NewzIntel.com

Category: Asia Pacific

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

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

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

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

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

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

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

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

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

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

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

    Meanwhile, the pre-monsoon heat has remained intense.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    (IANS)

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

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    (ANI)

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

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    (IANS)

  • China, Hong Kong stocks retreat as trade optimism fades

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

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

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

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

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

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

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

    -Reuters

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

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    SUBSCRIPTIONS DOWN

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    (Reuters)

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

    Source: New Zealand Police

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Please reference the file number 250611/5626.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

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

    Source: Reserve Bank of New Zealand

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

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

    Source: OSPRI New Zealand

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

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

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

    Source: MetService

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

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

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

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

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

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

    Source: Federated Farmers

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

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

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

    Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

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

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

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

    Source: New Zealand Defence Force

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

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

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

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

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

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

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

    Source: ASEAN

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

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

    MIL OSI Economics –

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

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

    PeopleImages.com – Yuri A/Shutterstock

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

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

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

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

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

    How does this relate to coercive control?

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

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

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

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

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

    What we did and what we found

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Psychological abuse an early sign

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

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

    He stopped me from talking to male colleagues.

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

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

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

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

    Another said:

    He called me crazy when he had done something wrong.

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

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

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

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

    What next?

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

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

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

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

    As one participant told us:

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

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

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

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

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

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

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

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

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

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

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

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

    MIL OSI China News –

  • White House says Trump ‘acknowledges’ Elon Musk’s apology

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The White House confirmed on Wednesday that former President Donald Trump has acknowledged an apology from Tesla CEO Elon Musk, suggesting a potential easing of recent tensions between the two high-profile figures.

    In a press briefing, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters, “The President acknowledged the statement that Elon put out this morning and he is appreciative of it. We are continuing to focus on the business of the American people.”

    Leavitt also clarified that, contrary to earlier speculation, there are currently no active efforts to review Musk’s government contracts. “Currently no efforts have been made on that front as far as I’m aware,” she said.

    According to CNN, Musk personally called Trump on Monday night and later issued a public statement on Wednesday, expressing regret over comments made on social media that had sparked a public fallout.

    The apology reportedly followed a private conversation on Friday involving Musk, Vice President JD Vance, and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, during which the disagreement was discussed at length.

    Sources cited by CNN said that several prominent Republican lawmakers and Trump allies have been encouraging Musk to reconcile with the former President. They are also urging him to support a key legislative proposal dubbed the “Big Beautiful Bill,” a major domestic policy initiative currently facing resistance in the Senate.

    Musk, once considered one of Trump’s closest allies in the tech world, continues to maintain ties with members of the former President’s inner circle. In recent days, those relationships have been used to facilitate dialogue, with aides reportedly engaging Musk through phone calls and text messages to ease tensions.

    While Musk is said to be receptive to reconciliation, he has reportedly expressed reservations about the bill’s lack of spending cuts—a concern he raised during conversations with Republican lawmakers.

    Although the situation remains fluid, the mutual acknowledgment and continued communication suggest the potential for renewed cooperation between Trump and one of the country’s most influential tech leaders.

    —IANS

  • Marines to deploy on LA streets within two days with authority to detain civilians

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    U.S. Marines will join National Guard troops on the streets of Los Angeles within two days, officials said on Wednesday, and would be authorized to detain anyone who interferes with immigration officers on raids or protesters who confront federal agents.

    U.S. President Donald Trump ordered the deployments over the objections of California Governor Gavin Newsom, sparking a national debate about the use of the military on U.S. soil and animating protests that have spread from Los Angeles to other major cities, including New York, Atlanta and Chicago.

    Los Angeles on Wednesday endured a sixth day of protests that have been largely peaceful but occasionally punctuated by violence, mostly contained to a few blocks of the city’s downtown area.

    The protests broke out last Friday in response to a series of immigration raids. Trump in turn called in the National Guard on Saturday, then summoned the Marines on Monday.

    “If I didn’t act quickly on that, Los Angeles would be burning to the ground right now,” said Trump at an event at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

    State and local leaders dispute that, saying Trump has only escalated tensions with an unnecessary and illegal deployment of federal troops, while Democrats nationally have condemned his action as authoritarian.

    Trump is carrying out a campaign promise to deport immigrants, employing forceful tactics consistent with the norm-breaking political style that got him elected twice.

    “President Trump promised to carry out the largest mass deportation campaign in American history and left-wing riots will not deter him in that effort,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said.

    The U.S. military said on Wednesday that a battalion of 700 Marines had concluded training specific to the L.A. mission, including de-escalation and crowd control. They would join National Guard under the authority of a federal law known as Title 10 within 48 hours, not to conduct civilian policing but to protect federal officers and property, the military said.

    “Title 10 forces may temporarily detain an individual in specific circumstances such as to stop an assault, to prevent harm to others, or to prevent interference with federal personnel performing their duties,” the Northern Command said.

    Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement: “If any rioters attack ICE law enforcement officers, military personnel have the authority to temporarily detain them until law enforcement makes the arrest.”

    U.S. Army Major General Scott Sherman, who commands the task force of Marines and Guardsmen, told reporters the Marines will not carry live ammunition in their rifles, but they will carry live rounds.

    Newsom and the state of California have sued Trump and the Defense Department to stop the deployment, maintaining that none of the Title 10 conditions were met to justify military deployment – such as a when the U.S. is under threat from a foreign invasion or rebellion.

    California is also seeking a temporary restraining order to immediately stop the National Guard and Marines from participating in civilian law enforcement.

    A hearing on that restraining order is scheduled for Thursday in San Francisco federal court.

    The Trump administration argued in a court filing ahead of the hearing that the president has the discretion to determine whether a “rebellion or danger of a rebellion” requires a military response.

    PROTESTS SPREAD NATIONWIDE

    In downtown L.A., shortly before the second night of a curfew over a one square mile (2.5 square km) area, relative calm was broken.

    Police said demonstrators at one location threw commercial grade fireworks and rocks at officers. Another group of nearly 1,000 demonstrators were peacefully marching through downtown when police suddenly opened fired with less lethal munitions in front of City Hall.

    Marlene Lopez, 39, a Los Angeles native, was demonstrating as flash bangs exploded just a few meters away.

    “I am out here because of the fact that our human rights are being violated every day. If we give up, it’s over. We have to stand our ground here in L.A. so that the nation will follow us,” Lopez said.

