NewzIntel.com

Category: Asia Pacific

  • Health Minister J.P. Nadda chairs ‘Kayakalp Manthan’ to boost public participation and improve healthcare delivery

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda on Thursday convened a high-level meeting, ‘Kayakalp Manthan’, bringing together senior officials, representatives from Central Government hospitals, NGOs, and healthcare experts from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The meeting aimed to enhance public healthcare delivery and promote deeper community engagement in improving the quality and accessibility of health services across the country.

    The discussion focused on reinvigorating the Kayakalp Scheme, a national initiative launched in 2015 to promote cleanliness, hygiene, and infection control across public healthcare institutions. Over the last decade, the scheme has grown substantially—from 10 Central Government hospitals to 25, with extended implementation across State Government hospitals through the National Health Mission (NHM).

    Addressing the gathering, Nadda acknowledged the progress achieved under the scheme but emphasized the need for sustained efforts and innovation to further enhance healthcare delivery. He stated, “Evolving towards a patient-centric ecosystem is critical for meeting the ever-increasing expectations of public service delivery.”

    The Health Minister highlighted the importance of hospital environment and ambiance in improving patient experience. He noted that while clinical care is often commendable, gaps in communication and patient engagement often leave room for dissatisfaction. “Thousands visit government hospitals every day and receive quality treatment, yet their feedback often lacks positivity. This calls for deeper introspection and a more empathetic approach in healthcare delivery,” he added.

    Nadda stressed the need for continuous capacity building, regular reviews, and robust enforcement mechanisms to maintain high-quality standards across all healthcare institutions. He urged stakeholders to work on the image and perception of government hospitals by addressing infrastructure, cleanliness, staff behavior, and amenities.

    A key focus of the Manthan was Jan Bhagidari—the involvement of local communities in managing healthcare facilities. “Creating a sense of ownership and belonging among the people is crucial to improving service delivery under the Kayakalp Scheme. It must evolve into a nationwide movement,” the Minister asserted.

    In response to the increasing burden on premier institutions in Delhi and other metros, Nadda called for a stronger focus on grassroots-level facilities, including Sub-Health Centres. He emphasized the importance of training, capacity building, technological integration, and eco-friendly innovations to decentralize care and reduce strain on urban hospitals.

    “Kayakalp is not just a cleanliness initiative. It represents a transformation in how healthcare services are delivered, conceived, and executed,” the Health Minister added.

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Joint Communique: UK-Mauritius Strategic Partnership Framework

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    News story

    Joint Communique: UK-Mauritius Strategic Partnership Framework

    Communiqué on the establishment of a Strategic Partnership Framework between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Republic of Mauritius.

    Today, with the conclusion of the agreement on the exercise of sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago, relations between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Republic of Mauritius enter a new era. In recognition of this, we – the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs for the United Kingdom, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade for Mauritius – agree to a new Strategic Partnership Framework, to cement and boost our flourishing relationship for the benefit of both nations.

    The United Kingdom and Mauritius enjoy deep historical ties and strong partnerships across a full range of shared strategic interests including economic growth, security, and climate change. We are both Commonwealth democracies, committed to upholding human rights, the rule of law, and the rules-based international system.

    Our new governments will work together to deliver the clear mandates for reform we were given in our elections last year, to support the change our people want to see. In agreeing to this partnership, we also demonstrate our continued shared commitment to the pursuit of a free and rules-based Indo-Pacific that delivers security and prosperity for all.

    From 2025, the United Kingdom and Mauritius will strengthen our cooperation, addressing the challenges and seizing the opportunities of our time, with a particular focus on: boosting mutual economic growth and trade, strengthening the international rules-based system, reinforcing maritime security, and tackling climate change.

    Building on our vibrant bilateral trade relationship currently worth £1.2 billion annually, we will increase mutual trade and investment to boost long-term growth for both our countries, supporting Mauritius’s aim to transition to a high income country and putting more money into hardworking people’s pockets. This will include:

    • deepening our existing trade relationship under the United Kingdom-Eastern and Southern Africa Economic Partnership Agreement

    • maximising growth and development by cooperating on competitive financing through UK Export Finance, with at least £5 billion in market risk appetite, to deliver British business opportunities and growth and jobs in Mauritius

    • new government-to-government initiatives on digital trade and health, and a United Kingdom/Mauritius Business Forum

    • delivering a set of formal partnerships with Mauritian and British institutions across priority sectors, including hospitals, the civil and public service, universities, and City of London financial institutions

    We also commit to work together to strengthen the international rules-based system and in particular to build resilience against corruption and illicit finance, including by enhancing Mauritius’s status as a regional financial hub and instilling further confidence in Mauritius as an investment destination. This will include:

    • developing a bilateral Economic Security Partnership to counter corruption and illicit finance, including measures to support Mauritius’s next Financial Action Taskforce review

    • expanding law enforcement cooperation, in particular cyber training and investigations, to reduce crime

    • identifying opportunities for Mauritian judicial reform and support

    We will explore ways to strengthen our democracies and shared values by forging deeper connections between our Parliaments and increasing our collaboration in international and multilateral fora such as the Commonwealth and regional Indian Ocean organisations.

    On maritime security and irregular migration, we will deepen our cooperation to fight the scourges of irregular migration, drugs trafficking, piracy, and illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing, supporting safer streets in our countries and protecting mutual prosperity. This will include:

    • cooperation agreements and capacity building to secure Mauritius’s Exclusive Economic Zone

    • consideration of patrolling capability across the Chagos Archipelago to support a secure maritime domain

    • cooperation to counter and manage irregular migration

    • provision of training and institutional partnerships to boost Mauritian maritime security capability and strengthen fisheries protection

    We further commit to tackle one of the defining global challenges of our time together: climate change. Our shared objectives are to deliver Mauritius’s transition to energy independence through sustainable renewable energy, to protect biodiversity including rare indigenous species, and to increase Mauritius’s long-term climate resilience. This will include:

    • a £12 million Access to Climate Finance programme, to unlock hundreds of millions of pounds through private sector partnerships and international green funds

    • mitigation and adaptation projects to tackle the immediate effects of climate change including coral restoration, coastal erosion and indigenous species conservation

    • technical expertise to develop and manage the Chagos Archipelago Marine Protected Area, pursuant to the agreement on the exercise of sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago

    The new UK-Mauritius Strategic Partnership Framework will provide a comprehensive mechanism for delivering, together, for our countries. Our Ministers will meet in the coming months to finalise the partnership and will then meet in an Annual Strategic Dialogue to review and keep evolving it as necessary to support the security and prosperity of our countries into the future.

    Updates to this page

    Published 22 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warren, Merkley, Tokuda Renew Fight to Hold Soldiers Accountable for Wounded Knee Massacre

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren
    May 22, 2025
    Legislation would strip Medal of Honor from soldiers who participated in the slaughter of hundreds of Lakota men, women, and children at the Wounded Knee massacre
    Text of the Bill (PDF) | Bill One-Pager (PDF)
    Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), along with Congresswoman Jill Tokuda (D-Hawaii), reintroduced the Remove the Stain Act. The bill would revoke the Medal of Honor from the soldiers who perpetrated the Wounded Knee massacre on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota on December 29, 1890. During the massacre, U.S. soldiers slaughtered hundreds of Lakota men, women, and children—most of them unarmed. Twenty U.S. soldiers were awarded the Medal of Honor—the highest military decoration—for their actions at Wounded Knee. 
    Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) co-sponsored the bill. 
    As the country’s highest military honor, the Medal of Honor is awarded in the name of Congress for “gallantry beyond the call of duty.” The 101st Congress (1989-1990) adopted a concurrent resolution acknowledging the 100th anniversary of the massacre and “expresse(d) its deep regret on behalf of the United States” for the “terrible tragedy.” 
    Congress has rescinded Medals of Honor before. The Remove the Stain Act would do the same for perpetrators of the Wounded Knee Massacre, to respect and honor the Lakota men, women, and children who lost their lives, advance justice, and take a step toward righting a profound wrong in our nation’s history.
    “We cannot be a country that celebrates and rewards horrifying acts of violence against Native people,” said Senator Warren. “Congress must recognize how shameful this massacre was and take an important step toward justice for the Lakota people.”
    “We must acknowledge our history and take concrete steps to right historic wrongs from America’s darkest chapters,” said Senator Merkley. “Moving forward together as a nation demands we remember, reflect on, and work to rectify the abhorrent massacre of hundreds of innocent Lakota men, women, and children at Wounded Knee. This horrific injustice is not deserving of our nation’s highest award for military valor, and our long-overdue bill helps finally set the record straight by revoking these medals.”
    “The massacre of hundreds of unarmed Lakota men, women, and children at Wounded Knee was a crime against humanity, and honoring the perpetrators with the Medal of Honor adds insult to that deep wound. The Remove the Stain Act is about facing the truth, no matter how painful,” said Representative Tokuda. “I’m proud to introduce this bill to revoke medals that should never have been given, because healing begins with honesty—and the Lakota people deserve nothing less.” 
    Senators Warren and Merkley first introduced the Remove the Stain Act in the 116th Congress, and again in 117th Congress. Former Representatives Denny Heck (D-Wash.), Deb Haaland (D-N.M.), and Paul Cook (R-Calif.) led the bill in the House in the 116th Congress and Congressman Kaiali’i Kahele (D-Hawaii) led the bill in the 117th Congress.
    The Remove the Stain Act is supported by the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), the Coalition of Large Tribes (COLT), Great Plains Tribal Chairmen’s Association, Rosebud Sioux Tribe, Oglala Sioux Tribe, Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, Yankton Sioux Tribe, Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Tribe, Shoshone-Paiute Tribe of the Duck Valley Indian Reservation, the Native Organizers Alliance, Four Directions, Friends Committee on National Legislation, and the Spotted Elk, Afraid of Hawk, Catches, and LeBeau families  — alongside other stakeholders. It is also supported by coalitions of veterans, including Veterans for Peace, VoteVets, Common Defense, and Veterans for American Ideals.
    “For decades, NCAI and Tribal Nations have steadfastly called on Congress to revoke the Medals of Honor awarded to the U.S. 7th Cavalry for their role in the Wounded Knee Massacre. The continued recognition of those responsible for the brutal slaughter of our Lakota relatives—women, children, and elders—remains a shameful stain on our nation’s conscience. Our ancestors and their survivors have long awaited justice, and taking action on this issue is long overdue. We are deeply grateful to Senator Warren and Senator Merkley for reintroducing the Remove the Stain Act, a critical step toward condemning the horrific atrocities committed at Wounded Knee. NCAI has and will continue to advocate for the passage and signing into law of this important legislation. We remain committed to working alongside our partners to ensure justice, healing, and reconciliation for all Native American communities affected by this historic injustice,” said the National Congress of American Indians. Read the full letter of support here.
    “As President of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, I express my Tribal Nation’s gratitude to Senator Warren for again reintroducing the Remove the Stain Act. The Act will revoke the Medals of Honor inappropriately awarded to soldiers for slaughtering hundreds of Lakota men, women, and children at the Wounded Knee Massacre.  This bill would not only help recognize a monstrous injustice but also preserve the integrity I and so many others associate with being awarded a Medal of Honor for service to the United States of America,” said Frank Star Comes Out, President of the Oglala Sioux Tribe. Read the full letter of support here.
     “My Uncí (grandmother) Marcella LeBeau served as a U.S. Army nurse in World War II at the Battle of the Bulge, she strongly advocated for the Remove the Stain Act to rescind the Wounded Knee Massacre Medals of Honor. She said, ‘there is a pervasive sadness among our Lakota People due to the tragic loss of our Relatives at Wounded Knee. 
    The Remove the Stain Act takes the significant step of revoking Medals of Honor that were unjustly awarded to U.S. soldiers who murdered over 350 children, women and men at the Wounded Knee Massacre. We commend Senator Warren and Senator Merkley’s leadership and commitment to ensuring that the wrongs of the past are acknowledged and addressed,” said Ryman LeBeau, Chairman of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. Read the full letter of support here. 
    “December 29, 2025, will mark 135 years since the Wounded Knee Massacre, when historians estimate that members of the U.S. Army 7th Cavalry Regiment killed at least 150 women and children — some estimates go even higher. In 1990, to commemorate one hundred years since the massacre, the 101st Congress passed a concurrent resolution describing the victims murdered and wounded as ‘tragic death and injury,’ going on to express ‘… its deep regret on behalf of the  United States to the descendants of the victims and survivors and their respective tribal communities…’ I was angered but, unfortunately, not surprised that soldiers received awards for their role in the atrocities. I am outraged that, despite our government’s explicit recognition of the crimes, those who refuse to face the ugly and racist parts of U.S. history prevail. It is past time for acknowledgement and accountability. Revoke the awards now,” said Michael T. McPhearson, U.S. Army Captain Combat Veteran of Desert Shield and Desert Storm, with Veterans for Peace. 
    “I support the Remove the Stain Act as a critical step toward justice for the victims of the Wounded Knee Massacre and their descendants. Rescinding these Medals of Honor will restore the integrity of this prestigious award and honor the truth of our nation’s history. This legislation is a necessary measure to acknowledge historical injustices, promote healing for Native American communities, and demonstrate a commitment to equity and reconciliation,” said Chairman Garret Renville of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Tribe.  
    “As direct blood descendants of several ancestors, including the leader, Chief Spotted Elk, a Minneconjou treaty signer, we strongly support the Remove the Stain Act. Our ancestors were killed in one of the largest and most notorious massacres in history, and the Medals of Honor awarded to the soldiers responsible for their deaths continue to dishonor their memory. It is well-documented that the soldiers deliberately targeted women and children with cannons, killing innocents and even their own men in the chaos. Our people, unaware of their fate that day, were brutally massacred, and this alone is reason enough to rescind the medals. For the Spotted Elk Tiospaye, the Medals of Honor symbolize not only the massacre but also the erasure of our ancestors’ dignity and legacy. Rescinding them is a critical step in correcting history and ensuring that our ancestors, Spotted Elk and Flying Horse, and the others are remembered as leaders, not as casualties of a government that celebrated their killers. Spotted Elk’s photograph, taken after his death, where he is frozen in the snow, has become a grim icon. Yet, to this day, no meaningful effort has been made to correct the errors surrounding his true name or history. He continues to be confused with an Oglala sub-chief who died nine years after the Wounded Knee Massacre. This long-standing confusion compounds the burden and grief we carry as direct descendants, dividing our people and perpetuating false narratives that tragically impact families in ways too painful to fully express here. We are grateful for your work on the Remove the Stain Act to rescind the medals and ask for your continued assistance in correcting this grave injustice. We stand with you in supporting the removal of these Medals as a necessary step toward healing and justice, and we deeply appreciate your leadership in making this long-overdue change possible,” said Calvin and Michelle Spotted Elk of the Spotted Elk Family. Read the full letter of support here.
    “I am the living Descendant of my Grandfather Richard Afraid of Hawk/Cetan Kokipa, who was one of the 1890 Wounded Knee Descendant Survivor. At the age of 16/17 years of age. The tragedy of the massacre of Uphan Gleska/Spotted Elk/Big Foots Band. From Our Homelands of the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation. Was a planned attack directed by Colonel James Forsyth. And his 7th Calvary Unit. A senseless act of cowardice. To this day the unjust wrong done by the US Government/7th Calvary. Can be felt the heavy sadness. Upon the living Descendants. The removal of the Medals of Honor will be righteous and just cause. As this was indeed a Massacre done to our Relatives. So that the grieving and healing process will begin. As a Lakota Nation as a whole. Thank you/Pilamaye for your passion and hard work. To correct the wrong of Our Relatives,” said Marlis Afraid of Hawk of the Afraid of Hawk Family. 
    “As Co-Executive Directors of Four Directions Native Vote Barb & I want to express our heartfelt gratitude to Senators Elizabeth Warren and Jeff Merkley and Representative Jill Tokuda for reintroducing the Remove the Stain Act. We and the descendants continue to think of our relatives who faced a terrible massacre at Wounded Knee. We must show the World these types of actions are not condoned and this legislation will start a healing process for the people and Nations,” said OJ and Barb Semans of Four Directions Native Vote. Read the full letter of support here.
    “As Chairman of the Coalition of Large Tribes and Chairman of the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate, I want to express my gratitude on behalf of COLT and SWO to Senators Elizabeth Warren and Jeff Merkley and Representative Jill Tokuda for reintroducing the Remove the Stain Act in the 119 Congress. The Oglala, Cheyenne River Sioux Tribes as well as the 7 other Tribes in South Dakota all have Wounded Knee Descendants within our territories and the passage of this bill will create healing for the Descendants and our Nation,” said J. Garret Renville, Chairman Coalition of Large Tribes (COLT). 
    “Rescinding these Medals of Honor – awarded for actions that embody dishonor – is essential to maintaining the distinction of our nation’s highest military award. Those who have been earned the Medal of Honor for true acts of valor in the course of their military service should not be in the same company as the twenty individuals awarded for participation in the Wounded Knee Massacre. It’s long past time for Congress to act and rescind those Medals. We applaud Senator Warren’s leadership and encourage every Member to join her in this effort,” said Mary Kaszynski, VoteVets Director of Government Relations. 
    “History lives and breathes in the stories we tell and is buried by those we ignore. The Wounded Knee Massacre is a story we cannot forget. It was not an act of bravery but a brutal attempt to erase the Lakota people from their land. And yet, rather than mourning the over 300 lives lost, we rewarded the very hands that pulled the triggers with Medals of Honor. The Remove the Stain Act is not about rewriting history—it is about recognizing the truth and acknowledging our rights, as Native peoples, to live freely in our homelands. The Native Organizers Alliance stands with the Tribal Nations and leaders in demanding justice. The revocation of these medals will not undo the tragedy of Wounded Knee, but it will be a step toward telling the truth about what happened that day. It is time for Congress to act, not out of favor, but out of respect for the Lakota people and the truth,” said Tre Nez, Director of Policy at the Native Organizers Alliance. 
    Additional letters of support for the Remove the Stain Act are available from the Great Plains Tribal Chairmen’s Association, Inc., Shoshone-Paiute Tribe of the Duck Valley Indian Reservation, and a Descendant of the Wounded Knee Massacre Violet Catches.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Schatz: Republican Tax Bill Is ‘Largest Wealth Transfer In American History’

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Hawaii Brian Schatz

    WASHINGTON — In a speech on the Senate floor yesterday, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) called out House Republicans for holding a committee meeting at 1 a.m. to quietly advance then pass a bill that would cut health care and reduce food assistance for millions, as well as promote a dying and dirty fossil fuel energy agenda — all to pay for tax breaks for billionaires.

    “This is a sort of general rule in politics, which is that if you start your meeting at 1 a.m., you’re probably not proud of what you’re doing,” Senator Schatz began. “Republicans in the House know that the bill that they are considering is super unpopular. But they’ve been ordered to pass it anyway. That is what’s happening on the other side of the Capitol right now. House Republicans have convened the Rules Committee at 1 a.m. to advance their tax bill. And it’s because they know this bill stinks.”

    “It is the largest wealth transfer in American history… They’re literally taking from the poor — people who don’t have enough money — and shoveling straight into the pockets of people who already have more than enough. This bill is about making the richest people to ever walk the earth even richer,” Senator Schatz continued. “How do they plan to do that? By kicking 14 million Americans off of health insurance and denying food assistance to millions more. People will be turned away at hospitals and go to bed hungry — all so that billionaires have a bit more.”

    “Even the biggest cuts to Medicaid in history are still not enough to cover the cost of these enormous giveaways. So the Republicans have turned to one of their favorite punching bags: solving the climate crisis… This is going to raise costs for Americans,” said Senator Schatz. “And so there is a reason they convened at 1 a.m., and it is not because that’s prime time in Hawai‘i. They didn’t convene at 1 a.m. because they like to see each other past midnight. They convened at 1 a.m. because they are about to pass one of the most unpopular pieces of legislation that has ever been passed out of the United States House of Representatives.”

    The full text of Senator Schatz’s remarks is below. Video is available here.

    This is a sort of general rule in politics, which is that if you start your meeting at 1 a.m., you’re probably not proud of what you’re doing. Now, there are some instances in which you start the meeting at 7 p.m. and it goes long, and then you have to vote at whatever hour you finish. But to convene at 1 a.m. is an intentional thing, right? It is to say: “I would very much like if nobody saw what we were up to.” And that’s exactly what happened at 1a.m. today, Wednesday morning.

    Republicans in the House know that the bill that they are considering is super unpopular. But they’ve been ordered to pass it anyway. That is what’s happening on the other side of the Capitol right now. House Republicans have convened the Rules Committee at 1:00 a.m. to advance their tax bill. And it’s because they know this bill stinks.

    For starters, it is the largest wealth transfer in American history. Think about that—been a lot of wealth transfers in American history, but this is the biggest one in terms of the tax code. It’s not like they’re redistributing wealth among the wealthy. They are literally taking from the poor—people who don’t have enough money—and shoveling it straight into the pockets of people who already have more than enough. This bill is about making the richest people ever to walk the Earth even richer.

    How do they plan to do that? By kicking 14 million Americans off of health insurance and denying food assistance to millions more. People will be turned away at hospitals and go to bed hungry—all so that billionaires have a bit more.

    You do not need fancy polling to tell you that this is super unpopular. And so Republicans have decided to fix that problem by convening the hearing in the middle of the night, hoping that people will not notice.

    The plain facts of the bill are so egregious. And as I started to write these remarks, I had a problem, which is: how do you describe this thing accurately and not sound like you’re frothing at the mouth, like a partisan, and sort of overstating the case? Because this really is kicking 14 million people off of Medicaid, kicking millions more off of food assistance, and then that is the savings that is generated in order to fund these tax cuts for billionaire corporations and the wealthiest people in the United States.

    And what happens if something is both true and sounds like a partisan accusation? But that’s where we’re at. This is actually what they’re trying to do. And here’s the thing—even the biggest cuts to Medicaid in history are still not enough to cover the cost of these enormous giveaways. So the Republicans have turned to one of their favorite punching bags: solving the climate crisis.

    Never mind that hundreds of billions of dollars are being invested in clean energy across the country—mostly in Republican states and districts. Never mind that those investments are creating hundreds of thousands of good-paying jobs. Never mind that even if you don’t care about any of that, there is a basic principle in running a smart economy and running an investable economy—and that is that when the private sector makes an investment on the basis of the tax code, and they are in the middle of that investment, that you can’t pull the rug out from under them.

    And the reason is very simple. Besides fairness—and besides the fact that we are undermining progress toward actually addressing an existential crisis for the planet—it also makes the United States very hard to invest in. Because if you are a business and you are looking at the federal tax code and you’re saying, “I’m going to make a five-, maybe ten-year investment—capital investment—chips, manufacturing, climate, agriculture, hospitality, real estate, transportation, infrastructure, whatever it may be,” but you’re doing it on the basis of what the federal tax code says, and then your investment committee, the board of directors, whomever it may be, will say: “Well, how do we know these things are going to stay on the books?”

    And the normal answer is, “Well, come on—the federal government is not going to pull out a tax incentive structure in the middle of your investment and construction cycle.” And the truth is: yes, they are. And so this doesn’t have just climate implications or economic implications in terms of the specific projects. It actually has to do with how stable of an investment climate we establish in the United States of America.

    You know, we’re no longer doing “all of the above.” The argument that we used to have between the political parties was: Democrats would say, “We’ve got to transition to clean energy.” Republicans would say, “No, let’s do clean energy, but let’s also do these other things.” But now the Republican position is picking winners and losers—and basically riding the losers into the ground.

    Here’s the very tough truth: coal is on the way out, whether you like it or not. But Trump and Republicans would rather revive it for a few more years just to squeeze a couple more years of profitability out of it. Because, after all, their capital investments are fully amortized. So a couple more years of profitability means no more investment, but a couple more years of revenue. And so that’s what they’re doing.

    This is going to raise costs for Americans. Let’s be clear—this is going to raise costs for Americans.

    There was a time—and I was part of these debates in the state of Hawai‘i—there was a time when there was a tradeoff between how much consumers had to pay and our climate objectives. But those trends have changed. So now wind is the cheapest form of energy. Nuclear is among the cheapest forms of energy. Solar is among the cheapest forms of energy.

    For me, in the state of Hawai‘i, to bring in low-sulfur fuel oil on a fuel tanker and then light it on fire for electrons is the single dumbest thing you could do—even if you didn’t care about climate. It is simply cheaper. It is simply cheaper for consumers, and businesses, and for the climate crisis, and therefore our ability to fiscally manage the climate crisis, as we see increasing disasters—both in their severity and how often they happen.

    And then every, what, year, year and a half, we do a $150 billion emergency supplemental because there are now wildfires where there have never been wildfires, floods where there have never been floods, tornadoes where there have never been tornadoes. This is not made up. Nobody gets to deny this anymore.

    And so there is a reason they convened at 1:00 a.m., and it is not because that’s prime time in Hawai`i. They didn’t convene at 1:00 a.m. because they like to see each other past midnight. They convened at 1:00 a.m. because they are about to pass one of the most unpopular pieces of legislation that has ever been passed out of the United States House of Representatives.

    And I just wonder why. If I’m a House member and I’m being told, “We’re going to make all these changes—all these things that you’re voting for are going to be excised from the Senate version, don’t worry”—well, my view would be: if you’re going to fix all that stuff, why are you making me vote on it now? Why are you making me vote on it now?

    And the answer is very simple: Donald Trump showed up in the caucus, used a couple of expletives. They implied that voting no is a betrayal—that standing up for your constituents is a betrayal. And I think they’re all going to fall in line. And so it is up to the United States Senate to fix this bill or kill this bill. And so that’s the task in front of us. And I am hoping that cooler heads prevail. I know there are a number of Republicans that hate these Medicaid cuts. I know there are a number of Republicans who have a ton of clean energy investment in their state.

    And there’s plenty of political room to criticize the Biden administration or say “I’m against the Green New Deal” and still be for wind, and solar, and nuclear, and geothermal, and agriculture that’s done in a more climate-friendly way. All of that is available to us. We don’t have to do things in the maximally unpopular way. But the Speaker apparently wants to do it that way.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: ASIA/CAMBODIA – Apostolic Vicar Schmitthaeusler: “Pope Leo’s presence is a source of courage, joy and communion”

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Thursday, 22 May 2025  

    Phnom Penh (Agenzia Fides) – “The young faithful in Cambodia experienced an explosion of joy on May 8th because we have a Pope, the Shepherd of the universal Church. For them and for all Cambodians, he, as the Good Shepherd, is a source of courage, joy, and communion. We are deeply moved by the motto ‘In him who is one, we are one.’ And we are impressed that he began his ministry with the greeting of the Risen Christ: Peace be with you. We sensed that this greeting of peace was addressed to us, the Cambodian faithful,” said Bishop Olivier Schmitthaeusler, Apostolic Vicar of Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, in a statement to Fides, expressing the feelings of the Cambodian faithful following the election of Pope Leo XIV.”The election of the new Pope,” he reports, “took place while 300 young Cambodians were participating in a pilgrimage for the Holy Year. With the young people, we tried to let the voice of Jesus penetrate our hearts: Come and see.” “As pilgrims of hope,” he continued, “we passed through the Holy Door, prayed the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, remembered our martyrs, and venerated Mary, our Mother. And we gave thanks for the election of Pope Leo XIV. Let us ask the Lord to fill him with all his graces so that he can guide and enlighten us in this world darkened by war, consumerism, and selfishness.””The Cambodian Church today is celebrating and waiting. It is a small community that walks the paths of hope,” says the bishop, emphasizing the words courage, joy, hope.” “The Lord,” he emphasizes, “through the guidance of Pope Leo, gives us the courage to overcome the obstacles, the misery of our lives, the misfortunes of the world, the injustices in our society, which must not make us doubt God’s love and mercy for ourselves and for the world.” Furthermore, he continues, “we have in our hearts the joy of the baptized, the joy of youth, the joy of being friends of Jesus, the joy of being children of the Church of Cambodia, the joy of having a new Shepherd for our Church, the joy of having Mary as our Mother.”Finally, the Apostolic Vicar adds, “we enjoy communion with God: we are one in him, with the Holy Father and the universal Church, with our priests, our parishes, with our brothers and sisters, for we are a family loved and chosen by God, with our people.” (PA) (Agenzia Fides, 22/5/2025)
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    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • President Murmu confers Gallantry Awards at Rashtrapati Bhawan

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    President Droupadi Murmu honored the extraordinary courage and sacrifice of India’s bravehearts by conferring six Kirti Chakras and 33 Shaurya Chakras to personnel from the Armed Forces, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), and State/Union Territory Police at Rashtrapati Bhawan. The Defence Investiture Ceremony 2025, held on Thursday, celebrated the heroism of these individuals who risked their lives in service to the nation, with a significant number of the awards bestowed posthumously to recognize those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

    The Kirti Chakra and Shaurya Chakra rank among India’s highest peacetime gallantry awards, reserved for acts of raw courage, unparalleled bravery, and a selfless disregard for personal safety in the line of duty. This year’s ceremony spotlighted the valor of 39 personnel, including Major Malla Rama Gopal Naidu of the Maratha Light Infantry and Major Manjit of the Punjab Regiment, both commended for their exceptional bravery. Four posthumous Kirti Chakras were awarded to Rifleman Ravi Kumar, Colonel Manpreet Singh, Deputy Superintendent of Police Himayun Muzzammil Bhat, and Naik Dilwar Khan, each recognized for their unmatched valor in counter-terror operations that safeguarded the nation.

    The Shaurya Chakra recipients, numbering 33 in total, included Major (now Lt Col) Vijay Verma of the Rajput Regiment, honored for his gallant actions on October 5, 2022, as well as Deputy Commandant Vikrant Kumar and Inspector/GD Jeffrey Hmingchullo of the CRPF, celebrated for their bravery on April 2, 2023. Seven of these awards were conferred posthumously, with Major Aashish Dhonchak and Captain Deepak Singh among those who laid down their lives during operations, their sacrifices immortalized through this recognition.

    These awardees distinguished themselves across a range of high-stakes missions, showcasing heroism in diverse and perilous circumstances. In counter-terrorism operations in Jammu & Kashmir and the North-East, personnel neutralized dreaded terrorists, apprehended insurgents, and recovered arms and ammunition, often under extreme duress. Notably, Colonel Manpreet Singh and Rifleman Ravi Kumar earned their posthumous honors for heroic efforts in Jammu and Kashmir on September 12-13, 2023, exemplifying the courage required in such volatile regions.

    The Indian Navy also shone brightly, with officers like Commodore Sharad Sinsunwal and Lieutenant Commander Kapil Yadav leading successful anti-piracy operations that forced the surrender of pirates and secured the rescue of hostages. Navy personnel further demonstrated their bravery during firefighting efforts aboard a burning oil tanker, risking their lives to avert disaster. Meanwhile, in the Indian Air Force, Wing Commander Vernon Desmond Keane and Squadron Leader Deepak Kumar exhibited remarkable courage in life-threatening situations, skillfully rescuing aircraft while ensuring no civilian casualties, a testament to their precision and valor.

    The CRPF’s relentless fight against Left-Wing Extremism was equally commendable, with officers such as Deputy Commandant Lakhveer and Constable/GD Pawan Kumar, the latter honored posthumously, recognized for apprehending Maoist insurgents and recovering weapons in affected areas. Their efforts underscored the critical role of the CAPF in maintaining internal security amidst persistent threats.

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China condemns Philippines’ violations in South China Sea reefs

    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, May 22 (Xinhua) — The China Coast Guard (CCG) on Thursday slammed the Philippines’ illegal actions in the Zhubi and Tiexian reefs, calling them a violation of China’s territorial sovereignty and calling on the Philippines to immediately stop such violations.

    On Wednesday, two Philippine service vessels illegally entered waters off Zhubi Reef and Tiexian Reef without permission from the Chinese government, with some personnel illegally landing on Tiexian Reef, BOC spokesman Liu Dejun said.

    According to the official, BOC officers took action against these vessels and boarded the reef to resolve the situation in a professional, standard, reasonable and legal manner.

    However, one of the Philippine ships, ignoring multiple serious warnings from the Chinese side, approached the BOC vessel at a dangerous distance while it was on duty, which led to the collision. Liu Dejun stressed that the Philippine side bears full responsibility for the incident.

    He said China has indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha Islands and adjacent waters, adding that such actions by the Philippines seriously violate China’s territorial sovereignty, are contrary to the Declaration of Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, and undermine peace and stability in the region.

    “We call on the Philippine side to immediately stop such violations. The BOC will continue to carry out law enforcement activities in the maritime area under China’s jurisdiction to legitimately protect China’s sovereignty and rights,” the BOC official concluded. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hawaiʻi Abyssal Nodules and Associated Ecosystems Expedition

    Source: US Geological Survey

    Research Purpose and Objectives

    Scientists from the US Geological Survey (USGS), the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, and the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) will conduct ship-based research in the deep waters and seafloor far offshore the Hawaiian Islands in Fall 2024. The team, with its broad range of expertise in biology, geology, and oceanography, will study marine minerals and their environmental setting—the microbes and animals that coexist with them and the characteristics of the surrounding sediments and seawater—in the deepest and least scientifically characterized parts of the ocean, known as the abyssal plains.
     

    Map showing study area (outlined in yellow) of the Hawaii Abyssal Nodules and Associated Ecosystems Expedition.
    Abyssal Plains and Manganese Nodules

    Abyssal plains exist at depths between 3,000 and 6,000 meters (9,800 to 19,700 feet) and constitute more than 70 percent of the global seafloor. Processes driving the geology and biology of these deep-sea environments remain largely unstudied. To facilitate understanding of global abyssal seafloor settings given the very little physical data available, scientists use large-scale factors like sedimentation rate, surface primary productivity, and bathymetry to predict the geologic features, marine minerals, and ecosystems that are likely to occur. In the abyssal regions about 230 miles (~370 kilometers) south of the Island of Hawaiʻi, oceanographic and geologic evidence indicate that manganese nodules may be present on the seafloor.

    Abyssal manganese nodules—concretions smaller than a fist that are mainly composed of iron and manganese and form very slowly, at rates of millimeters per million years—offer a distinct habitat for local fauna compared to the surrounding sediment-covered seafloor. Since these nodules form in layers, they can offer unique insights into the geochemistry of the ocean going back millions of years, yet their formation, regional distribution, and interaction with their environment is still not well understood. 

    The research expedition will characterize the abyssal plain south of Hawai’i, focusing on the interaction of geology and biology within a holistic mineral-environment system. 

    Scientists will: 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Bonta to Congress: Pass Legislation to Help Prevent Youth Substance Use

    Source: US State of California Department of Justice

    OAKLAND — California Attorney General Rob Bonta today joined a bipartisan coalition of 39 attorneys general in urging Congressional leaders to pass the Youth Substance Use Prevention and Awareness Act, a bipartisan bill that would authorize federal grant funding for public service announcement (PSA) campaigns aimed at reducing youth substance use. In addition, the bill would promote innovation by supporting youth-led PSA contests — an approach that not only engages young people directly but also encourages peer-to-peer communication, which is shown to be highly effective. 

    “Youth substance use is a serious problem — one that affects all communities, no matter their politics,” said Attorney General Bonta. “I’m joining a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general in supporting the Youth Substance Use Prevention and Awareness Act because it can help to save lives. I urge Congress to pass this bill as quickly as possible.”

    In the letter to Senate Majority Leader John Thune, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Speaker Mike Johnson, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, the attorneys general emphasize that: 

    • They are deeply involved in efforts to address substance use and addiction from every angle — criminal enforcement, civil litigation, consumer protection, public education, and prevention. 
    • The earlier an individual begins using substances, the likelier they are to develop substance use disorders later in life. That is why prevention, particularly among youth, remains an effective tool in addressing this public health and public safety crisis. 
    • By requiring annual reports on the content, reach, and outcomes of the funded campaigns, the legislation will ensure transparency, accountability, and effectiveness. 

    In sending today’s letter, Attorney General Bonta joins the attorneys general of New Hampshire, Connecticut, New York, South Dakota, Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, American Samoa, the District of Columbia, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

    A copy of the letter can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: After 50 successful years, the European Space Agency has some big challenges ahead

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Daniel Brown, Lecturer in Astronomy, Nottingham Trent University

    Rosetta at Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. ESA/ATG medialab; Comet image: ESA/Rosetta/Navcam

    This year marks the 50th anniversary of the founding of the European Space Agency (Esa). It has launched spectacularly successful missions, but is different to other space agencies which generally represent one country. Esa is funded by 23 member states and also has cooperation agreements with nations such as Canada.

    Esa operates cutting edge spacecraft designed to monitor the Earth, as well as space telescopes that study the distant cosmos. It has launched robotic spacecraft to other planets and to objects such as comets. It is also involved in human spaceflight – training European astronauts to work on the International Space Station (ISS).

    These are hugely successful achievements. But the agency now faces challenges as competition heats up among newer space powers such as China and India.

    The history of Esa can be traced to events immediately after the second world war, when many European scientists moved to either the US or to the Soviet Union. Many of them realised that projects supported only by a single nation could not compete with those supported by the two big geopolitical players at the time.

    This motivated the physicists Pierre Auger, from France, and Edoardo Amaldi, from Italy, to propose a European organisation that would carry out space research and would be “purely scientific”.

    In 1962, two agencies were created. One of these, the European Launch Development Organisation (ELDO), would concentrate on developing a rocket. The other, the European Space Research Organisation (ESRO), would focus on developing robotic spacecraft. Both were joined together in 1975 to form the European Space Agency.

    The push to build a European rocket would eventually yield the Ariane launcher, which is operated by the French company Arianespace.

    The first satellite to be launched under the banner of the newly formed European Space Agency was Cos-B. This spacecraft was designed to monitor a high energy form of radiation called gamma rays, being emitted from objects in space.

    Esa collaborated with other space agencies on the Hubble Space Telescope.
    ESA/NASA

    In 1978, Esa cooperated with Nasa and the UK on the International Ultraviolet Explorer mission. This space telescope was designed to observe the cosmos in ultraviolet light, something that cannot be done from Earth.

    The agency would later collaborate with Nasa and the Canadian Space Agency on one of the most successful space telescopes of all time: Hubble. Launched in 1990, the Hubble Space Telescope helped confirm the expansion rate of the universe and showed that black holes are at the cores of almost all galaxies. Hubble’s stunning images also changed the way that many people saw the universe. Esa funded one of the original instruments on the space telescope, the Faint Object Camera, and provided the first two solar arrays.

    The space agency is also a partner on the revolutionary James Webb Telescope, which launched in 2021. Esa contributed two of the telescope’s instruments: the Near-Infrared Spectrograph (NirSpec) and the Mid-Infrared Instrument (Miri).

    Solar System missions

    Esa has also launched pioneering missions to other planets and objects in our solar system. The first of these was the Giotto comet explorer. This robotic spacecraft flew past Halley’s comet in 1986 and was successfully woken up in 1992 to study a comet called Grigg-Skejllerup.

    A second successful cometary mission followed when the Rosetta spacecraft entered orbit around Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko in 2014. Rosetta despatched a lander called Philae to touch down on the comet’s surface.

    Rosetta has been my favourite of all Esa achievements, simply due to the pure audacity of attempting to land on an object whose shape and composition was until then only sparsely known. In order to “land” on an object with low gravity, Philae was to have deployed harpoons that would attach the lander to the surface. These systems did not work, but the overall mission was a success, leading to high levels of engagement from the public.

    Besides comets, Esa launched one of the most successful missions to the red planet: Mars Express. The spacecraft entered orbit around Mars in 2003 and has played a key role in enhancing understanding of our planetary neighbour. It is expected to continue working until at least 2034. Mars Express also carried the ill-fated British Beagle 2 spacecraft to Mars. This was supposed to land in 2003, but contact was never established with the probe, which is presumed to have been damaged while touching down.

    In 2005, Esa’s Huygens spacecraft landed on Titan, Saturn’s largest moon. This was the furthest from Earth that a spacecraft has ever landed. These are all outward facing missions, but Esa has also had major success with projects to study what’s going on here on Earth. These include the Envisat satellite, which operated from 2002-2012, and the Sentinel series of spacecraft, which have operated from 2014 to the present.

    These have helped map agriculture and forests, understand the Earth’s climate, track ice, and monitor atmospheric ozone. In addition, the Galileo navigation satellites are providing a high precision alternative to GPS.

    Esa is also a major player in human spaceflight, having been a partner in the International Space Station project since 1993. It has built sections of the ISS, including the Columbus laboratory, launched in 2008, and the Cupola viewing window, which gives astronauts panoramic views of Earth. The agency’s astronauts regularly spend time on the ISS as crew and could even fly to the Moon under Nasa’s Artemis programme.

    Since the 1990s, Esa has frequently collaborated with Nasa – often very successfully. However, this relationship has also faced challenges. In the wake of the financial crisis, for example, Nasa cancelled its participation in several collaborative missions with Esa. Under a proposed Nasa budget this year, the US space agency may again cancel its involvement with the joint Nasa-Esa Mars Sample Return mission.

    Esa’s future

    Times have changed in the space industry since Esa’s founding 50 years ago. Major countries such as China, India and Japan all have their own space programmes. Esa faces considerable financial pressures to compete with them.

    Nevertheless, Esa is working on strengthening its space exploration and launch capabilities through the use of a commercial space port in Norway.

    It has also put together a long-term strategy for 2040. This document highlights important areas where Esa can play a major role, including protecting Earth and its climate, continued missions to explore space and also efforts to boost European growth and competitiveness.

    All this should strengthen and secure the agency for the future. Through a mixture of developing its own missions and collaborating with other agencies and commercial partners on others, Esa should be a major player in space exploration for decades to come.

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

    – ref. After 50 successful years, the European Space Agency has some big challenges ahead – https://theconversation.com/after-50-successful-years-the-european-space-agency-has-some-big-challenges-ahead-256633

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New UK-Japan partnership to boost economic growth and cultural exchanges

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    New UK-Japan partnership to boost economic growth and cultural exchanges

    Boost for UK businesses and growth as new Musubi Initiative strengthens UK-Japan connections

    • Innovative public-private partnership to encourage investment and grow the next generation of UK and Japanese leaders, while creating new opportunities for sports programmes, youth scholarships and cultural exchanges
    • Backed by major partners including UCL, Liverpool FC International Academy, SSE Pacifico and Hello Kitty presented by Sanrio

    Current and future business leaders across the UK and Japan will benefit from a range of new opportunities thanks to the innovative Musubi Initiative launched at the World Expo in Osaka by UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy today.

    The initiative, which begins a new phase of UK-Japan cooperation, will draw in private funding to support a diverse range of programmes to create lasting connections spanning youth scholarships, sport, cultural exchanges, science, innovation and opportunities for women in business in both countries. It builds upon the UK and Japan’s increasingly strong relationship, reflected in collaboration on defence, security, digital innovation and expanding trade through the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Hiroshima Accord.

    Named after the Japanese word for ‘connection’, the Musubi Initiative is a first-of-its-kind for the UK-Japan partnership and will strengthen ties and grow the international talent pool needed to grasp future opportunities.

    Unveiled as part of the UK National Day celebrations at World Expo 2025 Osaka, it represents another step forward in delivering the Government’s Plan for Change by fostering international relationships that drive economic growth and opportunity.

    UK Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Lisa Nandy said:

    The UK’s vibrant display in Osaka demonstrates the breadth of creativity and innovation from across our four nations and our strong partnership with Japan. From BBC Planet Earth and Paddington to our world-famous musicians, the UK’s creative industries are a truly global hit, worth £125 billion to our economy and vital to our Plan for Change – it’s great to see them in the spotlight today as part of UK National Day.

    I am delighted that we have deepened our relationship with Japan further through this new Musubi Initiative, which will create even more opportunities for businesses in both the UK and Japan now and in the future.

    Pioneer Partners

    The Culture Secretary announced the first group of Musubi Pioneer Partners, who will help deliver the initiative’s vision, including:

    Sports programmes: 

    • Liverpool Football Club International Academy sports programme supported by Musubi developing young players and providing opportunities to build leadership qualities. 
    • The UK Ekiden, inspired by Japan’s famous relay race, with UK and Japanese university students participating. 

    Educational programmes: 

    • A new Musubi Scholarship with University College London supported by Amano Enzyme Inc. for Japanese students, building on an over 160-year relationship between the university and Japan. 
    • A Youth Offshore Wind Scholarship Programme with SSE Pacifico to foster future talent in the offshore wind sector, including study abroad opportunities in Scotland. 
    • The Robert Walters career development programme to help bright young people, including Chevening Scholars, reach their full potential.

    Leadership programmes: 

    • An event focussed on Women’s Economic Empowerment and strengthening relationships between female exporters in Japan and the UK, co-hosted by the UK and Japan at Osaka Expo.   
    • The Musubi Alumni programme will bring together the talent and potential of alumni across our programmes. 

    Representing the strong links between the UK and Japan, Hello Kitty presented by Sanrio, the globally popular Japanese brand, will be the Musubi Friendship Ambassador, while Japanese firm Dentsu PR Consulting Inc. will be providing PR advisory services.

    The programmes under the Musubi Initiative will be delivered with an ambition to create a long-lasting legacy and network of alumni that will become champions of their communities, their country and of UK-Japan relations.

    The Culture Secretary has also been in Japan to promote Britain’s creative industries overseas, push British brands within Japanese markets, and attract trade and investment into the UK that can be redistributed across the country to the places where it is needed the most. 

    Yesterday (21 May) the Culture Secretary met with Minoru Kiuchi, a senior Japanese minister with responsibility for the Cool Japan Strategy, in Tokyo to discuss strengthening creative industries collaboration. She also met with executives from major video games organisations, including Bandai Namco and Nintendo, as well as the Japanese cast of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. 

    Japan is currently the UK’s 6th largest investor, with an inward Foreign Direct Investment stock of more than £86 billion at the end of 2023, and with bilateral trade worth £31 billion in 2024. Japanese investment into the UK has already roughly doubled over the last decade, with nearly 1,000 Japanese companies sustaining 200,000 UK jobs.

    Exports Minister Gareth Thomas said: 

    The UK and Japan enjoy a dynamic and enduring trading relationship, with £86 billion in investment to the UK economy.

    As part of the Government’s Plan for Change, initiatives like the Musubi Initiative and Expo 2025 are helping to strengthen our ties with key economic partners, creating new opportunities for businesses and deepening people-to-people connections across the world.

     Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya said:

    It is connections between people that develop our societies and serve as a foundation for exchanges between countries. 

    In the Japan-UK Hiroshima Accord, issued by the leaders of Japan and the UK in 2023, we also confirmed our cooperation in revitalising people-to-people exchanges, including in the key areas of tourism, studying abroad, culture, and the working holiday programme.

    I hope this initiative will strengthen our “Musubi (bonds)” especially among the younger generation and that our partnership, now stronger than ever, will continue to grow.

    The UK’s presence at World Expo 2025 is providing a global showcase for British companies and creative talent.

    To mark UK National Day (22 May), there were musical performances from all four UK nations featured across Yumeshima Island, from bagpipes to bass guitars. This was followed by the Japanese premiere of BBC’s ‘Planet Earth III Live in Concert’.

    ENDS

    Notes to editors:

    • Supporting VisitBritain’s new Starring GREAT Britain campaign, beloved characters including Paddington, Peter Rabbit and Shaun the Sheep made appearances outside the UK Pavilion, delighting visitors as the campaign trailer played across the Expo site.

    • UK National Day highlighted creative collaborations between British and Japanese performers, with Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo performers joined by traditional Japanese Taiko Drummers, music from BBC Planet Earth III performed by the Japan Century Symphony Orchestra, and British rapper Shao Dow performing in Japanese.

    • The British Ambassador to Japan, Julia Longbottom, said: “We want Musubi to live up to its name, creating and supporting the leaders of tomorrow by fostering long-term, meaningful connections between people in the UK and Japan. The relationship between the UK and Japan is stronger than ever, and we want to invite as many even more businesses and organisations to join us as we look to build the shared leadership needed to grasp future opportunities and tackle future challenges.”

    • UK Commissioner General for Expo 2025, Carolyn Davidson said: “With an estimated audience of over 28 million expected Japanese and international visitors and more than 150 countries represented, Expo 2025 Osaka offers a unique platform to raise awareness of the UK as a dynamic and innovative country on the world stage. Our National Day is a representation of the best of British and Japanese fusion from across our creative industries, and I am delighted that our countries’ close partnership will be further enriched through Project Musubi, boosting our people-to-people connections and delivering projects that invest in the next generation of UK and Japanese leaders.”

    • Images and b-roll from UK National Day: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCeHb4

    • Musical Performances at UK National Day included:

    o   The Japanese premiere of BBC Planet Earth III Live in Concert with music performed by the Japan Century Symphony Orchestra, conducted by British conductor Matthew Freeman, featuring a score by Oscar winner Hans Zimmer, Jacob Shea and Sara Barone

    o   The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, accompanied by Miyamoto Unosuke Shoten Taiko drummers

    o   Shao Dow (England), :Panic :Over (Northern Ireland), Nina Nesbitt (Scotland), and Strawberry Guy (Wales) – all former recipients of the UK’s Music Export Growth Scheme Awards

    • World Expo 2025 Osaka runs from 13 April – 13 October 2025, and is expected to attract 28 million visitors. For more information: https://www.ukatexpo2025.uk/

    • The “Starring GREAT Britain” campaign launched by VisitBritain in January 2025 promotes UK tourism through iconic film and TV locations.

    •  The UK’s presence at Expo 2025 forms part of the UK Government’s GREAT Campaign, which promotes the UK internationally and has delivered billions in economic returns.

    Notes to Editors on the Musubi Initiative:

    The Musubi Friendship Ambassador – Hello Kitty presented by Sanrio. We are grateful to Sanrio for providing Hello Kitty as the Friendship Ambassador for the Musubi Initiative. Sanrio’s vision of “One World, Connecting Smiles” aligns with Musubi’s objective to build positive people-to-people relationships and we look forward to working with Sanrio’s world-famous characters to achieve this. Hello Kitty was born and raised in London as a schoolgirl and now an iconic Japanese character, she is not only a great representative for our two countries, but she also represents the deep desire among our people to feel joy and happiness. We look forward to working with her to reinforce connections between people of the UK and Japan.  

    We are grateful to the Japanese firm Dentsu PR Consulting Inc. for joining the Musubi Initiative as a Pioneer Partner providing PR advisory services. We welcome their support as we work to showcase the best of Musubi – and UK-Japan – connections.

    Full details of the initial programmes to be supported through the Musubi Initiative include: 

    Educational programmes: 

    • Musubi UCL scholarship: The Musubi scholarship with University College London, supported by Amano Enzyme Inc., gives Japanese students the opportunity to study a one-year Masters programme at UCL. The scholarship will form part of UCL’s Global Scholarships targeting students from various background with the aim of increasing diversity. 

    • SSE Pacifico Offshore Wind Scholarship Programme supported by Musubi: With a focus on fostering future talent in the dynamic offshore wind sector, SSE Pacifico, in collaboration with Musubi, will launch a scholarship programme to support young students from Japan. This initiative will offer short-term study opportunities in the UK, with the goal of upskilling and empowering the next generation of young leaders. 

    • Musubi Robert Walters career development programme: Robert Walters Japan, a Specialist Recruitment & Talent Advisory firm with roots in the UK and 25 years of expertise in Japan, will deliver a tailored career development programme for the 2025-26 recipients of the UK Government’s Chevening scholarship, with a view to extending this to future Musubi scholars. 

    Sports programmes: 

    • Liverpool Football Club International Academy sports programme supported by Musubi: With a commitment to empowering disadvantaged young people, 2025 Premier League winners Liverpool Football Club offer their LFC International Academy Japan soccer programme in connection to the Musubi initiative. Drawing on the power of sport to build connections and confidence, this will focus on developing young players and providing opportunities to learn new skills and build leadership qualities.

    • UK Ekiden: Musubi is proud to be connected to the UK Ekiden – a team relay race inspired by Japan’s beloved running tradition. With university students leading the main event and school children joining through the Mini Ekiden programme, it brings people together across generations. More than a race, it’s a celebration of teamwork, connection, and the growing friendship between the UK and Japan. Like the Musubi initiative, the UK Ekiden builds personal connections and unites different cultures. 

    Leadership programmes: 

    • Women’s Economic Empowerment: British Embassy Tokyo and Japan will host a joint Women’s Economic Empowerment Forum at the UK Expo Pavillion. This will focus on strengthening relationships between female exporters in Japan and the UK and is the first in-person event the UK and Japan have run under the Women’s Economic Empowerment chapter in the UK-Japan Free Trade Agreement. We hope that this event will be the first of many Musubi activities investing in female leaders of the future.    

    • Musubi Alumni: Our Alumni programme will bring together the talent and potential of Alumni across our programmes.  This Network will give our Alumni the connection, inspiration and empowerment to help realise their ambitions of building a better world.

    Updates to this page

    Published 22 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Culture Secretary speech at evening reception of UK National Day at World Expo Osaka 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Speech

    Culture Secretary speech at evening reception of UK National Day at World Expo Osaka 2025

    Culture Secretary launches Musubi initiative at World Expo in Osaka

    Good evening everyone. Konbanwa .

    It’s a pleasure to welcome you all to the UK’s Pavilion to celebrate our National Day at the Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai. I would especially like to extend a warm welcome to Her Imperial Highness Princess Akiko of Mikasa and former Prime Minister Kishida, both good friends of the United Kingdom.

    The UK and Japan bilateral relationship is the strongest it has been in decades, underpinned by our common values, shared view of the world and our close people-to-people links. From security to economic growth and working together to tackle global challenges, our partnership is going from strength to strength. This step-up in collaboration was launched under the 2023 Hiroshima Accord – with thanks to former Prime Minister Kishida – and last year Prime Ministers Starmer and Ishiba agreed to build on it even further. The State Visit to the UK by Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan in June last year celebrated the depth and breadth of our partnership – as His Majesty the Emperor said, ‘we are friends like no other’. 

    I have seen this partnership first-hand here in Japan. And if you have had a chance to go through our visitor experience today, you will have seen the power of UK and Japanese collaboration. We can achieve so much more when we harness our shared creativity and innovation. In this spirit, the National Ballet of Japan makes their European debut at the Royal Opera House in London with their production of “Giselle” in July, under the artistic direction of Yoshida Miyako, who made her career as the first Japanese Principal ballerina in the UK’s Royal Ballet.

    Ours is a partnership that is more relevant than ever. With growing uncertainty and instability around the world, there is so much that the UK and Japan can do together to ‘design future society for our lives’. This is, I believe, the defining challenge of our lives – to empower people the world over to build a world that works for us, and us for it. 

    So, I am delighted to be launching Musubi: a flagship new initiative that will foster meaningful people-to-people connections between the UK and Japan and build the shared leadership to tackle the challenges and opportunities ahead of us. 

    That includes championing our young people and building a pool of international talent. And today we are announcing: 

    • A new Musubi Scholarship with University College London, supported by Amano Enzyme Inc.;
    • A Youth Offshore Wind Scholarship Programme with SSE Pacifico to foster future talent in this dynamic sector; and * The Robert Walters career development programme to help our brightest young people reach their full potential.
    • It includes drawing on the power of sport to build connections and enrich lives. Where:
    • 2025 Premier League winners Liverpool Football Club’s International Academy in Kawasaki is developing young players and providing opportunities to build leadership qualities.
    • And the UK Ekiden – inspired of course by Japan’s famous relay race – is bringing teams together in a celebration of teamwork, connection and friendship.

    And it includes building the leadership of the future.  Later this summer at this Pavilion the UK and Japan will host an event focused on promoting female leadership in business, building on the fact that our agreement with Japan was the first UK trade agreement to include a chapter on women’s economic empowerment.

    All of this will be championed by our Musubi Friendship Ambassador – Hello Kitty, presented by Sanrio. 

    This is the most ambitious initiative of its kind between the UK and Japan – but it is also just the beginning. Over the years to come, this initiative will continue to grow – building a lasting legacy of connections and opportunity for our countries. Thank you to all our Pioneer Partners – and I hope to see many other companies and organisations joining us on this journey! I am now delighted to introduce a congratulatory message from The Princess Royal in her capacity as Chancellor of the University of London.

    Finally, this event and indeed our pavilion itself would not have been possible without our key sponsors and contributors: I would especially like to thank AstraZeneca, Aston Martin, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Diageo’s Johnnie Walker, Robert Walters, Liberty, the governments of Scotland and Wales, Ampetronic, Brompton and last but certainly not least, BBC Studios.

    Finally, I would like to thank everyone here this evening – I’m delighted that we have been able to gather so many of the UK’s closest friends in Japan, and I know with your support the UK-Japan partnership will continue to flourish. Arigato gozaimasu!

    Updates to this page

    Published 22 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Freshia Air Purifier Under Review: Best Home Air Purifier For Dust, Mold & Odor Control

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Helmond, Netherlands, May 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The quality of air that we breathe significantly impacts our overall health, and we are sure that we all agree on this, don’t we? Most of us live with this misconception that only when we step outside our homes and breathe the air is when we are more exposed to contracting airborne illnesses or other respiratory health problems. 

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    What we do not realise is that even the air that we breathe inside our homes, the indoor air quality Also matters. The air that we breathe indoors has become a crucial lookout as more and more people have started working from their homes, run businesses from their homes, or are freelancers. Just because you consider your home to be a safe place does not mean that your home is bacteria or a virus free zone. In fact, the EPA which is the environmental protection agency has claimed that our indoor air quality can be 2 to 5 times worse than the outside air. If you’re wondering how air inside our homes gets polluted, well the answer lies in multiple sources such as construction materials, cooking activities, cleaning products, furniture, and other external pollutants that make their way inside our home. 

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    Nearly 35% of adults in the world are experiencing health related symptoms which are all attributed to the pollution indoors. The symptoms range from dry throat to dry eyes, skin, to much more serious health problems, such as fatigue, headaches, and respiratory issues. And while you sleep, this inflammation can contribute to narrowing of the air passages, which results in Vibration of tissue leading to snoring. There is a very thin line between the relationship of sleep, disturbances and air-quality as it represents breakdown of optimal respiratory function. all of this signals to one single solution and that is the need to have an air purifier at home. We are introducing you to a revolutionary air purifier called Freshia Air Purifier, which is the cutting edge solution launched in the market in the year 2024 to look into the growing concerns of poor indoor air quality. It comes with an effectiveness of 99.97 percent in removing air, harmful particles and this device seamlessly mixes aesthetics with functionality so that your health is looked after and even your living space is still attractive. Let’s read on to understand more about the Freshia air purifier, how it works, what are its primary features, how much does it cost, and much more.

    2025’s best-rated home air purifier for mold and dust? Discover how Freshia outperforms top brands

    What’s Lurking in Your Air?

    Indoor air might seem clean, but it often carries a mix of hidden pollutants. These include chemicals from paints and cleaning products (known as VOCs), dust that builds up in carpets and mattresses, pet hair and dander, pollen brought in from outside, mold in damp corners, and even smoke from cooking.

    While you can’t always see these particles, their effects are very real. Breathing poor-quality air over time can lead to a range of issues — from everyday annoyances like headaches, or itchy eyes, to more serious health problems like respiratory conditions, heart strain, or worse. It’s a reminder that the air inside our homes plays a bigger role in our health than we often realize.

    A short brief introduction to Freshia Air Purifier 

    The Freshia air purifier comes with cutting edge, filtration technology, technology, technology. In the most elegant design, you can transform the air-quality of your homes. It is designed to fight indoor air pollution, to reduce snoring, and helps in creating a healthier environment in your home. Freshia Air Purifier comes with a multi stage, filtration system that helps address almost any type of indoor air pollutant. Unlike the other basic air purifiers that capture only larger particles, Freshia has a very comprehensive approach that captures the tiniest of particles and ensures that the air of your living spaces are truly clean.

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    Understanding its working mechanism

    At the core of its technology is a medical grade through HEPA filtration system that impressively captures almost 99.97% of airborne particles. It can capture even the microscopic contaminant effectively and remove them from your indoors. The filtration system is a comprehensive eight stage system that works harmoniously to address every category of air pollutant that is known to humankind in the indoor environment. Each layer of this multi layer filtration system targets different types of contaminant, therefore, creating the ultimate solution for addressing indoor air-quality. While the standard HEPA filters, capture airborne particles that are as small as 0.3 µm, the Freshia air purifier has an enhanced system that traps the most ultra fine particles as small as 0.1 µm, including bacteria, smoke, particles, and even certain viruses. This level of filtration is very important for households with compromised immune systems or respiratory concerns.

    The Freshia air purifier also comes with an air sense monitoring technology that sets it apart from the other air purifiers in the market today. The purifier consists of laboratory grade sensors that continuously analyse the air-quality of your indoors and adjust its operation accordingly. This signals that Freshia is not just filtering air blindly, but it is doing so intelligently Adjusting to the specific conditions of your home and ensuring optimal air-quality. 

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    Benefits of using Freshia Air Purifier

    Now that we know how Freshia air purifier functions, let us explore the benefits that it provides its customers. This air purifier is more than just a filtration system; it recreates healthy air for your health and wellness.

    • Improved well-being, and health: breathing, clear air is crucial, especially if you want to keep yourself fit. The Freshia air purifier has a superior filtration system that removes harmful debris from the air, reducing the exposure of airborne allergies and illnesses. If you are someone who is sensitive to dust, this purifier alleviates the symptoms and signs by filtering out pollen, dust, and mildew. 
    • Asthma and allergy relief: for people who suffer from asthma attacks or are sensitive to allergies, the Freshia air purifier is a must have. The HEPA filter captures the most micro size allergens and ensures that they do not circulate in the air around you inside your home. The activated carbon filter eliminates irritants like smoke, pet dander, imparting relief for individuals with sensitivity to pollution.
    • Improved sleep quality: breathing Fresh air, even as you sleep is something that this air purifier will help you achieve. It ensures that the air inside your bedroom is free from allergens, orders, pollution, and has the right humidity to promote relaxation and deep sleep. This air purifier functions quietly, contributing to peaceful sleep surroundings.
    • Clean and Fresh indoor air: Say your goodbyes to odors inside your home. With Freshia air purifier, you can refresh your indoor air, leaving it smelling clean. Whether you are struggling to manage cooking odors, pet smells, or smoke, the activated carbon filter neutralizes the orders, making your indoor air smell divine.
    • Dual power options: you will seamlessly have the option of transitioning between a wall outlet for power and battery power. This is achievable while maintaining the portability feature of Freshia Air Purifiers.
    • Noise Reduction technology: most of the time we associate home appliances with noise. However, the Freshia Air Purifier operates at a 22 dB, which is quieter than whispering. This ensures that your house space be it your living room or bedroom or drawing room where wherever you place this air purifier, there will be no noise!

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    Why Choose Freshia Air Purifier?

    • Advanced 3-Stage Filtration: Combines mechanical, HEPA, and carbon filters to remove 99.7% of airborne particles.
    • Whisper-Quiet Operation: Ensures a peaceful environment, ideal for bedrooms and offices.
    • Energy Efficient: Purifies air without significantly impacting your electricity bill.
    • Portable Design: Suitable for rooms ranging from 200 to 350 sq. ft.
    • Rechargeable Battery: Built-in 1500mAh battery offers up to 7 hours of cordless operation.
    • Hassle-Free Maintenance: Filter change indicator alerts you when it’s time to replace.

    Who Should Use Freshia Air Purifier?

    Freshia Air Purifier was designed for real homes and real people:

    • ️ Allergy sufferers needing relief
    • Pet owners dealing with dander and smells
    • Parents wanting cleaner air for newborns
    • Remote workers in enclosed rooms
    • Seniors with respiratory sensitivities

    If you breathe — Freshia Air Purifier is for you.
    Where you can buy Freshia Air Purifier & What’s the price?

    We always encourage customers to purchase Freshia air purifier from the official website only. This ensures that 100% authentic product is delivered to your doorstep. Additionally, you will also have an opportunity to enjoy seasonal promotional discounts and offers that might be running on the company’s website. The pricing of Freshia air purifier is as follows:

    • Single Freshia Air Purifier is at a discounted price of $159.95
    • Two Freshia Air Purifier is at a discounted price of $149.95 each
    • Three Freshia Air Purifier is at a discounted price of $124.95 each
    • Four Freshia Air Purifier is at a discounted price of $114.95 each

    Freshia Air Purifier – Exclusive Australian Offers

    Enjoy cleaner air and significant savings with these limited-time deals:

    1x Freshia Air Purifier

    • Original Price: AU$399.95
    • Discounted Price: AU$204.95
    • You Save: AU$195.00 (50% OFF) 

    2x Freshia Air Purifiers

    • Original Price: AU$799.90
    • Discounted Price: AU$379.90
    • Per Unit: AU$189.95
    • You Save: AU$420.00 (55% OFF)

    3x Freshia Air Purifiers

    • Original Price: AU$1,199.85
    • Discounted Price: AU$539.85
    • Per Unit: AU$179.95
    • You Save: AU$660.00 (55% OFF)

    4x Freshia Air Purifiers

    Secure Your Freshia Today

    Stock is limited, and these discounts won’t last forever. Ensure you’re breathing cleaner air by placing your order now through the official Freshia checkout page.

    Note: Prices and availability are subject to change. Please refer to the official website for the most current information.

    The company also provides a 30 days money back guarantee where you can return the product and claim a complete refund if you are not satisfied with the product.

    Is your home’s air really clean? Find out why thousands of Australians are switching to Freshia Air Purifier

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

    Q: Can I buy Freshia Air Purifier on Amazon, Walmart, or eBay?
    No. To ensure quality control and keep prices affordable, Freshia Air Purifier is only available through the official website. This avoids third-party markups, counterfeit risks, and unauthorized sellers often found on platforms like Amazon, Walmart, and eBay.

    Q: What are people saying about Freshia Air Purifier on Reddit?
    On Reddit, users praise Freshia Air Purifier for its compact size, whisper-quiet operation, and noticeable air quality improvement. Many Redditors also mention it’s ideal for bedrooms, offices, and homes with pets or kids.

    Q: How does Freshia Air Purifier compare to other purifiers?
    Freshia Air Purifier offers a 3-stage filtration system (Pre-Filter, True HEPA, and Carbon
    Filter), plus ionizer tech, all packed in a portable, stylish unit — at a fraction of the cost of bulky alternatives. It’s highly rated for combining power, silence, and simplicity in one smart device.

    Q: Is it suitable for large rooms?
    Freshia Air Purifier works best in medium-sized rooms between 200–350 sq. ft., such as bedrooms, nurseries, and home offices.

    Q: How long does the battery last?
    Freshia Air Purifier has a built-in 1500mAh battery, providing up to 7 hours of cordless use. It can also operate while plugged in.

    Q: How often do I need to replace the filter?
    For optimal performance, replace the filter every 3–4 months. A filter change indicator notifies you exactly when it’s time.

    Q: What if I’m not satisfied with the product?
    No problem. Freshia Air Purifier comes with a 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee. If you’re not satisfied, simply return it for a full refund — no questions asked.

    Q: Is shipping available in Australia?
    Yes! Fast, tracked shipping is available throughout Australia, with most orders arriving in just a few business days.

    Fresh Air Purifier, Easy Care: Maintenance Tips

    Keeping your Freshia Air Purifier in top shape is easy — no tools, no mess. Here’s how:

    Change Filter Every 3–4 Months
    The smart filter indicator lights up when it’s time to replace — no guesswork.

    Wipe the Exterior Weekly
    Use a soft cloth to remove dust from the outside shell and vents.

    Use Corded or Cordless
    Charge fully for 7 hours of portable use or leave plugged in for continuous air purification.

    Avoid Blocking the Air Vents
    Place on a flat, open surface to ensure optimal airflow.

    Freshia Air Purifier vs. Other Air Purifiers

    Unlike bulky, overpriced machines, Freshia Air Purifier combines portability, power, and affordability. Here’s what makes it different:

    • ✅ No noise, no setup hassle
    • ✅ Rechargeable — use anywhere
    • ✅ 3-stage filtration + ionizer in one compact unit
    • ✅ Stylish design that blends into any room
    • ✅ Priced for everyone — no middlemen markup

    It’s not just another gadget — it’s clean air, simplified.

    Aussie homes are loving Freshia — here’s why it’s 2025’s top air purifier for mold & dust

    Real Customer Reviews
    “Freshia made my allergies vanish!”
    – Olivia R., Sydney, NSW, Australia
    I’ve struggled with seasonal allergies for years. Within days of running Freshia Air Purifier, the sneezing and watery eyes stopped. It’s now a must-have in my bedroom. Absolutely love how quiet and effective it is.
    “Ideal for my small apartment”
    – Daniel T., Melbourne, VIC
    I live in a compact one-bedroom flat and Freshia Air Purifier fits right in — no noise, no fuss. The air smells fresher, and my morning congestion has disappeared. Plus, it looks pretty sleek on the shelf!
    “Peace of mind for my baby’s room”
    – Emma B., Brisbane, QLD
    We bought Freshia Air Purifier for our newborn’s nursery and it’s been amazing. Runs silently all night and keeps the air fresh. I really appreciate the filter indicator — no more guessing when to replace it!
    “Powerful yet energy-friendly”
    – Luke M., Perth, WA, Australia
    Was surprised at how powerful this small purifier is. I use it in my home office and it noticeably improved air quality. Runs quietly, uses very little power, and I barely notice it’s on.
    “A must during bushfire season”
    – Sarah J., Adelaide, SA
    During fire season, the smoke seeps into everything — but Freshia Air Purifier handled it like a pro. Within minutes, the room smells cleaner and breathing feels easier. I’ve now ordered two more for the house!
    Final Conclusion: Freshia Air Purifier

    With Freshia Air Purifier, we will be able to design and experience our living spaces inside our home as the safest space without the presence of any airborne harmful particles. The device will support healthy well-being rather than compromising it. It will ensure that the quality of the air that we breathe is clean and fresh. The air purifier will be a revolutionary addition to your workspace or your home. Its thoughtful design, proven effectiveness, cutting edge technology addresses all the problems of maintaining good quality of air indoors. All the positive customer testimonials that you might find Online will convince you even more about the effectiveness of this air purifier. And the fact that the company provides a 30 days money back guarantee will give you the courage to invest in it.

    Media Contact:
    Company name: Freshia Air Purifier
    Label Products B.V.,
    Steenovenweg 5,
    5708 HN Helmond,
    The Netherlands
    https://get-freshia.com/
    Phone: +448000729935 (UK) +61370356817 (AU)
    E-mail: support@techwidget.co

    Disclaimer: The statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Individual results may vary. Always consult a healthcare professional before taking any dietary supplements.
    Disclosure: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The content may include affiliate links, meaning we may earn a commission if you purchase through recommended links. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement regimen.

    Content Accuracy Disclaimer
    Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information presented in this article. However, due to the dynamic nature of product formulations, promotions, and availability, details may change without notice. The publisher makes no warranties or representations as to the current completeness or accuracy of any content, including product claims, pricing, or ingredient lists.
    It is the responsibility of the reader to verify product information directly through the official website or manufacturer prior to making a purchasing decision. Any reliance placed on the information in this article is done strictly at your own risk.

    Affiliate Disclosure
    This article may contain affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service through these links, the publisher may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. These commissions help support the creation of in-depth reviews and educational wellness content.
    The publisher only promotes products that have been independently evaluated and deemed potentially beneficial to readers. However, this compensation may influence the content, topics, or products discussed in this article. The views and opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any affiliate partner or product provider.

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    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Heart Lamp by the Indian writer Banu Mushtaq wins 2025 International Booker prize – a powerful collection of stories inspired by the real suffering of women

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Helen Vassallo, Associate Professor of French and Translation, University of Exeter

    Banu Mushtaq’s quietly powerful collection of short stories, translated by Deepa Bhasthi, shines a light on the lives of Muslim women in rural India. It is the first time that the International Booker prize has been won by a book translated from Kannada, a language of south India spoken by between 50 and 80 million people.

    Mushtaq is a writer who has previously worked as a journalist and lawyer, fighting for women’s rights and speaking out against caste and religious oppression. This comes through in the vignettes collected in Heart Lamp. At the centre of this work is great compassion for the women Mushtaq brings to life in her writing.

    Inspired by encounters with women who came to her for help, each of Mushtaq’s stories introduces us to a different woman from a different family. What the women of Heart Lamp share is that their lives are all dictated by men.

    We meet a young girl forced into wedlock, and a woman whose son arranges a new marriage for her. Elsewhere, an older woman is obliged to accept the indignity of her husband taking a second wife.

    Heart Lamp opens up an intimate world of domestic rituals and family tensions, rife with judgement, suspicion, righteousness and sacrifice. In the quiet of daily life, Mushtaq reveals the enormity of human emotion and experience. She also reveals the resilience of the women who resist the violence – physical, emotional, social and psychological – inflicted on them.

    Women are insulted for not expressing desire when they are forced into the conjugal bed, reproached for bearing girls, and warned repeatedly that any non-compliance is a stain on family honour. They are beaten, and casually replaced with second wives.

    In one horrific instance from the title story, a woman is told in no uncertain terms that “if you had the sense to uphold our family honour, you would have set yourself on fire and died” – a chilling sanction that hangs over the story until its tense dénouement.

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    Deepa Bhasthi’s bold and memorable translation invites us not to impose our own language and linguistic system on the original work.

    There are several words that are offered as a transliteration of their original Kannada form, without heavy-handed glosses or an attempt to transpose them into something more immediately recognisable to Anglophone readers. In her translator’s note, Bhasthi describes this as “against italics”, where using italics would signal to the reader that a word has been brought across from the Kannada.

    Bhasthi favours a way of translating that aims to respect the culture and language of the original text. This trusts readers to come to that language and culture rather than rendering the text in a blandly comfortable English that might make the setting more familiar but would strip it of its specificity.

    Instead, Bhasthi’s work welcomes Kannada’s evocative phrases, introducing into English lines such as “No matter how many times I tell you, you don’t let it fall inside your ears.” “Is the fruit a burden on the creeper?” And “the snake of arrogance had laid many, many eggs.”

    Bhasthi selected the 12 stories of Heart Lamp from a range of pieces written by Mushtaq over many years, and with her translation of the title story, was a winner of the first issue of PEN Presents, a digital initiative led by English PEN (which stands for poets, playwrights, editors, essayists and novelists).

    This organisation funds and promotes samples of original and diverse literature not yet available in English translation, fostering bibliodiversity by brokering connections between under-represented cultural contexts and UK publishers and readers.

    Following its promotion through PEN Presents, Heart Lamp was acquired by And Other Stories, a Sheffield-based independent publisher that has been at the vanguard of publishing innovative literature in translation over the past 15 years. The award represents multiple important firsts.

    As well as being the first book translated from Kannada to win the International Booker prize, it is the first time the prize has been won by an Indian translator. It is the first time a short story collection has won the award.



    Read more:
    International Booker prize 2025: six experts review the shortlisted novels

    It is also the first time And Other Stories has won the award and the first International Booker prize to be awarded to a PEN Presents winner. That it has received this highest of accolades in the translated literature sector of the publishing industry shows the importance of publishing that takes risks, of representing a broader range of languages and cultures in translation and of initiatives to support translators.

    This striking collection is perhaps best summed up in the final story, “Be a Woman Once, O Lord!”, in which the narrator teasingly implores her creator:

    “If you were to build the world again, to create males and females again, do not be like an inexperienced potter. Come to earth as a woman, Prabhu!”

    With unfailing compassion and humour, Mushtaq and Bhasthi lead us through a society that prioritises masculinity, male dominance, and father-son lineage. In so doing, they invite us – and whichever male deity might be listening – to walk in the shoes of women overlooked by an unquestioned patriarchal and religious hierarchy, and to re-evaluate what we think we know about social dynamics.

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

    – ref. Heart Lamp by the Indian writer Banu Mushtaq wins 2025 International Booker prize – a powerful collection of stories inspired by the real suffering of women – https://theconversation.com/heart-lamp-by-the-indian-writer-banu-mushtaq-wins-2025-international-booker-prize-a-powerful-collection-of-stories-inspired-by-the-real-suffering-of-women-257287

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 22 May 2025 News release Health system at breaking point as hostilities further intensify in Gaza, WHO warns

    Source: World Health Organisation

    Israel’s intensified military operations continue to threaten an already weakened health system, amidst worsening mass population displacement and acute shortages of food, water, medical supplies, fuel and shelter. 

    Four major hospitals in Gaza (Kamal Adwan Hospital, Indonesia Hospital, Hamad Hospital for Rehabilitation and Prosthetics, and European Gaza Hospital) have had to suspend medical services in the past week due to their proximity to hostilities or evacuation zones, and attacks. WHO has recorded 28 attacks on health care in Gaza during this period and 697 attacks since October 2023.

    Only 19 of Gaza Strip’s 36 hospitals remain operational, including one hospital providing basic care for the remaining patients still inside the hospital, and are struggling under severe supply shortages, lack of health workers, persistent insecurity, and a surge of casualties, all while staff work in impossible conditions. Of the 19 hospitals, 12 provide a variety of health services, while the rest are only able to provide basic emergency care. At least 94% of all hospitals in the Gaza Strip are damaged or destroyed.

    The increased hostilities and new evacuation orders issued across northern and southern Gaza in the past two days threaten to push even more health facilities out of service. This includes 1 hospital, 11 primary care centres, and 13 medical points within the evacuation zones, and an additional 5 hospitals, 1 field hospital, 9 primary care centres, and 23 medical points within 1000 metres of those zones. 

    North Gaza has been stripped of nearly all health care. Al-Awda Hospital is only minimally functional, serving as a trauma stabilization point. It faces an imminent risk of closure due to ongoing insecurity and restricted access. The hospital’s third floor was reportedly attacked on Wednesday, injuring a staff member. Hostilities in the area also damaged the water tank and pipeline. Today, the hospital was attacked again. The third and fourth floors were reportedly hit, injuring two health workers. Patient triage tents, including one provided by WHO, caught fire, which also burned all medical supplies in the warehouse and destroyed vehicles in the basement. A WHO mission attempting to reach the hospital today was impeded.

    The Indonesian Hospital is out of service due to continued military presence since 18 May, making it inaccessible. Yesterday, a WHO mission to the hospital was forced to abort due to the security situation after waiting nearly four hours for clearance to proceed. WHO team had planned to deliver food and water to patients, assess their conditions, and identify critical equipment for transfer. WHO tried to reach the hospital again today, but the mission was impeded.

    Kamal Adwan Hospital, which had the only centre to treat patients with severe acute malnutrition in North Gaza, went out of service on 20 May after intense hostilities in its vicinity, forcing patients to evacuate or be discharged prematurely. 

    In southern Gaza, Nasser Medical Complex, Al-Amal, and Al-Aqsa hospitals are overwhelmed by a surge of injured people, worsened by a new wave of displacement to Deir al Balah and Khan Younis. The European Gaza Hospital remains out of service following an attack on 13 May, cutting off vital services including neurosurgery, cardiac care, and cancer treatment – all unavailable elsewhere in Gaza.

    Currently, across the Gaza Strip, only 2000 hospital beds remain available, for a population of over 2 million people, grossly insufficient to meet the current needs. Of these, at least 40 beds are at risk of being lost as they are in hospitals within newly declared evacuation zones, while an additional 850 could be lost if conditions deteriorate at facilities near these zones.

    Continued hostilities and military presence inhibit patients from accessing care, obstruct staff from providing care, and prevent WHO and partners from resupplying hospitals.

    With each hospital forced out of service, patients lose access to health care, and WHO and partners’ efforts, to sustain Gaza’s health system are undone. The destruction is systematic. Hospitals are rehabilitated and resupplied, only to be exposed to hostilities or attacked again. This destructive cycle must end.

    Amid constant fear and insecurity, health workers, including those from national and international emergency medical teams, continue delivering urgent care in Gaza. WHO salutes their courage and commitment.

    WHO calls for the active protection of health care. Hospitals must never be militarized or targeted.

    WHO calls for aid at scale to be allowed into Gaza through all possible routes, and for unimpeded humanitarian access to reach people wherever they are. Echoing the United Nations’ Relief Chief, WHO reiterates that the UN and its partners have a clear, principled and effective plan to deliver aid with safeguards against diversion, a system that has worked and must be enabled to continue.  

    WHO calls for an immediate and lasting ceasefire.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Buildings Department refuses application for registration renewal for contractor

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, said today (May 22) that the Buildings Department (BD) has refused the application for registration renewal of Aggressive Construction Company Limited (ACCL).

         As a registered general building contractor (RGBC), the registration of ACCL expired in April 2023. It was involved in three serious incidents, including a fatal incident in 2022 involving the collapse of a tower crane at a construction site at Anderson Road, a fatal incident in July 2020 involving the electrocution of a worker at a construction site at Wang Chin Street, and a fatal incident in October 2023 involving a worker falling from height at a construction site at To Wah Road. These incidents resulted in a total of five deaths. The BD referred the renewal application to the Contractors Registration Committee (CRC) for interview and assessment in accordance with the Buildings Ordinance (BO). The CRC is established under the BO and its key members are nominated by the relevant building professional registration boards and the industry. After several rounds of interviews, the CRC was not satisfied that the authorised signatories of ACCL were competent and capable in site supervision and safety management to act on behalf of ACCL for the purpose of the BO, and was not satisfied that the contractor had proper site safety management. After careful consideration of CRC’s recommendation, the BD has decided to refuse ACCL’s application for registration renewal. The BD issued today a letter to ACCL, notifying that it will be removed from the register of general building contractors on June 20, and that it will not be allowed to carry out any building works under the BO from that date onwards.

         The BD has also requested ACCL to inform the authorised persons (APs) of the building sites of the relevant private development projects under its charge in accordance with the law, including submitting to the APs a notice of cessation of appointment, certifying that the building works carried out are in accordance with the provisions of the BO and its regulations, and giving a clear account of the scope of the completed building works. At the same time, the BD also issued a letter to inform the APs responsible for the relevant building sites that the application for renewal of registration of ACCL has been refused, reminding the APs that they should make arrangements for the remaining works as soon as possible, including proposing to the owner of the project the appointment of another registered contractor to follow up the outstanding building works and ensuring that the building works of the project have been carried out in compliance with the provisions of the BO and its regulations. A copy of the letter has been copied to the relevant project owners. It is believed that the relevant owners will expeditiously and properly handle and hand over the outstanding works with the original contractor and appoint another suitable registered contractor to continue with the relevant works as soon as possible.

         ACCL is currently the main contractor for six development projects, three of which are public housing projects (including the public housing development at Tuen Mun Area 29 West, the public housing development at Tung Chung Area 100, and the underground link of Pak Tin Estate redevelopment Phase 10), one is a public works project for the construction of a new Chai Wan Government Complex, one is a subsidised sale housing project on Anderson Road by the Hong Kong Housing Society, and the remaining one is a student and staff dormitory project of the University of Hong Kong on Pok Fu Lam Road. With ACCL being removed from the register of general building contractors, it will no longer be allowed to carry out five of the residential and hostel projects mentioned above according to the law or contract terms. As for the public works project of Chai Wan Government Complex, although it is neither bound by the BO or relevant contract terms to employ a contractor from the register of general building contractors for this project, in view of the slow progress over the past months and the fact that the performance of the contractor is far below contract requirements, the relevant works department will terminate the contract as soon as possible in accordance with the contractual mechanism. The Housing Authority and the relevant works department will follow up with ACCL as soon as possible to arrange for a new contractor to take over the project sites within two months of ACCL leaving the site, so as to complete the remaining works and to minimise the impact on the projects.

         In order to minimise the impact to current workers and subcontractors, the Government encourages new contractors for the projects concerned to take priority in engaging current workers and subcontractors. In addition, special consultation counters have been set up at ten Regional Offices of the Labour Relations Division of the Labour Department (LD) to provide appropriate assistance to affected workers. If affected workers need assistance or have enquiries in respect of matters of employment or employees’ rights, they may call the Construction Industry Recruitment Centre (Tel: 3428 3303) or the Labour Relations Division (Tel: 2927 6080) of the LD during office hours. 

         During the processing of the registration renewal application, relevant departments and parties have strengthened efforts to ensure site safety at ACCL’s construction sites. Apart from proactively doubling surprise inspections to private construction sites, the BD has also required project owners and ACCL to implement additional measures to enhance site supervision. As for public construction sites, the responsible parties have also strengthened site supervision. From now until ACCL’s removal from the register, these enhanced measures will continue to be in place if construction activities are still taking place at the construction sites.

         Ms Linn emphasised, “We understand that the decision to refuse the registration renewal may have an impact on the works in progress, but the BD, as the regulatory authority, is required to process registration renewal applications rigorously and professionally in accordance with the BO, which clearly stipulates the factors to be taken into account by the BD. These factors are mainly for assessing whether the registered contractor continues to have the competence, experience, qualifications and suitable appointed persons to act on its behalf in discharging statutory obligations in respect of building works under construction, including building safety. We need to ensure that the system for renewing the registration of registered contractors can play an effective gatekeeping role in maintaining the professional standard of the industry, separating the wheat from the chaff and sending a clear message to the industry and the community, so that the construction industry can continue to develop healthily.”

         She supplemented, “Refusing the application for renewal of registration of ACCL is only one of the series of follow-up actions taken by the Government following construction site fatal incidents. In 2023, the BD and the LD instigated prosecutions against ACCL and related individuals under their respective ordinances regarding the collapse of a tower crane on Anderson Road. The case will be heard in January 2026. The involved authorised signatory of ACCL was also charged with manslaughter in 2024, which will be heard in July 2025. As for the other two serious incidents, ACCL and related individuals were convicted and fined under labour ordinances for the 2020 incident, while the 2023 incident will be heard in July 2025.”

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Government deeply concerned about Tseung Kwan O Line train incident

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

      The Government is deeply concerned about the train incident on the MTR Tseung Kwan O Line yesterday evening (May 22). At around 5.15pm, the Government received notification from the MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL) that, due to failure of the traction power supply system, Tseung Kwan O Line services was disrupted and then fully suspended.

    Upon receiving notification of the incident from the MTRCL, the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) immediately deployed professional railways and electrical engineers to the site to assess the situation and conduct investigation of the incident. Preliminary findings indicated that a section of the overhead cable was found faulted in the tunnel of the Tseung Kwan O Line (Tseung Kwan O Station to Yau Tong Station direction) near Quarry Bay Station. The traction power supply system was tripped when the train passed through the section. The EMSD also found signs of damage to the overhead cable at the scene of the incident. It is initially suspected that the cause of incident was related to the damage of cable components. Detailed investigation is ongoing.

    The EMSD will continue with its overnight investigation at the scene on the traction power supply system, and inspect incident train at the depot. The investigation encompasses the consideration of power distribution system, train components, environmental conditions and human factors, etc. The EMSD has requested the MTRCL to conduct a comprehensive review on the incident and submit an investigation report as soon as possible to explain the cause of the incident and propose improvement measures to prevent recurrence of similar incidents.

    Ends/Friday, May 23, 2025
    Issued at HKT 1:12

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Over 7 000 celebrate culture and sport at 11th Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in Antwerp (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Over 7 000 celebrate culture and sport at 11th Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in Antwerp Issued at HKT 22:05

    A vibrant crowd of over 7 000 paddling enthusiasts and spectators gathered on May 10 in the port city of Antwerp, Belgium (Antwerp time), for the 11th edition of the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival, one of the city’s most anticipated annual events. The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (HKETO, Brussels) proudly sponsored the festival.

    Organised by Rotary Antwerp International and Rotary Antwerp West, the festival brought together some 30 dragon boat teams for a full day of spirited racing, cultural exchanges, and community celebrations. HKETO, Brussels was the main sponsor.

    Speaking at the opening ceremony, Deputy Representative of HKETO, Brussels Miss Grace Li shared her enthusiasm for the event. “HKETO Brussels is proud to continue supporting the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival. The dragon boat race symbolises the strong, enduring ties between Hong Kong and Belgium,” she said. “We are proud to once again support this vibrant celebration of sport, culture, and community.”

    Encouraging the audience to explore more, she added, “Come visit Hong Kong – a city brimming with life, colour, and culture.  As Asia’s world city and a hub for global events, Hong Kong is ready to welcome you with open arms.” She ended her speech by also promoting Hong Kong as a talent hub where ambition meets opportunity to advance studies or build a career.

    Beyond the festivities, the event also supported meaningful causes. Proceeds benefited Thomas Houses, a local charity dedicated to helping individuals with intellectual disabilities integrate into society and the well-known medical organisation Mercy Ships, as well as other charitable organisations.

    Ends/Thursday, May 22, 2025
    Issued at HKT 22:05

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: 16 Defendants Federally Charged in Connection with DanaBot Malware Scheme That Infected Computers Worldwide

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    LOS ANGELES – A federal grand jury indictment and criminal complaint unsealed today charge 16 defendants who allegedly developed and deployed the DanaBot malware which a Russia-based cybercrime organization controlled and deployed, infecting more than 300,000 victim computers around the world, facilitated fraud and ransomware, and caused at least $50 million in damage.

    The defendants include Aleksandr Stepanov, 39, a.k.a. “JimmBee,” and Artem Aleksandrovich Kalinkin, 34, a.k.a. “Onix”, both of Novosibirsk, Russia. Stepanov was charged with conspiracy, conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud, aggravated identity theft, unauthorized access to a protected computer to obtain information, unauthorized impairment of a protected computer, wiretapping, and use of an intercepted communication.

    Kalinkin was charged with conspiracy to gain unauthorized access to a computer to obtain information, to gain unauthorized access to a computer to defraud, and to commit unauthorized impairment of a protected computer. Both defendants are believed to be in Russia and are not in custody.

    According to the indictment and complaint, DanaBot malware used a variety of methods to infect victim computers, including spam email messages containing malicious attachments or hyperlinks. Victim computers infected with DanaBot malware became part of a botnet (a network of compromised computers), enabling the operators and users of the botnet to remotely control the infected computers in a coordinated manner. The owners and operators of the victim computers are typically unaware of the infection.

    The DanaBot malware allegedly operated on a malware-as-a-service model, with the administrators leasing access to the botnet and support tools to client coconspirators for a fee that was typically several thousand dollars a month. The DanaBot malware was multi-featured and had extensive capabilities to exploit victim computers. It could be used to steal data from victim computers, and to hijack banking sessions, steal device information, user browsing histories, stored account credentials, and virtual currency wallet information.

    DanaBot also had the capability to provide full remote access to victim computers, to record keystrokes, and record videos showing the activity of users on victim computers. DanaBot has further been used as an initial means of infection for other forms of malware, including ransomware. The DanaBot malware has infected over 300,000 computers around the world, and caused damage estimated to exceed $50 million.

    DanaBot administrators operated a second version of the botnet that was used to target victim computers in military, diplomatic, government, and related entities. This version of the botnet recorded all interactions with the computer and sent stolen data to a different server than the fraud-oriented version of DanaBot. This variant was allegedly used to target diplomats, law enforcement personnel, and members of the military in North America, and Europe.

    “Pervasive malware like DanaBot harms hundreds of thousands of victims around the world, including sensitive military, diplomatic, and government entities, and causes many millions of dollars in losses,” said United States Attorney Bill Essayli for the Central District of California. “The charges and actions announced today demonstrate our commitment to eradicating the largest threats to global cybersecurity and pursuing the most malicious cyber actors, wherever they are located.”   

    “The enforcement actions announced today, made possible by enduring law enforcement and industry partnerships across the globe, disrupted a significant cyber threat group, who were profiting from the theft of victim data and the targeting of sensitive networks,” said Special Agent in Charge Kenneth DeChellis of the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), Cyber Field Office. “The DanaBot malware was a clear threat to the Department of Defense and our partners. DCIS will vigorously defend our infrastructure, personnel, and intellectual property.”

    “Today’s announcement represents a significant step forward in the FBI’s ongoing efforts to disrupt and dismantle the cyber-criminal ecosystem that wreaks havoc on global digital security,” said Special Agent in Charge Rebecca Day of the FBI Anchorage Field Office. “We are grateful for the coordinated efforts of our domestic and international law enforcement partners in holding cyber criminals accountable, no matter where they operate.”

    An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    If convicted, Kalinkin would face a statutory maximum sentence of 72 years in federal prison, and Stepanov would face a statutory maximum sentence of five years in federal prison.

    As part of today’s operation, Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) agents effected seizures and takedowns of DanaBot command and control servers, including dozens of virtual servers hosted in the United States. The U.S. government is now working with partners including the Shadowserver Foundation to notify DanaBot victims and help remediate infections.

    These law enforcement actions were taken in conjunction with Operation Endgame, an ongoing, coordinated effort among international law enforcement agencies aimed at dismantling and prosecuting cybercriminal organizations around the world.

    Amazon, Crowdstrike, ESET, Flashpoint, Google, Intel 471, Lumen, PayPal, Proofpoint, Team CYMRU, and ZScaler provided valuable assistance.

    The investigation into DanaBot was led by the FBI’s Anchorage Field Office and the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, working closely with Germany’s Bundeskriminalamt (BKA), the Netherlands National Police, and the Australian Federal Police. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided significant assistance.

    Assistant United States Attorney Aaron Frumkin of the Cyber and Intellectual Property Crimes Section is prosecuting these cases. Assistant United States Attorney James E. Dochterman of the Asset Forfeiture and Recovery Section is handling the forfeiture case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Fort Wayne Woman Ordered to Repay Funds From PPP Loan Fraud

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    FORT WAYNE – Dashanae Hamlet-Davis, 26 years old, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Holly A. Brady after pleading guilty to a federal felony for wire fraud, announced Acting United States Attorney Tina L. Nommay.

    Hamlet-Davis was sentenced to 18 months of probation and ordered to pay $23,431.53 in restitution to the Small Business Administration.

    According to documents in the case, Hamlet-Davis falsely claimed gross income for a business that did not exist when she applied for a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan. The PPP program provided loans to small businesses for job retention and other expenses as part the CARES Act and for emergency financial assistance to Americans suffering from the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Hamlet-Davis falsely claimed that she was the sole proprietor of a retail business when in reality, no such business existed. As a result of her fraudulent representations, Hamlet-Davis received PPP funds which she used for her own benefit on personal items such as clothing, jewelry, electronics, and a vacation.

    “This sentencing demonstrates the commitment of the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) to investigate and bring to justice those who victimize the American taxpayer,” said Kelly Moening, TIGTA Special Agent-in-Charge. “Fraudulently applying for loans through a federal program meant to assist Americans in need will be met with aggressive investigation and prosecution. I want to thank our law enforcement partners and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their commitment to this goal.”  

    This case was investigated by the United States Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration with assistance from IRS Criminal Investigation.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Justin C. Sheridan.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: California Man Sentenced to 108 Months in Prison

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SOUTH BEND – Antonio Curiel, 44 years old, of San Ysedro, California, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Cristal C. Brisco after pleading guilty to possessing with intent to distribute over 500 grams of cocaine, announced Acting United States Attorney Tina L. Nommay.

    Curiel was sentenced to 108 months in prison followed by 4 years of supervised release.

    According to documents in the case, in March 2024, Curiel was transporting more than 18 kilograms of cocaine from California to the East Coast in a vehicle when he was stopped by law enforcement in Northern Indiana. Curiel admitted he was being paid for his transportation services, and this was not the first time making such a trip. 

    This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration including the DEA North Central Laboratory with assistance from the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joel Gabrielse.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Climate, Peace & Security on Protection of Civilians- Joint Security Council Media Stakeout

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    Comments to the media by Georgios Gerapetritis, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Hellenic Republic and President of the Security Council for the month of May, on behalf of the Security Council members signatories to the Joint Pledges related to Climate, Peace & Security on Protection of Civilians and Denmark, Guyana, Panama, Republic of Korea, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, and United Kingdom.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwDtN1P39_o

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI: KANZHUN LIMITED to Hold Annual General Meeting on June 27, 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BEIJING, May 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — KANZHUN LIMITED (“BOSS Zhipin” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: BZ; HKEX: 2076), a leading online recruitment platform in China, today announced that it will hold an annual general meeting of the Company’s shareholders (the “AGM”) at 3 p.m. Beijing time on June 27, 2025 at 21/F, GrandyVic Building, Taiyanggong Middle Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China for the purposes of considering and, if thought fit, passing with or without amendments, each of the proposed resolutions as set forth in the notice of the AGM (the “AGM Notice”). The AGM Notice, a circular in relation to the AGM, and the form of proxy for the AGM are available on the Company’s website at https://ir.zhipin.com. The board of directors of the Company fully supports the proposed resolutions and recommends that shareholders and holders of American depositary shares (“ADSs”) vote in favor of the proposed resolutions.

    Holders of record of ordinary shares of the Company at the close of business on May 22, 2025, Hong Kong time, are entitled to notice of, to attend and vote at, the AGM or any adjournment thereof. Holders of record of ADSs as of the close of business on May 22, 2025, New York time, who wish to exercise their voting rights for the underlying Class A ordinary shares must give voting instructions to Citibank, N.A., the depositary of the ADSs.

    The Company has filed its annual report on Form 20-F, including its audited financial statements, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The Company’s annual report on Form 20-F can be accessed on the Company’s website at https://ir.zhipin.com and on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

    Safe Harbor Statement

    This press release contains statements that may constitute “forward-looking” statements which are made pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “aims,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “likely to,” and similar statements. The Company may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the SEC, in announcements made on the website of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited, in its interim and annual reports to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including but not limited to statements about the Company’s beliefs, plans, and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in the Company’s filings with the SEC and The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

    About KANZHUN LIMITED

    KANZHUN LIMITED operates the leading online recruitment platform BOSS Zhipin in China. The Company connects job seekers and enterprise users in an efficient and seamless manner through its highly interactive mobile app, a transformative product that promotes two-way communication, focuses on intelligent recommendations, and creates new scenarios in the online recruiting process. Benefiting from its large and diverse user base, BOSS Zhipin has developed powerful network effects to deliver higher recruitment efficiency and drive rapid expansion.

    For more information, please visit https://ir.zhipin.com.

    For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

    KANZHUN LIMITED
    Investor Relations
    Email: ir@kanzhun.com

    In China：

    PIACENTE FINANCIAL COMMUNICATIONS
    Helen Wu
    Tel: +86-10-6508-0677
    Email: kanzhun@tpg-ir.com

    In the United States:

    PIACENTE FINANCIAL COMMUNICATIONS
    Brandi Piacente
    Phone: +1-212-481-2050
    Email: kanzhun@tpg-ir.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: KANZHUN LIMITED Announces Board Change

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BEIJING, May 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —  KANZHUN LIMITED (“BOSS Zhipin” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: BZ; HKEX: 2076), a leading online recruitment platform in China, today announced that Ms. Hongyu Liu has been appointed as an independent non-executive director of the Company and a member of the nomination committee.

    Ms. Hongyu Liu, aged 52, is a financial expert with over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry. Ms. Liu currently serves as a managing director at Intermediate Capital Asia Pacific Limited, where she started her role in 2016. She previously served as a principal at TPG Capital, and held the position of vice president at Lazard China Limited. Her earlier career also includes over seven years at JP Morgan Chase, where she held various roles in the United States and Hong Kong, with her last position being a vice president.

    Ms. Liu earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in finance from Renmin University of China, a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy from The Fletcher School of Tufts University, and an MBA from Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College. She also serves on the International Board of Advisors at Tufts University. Ms. Liu is a Chartered Financial Analyst and is licensed under the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Chapter 571 of the Laws of Hong Kong) (the “SFO”) as a representative to carry out Type 1 (dealing in securities) and Type 4 (advising on securities) regulated activities.

    The Company would like to welcome Ms. Liu to the board. The Company believes that her expertise and experience will be a valuable asset to the Company’s development.

    Safe Harbor Statement

    This press release contains statements that may constitute “forward-looking” statements which are made pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “aims,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “likely to,” and similar statements. The Company may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, in announcements made on the website of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited, in its interim and annual reports to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including but not limited to statements about the Company’s beliefs, plans, and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in the Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

    About KANZHUN LIMITED

    KANZHUN LIMITED operates the leading online recruitment platform BOSS Zhipin in China. The Company connects job seekers and enterprise users in an efficient and seamless manner through its highly interactive mobile app, a transformative product that promotes two-way communication, focuses on intelligent recommendations, and creates new scenarios in the online recruiting process. Benefiting from its large and diverse user base, BOSS Zhipin has developed powerful network effects to deliver higher recruitment efficiency and drive rapid expansion.

    For more information, please visit https://ir.zhipin.com.

    For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

    KANZHUN LIMITED
    Investor Relations
    Email: ir@kanzhun.com

    In China：

    PIACENTE FINANCIAL COMMUNICATIONS
    Helen Wu
    Tel: +86-10-6508-0677
    Email: kanzhun@tpg-ir.com

    In the United States:

    PIACENTE FINANCIAL COMMUNICATIONS
    Brandi Piacente
    Phone: +1-212-481-2050
    Email: kanzhun@tpg-ir.com

    The MIL Network –

  • Nationwide mass mobilization campaign launched against plastic pollution

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav on Thursday announced the launch of a nationwide mass mobilisation campaign against plastic pollution in the lead-up to World Environment Day.

    The campaign, titled ‘One Nation, One Mission: End Plastic Pollution’, aims to raise awareness, drive behaviour change, and promote sustainable alternatives to plastic use across the country. It is part of the government’s larger Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) initiative, envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which encourages citizens to adopt environmentally conscious practices.

    “”In the run-up to #WorldEnvironmentDay, @moefcc has launched a nationwide mass mobilisation campaign against plastic pollution today. The campaign ‘One Nation, One Mission: End Plastic Pollution’ aims to nudge citizens to adopt eco-friendly alternatives as envisioned by PM Shri @narendramodi ji under Mission LiFE. Let’s move from awareness to action collectively by embracing sustainable living and #EndPlasticPollution,” Yadav posted on X.

    The key thrust areas of the campaign include spreading awareness about plastic pollution, reducing the use and generation of plastic waste, promoting efficient waste management, and encouraging the development and adoption of sustainable materials to replace single-use plastics.

    Activities under the campaign will take place across ministries, state and union territory governments, local bodies, schools, colleges, industries, civil society organisations, and community groups.

    Engagement efforts will span a variety of formats—from awareness drives on social media and street plays (nukkad nataks) to public pledges, poster and essay competitions, marathons, and cleanup drives at public places.

    Workshops, webinars, and educational activities on sustainable practices will also be organised to deepen understanding and support long-term change. Participating stakeholders have been urged to align their activities with the campaign’s goals and report them through the government’s ‘Meri LiFE’ portal.

    (With inputs from ANI)

  • MIL-OSI: American Rebel Congratulates Tony Stewart on Top Fuel Victory at Gerber Collision & Glass NHRA Route 66 Nationals

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Stewart’s Fourth Consecutive Final and Second Victory of his Top Fuel Career

    American Rebel Light Beer Sponsorship of Tony Stewart Racing Drivers Tony Stewart and Matt Hagan Celebrate Stewart Win and Stewart Heads to 109th Indianapolis 500 to Join the INDYCAR on FOX team for Pre-Race Show

    Nashville, TN, May 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — American Rebel Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: AREB) (“American Rebel” or the “Company”), creator of American Rebel Beer (americanrebelbeer.com) and a designer, manufacturer, and marketer of branded safes, personal security and self-defense products and apparel (americanrebel.com), is proud to congratulate Tony Stewart on his victory at the Gerber Collision & Glass NHRA Route 66 Nationals in the Top Fuel Dragster (nhra.com) this past weekend at the Route 66 Raceway (route66raceway.com) in Chicago. This past weekend’s race marked the fourth consecutive final for Stewart and the second victory of his Top Fuel Career.

    “I said at Vegas that I was extremely impressed and pleased with the progress our team has been making,” said Stewart. “There were tricky track conditions on Friday, so I was excited about getting number one qualifier in Q1. There are a lot of heavy hitters that can really perform when the track is great and we just hadn’t been there yet. When the track cooled off and we ran a 3.67 (ET) yesterday, we got really excited. We had talked amongst our group about how tough it is to race for a championship at the end of the season when we haven’t raced in cooler conditions like we will have in the Fall. We had that this weekend, so to run that well was very encouraging. Now we have data that we can go back and look at and won’t be starting from scratch. We had a mixture of warm and cool conditions today for eliminations. I talked with Leah (Pruett, Stewart’s wife and driver of the Tony Stewart Racing (tsrnitro.com) Top Fuel Dragster until she stepped away to start a family) before the Final about what I had to do to beat Justin (Ashley). We concluded I had to just keep doing what I’ve been doing and get up on the wheel. You know when you race Justin, you have to bring your “A game” and rise to the occasion. His reaction times are the best out here and he does that both in qualifying and eliminations. That makes today’s win for our Rinnai crew that much more special. They have a great team and program. When you can beat them, it is a feather in your cap because you’re beating one of the best teams in the business.”

    “I couldn’t be more proud for Tony, Leah, Matt and the entire Tony Stewart Racing team,” said American Rebel CEO Andy Ross. “Tony making four consecutive finals with two of them being wins is amazing; and Matt is also running really well. Our distributors, retailers and customers love our association with Tony Stewart Racing and Tony’s support team have gone above and beyond the call of duty to help American Rebel Beer every way they can. It’s been a fantastic experience!”

    Stewart’s previous three consecutive final-round appearances came at the 65th NHRA Winternationals, NHRA 4-Wide Nationals in Las Vegas, and American Rebel Light NHRA 4-Wide Nationals in Charlotte in addition to the fourth consecutive final-round appearance at the Gerber Collision & Glass NHRA Route 66 Nationals in Chicago.

    The fact that Tony Stewart may be the most versatile driver in the history of auto racing was highlighted again this weekend as Stewart earned a trifecta in Chicago with Stewart’s previous win on the oval track in Chicago, his win as a team owner with driver Donny Schatz’s 2005 and 2017 wins on the dirt track, and now Stewart’s win in Top Fuel on the dragstrip. Stewart’s versatility will again be highlighted this coming weekend as Stewart will join Danica Patrick and Chris Myers and the INDYCAR on FOX team and participate in the pre-race show for the 109th Indianapolis 500. Pre-race coverage begins at 10 am Eastern.

    American Rebel is an associate sponsor on the Tony Stewart driven Top Fuel Dragster and the Matt Hagan driven Funny Car for all 20 races of the NHRA Mission Foods 2025 season as well as the primary sponsor of the Matt Hagan Funny Car for five races, including the American Rebel Light NHRA 4-Wide Nationals at Charlotte Motor Speedway, and the primary sponsor of the Tony Stewart Top Fuel Dragster for one race during the 2025 season. Being a sponsor provides opportunities for vast exposure during the race broadcasts on Fox Sports, Fox Sports 1 (FS1) and Fox Sports 2 (FS2). Ratings for NHRA telecasts are very strong and visibility continues to expand through additional streaming options through NHRA.tv.

    In addition to the strong television viewership of NHRA racing, NHRA has unveiled exciting opportunities for digital media and content creators for the 2025 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season. Aiming to change the way influencers, content creators and digital media members experience drag racing, NHRA is working to expand its reach across social media platforms with its Cornwell Tools Burnout Box Content Creator Zone. This expansion and emphasis in the digital media space will significantly benefit American Rebel.

    American Rebel has also benefitted from the relationship with Tony Stewart Racing through the social media reach of Tony Stewart, Matt Hagan and Leah Pruett. Tony Stewart has nearly 750,000 followers on X (@TonyStewart) and over 250,000 followers on Instagram (@tsrsmoke). Matt Hagan has nearly 150,000 followers on Instagram (@matthagan_fc) and Leah Pruett has nearly 400,000 followers on Instagram (@leah.pruett).

    Primary sponsorship dates for American Rebel Beer on the Matt Hagan Funny Car are April 25 – 27 at the American Rebel Light NHRA 4-Wide Nationals in Concord, NC; June 20 – 22 at the Virginia NHRA Nationals at North Dinwiddle, VA; August 14 – 17 at the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals in Brainerd, MN; September 26 – 28 at the NHRA Midwest Nationals near St. Louis, MO; and October 30 – November 2 at the NHRA Nevada Nationals in Las Vegas, NV. American Rebel Beer will also be a primary sponsor for the Tony Stewart Top Fuel Dragster on September 26 – 28 at the NHRA Midwest Nationals near St. Louis, MO.

    About American Rebel Light Beer

    Produced in partnership with AlcSource, American Rebel Light Beer (americanrebelbeer.com) is a domestic premium light lager celebrated for its exceptional quality and patriotic values. It stands out as America’s Patriotic, God-Fearing, Constitution-Loving, National Anthem-Singing, Stand Your Ground Beer.

    American Rebel Light is a Premium Domestic Light Lager Beer – All Natural, Crisp, Clean and Bold Taste with a Lighter Feel. With approximately 100 calories, 3.2 carbohydrates, and 4.3% alcoholic content per 12 oz serving, American Rebel Light Beer delivers a lighter option for those who love great beer but prefer a more balanced lifestyle. It’s all natural with no added supplements and importantly does not use corn, rice, or other sweeteners typically found in mass produced beers.

    About Tony Stewart Racing

    Headquartered in Brownsburg, Indiana, Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) Nitro fields two entries in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series. After more than four decades of racing around in circles, Tony Stewart embarked on a straight and narrow path, albeit more than 300 mph. The championship-winning racecar driver who has successfully transitioned to being a championship-winner team owner, formed the TSR nitro team in 2021, with 2022 marking the team’s first season in competition. Matt Hagan pilots the Funny Car and Tony Stewart took over driving duties in 2024 for wife Leah Pruett in the Top Fuel dragster as they started a family. Hagan is a four-time Funny Car champion (2011, 2014, 2020 and 2023) from Christiansburg, Virginia. Stewart hails from Columbus, Indiana and earned his first Top Fuel victory at the 2025 NHRA Four-Wide Nationals in Las Vegas. He also won the 2024 NHRA Rookie of the Year title. Stewart finished second in the 2023 Top Alcohol Dragster championship standings.

    About American Rebel Holdings, Inc.

    American Rebel Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: AREB) has operated primarily as a designer, manufacturer and marketer of branded safes and personal security and self-defense products and has recently transitioned into the beverage industry through the introduction of American Rebel Beer. The Company also designs and produces branded apparel and accessories. To learn more, visit americanrebelbeer.com or americanrebel.com. For investor information, visit americanrebelbeer.com/investor-relations.

    American Rebel Holdings, Inc.
    info@americanrebel.com

    American Rebel Beverages, LLC
    Todd Porter, President
    tporter@americanrebelbeer.com

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. American Rebel Holdings, Inc., (NASDAQ: AREB; AREBW) (the “Company,” “American Rebel,” “we,” “our” or “us”) desires to take advantage of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and is including this cautionary statement in connection with this safe harbor legislation. The words “forecasts” “believe,” “may,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “should,” “plan,” “could,” “target,” “potential,” “is likely,” “expect” and similar expressions, as they relate to us, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. We have based these forward-looking statements primarily on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, and financial needs. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ from those in the forward-looking statements include benefits of a launch party, actual launch timing and availability of American Rebel Beer, success and availability of the promotional activities, our ability to effectively execute our business plan, and the Risk Factors contained within our filings with the SEC, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024. Any forward-looking statement made by us herein speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

    Company Contact:
    tporter@americanrebelbeer.com
     info@americanrebel.com

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: RBI imposes monetary penalty on The Aska Central Co-operative Bank Ltd., Aska, Odisha

    Source: Reserve Bank of India

    The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has, by an order dated May 20, 2025, imposed a monetary penalty of ₹10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand only) on The Aska Central Co-operative Bank Ltd., Aska, Odisha (the bank) for non-compliance with certain directions issued by RBI on ‘Membership of Credit Information Companies (CICs) by Co-operative Banks’. This penalty has been imposed in exercise of powers conferred on RBI under the provisions of Section 25(1)(iii) read with Section 23(4) of the Credit Information Companies (Regulation) Act, 2005.

    The statutory inspection of the bank was conducted by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) with reference to its financial position as on March 31, 2024. Based on supervisory findings of non-compliance with RBI directions and related correspondence in that regard, a notice was issued to the bank advising it to show cause as to why penalty should not be imposed on it for its failure to comply with the said directions. After considering the bank’s reply to the notice and oral submissions made during the personal hearing, RBI found, inter alia, that the following charge against the bank was sustained, warranting imposition of monetary penalty:

    The bank had failed to furnish credit information of its customers to any of the Credit Information Companies.

    This action is based on deficiencies in regulatory compliance and is not intended to pronounce upon the validity of any transaction or agreement entered into by the bank with its customers. Further, imposition of this monetary penalty is without prejudice to any other action that may be initiated by RBI against the bank.

    (Puneet Pancholy)  
    Chief General Manager

    Press Release: 2025-2026/389

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: International cricket in Canberra this summer

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    In brief:

    • The 2025-26 international cricket schedule has launched.
    • This includes two matches in Canberra at Manuka Oval.
    • This article includes details plus the full Season 2025-26 international schedule around Australia.

    Canberra will host two international cricket matches this summer.

    In the much-anticipated summer of cricket, featuring the next edition of the Ashes against England, 26 international matches will be played in 11 cities across Australia.

    For the first time in 17 years, there will be matches in every state and territory capital.

    The international season kicks off in August 2025 with a men’s ODI and T20I series against South Africa and concludes eight months later in March 2026 with a women’s test match against India.

    Australia to face India in Canberra

    Both the Australian men’s and women’s teams will take on India at Manuka Oval.

    The Men’s T20I Series v India match will be played on Wednesday, 29 October 2025.

    The men’s blockbuster white ball series will include the first five-match T20I series between the cricket heavyweights.

    The Women’s T20I Series v India will be played on Thursday, 19 February 2026.

    The Australian women will host a multiformat series against the rapidly emerging Indian team.

    Canberrans flocked to see international, domestic and local cricket played at Manuka Oval last summer.

    This included the most-ever attendees to a women’s international fixture played at Manuka Oval.

    Ticket details

    International ticket pre-sales will begin on Tuesday, 3 June. This is for fans who have registered through Cricket Australia.

    General public tickets will go on sale on Friday, 13 June.

    The schedule at a glance

    • NRMA Insurance men’s Ashes includes Gabba D/N Test and Adelaide Christmas Test
    • Blockbuster India men’s white ball series features first five match T20 series
    • Women’s multiformat series against India with Test Match at the redeveloped WACA Ground and three big stadium games
    • Northern Series returns in tourist hot spots Darwin, Cairns and Mackay.

    2025–26 International Schedule  

    Men’s T20I Series v South Africa  

    Sunday, August 10: Marrara Stadium, Darwin (N)

    Tuesday August 12: Marrara Stadium, Darwin, (N)

    Saturday, August 16: Cazalys Stadium, Cairns, (N)

    Men’s ODI Series v South Africa  

    Tuesday, August 19: Cazalys Stadium, Cairns, (D/N)

    Friday, August 22: Great Barrier Reef Arena, Mackay, (D/N)

    Sunday, August 24: Great Barrier Reef Arena, Mackay, (D/N)

    Men’s ODI Series v India 

    Sunday, October 19: Perth Stadium, Perth, (D/N)

    Thursday, October 23: Adelaide Oval, Adelaide, (D/N)

    Saturday, October 25: SCG, Sydney, (D/N)

    Men’s T20I Series v India 

    Wednesday, October 29: Manuka Oval, Canberra, (N)

    Friday, October 31: MCG, Melbourne, (N)

    Monday, November 2: Bellerive Oval, Hobart, (N)

    Thursday, November 6: Carrara Stadium, Gold Coast, (N)

    Saturday, November 8: The Gabba, Brisbane, (N)

    NRMA Insurance Men’s Ashes  

    21-25 November: West Test, Perth Stadium, Perth

    4-8 December: Day-Night Test, The Gabba, Brisbane

    17-21 December: Christmas Test, Adelaide Oval, Adelaide

    26-30 December: Boxing Day Test, MCG, Melbourne

    4-8 January: Pink Test, SCG, Sydney

    Women’s T20I Series v India 

    Sunday, February 15: SCG, Sydney, (N)

    Thursday, February 19: Manuka Oval, Canberra, (N)

    Saturday, February 21: Adelaide Oval, Adelaide, (N)

    Women’s ODI Series v India 

    Tuesday, February 24: Allan Border Field, Brisbane, (D/N)

    Friday, February 27: Bellerive Oval, Hobart, (D/N)

    Sunday March 1: Junction Oval, Melbourne, (D/N)

    Women’s Test v India 

    March 6-9: WACA Ground, Perth

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    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Punitive criminal libel charge against Samoan journalist draws flurry of criticism

    Pacific Media Watch

    A punitive defamation charge filed against one of Samoa’s most experienced and trusted journalists last week has sparked a flurry of criticism over abuse of power and misuse of a law that has long been heavily criticised as outdated.

    Talamua Online senior journalist Lagi Keresoma, who is also president of the Journalists Association of Samoa (JAWS), was charged with one count of defamation under Section 117A of Samoa’s Crimes Act 2013 on May 18.

    She was elected in 2021 as the first woman to hold the presidency.

    The charge followed an article she had published more than two weeks earlier on May 1 alleging that a former police officer had appealed to Samoa’s Head of State to have charges against him withdrawn.

    The accused was charged with “allegedly forging the signature of the complainant as guarantor to secure a $200,000 loan from the Samoa National Provident Fund”. He denies the allegation.

    It was reported that the complainant was another senior police officer.

    Police Commissioner Auapaau Logoitino Filipo reportedly said the officer had filed a complaint over the May 1 article, claiming its contents were false and amounted to defamation.

    Criminal libel removed, then restored
    The criminal libel law was removed by the Samoan government in 2013, but was revived four years later in 2017. It was claimed at the time that it was needed to deal with issues triggered by social media.

    JAWS immediately defended their president, saying it stood in “full solidarity” with Keresoma and calling for an immediate repeal of the law.

    The association said the provision was a “troubling development for press freedom in Samoa” and added that it “should not be used to silence journalists and discourage investigative reporting”.

    “It is deeply concerning that a journalist of Lagi Keresoma’s integrity and professionalism is being prosecuted under a law that has long been criticised for its negative effect on press freedom,” said the association.

    Talamua Online senior journalist Lagi Keresoma . . . charged with criminal defamation over a report earlier this month. Image: Samoa Observer

    Keresoma told Talamua Online she had been summoned twice to the police station and the police suggested that she apologise publicly and to the complainant and the complaint would be withdrawn.

    However, she said: “To apologise is an admission that the story is wrong, so after speaking to my lawyer and my editor, it was decided to have the police file their charges, but no apology from my end.”

    Her lawyer also contacted the police investigating officer informing that her client was not making a statement but to prepare the charges against her.

    Keresoma was summoned to the police headquarters on Saturday and Sunday and the charges were only finalised on Monday morning before she was released.

    She is due to appear in court next month.

    Lagipoiva Cherelle Jackson, the JAWS gender spokesperson with the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), said in a statement Keresoma was a veteran Samoan journalist with “decades of service” to the public and media.

    ‘Outdated and controversial provision’
     “Her arrest under this outdated and controversial provision raises serious concerns about the misuse of legal tools to silence independent journalism. The action appears heavy-handed and disproportionate, and risks being perceived as an abuse of power to suppress public scrutiny and dissent,” Lagipoiva said.

    “The United Nations Human Rights Committee and UN Special Rapporteurs, particularly the UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, have repeatedly called for defamation to be treated as a civil matter, not a criminal one.

    “The continued application of criminal defamation in Samoa contradicts international standards and poses a chilling threat to press freedom, particularly for women journalists who already face systemic risks and intimidation.”

    Pacific Media Watch notes: “This is a disturbing development in Pacific media freedom trends. Clearly it is a clumsy attempt to intimidate and silence in-depth investigation and reporting on Pacific governance.

    “For years, Samoa has been a beacon for media freedom in the region, but it has fared badly in the latest World Press Freedom Index and this incident involving alleged criminal libel, a crime that should have been struck from the statutes years ago, is not going to help Samoa’s standing.

    “Journalism is not a crime.”

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former IRS Employee Ordered to Repay Funds From PPP Loan Fraud

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    FORT WAYNE – Rakita Davis, 45 years old, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Holly A. Brady after pleading guilty to federal felonies for wire fraud, announced Acting United States Attorney Tina L. Nommay.

    Davis was sentenced to 24 months of probation and ordered to pay $55,213.61 in restitution to the Small Business Administration.

    According to documents in the case, Davis falsely claimed gross income for a business that did not exist when she applied for two Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans in 2021. The PPP program provided loans to small businesses for job retention and other expenses as part the CARES Act and for emergency financial assistance to Americans suffering from the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Davis, who was employed by the IRS when she applied for the loans, falsely claimed that she was the sole proprietor of a catering business when in reality, no such business existed. As a result of her fraudulent representations, Davis received PPP funds which she used for her own benefit on personal items such as jewelry, airfare, luxury car rentals, and vacations.

    “This sentencing demonstrates the commitment of the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) to investigate and bring to justice those who victimize the American taxpayer,” said Kelly Moening, TIGTA Special Agent-in-Charge. “Fraudulently applying for loans through a federal program meant to assist Americans in need will be met with aggressive investigation and prosecution. I want to thank our law enforcement partners and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their commitment to this goal.”  

    This case was investigated by the United States Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration with assistance from IRS Criminal Investigation.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Justin C. Sheridan.

    MIL Security OSI –