disaster management systems. 

    He also emphasized Korea’s commitment to sharing these best practices with fellow APEC economies and expanding cooperation in ICT-based early warning systems, disaster prediction models using artificial intelligence (AI), and community-centered disaster resilience strategies.

    The meeting’s agenda covered digital-based disaster risk management strategies, community leadership in disaster response and strengthening multi-layered governance. 

    Experts and officials discussed enhancing early warning systems, leveraging big data and satellite technologies and developing resilient infrastructure that can support disaster-affected communities. 

    Sessions also focused on advancing collaborative governance, bridging gaps in disaster risk management, and preparing communities for emerging risks.

    EPWG co-chair Dayra Carvajal of the United States Federal Emergency Management Agency, urged members to recognize the compounding risks affecting the region’s interconnected systems. 

    “From devastating earthquakes to wildfires and catastrophic flooding, this year has once again underscored the interconnected impacts of disasters in Asia-Pacific,” she said. “These compounding stressors that ripple through shared infrastructure remind us that events in one economy are frequently felt elsewhere.”

    “This year, we must endeavor to identify concrete and practical ways in which to strengthen the systems that sustain regional economic growth and prosperity: our infrastructure, markets and supply chains.”

    The agenda featured project updates and best practice exchanges by member economies including on topics such as disaster risk prediction and whole-community preparedness in urban, coastal and inland areas. Delegates examined how to bridge gaps in early warning systems, scale agile and adaptable governance across central and local levels and enable technology-driven disaster leadership.

    “The more we prepare, the more we can reduce disaster damage. And the more we cooperate, the stronger our response can become,” Vice Minister Kim concluded.

    Looking ahead, the group emphasized that continued collaboration under the newly launched EPWG Strategic Plan 2025–2027 will be essential to turn this momentum into durable systems of protection and preparedness. 

    The EPWG meeting is a key platform for promoting APEC’s vision of a resilient and prosperous future, with discussions expected to result in actionable policies and collaborative projects that can mitigate disaster risks, enhance regional preparedness and protect the lives and livelihoods of the 2.9 billion people who call the APEC region home.

    For more information or media inquiries, please contact:
    [email protected]

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-Evening Report: ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for August 1, 2025

    ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on August 1, 2025.

    Why UK recognition of a Palestinian state should not be conditional on Israel’s actions
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Karen Scott, Professor in Law, University of Canterbury Getty Images The announcement this week by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on the recognition of a Palestininian state has been welcomed by many who want to see a ceasefire in Gaza and lasting peace in the region. In

    Governments are becoming increasingly secretive. Here’s how they can be made to be more transparent
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gabrielle Appleby, Professor of Law, UNSW Law School, UNSW Sydney Transparency is vital to our democratic system of government. It promotes good government, spurring those in power into better practice. Even when what is revealed is pretty revolting, transparency means those transgressions are known, and accountability for

    Wood fires, warm drinks, hot water bottles: 5 expert tips on how to avoid burns this winter
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lisa Martin, Adjunct Senior Research Fellow, School of Biomedical Sciences, Pathology and Laboratory Science, The University of Western Australia Alex P/Pexels It’s a cold, crisp evening and the air carries a chill that bites. As temperatures drop and houses get colder, we turn to trusted sources of

    Is Australia becoming a more violent country?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Samara McPhedran, Principal Research Fellow, Violence Research and Prevention Program, Griffith University Almost every day, it seems we read or hear reports another family is grieving the murder of a loved one in a street brawl, another business owner is hospitalised after trying to fend off armed

    The royal commission recommended abolishing time limits on abuse cases – a year on, nothing has changed
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Zoë Prebble, Lecturer in Criminal Law, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington Getty Images Among the 138 recommendations of the Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry’s final report to parliament was a clear call: remove the legal time limits that prevent survivors of historic

    Industrial-scale deepfake abuse caused a crisis in South Korean schools. Here’s how Australia can avoid the same fate
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Joel Scanlan, Senior Lecturer in Health Information Management, University of Tasmania South Korea’s deepfake crisis triggered a wave of protests in 2024. Anthony WALLACE / AFP Australian schools are seeing a growing number of incidents in which students have created deepfake sexualised imagery of their classmates. The

    Colombia is producing more cocaine than ever – and more is reaching Australian shores
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Cesar Alvarez, Lecturer in Terrorism and Security Studies, Charles Sturt University Members of the Colombian anti-narcotics police test cocaine after a drug bust. RAUL ARBOLEDA/AFP via Getty Images Imagine an area larger than the Australian Capital Territory, nearly twice the size of London and four times that

    How can I tell if I am lonely? What are some of the signs?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Marlee Bower, Senior Research Fellow, Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, University of Sydney gremlin/Getty Images Without even realising it, your world sometimes gradually gets smaller: less walking, fewer days in the office, cancelling on friends. Watching plans disintegrate on the chat as

    Rockabye baby: the ‘love songs’ of lonely leopard seals resemble human nursery rhymes
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lucinda Chambers, PhD Candidate in Marine Bioacoustics, UNSW Sydney CassandraSm/Shutterstock Late in the evening, the Antarctic sky flushes pink. The male leopard seal wakes and slips from the ice into the water. There, he’ll spend the night singing underwater amongst the floating ice floes. For the next

    Shark tales, a sinking city and a breathless cop thriller: what to watch in August
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alexa Scarlata, Lecturer, Digital Communication, RMIT University As the cool nights continue, it’s the perfect time to cozy up with a new batch of captivating films and series. This month’s streaming highlights bring a little bit of everything, from gripping true crime, to thought-provoking political drama, and

    A Hawaiian epic made in NZ: why Jason Momoa’s Chief of War wasn’t filmed in its star’s homeland
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Duncan Caillard, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, School of Communication Studies, Auckland University of Technology Jason Momoa’s historical epic Chief of War, launching August 1 on Apple TV+, is a triumph of Hawaiians telling their own stories – despite the fact their film and TV production industry now struggles

    As protesters condemn Western media ‘complicity’, Gaza journalists struggle for survival
    Asia Pacific Report Protesters demonstrated outside several major US media outlets in Washington this week condemning their coverage of the genocide in Gaza, claiming they were to blame over misinformation and the worsening catastrophe. Banging pots and pans to spotlight the starvation crisis, they accused the media of “complicity in genocide”. Banners and placards proclaimed

    The company tax regime is a roadblock to business investment. Here’s what needs to change
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alex Robson, Deputy Chair, Productivity Commission, and Adjunct Professor, Queensland University of Technology Erman Gunes/Shutterstock Productivity growth is a key driver of improvements in living standards. But in Australia over the last decade, output per hour worked grew by less than a quarter of its 60-year average.

    Grattan on Friday: Aggrieved Liberals stamp their feet, testing Sussan Ley’s authority
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra As any leader of a political party knows, when you demote people they can become difficult, or worse. Among Opposition Leader Sussan Ley’s multiple problems are two very unhappy former frontbenchers. Sarah Henderson, who was opposition education spokeswoman last term,

    Espionage cost Australia $12.5 billion in 2023-24, ASIO boss Mike Burgess says
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Espionage cost Australia $12.5 billion in 2023-24, according to a study by ASIO and the Australian Institute of Criminology. The figure includes the direct costs of known espionage incidents, including state-sponsored theft of intellectual property, as well as the indirect

    Labor well-placed to win three Bass seats in Tasmanian election, giving left a total of 20 of 35 MPs
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne Labor is well-placed to win three seats in the electorate of Bass at the Tasmanian election, although its party totals imply it deserves only two. This would

    The Muslim world has been strong on rhetoric, short on action over Gaza and Afghanistan
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amin Saikal, Emeritus Professor of Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies, Australian National University; and Vice Chancellor’s Strategic Fellow, Australian National University When it comes to dealing with two of the biggest current crises in the Muslim world – the devastation of Gaza and the Taliban’s draconian

    Kids need to floss too, even their baby teeth. But how do you actually get them to do it?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dileep Sharma, Professor and Head of Discipline – Oral Health, University of Newcastle Jonathan Borba/Pexels A survey from the Australian Dental Association out this week shows about three in four children never floss their teeth, or have adults do it for them. Many of the survey respondents

    Grief is the Thing with Feathers comes to the stage with a glorious intensity of purpose
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Huw Griffiths, Associate Professor of English Literature, University of Sydney Brett Boardman/Belvoir The idea of the titular Crow in Ted Hughes’ poems is wild, untameable and irreducible to words. In an early poem in the sequence, words come at Crow from all angles but he just ignores

    Politics with Michelle Grattan: independent MP Allegra Spender on making tax fairer for younger Australians
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra With parliament now finished its first fortnight’s session, attention will soon be on the government’s August 19-21 economic reform roundtable, bringing together business, unions, experts and community representatives to pursue consensus on ways to lift Australia’s flagging productivity. Independent member

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI China: Naoli River National Natural Reserve in China’s Heilongjiang

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

    Naoli River National Natural Reserve in China’s Heilongjiang

    Updated: August 1, 2025 09:59 Xinhua
    A drone photo taken on July 28, 2025 shows scenery at the Naoli River National Natural Reserve, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A drone photo taken on July 28, 2025 shows scenery at the Naoli River National Natural Reserve, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A drone photo taken on July 28, 2025 shows scenery at the Naoli River National Natural Reserve, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A drone photo taken on July 28, 2025 shows scenery at the Naoli River National Natural Reserve, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A drone photo taken on July 28, 2025 shows scenery at the Naoli River National Natural Reserve, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A drone photo taken on July 28, 2025 shows scenery at the Naoli River National Natural Reserve, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A drone photo taken on July 28, 2025 shows scenery at the Naoli River National Natural Reserve, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A drone photo taken on July 28, 2025 shows scenery at the Naoli River National Natural Reserve, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Scenery of Yaochi Park in Liupanshui, China’s Guizhou

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

    Scenery of Yaochi Park in Liupanshui, China’s Guizhou

    Updated: August 1, 2025 10:05 Xinhua
    An aerial drone photo taken on July 30, 2025 shows a view of Yaochi Park in Zhongshan District of Liupanshui, southwest China’s Guizhou Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
    An aerial drone photo taken on July 30, 2025 shows a view of Yaochi Park in Zhongshan District of Liupanshui, southwest China’s Guizhou Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
    An aerial drone photo taken on July 30, 2025 shows tourists sightseeing at Yaochi Park in Zhongshan District of Liupanshui, southwest China’s Guizhou Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
    An aerial drone photo taken on July 30, 2025 shows tourists sightseeing at Yaochi Park in Zhongshan District of Liupanshui, southwest China’s Guizhou Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
    An aerial drone photo taken on July 30, 2025 shows a view of Yaochi Park in Zhongshan District of Liupanshui, southwest China’s Guizhou Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
    An aerial drone photo taken on July 30, 2025 shows a view of Yaochi Park in Zhongshan District of Liupanshui, southwest China’s Guizhou Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
    An aerial drone photo taken on July 30, 2025 shows a view of Yaochi Park in Zhongshan District of Liupanshui, southwest China’s Guizhou Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
    An aerial drone photo taken on July 30, 2025 shows tourists sightseeing at Yaochi Park in Zhongshan District of Liupanshui, southwest China’s Guizhou Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
    An aerial drone photo taken on July 30, 2025 shows tourists sightseeing at Yaochi Park in Zhongshan District of Liupanshui, southwest China’s Guizhou Province. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: ‘The great mass of waters killed many thousands’: how earthquakes and tsunamis shook ancient Greece and Rome

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Konstantine Panegyres, Lecturer in Classics and Ancient History, The University of Western Australia

    The Roman baths at Sabratha, Libya, were damaged in the earthquake and tsunami of 365 AD Reza / Getty Images

    The Greek poet Crinagoras of Mytilene (1st century BC–1st century AD) once addressed a little poem to an earthquake. He asked the quake not to destroy his house:

    Earthquake, most dread of all shocks … spare my new-built house, for I do not know of any terror equal to the quivering of the earth.

    Like us, ancient people had many things to say about natural disasters. So, what information did they leave behind for us, and what can we learn from them?

    The story of Nicomedia

    One of the most vivid ancient accounts of an earthquake is found in the writings of the Roman historian Ammianus Marcellinus (c. 330–395 AD).

    On August 24 358 AD, there was a huge earthquake at Nicomedia, a city in Asia Minor.

    As Ammianus recounts:

    A terrific earthquake completely overturned the city and its suburbs … since most of the houses were carried down the slopes of the hill, they fell one upon another, while everything resounded with the vast roar of their destruction.

    The human effect was devastating.

    The palace of the emperor Diocletian at Nicomedia was damaged in the quake of 358 AD.
    G. Berggren / Getty Images

    Most people were “killed at one blow”, says Ammianus. Others, he tells us, were “imprisoned unhurt within slanting house roofs, to be consumed by the agony of starvation”.

    Hidden in the rubble “with fractured skulls or amputated arms or legs”, injured survivors “hovered between life and death”, but most could not be recovered, “despite their pleas and protestations” resounding from beneath the rubble, according to Ammianus.

    Famous natural disasters in the ancient world

    A number of natural disasters involving earthquakes and tsunamis were especially famous in ancient Greek and Roman times.

    In 464 BC, in Sparta, there was a huge earthquake. People at the time said it was greater than any earthquake that had ever occurred beforehand.

    According to the Greek writer Plutarch (c. 46–119 AD), the earthquake “tore the land of the Lacedaemonians into many chasms”, collapsed the peaks of the surrounding mountains, and “demolished the entire city with the exception of five houses”.

    In 373–372 BC, the Greek coastal cities of Helice and Buris were destroyed by tsunamis. They were permanently submerged beneath the waves.

    An anonymous Greek poet evocatively wrote that the walls of these cities, which had once been thriving with many people, were now silent under the waves, “clad with thick sea-moss”.

    But arguably the most famous ancient tsunami occurred on July 21 365 AD on the northern coast of Africa, at that time controlled by the Romans.

    Again according to Ammianus, early in the morning there was a huge earthquake. Then, not long after, the water retreated from the shore:

    the sea with its rolling waves was driven back and withdrew from the land, so that in the abyss of the deep thus revealed people saw many kinds of sea-creatures stuck fast in the slime … and vast mountains and deep valleys, which nature had hidden in the unplumbed depths.

    Then, suddenly, the sea returned with a vengeance. As Ammianus tells us, it smashed over the land destroying everything in its path:

    The great mass of waters killed many thousands of people by drowning … the lifeless bodies of shipwrecked persons lay floating on their backs or on their faces … great ships, driven by the mad blasts, landed on the tops of buildings, and some were driven almost two miles inland.

    Earthquakes were famous for their sound. The Roman scholar Pliny the Elder (23–79 AD) explained that earthquakes have a “terrible sound” – like “the bellowing of cattle or the shouts of human beings or the clash of weapons struck together”.

    Ancient ideas about what causes earthquakes and tsunamis

    Like today, ancient people wanted to know what caused these phenomena. There were various different theories.

    Some people thought Poseidon, god of the sea, earthquakes and horses, was responsible.

    As the Greek writer Plutarch (c. 46–119 AD) comments, “men sacrifice to Poseidon when they wish to put a stop to earthquakes”.

    An ancient statue of Poseidon, god of the sea and earthquakes, from the island of Milos.
    Sepia Times / Getty Images

    However, other people looked beyond divine explanations.

    One interesting theory held by the philosopher Anaximenes (6th century BC) was that the earth itself was the cause of earthquakes.

    According to Anaximenes, huge parts of the earth beneath the ground can move, collapse, detach or tear away, thus causing shaking.

    “Huge waves”, said Anaximenes, are “produced by the weight [of falling earth] crashing down into the [waters] from above”.

    Ancient people knew nothing of tectonic plates and continental drift. These were discovered much later, mainly through the pioneering work of Alfred Wegener (1880–1930).

    Preparing for natural disasters

    Ancient Greeks and Romans had little way of predicting or preparing for earthquakes and tsunamis.

    Pherecydes of Samos (6th century BC) was said to have predicted an earthquake “from the appearance of some water drawn from a well”, according to the Roman statesman Cicero (106–43 BC).

    For the most part, though, ancient people had to live at the mercy of these occurrences.

    As the anonymous author of a treatise titled On the Cosmos once wrote, natural disasters are part of life on earth:

    Violent earthquakes before now have torn up many parts of the earth; monstrous storms of rain have burst out and overwhelmed it; incursions and withdrawals of the waves have often made seas of dry land and dry land of seas…

    While our understanding of these events (and our ability to prepare for them, and recover afterward) has improved immeasurably since ancient times, earthquakes and tsunamis are things we will always have to deal with.

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

    – ref. ‘The great mass of waters killed many thousands’: how earthquakes and tsunamis shook ancient Greece and Rome – https://theconversation.com/the-great-mass-of-waters-killed-many-thousands-how-earthquakes-and-tsunamis-shook-ancient-greece-and-rome-262358

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: ‘The great mass of waters killed many thousands’: how earthquakes and tsunamis shook ancient Greece and Rome

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Konstantine Panegyres, Lecturer in Classics and Ancient History, The University of Western Australia

    The Roman baths at Sabratha, Libya, were damaged in the earthquake and tsunami of 365 AD Reza / Getty Images

    The Greek poet Crinagoras of Mytilene (1st century BC–1st century AD) once addressed a little poem to an earthquake. He asked the quake not to destroy his house:

    Earthquake, most dread of all shocks … spare my new-built house, for I do not know of any terror equal to the quivering of the earth.

    Like us, ancient people had many things to say about natural disasters. So, what information did they leave behind for us, and what can we learn from them?

    The story of Nicomedia

    One of the most vivid ancient accounts of an earthquake is found in the writings of the Roman historian Ammianus Marcellinus (c. 330–395 AD).

    On August 24 358 AD, there was a huge earthquake at Nicomedia, a city in Asia Minor.

    As Ammianus recounts:

    A terrific earthquake completely overturned the city and its suburbs … since most of the houses were carried down the slopes of the hill, they fell one upon another, while everything resounded with the vast roar of their destruction.

    The human effect was devastating.

    The palace of the emperor Diocletian at Nicomedia was damaged in the quake of 358 AD.
    G. Berggren / Getty Images

    Most people were “killed at one blow”, says Ammianus. Others, he tells us, were “imprisoned unhurt within slanting house roofs, to be consumed by the agony of starvation”.

    Hidden in the rubble “with fractured skulls or amputated arms or legs”, injured survivors “hovered between life and death”, but most could not be recovered, “despite their pleas and protestations” resounding from beneath the rubble, according to Ammianus.

    Famous natural disasters in the ancient world

    A number of natural disasters involving earthquakes and tsunamis were especially famous in ancient Greek and Roman times.

    In 464 BC, in Sparta, there was a huge earthquake. People at the time said it was greater than any earthquake that had ever occurred beforehand.

    According to the Greek writer Plutarch (c. 46–119 AD), the earthquake “tore the land of the Lacedaemonians into many chasms”, collapsed the peaks of the surrounding mountains, and “demolished the entire city with the exception of five houses”.

    In 373–372 BC, the Greek coastal cities of Helice and Buris were destroyed by tsunamis. They were permanently submerged beneath the waves.

    An anonymous Greek poet evocatively wrote that the walls of these cities, which had once been thriving with many people, were now silent under the waves, “clad with thick sea-moss”.

    But arguably the most famous ancient tsunami occurred on July 21 365 AD on the northern coast of Africa, at that time controlled by the Romans.

    Again according to Ammianus, early in the morning there was a huge earthquake. Then, not long after, the water retreated from the shore:

    the sea with its rolling waves was driven back and withdrew from the land, so that in the abyss of the deep thus revealed people saw many kinds of sea-creatures stuck fast in the slime … and vast mountains and deep valleys, which nature had hidden in the unplumbed depths.

    Then, suddenly, the sea returned with a vengeance. As Ammianus tells us, it smashed over the land destroying everything in its path:

    The great mass of waters killed many thousands of people by drowning … the lifeless bodies of shipwrecked persons lay floating on their backs or on their faces … great ships, driven by the mad blasts, landed on the tops of buildings, and some were driven almost two miles inland.

    Earthquakes were famous for their sound. The Roman scholar Pliny the Elder (23–79 AD) explained that earthquakes have a “terrible sound” – like “the bellowing of cattle or the shouts of human beings or the clash of weapons struck together”.

    Ancient ideas about what causes earthquakes and tsunamis

    Like today, ancient people wanted to know what caused these phenomena. There were various different theories.

    Some people thought Poseidon, god of the sea, earthquakes and horses, was responsible.

    As the Greek writer Plutarch (c. 46–119 AD) comments, “men sacrifice to Poseidon when they wish to put a stop to earthquakes”.

    An ancient statue of Poseidon, god of the sea and earthquakes, from the island of Milos.
    Sepia Times / Getty Images

    However, other people looked beyond divine explanations.

    One interesting theory held by the philosopher Anaximenes (6th century BC) was that the earth itself was the cause of earthquakes.

    According to Anaximenes, huge parts of the earth beneath the ground can move, collapse, detach or tear away, thus causing shaking.

    “Huge waves”, said Anaximenes, are “produced by the weight [of falling earth] crashing down into the [waters] from above”.

    Ancient people knew nothing of tectonic plates and continental drift. These were discovered much later, mainly through the pioneering work of Alfred Wegener (1880–1930).

    Preparing for natural disasters

    Ancient Greeks and Romans had little way of predicting or preparing for earthquakes and tsunamis.

    Pherecydes of Samos (6th century BC) was said to have predicted an earthquake “from the appearance of some water drawn from a well”, according to the Roman statesman Cicero (106–43 BC).

    For the most part, though, ancient people had to live at the mercy of these occurrences.

    As the anonymous author of a treatise titled On the Cosmos once wrote, natural disasters are part of life on earth:

    Violent earthquakes before now have torn up many parts of the earth; monstrous storms of rain have burst out and overwhelmed it; incursions and withdrawals of the waves have often made seas of dry land and dry land of seas…

    While our understanding of these events (and our ability to prepare for them, and recover afterward) has improved immeasurably since ancient times, earthquakes and tsunamis are things we will always have to deal with.

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

    – ref. ‘The great mass of waters killed many thousands’: how earthquakes and tsunamis shook ancient Greece and Rome – https://theconversation.com/the-great-mass-of-waters-killed-many-thousands-how-earthquakes-and-tsunamis-shook-ancient-greece-and-rome-262358

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Why UK recognition of a Palestinian state should not be conditional on Israel’s actions

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Karen Scott, Professor in Law, University of Canterbury

    Getty Images

    The announcement this week by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on the recognition of a Palestininian state has been welcomed by many who want to see a ceasefire in Gaza and lasting peace in the region.

    In contrast to other recent statements on the status of Palestine, however, the UK has said it will recognise Palestine as a state in September

    unless the Israeli government takes substantive steps to end the appalling situation in Gaza and commits to a long term sustainable peace, including through allowing the UN to restart without delay the supply of humanitarian support to the people of Gaza to end starvation, agreeing to a ceasefire, and making clear there will be no annexations in the West Bank.

    Until this week, the UK’s position had been that recognition would only follow a negotiated two-state solution in Israel-Palestine. Other countries have now begun to shift from that position, too.

    The latest UK statement was preceded by announcements from France on July 25 and Canada on July 31 that they too would recognise Palestine as a state in September.

    But the UK position is different in one important way: it is conditional on Israel failing to comply with its international humanitarian obligations in Gaza and the West Bank.

    In other words, recognition of Palestine as a state by the UK is being used as a stick to persuade Israel to agree to a ceasefire. Should Israel agree to those conditions, the UK will presumably not recognise Palestine as a state in September, but will revert to its original position on a two-state solution.

    Conditional recognition subject to action by Israel – a third state – represents an unwelcome and arguably dangerous departure from international practice.

    While recognition (or otherwise) of states is inherently political – as demonstrated by the unique status of Taiwan, for example – it is not and should not be made conditional on the action or inaction of third states.

    How states are recognised

    According to the Convention on the Rights and Duties of States, a state must have a permanent population, territory, an independent government, and the capacity to enter into relations with other states, as well as self-determination.

    Palestine has arguably met all these criteria, with the possible exception of an independent government, given the level of Israeli intervention in the West Bank and the current situation in Gaza.

    Although recognition by other states is arguably not a formal criterion of statehood, it is very difficult to function as a state without reasonably widespread recognition by other states.

    Some 147 countries – two-thirds of UN members – now recognise the State of Palestine, including Spain, Ireland and Norway, which made announcements in 2024.

    Those choosing not to formally recognise a Palestinian state are now in a small minority, including Australia and New Zealand. This is inevitably leading to calls in those countries to change position.

    Australia is considering such a shift, subject to conditions similar to those set out by Canada – including the release of Israeli hostages, the demilitarisation of Hamas, and reform of the Palestinian Authority.

    New Zealand is currently maintaining its longstanding position of recognising Palestine within the context of a two-state solution. On July 30, Foreign Minister Winston Peters and 13 of his counterparts issued a joint statement – the “New York Call” – demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and reiterating “unwavering commitment to the vision of the two-State solution”.

    The statement also asserted that “positive consideration” to recognise the state of Palestine is “an essential step towards the two-state solution”.

    Better options are available

    The UK’s position, however, introduces another dynamic. By using recognition of Palestine as a tool to punish Israel for its actual and alleged breaches of international law in Gaza, it is implicitly failing to respect Palestine’s right to self-determination.

    If Palestine deserves statehood, it is on its own terms, not as a condition of Israel’s policies and actions.

    But it is also setting a dangerous precedent. Countries could choose to recognise (or not recognise) states to pressure or punish them (or indeed other states) for breaches of international law. Such breaches may or may not be connected to the state actually seeking recognition.

    This is important, because the post-colonial settlement of geographical boundaries remains deeply insecure in many regions. As well, low-lying island nations at risk of losing territory from sea-level rise may also find their status challenged, as territory has traditionally been a requirement of statehood.

    The UK’s apparent conditional recognition of Palestine is only likely to increase this international instability around statehood.

    While the UK’s announcement may be “clever politics” from a domestic perspective, and avoids outright US opposition internationally, it has conflated two separate issues.

    The better option would be for the UK to recognise Palestine as a state, joining a growing number of countries that plan to do so in advance of the UN General Assembly meeting in September. It could make this subject to conditions, including the release of hostages and exclusion of Hamas from Palestinian governance.

    And it should continue to press Israel to agree to a ceasefire in addition to the other demands set out in its announcement, and hold Israel accountable for its gross breaches of international law in Gaza. It can back up those demands with appropriate diplomatic and trade sanctions.

    New Zealand, too, has a range of options available, and can help increase the pressure on Israel by using them.

    Karen Scott 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. Why UK recognition of a Palestinian state should not be conditional on Israel’s actions – https://theconversation.com/why-uk-recognition-of-a-palestinian-state-should-not-be-conditional-on-israels-actions-262345

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Collins Announces Contract Award to Bath Iron Works for the Navy’s Newest DDG-51 Destroyer

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Maine Susan Collins

    The DDG-148 will be named after Medal of Honor recipient Corporal Kyle Carpenter of the United States Marine Corps.

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced today that the Navy has awarded Bath Iron Works (BIW) the contract to build the next DDG-51 Arleigh Burke-class destroyer. This new ship, the DDG-148, will be named after Kyle Carpenter – the youngest living Medal of Honor recipient. The Secretary of the Navy John Phelan called Senator Collins to notify her of the award. The award underscores BIW’s role as an essential shipyard for the Navy and a pillar of America’s defense industry.

    The DDG-51 funding was secured by Senator Collins in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 and 2025 appropriations spending packages. BIW then competed to receive this contract.

    “This award is a testament to the highly skilled and hard-working men and women of BIW and once again shows that ‘Bath Built is Best Built’” said Senator Collins. “This destroyer will enhance our national security, protect good-paying Maine jobs, and provide long-term stability for the highly skilled men and women at BIW. As global threats continue to grow, investing in a strong and capable Navy is more important than ever.”

    The announcement marks another major milestone in Senator Collins’ long-standing efforts to strengthen the Navy’s fleet and support Maine’s world-class shipbuilding workforce. It follows historic investments she championed to support long-lead procurement for an additional destroyer.

     

    Corporal Kyle Carpenter received the Medal of Honor in 2014 after heroically shielding a fellow Marine from a grenade blast in Afghanistan in 2010. Despite suffering life-threatening injuries, including the loss of his right eye and extensive surgeries, he made an extraordinary recovery. He later earned his college degree, wrote a memoir titled You Are Worth It, and became a motivational speaker. Corporal Carpenter continues to inspire others through his message of resilience, service, and sacrifice.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: More Than $13 Million for Maine’s Health Care Workforce Advanced by Senator Collins in Funding Bill

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Maine Susan Collins

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that she advanced $13,085,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending for health care workforce training in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Labor, Health, and Human Services, and Education Appropriations bill. The bill, which was officially approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee today, now awaits consideration by the full Senate and House.

    “Maine and states across the country continue to face a shortage of trained health care workers and are struggling to meet the growing demand for medical treatments and services,” said Senator Collins. “This funding would support important programs throughout Maine that are dedicated to filling these gaps in our nation’s health care workforce. As the Chair of the Appropriations Committee, I will continue to advocate for this funding as the appropriations process moves forward.”

    This funding advanced through the Committee’s markup of the FY 2026 Labor, Health, and Human Services, and Education Appropriations bill—an important step that now allows the bill to be considered by the full Senate.

    Funding advanced by Senator Collins is as follows: 

    CMCC Nursing Education Equipment Enhancement

    Recipient: Central Maine Community College (CMCC)

    Project Location: Auburn, ME

    Amount Requested: $1,000,000

    Project Purpose: To purchase nursing education equipment. 

    EMCC Nursing and Allied Health Education Simulation Expansion

    Recipient: Eastern Maine Community College (EMCC)

    Project Location: Bangor, ME

    Amount Requested: $6,510,000

    Project Purpose: To construct and equip a nursing and allied health care simulation laboratory and learning center on campus.

    Health Care Training Center Renovations

    Recipient: University of Maine Farmington

    Project Location: Farmington, ME

    Amount Requested: $1,900,000

    Project Purpose: For facilities and equipment to support a new Health Care Education Center.

    Health Care Training Equipment Upgrades

    Recipient: University of Maine System

    Project Location: Presque Isle, ME

    Amount Requested: $1,500,000

    Project Purpose: To purchase equipment for the health care profession programs at the University of Maine Presque Isle.

    NMCC Nursing and Allied Health Education Simulation Expansion

    Recipient: Northern Maine Community College (NMCC)

    Project Location: Presque Isle, ME

    Amount Requested: $650,000

    Project Purpose: To purchase labor and delivery simulation equipment.

    Growing Maine’s Dental Workforce

    Recipient: Children’s Oral Health Network of Maine

    Project Location: Statewide

    Amount Requested: $525,000

    Project Purpose: To purchase equipment to train independent practice dental hygienists.

    Maine Statewide CNA Training Program

    Recipient: Hanley Center for Health Leadership and Education DBA Maine Medical Education Trust

    Project Location: Statewide

    Amount Requested: $1,000,000

    Project Purpose: To support certified nursing assistant training for long-term care.

    In 2021, Congress reinstituted Congressionally Directed Spending. Following this decision, Senator Collins has secured more than $1 billion for hundreds of Maine projects for FY 2022, FY 2023, and FY 2024. As the Chair of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Collins is committed to championing targeted investments that will benefit Maine communities.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Grassley Questions Treasury Nominee on Biofuels, Wind and Solar Provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley

    WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), a senior member and former chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, today questioned Treasury Department nominee Derek Theurer on the implementation of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

    Grassley asked whether Theurer would advise the Treasury Department to maintain its longstanding interpretation of “began construction.” Grassley requested a timeline on formal guidance for implementing the clean fuels tax credit to provide Iowa’s biofuels industry greater certainty.

    Grassley also questioned Bryan Switzer, nominee to be Deputy U.S. Trade Representative, about America’s trade balance with China. 

    [embedded content]

    VIDEO

    On Wins on the One Big Beautiful Bill Act

    The One Big Beautiful Bill was an historic achievement. We averted the largest tax increase in history. It made pro-growth business provisions permanent. It unlocked business investment that will create jobs. The bill also provides additional middle-class tax relief.

    Implementing the Bill as Congress Intended

    As Treasury works to implement the bill, the agency must work with members to ensure the provisions are implemented according to the statute and faithful to congressional intent.

    So, the first question is a very general one. Can we count on you to keep Congress well informed during the implementation process and consult with [relevant] members of Congress where questions arise as to what was congressional intent?

    Wind and Solar Provisions, 45Z Implementation

    There are several provisions that I’m particularly interested in, in seeing faithfully implemented. This includes the structure of the phase-out for the wind and solar credits and modifications to the Clean Fuels Production Credit. And, remember, you’re talking to the father of the Wind Energy Tax Credit.

    I worked with my colleagues to provide wind and solar an appropriate glide path for the orderly phase-out of the tax credits. Ultimately, Congress enshrined in statute a 12-month transition period based on when projects “begin construction.”

    What it means for a project to “begin construction” has been very well established by Treasury guidance for more than a decade. Moreover, Congress specifically references current Treasury guidance to set that term’s meaning in law. It seems to me, this is a case where both the law and congressional intent are very, very clear.

    So, Mr. Theurer, will you commit to advising the Department that both the law and congressional intent are clear and that the “beginning of construction” – those official words – means what it has meant for more than a decade?

    Impact of the Clean Fuels Credit on Biofuels

    The reconciliation bill includes an extension and modification of [the] Clean Fuel[s] Production Tax Credit under 45Z. Implementing this credit properly and quickly is important for the biofuels industry and its participants, especially farmers. The Biden administration failed to meaningfully address 45Z regulations, which has caused major market disruptions, including plant closures.

    When can we expect to see guidance formally implementing the clean fuels credit so the biofuels industry can confidently move forward with operations?

    America’s Trade Balance with China

    You will be handling areas of international trade, and I’m interested in China. Based on your personal history, you know how challenging this will be. Do you think that the whole United States economy needs to decouple completely from China, or only certain sectors of our economy?

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: 44 dead, 9 missing after recent rainstorms hit Beijing

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

    Rescuers transfer a stranded resident in Liulimiao Town of Huairou District, Beijing, capital of China, July 30, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    The death toll from the recent intense rainstorms in Beijing has risen to 44, with nine others still missing, according to a press conference held on Thursday.

    Among the deaths, 31 were reported at an elderly care center in the town of Taishitun, Miyun District, said Xia Linmao, executive vice mayor of Beijing.

    Among those missing are four village Party secretaries who played crucial roles in the disaster relief and rescue efforts.

    Beijing’s latest flooding has affected more than 300,000 residents and damaged about 24,000 houses. The heavy rainfall was concentrated in the northern mountainous areas, where infrastructure in 40 townships and 312 administrative villages was badly damaged.

    The torrential rain triggered flash floods, which unleashed devastating force compounded by surging upstream flows, according to Xia.

    Xia added that the downpour placed enormous pressure on the operation of the Miyun Reservoir, Beijing’s largest reservoir. At its peak, the inflow could fill the entire Kunming Lake of the Summer Palace in just five minutes.

    Liu Bin, head of the Beijing municipal water affairs bureau, said that by Thursday noon, the Miyun Reservoir had received 910 million cubic meters of inflow in just seven days, nearly 30 percent above the previous record of 710 million cubic metres in 1974.

    As of Thursday noon, the reservoir’s water level had fallen back to 155.38 meters. The reservoir is in safe and stable conditions, Liu added.

    From July 23 to 29, the Chinese capital saw persistent extreme rainstorms, with mountainous areas of districts such as Miyun, Huairou, Yanqing and Pinggu being among the hardest hit.

    On Saturday evening, in response to sudden torrential rainfall and red warning for rainstorms and floods in the affected regions, Beijing authorities immediately launched the level I emergency response for flood, issuing public warnings and safety guidelines. Rescue and relief efforts were promptly organized, with teams working swiftly to evacuate a total of 104,000 people. Search and rescue operations have helped save more than 5,400 trapped individuals, while efforts continue to assist the injured, according to Xia.

    At present, 364 out of 424 disrupted rural roads have been cleared, with plans to reopen all major highways by Thursday. The emergency water supply has been restored to all affected administrative villages, while electricity has been restored to 105 of the 213 villages that experienced power outages.

    Wu Zhenkun, head of Beijing fire and rescue brigade, told the conference that during the recent rainstorms, a total of 6,830 personnel were dispatched, along with 1,356 vehicles and 296 boats. The rescue teams saved 1,879 people, evacuated 3,521 others, and delivered around 56 tonnes of emergency supplies.

    Drones and heavy machinery, such as bulldozers and excavators, were used in the rescue operations. The teams also utilized boats, ropes, ladders and swimming tactics to ensure the safe evacuation of the people that were trapped, Wu added.

    Xia said the government will ensure the living conditions of disaster-stricken communities by accelerating repairs of damaged homes and ensure that residents can safely return to their villages.

    All-out efforts are being made to ensure the provision of essential supplies and care for vulnerable groups. Further attention is being given to the families of the victims, offering psychological support and speeding up the repair of damaged infrastructure, including roads, power, water and communication services, according to Xia.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China urges Japan to take effective measures to ensure safety of Chinese citizens: FM spokesperson

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

    China has noted relevant reports on two Chinese men seriously beaten in Tokyo, and urged the Japanese side to implement effective measures to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said in Beijing on Thursday.

    It was reported that two Chinese men were attacked by four men in Tokyo earlier on Thursday — resulting in serious injuries.

    In response, spokesperson Guo Jiakun told a press briefing that China has noted relevant reports, adding that the Chinese Embassy in Japan immediately expressed its concern to the Japanese side and is further verifying the situation.

    “We urge the Japanese side to take effective measures to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens,” Guo said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: SCO summit poised for fruitful outcomes

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

    This aerial view taken on June 16, 2023 shows a view of north China’s Tianjin Municipality. [Photo/Xinhua]

    The upcoming summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Tianjin will mark the largest gathering the SCO has ever seen, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Thursday, highlighting China’s readiness to host a summit of friendship, unity and fruitful results.

    The SCO Summit, which is scheduled for Aug 31 and Sept 1, will bring together leaders of more than 20 countries and heads of 10 international organizations, spokesman Guo Jiakun said at a regular news conference.

    China, which assumed the SCO’s rotating presidency in July 2024, will work with other member states to ensure the summit yields rich outcomes and injects more solidarity, coordination and vitality into the organization, Guo said.

    Looking back on the year, he said that China has made concrete efforts to advance its work as the SCO chair and achieved progress.

    China has hosted more than 100 events as the SCO chair, he said, adding that nearly half of them were institutional and covered multiple areas such as politics, security, economy and trade, investment, energy, the digital economy and people-to-people exchanges.

    These events strengthened solidarity and mutual trust among SCO countries, and allowed them to learn more from each other and achieve win-win outcomes, Guo said.

    China has worked with other member states to advance SCO reform and innovation in various fields to ensure smoother and more efficient operation of the organization, he added.

    Member states are accelerating consultations regarding the establishment of a comprehensive center for dealing with security threats and challenges, an information security center, a center for fighting transnational organized crime and a counternarcotics center, in order to build a new paradigm for regional security cooperation, the spokesman said.

    Over the past year, the SCO has further promoted the “Shanghai Spirit”, Guo said, noting that the organization has spoken up about major international and regional issues to uphold justice, firmly upheld the multilateral trading system and strongly condemned the abuse of armed force.

    The “Shanghai Spirit”, which is an underlying value for the SCO, promotes mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diversity of civilizations and pursuit of common development.

    In mid-July, foreign ministers of the 10 SCO member states and officials of the organization gathered in Tianjin to make preparations for the summit.

    Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who hosted that meeting, called for the organization to carry forward the “Shanghai Spirit” and strengthen cooperation to boost security and growth.

    Wang, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, encouraged all member states to get along well with each other and uphold international justice.

    Zhao Huirong, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences’ Institute of Russian, Eastern European and Central Asian Studies, said that China has made significant contributions to the development of the SCO, and the more than 100 events the country hosted over the past year reflect the great importance it attaches to the organization.

    Noting that the SCO is expected to adopt a strategy in Tianjin guiding its development through 2035, Zhao said the summit will become a historical moment for the organization. It will also help the SCO better address its member states’ call for cooperation to tackle international and regional challenges, she added.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s gaming market sees 14% sales revenue growth in H1

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

    China’s gaming market sees 14% sales revenue growth in H1

    Xinhua | August 1, 2025

    A booth showcasing “Wuchang: Fallen Feathers” is pictured at the Bilibili World 2025 convention for digital content and creators in Shanghai, east China, July 11, 2025. (Bilibili/Handout via Xinhua)

    China’s gaming market saw its actual sales revenue reach a record high of 168 billion yuan (about 23.5 billion U.S. dollars) in the first half of 2025, up 14.08 percent year on year, according to the ongoing China International Digital Entertainment Industry Conference (CDEC) Summit Forum in Shanghai.

    During the period, the number of Chinese game users approached 679 million. The actual sales revenue of Chinese self-developed games in overseas markets exceeded 9.5 billion U.S. dollars, up 11.07 percent year on year.

    The major overseas markets for Chinese games are the United States, which accounts for 31.96 percent, followed by Japan and the Republic of Korea, according to an industry report released during the conference by China Audio-video and Digital Publishing Association.

    China is the world’s largest gaming market, with domestic sales revenue surpassing 325 billion yuan in 2024.

    “The Chinese gaming industry, with its profound cultural heritage and continuous technological innovation, is gaining high recognition on the world stage,” said Ao Ran, executive vice president and secretary general of the association.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s desert spring hits 20-year high in water level, revealing ecological progress

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

    China’s desert spring hits 20-year high in water level, revealing ecological progress

    Tourists visit the Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Spring scenic spot in Dunhuang City, northwest China’s Gansu Province, May 31, 2025. Crescent Spring, a famed desert oasis in northwest China’s Gansu Province, has recorded its highest water level and largest surface area in over 20 years, signaling a major victory in ecological restoration efforts.(Photo by Zhang Xiaoliang/Xinhua)

    Crescent Spring, a famed desert oasis in northwest China’s Gansu Province, has recorded its highest water level and largest surface area in over 20 years, signaling a major victory in ecological restoration efforts.

    According to a report by the provincial geological environment monitoring institute released on Wednesday, the crescent-shaped oasis now stands at 3.8 meters deep and spans 2.12 hectares, a dramatic recovery from the late 1990s, when the average water level dropped below 1 meter and the surface area was reduced to just 0.17 hectares.

    Nestled among the towering dunes of Mingsha Mountain in Dunhuang, a key hub of the ancient Silk Road, Crescent Spring has been celebrated for at least 2,000 years as a natural marvel where shifting sands and clear waters coexist in harmonious balance, according to historical records.

    The beautiful spring not only dazzles visitors but also sustains Dunhuang’s fragile desert ecosystem, with groundwater from nearby rivers percolating through porous sands to offset evaporation.

    Over the past decades, however, environmental changes and human activities have led to falling groundwater levels that pushed the spring to the brink of drying up.

    The turning point came in 2011, when the State Council introduced a comprehensive plan for Dunhuang’s water protection and ecological restoration, with a groundwater replenishment project for Crescent Spring being its key part.

    Huang Wenming, the service center director of the Crescent Spring scenic area, explained that the project aims to enhance groundwater replenishment by constructing infiltration dams along the Dang River.

    “By prolonging water retention time through 12 permeable dams, it raises the upstream water table to reverse the declining trend around Crescent Spring, ensuring this natural wonder remains forever vibrant,” Huang said.

    Thanks to these efforts, the average water level of the spring has risen steadily, surpassing 3 meters in 2021 before reaching a new peak this year.

    In addition to restoring Crescent Spring, the project also supports the region’s water storage, flood control and wetland development, contributing to improvements in the local ecosystem.

    The spring is also safeguarded through scientific research. Using advanced techniques such as three-dimensional laser scanning, high-precision wind tunnel tests and numerical simulations based on actual terrain, teams from the Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources (NIEER) under the Chinese Academy of Sciences have successfully unraveled the sand-spring coexistence mechanism and proposed targeted measures to protect the spring from shifting dunes.

    An Zhishan, a senior engineer at NIEER, noted that protection efforts for Crescent Spring have evolved from ad-hoc emergency responses to long-term, standardized management, incorporating scientific monitoring, systematic regulation and routine conservation, which has yielded remarkable results.

    Thanks to these concerted efforts, the local ecosystem has seen significant improvements, injecting new vitality into the tourism industry.

    From January to June this year, the scenic area welcomed some 1.26 million visitors, up 3.2 percent year on year, according to the local culture and tourism bureau.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Enduring legacy of anti-Japanese guerrilla base in northeast China

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

    Meng Qingxu, leader of the Hongshilazi Site excavation team, introduces a historical site at the ancient forests of Hongshilazi in Panshi City, northeast China’s Jilin Province, June 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Yan Linyun)

    Winding through the ancient forests of Hongshilazi in Panshi City, northeast China’s Jilin Province, wooden boardwalks overlook faint semi-subterranean house foundations, the remnants of a secret network once housing a field hospital, arsenal and command post for the Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army.

    In the autumn of 1932, 27-year-old Communist Party of China (CPC) member Ma Shangde, under the alias Zhang Guanyi, arrived in the dense forests of Hongshilazi, which means “red rocks.” His mission was urgent and perilous: to unite scattered anti-Japanese militias into a single front against the formidable invaders. He carried a rallying cry that echoed through the trees, clear, simple and powerful: “Chinese don’t fight Chinese; save the bullets for the enemies.”

    He reorganized Panshi’s anti-Japanese volunteer forces into the South Manchuria Guerrilla Force of the CPC-led Red Army, achieving several victories against enemy encirclement and suppression campaigns. As one of the founders and key leaders of the Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army, Ma would later be immortalized by history under his heroic name: General Yang Jingyu.

    These mountains, once the frontlines of guerrilla resistance, now tell a different story. As the CPC’s first anti-Japanese base in northeast China, Hongshilazi and the wider Panshi region have transformed from battlegrounds into a thriving hub of “red tourism,” where history lives on through footsteps and stories rather than ruins.

    For decades, the heroic struggle of the Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army existed mostly in scattered documents and fading memories, a legacy historians often called “recorded in text, but absent on the ground.” That began to change with the arrival of archaeologists, as their work has uncovered the long-lost physical traces missing from the historical record.

    “Telling the story of the Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army inevitably leads you to Hongshilazi,” said Wang Zhongshi, deputy director of the Hongshilazi Site protection center.

    The earliest archaeological survey of the Hongshilazi Site began in 1958, carried out jointly by the history department of Jilin University and the Jilin provincial cultural relics management committee. In 2019, the site was designated as a major national cultural heritage unit under protection.

    Launched in 2021, a five-year archaeological initiative — the first systematic excavation of a nationally protected site linked to the Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army — has yielded remarkable results.

    By the end of 2024, archaeologists had identified more than 3,300 ruins scattered across the mountainous terrain and unearthed 938 artifacts tied to the guerrilla force, including locally-made Jingal muskets, single swords used by the youth battalion, and even a Japanese-made iron box containing gun repair tools.

    “No one really knew what the Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army’s sites looked like or what their hidden camps were like until now,” said Meng Qingxu from the Jilin provincial institute of cultural relics and archaeology, who is leading the Hongshilazi Site excavation team.

    “These five years of work have resolved a long-standing issue: a history well recorded in writing but lacking physical evidence,” he said. Today, Hongshilazi stands as the largest, best-preserved, richest in content, and most fully functional complex of Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army sites in China.

    This file photo provided by the interviewee shows the scenery of Hongshilazi Mountain in Panshi City, northeast China’s Jilin Province, Dec. 12, 2023. (Xinhua)

    Preservation efforts at Hongshilazi extend far beyond excavation. A comprehensive master plan spanning 6,115 hectares divides the area into core protection zones, construction control zones and environmental buffer zones. While experimental backfilling protection is implemented in certain excavated areas, 2,400 meters of gravel paths and 600 meters of elevated wooden boardwalks now guide visitors through the terrain, offering access without disturbing the fragile ruins.

    To bring history to life, five key structures, including sentry posts and a clothing factory, have been rebuilt. Surrounding them, nine themed squares and 13 interpretive signs bring to life the arduous years of struggle endured by the Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army.

    According to Meng, the next phase of site preservation faces significant hurdles, foremost among them the harsh climate of the forested region, marked by relentless freeze-thaw cycles that threaten the integrity of exposed remains.

    “We’re working with Jilin University to run long-term monitoring experiments, tracking surface temperature, humidity, pressure and watching how these variables shift across all four seasons,” Meng said. “Only with that data in hand can we develop future protection strategies.”

    The smoke of battle has long since cleared, yet the spirit of the Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army, rooted in the forests of Hongshilazi, lives on in Panshi.

    Dozens of kilometers to the east, in Guanma New Village, tourists are arriving in growing numbers. In recent years, the village has embraced red tourism as a pillar of its rural revitalization, with the spirit of the Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army becoming a driving force for local development. A themed education exhibition hall now stands at the heart of the village, alongside a newly opened bookstore and cinema, transforming history into both a living classroom and a magnet for visitors.

    Once a primarily agricultural mountain village, Guanma is now charting a new path of diversified development, with red tourism and history education at its core, according to Zhang Hongqiu, director of the Panshi municipal bureau of culture, radio, television and tourism. In 2024, Panshi welcomed 1.7 million tourists, generating 850 million yuan (about 118.9 million U.S. dollars) in tourism revenue, with more than 70 percent of visitors drawn by red tourism.

    Panshi’s red heritage now threads through diverse sectors, from dining and homestays to local specialty agricultural products, enriching both the local economy and cultural landscape.

    As cultural tourism flourishes, Panshi’s agricultural development is keeping pace. On the hillsides above Beiguokui Village in Baoshan Township, 300 hectares of Jinxiu crabapple orchards burst into full bloom.

    Village Party secretary Luan Rensheng noted that the village’s unique blend of water and mountainous terrain is ideal for fruit tree cultivation. After years of varietal refinement, Jinxiu crabapples have emerged as the premier choice for large-scale planting, now cultivated as a premium product.

    Not far from the village, in a bustling factory, young entrepreneur Yang Shangbin is gearing up to add two new production lines. Since returning home in 2016, he has set up cold chain facilities, invested in cutting-edge equipment, and driven research and development, all with strong support from the local government. His company’s products, like crabapple wine, dried crabapples and crabapple tea, have quickly gained traction, with strong market demand.

    “We’re about to double our crabapple procurement this year,” Yang said. “There’s immense potential here at home. Starting a business brings promising opportunities.”

    Ma Chengming, Yang Jingyu’s great-grandson, now in his late 20s, chose to work in Panshi after graduating from university. “In my senior year, Panshi was the first stop on my journey retracing the Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army’s route. Along the way, elders shared stories about their sacrifices,” he recalled.

    While working at the grassroots level in rural Panshi, Ma actively led initiatives to boost local prosperity. Beyond his primary responsibilities, he regularly gave talks on the red spirit in schools and communities, and volunteered as a docent at the village history museum. In sharing Panshi’s story, Ma speaks not only as a local resident but also as the great-grandson of a national hero who once fought there.

    Once, deep within the forests of Hongshilazi, fighters of the Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army laid down their lives to defend this land. Today, across the wide stretches of Panshi, a new generation is shaping its future with wisdom and hard work.

    “The spirit of my great-grandfather has long been woven into this land,” Ma said. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese Academy of Engineering unveils list of key emerging AI technologies

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

    Chinese Academy of Engineering unveils list of key emerging AI technologies

    Xinhua | August 1, 2025

    Visitors interact with a robot dog at the 2025 World AI Conference (WAIC) in east China’s Shanghai, July 29, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Haoming)

    The Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE) on Thursday released a list of next-generation information engineering and emerging artificial intelligence (AI) technologies that it expects will become hotspots for AI development in the next five to 10 years.

    The list includes nearly 300 technologies across three categories.

    For innovations in information engineering, it identifies 163 technologies, including 6G communication, multimodal large-scale AI models and super general-purpose agents.

    For traditional industry transformation and interdisciplinary integration, the list encompasses 122 emerging technologies, such as computational neuroscience, smart wearables, and an AI-assisted drug design that could catalyze a productivity revolution.

    It also highlights 12 AI hotspots that are closely related to daily life, including large AI model technologies, intelligent unmanned systems and embodied intelligence.

    According to CAE academician Yu Shaohua, the list aims to enhance public understanding of the future societal impacts of AI while providing strategic reference for AI development plans. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Thriving under pressure: Chinese companies build resilience, boost innovation amid headwinds

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

    Thriving under pressure: Chinese companies build resilience, boost innovation amid headwinds

    Merchant Sun Lijuan (R) introduces products to an Indian merchant inside her shop at the Yiwu International Trade Mart in Yiwu, east China’s Zhejiang Province, May 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Han Chuanhao)

    “It’s hot and wet today,” chirped a doll in a clear, childlike voice, dressed in a pink floral blouse and a rainbow tulle skirt. The doll was on display at a toy stall in Yiwu City, a bustling trade hub in east China often dubbed the “world’s supermarket.”

    The question — “What’s the weather like today?” — came from stall owner Sun Lijuan, who has worked in the doll business in Yiwu for over a decade.

    Her latest model, now powered by AI, marks a major shift from the talking toys of the past. “It’s no longer just a doll that sings, tells stories, or answers basic questions,” Sun said. “Now it can respond to almost anything. For kids, it’s more like a companion — a friend.”

    Sun is currently developing Spanish-language versions and has asked long-time clients to take the new AI dolls’ smart modules to South America to test server connectivity.

    Amid global tariff headwinds, innovation is unfolding daily in Yiwu across a wide range of industries and products. Local businesses are steadily strengthening both resilience and innovation capacity, driving a 24.5 percent year-on-year increase in the city’s exports in the first half of the year.

    Visits by foreign buyers in Yiwu jumped 18.6 percent from a year earlier in the first five months, underscoring growing interest in the city’s expanding and evolving product lines.

    The resilience of the “world’s supermarket” echoed a robust 5.3 percent year-on-year growth in China’s GDP in the first half of the year. Behind this hard-won result against the global backdrop of economic and trade headwinds, businesses like Sun’s tell inspiring stories of agility and enterprise.

    Merchants participate in a language learning session at the Yiwu International Trade Market in Yiwu, east China’s Zhejiang Province, May 16, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Shuo)

    WEATHERING GLOBAL UNCERTAINTIES

    The rapid rollout of new products, Sun said, owes much to China’s strengths in innovation and talent. “Since the rapid ascent of DeepSeek earlier this year, we’ve been approached by many integrated circuit chip developers eager to collaborate on next-generation dolls,” she said. “I’ve never had so much contact with PhDs from top universities and tech firms.”

    This year has also been one of personal growth for Sun. After DeepSeek gained attention, the Yiwu International Trade Market began offering free AI training and she managed to pick up several software skills.

    In March, a long-time client from Mexico visited her shop and requested adjustments to the doll’s facial features and clothing. Sun made the edits on her computer within minutes, impressing the client and securing an order on the spot.

    “Many people have asked me whether external uncertainties have hit my factory hard, and I always say the impact has been limited,” Sun said, noting her factory has, over the years, developed talking dolls in multiple languages, including Spanish, English, Arabic and Russian, for more than 50 markets such as Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

    “Entrepreneurs in Yiwu who’ve made it this far have been tested by the market repeatedly. Without foresight, they would’ve been pushed out of the market long ago,” she added.

    The new AI-powered dolls cost three to four times as much to produce as older talking models, but they also bring higher profit margins, according to Sun.

    Sun Lijuan said the production cost of the new AI-powered dolls is three to four times that of traditional talking models — but the added technology also brings higher profit margins.

    Sun’s toy business offers a glimpse into a broader trend. Across China, companies are drawing on the country’s institutional strengths, vast market potential, resilient supply chains, a deep talent pool, and growing innovation and openness to sharpen their resilience and adaptability in an increasingly complex global landscape.

    SHARPENING INNOVATION

    On the vast Gobi Desert in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, towering high-voltage power lines form a striking “forest of steel.” Between the power lines, drones flit in and out of view like birds patrolling their territory, detecting minor faults or unusual objects on the towers and cables.

    This photo taken on Aug. 13, 2024 shows a 750-kilovolt (kV) power transmission line under construction in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by Ma Yuan/Xinhua)

    This is a fully autonomous drone inspection system developed by technology company I-KINGTEC in north China’s Tianjin Municipality. A young tech firm founded just eight years ago is helping to solve one of the toughest challenges of power line inspections in uninhabited regions.

    Its “Orca” drone can autonomously take off, fly missions and collect data. Serving as its all-weather base, the “Tiger Den” station can automatically replace the drone’s battery pod — a task that once depended almost entirely on manual labor.

    “How to make drones truly unmanned throughout the entire workflow has been the question we sought to answer from the very beginning,” said Zhu Shengli, co-founder of the company. He noted that the firm’s technological breakthroughs have been made possible by China’s supportive policies for the low-altitude economy and a strong talent pool.

    At Zhu’s company, the average age of employees is just 27, and R&D staff make up 70 percent of the workforce. The company has filed more than 600 IP applications to date.

    It posted over 200 million yuan (28 million U.S. dollars) in revenue last year, and its first-quarter earnings this year have already exceeded the full-year total for 2024.

    China’s tech firms like Zhu’s have seen strong momentum this year. In the first half of 2025, the country’s high-tech sectors posted rapid gains, with value-added industrial output in high-tech manufacturing rising 9.5 percent, 3.1 percentage points higher than the overall industrial growth during the same period.

    Sheng Laiyun, deputy head of the National Bureau of Statistics, described the “accumulation of new growth momentum” as a key feature of China’s economic performance. He noted an accelerating integration of technological and industrial innovation, which is high on policymakers’ agendas.

    To boost innovation, China has introduced a series of policy measures this year, including setting up a national venture capital guidance fund expected to mobilize 1 trillion yuan, expanding re-lending for tech innovation and upgrades from 500 billion to 800 billion yuan, and launching a dedicated “sci-tech board” in the bond market. The measures aim to channel more financial resources into early-stage, small-scale, long-term, and hard-tech ventures.

    TAPPING VAST DOMESTIC MARKET

    At a time when global demand is uneven, China’s vast domestic market of over 1.4 billion people continues to serve as a powerful anchor. Consumer demand is evolving rapidly, driving the emergence of new business models and product innovations.

    Despite pressures on the broader food service sector, Xibei, a leading Chinese catering chain brand with nearly 400 outlets and around 17,000 employees, is charting a different course by upgrading its children’s meals and offering higher-quality options to attract family diners, a strategy that has helped lift overall sales.

    The chain now offers four kids’ meal set options. One standout is a 69-yuan set featuring a whole yellow croaker, organic vegetables, corn soup, shrimp and egg custard, mousse, and hand-rolled oat noodles. To ensure it’s safe for children to eat, each fish goes through three rounds of machine inspection followed by manual deboning.

    “Kids’ meals are emerging as a powerful driver of family dining. Parents are willing to invest in quality for their children,” said Song Xuan, vice president of Xibei.

    Sales of Xibei’s children’s meals rose 7.4 percent year on year last year. Families dining with children now make up about 50 percent of total tables across its outlets on average.

    Despite skepticism over China’s consumer momentum and concerns about weak market demand, Xibei offers a snapshot of the country’s evolving spending power.

    China’s consumer market continued to gain momentum in the first half of the year, with retail sales of consumer goods rising 5 percent year on year, 0.4 percentage points faster than in the first quarter. Consumption contributed 52 percent to GDP growth during the period, making it the main driver of the economy.

    The vast Chinese market is also a shared market for the world, with consumer goods imports totaling 7.4 trillion yuan between 2021 and 2024, according to the Ministry of Commerce. In terms of actual purchasing power, China’s retail sales of consumer goods surpassed those of the United States last year, reaching 1.6 times the U.S. level, based on World Bank data and calculations.

    Xiong Yi, China Chief Economist at Deutsche Bank, noted strong potential for further growth in services consumption. “China has likely reached a development stage where its population will have increasing demand for higher-quality services,” he said.

    To better meet differentiated demand and tap deeper into China’s growing dining market, Xibei plans to roll out lightly salted meal sets for toddlers as young as one or two years old.

    “We are confident in the long-term prospects of China’s catering industry, given its vast growth potential. To stay competitive in such a rapidly evolving market, we must continue to transform and upgrade,” said Jia Guolong, chairman and founder of Xibei.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China champions global cooperation on wetland conservation at COP15

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

    Amid growing global attention to wetland conservation, China’s efforts and achievements in this field are particularly eye-catching at the 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (COP15), due to conclude in Victoria Falls on Thursday.

    From building the world’s largest number of international wetland cities to achieving legislative breakthroughs and forging capacity-building partnerships with other countries, China has embraced a comprehensive approach to wetland protection, deeply rooted in ecological civilization and its unwavering support for global efforts.

    An aerial drone photo taken on June 5, 2025 shows volunteers taking a boat to inspect the breeding habitat of migrant birds at a wetland on the estuary of the Baisha River in Qingdao City, east China’s Shandong Province. (Photo by Wang Haibin/Xinhua)

    SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS

    At the height of summer, deep within the East Dongting Lake National Nature Reserve in central China’s Yueyang city, Hunan province, schools of fish swim freely in the lake, deer bound through the forests, and birds sing joyfully among the trees.

    “We are proud to say that the wetlands are now the ecological calling cards of Yueyang,” said Yu Ge, a representative of the city who attended COP15 in the resort city of Victoria Falls in the Matabeleland North Province of Zimbabwe.

    The COP15, themed “Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future,” brought together government representatives to strengthen international commitments to wetland conservation and to highlight the vital role of wetlands in sustaining ecological health, biodiversity and climate resilience.

    Yu actively promoted Yueyang at every event during his short stay in Zimbabwe, warmly inviting participants from different countries to explore the city. With approximately 285,200 hectares of wetlands, Yueyang has stepped up its conservation efforts in recent years and was officially recognized as an international wetland city at this year’s COP15.

    A total of nine Chinese cities won the prestigious title during the meeting, bringing the total number of such cities in China to 22, the highest in the world, showcasing the country’s significant achievements in wetland conservation.

    According to China’s National Forestry and Grassland Administration, China currently boasts 56.35 million hectares of wetlands, ranking fourth in the world. It is also home to 82 Wetlands of International Importance and five national parks.

    Yan Zhen, deputy head of China’s National Forestry and Grassland Administration, said during the meeting that in recent years, China has continuously improved its legal and institutional framework for wetland conservation, comprehensively protected wetland ecosystems, and actively engaged in international cooperation, continuously contributing to global wetland protection efforts.

    “Over the last 20 years, China has made significant progress in wetland conservation, marking a turning point that has led to a more balanced and sustainable relationship between humans and nature,” Yan said.

    SHINING EXAMPLE

    China became a party to the Ramsar Convention in 1992 and hosted COP14 in 2022, during which it was elected as chair of the standing committee to lead the convention process for the following three years.

    This photo taken on July 22, 2025 shows a herd of yaks in a wetland near Mapam Yumco Lake in Burang County of Ngari Prefecture, southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Tenzing Nima Qadhup)

    In an exclusive interview with Xinhua during COP15, Musonda Mumba, secretary general of the Convention on Wetlands, said she assumed the role six weeks before the opening of COP14 and felt “very fortunate” to start the journey with China. “China has provided leadership in making sure that all the draft resolutions made at COP14 were dealt with and delivered in a timely manner.”

    China’s Wetland Protection Law, effective since June 2022, is the country’s first dedicated legislation on wetlands, providing a comprehensive legal framework for wetland conservation, restoration, management and sustainable use.

    Hailing the law as a “shining example” to the world, Mumba said, “China is one of the very few countries that actually have a wetland law. And that for me is also incredibly impressive, because not only does the law talk about having inventory, having the right data, managing these wetland systems, it also talks about the role of cities and why these cities matter.”

    The success in wetland conservation has not only benefited China’s biodiversity, but also contributed to the health of cross-border ecosystems by integrating wetland protection with other environmental goals, such as migratory bird conservation, she noted.

    Moreover, China’s efforts to raise awareness have sparked a significant increase in global interest in wetland conservation over the past years, she added.

    “Indeed, if you look across the world, China has taken a leadership position in doing the right thing for wetlands,” Coenraad Krijger, CEO of Wetlands International, a global not-for-profit organisation, told Xinhua on the sidelines of COP15.

    He applauded China for its leading role in the global wetland preservation agenda, noting that China’s status as a major investment partner in the world makes it a key player in safeguarding the health of wetland ecosystems.

    “Through the trade relations that China has, and the investments that China has all over the world, (China) is also connected to (other) very important wetlands worldwide,” Krijger said.

    While development is welcome, there is a need to maintain a balance between development and the health of wetlands, he said, adding that he is eager to visit Chinese wetland cities in the future to learn how they achieve urban development while reaping the benefits of preserving the wetlands.

    UNWAVERING COMMITMENT

    In many rapidly developing regions of Africa, urban expansion has taken a toll on wetlands, a growing issue that communities and policymakers are striving to address.

    This photo taken on Nov. 27, 2023 shows little swans resting at a wetland in Yueyang City, central China’s Hunan Province. (Photo by Cao Zhengping/Xinhua)

    According to Wetlands International’s Director for East Africa Julie Mulonga, many African countries have policies in place to protect wetlands, but there is a lack of investment in implementation measures.

    Local communities and indigenous knowledge play a crucial role in effectively driving wetland conservation efforts, she said, adding that China’s wetland management experience could provide a valuable reference and its advanced technology could go a long way in helping the continent achieve green development.

    Over the years, China has been actively supporting many African countries in wetland governance through legislative exchanges, technical training and talent development, helping enhance their ability to restore and preserve wetlands.

    Wetlands are crucial for ecological resilience, and their future hinges on unwavering international cooperation, said Xia Jun, director general of the International Cooperation Department at China’s National Forestry and Grassland Administration. “This profound understanding underpins China’s unwavering commitment to its conservation.”

    In 2024, China launched the International Mangrove Center (IMC) in the southern city of Shenzhen to promote global mangrove conservation, sustainable use and international cooperation.

    Xia described the IMC as a landmark initiative that reflects the spirit of global cooperation.

    With the support of the IMC, the Mangrove Conservation Foundation, a private foundation based in China, has been carrying out programs in African countries such as Madagascar and Kenya to help preserve mangroves, which are vital coastal ecosystems along the continent’s shorelines, Sun Lili, co-founder and executive board chair of the foundation, told Xinhua.

    Christine Colvin, Freshwater Policy Lead, WWF International, said: “This COP is really important in terms of setting goals for the next period, for the next decade, and the strategic plan for the contracting parties to Ramsar, and it prioritises international cooperation.”

    Colvin said that China is demonstrating to municipalities and local governments around the world how to bring nature back into cities and design new urban areas that are more permeable, allowing the natural water cycle to function.

    Commending China for leading the way in this field, the WWF official said they are looking forward to continuing cooperation with China to boost global efforts to preserve wetlands and build more permeable sponge cities.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Reuben’s Brought Home the Bacon… and the Ham! – PR.co.nz

    Source: Press Release Service

    Headline: Reuben’s Brought Home the Bacon… and the Ham! – PR.co.nz

    Rueben Sharples, owner of The Aussie Butcher New Lynn, is proud to share that his team has picked up six medals at the 2025 100% New Zealand Bacon & Ham Awards, including three shiny Golds for their standout bacon and ham.

    The post Reuben’s Brought Home the Bacon… and the Ham! first appeared on PR.co.nz.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Legal and Finance Sectors – MinterEllisonRuddWatts advises Camco on innovative blended finance fund

    Source: MinterEllisonRuddWatts

    MinterEllisonRuddWatts is proud to have assisted Camco, a leading UK-based impact fund manager, with the establishment of an innovative blended finance fund called TIDES (Transforming Island Development through Electrification and Sustainability).
    TIDES is an innovative fund aiming to help unlock USD100 million of public and private sector finance to support renewable energy developments in the Pacific Islands. The fund has received contributions from the New Zealand and UK governments in the form of first loss equity.
    This first-of-its-kind fund for the region is designed to deliver deep impact by strengthening the renewable energy and energy efficiency sectors. It will provide flexible financing to local renewable energy developers behind zero-emissions projects across a full range of sizes, from mini-grids to large grid-connected systems.
    Partner Lloyd Kavanagh and Senior Associate Ken Ng attended the signing ceremony of TIDES at the British High Commission in Wellington yesterday, alongside Minister for Climate Change, the Honourable Simon Watts, British High Commissioner HE Ms Iona Thomas OBE, and the Managing Director of Camco Management Limited, Geoff Sinclair.
    Lloyd Kavanagh commented: “We are delighted to support Camco in launching the TIDES fund, a pioneering initiative that bl

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Marshals Offer Reward for Information in Quadruple Homicide

    Source: US Marshals Service

    Lake County, TN – In the search for fugitive Austin Drummond, the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) is offering a reward of up to $7,500 for information that leads to Drummond’s arrest.

    Drummond is charged with First-Degree Murder of four people; ages 21, 20, 38, and 15, in Lake County on July 29, 2025. Additional charges include Aggravated Kidnapping, Possession of a Firearm During Commission of a Dangerous Felony, and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. He is considered armed and dangerous.

    The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) is the lead agency, and the USMS Two Rivers Violent Fugitive Task Force is assisting TBI and has adopted the case for a fugitive investigation.

    “Getting Austin Drummond in custody is a priority. Anyone with information about where we can find him should call us immediately. You will remain anonymous,” said U.S. Marshal Tyreece Miller.

    Tipsters can call the U.S. Deputy Marshals assigned to the case at (901) 406-2044, (901) 661-2955, or submit a USMS Web Tip.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-Evening Report: New Caledonia’s oldest party for independence rejects ‘Bougival’ deal

    By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific Desk

    New Caledonia’s oldest pro-independence party, the Union Calédonienne (UC), has officially rejected a political agreement on the Pacific territory’s political future signed in Paris last month.

    The text, bearing the signatures of all of New Caledonia’s political parties represented in the local Congress — a total of 18 leaders, both pro-France and pro-independence — is described as a “project” for an agreement that would shape politics.

    Since it was signed in the city of Bougival, west of Paris, on July 12, after 10 days of intense negotiations, it has been dubbed a “bet on trust” and has been described by French Minister for Overseas Manuel Valls as a commitment from all signing parties to report to their respective bases and explain its contents.

    The Bougival document involves a series of measures and recognition by France of New Caledonia as a “State” which could become empowered with its own international relations and foreign affairs, provided they do not contradict France’s key interests.

    It also envisages dual citizenship — French and New Caledonian — provided future New Caledonian citizens are French nationals in the first place.

    It also describes a future devolution of stronger powers for each of the three provinces (North, South and Loyalty Islands), especially in terms of tax collection.

    Since it was published, the document, bearing a commitment to defend the text “as is”, was hailed as “innovative” and “historic”.

    New Caledonia’s leaders have started to hold regular meetings — sometimes daily — and sessions with their respective supporters and militants, mostly to explain the contents of what they have signed.

    The meetings were held by most pro-France parties and within the pro-independence camp, the two main moderate parties, UPM (Union Progressiste en Mélanésie) and PALIKA (Kanak Liberation Party).

    Over the past two weeks, all of these parties have strived to defend the agreement, which is sometimes described as a Memorandum of Agreement or a roadmap for future changes in New Caledonia.

    Most of the leaders who have inked the text have also held lengthy interviews with local media.

    Parties who have unreservedly pledged their support to and signed the Bougival document are:

    Pro-France side: Les Loyalistes, Rassemblement-LR, Wallisian-based Eveil Océanien and Calédonie Ensemble

    Pro-independence: UNI-FLNKS (which comprises UPM and PALIKA).

    But one of the main components of the pro-independence movement, the FLNKS (Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front) — as its main pillar — the Union Calédonienne, has held a series of meetings indicating their resentment at their negotiators for having signed the contested document.

    UC held its executive committee on July 21, its steering committee on July 26, and FLNKS convened its political bureau on July 23.

    A ‘lure of sovereignty’
     All of these meetings concluded with an increasingly clear rejection of the Bougival document.

    Speaking at a news conference in Nouméa yesterday, UC leaders made it clear that they “formally reject” the agreement because they regard it as a “lure of sovereignty” and does not guarantee either real sovereignty or political balance.

    FLNKS chief negotiator Emmanuel Tjibaou, who is also UC’s chair, told local reporters he understood his signature on the document meant a commitment to return to New Caledonia, explain the text and obtain the approval of the political base.

    “I didn’t have a mandate to sign a political agreement, my mandate was to register the talks and bring them back to our people so that a decision can be made . . . it didn’t mean an acceptance on our part,” he said, mentioning it was a “temporary” document subject to further discussions.

    Tjibaou said some amendments his delegation had put on the table in Bougival “went missing” in the final text.

    Union Calédonienne chair and chief FLNKS negotiator Emmanuel Tjibaou . .. some amendments that his delegation had put on the table in Bougival “went missing” in the final text. Image: RNZ Pacific

    ‘Bougival, it’s over’
     “As far as we’re concerned, Bougival, it’s over”, UC vice-president Mickaël Forrest said.

    He said it was now time to move onto a “post-Bougival phase”.

    Meanwhile, the FLNKS also consulted its own “constitutionalists” to obtain legal advice and interpretation of the document.

    In a release about yesterday’s media conference, UC stated that the Bougival text could not be regarded as a balance between two “visions” for Kanaky New Caledonia, but rather a way of “maintaining New Caledonia as French”.

    The text, UC said, had led the political dialogue into a “new impasse” and it left several questions unanswered.

    “With the denomination of a ‘State’, a fundamental law (a de facto Constitution), the capacity to self-organise, and international recognition, this document is perceived as a project for an agreement to integrate (New Caledonia) into France under the guise of a decolonisation”.

    “The FLNKS has never accepted a status of autonomy within France, but an external decolonisation by means of accession to full sovereignty [which] grants us the right to choose our inter-dependencies,” the media release stated.

    The pro-independence party also criticised plans to enlarge the list of people entitled to vote at New Caledonia’s local elections — the very issue that triggered deadly and destructive riots in May 2024.

    It is also critical of a proposed mechanism that would require a vote at the Congress with a minimum majority of 64 percent (two thirds) before any future powers can be requested for transfer from France to New Caledonia.

    Assuming that current population trends and a fresh system of representation at the Congress will allow more representatives from the Southern province (about three quarters of New Caledonia’s population), UC said “in other words, it would be the non-independence [camp] who will have the power to authorise us — or not — to ask for our sovereignty”.

    They party confirmed that it had “formally rejected the Bougival project of agreement as it stands” following a decision made by its steering committee on July 26 “since the fundamentals of our struggle and the principles of decolonisation are not there”.

    Negotiators no longer mandated
     The decision also means that every member of its negotiating team who signed the document on July 12 is now de facto demoted and no longer mandated by the party until a new negotiating team is appointed, if required.

    “Union Calédonienne remains mobilised to arrive at a political agreement that takes into account the achievement of a trajectory towards full sovereignty”.

    On Tuesday, FLNKS president Christian Téin, as an invited guest of Corsica’s “Nazione” pro-independence movement, told French media he declared himself “individually against” the Bougival document, adding this was “far from being akin to full sovereignty”.

    Téin said that during the days that led to the signing of the document in Bougival “the pressure” exerted on negotiators was “terrible”.

    He said the result was that due to “excessive force” applied by “France’s representatives”, the final text’s content “looks like it is the French State and right-wing people who will decide the (indigenous) Kanak people’s future”.

    Facing crime-related charges, Téin is awaiting his trial, but was released from jail, under the condition that he does not return to New Caledonia.

    The leader of a CCAT (field action coordinating cell) created by Union Calédonienne late in 2023 to protest against a proposed French Constitutional amendment to alter voters’ rules of eligibility at local elections, was jailed for one year in mainland France. However, he was elected president of FLNKS in absentia in late August 2024.

    CCAT, meanwhile, was admitted as one of the new components of FLNKS.

    In a de facto split, the two main moderate pillars of FLNKS, UPM and PALIKA, at the same time, distanced themselves from the pro-independence UC-dominated platform, opening a rift within the pro-independence umbrella.

    The FLNKS is scheduled to hold an extraordinary meeting on August 9 (it was initially scheduled to be held on August 2), to “highlight the prospects of the pursuit of dialogue through a repositioning of the pro-independence movement’s political orientations”.

    French Minister for Overseas Manuel Valls (centre) shows signatures on the last page of New Caledonia’s new Bougival agreement earlier this month . . . “If tomorrow there was to be no agreement, it would mean the future, hope, would be put into question” Image: FB/RNZ Pacific

    Valls: ‘I’m not giving up’
     Reacting to the latest UC statements, Valls told French media he called on UC to have “a great sense of responsibility”.

    “If tomorrow there was to be no agreement, it would mean the future, hope, would be put into question. Investment, including for the nickel mining industry, would no longer be possible.”

    “I’m not giving up. Union Calédonienne has chosen to reject, as it stands, the Bougival accord project. I take note of this, but I profoundly regret this position.

    “An institutional void would be a disaster for [New Caledonia]. It would be a prolonged uncertainty, the risk of further instability, the return of violence,” he said.

    “But my door is not closed and I remain available for dialogue at all times. Impasse is not an option.”

    Valls said the Bougival document was “‘neither someone’s victory on another one, nor an imposed text: it was built day after day with partners around the table following months of long discussions.”

    In a recent letter specifically sent to Union Calédonienne, the French former Prime Minister suggested the creation of an editorial committee to start drafting future-shaping documents for New Caledonia, such as its “fundamental law”, akin to a Constitution for New Caledonia.

    Valls also stressed France’s financial assistance to New Caledonia, which last year totalled around 3 billion euros because of the costs associated to the May 2024 riots.

    The riots caused 14 dead, hundreds of injured and an estimated financial cost of more than 2 billion euros (NZ$5.8 billion) in damage.

    This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: “Shoulder to Shoulder – to a Common Victory”: Xinhua Photo Exhibition Opens in Minsk in Honor of the 80th Anniversary of the Victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    MINSK, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) — A Xinhua photo exhibition titled “Shoulder to Shoulder – Towards a Common Victory” dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War opened in Minsk on Thursday. The exhibition was visited by more than 300 people, including representatives of Belarusian political, military and academic circles, media and public organizations.

    The exhibition features 34 photographs that vividly reflect the heroic struggle of the Chinese people against the Japanese aggressors, tell the touching story of the joint resistance of Soviet volunteer pilots and the Chinese people, and also demonstrate the deep military friendship between the peoples of China and Belarus during the World Anti-Fascist War.

    First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus Sergei Lukashevich, who visited the exhibition, shared his impressions.

    “This is an interesting and rich exhibition. It was very interesting for me to get acquainted with its content. Photographic documents are displayed here, the history that unites Belarus and China. Today, the two countries together advocate for the preservation of historical memory. It is very important now to talk about the true side of this history. This is also of great importance for young people, so that there is no distortion of the realities in which we live,” noted S. Lukashevich. According to him, historical truth for the peoples of China and Belarus is a very important element on which it is possible to build a correct, literate and educated society.

    In turn, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to Belarus Zhang Wenchuan told Xinhua that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, the Great Patriotic War of the Soviet Union and the World Anti-Fascist War.

    “China and the USSR, as the main theaters of military operations in Asia and Europe during World War II, became the mainstay in the fight against Japanese militarism and German Nazism, making a decisive contribution to the victory in the World Anti-Fascist War. The photo exhibition vividly reproduces the heroic deeds of the Chinese nation in the united resistance to the Japanese invaders, and also tells about the true friendship between China and the USSR, forged during the war years. After 80 years, China and Belarus firmly adhere to the course of preserving historical memory, joint development and protecting international justice, jointly striving for a brighter future for humanity,” the Chinese ambassador concluded.

    The exhibition was organized by the Minsk office of the Xinhua News Agency and China Image Group with the support of the Chinese Embassy in Belarus. –0–

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Belarus is determined to deepen and expand cooperation with the PLA in all areas – Defense Minister

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    MINSK, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) — Belarus is determined to deepen and expand cooperation with the People’s Liberation Army of China (PLA) in all areas of mutual interest, Belarusian Defense Minister Lieutenant General Viktor Khrenin said Thursday during a ceremony to mark the 98th anniversary of the founding of the PLA.

    The Minister of Defense of Belarus emphasized that the country values constructive dialogue, exchange of experience and close coordination with the Chinese Defense Ministry. “We are confident that friendship and cooperation between Belarus and China will continue to grow stronger, contributing to the security of our states and peoples, as well as to maintaining peace on the planet,” V. Khrenin noted.

    In addition, he expressed his deepest respect and gratitude to the valiant soldiers of the Chinese army for their selfless service and combat readiness to defend the Motherland.

    “I would like to congratulate the PLA veterans separately. In this anniversary year, the year of the 80th anniversary of the Victory of the Soviet people in the Great Patriotic War and the 80th anniversary of the victory over Japan and the end of World War II, we say words of gratitude to them for today’s peaceful skies, their courage and fortitude as true defenders of their Fatherland,” the Belarusian Defense Minister emphasized, and also wished good health and well-being to all servicemen, veterans and their families, prosperity and peace to the Chinese people.

    “Belarus highly values the outstanding role of the PLA in maintaining global and regional stability,” V. Khrenin summed up. –0–

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