    Other protests have also taken place in Santa Ana, a largely Mexican-American city about 30 miles (50 km) to the south, as well as major cities such as Las Vegas, Philadelphia, Milwaukee, Seattle, Boston and Washington and San Antonio, Texas.

    New York police said an unknown number of people had been taken into custody on Wednesday. On Tuesday New York police said they took 86 people into custody, of which 34 were arrested and charged, while the others received a criminal court summons.

    The protests are set to expand on Saturday, when several activist groups have planned more than 1,800 anti-Trump demonstrations across the country. That day, tanks and other armored vehicles will rumble down the streets of Washington, D.C., in a military parade marking the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary and coinciding with Trump’s 79th birthday.

    (Reuters)

  • U.S. to deploy 4,000 National Guard troops, 700 Marines to Los Angeles amid ongoing protests

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration has said it is going to deploy 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines to Los Angeles to help protect federal property and personnel during the ongoing protests in the city.

    Here is everything we know about the U.S. troops that are being deployed to Los Angeles:

    WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF TROOPS SENT TO LA?

    National guard troops usually belong to individual states and personnel in many cases are trained to help with emergencies that those states have to deal with, such as natural disasters.

    Since they are the reserve force of the U.S. military, National Guard troops are usually part time, meaning that they have other jobs as well.

    U.S. Marines on the other hand are active duty troops – it is a full time job.

    Marines are trained for conflicts around the world – from the Middle East to Africa – and are used for rapid global deployments in case of emergencies, such as threats to U.S. embassies.

    All those troops will come under a task force, known as Task Force 51.

    HOW CAN TROOPS LEGALLY BE DEPLOYED WITHIN THE UNITED STATES?

    Trump cited Title 10 of the U.S. Code, a federal law that outlines the role of the U.S. Armed Forces, in his June 7 order to call members of the California National Guard into federal service.

    A provision of Title 10 – Section 12406- allows the president to deploy National Guard units into federal service if the U.S. is invaded, there is a “rebellion or danger of rebellion” or the president is “unable with the regular forces to execute the laws of the United States.”

    The president also has the authority to deploy active duty troops, like the Marines, within the United States in limited cases.

    WHERE ARE THE TROOPS COMING FROM?

    Many of the 4,000 National Guard troops are coming from the California National Guard. So far, 2,100 soldiers from the 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, a unit of the California National Guard, are on the ground.

    The Marines being deployed are from the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division. They are based out of Twentynine Palms, close to Los Angeles.

    WHAT CAN TROOPS DO AND WHAT CAN THEY NOT DO?

    Both National Guard troops and Marines will be carrying out the same tasks, according to U.S. Army Major General Scott Sherman, who is commanding the troops.

    They are tasked with protecting federal property and federal personnel. This means that they will accompany ICE agents on raids, officials have said.

    The troops are authorized to detain people who pose a threat to federal personnel or property, but only until police can arrest them. Military officials are not allowed to carry out arrests themselves.

    The Posse Comitatus Act, generally forbids the U.S. military, including the National Guard, from taking part in civilian law enforcement.

    Trump could take a more far-reaching step by invoking the Insurrection Act, which would allow troops to directly participate in civilian law enforcement.

    WHAT TRAINING WILL THE TROOPS RECEIVE?

    Troops receive varying levels of training in dealing with riots and crowd control.

    Since National Guard troops are used domestically in many cases, they receive extensive training when it comes to crowd control and civil unrest.

    While Marines may receive a basic level of crowd control training, it is not their expertise in domestic situations. The 700 Marines will receive two days of training focused on civil disturbance, crowd control and protection of facilities, before they are deployed to the streets of Los Angeles.

    The Marines will also have added “legal and law enforcement expertise,” the military said.

    WHAT WILL TROOPS BE ARMED WITH?

    National Guard troops have been seen carrying shields, batons and rifles, along with regular protective equipment.

    The Marines will also be armed with riot shields and batons, and Sherman said they will not have ammunition in their rifles, but they will carry it.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Panasonic develops a cooling water circulation pump for data centers – Promoting the strategic enhancement of the pump business

    Source: Panasonic

    Headline: Panasonic develops a cooling water circulation pump for data centers – Promoting the strategic enhancement of the pump business

    Osaka, Japan, June 12, 2025 – Panasonic Corporation (https://www.panasonic.com/global/home.html) today announced that its Living Appliances and Solutions Company (Panasonic) has marked the 70th anniversary of its pump business. The company’s pump business, which began with home pumps (well pumps) that supply water to homes, has consistently contributed to the realization of comfortable and affluent lifestyles through built-in pumps for water heaters, heating appliances, and bathroom equipment. This time, Panasonic will enter the cooling pump market for data centers, aiming to expand its business areas and contribute to customers.
    In recent years, with the evolution of AI technology, the number of data centers has been increasing globally. In generative AI data centers, the heat generated per CPU or GPU chip is rapidly increasing due to advanced computational processes. Previously, air cooling using air conditioners and fans was the mainstream method. However, growing demand for more effective and efficient cooling has brought increased attention to liquid cooling, which has high cooling efficiency.
    Panasonic has developed a next-generation cooling water circulation pump specifically for data center cooling, integrating its proprietary technology and system design capabilities refined over 70 years of its pump business. This product is designed for integration into CDUs (Coolant Distribution Units), the core components of cooling systems, and offers high efficiency, a compact form, and long service life. It meets the cooling needs of next-generation infrastructure by simultaneously reducing environmental impact and ensuring stable operation.
    Starting with its entry into the data center market, Panasonic will contribute to cooling solutions for infrastructure-related heat countermeasures to expand its pump business, aiming for cumulative shipments of 100 million units by 2035. The company will continue to contribute to safe and comfortable lifestyles and industrial development through reliable technology, while earnestly responding to environmental changes and customer feedback.

    New product features

    1. High performance

    By fully utilizing advanced simulation technologies, such as magnetic field analysis, fluid dynamics analysis, and flow analysis, Panasonic has achieved a 75% improvement in pump performance (from 40 to 70 L/min) while maintaining the same size as conventional pumps. This product contributes to improved energy efficiency across entire data center systems and simplifies cooling system design.

    2. Compactness 

    A compact housing has been achieved by leveraging the company’s design expertise, honed through the development of built-in pumps for equipment. This feature enabled the circulation pump to be housed within CDUs that have limited space. The compact housing offers layout flexibility, significantly increasing the design freedom of CDUs.

    3. Long life

    The adoption of submersible sliding bearings and optimized structural design ensures long-term stable operation and reduces maintenance workload. This feature supports high reliability and cost optimization in data center operations.

    Panasonic pump business – 70 years of progress

    Panasonic’s pump business began with the launch of home pumps (well pumps) in 1955.
    In 1980, the company began developing and selling built-in AC pumps for water heaters, contributing to enhanced product value (reheating function) provided by them. Since then, the company has been developing products that simultaneously deliver energy efficiency and environmental friendliness, including built-in DC pumps for equipment. In 2025, the pump business has marked its 70th anniversary, with cumulative shipments exceeding 53 million units.
    The range of appliances incorporating these pumps extends beyond the company’s own products. Manufacturers in Japan and abroad have also adopted Panasonic pumps in their combustion-type water heaters and heating appliances as well as air-to-water heat pumps. Additionally, the new pump has been adopted in cooling equipment for data centers in the current fiscal year. Panasonic pumps are distributed globally from its Hikone Factory in Shiga Prefecture through customers’ equipment, contributing to comfortable lifestyles around the world.

    Media Contact:

    Living Appliances and Solutions Company, Panasonic CorporationPublic Relations, Corporate Policy Department, Corporate Planning CenterEmail: las-pr@gg.jp.panasonic.com

    About Panasonic Corporation
    Panasonic Corporation offers products and services for a variety of living environments, ranging from homes to stores to offices and cities. There are five businesses at the core of Panasonic Corporation: Living Appliances and Solutions Company, Heating & Ventilation A/C Company, Cold Chain Solutions Company, Electric Works Company and China and Northeast Asia Company. The operating company reported consolidated net sales of 3,584.2 billion yen for the year ended March 31, 2025. Panasonic Corporation is committed to fulfilling the mission of Life Tech & Ideas: For the wellbeing of people, society and the planet, and embraces the vision of becoming the best partner of your life with human-centric technology and innovation. Learn more about Panasonic: https://www.panasonic.com/global/about.html

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • Sensex, Nifty trade flat in early session amid sectoral weakness

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Indian benchmark indices opened on a flat note on Thursday as investors remained cautious ahead of key retail inflation data. Early trade witnessed selling pressure in the auto, IT, and PSU Bank sectors.

    As of 9:28 a.m., the Sensex was trading 69.22 points, or 0.08 per cent higher, at 82,584.36, while the Nifty rose 23.65 points, or 0.09 per cent, to 25,165.05.

    The Nifty Bank index was up 98.65 points, or 0.17 per cent, at 56,558.40. Meanwhile, the Nifty Midcap 100 was trading at 59,267.75, down 120.40 points or 0.20 per cent, and the Nifty Smallcap 100 stood at 18,772.35, having declined by 26.40 points or 0.14 per cent.

    According to analysts, although the Nifty closed higher in the previous session, it retreated from its intra-day high. Technically, the candle formed was a doji with a slightly extended upper shadow, following the ‘upside-gap two crows’ pattern. Analysts suggest that the bulls now have the responsibility to defend the 25,029 level in the near term.

    “If bears manage to push the index below the 24,987–25,029 zone, a test of the 24,800–24,863 range becomes highly probable,” said Akshay Chinchalkar, Head of Research at Axis Securities.

    Among Sensex constituents, Asian Paints, Sun Pharma, Bajaj Finserv, Bharti Airtel, Bajaj Finance, NTPC, and HDFC Bank emerged as the top gainers. In contrast, Infosys, Eternal, Tata Motors, Tech Mahindra, HCL Tech, Tata Steel, and IndusInd Bank were among the top losers.

    In Asian markets, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Jakarta, and Japan were trading in the red, while Seoul and China saw gains.

    In the previous trading session, the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed marginally lower at 42,865.77, down 1.10 points, or 0.00 per cent. The S&P 500 fell 16.57 points, or 0.27 per cent, to 6,022.24, while the Nasdaq dropped 99.11 points, or 0.50 per cent, to close at 19,615.88.

    Experts suggest the market’s recent flat trend is likely to persist in the near term due to a lack of clear positive triggers.

    “There are reports of a potential agreement between the US and China, but no official confirmation has come from the Chinese side,” noted analysts.

    “Additionally, U.S. President Donald Trump has announced plans to send letters to trade partners within the next two weeks, outlining universal tariffs. Market participants are waiting for more clarity, as the tariff crisis is far from resolved,” said Dr. VK Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Financial Services.

    On the institutional front, foreign institutional investors (FIIs) were net sellers, offloading equities worth ₹446.31 crore on June 11. Meanwhile, domestic institutional investors (DIIs) were net buyers, purchasing equities worth ₹1,584.87 crore.

    — IANS

  • United Nations to vote to demand immediate Gaza ceasefire over US, Israel opposition

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The United Nations General Assembly will vote on Thursday on a draft resolution that demands an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in the war in Gaza after the United States vetoed a similar effort in the Security Council last week.

    The 193-member General Assembly is likely to adopt the text with overwhelming support, diplomats say, despite Israel lobbying countries this week against taking part in what it called a “politically-motivated, counter-productive charade.”

    General Assembly resolutions are not binding but carry weight as a reflection of the global view on the war. Previous demands by the body for an end to the war between Israel and Palestinian militants Hamas have been ignored. Unlike the U.N. Security Council, no country has a veto in the General Assembly.

    Thursday’s vote also comes ahead of a U.N. conference next week that aims to reinvigorate an international push for a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians. The United States has urged countries not to attend.

    In a note seen by Reuters, the U.S. warned that “countries that take anti-Israel actions on the heels of the conference will be viewed as acting in opposition to U.S. foreign policy interests and could face diplomatic consequences.”

    The U.S. last week vetoed a draft U.N. Security Council resolution that also demanded an “immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire” and unhindered aid access in Gaza, arguing it would undermine U.S.-led efforts to broker a ceasefire.

    The other 14 countries on the council voted in favor of the draft as a humanitarian crisis grips the enclave of more than 2 million people, where the U.N. warns famine looms and aid has only trickled in since Israel lifted an 11-week blockade last month.

    ‘FALSE AND DEFAMATORY’

    The draft resolution to be voted on by the General Assembly on Thursday demands the release of hostages held by Hamas, the return of Palestinian prisoners detained by Israel and the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.

    It demands unhindered aid access and “strongly condemns the use of starvation of civilians as a method of warfare and the unlawful denial of humanitarian access and depriving civilians … of objects indispensable to their survival, including willfully impeding relief supply and access.”

    “This is both false and defamatory,” Israel’s U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon wrote in a letter to U.N. member states, sent on Tuesday and seen by Reuters.

    Danon described the General Assembly draft resolution as an “immensely flawed and harmful text,” urging countries not to take part in what he said was a “farce” that undermines hostage negotiations and fails to condemn Hamas.

    In October 2023 the General Assembly called for an immediate humanitarian truce in Gaza with 120 votes in favor. In December 2023, 153 countries voted to demand an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. Then in December last year the body demanded – with 158 votes in favor – an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire.

    The war in Gaza has raged since 2023 after Hamas militants killed 1,200 people in Israel in an October 7 attack and took some 250 hostages back to the enclave, according to Israeli tallies. Many of those killed or captured were civilians.

    Israel responded with a military campaign that has killed over 54,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities. They say civilians have borne the brunt of the attacks and that thousands more bodies have been lost under rubble.

    -Reuters

  • Australia confident AUKUS submarine pact will proceed amid U.S. review

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Australia‘s Defence Minister Richard Marles said on Thursday he was confident the AUKUS submarine pact with the U.S. and Britain would proceed, and his government would work closely with the U.S. while the Trump administration conducted a formal review.

    Australia in 2023 committed to spend A$368 billion ($239 billion) over three decades on AUKUS, the country’s biggest ever defence project with the United States and Britain, to acquire and build nuclear-powered submarines.

    A Pentagon official said the administration was reviewing AUKUS to ensure it was “aligned with the President’s America First agenda”, on the eve of expected talks between President Donald Trump and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

    In an Australian Broadcasting Corporation radio interview, Marles said AUKUS was in the strategic interests of all three countries and the new review of the deal signed in 2021 when Joe Biden was the U.S. president was not a surprise.

    “I am very confident this is going to happen,” he said of AUKUS, which would give Australia nuclear-powered submarines.

    “This is a multi-decade plan. There will be governments that come and go and I think whenever we see a new government, a review of this kind is going to be something which will be undertaken,” Marles told the ABC.

    Albanese is expected to meet Trump for the first time next week on the sidelines of the G7 meeting in Canada, where the security allies will discuss a request from Washington for Australia to increase defence spending from 2% to 3.5% of gross domestic product.

    Albanese has said defence spending would rise to 2.3% and has declined to commit to the U.S. target.

    The opposition Liberal party on Thursday pressed Albanese to increase defence spending.

    Under AUKUS, Australia was scheduled to make a $2 billion payment in 2025 to the U.S. to help boost its submarine shipyards and speed up lagging production rates of Virginia-class submarines to allow the sale of up to three U.S. submarines to Australia from 2032.

    The first $500 million payment was made when Marles met with his U.S. counterpart Pete Hegseth in February.

    US NOT MEETING PRODUCTION TARGETS

    The Pentagon’s top policy adviser Elbridge Colby, who has previously expressed concern the U.S. would lose submarines to Australia at a critical time for military deterrence against China, will be a key figure in the review, examining the production rate of Virginia-class submarines, Marles said.

    “It is important that those production and sustainment rates are improved,” he added.

    AUKUS would grow the U.S. and Australian defence industries and generate thousands of manufacturing jobs, Marles said in a statement.

    John Lee, an Australian Indo-Pacific expert at Washington’s conservative Hudson Institute think tank, said the Pentagon review was “primarily an audit of American capability” and whether it can afford to sell up to five nuclear powered submarines when it was not meeting its own production targets.

    “Relatedly, the low Australian defence spending and ambiguity as to how it might contribute to a Taiwan contingency is also a factor,” Lee said.

    John Hamre, the president of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and a former senior Pentagon official, told a Lowy Institute seminar in Sydney on Thursday there is a perception in Washington “the Albanese government has been supportive of AUKUS but not really leaning in on AUKUS“, and defence spending is part of this.

    Under the multi-stage pact, four U.S. commanded Virginia submarines will be hosted at a Western Australian navy base on the Indian Ocean from 2027, which a senior U.S. Navy commander told Congress in April gives the U.S. a “straight shot to the South China Sea”.

    Albanese wants to buy three Virginia submarines from 2032 to bring its submarine force under Australian command.

    Britain and Australia will jointly build a new AUKUS-class submarine expected to come into service from 2040. Following a recent defence review, Britain said it would boost spending on its attack submarine fleet under AUKUS.

    Former Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who struck the AUKUS deal with Biden, said on Thursday Australia should “make the case again” for the treaty.

    AUKUS would build more submarines across the three partners and was “fundamentally about strengthening collective deterrence, particularly in the Indo-Pacific against potential adversaries”, he wrote on LinkedIn.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI USA: AG Brown leads 21 states opposing Trump’s military deployment in California

    Source: Washington State News

    SEATTLE – Attorney General Nick Brown today filed an amicus brief with leaders from 21 states supporting California’s request for a court order blocking the president’s unlawful federalization and deployment of that state’s National Guard.

    “The president is escalating events in Los Angeles not to prevent violence, but to stoke fear and division,” Brown said. “It’s a deliberate enticement to chaos. It’s unlawful, it’s undemocratic, and Washington state would act swiftly to protect our residents if the president did the same here.”

    The amicus brief outlines how Trump’s action is wholly inconsistent with our nation’s founding principle that freedom depends on the subordination of the military to civilian authority.

    “By calling forth troops when there is no invasion to repel, no rebellion to suppress, and when state and local law enforcement is fully able to execute the laws, the President flouts the vision of our Founders, undermines the rule of law, and sets a chilling precedent that puts the constitutional rights of Americans in every state at risk,” the brief reads.

    The president’s memo federalizing the Guard does not restrict these actions to just Los Angeles, California, or any specific U.S. region. Instead, it is an unlimited claim of presidential authority to deploy the National Guards of any state for the next 60 days. The states have an interest in standing up against this unnecessary and legally unjustified military call-up.

    The states also have an interest in ensuring their National Guards are available to perform the essential services they provide the states on an ongoing basis. They provide critical services responding to natural disasters, counter-drug operations, and cybersecurity support, among other daily contributions to public safety. This unlawful federalization pulls volunteer service members away from performing vital services, and states are not in a position to replace them.

    The president’s unlawful and unconstitutional use of the military has exacerbated safety issues and threatened constitutionally protected activity under the First Amendment. Every state has an interest in protecting their residents from these threats.

    The brief is led by Washington Attorney General Nick Brown and Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings. Others joining are the state attorneys general of Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin. Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly also joined the brief.

    Document: Amicus Brief 

    -30-

    Washington’s Attorney General serves the people and the state of Washington. As the state’s largest law firm, the Attorney General’s Office provides legal representation to every state agency, board, and commission in Washington. Additionally, the Office serves the people directly by enforcing consumer protection, civil rights, and environmental protection laws. The Office also prosecutes elder abuse, Medicaid fraud, and handles sexually violent predator cases in 38 of Washington’s 39 counties.

    Visit www.atg.wa.gov to learn more.

    Media Contact:

    Email: press@atg.wa.gov

    Phone: (360) 753-2727

    General contacts: Click here

    Media Resource Guide & Attorney General’s Office FAQ

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: What’s the potential effect of sanctions on Israeli ministers? Here’s what my research shows

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anton Moiseienko, Senior Lecturer in Law, Australian National University

    Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Norway and the UK this week announced sanctions against two members of the Israeli cabinet: National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.

    This is a momentous development. The governments concerned make it clear that they consider Ben-Gvir and Smotrich to be involved in “serious abuses of Palestinian human rights”, including “a serious abuse of the right of individuals not to be subjected to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment”.

    This is an allegation rarely levelled against sitting ministers of a democratic state, predictably causing the Israeli government to protest.

    While diplomatic consequences play out, what are sanctions anyway, and what do they mean for Ben-Gvir and Smotrich?

    3 direct consequences

    “Sanctions” is a broad umbrella term. Whole countries can be sanctioned, but so can be individuals.

    Sanctions on individuals are imposed by means of a government placing them on its national sanctions list, such as Australia’s Consolidated List (which now features both Ben-Gvir and Smotrich).

    Three direct consequences flow from such a sanctions designation.

    First, all of the sanctioned person’s assets in the relevant country are frozen. This means that, while in principle they remain the sanctioned person’s property, they cannot be used or sold. This places those assets in limbo, potentially for a very long time.

    Second, no person within the sanctioning state’s jurisdiction – that is, no one in its territory, nor any of its citizens or residents – is allowed to make money or other resources available for the benefit of the sanctioned person.

    So, it is an offence for anyone in Australia to send funds to anyone on the Consolidated List. Interestingly, there is no prohibition on receiving money from sanctioned persons.

    Third, sanctioned persons are subject to an entry ban.

    So, if a foreigner is sanctioned by the Australian government, their permission to enter Australia will be denied or revoked.

    Legal challenges are possible. For example, in 2010, the daughter of a Burmese general studying at Western Sydney University unsuccessfully sued the foreign minister for sanctioning her and cancelling her visa based on her family ties.

    The sanctions against Ben-Gvir and Smotrich are what’s known as “Magnitsky” sanctions.

    This refers not to the substance of sanctions, but rather the reasons for their adoption, namely alleged corruption or human rights abuse, rather than other forms of wrongdoing. The imposition of sanctions on those grounds was pioneered by two US statutes named after Sergei Magnitsky, a Russian whistleblower killed in a Moscow prison.

    In the case of the Israeli ministers, human rights abuses are alleged.

    Sanctions can hurt in other ways, too

    But what is the practical effect of these kinds of sanctions designations?

    After all, many people sanctioned by Australia will not have any property in the country, will never receive any money from Australia, and may never contemplate visiting.

    One might be tempted to conclude that, in those circumstances, sanctions are ineffectual. But the reality is more complicated.

    In 2023, together with the London-based International Lawyers Project, I conducted the first study of the effect (or impact) of “Magnitsky” sanctions, focussing on the first 20 individuals sanctioned for alleged corruption under the US Global Magnitsky Act 2016.

    We found there were no less than ten types of effects that sanctions might have.

    And in at least two-thirds of the case studies we looked at, sanctions had an impact.

    This may be skewed by the high-profile nature of those first 20 corruption-related designations under the 2016 act, which included former heads of states and major businesspeople. Still, sanctions can mean more than their direct impact.

    Of these categories of effects, private sector action is especially important. This involves businesses globally dropping the targeted person as a customer even when not legally required to do so.

    For example, non-Australian banks are not bound by Australian sanctions. But, once Australian sanctions are in place, they feed into major private-sector sanctions databases that are used by banks worldwide.

    Global banks may well decide that – once someone is accused of human rights abuse, corruption or other misconduct by a credible government – keeping the targeted person on the books is no longer worthwhile, not least reputationally.

    For US sanctions, this effect is turbocharged by the fact virtually all banks need to route US dollar transactions via the US financial system, and they cannot do so on behalf of a sanctioned person. Banks soon drop such customers.

    In a famous example, Carrie Lam, the chief executive of Hong Kong, complained of having to keep piles of cash at home due to US sanctions precluding any Hong Kong bank from taking her on as a customer. (To be clear, the US has not imposed any sanctions on Ben-Gvir and Smotrich, and has opposed their designation by Australia and others.)

    Could Ben-Gvir and Smotrich fight these sanctions?

    Australian sanctions would not have such a profound impact, but they are a reputational irritant at the very least.

    This may account for the (failed) judicial challenges brought against Australian sanctions by two Russian oligarchs, Alexander Abramov and Oleg Deripaska, as well as another billionaire’s more successful petitioning of Australia’s foreign minister to lift the sanctions against him.

    In general, contesting sanctions in court is exceedingly difficult. Few claimants succeed, in Australia or elsewhere.

    It is far more likely the sanctions against Ben-Gvir and Smotrich will result in diplomatic discussions and lobbying behind the scenes.

    Anton Moiseienko has received funding from the Open Society Foundations in connection with the research cited in this article.

    – ref. What’s the potential effect of sanctions on Israeli ministers? Here’s what my research shows – https://theconversation.com/whats-the-potential-effect-of-sanctions-on-israeli-ministers-heres-what-my-research-shows-258692

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Flood prevention measures ready

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    In light of the approaching Tropical Storm Wutip, Director of Drainage Services Ringo Mok has met with the department’s senior management team and inspected locations hit by severe flooding in the past, in order to learn about the implementation of flood prevention measures.

    Mr Mok and the team inspected the modular pumping system at Chai Wan Road roundabout, demountable flood barriers at Heng Fa Chuen, divider holes at Lung Cheung Road carriageway in Wong Tai Sin, grid manhole covers, and the Pilot Scheme on Wading Line System. He also viewed the department’s “Mobile Powerful Pumping Robot” and “Amphibious Pumping Robot” to ensure their readiness for operation.

    As Tropical Storm Wutip has come within 800km of Hong Kong, the department has initiated early preparation flooding in low-lying or exposed coastal areas such as Tai O and Lei Yue Mun. Specific measures include examining drainage channels, installing demountable flood barriers, setting up temporary water pumps, providing and placing sandbags, and constructing temporary pedestrian walkways.

    The department added that members of the public are advised to complete precautionary measures for coping with the typhoon and flooding as soon as possible, keep drains clear at all times, and avoid blockage of drainage intakes.

    In the event of serious flooding, citizens should evacuate immediately.

    Call the 24-hour Drainage Hotline at 2300 1110 in case of flooding.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Money Market Operations as on June 11, 2025

    Source: Reserve Bank of India
    (Amount in ₹ crore, Rate in Per cent)
      Volume
    (One Leg)    		 Weighted
    Average Rate    		 Range
    A. Overnight Segment (I+II+III+IV) 5,95,936.52 5.18 2.50-6.55
         I. Call Money 15,257.24 5.31 4.80-5.35
         II. Triparty Repo 3,83,941.95 5.20 5.16-5.30
         III. Market Repo 1,94,273.33 5.13 2.50-5.60
         IV. Repo in Corporate Bond 2,464.00 5.41 5.35-6.55
    B. Term Segment      
         I. Notice Money** 34.50 5.17 5.05-5.25
         II. Term Money@@ 738.00 – 5.60-5.85
         III. Triparty Repo 1,555.00 5.30 5.15-5.50
         IV. Market Repo 375.60 5.15 1.00-5.45
         V. Repo in Corporate Bond 0.00 – –
      Auction Date Tenor (Days) Maturity Date Amount Current Rate /
    Cut off Rate
    C. Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF), Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) & Standing Deposit Facility (SDF)
    I. Today’s Operations
    1. Fixed Rate          
    2. Variable Rate&          
      (I) Main Operation          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
      (II) Fine Tuning Operations          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
    3. MSF# Wed, 11/06/2025 1 Thu, 12/06/2025 1,124.00 5.75
    4. SDFΔ# Wed, 11/06/2025 1 Thu, 12/06/2025 2,67,414.00 5.25
    5. Net liquidity injected from today’s operations [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*       -2,66,290.00  
    II. Outstanding Operations
    1. Fixed Rate          
    2. Variable Rate&          
      (I) Main Operation          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
      (II) Fine Tuning Operations          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
    3. MSF#          
    4. SDFΔ#          
    D. Standing Liquidity Facility (SLF) Availed from RBI$       8,471.32  
    E. Net liquidity injected from outstanding operations [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*     8,471.32  
    F. Net liquidity injected (outstanding including today’s operations) [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*     -2,57,818.68  
    G. Cash Reserves Position of Scheduled Commercial Banks
         (i) Cash balances with RBI as on June 11, 2025 9,30,891.85  
         (ii) Average daily cash reserve requirement for the fortnight ending June 13, 2025 9,41,551.00  
    H. Government of India Surplus Cash Balance Reckoned for Auction as on¥ June 11, 2025 0.00  
    I. Net durable liquidity [surplus (+)/deficit (-)] as on May 16, 2025 3,48,763.00  
    @ Based on Reserve Bank of India (RBI) / Clearing Corporation of India Limited (CCIL).
    – Not Applicable / No Transaction.
    ** Relates to uncollateralized transactions of 2 to 14 days tenor.
    @@ Relates to uncollateralized transactions of 15 days to one year tenor.
    $ Includes refinance facilities extended by RBI.
    & As per the Press Release No. 2019-2020/1900 dated February 06, 2020.
    Δ As per the Press Release No. 2022-2023/41 dated April 08, 2022.
    * Net liquidity is calculated as Repo+MSF+SLF-Reverse Repo-SDF.
    ¥ As per the Press Release No. 2014-2015/1971 dated March 19, 2015.
    # As per the Press Release No. 2023-2024/1548 dated December 27, 2023.
    Ajit Prasad          
    Deputy General Manager
    (Communications)    
    Press Release: 2025-2026/527

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-Evening Report: What will be the effect of Australia’s sanctions on Israeli ministers? Here’s what my research shows

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anton Moiseienko, Senior Lecturer in Law, Australian National University

    Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Norway and the UK this week announced sanctions against two members of the Israeli cabinet: National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.

    This is a momentous development. The governments concerned make it clear that they consider Ben-Gvir and Smotrich to be involved in “serious abuses of Palestinian human rights”, including “a serious abuse of the right of individuals not to be subjected to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment”.

    This is an allegation rarely levelled against sitting ministers of a democratic state, predictably causing the Israeli government to protest.

    While diplomatic consequences play out, what are sanctions anyway, and what do they mean for Ben-Gvir and Smotrich?

    3 direct consequences

    “Sanctions” is a broad umbrella term. Whole countries can be sanctioned, but so can be individuals.

    Sanctions on individuals are imposed by means of a government placing them on its national sanctions list, such as Australia’s Consolidated List (which now features both Ben-Gvir and Smotrich).

    Three direct consequences flow from such a sanctions designation.

    First, all of the sanctioned person’s assets in the relevant country are frozen. This means that, while in principle they remain the sanctioned person’s property, they cannot be used or sold. This places those assets in limbo, potentially for a very long time.

    Second, no person within the sanctioning state’s jurisdiction – that is, no one in its territory, nor any of its citizens or residents – is allowed to make money or other resources available for the benefit of the sanctioned person.

    So, it is an offence for anyone in Australia to send funds to anyone on the Consolidated List. Interestingly, there is no prohibition on receiving money from sanctioned persons.

    Third, sanctioned persons are subject to an entry ban.

    So, if a foreigner is sanctioned by the Australian government, their permission to enter Australia will be denied or revoked.

    Legal challenges are possible. For example, in 2010, the daughter of a Burmese general studying at Western Sydney University unsuccessfully sued the foreign minister for sanctioning her and cancelling her visa based on her family ties.

    The sanctions against Ben-Gvir and Smotrich are what’s known as “Magnitsky” sanctions.

    This refers not to the substance of sanctions, but rather the reasons for their adoption, namely alleged corruption or human rights abuse, rather than other forms of wrongdoing. The imposition of sanctions on those grounds was pioneered by two US statutes named after Sergei Magnitsky, a Russian whistleblower killed in a Moscow prison.

    In the case of the Israeli ministers, human rights abuses are alleged.

    Sanctions can hurt in other ways, too

    But what is the practical effect of these kinds of sanctions designations?

    After all, many people sanctioned by Australia will not have any property in the country, will never receive any money from Australia, and may never contemplate visiting.

    One might be tempted to conclude that, in those circumstances, sanctions are ineffectual. But the reality is more complicated.

    In 2023, together with the London-based International Lawyers Project, I conducted the first study of the effect (or impact) of “Magnitsky” sanctions, focussing on the first 20 individuals sanctioned for alleged corruption under the US Global Magnitsky Act 2016.

    We found there were no less than ten types of effects that sanctions might have.

    And in at least two-thirds of the case studies we looked at, sanctions had an impact.

    This may be skewed by the high-profile nature of those first 20 corruption-related designations under the 2016 act, which included former heads of states and major businesspeople. Still, sanctions can mean more than their direct impact.

    Of these categories of effects, private sector action is especially important. This involves businesses globally dropping the targeted person as a customer even when not legally required to do so.

    For example, non-Australian banks are not bound by Australian sanctions. But, once Australian sanctions are in place, they feed into major private-sector sanctions databases that are used by banks worldwide.

    Global banks may well decide that – once someone is accused of human rights abuse, corruption or other misconduct by a credible government – keeping the targeted person on the books is no longer worthwhile, not least reputationally.

    For US sanctions, this effect is turbocharged by the fact virtually all banks need to route US dollar transactions via the US financial system, and they cannot do so on behalf of a sanctioned person. Banks soon drop such customers.

    In a famous example, Carrie Lam, the chief executive of Hong Kong, complained of having to keep piles of cash at home due to US sanctions precluding any Hong Kong bank from taking her on as a customer. (To be clear, the US has not imposed any sanctions on Ben-Gvir and Smotrich, and has opposed their designation by Australia and others.)

    Could Ben-Gvir and Smotrich fight these sanctions?

    Australian sanctions would not have such a profound impact, but they are a reputational irritant at the very least.

    This may account for the (failed) judicial challenges brought against Australian sanctions by two Russian oligarchs, Alexander Abramov and Oleg Deripaska, as well as another billionaire’s more successful petitioning of Australia’s foreign minister to lift the sanctions against him.

    In general, contesting sanctions in court is exceedingly difficult. Few claimants succeed, in Australia or elsewhere.

    It is far more likely the sanctions against Ben-Gvir and Smotrich will result in diplomatic discussions and lobbying behind the scenes.

    Anton Moiseienko has received funding from the Open Society Foundations in connection with the research cited in this article.

    – ref. What will be the effect of Australia’s sanctions on Israeli ministers? Here’s what my research shows – https://theconversation.com/what-will-be-the-effect-of-australias-sanctions-on-israeli-ministers-heres-what-my-research-shows-258692

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • Amid Iran tensions, U.S. withdraws diplomats, military families from West Asia over security concerns

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The US State and Defence Departments have begun moving non-essential personnel out of several locations across West Asia amid growing regional tensions, CNN reported citing US officials and sources familiar with the matter.

    While the exact cause of the shift in posture remains unclear, a defence official told CNN that US Central Command (CENTCOM) is monitoring “developing tension in the Middle East.”

    President Donald Trump, commenting on the situation, said, “They are being moved out because it could be a dangerous place… we’ve given notice to move out, and we’ll see what happens.

    CNN reported that the voluntary departure of military dependents from locations across the region has been authorized by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. “The safety and security of our service members and their families remains our highest priority,” an official said.

    CENTCOM commander Gen. Michael Kurilla postponed his scheduled testimony before a Senate committee due to the evolving situation, according to a defence official. The State Department, in coordination with the Pentagon, is also preparing to order the departure of non-essential personnel from US embassies in Iraq, Bahrain, and Kuwait, as well as the consulate in Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan, CNN reported.

    A local Iraqi official, however, stated that the movements were not connected to the security environment in Iraq. A State Department spokesperson said, “President Trump is committed to keeping Americans safe, both at home and abroad… Based on our latest analysis, we decided to reduce the footprint of our Mission in Iraq.” The department also updated its travel advisory, citing “heightened regional tensions” as the reason for the ordered departure.

    CNN further reported that President Trump expressed waning confidence in reaching a new nuclear agreement with Iran, telling a New York Post podcast that Tehran may be “delaying” the deal. “I’m getting more and more less confident about it… Something happened to them,”

    Trump said, adding that his instincts suggest the deal is increasingly unlikely. In a related development, CNN cited sources saying Trump told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a phone call on Monday to stop discussing a potential attack on Iran. The call, according to Trump, went “very well, very smooth.”

    Last month, CNN reported the US had obtained intelligence suggesting that Israel was preparing for a potential strike on Iranian nuclear facilities. US officials noted signs of Israeli military posturing, including the movement of air munitions and completion of an air exercise, though a final decision by Israeli leadership had not been confirmed.

    Amid these developments, Iran’s Defence Minister Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh issued a stern warning. As per Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency, he said if nuclear talks fail and conflict erupts, the US would be “forced to leave the region,” asserting that all US bases are within the reach of Iranian forces. “The adversary will certainly suffer heavier casualties,” he added, though he did not clarify whether he was referring to the US, Israel, or both. (ANI)

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Speech by FS at International Conference on Roads and Railways 2025 (English only) (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, at the International Conference on Roads and Railways 2025 today (June 12):

    Alfred (President of the Hong Kong Institution of Highways and Transportation, Mr Alfred Leung), Vice President Wang (Vice President of the Research Institute of Highway of the Ministry of Transport of the People’s Republic of China Mr Wang Shuiyin), Tony (Director of Highways, Mr Tony Yau), distinguished guests and speakers, ladies and gentlemen,

         Good morning. It is a great pleasure to join you today at the inaugural International Conference on Roads and Railways – a timely and important gathering that brings together a distinguished community of policymakers, engineers, academics and industry leaders to explore the future of connectivity and sustainable mobility.

         To our guests from the Mainland and overseas, a very warm welcome to Hong Kong.

    The future of roads and railways 

         Roads and railways have long been the backbone of economic growth and social advancement. They are more than just physical infrastructure; they are public goods that connect people, expand opportunities, foster mutual understanding, and enable more inclusive development.

         In an era of rapid technological advancement and growing climate urgency, we are called not only to build infrastructure, but to build it smarter and greener. Transportation systems must be designed, constructed, operated, and maintained in ways that align with the sustainable development goals and meet the needs of future generations.

         Around the world, the momentum towards smart and sustainable mobility is accelerating. Emerging technologies, from artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things, to automation and digital twin systems, are transforming how we plan and manage transport infrastructure. These innovations are helping us optimise construction engineering, enable real-time traffic management, and apply AI-powered predictive maintenance that cuts costs, reduces downtime and enhances safety. 

         In short, we are seeing a profound shift from traditional infrastructure to intelligent assets that adapt, learn and improve over time.

         At the same time, the global push for decarbonisation is reshaping the transport landscape, calling for action on multiple fronts such as using low-carbon materials in construction; designing infrastructure to support green logistics; and investing in EV charging networks as critical enablers of clean transport. It also means leveraging smart technologies, such as optimising energy consumption through AI, sensor-based monitoring, modular construction, and more, to reduce emissions across the life cycle of transport assets. 

         Green infrastructure, once a goal, is now a necessity.

         A key strategy in this transition is transit-oriented development, or TOD, which is a planning approach that integrates high-density urban development with efficient public transport systems. It clusters housing, commercial services and amenities around transit hubs, reducing reliance on private vehicles and cutting greenhouse gas emissions. 

         Studies show that well-executed TOD can reduce urban carbon emissions by up to 25 per cent, while also enhancing liveability, walkability and economic vitality. In essence, TOD is about building communities that are compact, connected and carbon-conscious.

    Hong Kong’s experience 

         So where does Hong Kong stand in all these – and how can we contribute? I believe there are several areas that Hong Kong can share experience with our peers.

         First, technological expertise and professional excellence. Hong Kong’s pathway in transport infrastructure is built on advanced engineering know-how, precision planning, and a commitment to innovation. Mable, our Secretary for Transport and Logistics, will soon provide a detailed account of how we are taking the projects forwards and how we are applying advanced technologies. But allow me to highlight a few unique features of our experience. 

         Hong Kong is a compact and high-density city, where land is scarce and infrastructure must coexist with tight urban spaces. This has made us a pioneer in TOD, with railways serving as the backbone of urban development. Our railway-led planning integrates transport, housing and commercial uses to create seamlessly connected and lower-emission communities.

         A good example is the Northern Metropolis, envisioned as a major innovation and technology hub. With a projected population of 2.5 million and over 650 000 new jobs, its development will be “infrastructure-led” and “capacity-creating” – with key projects such as the Northern Metropolis Highway and the Northern Link driving connectivity and growth in the region.

         Given our dense built environment, careful planning and community engagement are essential to avoid undue disruption. While this can be time-consuming, it reminds us of the need to build infrastructure that is responsive to public aspirations and socially inclusive.

         Cross-boundary land transport infrastructure is a defining characteristic of Hong Kong. We have nine land boundary control points. From the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge to the High Speed Rail, we have experience in integrating different engineering standards, operational models and even legal frameworks. A good example is the co-location of Mainland’s and Hong Kong’s customs, immigration and quarantine facilities at the Hong Kong West Kowloon Station. These projects require a high degree of agility, co-ordination with our counterparts and innovation.

         Second, smart and green innovation. Hong Kong is committed to making our transport systems smarter and greener, both as an innovator of new technologies and a user of cutting-edge solutions. 

         On the innovation side, we are investing heavily in four key technology areas: AI and robotics, biotech, fintech, and new energy and materials. Our goal is to become an international innovation and technology hub, with AI at its core.

         We already have a vibrant ecosystem of some 4 700 start-ups. In addition, we have been making good progress in attracting strategic enterprises to establish their presence, including R&D centres, here in Hong Kong. These include companies engaged in EVs, autonomous driving, smart traffic management and green materials, many of which are eager to seek global partners to expand their applications.

         On the application side, our high-density urban environment demands the use of advanced technologies to maintain efficiency and reliability of the transportation system. The opportunities in this space are vast, and we warmly welcome tech innovators from around the world to share solutions, co-create new applications, and shape the future of mobility together.

         Finally, financing the future. Hong Kong’s role as an international financial centre gives us a unique and powerful lever to support infrastructure development globally. 

         With a full suite of funding options, Hong Kong is where infrastructure projects from around the world can raise funds. This is particularly relevant for green, low-carbon infrastructure projects. We are Asia’s leading green bond market, accounting for nearly half of the region’s total issuance. 

         And we are also pioneering innovative financing models to unlock capital for infrastructure development. One such example is securitisation of infrastructure loans, a mechanism that transforms mature, revenue-generating brownfield assets into investment products, thereby freeing up capital for new greenfield projects. To date, Hong Kong has issued two such tranches, totalling US$800 million, supporting over 50 projects across the Middle East, Asia-Pacific and Latin America. 

         In regions where infrastructure funding gap remains urgent and significant – particularly in the Global South – Hong Kong offers practical and scalable ways to accelerate the delivery of essential and sustainable transport networks.

    Concluding remarks

         Ladies and gentlemen, to conclude, I believe the path to smarter and greener mobility is full of potential – and it is through collaboration, innovation and shared commitment that we will realise it.  

         On this note, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the Transport and Logistics Bureau, the Highways Department, and the Hong Kong Institution of Highways and Transportation for organising this meaningful conference.

         I wish the conference every success, and I look forward to the ideas and partnerships that will emerge from these three exciting days. Thank you very much. 

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –