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Category: Asia

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ4: Smart estate management

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    LCQ4: Smart estate management 
    Question:
     
         In order to enhance management efficiency and service quality of public rental housing (PRH) estates, the Government is actively promoting smart estate management and has selected ten PRH estates (including Hoi Ying Estate in Sham Shui Po) as pilot sites (pilot estates) for smart estate management. According to an opinion poll, over 90 per cent of the responding PRH tenants hope that the Housing Department expeditiously introduces smart management into the estates where they live. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
     
    (1) of the details and timetable for implementing smart estate management in various pilot estates;
     
    (2) given that the Government will utilize the Internet of Things and artificial intelligence to facilitate daily management in the pilot estates, and will also introduce robots to carry out tasks such as security patrol and cleansing, of the criteria based on which the Government decides to try out such smart equipment and technologies in the pilot estates; whether it will introduce robots into estates other than the pilot estates, and whether it will consider introducing robots of a more interactive nature to act as goodwill ambassadors to residents by answering their daily enquiries; and
     
    (3) whether it will extend the Smartcard Access Control System for buildings to all PRH estates, enabling residents to enter their buildings with smartcards or personalized QR codes and thus reducing the security risk of leaking building access codes, and install smart home monitoring systems for elderly residents; if so, of the details?
     
    Reply:
     
    President,
     
         Under the theme of Housing???I&T initiative, the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) promotes smart estate management this year so as to enhance efficiency and service quality, strengthen estate security, improve environment, expedite maintenance work, and enhance the sense of well-being and sense of gain of public rental housing (PRH) residents. The HA has selected ten public housing estates as pilot sites for the introduction of innovative technologies to promote smart estate management. In response to the questions raised by the Hon Vincent Cheng, our reply is as follows:
     
         At present, the HA has introduced the following innovative technologies for estate management:
     
    (i) Internet of Things (IoT) sensors
     
    The HA applies a variety of sensors and IoT to digitise various circumstances and information in estates, collect real-time data for analysis and monitoring, and establish early warning systems (such as electricity supply, operation of water pumps and drainage system blockage, etc.) to notify the estate offices immediately for follow-up. Presently, about 700 sets of sensors have been installed in six PRH estates. This would hence enhance the efficiency and service quality and minimise the impact on residents.
     
    (ii) Artificial Intelligence (AI)
     
    AI is able to analyse images to detect irregularities and monitor the common areas of PRH estates in real time, identifying incidents such as objects thrown from height and illegal parking. The AI video analytic system can spare frontline staff from reviewing video footages for long hours, helping staff identify more accurately and efficiently the incidents of objects thrown from height from long videos, thereby shortening the time required for the entire evidence collection process and enhancing the efficiency in handling such incidents. The system has assisted to handle 17 successful point allotment cases.
     
    (iii) Mobile devices
     
    The mobile applications can be used anytime and anywhere by frontline staff, enabling them to record and retrieve information on-site at various locations. The “Mobile Application System for Daily Patrol” developed by the HA trialed in ten pilot estates allows security staff to readily report patrol situation and record in real-time matters requiring cleansing or maintenance services with photos uploaded, replacing the paper reports, reducing the paperwork after patrol duties, and raising the effectiveness of follow-up actions.
     
    (iv) Robots and Small Unmanned Aircrafts (SUAs)
     
    Robots and SUAs have brought significant benefits across various fields. Since mid-2022, maintenance staff of the HA have been utilising SUAs for tasks such as inspecting external walls of 21 estates, lift shafts, trees of 175 estates and 285 green roofs within 22 estates. Not only does the use SUAs save manpower and time, but it also greatly enhances inspection efficiency and avoids the risks brought by scaffold-based inspections. These technologies help complete tasks which are dangerous or difficult for humans to achieve within a short period of time and minimise inconvenience caused to residents. Robots have also been used on a trial basis in three housing estates for routine cleansing and security work to enhance efficiency, reduce conflicts and assist with publicity work. In addition to physical robots, virtual robots also provide considerable assistance to the public. For instance, the public can inquire about information and provide suggestions through interaction with the HA Chatbot.
     
         To further promote innovative technologies in PRH estate management, the HA established a dedicated co-ordination team in mid-2024 to oversee the trial of various technologies across different management functions and review operational models. The co-ordination team also formulates implementation timetable for estates based on their specific conditions, with a view to gradually introducing suitable innovative solutions. For example, security robots are more suitable for use in spacious and flat public spaces. The HA will continue to actively collaborate with the property management sector to explore the implementation of cost-effective projects and maximise outcomes with limited resources. The co-ordination team will adjust its strategies annually based on the pilot results and identify suitable estates for introducing the best new technologies.
     
         In addition, the HA has piloted the use of a smart contactless access control system in Hin Fat Estate, Tuen Mun since September 2024, by using smartcards and mobile QR codes to facilitate control and to monitor the main access of the building. The HA will evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the pilot scheme, the application of the technology and residents’ feedback in the fourth quarter this year. With relevant government departments and research institutions, the HA will also continue to explore other systems, such as the feasibility of applying “iAM Smart” Personal Code to the access control system. Subject to the availability of resources, the HA will trial other smart access control systems in other estates subsequently. Upon analysis and comparison, the HA will gradually extend smart access control systems to suitable PRH estates in phases.
     
         The HA always upholds the values of “caring” and keeps abreast of the times to actively explore measures to address various needs of the elderly residents through the application of innovative technologies. Starting from April this year, the HA launched the pilot scheme of Door Sensor Installation for Elderly Households in Wan Hon Estate in Kwun Tong and Sheung Lok Estate in Ho Man Tin. The elderly households who voluntarily participate in the scheme are equipped with the system which allows designated relatives or friends to keep track of the movement of the elderly in and out of their flats so as to provide timely support when needed. So far, a total of 50 elderly households have participated in the scheme. The Housing Department will actively explore the feasibility of implementing other similar schemes in collaboration with other government departments and social welfare organisations, with a view to benefitting more elderly households in other PRH estates.
     
         Moreover, the HA has also provided subsidy to eligible elderly households to install an emergency alarm system, so that the elderly in need can seek help promptly in case of emergency. A total of about 26 000 applications have been approved since the launch of this scheme. We have also been piloting the installation of smart fall-detection systems in eight accessible toilets in some estates to detect incidents such as falls, faints, or prolonged inactivity.
     
         The HA will continue to listen and make reference to the views of various stakeholders with an open manner and to explore more effective innovative technologies for smart estate management, so as to enhance the service quality and the sense of well-being of the elderly and residents.
     
         Thank you.
    Issued at HKT 20:16

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: InvestHK signs MOU with Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Zhejiang University to support Zhejiang enterprises in global expansion (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    InvestHK signs MOU with Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Zhejiang University to support Zhejiang enterprises in global expansion  
         The ​Director-General of Investment Promotion at InvestHK, Ms Alpha Lau, said, “Hong Kong and Zhejiang have always maintained close ties and are important partners in economic as well as innovation and technology sectors. Hong Kong is the largest source of foreign investment for Zhejiang and serves as a key platform for Zhejiang enterprises to explore overseas markets. As a vital bridge between the Mainland and international markets, Hong Kong is committed to providing comprehensive support to Mainland innovative enterprises. We are delighted to collaborate with the Institute. By combining our complementary strengths, we will support high-quality enterprises in the Institute to expand globally through Hong Kong, fostering new opportunities for innovation and co-operation.”
     
         The Dean of the Institute, Ms Wang Lingling, said, “Hong Kong’s international platform and professional service ecosystem will provide crucial support for the innovative development of enterprises in our Institute. We look forward to this collaboration strengthening Zhejiang University’s industrial ties with Hong Kong and help more outstanding enterprises to go global.” 
         Looking ahead, InvestHK and the Institute will continue to deepen their co-operation, promoting synergistic development in innovation and entrepreneurship, business incubation, and international expansion between Zhejiang and Hong Kong. Together, they aim to support enterprises in “going global” and build a bridge for innovation and technology resource connectivity between the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Yangtze River Delta, jointly creating a globally influential hub for enterprise internationalisation.
    Issued at HKT 19:30

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ11: Site safety and contractor management

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Following is a question by the Hon Carmen Kan and a written reply by the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, in the Legislative Council today (June 25):
     
    Question:
     
       It is reported that fatal industrial accidents and incidents of serious non-compliance committed by contractors have repeatedly occurred in the construction industry in recent years. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
     
    (1) of the following information on the contractors with poor performance in relation to industrial accidents and site safety in the construction industry in each of the past five years (set out in a table):
     
    (i) the numbers of fatal and non-fatal industrial accidents (set out by type of operations) and, among which, the numbers of those involving “bamboo scaffolding” or “metal scaffolding” works (set out by cause of accidents);
     
    (ii) in respect of public works projects, the number of government project consultants/contractors with performance ratings of (a)‍ “Poor” or “Very Poor” in site safety and (b) “Poor” or “Very Poor” in overall performance, and among which, the number of consultants and contractors who have been suspended from tendering or removed from the lists concerned (set out by type of non-compliance);
     
    (iii) the numbers of prosecutions instituted by the Government in respect of fatal industrial accidents and the cases convicted and the penalty imposed on each of the convicted cases; and
     
    (iv) the application situation for legal aid in each case of industrial accident involving civil claims (set out by fatal and non-fatal accidents);
     
    (2) given that according to the direct investigation operation report of the Office of The Ombudsman released in April this year in relation to the Government’s regulation of occupational safety and health in the construction industry, from 2018 to 2023, fatal industrial accidents in the construction industry accounted for more than 80 per cent of fatal industrial accidents in all industries, and the Office found that some “competent persons” have failed to properly inspect the safety of bamboo scaffolds before signing the prescribed form (i.e. Form 5), how the authorities will improve the monitoring mechanism and step up enforcement efforts to ensure that the competent persons will strictly discharge their duties;
     
    (3) given that according to the report mentioned in (2), the industrial accidents involving bamboo scaffolding works are related to the unauthorised issue of the prescribed form, whether the Government will review afresh the policy direction of reducing the use of bamboo scaffolds in public works projects; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
     
    (4) in respect of cases of public works projects in which contractors/consultants with performance ratings of “Poor” or “Very Poor” in overall performance were not suspended from tendering in the end, of the Government’s reasons for making such decisions (set out by cases); whether it will, from the perspective of value for money, review the weightings of the various scores for assessing the performance of contractors/consultants; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
     
    (5) of the measures in place to prevent the relevant personnel of contractors who were removed from the register of general building contractors by the Government due to serious non-compliance from undertaking the Government’s public works projects by means of setting up new companies?
     
    Reply:
     
    President,
     
    The Government attaches great importance to site safety. The Labour Department (LD) has been closely monitoring the levels and changes of occupational safety and health (OSH) risks in various industries, including the construction industry. Pursuant to the risk-based principle, the LD formulates and adjusts strategies for inspection and enforcement, publicity and promotion, as well as education and training to uplift the OSH performance. The Development Bureau (DEVB) from time to time reviews the safety management system of public works, being part of the construction industry, and adopts a multi-pronged approach by implementing measures on various fronts, including project design, tender evaluation, contract provisions, works supervision, technology application, regulation of contractors, as well as publicity and promotion, with a view to uplifting site safety performance of public works.
     
    Having consulted the LD and the Legal Aid Department (LAD), the reply to various parts of the question is as follows:

    (1) (i) According to the OSH statistics analysed by the type of accidents by the LD, the breakdown of the numbers of fatal and non-fatal industrial accident cases in the construction industry from 2020 to 2024 (by type of accidents) is at Annex 1. 
     
    Among the fatal industrial accident cases, the relevant statistics involving working on bamboo scaffolds and metal scaffolds are at Annex 2. The LD does not maintain relevant statistics on non-fatal industrial accident cases involving bamboo scaffolds and metal scaffolds. 
    The LAD is not in position to disclose the details of each individual case because of the restriction under the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance and the Legal Aid Ordinance also contains provisions maintaining confidentiality of information relating to an applicant or aided person. 
    The LD is planning to develop a “scaffold inspection checklist” for use by competent persons when inspecting scaffolds in order to strengthen the regulation of their inspection work under the OSH legislation and reduce the chance of making false statements on the approved forms. 
    To further promote the adoption of metal scaffolds, the DEVB recently required 50 per cent of new public works building works contracts of the Government, with tenders to be invited on or after March 21, 2025, to adopt metal scaffolds. Based on the new public works building works contracts in 2025, 50 per cent of new contracts means one to two new building works contracts. With experience gained, the DEVB will continue to maintain close communication with the construction industry and adopt a pragmatic attitude to encourage the industry to keep pace with the times and adopt metal scaffolds in a progressive manner. The Government has no intention to ban bamboo scaffolds and will continue to engage the industry and other relevant stakeholders to jointly explore measures from various aspects (including the application of technology) to enhance work safety of bamboo scaffolds. 
    In respect of regulating actions, if a contractor is involved in serious site safety incidents (irrespective of whether they occurred on public works sites or those of other public or private sector organisations), we will immediately suspend the contractor from tendering for public works contracts in accordance with the current regulating mechanism. Any tenders that the contractor has already submitted for public works contracts will not be considered during the regulating period.  Following this, a Panel of Enquiry will be held to determine the need for further regulating actions against the contractor, including suspension from tendering or even removal from the approved lists.
     
    In addition, if a contractor’s site safety performance is rated as “Very Poor” in the quarterly performance evaluation, its overall performance in the performance report will also be rated as “Very Poor”. If a contractor’s overall performance is rated as “Very Poor” for two consecutive quarters, we will suspend the contractor from tendering for public works contracts until its performance consistently meets satisfactory level. In general, upon receiving a “Very Poor” report, a contractor will implement effective improvement measures immediately. As for engineering consultants, we have a similar regulating mechanism in place as well.
     
    Although some contractors or engineering consultants have been rated as having “Poor” or “Very Poor” overall performance, their performance has not yet met the threshold for triggering suspension of their tendering qualifications. However, under the current tender evaluation mechanism, a contractor’s past site safety performance, accident rate in public works contracts, and its records of serious site safety incidents (regardless of whether they occurred on public works sites or those of other public or private sector organisations) are key attributes assessed. These attributes make up about 30 per cent of the overall technical score. Therefore, if a contractor’s site safety performance is rated as “Poor” or “Very Poor”, the overall technical score of its tender will be lower, directly impacting its chance of winning future public works contracts. We will continue to review and enhance the performance evaluation and regulating systems for public works contractors and engineering consultants as needed. 
    When applying for admission to the approved lists, a contractor must fulfil a series of admission criteria, including project experience, site safety, financial capability, management, staff employment, and integrity, etc. In reviewing an application for admission, we consider the contractor’s relevant project experience, senior management, safety personnel and technical staff employed, financial capability (such as employed capital and working capital as reflected in audited financial statements in the past three years), and the past site safety performance of the company and relevant responsible persons. Therefore, it is not possible for a delisted contractor to easily regain approval simply by establishing a new company.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Government welcomes passage of Trade Unions (Amendment) Bill 2025

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

         The Government today (June 25) welcomed the passage of the Trade Unions (Amendment) Bill 2025 by the Legislative Council, which amends the Trade Unions Ordinance (Chapter 332) to better safeguard national security and improve the trade union regulatory regime.
     
         The Bill strengthens the statutory powers of the Registrar of Trade Unions to supervise and regulate trade unions, thereby better fulfilling the duty of safeguarding national security. In tandem, the amendments give due regard to the freedom and right of Hong Kong residents to form and join trade unions and will not adversely affect the operation of law-abiding trade unions.
     
         A Government spokesman said, “The amended Trade Unions Ordinance can ensure that trade unions uphold the principal object of safeguarding and promoting the occupational interests of their members, which will be conducive to the healthy development of trade unions.”
     
         The Trade Unions (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 will be gazetted on July 4, 2025, and will come into operation on January 5, 2026. During this period, the Labour Department will step up publicity and publish reference materials to help trade unions understand and comply with the new requirements.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Missing woman in Kwai Chung located

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

      A woman who went missing in Kwai Chung has been located.

    Li Shimin, aged 25, went missing after she left her residence in Hong Yam House, On Yam Estate on June 19 morning. Her family made a report to Police on June 22.

    The woman was located in a shopping mall on Portland Street, Mong Kok this afternoon (June 25). She sustained no injuries and no suspicious circumstances were detected.

    Ends/Wednesday, June 25, 2025
    Issued at HKT 20:50

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Autonomous AI systems can help tackle global food insecurity

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Woo Soo Kim, Professor, Mechatronic Systems Engineering & Founding Director, Global Institute for Agritech, Simon Fraser University

    There is a growing and urgent need to address global food insecurity. This urgency is underscored by reports from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, which states that nearly 828 million people suffer from hunger worldwide.

    Climate change is further escalating these issues, disrupting traditional farming systems and emphasizing the need for smarter, resource-efficient solutions.

    But imagine a future where indoor farming systems can operate entirely on their own, managing water, nutrients and environmental conditions without human oversight. Such autonomous systems, driven by artificial intelligence (AI) and powered by robotics, could revolutionize how we produce food, especially in regions with limited arable land.

    Tackling food and water insecurity requires innovative solutions like precision agriculture, using AI and robotics to foster sustainable development.

    My research team at Simon Fraser University’s (SFU) School of Mechatronics Systems Engineering has developed a prototype of an AI-powered sensing robot capable of autonomously monitoring the water needs of tomato plants.

    Simon Fraser University researchers and students at the Arusha Climate and Environmental Research Centre, Aga Kahn University, a 3700-acre ecological reserve, tested drone technology to improve farming operations in Tanzania.
    (Woo Soo Kim)

    AI-powered farming

    In conventional greenhouses, several water management techniques are used to enhance efficiency and minimize waste. These include drip irrigation and using soil moisture sensors and automated irrigation systems.

    Despite their effectiveness, these methods have limitations in responsiveness and accuracy, and can lead to over- or under-watering, wasting resources and impacting crop health.

    Agriculture takes up the vast majority of the water humanity uses. As water scarcity affects over two billion people worldwide, it is critical to find innovative ways to more efficiently use water.

    At SFU, we’ve built an innovative robot that uses electrical signals from plants, also known as plant electrophysiology responses, as real-time indicators of plant health and hydration needs. The system integrates advanced AI algorithms to interpret these signals and determine when water should be supplied.

    This technology eliminates the traditional guesswork and manual labour involved in irrigation, promoting efficient water use and reducing waste while optimizing plant health.

    Recent research highlights the potential of integrating AI innovations into agriculture. AI-powered systems can significantly improve water efficiency, reduce chemical runoff and optimize crop yields.

    Advances in robotics are also facilitating non-invasive and continuous monitoring of plant health, enabling interventions that are both precise and timely.

    Recent advances in plant physiological signal monitoring have shown that sensors capable of capturing electrical signals reflecting plant stress, hydration and overall health can provide highly specific, real-time data.

    A research team at SFU has developed an AI-powered sensing robot capable of autonomously monitoring water needs of tomato plants using the plant’s own electrical signals.
    (Woo Soo Kim)

    Our non-invasive sensing robot improves this process by enabling continuous and efficient monitoring of plant health, making automation more responsive and effective.

    When combined with AI, these signals enable precision watering that is dynamically adapted to the plant’s actual needs, representing a significant leap in intelligent plant care.

    Furthermore, recent innovations using multi-spectral imaging and machine learning have vastly improved our ability to detect disease and when plants are stressed. This can be integrated with electrical sensing robots like ours to develop comprehensive systems to monitor plant health.

    With these improvements fully autonomous agriculture is becoming feasible. This technology goes beyond irrigation, using robotic sensing to interpret plant signals and enable autonomous nutrient management and environmental monitoring.

    These multifunctional robots aim to optimize resource use, reduce waste, and increase crop yields, supporting global food security through holistic plant health management.

    From greenhouses to fields

    Our prototype shows promise in greenhouses. However, the real potential of AI water management lies in scalable, adaptable solutions. Addressing global food and water security requires international collaboration to share knowledge, technology and develop region-specific strategies for areas impacted by scarcity and climate change.

    In recent years, our team has engaged deeply with agricultural communities in Tanzania and Asia-Pacific nations such as Singapore, Philippines, Japan and South Korea, understanding their unique challenges.

    These regions face acute water shortages, limited access to sophisticated technology and the adverse impacts of climate change. To be effective, solutions developed in controlled environments must be adapted and made accessible to farmers.

    This means developing sensor tools that are affordable and simple to use, and scalable AI and robotic systems that can operate effectively under variable environmental and infrastructural conditions.

    The real potential of AI water management lies in developing scalable, adaptable solutions.
    (Alana McPherson)

    International collaboration plays a vital role here. Sharing knowledge through cross-border research partnerships, capacity-building programs and technology transfer initiatives can accelerate the deployment of smart agriculture solutions worldwide.

    The Food and Agriculture Organization, the Association of Pacific Rim Universities and the World Bank are actively fostering such collaborations, emphasizing that sustainable agriculture progress depends on integrating cutting-edge technology with local knowledge.

    Our goal is to develop affordable, easy-to-deploy AI sensing robots for smallholder farms that can provide real-time plant monitoring to reduce waste and improve yields.

    These systems can foster resilient farming ecosystems, and contribute toward meeting the UN’s sustainable development goal of ending hunger and malnutrition.

    Ultimately, scaling prototypes like ours from greenhouses to global agriculture requires strong international collaboration. Supportive policies and knowledge sharing will accelerate the deployment of intelligent water management systems. This will empower farmers globally to achieve more sustainable and resilient food production.

    Woo Soo Kim receives funding from Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada and Mitacs.

    – ref. Autonomous AI systems can help tackle global food insecurity – https://theconversation.com/autonomous-ai-systems-can-help-tackle-global-food-insecurity-258788

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Bentz Statement on Public Lands

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Cliff Bentz (R-Ontario)

    WASHINGTON, D.C.– To be clear – I do support and encourage sale or exchange of parcels of federal land when there is a clear economic or social demand for such disposition, and when that disposition follows appropriate procedure and is generally supported by those affected. I include congressional action as an appropriate procedure. I do not support a mandated disposition of millions of acres of federal land, the amount of which was arbitrarily established, the primary goal not being to respond to demand, but instead being the removal of land from federal ownership.

    A policy to permanently dispose of massive amounts of land currently owned and managed for multiple use by the federal government should not be included in a reconciliation package where debate, by design, is truncated or completely avoided. A decision to irreversibly divest the nation of  federally owned land is an important policy issue that must be carefully discussed with and designed by those of us representing states impacted by this policy.

    Of particular concern in making any decision to sell public land is the sale’s impact on those who have rights in the land or currently have some type of use of the land. Indian Tribes, neighbors, grazing permittees, those utilizing public access across the land, hunters, watershed function, holders of easements, and environmental impact are some of the issues that must be taken into account in making a decision to alter ownership. These realities make the process used in selecting parcels of federal land offered for sale extremely important.

    Some might argue that the abject failure of the federal government to adequately manage BLM and Forest Service land justifies its sale. But sale of this land to someone else is no way to assure it’s proper management.  The best way to protect this land is to identify and correct the reasons these agencies are failing in their mission. The easiest observation to make is that environmental organizations, using the ESA, CWA, CAA, and other environmental laws, compliant federal judges, and the Access to Justice Act, (an act that pays the attorney fees of plaintiffs who successfully sue the federal government) through protracted and expensive litigation, make a mockery of agency’s attempts to craft management plans. If our nation is to be a landowner (and it is), it must take care of that land. This means that the laws that are being perverted to line the pockets of environmental organizations at the expense of the taxpayer and our forests and rangelands, must be changed so that such perversion is stopped. 
     

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Government Technology recognizes 2024 Oregon Summer EBT for best practices

    Source: US State of Oregon

    he Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) was recognized in a national Government Technology Case Study for its excellence in the use of smart technology in rolling out the Summer EBT program. As a result, more than 362,000 children were able to get more food during summer 2024.

    About Summer EBT

    Thousands of children in Oregon rely on free or reduced-price school meals. But what happens in the summer months when these meals are gone? This is called the summer hunger gap. To address this gap, the federal government last year rolled out a new program to provide food to school-aged children during the summer months.

    Oregon was one of 35 states to pick up on the federal Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) program, which provided a total of $120 in nutrition benefits for each eligible child when school is out.

    Summer EBT qualification is based on income. For families to qualify, the household income needs to be under 185 percent of the federal poverty level.

    “The majority of the people we served are working. It could be part time or they’re just starting off – they are bringing in income but it’s just not enough. The Summer EBT helps supplement their food budget for their children,” Singer said.

    A tight timeline

    It was go-time for ODHS in early 2024. There was only 16 weeks to set up a new program, bring in community partners, identify and reach out to eligible families, create communication plans and products, and establish the innovative technology needed to accomplish this task. ODHS is the lead agency and administers this program in partnership with the Oregon Department of Education (ODE).

    “It was a very short amount of time to build an entire system. The challenge was to quickly build a system to deliver quality services not only for this year but next year also,” Nate Singer, ODHS Oregon Eligibility Partnership (OEP) Director, said. OEP is responsible for determining eligibility for people applying for benefits and processing applications to deliver those benefits.

    Goal setting

    Initial estimates in 2024 projected that Oregon would provide Summer EBT to at least 294,000 children.

    “The one thing I wanted for the project was to exceed that expectation because that would mean we would be providing more services for families and we could increase our outreach for all the of the services ODHS offers,” said Christine Doody, Self-Sufficiency Programs Policy Business Manager and Program Manager for Summer EBT.

    The expectation was exceeded about 68,000, meaning more than 362,000 children were able to get food benefits last summer.

    Innovation in action

    To identify eligible children, OEP used data from ODHS and ODE. Most children who received the benefit were “automatically eligible” because they receive other benefits. These families didn’t need to apply, and the benefit was automatically added to their Oregon EBT card.

    Other families needed to apply. ODHS brought in contractors Amazon Web Services and Deloitte Consulting to help with the technology and planning to make applying easy.

    “We tried to make it simple as possible. People could apply with a paper application or online. The online application could be done on a mobile phone. If someone had questions about whether they needed to apply or needed help to apply, they could call the Summer EBT Call Center to talk to someone. The call wait time was below five minutes. People could hear right then, on the phone, they would get their benefits if they applied. It took minutes,” Singer said.

    The Oregon Summer EBT Call Center included an Interactive Voice Response system offering self-service options for supported languages: English, Spanish, Russian, Vietnamese, Somali, Mandarin, Cantonese, Arabic, Ukrainian, and Chuukese. For other languages, or for other assistance, the calls could be routed to help.

    “This gave families the ability to take control of their case. They could use voice activation to say, ‘I want text messages’ from us, or they could change their demographic information or ask for a new card. The family could do that on their own,” Doody said.

    This population of customers – families with children in school – are used to getting texts and email from their schools, so they were already familiar with getting information this way. In fact, 99 percent of families that needed to apply chose to use the online application rather than a paper application. Those that used the online caption reported a 96 percent satisfaction rating.

    Communications and community engagement

    There was also communications and community engagement support, as well as an effective feedback loop. A workgroup with community representatives, such as the Oregon Food Bank and Partners for a Hunger Free Oregon, was in place. The community partners advised on all communication products such as news releases, the application design and social media kits.

    “We worked together to get the information as far out to communities as we could. We were also able to get good data from the Call Center to let us know how we were doing. We had a strong feedback loop that we responded to quickly,” Christy Sinatra, ODHS Senior Communications Advisor, said.

    For example, people asked if children in charter, private schools, or home schools could be included in Summer EBT. The answer was, yes, if they are found to be eligible. It was also important to communicate to people that the Summer EBT benefits expired after 122 days – so it was important to use them before then.

    “We are trying to increase equity and access. There’s not just one approach. We pushed many communications and engagement levers – technology, in-person outreach, digital communications, community partnerships, media exposure. All those things working together to make the program successful and making sure every eligible kid gets this,” Sinatra said.

    “The Oregon Summer EBT program demonstrated the strength of cross-agency collaboration and intentional program design. Staff were equipped with thoughtful tools and invited to shape how the program would operate, ensuring that those on the ground had a voice in critical decisions. That partnership—from planning to implementation—meant that families and children not only received meaningful support but also felt seen, heard, and cared for. The feedback from the community speaks volumes about the impact of that collective effort,” Singer said.

    “The project was just overwhelmingly amazing. I just hope that people read this and apply for this summer,” Doody said.

    2025 Summer EBT began May 22

    The 2025 Summer EBT launched Thursday, May 22, 2025. Applications will be accepted through Wednesday, September 3, 2025.

    ODHS will be running the whole program this summer – setting a goal of serving 375,000 children.

    “We will be doing additional outreach, based on data and staff feedback, and providing new ways to engage with people such as going out to more schools and community events,” Doody said.

    The program is set to: expand tactics to better reach people and communities that data showed were underserved; help schools connect families to Summer EBT; and increase strategic partnerships that serve priority audiences.

    Resources:

    Learn more about Summer EBT including how to apply for this benefit for your children: https://www.oregon.gov/odhs/food/pages/sebt.aspx.

    Double Up Food Bucks Oregon: Visit https://doubleuporegon.org/ to learn how to double your SNAP and Summer EBT dollars at farmer’s markets, produce stands, community supported agriculture programs and grocery stores.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Will Trump’s high-risk Iran strategy pay dividends at home if the peace deal holds?

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Natasha Lindstaedt, Professor in the Department of Government, University of Essex

    During Donald Trump’s first term, he made clear that he wanted his foreign policy to be as unpredictable as possible, stating: “I don’t want them to know what I’m thinking.”

    With the US’s recent attack on Iran, Trump certainly kept everyone in suspense. While US enemies may not have known what Trump was thinking, the problem was neither did US allies nor US legislators. Trump apparently did not bother to inform his own vice-president, J.D. Vance, when he had made the decision.

    Trump has portrayed this as a strength, that he is the only one capable of getting certain things done in foreign policy because his unpredictability and risk-taking behaviour gives him more leverage.

    But thus far he has had fewer successes than wins with this approach. His dalliance with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Trump’s first term only resulted in the acceleration of North Korea’s nuclear programme.

    His great relationship with Vladimir Putin has so far led to no concessions from Moscow regarding the war in Ukraine, even causing Trump to effectively give up trying to resolve that crisis, at least for now.

    Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK’s latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences.

    In Trump’s second term his Maga base has been a bit more divided than in his first. On the issue of tariffs, key Republican senators begged him to backpedal with concerns that the new tariffs would be catastrophic for the US economy – one of the issues that propelled him to victory. Yet he went ahead with the tariffs anyway, as some members of his base were in support.

    With the Middle East crisis, Trump supporters appeared to be mostly against the US getting involved in a foreign conflict, with “no more wars” being a common slogan on the campaign trail.

    In the lead up to the US strikes, key leaders in the Maga movement criticised the idea of the US getting involved in the conflict. Right-wing podcaster Tucker Carlson told hawkish Senator Ted Cruz that he should know far more about the regime that the senator wanted to topple. Former Trump strategist Steve Bannon and Representative Marjorie Taylor Green were also calling for the US to stay out of the conflict.

    Before the attacks, a YouGov poll showed that 60% of Americans did not want the US to get involved in the conflict, which has since increased to 80%. However when asked more specifically about support for US strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, as many as 94% of Maga Republicans gave their approval.

    Trump announces that the US has carried out air strikes on Iran.

    Is there voter backing?

    Trump also believes he can sell the strikes on Iranian nuclear sites as a huge win, making good on his promise to eradicate Iran’s nuclear programme. The US intelligence community is saying otherwise, but Trump has rejected this.

    Trump took an early victory lap, claiming that Iran’s nuclear programme had been “completely destroyed”. It was arguably comparable to George W. Bush’s “mission accomplished” announcement in May 2003, after Saddam Hussein’s regime in Iraq was ousted by US-led forces. Bush’s approval ratings were as high as 70% in the immediate aftermath, but had plunged by 40 points by 2008 after five years of fighting the Iraqi insurgency that emerged in Hussein’s absence.

    Trump seems to be revelling in taking more risks and being more unpredictable. As he has become increasingly bold in his second term, he has been more willing to test the loyalty of his base when they don’t agree with his instincts. Though the isolationist wing of Maga has been critical, Trump assumes that his base will unite and rally around him.

    Trump was more careful to not betray his base in his first term. Trump had ordered strikes on Iran in 2019, but backed down at the last minute. But now he has gone so far as to suggest the door may be open to regime change in Tehran.

    With the ceasefire now in place (at least in theory), Trump is heralding his action as a huge win. Iran has backed down after a limited attack on its nuclear facilities.

    Just weeks ago, the US seemed less relevant in the Middle East, and more likely to follow Israel’s instructions than the other way around. With Trump’s confidence growing, it is now Trump that is telling Israel that he is not happy.

    For Trump the risks involved were huge. There may appear to be the potential for some short-term domestic political gains if the ceasefire holds. But Trump may not have thought through the long-term implications of his decision on stability in the Middle East more generally, or what voters will think about his foreign policy gambles when the next election rolls around.

    Natasha Lindstaedt 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. Will Trump’s high-risk Iran strategy pay dividends at home if the peace deal holds? – https://theconversation.com/will-trumps-high-risk-iran-strategy-pay-dividends-at-home-if-the-peace-deal-holds-259736

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Will Trump’s high-risk Iran strategy pay dividends at home if the peace deal holds?

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Natasha Lindstaedt, Professor in the Department of Government, University of Essex

    During Donald Trump’s first term, he made clear that he wanted his foreign policy to be as unpredictable as possible, stating: “I don’t want them to know what I’m thinking.”

    With the US’s recent attack on Iran, Trump certainly kept everyone in suspense. While US enemies may not have known what Trump was thinking, the problem was neither did US allies nor US legislators. Trump apparently did not bother to inform his own vice-president, J.D. Vance, when he had made the decision.

    Trump has portrayed this as a strength, that he is the only one capable of getting certain things done in foreign policy because his unpredictability and risk-taking behaviour gives him more leverage.

    But thus far he has had fewer successes than wins with this approach. His dalliance with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Trump’s first term only resulted in the acceleration of North Korea’s nuclear programme.

    His great relationship with Vladimir Putin has so far led to no concessions from Moscow regarding the war in Ukraine, even causing Trump to effectively give up trying to resolve that crisis, at least for now.

    Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK’s latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences.

    In Trump’s second term his Maga base has been a bit more divided than in his first. On the issue of tariffs, key Republican senators begged him to backpedal with concerns that the new tariffs would be catastrophic for the US economy – one of the issues that propelled him to victory. Yet he went ahead with the tariffs anyway, as some members of his base were in support.

    With the Middle East crisis, Trump supporters appeared to be mostly against the US getting involved in a foreign conflict, with “no more wars” being a common slogan on the campaign trail.

    In the lead up to the US strikes, key leaders in the Maga movement criticised the idea of the US getting involved in the conflict. Right-wing podcaster Tucker Carlson told hawkish Senator Ted Cruz that he should know far more about the regime that the senator wanted to topple. Former Trump strategist Steve Bannon and Representative Marjorie Taylor Green were also calling for the US to stay out of the conflict.

    Before the attacks, a YouGov poll showed that 60% of Americans did not want the US to get involved in the conflict, which has since increased to 80%. However when asked more specifically about support for US strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, as many as 94% of Maga Republicans gave their approval.

    Trump announces that the US has carried out air strikes on Iran.

    Is there voter backing?

    Trump also believes he can sell the strikes on Iranian nuclear sites as a huge win, making good on his promise to eradicate Iran’s nuclear programme. The US intelligence community is saying otherwise, but Trump has rejected this.

    Trump took an early victory lap, claiming that Iran’s nuclear programme had been “completely destroyed”. It was arguably comparable to George W. Bush’s “mission accomplished” announcement in May 2003, after Saddam Hussein’s regime in Iraq was ousted by US-led forces. Bush’s approval ratings were as high as 70% in the immediate aftermath, but had plunged by 40 points by 2008 after five years of fighting the Iraqi insurgency that emerged in Hussein’s absence.

    Trump seems to be revelling in taking more risks and being more unpredictable. As he has become increasingly bold in his second term, he has been more willing to test the loyalty of his base when they don’t agree with his instincts. Though the isolationist wing of Maga has been critical, Trump assumes that his base will unite and rally around him.

    Trump was more careful to not betray his base in his first term. Trump had ordered strikes on Iran in 2019, but backed down at the last minute. But now he has gone so far as to suggest the door may be open to regime change in Tehran.

    With the ceasefire now in place (at least in theory), Trump is heralding his action as a huge win. Iran has backed down after a limited attack on its nuclear facilities.

    Just weeks ago, the US seemed less relevant in the Middle East, and more likely to follow Israel’s instructions than the other way around. With Trump’s confidence growing, it is now Trump that is telling Israel that he is not happy.

    For Trump the risks involved were huge. There may appear to be the potential for some short-term domestic political gains if the ceasefire holds. But Trump may not have thought through the long-term implications of his decision on stability in the Middle East more generally, or what voters will think about his foreign policy gambles when the next election rolls around.

    Natasha Lindstaedt 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. Will Trump’s high-risk Iran strategy pay dividends at home if the peace deal holds? – https://theconversation.com/will-trumps-high-risk-iran-strategy-pay-dividends-at-home-if-the-peace-deal-holds-259736

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Bombing Iran: has the UN charter failed?

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Caleb H. Wheeler, Senior Lecturer in Law, Cardiff University

    The recent US attack on Iran’s nuclear sites has prompted renewed questions about whether the UN charter’s prohibition on the use of force is meaningful.

    Considered one of the keystones of international law, article 2(4) of the charter specifically forbids member states from using force – or threatening to do so – against the territorial integrity or political independence of another state, or “in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations”.

    A significant amount of commentary exists about what the prohibition entails. This tries to clarify ambiguities around the terms “force”, “threats of force”, “territorial integrity” and “political independence”. Although no absolute consensus has been reached, it is commonly thought that member states are prohibited from launching armed attacks against other states, or threatening to do so, unless acting in self-defence or with the authorisation of the UN security council.

    Other exceptions have been suggested. These include use of force as part of a larger humanitarian intervention operation. There’s also a question of whether it’s permissible when a state is rescuing its nationals abroad. But the legality of either of these situations is contentious and remains unsettled.

    Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK’s latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences.

    Early in its existence, the UN made concerted efforts to protect and respect article 2(4) and to comply with its provisions. In 1950, the security council authorised UN member states to provide South Korea with the assistance necessary to repel the armed attack launched by North Korea, triggering the increased internationalisation of the Korean war.

    While article 2(4) was not explicitly mentioned in resolution 83, it was alluded to through repeated references to North Korea’s “armed attack” against South Korea. As such, it can be interpreted as an effort by the security council to use its authority to address a violation of article 2(4), even if it did not clearly frame it in those terms.

    The security council also authorised member states in 2011 to take all necessary measures to protect civilians in Libya. Unfortunately, it quickly became apparent that the member states may have exceeded their authority in Libya and carried out acts that could themselves be construed as violations of the UN charter.

    Rather than just protecting civilians, as the security council resolution instructed, legal experts were concerned they had effectively intervened in a civil war. Any possible violations went unpunished by the security council.

    Security council actions taken with regard to Korea were, in many ways, the high watermark for the prohibition of the use of force, given the scale of the conflict. There are two reasons for that. First, a significant proportion of the wars taking place after 1945 have been domestic and not subject to the provisions of article 2(4). The prohibition specifically applies to a member state’s international relations so is not inapplicable when a member state attacks a group within its own borders.

    Second, the UN has failed to address many of the acts occurring after 1945 that might fall under the provisions of article 2(4). The reason for this inaction lies primarily in the flawed structure on which the UN is built.

    Chapter VII of the charter makes the security council responsible for addressing acts of aggression that would constitute uses of force under article 2(4). But it has repeatedly failed to fill that role, allowing states to commit these acts without meaningful response.

    The UN veto problem

    UN security council decisions can only be enacted when at least nine members vote in favour. This must also include the affirmative vote or abstention of all five of the permanent members: the US, Russia, China, the UK and France. This essentially gives each of the permanent members the right to veto security council resolutions.

    Permanent members have commonly used the threat of their veto in their own political interests. This can be seen in a variety of instances, most notably the 2003 US invasion of Iraq and the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. Both situations clearly involved uses of force prohibited by article 2(4), and in both situations the security council was prevented from acting by some of its permanent members.

    This inaction is consistent with the UN’s failure to address many other acts that might fall under the provisions of article 2(4), including US involvement in south-east Asia in the 1960s and the Russian invasion of Afghanistan in the 1980s.

    The security council’s failure to adequately perform its role has caused some to try and find a workaround. The Council of Europe, disappointed at the lack of accountability for Russia’s acts of aggression against Ukraine, has entered into an agreement with Ukraine to establish a special tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine.

    In the special tribunal’s draft statute, an act of aggression is defined to almost exactly mirror the type of conduct that would constitute a use of force under the UN charter.

    Bombing Iran

    Which brings us to the current situation in Iran. There is little question that the US violated article 2(4) when it bombed Iranian nuclear sites in Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan on the evening of Saturday June 21. This is a clear use of force against the territory of another state.

    But even if the attacks themselves were not enough to establish a violation, they were also accompanied by US president Donald Trump’s suggestion that a regime change in Iran might be appropriate. These comments, coming immediately after the initial attack, could be construed as a threat of further force against Iran’s political independence should such a change not occur.

    Under the UN charter, such threats and uses of force should elicit a response from the security council. But just as with Iraq in 2003 and Ukraine in 2022, none will probably be forthcoming as the US will block any efforts to hold it to account.

    But equally chilling is the lack of condemnation of the US actions by its allies. German chancellor Friedrich Merz saw “no reason to criticise” the bombings, and Nato secretary general Mark Rutte insisted that the bombings did not violate international law.

    As the respected Dutch scholar of international law André Nollkaemper suggests, this refusal to condemn a clear violation of the prohibition of the use of force creates a real danger that the bar for when a state can legally use force will be lowered.

    Should that be allowed to happen it could further hollow out the prohibition, effectively making it less likely that states will be held to account for violating international law. Further, it could also lead to the return of a world where “might makes right”. This would undo more than a century of legal evolution.

    Caleb H. Wheeler 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. Bombing Iran: has the UN charter failed? – https://theconversation.com/bombing-iran-has-the-un-charter-failed-259751

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: MINEX Central Asia 2025 forum held in Tashkent

    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

    Tashkent, June 25 (Xinhua) — The MINEX Central Asia 2025 forum on “Enhancing the Role of Central Asia in Ensuring the Security of Critical Mineral Resources” was held in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, from June 24 to 25.

    The event was initiated by the Ministry of Mining and Geology of Uzbekistan and the Uzbek Technological Metals Plant.

    The forum discussed legislative reforms in the mining sector and incentives established for investors in Uzbekistan in recent years. In addition, it considered how governments and financial institutions can reduce investment risks, adapt the regulatory system to international standards, strengthen institutional capacity and increase investor confidence through open, consistent and reliable processes.

    The forum participants paid special attention to issues of regional cooperation, financing of infrastructure projects and creation of added value at the local level. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK partners with Gavi to help save up to eight million lives by 2030

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

    Press release

    UK partners with Gavi to help save up to eight million lives by 2030

    New UK support will see millions of children vaccinated against some of the world’s deadliest diseases, Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced today at Gavi’s global summit in Brussels.

    • The UK will support Gavi as a leading investor in the Vaccine Alliance, committing £1.25 billion to vaccinate millions of children between 2026-2030.
    • The commitment will help Gavi protect up to 500 million children from some of the world’s deadliest diseases like meningitis, cholera and measles.
    • Gavi’s global vaccination work prevents the spread of dangerous infectious diseases while boosting investment and jobs in UK science as part of the Government’s Plan for Change.

    New UK support will see millions of children vaccinated against some of the world’s deadliest diseases, Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced today at Gavi’s global summit in Brussels.

    The UK’s new £1.25 billion pledge to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, extends a close 25-year partnership which has helped to vaccinate over one billion children globally against diseases like meningitis, to prevent more than 18 million lives being lost, and to improve countries economic prospects. Since 2000, when the UK was a founding member, Gavi has generated $250 billion in economic benefits through reduced death and disability. Gavi now receives investment from 56 countries and over 60 organisations. 19 countries have graduated from Gavi support, including India and Indonesia who have now become donors to Gavi.

    Today’s pledge will help Gavi in their mission to protect up to 500 million children between 2026-2030 and save up to eight million more lives.

    It will also have a positive impact at home, creating British jobs and growth, through partnerships with health companies like GSK, which employs about 14,000 people in the UK, as the government delivers on its Plan for Change to boost economic growth.

    Gavi helps strengthen the UK’s health security by preventing the spread of dangerous infectious diseases before they reach our borders. This reduces pressures on our hospitals and health workers, enabling an NHS fit for the future.

    UK Foreign Secretary, David Lammy said:

    Gavi’s global impact is undeniable. Over 1 billion children vaccinated, over 18 million lives saved, over $250 billion injected into the global economy.

    I’m immensely proud of the role the UK has played in reaching these milestones. Our ongoing partnership with Gavi will give millions of children a better start, save lives and protect us all from the spread of deadly diseases.

    GSK is a leading supplier to Gavi, providing vaccines for diseases like malaria and human papillomavirus (HPV). Their partnership supports UK research, science and innovation.

    Earlier this week, Minister for Development Baroness Chapman visited GSK’s research campus in Stevenage, alongside the Gavi CEO, Dr Sania Nishtar and and GSK’s President of Global Health, Deborah Waterhouse. Together they discussed some of the world-leading research being conducted by British scientists, including on new malaria and TB vaccines.

    UK Minister for Development, Jenny Chapman said:

    Our modern approach to development means focussing on where we can have the biggest impact, and on areas the UK can lead. We must ensure every pound delivers for the UK taxpayer and the people we support.

    Our partnership with Gavi does just that. It will save the lives of millions of children around the world, to grow up safe from deadly diseases like cholera and measles. And it will make the world and the UK healthier and safer, helping prevent future pandemics.

    It is partnership based on the UK’s world-leading expertise, not just money. By rolling out vaccines developed by British scientists, Gavi puts our best brains and their innovations on the world stage, and supports UK jobs and growth.

    CEO of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, Dr Sania Nishtar said:

    The United Kingdom is one of Gavi’s longest and most committed partners. This pledge for our next strategic period reaffirms its status as a leader in global health and I am delighted that we will be able to count on its support in our next strategic period, working together and leveraging some of the best in British science and innovation as we save lives and fight outbreaks around the world.

    President Global Health at GSK, Deborah Waterhouse said:

    The UK’s world-class infectious disease research continues to inform our work at GSK and combined with our scientific expertise, is enabling GSK to advance malaria prevention and control, directly impacting global health agendas and access strategies.

    As a longstanding partner of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance – an organisation that plays a vital role in delivering vaccines to children in lower-income countries – we welcome the UK Government’s new pledge to Gavi, to help save up to eight million lives by 2030 and get ahead of disease together.

    Media enquiries

    Email newsdesk@fcdo.gov.uk

    Telephone 020 7008 3100

    Email the FCDO Newsdesk (monitored 24 hours a day) in the first instance, and we will respond as soon as possible.

    Updates to this page

    Published 25 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Stein Celebrates Exceptional North Carolinians at Long Leaf Pine Presentation

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: Governor Stein Celebrates Exceptional North Carolinians at Long Leaf Pine Presentation

    Governor Stein Celebrates Exceptional North Carolinians at Long Leaf Pine Presentation
    lsaito

    Raleigh, NC

    Today, Governor Josh Stein inducted nine North Carolinians into the Order of the Long Leaf Pine for their contributions to our state. 

    “I am proud to honor this group of outstanding North Carolinians who have made important contributions to our state and its people,” said Governor Stein. “They exemplify the best of North Carolina through their storied careers in government, education, and advocacy.”

    The Order of the Long Leaf Pine honorees are as follows:

    • Bobby Kimbrough – Forsyth County Sheriff
    • Maggie Kane – Founder and Executive Director, A Place at the Table
    • Karen Amspacher – Director, Core Sound Waterfowl Museum and Heritage Center
    • Dr. Otis Smallwood – Superintendent of Bertie County Schools
    • Reuben Blackwell – Former CEO of Opportunities Industrialization Center of Rocky Mount
    • Rev. Pauli Murray – Civil rights activist and author (Posthumous)
    • Ricky Hurtado – Chair of the Governor’s Advisory Council on Hispanic/Latino Affairs and former North Carolina Representative
    • Chavi Koneru – Co-founder and Executive Director of North Carolina Asian Americans Together
    • Phil Ford, Jr. — Former UNC basketball player, NBA player, and UNC assistant coach 
    Jun 25, 2025

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: CADDXFPV: The Innovation Leader in FPV Drone Technology

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Shenzhen, China, June 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — In the fast-evolving landscape of technology, where drone innovators shine like stars, CADDXFPV stands out as a heavyweight in first-person view (FPV) drone technology and video transmission systems. Founded on August 7, 2017, in Longgang, Shenzhen, this Chinese tech firm has anchored itself in the FPV domain since day one, embarking on a passionate journey of technological deep-diving.

    Encouraging Development in FPV Ecosystem Expansion

    With technology as its anchor, CADDXFPV has built a global R&D network spanning Shenzhen, Thailand, Hong Kong, and Shanghai. Eighty percent of its 100+ R&D team hail from top universities like Harbin Institute of Technology and Fudan University, infusing academic wisdom into product DNA and making technological breakthroughs the norm:

    2018: Partner of Drone Racing Association, stepping onto the international stage.

    2019: Co-launched the Vista system with DJI, gaining global recognition through technical prowess.

    2020: Entered the lightweight market with nano-sized FPV cameras, filling a niche gap.

    2021–2023: Released the Polar night-vision camera, and joined industry associations—advancing technology and ecosystem development in parallel.

    2024: Partner of FAI World Drone Racing Championship , and participation in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area “Fly Valley” initiative—deepening its reach from hardware to ecosystem.

    Notably, CADDXFPV has invested six consecutive years (2019–2024) in global racing events. This isn’t just a brand-building move; it’s a way to refine technology in extreme scenarios, keeping products at the forefront in core metrics like “racing-level stability” and “low latency.”

    Today, CADDXFPV products reach over 100 countries, supported by a network of 400+ dealers and used by 500,000 users worldwide, all witnessing technological iterations firsthand.

    Full Industrial Chain Technology Matrix

    Unlike single-product players, CADDXFPV has constructed a full industrial chain matrix of “digital video transmission systems – intelligent imaging – complete drone solutions,” leveraging technical synergy to serve diverse scenarios from racing to aerial photography and industrial inspection.

    1. FPV Digital Transmission Systems: Redefining “HD & Low Latency”

    CADDX Vista: A benchmark collaboration with DJI, achieving triple breakthroughs in “low latency + HD transmission + ecosystem compatibility “—crafting a “plug-and-play” experience for entry-level pilots.

    Walksnail Avatar: An in-house “industry disruptor” with 1080P/60FPS resolution, 10–50 km transmission range, and cutting-edge tech like HD video transmission SOC chips, low-latency coding algorithms, and multi-sensor fusion navigation—rewriting industry transmission standards.

    Walksnail’s air units offer series like 1S, V2, V3, HD PRO, Moonlight, and GT, covering all scenarios from indoor flying to racing freestyle, night vision, and long-range voyages. Their ultimate video transmission efficiency and HD quality have propelled users from the “analog flight” era to “digital HD.”

    2. Walksnail Ground Units: Crafting “Immersive Flight Terminals”

    Goggles L: A budget-friendly breakthrough with “high cost-performance + strong interactivity”—4.5-inch LCD for clarity, head tracking enabling “look-to-zoom,” directional antennas for signal optimization, and multi-device compatibility, elevating “economy goggles” to flagship experience.

    Goggles X: featuring OLED screens for 1080P/100fps output, HDMI/AV ports, diopter adjustment, and modular design—leaving room for tech upgrades and evolving users from “product buyers” to “ecosystem players.”

    Walksnail VRX: It is compatible with analog goggles and provides real – time signals for converting from analog to digital HD.. 

    3. FPV Intelligent Imaging: All-Scenario Image “Enhancers”

    Tailored for diverse environments, CADDXFPV’s imaging matrix covers “dim light – no light – full color”:

    Ratel Camera: The go-to for night and low-light scenarios, with blacklight sensor + WDR tech, capturing clear details in pitch darkness.

    Infra Series: Designed for security and industrial monitoring, using AI image enhancement boxes to break through “total darkness”—applying FPV tech to professional inspection.

    Ant Camera: The “eyes” of racing pilots, with 1/3 inch CMOS + 165° FOV, balancing clarity and wide view for extreme maneuvers.

    Gazer Camera: Full-color night vision + 3x zoom, with AI enhancement for day details and night clarity.

    Farsight Camera: Merging optics, digital tech, and AI algorithms for 8x intelligent zoom—upgrading FPV shooting from “recording” to “creation.”

    4. FPV Drone: Gofilm 20—The “Night Eye” for Aerial Photographers

    A flagship for low-light aerial photography: 4K starlight camera + 4K DVR, enabling 4K/60FPS recording; 5mg dynamic balance precision + intelligent hovering + vibration isolation tech eliminate “shaky focus” and “frame cropping,” delivering cinematic shots even in dim light.

    Committed to In-House R&D, Constantly Disrupting

    In R&D, over 110 patents stand as testimony—from transmission algorithms to image enhancement, flight control logic to hardware design, CADDXFPV continues to fill FPV technology gaps, making “Chinese R&D” a benchmark for industry innovation.

    In the market, the global FPV sector’s $450 million scale in 2023 and projected $1.206 billion by 2030 validates its potential. Against giants like DJI, CADDXFPV charts a differentiated path: full industrial chain layout for technical synergy, deep engagement in events to hone extreme-scenario performance, and niche-scenario focus to fill multiple gaps.

    Today, it’s no longer just a “product manufacturer” but a “tech ecosystem builder,” pioneering new frontiers in the FPV blue ocean. With the “Fly Valley” initiative and innovation park on the horizon, CADDXFPV will continue driving forward with “tech innovation + ecosystem collaboration,” upgrading global users’ experience from “flight” to “creation”—transforming FPV from a sport into an “aerial perspective” lifestyle.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: American Rebel Light Beer Recaps Successful Title Sponsorship of American Rebel Light Virginia NHRA Nationals

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    American Rebel Light and NHRA Exceed Expectations with Brand Building and Product Penetration as American Rebel Light Outsells Top 2 National Brands Combined

    NASHVILLE, TN, June 25, 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, reports that the American Rebel Light Beer title sponsorship of the American Rebel Light Virginia NHRA Nationals June 20 – 22 at Virginia Motorsports Park in Richmond, VA exceeded expectations. American Rebel Light was available at all concession locations selling beer at Virginia Motorsports Park as well as in the American Rebel Light Party Tent and the American Rebel Light Trackside Bar. CEO Andy Ross performed two concerts during the race weekend and the Sunday concert was covered on the FOX broadcast. The American Rebel Light Virginia NHRA Nationals Finals were broadcast on the FOX broadcast network on Sunday, June 22, and re-aired Monday, June 23 and Wednesday, June 25. Additional re-airings of the American Rebel Light Virginia NHRA Nationals are scheduled for Thursday, June 26 from 9 – 11 pm Eastern on FS2 and Friday, June 27 from 3 – 5 am Eastern on FS1. Viewership of the American Rebel Light Virginia NHRA Nationals is expected to approach two million.

    American Rebel Light Beer outsold the top 2 national brands during the race weekend at Virginia Motorsports Park, benefiting from the trackside signage and brand integrations throughout the track. The American Rebel Party Tent was a huge success as race fans escaped from the heat to enjoy a cold Rebel Light. The FOX broadcast announcers and the track PA announcers made frequent references to American Rebel Light and the NHRA drivers were very complimentary of the American Rebel Light title sponsorship during their on-camera interviews and the drivers and crew spotlighted American Rebel Light beer in victory lane celebrations.

    “The NHRA does it right,” said American Rebel CEO Andy Ross. “Everyone is very appreciative of our involvement as title sponsor and everyone from the drivers, their teams and the track express their thanks to American Rebel Light and make sure they have our beer visible and they all are brand ambassadors for us. Everyone knows the sponsor needs to get value for their investment, and they deliver. The buzz at the track and the FOX nationwide broadcasts generate significant interest from potential distributors, bar owners, alcohol buyers for retail and convenience chains and the end customer walking into their local stores and asking for American Rebel Light by name.”

    “The success of this weekend will continue after we leave town,” said American Rebel Beverage President Todd Porter. “Our neon signs and product integration will stay in place and we’ll continue to benefit from this weekend the rest of this racing season and beyond. We were the title sponsor for the American Rebel Light NHRA 4-Wide Nationals at the Charlotte Motor Speedway in late April and they are still selling our beer very well, one of their top sellers.”

    Race fans aged 21 and older had the chance to enjoy American Rebel Light – America’s Patriotic, God Fearing, Constitution Loving, National Anthem Singing, Stand Your Ground Beer at the track concession stands that sold beer. The American Rebel Light Virginia NHRA Nationals introduced American Rebel Light to the state of Virginia and laid a foundation for the expansion of distribution throughout the state.

    American Rebel Light Beer debuted their new television commercial during the FOX Qualifying and Finals broadcasts, airing eight times over the weekend.

    “The support from FOX and the NHRA has been great,” said Andy Ross. “When I watched the re-air of the Finals, I was blown away that the band and I got some coverage. We get lots of compliments from the NHRA and the drivers and their teams for providing entertainment during some of the breaks. It’s really an honor to play for race fans. They are the perfect demographic for the American Rebel brand.”

    About American Rebel Light Beer

    American Rebel Light is more than just a beer – it’s a celebration of freedom, passion, and quality. Brewed with care and precision, our light beer delivers a refreshing taste that’s perfect for every occasion.

    Since its launch in September 2024, American Rebel Light Beer has rolled out in Tennessee, Connecticut, Kansas, Kentucky, Ohio, Iowa, Missouri, North Carolina, Florida, Indiana and now Virginia and is adding new distributors and territories regularly. For more information about the launch events and the availability of American Rebel Beer, please visit americanrebelbeer.com or follow us on our social media platforms (@americanrebelbeer).

    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.

    For more information about American Rebel Light Beer follow us on social media @AmericanRebelBeer.

    For more information, visit americanrebelbeer.com.

    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 Light Beer. The Company also designs and produces branded apparel and accessories. To learn more, visit americanrebelbeer.com. For investor information, visit americanrebel.com/investor-relations.

    Watch the American Rebel Story as told by our CEO Andy Ross visit The American Rebel Story

    Media Inquiries:
    Matt Sheldon
    Matt@Precisionpr.co
    917-280-7329

    American Rebel Holdings, Inc.
    info@americanrebel.com
    ir@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 our continued sponsorship of high profile events, 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 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2025. 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.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Moving Notting Hill Carnival to Hyde Park would wrench it from the community and history at its heart

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Maggie Inchley, Reader in Contemporary Theatre and Performance, Queen Mary University of London

    Shutterstock/JessicaGirvan

    Today’s Notting Hill Carnival, first held in its streets in 1966 when it was led by a Trinidadian steel band, is a glorious cultural blend. It’s a hotch-potch of traditions, music, dancing and food which commemorates the history of black British communities and integrates others.

    But the future of Notting Hill Carnival is now in doubt amid concerns that the event doesn’t have the funding to ensure the safety of attendees.

    One touted solution is to move the carnival to another location. Writing in the Guardian last year, retired black Met superintendent Leroy Logan recommended a more open space, such as Hyde Park. Policing would be far easier there, with walled boundaries removing escape routes for potential “trouble makers”.

    But holding the carnival in Hyde Park could alter the way that the carnival is enjoyed in ways that would be fundamental to the community it comes from.

    My research in creative performance with communities explores the joy that comes from participating in events and activities that celebrate our collective strengths and differences. I look at the important issues of lived experiences and cultural heritage in events like Carnival.

    This article is part of our State of the Arts series. These articles tackle the challenges of the arts and heritage industry – and celebrate the wins, too.

    The Russian philosopher Mikhail Bakhtin (1895-1975) wrote of a “carnival sense of the world”. For Bakhtin, carnival was an unleashing of energies, in which hierarchies disappeared, and people were free to mix with each other.

    For his critics, the liberating energy that Bakhtin describes can be too easily co-opted to dominant cultures, especially where carnival can be made to serve the market’s insatiable appetite. While the democratising dynamics of carnival are valuable, it is also important to consider the particular histories and places in which its traditions and practices have developed. Even joy is contingent on place and context.

    The Notting Hill Carnival is currently free to over 1.5 million visitors. Controlling access would severely contract its size and almost certainly lead to commercial exploitation, reducing its renowned inclusivity.

    What’s more, the right to be publicly seen and heard carries intense symbolic significance for the Caribbean community. This is profoundly important in the wake of the 2018 Windrush scandal, in which the government tried to remove many black citizens who had lawfully lived and worked in Britain for decades under the terms of the British Nationality act of 1948.



    Read more:
    Unravelling the Windrush myth: the confidential government communications that reveal authorities did not want Caribbean migrants to come to Britain

    Many of this Windrush generation, a large number of whom lived in Notting Hill and north Kensington, made a huge contribution to the rebuilding of the British economy, having been invited to the country in the wake of the second world war. In their daily lives however, they suffered racism and harassment which undermined the right they had to make their homes as British citizens.

    The history of the carnival

    It is important to recognise that the sights and sounds of the Notting Hill Carnival are tied to the history of black people’s displacement and exploitation by white enslavers and colonialists. An exuberant street presence is a culturally distinctive statement of resistance and heritage.

    Author Dan Hancox has written about the fact that enslaved people in the Caribbean were not permitted to take part in the European colonialists’ Mardis Gras balls.

    Crowds at the Notting Hill Carnival.
    Shutterstock/Turgut Cetinkaya

    In 18th century Trinidad, a ritual called Cannes Brulees (sugarcane burning), in which sticks were used to perform the rhythms of African drumming, reconnected these transplanted peoples with their places of origin, and sounded an act of resistance.

    Liberation is still enacted today in the right to make music and dance through the streets. Interviewed by Hancox in 2023, CEO of the Notting Hill Carnival Trust, Matthew Philip, pointed to the significance of the newly emancipated black presence in Trinidad’s streets, from which they had been banned by their colonial masters, and their joyful mockery of the white governing class.

    Any considerations of safety at the Notting Hill Carnival must also consider how – despite this exuberantly joyful community celebration of black diasporic culture – the event has been commonly portrayed as a flash-point of racial tensions.

    Social geographer Peter Jackson has pointed to the racialised media representation of “black youth” after unrest in 1976, during which carnival goers clashed violently with a heavy police presence.

    Steve McQueen’s 2020 drama Mangrove portrayed the tensions with the police in the 1970s. In a notable scene outside Trinidadian immigrant Frank Crichlow’s restaurant, the film captured the combination of resistance and joy expressed in West Indian music and dancing. Crichlow was part of the Mangrove Nine, the group of black activists who were tried in 1971 at the Old Bailey for inciting a riot, after repeated police raids on Crichlow’s restaurant.

    The trailer for Mangrove.

    The group’s acquittal was an important milestone in the history of the rights of black people to live and work without harassment in the London area they were trying to make their home under difficult conditions.

    When West Indian migrants came to Notting Hill they were housed in slum conditions. They were charged extortionate rents, often in dilapidated properties once built for the wealthy. Having lived through this and built a thriving community, black residents have in recent decades been forced to move out following the area’s “regentrification”. The trend again points to the displacement of black and working class populations, this time at the housing market’s convenience.

    To relocate the carnival from the streets of Notting Hill would risk continuing these histories of displacement of black communities, and ignore the huge symbolic significance of street celebration to black people in Britain and beyond.

    Unquestionably, the government must act in the interest of public safety. As it considers the best ways to protect attendees, it will no doubt also assess the carnival’s considerable social and economic benefits

    To guarantee these, officials must work with communities whose heritage and citizenship is bound up with the carnival. They need to balance issues of safety with those of access and heritage, and with the need to express a joy that emerges not entirely spontaneously, but from long and complex histories of displacement, relocation and resistance.

    Maggie Inchley 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. Moving Notting Hill Carnival to Hyde Park would wrench it from the community and history at its heart – https://theconversation.com/moving-notting-hill-carnival-to-hyde-park-would-wrench-it-from-the-community-and-history-at-its-heart-259587

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI China: MOFA response to false claims regarding Taiwan in joint statement between Central Asian nations and China

    Source: Republic of Taiwan – Ministry of Foreign Affairs

    MOFA response to false claims regarding Taiwan in joint statement between Central Asian nations and China

    • Date：2025-06-19
    • Data Source：Department of West Asian and African Affairs

    June 19, 2025  

    Chinese leader Xi Jinping met with the presidents of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan from June 16 to 18 at the second China-Central Asia Summit in Astana, Kazakhstan. Following the summit, these nations and China jointly issued the Astana Declaration, which contains the spurious claim that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs solemnly refutes this statement and sternly protests against the Chinese communist regime for its repeated use of meetings with other nations’ leaders to publicly undermine Taiwan’s sovereignty as well as central Asian nations for uncritically accepting China’s statements that run contrary to the facts in downgrading Taiwan’s sovereignty.

     

    MOFA reiterates that neither the Republic of China (Taiwan) nor the People’s Republic of China is subordinate to the other, that the Chinese communist regime has never governed Taiwan, and that no nation has the right or power to deny Taiwan’s existence via so-called joint statements. MOFA calls on Kazakhstan and other central Asian nations not to support false statements and endorse China’s aggressive intentions to disrupt regional peace and stability. 

     

    Taiwan’s sovereignty belongs to its people, and it is the people of Taiwan who will determine Taiwan’s future. Moreover, peace, stability, and prosperity must be jointly upheld by all nations of the world. Taiwan is a force for good in the international community and will continue to staunchly defend the values of freedom and democracy as it strengthens collaboration with democratic nations to halt authoritarian expansionism, defend cross-strait peace and security, and maintain a free and stable Indo-Pacific region. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • PM Modi chairs 48th PRAGATI meeting; urges health infra push in remote areas, stresses self-reliance in defence

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday chaired the 48th edition of PRAGATI — the Centre’s multi-level, ICT-enabled platform aimed at ensuring proactive governance and timely implementation of key schemes and projects.

    During the session, the Prime Minister reviewed critical infrastructure projects across the Mines, Railways, and Water Resources sectors. These projects were examined with a focus on timelines, coordination among agencies, and resolution of pending issues.

    The PM stressed that delays in project execution result in escalating costs and deprive citizens of timely access to services and infrastructure. He urged officials across ministries and state governments to adopt a result-oriented approach, calling for stronger inter-agency coordination and time-bound delivery.

    The PM reiterated the importance of equitable access to healthcare for marginalised and underserved populations, describing PM-ABHIM as a key opportunity for states to strengthen health infrastructure at the block, district, and state levels. “This is a golden opportunity to bridge the gaps in primary, tertiary, and specialised health services,” the PM said.

    PM Modi also reviewed efforts made by ministries and states in promoting self-reliance in the defence sector. He praised initiatives that foster indigenous manufacturing and innovation, citing the recent Operation Sindoor — carried out using homegrown capabilities — as an example of the strides being made in the sector.

    The Prime Minister urged states to tap into the growing ecosystem by supporting local innovation and contributing to the broader push for self-reliance in defence.

    Launched in 2015, PRAGATI (Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation) is a platform through which the Prime Minister directly engages with top officials of central and state governments to review key projects and address bottlenecks in real time.

  • MIL-OSI Global: The Competition Bureau wants more airline competition, but it won’t solve Canada’s aviation challenges

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Geraint Harvey, DANCAP Private Equity Chair in Human Organization, Western University

    A recent market study by the Competition Bureau is calling for more airline competition in Canada’s airline industry to reduce fares, increase service quality and provide better services to remote communities.

    The study reiterates that Canada’s domestic air travel market is largely dominated by just two carriers, Air Canada and WestJet. Together, they account for between 56 per cent to 78 per cent of all domestic passenger traffic. This concentration limits passenger choice, and many Canadians feel airfares are high and quality of service is low as a consequence.

    Increased competition has lowered air fares elsewhere, like in Europe, for example, where low-fares airlines dominate the continental market. However, there have been negative outcomes for consumers.

    While the bureau positions competition as the solution to the many issues plaguing the industry, it overlooks how an increase in competition can fall short, particularly when it comes to transparency, service quality, labour conditions and regional connectivity.

    Cost transparency not likely to improve

    One of the Competition Bureau’s key criticisms of Canada’s airline industry is the lack of cost transparency when booking flights. Hidden fees and complex fare structures make it difficult for travellers to effectively make comparisons among airlines.

    But it’s unreasonable to expect increased competition — when airlines seek to make their offering more attractive than their competitors — to lead to greater transparency in Canada. In fact, competition has been linked theoretically and empirically to dishonest practices.

    Europe provides a cautionary example. Increased competition has not led to greater air fare transparency in Europe. Airlines like Ryanair, a low-fare airline and the continent’s largest airline by passengers carried, have been accused of hiding fees for passengers.

    Service quality and workers

    The bureau’s study also found that many Canadians are dissatisfied with the quality of service offered by domestic airlines. Yet increased competition is unlikely to raise service standards. As airlines compete to offer the lowest fares, they often look to reduce operating costs, typically at the expense of service quality.

    Those who suffer the most from airlines minimizing costs are employees, since labour represents one of the few areas where airlines can cut back.

    The morality and safety implications of introducing wage and employment insecurity to workers within high reliability organizations aside, reducing the quality of employment terms and conditions for workers in such an important industry is short-sighted.

    Claims of a pilot shortage are contested, and making employment in Canadian aviation less attractive for a highly skilled and crucial occupational group like pilots is a strategic faux pas that could have long-term consequences for the industry’s stability.



    Read more:
    Potential Air Canada pilot strike: Key FAQs and why the anger at pilots is misplaced

    Remote communities left behind

    Canada’s unique geography means that many remote regions rely on airlines for goods and transport. Yet these areas are not effectively served by the commercial aviation industry. The bureau suggests greater competition could help, but that claim is questionable.

    The reason existing airlines are not providing a greater number of flights between remote communities and larger airports is because these routes aren’t profitable. Rather than expanding service, a more competitive market could shrink route availability because airlines could abandon less profitable routes or refuse to compete on routes where a market leader emerges.

    To its credit, the bureau offers several recommendations for northern and remote communities. But these communities are unlikely to benefit from competition alone. In fact, increased competition would likely mean airlines will focus on profitable routes and remove those that don’t yield high profits.

    Europe’s airline industry is once again instructive. Eurocontrol, a pan-European organization dedicated to the success of commercial aviation in Europe, states that “domestic aviation in Europe has experienced a substantial and persistent decline over the past two decades,” including the demise of regional operators serving lower-density routes.

    Where routes have been maintained — in Norway, for example — it’s as a consequence of public service obligations that guarantee essential routes are maintained through government support.

    It’s because of public service obligations, not competition, that the Canadian government can serve remote communities. Without such safeguards, increased competition has the potential to do more harm than good.

    Risks of relaxing foreign ownership

    The bureau also recommended relaxing rules around foreign ownership within the Canadian airline industry so that a wholly foreign owned airline can compete domestically.

    But not all airlines are equal. Some, like Qatar Airways, are backed by the government of their home state. Qatar Airways has purchased stakes in airlines in Asia Pacific and Africa.

    Competition with airlines such as Qatar Airways is inherently unfair because of the huge financial support it receives. Allowing such state-backed carriers into the Canadian market could place domestic airlines at a significant competitive disadvantage. This could not only weaken Canadian airlines, but also be detrimental to the Canadian economy if domestic carriers are pushed out.

    Competition may reduce fares, but it always comes at a cost. Canadians must be certain that lower fares are worth the cost.

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

    – ref. The Competition Bureau wants more airline competition, but it won’t solve Canada’s aviation challenges – https://theconversation.com/the-competition-bureau-wants-more-airline-competition-but-it-wont-solve-canadas-aviation-challenges-259498

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: California awards $15 million to support economic growth in tribal communities across the state

    Source: US State of California Governor

    Jun 25, 2025

    What you need to know: As part of California Jobs First, the state is awarding $15 million through the Regional Investment Initiative to support California Native American tribal partners in creating jobs and developing high-paying and fulfilling careers.

    Sacramento, California – Today, Governor Newsom and the California Jobs First Council announced $15 million in grants to 14 California Native American tribes, tribal coalitions, and tribally led organizations. The grants support projects aimed at spurring economic growth, providing job training, cultivating business development, protecting the environment, and conducting research and development.

    This $15 million commitment recognizes that, since time immemorial, California tribes have been best aware of the opportunities and advantages of their regions and communities. California is proud to partner with tribes across the state to support good jobs and expand economic opportunity in a meaningful and lasting way, delivering on the promises we made years ago.

    Governor Gavin Newsom

    “Our tribal partners are uniquely positioned to grow their local communities and economies utilizing cultural values and principles of self-determination,” said Tribal Affairs Secretary Christina Snider-Ashtari. “Today’s awards promise to advance our shared goals for a stronger economy and greater opportunities for all Californians.” 

    Today’s announcement includes awards for projects spanning a range of local investments, from developing community centers to constructing a bioenergy production facility:

    • Berry Creek Rancheria of Maidu Indians was awarded $1.51 million to develop a strategic energy plan.

    • California Indian Museum and Cultural Center was awarded $587,000, and will develop a career pathway program in the health sector titled “Climate-Ready Tribal Community Health Representatives.”

    • Kashia Band of Pomo Indians were awarded $999,000 in order to conduct the pre-development activities necessary to establish the Kashia Aquaculture Center.

    • Mechoopda Indian Tribe of Chico Rancheria was awarded $999,000, to conduct the pre-development activities necessary to establish a Resilience Hub and Multi-Functional Community Center.

    • Native Development Network was awarded $776,000 to conduct research supporting the development of career pathways in the clean economy, healthcare, and high-tech sectors.

    • Native First Lending was awarded $1 million to develop a revolving loan fund for Native American businesses in Los Angeles County.

    • Nevada City Rancheria Nisenan Tribe was awarded $744,000 to support land restoration activities on two culturally significant historical sites.

    • Owens Valley Career Development Center was awarded $1.995 million to develop career pathways in the clean economy.

    • Pit River Tribe was awarded $954,000 for a comprehensive land use assessment to identify locations for new businesses in industries such as tourism and outdoor recreation.

    • Scotts Valley Energy Corporation was awarded $1 million for a bioenergy production facility.

    • Southern California Tribal Chairperson’s Association was awarded $933,000 to develop an Innovation Ecosystem to support small businesses in the clean economy sector.

    • Table Mountain Rancheria was awarded $950,000 to conduct pre-development activities for the TMR Healthcare Center.

    • The Sierra Fund was awarded $945,000, which will provide economic and workforce development planning support for two local Tribes.

    • Tule River Economic Development Corporation was awarded $1.6 million to develop career pathways and provide training in the clean economy sector.

    “Each of these awards represents our efforts to invest in locally driven projects that will advance meaningful job creation, attraction, and access across California,” said Dee Dee Myers, Senior Advisor to Governor Newsom and Director of GO-Biz and Stewart Knox, Secretary of Labor & Workforce Development. “The California Jobs First Council is honored to have the opportunity to invest in these 14 communities, and we look forward to working closely with our tribal nation partners to ensure the ongoing success of their projects.”

    See full award details here. 

    California Jobs First

    In February, Governor Newsom released the California Jobs First Economic Blueprint — a new economic vision for California’s future. The Blueprint outlines key initiatives to support regional growth throughout the state, invest in job training for the future, attract job creators, and strengthen California’s innovation economy — all to help increase access to good-paying jobs for Californians. 

    As part of California Jobs First, the state has invested $287 million since 2022 to develop viable projects that advance strategic sectors in regional economies.

    California is the fourth-largest economy in the world. With an increasing state population and recent record-high tourism spending, California is the nation’s top state for new business starts, access to venture capital funding, and manufacturing, high-tech, and agriculture.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Payments stopped, three arrested in medical supplies fraud case

    Source: Interpol (news and events)

    15 September 2020

    INTERPOL supported investigation into Italian company targeted by business email compromise fraud

    SINGAPORE – Three members of an international crime syndicate wanted for tricking an Italian company into making fraudulent payments for non-existent medical equipment were arrested in Indonesia, in a case supported by INTERPOL.

    In May, an Italian company which was in discussions to purchase a large amount of medical supplies from a Chinese company, including ventilators and COVID-19 monitoring equipment, fell victim to a business email compromise (BEC) fraud.

    Indonesian authorities arrested three fraud suspects and seized EUR 3.1 million in a case supported by INTERPOL.

    The suspects infiltrated the email correspondence between the two companies and convinced the Italian buyers to make three bank transfers totaling EUR 3.67 million to an account they controlled in Indonesia. Believing they were paying the legitimate supplier, the company made the transfers.

    The fraud was quickly discovered, and INTERPOL’s Financial Crimes unit was requested to assist with the case. INTERPOL swiftly facilitated communication between the Italian and Indonesian authorities via the INTERPOL National Central Bureaus (NCBs) in Rome and Jakarta, resulting in the timely interception and freezing of EUR 3.1 million of the fraudulent payments in early June.

    Case coordination

    To further support the investigation, in August INTERPOL held a virtual case coordination meeting where authorities from Italy (NCB Rome and the Postal Police Service) and Indonesia (NCB Jakarta, the Financial Intelligence Unit (PPATK) and the Criminal Investigation Department) shared critical investigative details and outlined the steps necessary for securing the frozen assets and locating the suspects behind the fraud.

    See also: Online scams: It might not be too late to get your money back

    Following the meeting, Indonesian authorities identified the three suspects, who were part of a wider criminal network involved in the BEC fraud which targeted the Italian company. They were arrested in early September, when police also seized EUR 3.1 million and assets allegedly purchased using the stolen money.

    “Thanks to the timely action of the Italian and Indonesian authorities using INTERPOL channels, this fraud was detected, the majority of the fraudulent payments stopped before reaching the criminals, and the individuals behind this scam will face justice,” said José de Gracia, INTERPOL’s Assistant Director of Criminal Networks.

    Investigations continue into the activities of the criminal syndicate to determine if there have been other victims from other countries.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: More than 20,000 arrests in year-long global crackdown on phone and Internet scams

    Source: Interpol (news and events)

    9 December 2020

    Targeting rising trends in telephone and online scams, Operation First Light intercepted over 150 million dollars in illicit funds.

    LYON, France: A year-long investigative clampdown on criminal networks coordinated by INTERPOL has demonstrated the scale of phone and online frauds worldwide.

    Codenamed First Light, the operation officially concluded in November with the following results:

    • 10,380 locations raided
    • 21,549 operators, fraudsters and money launderers arrested
    • 310 bank accounts frozen
    • USD 153 973 709 worth of illicit funds intercepted.

    This latest edition of Operation First Light marked the first time law enforcement has coordinated with INTERPOL on a global scale to combat telecoms fraud, with operations taking place on every continent.

    Purple Notices

    A three-month enforcement phase (1 September – 30 November 2019) saw 35 countries participate in a coordinated crackdown on organized crime groups engaged in various types of telecommunications and social engineering scams.

    This was followed by a year of intensive information sharing among participating countries, analyzing the intelligence acquired in the operation in order to identify suspects and pursue investigative leads.

    Based on the criminal techniques uncovered, INTERPOL also issued three Purple Notices on telephone scams, investment fraud and fraud schemes taking advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Purple Notices provide information on objects, devices and concealment methods used by criminals – information that law enforcement organizations can access through INTERPOL’s secure I-24/7.

    INTERPOL impersonation

    Other types of fraud exposed in the operation include business e-mail compromise, romance scams and ‘smishing’, where standard messaging service (SMS) messages are sent to coerce a victim to divulge personal information that can subsequently be fraudulently used.

    In Singapore, police arrested a man who presented false INTERPOL credentials when accompanying an elderly woman into a bank for a withdrawal. A further investigation found that the man appeared to be himself the victim of fraudsters who had called him pretending to be Chinese law enforcement agents, provided him with the fraudulent identification and directed him to seize the elderly woman’s funds.

    A transnational threat

    The results underscored the transnational nature of many telephone and online scams, where perpetrators often operate from a different country or even continent than their victims.

    Leveraging the borderless nature of the Internet, fraudsters rarely respect national jurisdictions in their scams. The money extracted from victims is also likely to involve multiple countries as criminals use overseas bank accounts or money mules to launder their funds.

    “It is important for member countries to remember that they are not alone in combatting these frauds,” said INTERPOL Secretary General Jürgen Stock.

    “INTERPOL’s global network exists to support one another in precisely this situation, with the timely sharing of police information and intelligence, particularly when it crosses one or more jurisdictions,” added Secretary General Stock.

    “The COVID-19 pandemic has seen telecommunications and social engineering frauds multiply. Operation First Light has achieved remarkable success in the past year yet, going forward, a much broader global coalition of law enforcement – facilitated by INTERPOL – will be needed to combat these threats,” said Duan Daqi, Head of the INTERPOL National Central Bureau in Beijing.

    The latest phase of Operation First Light was supported by the Chinese Ministry of Public Security.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • Khelo India University Games 2025 to be held in Rajasthan this November: Sports Minister Mandaviya

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Union Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya on Wednesday announced that Rajasthan will host the fifth edition of the Khelo India University Games (KIUG) 2025 in November. The Games will be jointly organised by Poornima University and Rajasthan University in Jaipur.

    More than 4,000 athletes from over 200 universities across India are expected to take part in the Under-25 multi-sport event, which has become one of the flagship initiatives under the Khelo India program since its inception in 2020.

    “I am extremely happy to announce that the Khelo India University Games will take place in Rajasthan in November 2025,” Dr. Mandaviya said. “These Games provide a national platform for our university athletes to showcase their talent in front of scouts and sports federations. This is a stepping stone for many young players aspiring to make it to the national and international level.”

    The upcoming edition of KIUG will feature competitions in at least 20 sporting disciplines, continuing the tradition of previous editions. The announcement comes just months after the successful hosting of the Khelo India Youth Games (Under-18) in Bihar in May 2025.

    Reflecting on the previous edition held in the Northeast, Dr. Mandaviya highlighted the Games’ growing impact on university-level sports in India. “Worldwide, university students dominate multi-sport events. In Rajasthan, we expect high-quality performances as the athletes will be at their competitive peak,” he added.

    Recap of KIUG 2024

    The KIUG 2024, hosted across seven northeastern states — Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Sikkim, Nagaland, and Tripura — saw around 4,500 athletes compete in 20 sports. A total of 770 medals were awarded over 11 days, including 240 gold, 240 silver, and 290 bronze.

    Chandigarh University clinched the overall team championship, continuing its strong presence in university sports. Lovely Professional University finished second with 20 gold, 14 silver, and 8 bronze (42 total), while Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, came third with 12 gold, 20 silver, and 19 bronze (51 total).

    Individual highlights from KIUG 2024 included swimmer Pratyasa Ray of Utkal University, who emerged as the most successful female athlete with four gold, one silver, and one bronze. The top male athlete was Xavier Michael Dsouza of Jain University, who bagged four gold medals in swimming.

    Eight new records were set in athletics during KIUG 2024, five of them by male athletes, underlining the growing competitiveness and standard of university sports in India.

    As the focus now shifts to Rajasthan, anticipation builds for another edition of intense competition, rising stars, and record-breaking performances at the Khelo India University Games 2025.

  • MIL-OSI Security: Record 769 arrests and USD 65 million in illicit pharmaceuticals seized in global bust

    Source: Interpol (news and events)

    25 June 2025

    Operation reveals growing demand for semaglutides and peptides as ‘lifestyle enhancers’

    SINGAPORE – An INTERPOL-coordinated operation across 90 countries has resulted in the seizure of 50.4 million doses of illicit pharmaceuticals worth USD 65 million, highlighting the alarming scale of the global trade in unapproved and counterfeit medicines.

    Operation Pangea XVII, which took place from December 2024 to May 2025, saw the arrest of 769 suspects and the dismantling of 123 criminal groups worldwide.

    The seizures and arrests are the largest in the operation’s 17-year history.

    Nervous system agents, including psychostimulants, anti-anxiety drugs, and medications for Parkinson’s disease, topped the list as the most seized product type, with erectile dysfunction medicines, the second highest.

    Other commonly seized product types include anabolic steroids, anti-diabetic medicines, anti-smoking products, dermatological agents, health supplements, herbal products and psychotherapeutic agents.

    David Caunter, Director pro tempore of Organized and Emerging Crime at INTERPOL, said:

    “Fake and unapproved medications are a serious risk to public health. They can include dangerous or illegal ingredients potentially resulting in severe illness, or even death.

    “The rapid growth of online platforms has made it easier for these unsafe drugs to reach people as well as opening new opportunities for criminal networks to exploit.

    “Working together through Operation Pangea, countries are taking action to protect people’s health and keep healthcare systems safe.”

    Ethiopian authorities discovered illicit pharmaceuticals hidden inside a container.

    Seizures of anti-diabetic medication in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.

    Customs inspection at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Malaysia.

    Inspection at a warehouse in Malaysia.

    Illicit pharmaceuticals seized in Türkiye.

    Illicit pharmaceuticals seized in Malaysia.

     

    Growing demand for anti-diabetic medications and peptide supplements

    The operation revealed growing demand for anti-diabetic drugs and peptide supplements, driven by increasing self-medication, among other factors.

    This trend is being driven by the widespread promotion and availability of these medicines across social media and online marketplaces, creating lucrative and relatively low-risk opportunities for criminal networks selling low-quality or counterfeit products.

    Data from participating countries indicate increasing circulation of illicit anti-diabetic medicines globally due to their off-label weight loss effects, with unapproved and potentially fake drugs seized in the Asia-Pacific, Europe and North America.

    Estimates suggest that a single semaglutide pen may sell for several hundred US dollars on the secondary market.

    The seizures corroborate recent alerts from the World Health Organization and various national health regulatory agencies warning of emerging risks associated with GLP-1-related injectable drugs.

    Operation Pangea XVII revealed another emerging trend – growing demand for peptide supplements for their perceived cosmetic and performance-enhancing benefits, especially in high-income countries across Europe, North America and Oceania.

    These supplements, such as BPC-157, ipamorelin, and melanotan, remain unapproved in many regions due to potential health risks and the lack of sufficient human trials, and until recently, seizures of such peptide-based biologically active substances were rare.

    Ethiopian authorities discovered illicit pharmaceuticals hidden inside a container.

    Illicit pharmaceuticals seized in Argentina.

    Unapproved pregabalin medicines seized in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.

    Suspected counterfeit tramadol and other medicines seized in Gabon.

    Illicit pharmaceuticals found in a clandestine clinic in Mozambique.

    Illicit erectile dysfunction medicines seized in Bulgaria.

    Operational highlights

    In total, law enforcement agencies worldwide launched 1,728 investigations and issued 847 search warrants targeting criminal networks engaged in the illicit distribution of pharmaceutical products.

    93 per cent of the illicit pharmaceuticals seized lacked regulatory approvals from national health authorities.

    Such products may contain counterfeit, substandard or falsified substances which have not been identified.

    The remaining seven per cent were confirmed as either counterfeit, diverted, or misbranded products.

    Australia recorded the largest seizures globally, with psychostimulants such as modafinil and armodafinil being the most common category seized nationally. This was followed by anti-smoking pouches and erectile dysfunction medicines.

    Professor Tony Lawler, Head of Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) said:

    “During this operation, the TGA assessed over 9,500 imports referred by the Australian Border Force and facilitated the seizure of over 5.2 million units of unlawfully imported therapeutic goods, including products that were found to be substandard or falsified.

    This operational partnership represents a significant disruption of dangerous medicines from entering our community, and diversion of profits from those that would usually benefit from the illegal sale and supply.”

    Large seizures of various illicit pharmaceuticals were similarly reported in Canada, Ireland, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States, among other countries. 

    Operation Pangea XVII also saw the shutdown of approximately 13,000 criminal-linked websites, social media pages, channels, and bots used to market and sell illegal or falsified medicines.

    Malaysia removed the greatest number of online listings (7,000), followed by Russia, Ireland, Singapore and Iran. The five countries collectively accounted for 96 per cent of all listings taken down.

    In Burkina Faso, 816,000 tablets including analgesics and anti-inflammatories were discovered hidden in vehicles.

    In Mexico, authorities intercepted 27,000 clonazepam tablets and 20,000 alprazolam tablets passing through a courier facility in Tijuana.

    In Portugal, anabolic steroids were discovered in eight prisons across the country, unveiling evidence of a criminal network smuggling illicit substances into correctional facilities.

    Notes to Editor

    Operation Pangea is an annual INTERPOL operation targeting the online sale of illicit pharmaceuticals. The 17th edition of the operation marked a departure from previous iterations with enforcement action taking place over six months instead of the traditional one week. This extended duration allowed for a more comprehensive and sustained effort to disrupt criminal networks.

    Additional support was provided by national health regulatory agencies, Europol, the International Narcotics Control Board, the Pharmaceutical Security Institute, the Transnational Alliance to Combat Illicit Trade, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the Universal Postal Union, the World Customs Organization and the World Health Organization.

    The following countries participated in Operation Pangea XVII: Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belarus, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Curacao, Cyprus, Czech Rep., Democratic Rep. of Congo, Denmark, Dominican Rep., Ecuador, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gabon, Georgia, Greece, Guyana, Hong Kong (China), India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Jamaica, Kuwait, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mexico, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Netherlands, New Zealand, Northern Ireland (United Kingdom), Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Palestine, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Rep San Marino, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Senegal, Serbia, South Africa, Singapore, Slovakia, Spain, Sri Lanka, St Lucia, Sweden, Thailand, Togo, Türkiye, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uruguay, Venezuela and Zimbabwe.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI China: MOFA welcomes Philippine announcement concerning visa-free treatment for Taiwanese nationals

    Source: Republic of Taiwan – Ministry of Foreign Affairs

    MOFA welcomes Philippine announcement concerning visa-free treatment for Taiwanese nationals

    • Date：2025-06-19
    • Data Source：Department of East Asian and Pacific Affairs

    June 19, 2025
    No. 214

    The Philippine government indicated on June 19 that Taiwanese passport holders would be granted visa-free entry to the Philippines for stays of up to 14 days beginning July 1. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) sincerely welcomes this announcement.

    Improving the convenience of Taiwanese nationals traveling overseas for business or tourism and promoting interactions and exchanges between Taiwan and friendly countries are among the key priorities for MOFA and Taiwan’s overseas missions. At a reception to mark Philippine Independence Day on June 13, Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung announced on behalf of the Taiwan government that visa-free treatment for Philippine nationals would again be extended for an additional year. The Philippines will now grant visa-free entry to Taiwanese nationals on the principle of reciprocity, facilitating the deepening of exchanges and cooperation between Taiwan and the Philippines in such domains as the economy, trade, investment, and tourism.

    This fruitful outcome follows years of active coordination and negotiation between both governments and was made possible through the joint efforts of relevant government departments, the people of Taiwan, and MOFA’s concrete implementation of integrated diplomacy. Minister Lin recognizes the Philippine government’s pragmatic promotion of Taiwan-Philippines relations.

    MOFA reminds Taiwanese nationals to abide by local laws and regulations while in the Philippines and to be mindful of personal safety. In case of an emergency, Taiwanese nationals can call the emergency hotline of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines at +63-917-819-4597 or ask friends or relatives in Taiwan to call MOFA’s emergency hotline at 0800-085-095. (E)

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: MOFA welcomes Brunei Darussalam announcement concerning visa-free treatment for Taiwanese nationals

    Source: Republic of Taiwan – Ministry of Foreign Affairs

    MOFA welcomes Brunei Darussalam announcement concerning visa-free treatment for Taiwanese nationals

    • Date：2025-06-24
    • Data Source：Department of East Asian and Pacific Affairs

    June 24, 2025
    No.218

    The government of Brunei Darussalam indicated on June 23 that, beginning that day, holders of a Taiwan passport valid for six months or longer would be granted visa-free entry into Brunei Darussalam for stays of up to 14 days. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) sincerely welcomes this announcement.

    Brunei Darussalam’s visa-free treatment for Taiwanese nationals will further deepen bilateral cooperation and exchanges in such fields as tourism, trade, culture, and education. Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung expresses appreciation for the Brunei Darussalam government’s pragmatic measures to enhance Taiwan-Brunei Darussalam relations.

    Since August 2016, Taiwan has been endeavoring to offer visa-free entry to travelers from Thailand, the Philippines, and Brunei Darussalam and actively seeking to secure similar treatment from these three New Southbound Policy partner countries based on the principle of reciprocity. Following a sustained campaign by MOFA and its missions abroad, Thailand (from July 15 last year), the Philippines (from July 1 this year), and Brunei Darussalam (from June 23 this year) have now accorded visa-free entry to Taiwanese nationals. These achievements can be attributed to the combined efforts of relevant government departments and the people, as well as Taiwan’s active implementation of integrated diplomacy. 

    Improving the convenience of overseas travel for Taiwanese businesspeople and tourists is a key goal of MOFA and its overseas missions. Looking ahead, MOFA will continue to strive to obtain visa-free treatment from even more countries. In the meantime, MOFA reminds Taiwanese nationals traveling in Brunei Darussalam to respect local customs and culture, abide by local laws and regulations, and be mindful of personal safety. In case of an emergency, Taiwanese nationals can call the emergency hotline of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Brunei Darussalam at +673-895-6338 or ask friends or relatives in Taiwan to call MOFA’s emergency hotline at 0800-085-095. (E)

     

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: MOFA response to G7 reiterating importance of peace and stability across Taiwan Strait

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    MOFA response to G7 reiterating importance of peace and stability across Taiwan Strait

    Date：2025-06-18
    Data Source：Department of North American Affairs

    June 18, 2025 

    The 2025 G7 leaders’ summit was held in Kananaskis, Canada, from June 15 to 17. The chair’s summary published following the summit emphasized G7 members’ ongoing and serious concerns about China’s destabilizing actions in the East and South China Seas and the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung welcomes and highly appreciates these remarks.
     
    The summary once again clearly underlined G7 members’ commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region based on the international rule of law. In addition, G7 leaders expressed concern over China’s use of such comprehensive nonmarket policies and actions as market distortion and overcapacity.
     
    Minister Lin sincerely appreciates that G7 members, following joint statements by G7 foreign ministers in March and April, once again conveyed support for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, which highlights the international consensus on this matter. Maintaining the cross-strait status quo is indispensable to global security and prosperity. As a responsible member of the international community, Taiwan will continue to work with global society to preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: MOFA response to UK naval vessel transiting Taiwan Strait

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    MOFA response to UK naval vessel transiting Taiwan Strait

    Date：2025-06-19
    Data Source：Department of European Affairs

    June 19, 2025  

    On June 18, the UK Royal Navy patrol vessel HMS Spey transited the Taiwan Strait. Through this concrete action, the United Kingdom further defended freedom of navigation in the Taiwan Strait and demonstrated its firm position that the strait constitutes international waters. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomes and affirms the transit.
     
    MOFA continues to encourage the United Kingdom and other like-minded countries to jointly safeguard cross-strait peace and stability, promote a free and open Indo-Pacific region, and maintain the rules-based international order. 

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: MOFA response to false claims regarding Taiwan in joint statement between Central Asian nations and China

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    MOFA response to false claims regarding Taiwan in joint statement between Central Asian nations and China

    Date：2025-06-19
    Data Source：Department of West Asian and African Affairs

    June 19, 2025  

    Chinese leader Xi Jinping met with the presidents of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan from June 16 to 18 at the second China-Central Asia Summit in Astana, Kazakhstan. Following the summit, these nations and China jointly issued the Astana Declaration, which contains the spurious claim that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs solemnly refutes this statement and sternly protests against the Chinese communist regime for its repeated use of meetings with other nations’ leaders to publicly undermine Taiwan’s sovereignty as well as central Asian nations for uncritically accepting China’s statements that run contrary to the facts in downgrading Taiwan’s sovereignty.
     
    MOFA reiterates that neither the Republic of China (Taiwan) nor the People’s Republic of China is subordinate to the other, that the Chinese communist regime has never governed Taiwan, and that no nation has the right or power to deny Taiwan’s existence via so-called joint statements. MOFA calls on Kazakhstan and other central Asian nations not to support false statements and endorse China’s aggressive intentions to disrupt regional peace and stability. 
     
    Taiwan’s sovereignty belongs to its people, and it is the people of Taiwan who will determine Taiwan’s future. Moreover, peace, stability, and prosperity must be jointly upheld by all nations of the world. Taiwan is a force for good in the international community and will continue to staunchly defend the values of freedom and democracy as it strengthens collaboration with democratic nations to halt authoritarian expansionism, defend cross-strait peace and security, and maintain a free and stable Indo-Pacific region. 

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –