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Category: Asia

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Alan Wilson joins 28-state brief supporting 2nd Amendment rightsRead More

    Source: US State of South Carolina

    (COLUMBIA, S.C.) – South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson has joined 27 other states in an effort to protect 2nd Amendment rights. He joined a friend-of-the-court brief to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit in a case against a Maine law that would impose a 72-hour waiting period for buying a gun.

    “This same court has already ruled that the right to keep and bear arms is not a second-class right, subject to an entirely different body of rules than the other Bill of Rights guarantees, so Maine’s restrictive law should be thrown out,” Attorney General Wilson said. “I will always fight to protect the Second Amendment, the Constitution, and the rule of law.”

    In April 2024, Maine passed a law that would add a 72-hour waiting period before anyone could buy a gun. Several Maine residents sued, arguing that the new law violates their Second Amendment rights and asking a district court for a preliminary injunction to block the law. The district court granted the injunction, ruling that the “acquisition of firearms is covered by the Second Amendment’s plain text.”

    In the brief, Attorney General Wilson and the other states argue, “Maine failed to carry its burden to show that its waiting-period law is ‘part of the historic tradition that delimits the outer bounds of the right to keep and bear arms,’” and that Maine’s law “employs no standard at all to justify disarming individuals.”

    Joining Attorney General Wilson in the brief, led by Montana, are the attorneys general of Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, Wyoming, and the Arizona legislature.

    You can read the brief here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Inside Ukraine’s remarkable drone attack

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Jonathan Este, Senior International Affairs Editor, Associate Editor

    You can generally tell when Vladimir Putin appears rattled by an adverse event in his war on Ukraine. He (or one of his proxies) ramps up the bloodcurdling rhetoric. And so it is with Ukraine’s “Spiderweb” drone attack on four airbases inside Russia, which reportedly destroyed or damaged as many as 40 warplanes, a good chunk of Russia’s fleet of strategic nuclear-capable bombers.

    These aircraft have been used during the war to deliver cruise missiles at targets within Ukraine and have been kept on airbases far enough from Ukraine to be well out of range of anything Kyiv could fire at them. So Ukraine’s secret intelligence service, the SBU, hatched a plot to send truckloads of home-grown drones in vans to locations close to airbases as far away as Irkutsk in Siberia and Murmansk close to the top of Finland.

    Technological savvy aside, perhaps the most remarkable thing about the plan was that it was 18 months in the making and yet the SBU managed to keep it a secret shared by only a few, including Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky. Significantly, the plan was reportedly kept from the US government.

    Sign up to receive our weekly World Affairs Briefing newsletter from The Conversation UK. Every Thursday we’ll bring you expert analysis of the big stories in international relations.

    An angry Putin is reported to have accused Ukraine of “organising terrorist attacks”, saying to aides: “How can we have meetings like this under these conditions? What is there to talk about? Who has negotiations with  … terrorists?”

    Nothing much has been revealed as to what was actually said about the drone attack when delegates for the two sides met on Monday, apparently for barely an hour, to continue their peace talks. But as Stefan Wolff and Tetyana Malyarenko suggest, the fact that both sides have continued to land blows against each other is hardly a sign of a sincere commitment to serious negotiations.

    As it is, both sides restated their maximalist positions. For Kyiv this means that any concessions over territory or sovereignty are out of the question. For Moscow this means Ukrainian and international recognition of Russian sovereignty over Crimea as well as four provinces it has partially occupied since 2014, no Ukrainian membership of Nato and limits to Ukraine’s armed forces.

    Wolff and Malyarenko, experts in international security and politics at the University of Birmingham and National University Odesa Law Academy, respectively, believe that little will change on the battlefield in the foreseeable future. A lot will now depend on Washington. And it should be noted that the US president had a lengthy chat with Putin on June 4, after which Trump delivered the Kremlin’s message that: “President Putin did say, and very strongly, that he will have to respond to the recent attack on the airfields.”

    We’ve already seen a blitz on the southern city of Kherson, where Russia launched glide bombs and attacked with drones and artillery this morning. But Trump’s envoy to Russia, Keith Kellog, among other senior officials have talked about the drone strike being an attack on part of Russia’s [nuclear] triad, impying the threat level is actually far greater.



    Read more:
    Ukraine ‘spiderweb’ drone strike fails to register at peace talks as both sides dig in for the long haul

    Ukraine gave up its nuclear arsenal in 1994 in return for an undertaking, signed by Russia, the US, UK and France, to guarantee the inviolability of Ukraine’s borders. So as Matthew Sussex of the Australian National University in Canberra writes, the drone attack was very much a case of a David striking a clever blow against a Goliath.

    Sussex says this and other missions, such as the targeting of the Kerch bridge – Putin’s pride and joy – and the relentless attacks on Russia’s power infrastructure, are an effective counter to Russia’s attritional style of warfare. This involves throwing as many men as possible at its objectives, something Ukraine cannot hope to compete directly with. The truth is, writes Sussex, that Kyiv “has focused on winning the war they are in, rather than those of the past”.



    Read more:
    The secret to Ukraine’s battlefield successes against Russia – it knows wars are never won in the past

    “This isn’t just asymmetric warfare, it’s a different kind of offensive capability,” concludes Michael A Lewis, an expert in autonomous vehicles at the University of Bath. Lewis notes that both sides have been using drones almost continuously on the frontlines of the war and each has developed their own strategy for countering the threat.

    But this operation combined the use of drones with smart intelligence planning. The key was getting the drones to where they could exploit vulnerabilities in Russia’s air defence systems. “In low-level airspace, visibility drops, responsibility fragments, and detection tools lose their edge,” he writes. “Drones arrive unannounced, response times lag, coordination breaks.”

    The attack will have defence planners around the world scratching their heads as to how to cope with this emerging threat. Lewis believes the operation exposed the problems with centralised airspace management which will require new and better detection systems and faster responses to counter. “Operation Spiderweb didn’t just reveal how Ukraine could strike deep into Russian territory,” he writes. “It showed how little margin for error there is in a world where cheap systems can be used quietly and precisely.”



    Read more:
    Ukraine drone strikes on Russian airbase reveal any country is vulnerable to the same kind of attack

    Not that Russia has exactly been standing still when it comes to drone warfare. As Marcel Plichta of the University of St Andrews writes, having initially relied on Iran for the supply of its Shahed drones, Russia has been quick to establish its own sizeable drone manufacturing industry. Plichta, a drone specialist and former US government intelligence analyst, walks us through some of the innovations that Russian-made drones are now employing, including Sim cards which can transmit data back to Russia via mobile networks, carbon coating to avoid radar detection, and enhanced incendiary and fragmentation warheads that can start fires or spread large volumes of shrapnel to make them more deadly.

    But also notable is the sheer volume of drones that Russia is deploying – 472 against Ukrainian cities on June 1, as well as large numbers of decoys – with the aim of simply exhausting Ukrainian air defences. Even if Ukraine manages to shoot down 80% as it claims, that still leaves enough to wreak utter havoc for the defenders.



    Read more:
    Russia has been working on creating drones that ‘call home’, go undercover and start fires. Here’s how they work

    From the Oval Office

    The latest controversial measure announced by the White House is the planned travel ban on people from 12 countries thought by the Trump administration to pose a threat. The ban is scheduled to come into effect on June 9.

    Less than a week later, the US will host – jointly with Mexico and Canada – the Fifa Club World Cup, which will feature players from some of these countries. Next year the US hosts the Men’s World Cup and in 2028 the Olympics are scheduled to be held in Los Angeles.

    The announcement of the ban said that “any athlete or member of an athletic team, including coaches, persons performing a necessary support role, and immediate relatives travelling for the World Cup, the Olympics, or other major sporting events as defined by the Secretary of State” will be exempted.

    But, as Eric Storm from Leiden University points out, this does not include fans who might have been planning to travel to these major sporting carnivals. Storm, a historian who has researched the intersection of politics and tourism, says that the way geopolitical tensions manifested themselves at big sporting events was a feature of the cold war, but that these sorts of tensions largely dissipated after 1991. Now we may see politics being played out on the pitch, once again.



    Read more:
    Trump’s travel ban casts shadow over the upcoming Fifa Club World Cup and other US-hosted sporting events

    South Korea’s new president

    Voters in South Korea backed the liberal candidate, Lee Jae-myung for the Democratic Party, by nearly 50% in the June 3 election. This gave the man who led the campaign to topple former president Yoon Suk Yeol a clear mandate in what is reported to have been the election with the highest turnout since 1997.

    But while women had been very prominent in the campaign to oust Yoon, there were no female presidential candidates and very little discussion of some of the massive gender issues besetting Korea, including structural inequality, harassment and domestic violence, write Ming Gao of Lund University and Joanna Elfving-Hwang of Curtin University, both experts in South Korean politics and society. In fact, some candidates actively campaigned in a manner they clearly hoped would engage with disenchanted young men who feel their position may be under threat from women.



    Read more:
    South Korea election: Lee Jae-myung takes over a country split by gender politics

    The new South Korean president will bring with him what he calls a “pragmatic” approach to foreign affairs. He has restated his commitment to the longstanding alliance with the US, but has also stressed the need for his country to improve relations with China and North Korea, believing that South Korea should not be wholly dependent on Washington.

    This, writes Christoph Bluth, could become a point of tension between Seoul and Washington. “The Trump administration has taken a hawkish approach towards China and wants its allies to do the same,” he says.

    Lee has made it quite clear that while Seoul’s relationship with Washington is the “basic axis of [South Korea’s] diplomacy,” the country “should not put all [its] eggs in one basket”. He has already signalled that he would resist any attempts by the US to draw South Korea into a conflict with China over Taiwan.



    Read more:
    Why South Korea’s new leader may be on a collision course with Trump

    Gaza: when aid is politicised

    There was yet more tragedy in Gaza this week as the new aid distribution scheme backed by Israel and the US got underway and quickly descended into chaos, with Israeli troops shooting at people it claimed were Hamas militants, resulting in the deaths of dozens of people.

    The new plan handed control of aid distribution to a private company called Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which established four depots, three in the very south of the Strip and one in the centre, close to Israeli checkpoints. As a result many people had to travel considerable distances to get desperately needed supplies.

    As Irit Katz of the University of Cambridge writes here, the GHF plan is similar in character to a scheme put forward last December by an Israeli veterans group that prioritises control over humanitarianism. She says the resulting chaos and violence should come as no surprise.



    Read more:
    Lethal humanitarianism: why violence at Gaza aid centres should not come as a surprise

    World Affairs Briefing from The Conversation UK is available as a weekly email newsletter. Click here to get updates directly in your inbox.

    – ref. Inside Ukraine’s remarkable drone attack – https://theconversation.com/inside-ukraines-remarkable-drone-attack-258326

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Japanese walking: the benefits of this fitness trend

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Sean Pymer, Academic Clinical Exercise Physiologist, University of Hull

    A fitness trend known as Japanese walking is capturing attention online, promising major health benefits with minimal equipment and time.

    Based on interval-style bursts of fast and slow walking, Japanese walking was developed by Professor Hiroshi Nose and Associate Professor Shizue Masuki at Shinshu University in Matsumoto, Japan. It involves alternating between three minutes of walking at a higher intensity and three minutes at a lower intensity, repeated for at least 30 minutes, four times per week.

    The higher-intensity walking should be done at a level that is “somewhat hard”. At this level, it is still possible to talk, but holding a full conversation would be more difficult.

    The lower-intensity walking should be done at a level that is “light”. At this level, talking should be comfortable, though a little more laboured than an effortless conversation.

    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.

    Japanese walking has been likened to high-intensity interval training or Hiit, and has been referred to as “high-intensity walking”, although it is less taxing than true Hiit and is performed at lower intensities.

    It is also easy to perform and requires only a stopwatch and space for walking. It requires little planning and is less time-consuming than other walking targets, such as achieving 10,000 steps a day. This makes it suitable for most people.

    What does the evidence show?

    Japanese walking offers significant health benefits. A 2007 study from Japan compared this method to lower-intensity continuous walking, with a goal of achieving 8,000 steps per day. Participants who followed the Japanese walking approach experienced notable reductions in body weight. Blood pressure also dropped – more so than in those following the lower-intensity continuous walking routine.

    Leg strength and physical fitness were also measured in this study. Both improved to a greater extent in those following the Japanese walking programme, compared to those completing moderate-intensity continuous walking.

    A longer-term study also found that Japanese walking protects against the reductions in strength and fitness that happen with ageing.

    These improvements in health would also suggest that Japanese walking can help people live longer, though this has not yet been directly studied.

    There are a few things to consider with this new walking trend. In the 2007 study, around 22% of people did not complete the Japanese walking programme. For the lower intensity programme, with a target of 8,000 steps per day, around 17% did not complete it. This means that Japanese walking may not be suitable for everyone, and it might not be any easier or more attractive than simple step-based targets.

    Achieving a certain number of steps per day has also been shown to help people live longer. For those aged 60 and older, the target should be around 6,000 to 8,000 steps a day and 8,000 to 10,000 for those aged under 60. Similar evidence does not appear to exist for Japanese walking… yet.

    So is this walking trend really the be-all and end-all? Or does it matter less about what exercise you do and more about how often and how hard you do it? The answer is likely to be the latter.

    Research tells us that people who regularly perform more bouts of moderate to vigorous physical activity live longer, regardless of how long each bout is.

    This means that we should focus on ensuring we perform regular moderate to vigorous physical activity and make it habitual. If that activity happens to be Japanese walking, then it’s a worthwhile choice.

    Sean Pymer receives funding from The National Institute for Health and Care Research.

    – ref. Japanese walking: the benefits of this fitness trend – https://theconversation.com/japanese-walking-the-benefits-of-this-fitness-trend-257302

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • India launches ‘Ayush Nivesh Saarthi’ portal to boost investment in traditional medicine

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    In a landmark initiative to position India as a global hub for traditional medicine and wellness, the Government of India unveiled the ‘Ayush Nivesh Saarthi’ portal on May 29, 2025, during the Ayush Stakeholder/Industry Interaction Meet at Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi. The portal was jointly launched by Union Minister of Commerce & Industry Piyush Goyal and Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ayush Prataprao Jadhav, in the presence of senior officials, industry leaders, and global stakeholders, including Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, and Shri Amardeep Singh Bhatia, Secretary, DPIIT.

    The investor-centric digital platform, developed by the Ministry of Ayush in collaboration with Invest India, aims to transform India’s traditional wellness systems into a robust economic driver. Ayush Nivesh Saarthi integrates policy frameworks, incentive structures, investment-ready projects, and real-time facilitation into a single interface, designed to attract both domestic and global investors. The platform underscores India’s ambition to become a leading destination for investments in traditional systems of medicine, leveraging the sector’s 17% annual growth rate between 2014 and 2020 and growing global demand for natural and preventive healthcare.

    Speaking at the launch, Shri Piyush Goyal emphasized the sector’s openness to investment, stating, “With 100% FDI permitted in the Ayush sector through the automatic route, Ayush Nivesh Saarthi signals India’s readiness for investment, collaboration, and innovation in holistic healthcare. This portal connects investors with opportunities rooted in India’s ancient legacy of wellness, powered by a modern vision.”

    Jadhav highlighted the platform’s transformative potential, saying, “Ayush Nivesh Saarthi is more than a digital platform—it’s an enabler of transformation. It combines proactive government policies, India’s wealth of over 8,000 medicinal plant species, and a globally trusted wellness tradition. This portal empowers investors with real-time data, transparent policy guidance, and access to a vibrant, expanding market.”

    The Ayush sector plays a pivotal role in India’s USD 13 billion medical value travel (MVT) industry, ranking among the top five health services in the country. With its rich heritage and growing global appeal, the sector is a key driver of the global wellness economy. The launch of Ayush Nivesh Saarthi reinforces the government’s vision of positioning Ayush as a cornerstone of public health and economic growth, fostering foreign direct investment, empowering entrepreneurs, and showcasing India’s leadership in traditional medicine and wellness on the global stage.

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Bonta Files Brief in Support of Private Enforcement of the Voting Rights Act

    Source: US State of California

    OAKLAND — California Attorney General Rob Bonta, as part of a coalition of 19 attorneys general, filed an amicus brief in Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians v. Howe, in support of a challenge to North Dakota’s 2021 redistricting plan. In the lawsuit, the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians, Spirit Lake Tribe, and three individual Native American voters argue that North Dakota’s redistricting plan unlawfully diluted Native American voting strength in violation of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act and 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act prohibits voting practices or procedures that discriminate on the basis of race, among other characteristics, and § 1983 allows individuals to file suit against state actors who violate federal constitutional or statutory rights. A panel of judges on the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that private parties cannot sue under Section 2 and § 1983. In their brief, the attorneys general support the tribes’ argument that Section 2 is enforceable through private suits and urge the Eighth Circuit to grant the tribes’ petition for the whole court to reconsider the question.

    “The right to vote is the cornerstone of our democracy,” said Attorney General Bonta. “In a time when we can no longer rely on the federal government to enforce the Voting Rights Act, private action is essential to preserve the spirit and intent of one of the most important pieces of civil rights legislation in American history. For 60 years, private parties have challenged discriminatory voting practices under the Voting Rights Act. I urge the court to rehear this case.” 

    In the brief, the attorneys general argue that private enforcement of the Voting Rights Act is essential, having served as the primary method of enforcing the Act since its enactment. The attorneys general note that approximately 400 private Voting Rights Act cases have been filed nationwide, compared to only about 40 brought by the U.S. Attorney General. Without a private right of action, voters will lack recourse if the U.S. Attorney General does not address their concerns. Additionally, the attorneys general emphasize that the public’s ability to enforce voting laws has a deterrent effect. Eliminating the private right of action could lessen the likelihood that the Voting Rights Act will be enforced, thereby reducing the incentives for certain state and local officials to comply with the Act’s mandates. 

    Attorney General Bonta joins the attorneys general of Minnesota, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Vermont, Washington, and the District of Columbia in filing the amicus brief. 

    A copy of the brief can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: BlueCat highlights the next generation of Intelligent Network Operations solutions at Cisco Live

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SAN DIEGO, June 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BlueCat Networks, a leading provider of Intelligent Network Operations solutions that help organizations modernize, optimize, and secure their network infrastructure, is proud to be the first vendor to market with a suite of products aimed at making networks more agile so that companies can focus on innovation. At Cisco Live, BlueCat will unveil the next generation of its Unified DDI platform, Integrity X, as well as other exciting updates to its industry-leading product set. Additionally, BlueCat will introduce a new certified Cisco Splunk application for its network observability and intelligence solutions, LiveWire and LiveNX.

    Accelerate network transformation

    Organizations need networks that change fast. However, increased complexity and legacy solutions create unnecessary drag. When the network is slow to deliver, organizations struggle to create memorable customer experiences, proactively detect and mitigate cyber threats, and harness the benefits of cloud and artificial intelligence.
      
    Intelligent NetOps is an integrated portfolio of network infrastructure services. It discovers and enables network access, automates provisioning and workflows, captures and analyzes operational data, and continuously optimizes and secures the network across hybrid and multicloud environments.

    “A key challenge faced by networking teams is to efficiently and effectively manage disparate infrastructure across multiple environments while ensuring high levels of security and user experience,” said Brandon Butler, IDC Senior Research Manager for Enterprise Networks. “BlueCat’s DDI management and network observability solutions help teams overcome these challenges by providing intelligent visibility and analytics, which can be correlated with changes occurring across the network and on individual devices, enabling teams to maintain reliability and accelerate transformation initiatives.”

    BlueCat launches Integrity X: The future of enterprise DDI

    Integrity X redefines how enterprise network teams automate and manage core DNS, DHCP, and IP address management (DDI) infrastructure. Built on a modern React framework and with an API-first design that leverages the same OpenAPI interface customers already use for automation, this release introduces a fully reimagined user experience—engineered to streamline workflows, strengthen security posture, and accelerate innovation across hybrid environments.
      
    “These enhancements are exactly what enterprise teams need,” said a senior developer of system design and architecture engineering at a large health care data provider. “BlueCat is listening, solving real-world DDI challenges, and enabling agile network infrastructure.”

    A next-generation DDI platform for modern networks

    Integrity X delivers unmatched scalability, performance, accessibility, and extensibility—bringing together everything network teams need in a single, unified DDI solution:

    • Unified by design: A cohesive platform experience that feels fast, seamless, and intuitive—tailored to the needs of today’s dynamic enterprise environments.
    • API-first innovation: Built on a fully RESTful API that is OpenAPI 3.0 compliant, enabling rapid feature delivery, seamless integration, and long-term extensibility for automation-driven organizations.
    • Accessibility for all: WCAG 2.1 AA-compliant by design, with high-contrast visuals, full keyboard navigation, and screen reader support—ensuring inclusive access for all users.
    • Multi-language support: Global-ready with localization in English, German, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, and Japanese.
    • Real-time visibility: Always-on monitoring and a powerful new appliance metrics dashboard, based on open-source Prometheus, give teams instant insight into DNS, DHCP, and IPAM health—enabling proactive operations and faster troubleshooting.  

    “Integrity X provides a modern, standards-based path forward for customers who want control,” said Scott Fulton, Chief Product and Technology Officer at BlueCat. “New customers are relieved with the low-risk migration from other solutions, and existing customers have already been impressed with the ease of automation, scalability, and flexibility of the platform.”

    BlueCat enriches Splunk integration and DNS and DHCP health analysis

    BlueCat now provides NOC and SOC Dashboards to diagnose performance and security issues in your network with an improved certified Splunk application:

    • LiveWire captures, analyzes, and simultaneously streams enriched security and performance telemetry from your network to Splunk and LiveNX.
    • LiveNX continuously analyzes enriched telemetry, SNMP, and API data for security indicators and network anomalies and sends alerts to Splunk to help in threat hunting and resolving anomalies.
    • LiveNX alerting engine sends security indicators and network anomalies to Splunk, aiding in threat hunting or resolving anomalies.
    • BlueCat’s Splunk crosslink capabilities enable quick packet or flow diagnostic research all from within Splunk.

    LiveWire and LiveNX 25.1 releases include additional instrumentation for DNS and DHCP, as well as automated troubleshooting for routine runtime, performance, and security issues surrounding these mission-critical services.

    Micetro is now available on Cisco’s Global Price List (GPL)

    BlueCat also announced that Micetro, an intuitive universal DDI orchestration solution, is available on the Cisco GPL. Micetro seamlessly integrates with Meraki, delivering improved IPAM visibility and DHCP orchestration. Expanded availability streamlines procurement for customers and partners. It showcases BlueCat and Cisco’s commitment to enhancing network operations with integrated solutions.

    About BlueCat
    BlueCat’s Intelligent Network Operations (NetOps) provide the analytics and intelligence needed to enable, optimize, and secure the network to achieve business goals. With an Intelligent NetOps suite, organizations can more easily change and modernize their network as business requirements demand. BlueCat’s growing portfolio includes unified core network services, security and compliance, as well as network observability and intelligence. These solutions can be deployed in hybrid or multicloud environments, in the data center, at remote or branch locations, and via SD-WAN. BlueCat’s Intelligent NetOps solutions have been recognized by GigaOm as market leaders in their 2025 Radar Report for Network Observability and their 2024 Radar Report for DDI. BlueCat is headquartered in Toronto and New York, with additional offices in the United States, France, Germany, Iceland, Japan, Singapore, Serbia, and the United Kingdom. Learn more at bluecat.com.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Nick Langworthy Introduces Energy Choice Act to End Blue-State Wars on American Energy

    Source: US Congressman Nick Langworthy (NY-23)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, Congressman Nick Langworthy (NY-23) and Senator Jim Justice (R-WV) introduced the bipartisan, bicameral H.R. 3699, the Energy Choice Acttoprohibit states or local governments from banning an energy service’s connection, reconnection, modification, installation, or expansion based on the type or source of energy to be delivered. Congressman Langworthy, who serves as a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and as a member of the Energy and Environment subcommittees, has made protecting Americans’ energy choices a top priority.

    “Governor Hochul and Democrats in Albany have waged an extremist crusade against natural gas that’s sent home energy costs through the roof, crippled our energy supply, and left New York teetering on the edge of an energy crisis—all to satisfy the radical fantasies of the far-left climate cult. New York has been ground zero for the Green New Deal, where common sense goes to die and working families get stuck with the bill,”said Congressman Langworthy.“That’s why I’ve introduced the Energy Choice Act—to slam the brakes on these reckless, ideological mandates and restore sanity to America’s energy policy. People deserve the freedom to choose energy that is affordable, reliable, and proven—not be forced into rolling blackouts to please eco-activists who don’t live in the real world. I thank Senator Justice for introducing this bill in the Senate and urge its swift action.”

     

    “I am an energy guy from an energy-rich state. I know how important freedom of energy production is – which is why I’m proud to introduce Energy Choice Act of 2025. President Trump has stated the need to unleash American energy, and this bill helps facilitate just that. We have too great an energy crisis in this country, and we don’t have the luxury of picking the winners and losers when it comes to energy production. Americans ought to have the right to choose what is best for their energy needs,” said Senator Jim Justice.

     

    The full text of the bill can be found here. Original cosponsors of this legislation include Representatives Michael Baumgartner (R-WA), Jack Bergman (R-MI), Mike Bost (R-IL), Robert Bresnahan Jr. (R-MI), Ken Calvert (R-CA), Mike Carey (R-OH), Jeff Crank (R-CO), Chuck Edwards (R-NC), Jake Ellzey (R-TX), Brad Finstad (R-MN), Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX), Lance Gooden (R-TX), Pat Harrigan (R-NC), Clay Higgins (R-LA), Jeff Hurd (R-CO), Darin LaHood (R-IL), Michael Lawler (R-NY), Ryan Mackenzie (R-PA), Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY), Tracey Mann (R-KS), Tom McClintock (R-CA), Addison McDowell (R-NC), Mark Messmer (R-IN), Dan Meuser (R-PA), John Moolenaar (R-MI), Tim Moore (R-NC), Dan Newhouse (R-WA), August Pfluger (R-TX), John Rose (R-TX), Michael Rulli (R-OH), Jefferson Shreve (R-IN), Elise Stefanik (R-NY), Claudia Tenney (R-NY), GT Thompson (R-PA), David Valadao (R-CA), Beth Van Duyne (R-TX), Tony Wied (R-WI), Roger Williams (R-TX), Ryan Zinke (R-MT).

     

    Original cosponsors in the Senate include Senators Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV).  

     

    “Democratic-controlled states like New York are waging an all-out attack on domestic energy production, undermining Americans’ right to choose their preferred energy source. The Energy Choice Act combats these authoritarian regulations by preventing state and local governments from banning specific energy sources. To achieve true energy independence, we must ensure Americans have access to a full range of options, including natural gas,”said Congresswoman Tenney.

     

    “Montanans know the value of reliable, affordable energy, especially during winters when access to natural gas, coal, and other traditional fuels isn’t just a convenience, it’s a necessity,” said Congressman Zinke. “Heavy handed policies from places like Albany and Sacramento don’t reflect the realities of rural America, where energy diversity is vital. The Energy Choice Act is common sense legislation that defends our right to choose the energy sources that work best for our homes and businesses, and I am happy to co-sponsor it again.”

     

    “In order to achieve American energy dominance, we must utilize an all-of-the-above energy strategy that prioritizes affordability and reliability. By prohibiting states and local governments from banning a service based on the source of the energy, we can ensure that families and small businesses are not being forced to utilize more costly energy sources. I thank Rep. Langworthy for his leadership as we work to make energy more affordable and reliable for our constituents,” said Congressman Newhouse.

     

    “Energy freedom is essential to both our economy and national security,” said Congressman Mike Rulli. “Efforts by state governments to ban natural gas and other traditional energy sources not only hurt working families through higher costs but also jeopardize grid reliability – especially in regions with harsh winters like ours. I’m proud to support the Energy Choice Act and thank Congressman Langworthy for putting consumers first and ensuring that no American is forced into an energy system that doesn’t work for them or their community.”

     

    “Strengthening America’s energy independence requires an all-of-the-above energy strategy that ensures consumer demand and industry experts, not bureaucrats and extreme environmentalists, lead the expansion and delivery of energy services. Banning certain types of energy, like California and New York have tried to do, only raises prices for Americans,” said Congressman Chuck Edwards (NC-11). “The Energy Choice Act will safeguard the diversification of energy sources in our nation and make sure that Americans have access to reliable and affordable energy.”

     

    The Energy Choice Act has received wide support from federal organizations, including American Exploration and Production Council (AXPC), American Gas Association (AGA), American Public Gas Association (APGA), Americans for Prosperity (AFP), Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA), Energy Marketers of America (EMA) , GPA Midstream Association, GPSA Midstream Suppliers, Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA), National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), National Association of Oil and Energy Service Professionals (OESP), National Energy and Fuels Institute (NEFI), National Propane Gas Association (NPGA), Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors – National Association (PHCC), Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA), LIBRE Initiative, Concerned Veterans for America (CVA).

    This legislation has also received support from state organizations, including Alabama Propane Gas Association, Arizona Propane Gas Association, Arkansas Propane Gas Association, Colorado Propane Gas Association, Connecticut Energy Marketers Association, Florida Propane Gas Association, Illinois Propane Gas Association, Indiana Food and Fuel Association, Iowa Propane Gas Association, Propane Gas Marketers of Kansas, Kentucky Petroleum Marketers Association, Kentucky Propane Gas Association, Louisiana Propane Gas Association, Maine Energy Marketers Association, Massachusetts Energy Marketers Association, Michigan Petroleum Association, Michigan Propane Gas Association, Mid-Atlantic Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association, Mid-Atlantic Petroleum Distributors Association, Mid-Atlantic Propane Gas Association, MidStates Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association, Midwest Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association, Mississippi Propane Gas Association, Missouri Propane Gas Association, Nebraska Propane Gas Association, Energy and Convenience Marketers of Nevada, Nevada Propane Gas Association, New Mexico Propane Gas Association, North Central Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association, Northeast Heart, Patio & Barbecue Association, Northwest Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association, Energy Marketers Association of New Hampshire, Fuel Merchants Association of New Jersey, New Jersey Propane Gas Association, Association of Contracting Plumbers of the City of New York Inc., New York Propane Gas Association, Empire State Energy Association (ESEA), Independent Oil and Gas Association of New York (IOGANY), New York State Association of Plumbing, Heating and Cooling Contractors, New York State Energy Coalition (NYSEC), New York State Oil Producers Association (NYSOPA), North Carolina Petroleum and Convenience Marketers, North Dakota Propane Gas Association, Ohio Energy and Convenience Association, Ohio Oil and Gas Association, Ohio Propane Gas Association, Oklahoma Propane Gas Association, Oregon Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association, Pacific Propane Gas Association, Hearth Patio & Barbecue Association Pacific, Eastern Pennsylvania Energy Association, North Eastern Pennsylvania Energy Marketers Association, Pennsylvania Independent Oil and Gas Association, Pennsylvania Petroleum Association, Southeast Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association, South Central Pennsylvania Energy Association, South Central Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association, Propane Gas Association of New England, Energy Marketers Association of Rhode Island, Rhode Island Business Leaders Alliance, Rocky Mountain Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association, Rocky Mountain Propane Association, South Carolina Convenience & Petroleum Marketers Association, South Dakota Petroleum and Propane Marketers Association, Southeast Propane Alliance, Tennessee Propane Gas Association, Texas Propane Gas Association, Vermont Fuel Dealers Association, Virginia Petroleum & Convenience Marketers Association, Virginia Propane Gas Association, West Virginia Propane Gas Association, Western Propane Gas Association, Washington Independent Energy Distributors, Wisconsin Fuel and Retail Association, Wisconsin Propane Gas Association, Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce (WMC).

    “NEFI proudly supports the Energy Choice Act, which represents a critical step toward protecting American consumers and small businesses from government overreach in the home energy market,”said Jim Collura, President & CEO of the National Energy & Fuels Institute (NEFI), which represents wholesale and retail distributors of liquid heating fuels, primarily in the Northeast.“This bipartisan legislation ensures that decisions about home heating and cooling remain where they belong – in the hands of American families, not government bureaucrats. At a time when families are recovering from record high inflation, the last thing we need are misguided state and local policies that eliminate affordable heating options. The Energy Choice Act protects market competition, preserves consumer choice, and promotes energy affordability and reliability. We urge Congress to pass this common-sense legislation without delay.”

     

    “NAHB commends Rep. Nick Langworthy (R-N.Y.) for championing the Energy Choice Act, legislation that prohibits state and local governments from banning or limiting access to natural gas, electricity, and other energy sources. A gas ban would exacerbate the housing affordability crisis by increasing costs on new homes and placing added stress on the nation’s electrical grid. With more than 40 million U.S. households relying on natural gas for heating, cooking, and hot water, preserving access to this affordable and reliable energy source is vital for American families,”said Buddy Hughes, Chairman, National Association of Home Builders.

     

    “On behalf of millions of AFP’s grassroots activists across the country, we applaud Rep. Nick Langworthy for introducing the Energy Choice Act to ensure energy freedom throughout the United States. Regardless of where Americans live, they shouldn’t be forced to endure energy poverty. The Energy Choice Act will provide certainty, security, and assurance for much-needed permitting reform and energy infrastructure development. Rep. Langworthy’s legislation will ensure American dominance in energy and lower costs for consumers while embracing an “all-of-the-above” approach on the federal level,” said Brent Gardner, Chief Government Affairs Officer, Americans for Prosperity.

     

    “The Energy Choice Act represents a critical step in protecting consumer access to clean, affordable, and reliable energy sources like propane,”said Stephen Kaminski, President and CEO of the National Propane Gas Association. “NPGA commends Rep. Langworthy and Sen. Justice for their leadership in introducing this legislation to defend energy diversity and empowering Americans to choose the energy solutions that best meet their needs. This bill safeguards consumers from rising energy costs driven by overreaching government mandates.”

    “The American Public Gas Association (APGA) strongly supports Representative Langworthy’s Energy Choice Act. This important legislation will safeguard American consumers’ right to choose the energy that best meets their household and budget needs. Access to affordable, reliable, and efficient natural gas is essential to the success of American families, businesses, and communities. APGA applauds the bill’s sponsors for their leadership in protecting consumer choice and promoting energy affordability,” said Dave Schryver, President & CEO, APGA.

     

    “The refusal of certain state and local governments to consider policies that provide a more sustainable transition to a less carbon-intensive future, coupled with the economic burdens placed on the American people through restrictions or bans on fossil fuel heating sources, necessitates federal preemption to ensure homeowners can continue to afford living in their homes while having robust options for maintaining home comfort. The Energy Choice Act provides that recourse and PHCC supports its immediate passage,” said Dan Callies, President, Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors, National Association.

     

    “Passage of this important legislation is a no brainer. We encourage House lawmakers to pass the bill immediately to restore consumer choice and support small business energy marketers across the country,”said Rob Underwood, Energy Marketers of America President.

     

    “At a time when no New Yorker is immune to statewide affordability challenges, having the freedom to choose energy solutions that work best for their homes, businesses, and communities is critical to keeping costs manageable for everyday people. The Energy Choice Act ensures we are taking an all-of-the-above approach to meeting energy needs — opening opportunities to tap into existing solutions like biofuels that advance clean energy goals, while also fostering continued innovation to build a more secure, affordable energy future. We support this commonsense legislation, thank Congressman Langworthy for his leadership, and urge House lawmakers to pass the Energy Choice Act to deliver real energy solutions for all Americans and support the small business energy marketers who help power our communities,”said Kris DeLair, Executive Director of the Empire State Energy Association.

     

    “GPA Midstream appreciates Representative Langworthy taking action to introduce legislation to protect consumer choice. New Yorkers and all Americans deserve the right to choose the energy source, such as natural gas or propane, that is reliable and best fits their budget needs,”said Stuart Saulters, VP of Federal Affairs, GPA Midstream Association.

     

    “Americans deserve reliable, affordable energy without bureaucratic roadblocks or special interests getting in the way. This bill protects consumer choice and energy innovation by ensuring that no state or local government can block access to energy sources based on political agendas or bad politics. This bipartisan bill is a common-sense step toward securing our energy future, protecting American energy jobs, and most importantly protecting the pockets of working class Americans who should not have to pay more for energy. The LIBRE Initiative is grateful for Rep. Langworthy’s leadership on this important issue,” said Helder Toste, Government Affairs Liaison, The LIBRE Initiative

     

    “Concerned Veterans for America wholeheartedly endorses Rep. Nick Langworthy’s Energy Choice Act on behalf of the members of our country’s largest veteran-led grassroots advocacy organization.  This bill will ensure energy freedom in every state and protect hardworking citizens from high energy costs created by special interests at the state level. Veterans served so that Americans are free to benefit from our nation’s ingenuity and natural abundance, and are free to live their unique American Dreams.
    The Energy Choice Act limits states’ permitting requirements and promotes a more resilient energy infrastructure. Rep. Langworthy’s legislation will ensure continued American domestic energy availability and lower costs for consumers while embracing a free market approach to energy development across the country,” said John Vick, Executive Director, Concerned Veterans for America.

    ###

     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Ormat Technologies Announces Strategic Leadership Changes

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • ORMAT EXPANDS MANAGEMENT TEAM TO SUPPORT ELECTRICITY SEGMENT GROWTH AND EGS INITIATIVES
    • ARON WILLIS APPOINTED EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, ELECTRICITY SEGMENT
    • DANIEL MOELK APPOINTED SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, RESOURCES, DRILLING, & EGS

    RENO, Nev., June 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ormat Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: ORA) (the “Company” or “Ormat”), a leading geothermal and renewable energy company, is pleased to announce the appointment of two distinguished executives to its senior management team. These strategic appointments are poised to propel the next phase of the Company’s growth and enhance its operational excellence within the renewable energy sector.

    Aron Willis Appointed Executive Vice President, Electricity Segment

    Effective June 4, 2025, Aron Willis will assume the role of Executive Vice President, Electricity Segment at Ormat Technologies. In this capacity Aron will oversee the operations of the Electricity Segment, ensuring alignment with the Company’s strategic goals and financial targets. Aron will also be responsible for optimizing plant performance, implementing advanced AI tools, ensuring compliance with safety and environmental regulations, and driving continuous improvement initiatives to foster future growth.

    Aron brings over 25 years of extensive experience in the power generation industry, with a proven track record of leadership and financial and operational expertise. His career includes significant roles at TransAlta Corporation and Northwest Digital Power, where he demonstrated exceptional leadership in managing large-scale operations and driving substantial growth initiatives. At TransAlta Corporation, Aron held several senior leadership positions, including Executive Vice President of Project Delivery & Construction, Executive Vice President of Growth and Senior Vice President of Operations & Commercial Management. He also managed TransAlta’s Australian operations for 10 years, comprising approximately 500MW of generating capacity. Aron holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree with a major in Finance from the University of Calgary.

    Daniel Moelk Appointed Senior Vice President, Resources, Drilling & EGS

    In July 2025, Daniel Moelk will join Ormat as Senior Vice President, Resources, Drilling & EGS. Daniel will lead our Resources, Drilling, and EGS teams with a focus on implementing sophisticated processes and innovative technologies. His work will focus in part on creating efficiencies through the use and advanced AI tools and developing Ormat’s ongoing drilling and exploration global roadmap.

    Daniel brings nearly 18 years of valuable operations and drilling management experience within the geothermal industry. Most recently, Daniel served as the EVP of European Operations for Eavor Technologies Inc, a company focused on EGS development where he successfully executed some of the industry’s most challenging and complex drilling campaigns. Daniel has played pivotal roles in expanding geothermal drilling operations across his career, in particular at Steag GMBH, PT Sejahtera Alam Energy while he was located in Indonesia, Daldrup & Sohne AG, Mannvit Engineering Consultants, and Iceland Drilling Inc. Daniel holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Iceland.

    “We are thrilled to welcome Aron Willis and Daniel Moelk to Ormat’s leadership team, where their valued backgrounds and experience will help drive the next phase of development and growth for our leading geothermal operations,” said Doron Blachar, Chief Executive Officer of Ormat Technologies. “Their extensive experience and proven track records in the power generation and geothermal industries will be invaluable as we continue to support our growth through continued innovation. These appointments reflect our commitment to strengthening our leadership team, advancing our strategic objectives for generation growth, expanding our profitability, and focusing efforts on EGS development. I am confident that Aron and Daniel, both of whom will report directly to me, will play pivotal roles in our ongoing success.”

    Blachar continued, “I also want to extend my sincere gratitude to Shimon Hatzir for his long-standing service to the Company and his exceptional leadership and dedication over the past 36 years. Shimon has made significant contributions to Ormat in various capacities, including leading our R&D and engineering division, leading wide range of technology developments, and managing the design of numerous power plants. He also led our energy storage segment, and most recently, heading the Electricity Segment including the Resource and Drilling operations I wish him all the best in his well-deserved retirement.”

    ABOUT ORMAT TECHNOLOGIES

    With six decades of experience, Ormat Technologies, Inc. is a leading geothermal company, and the only vertically integrated company engaged in geothermal and recovered energy generation (“REG”), with robust plans to accelerate long-term growth in the energy storage market and to establish a leading position in the U.S. energy storage market. The Company owns, operates, designs, manufactures and sells geothermal and REG power plants primarily based on the Ormat Energy Converter – a power generation unit that converts low-, medium- and high-temperature heat into electricity. The Company has engineered, manufactured and constructed power plants, which it currently owns or has installed for utilities and developers worldwide, totaling approximately 3,400MW of gross capacity. Ormat leveraged its core capabilities in the geothermal and REG industries and its global presence to expand the Company’s activity into energy storage services, solar Photovoltaic (PV) and energy storage plus Solar PV. Ormat’s current total generating portfolio is 1,538MW with a 1,248MW geothermal and solar generation portfolio that is spread globally in the U.S., Kenya, Guatemala, Indonesia, Honduras, and Guadeloupe, and a 290MW energy storage portfolio that is located in the U.S.

    ORMAT’S SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT

    Information provided in this press release may contain statements relating to current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about future events that are “forward-looking statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this press release that address activities, events or developments that we expect or anticipate will or may occur in the future, including such matters as our projections of annual revenues, expenses and debt service coverage with respect to our debt securities, future capital expenditures, business strategy, competitive strengths, goals, development or operation of generation assets, market and industry developments and the growth of our business and operations, are forward-looking statements. When used in this press release, the words “may”, “will”, “could”, “should”, “expects”, “plans”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “estimates”, “predicts”, “projects”, “potential”, or “contemplate” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such words or expressions. These forward-looking statements generally relate to Ormat’s plans, objectives and expectations for future operations and are based upon its management’s current estimates and projections of future results or trends. Although we believe that our plans and objectives reflected in or suggested by these forward-looking statements are reasonable, we may not achieve these plans or objectives. Actual future results may differ materially from those projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties and other risks described under “Risk Factors” as described in Ormat’s annual report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on February 27, 2025, and in Ormat’s subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q that are filed from time to time with the SEC.

    These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof, and, except as legally required, we undertake no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

    Ormat Technologies Contact:
    Smadar Lavi
    VP Head of IR and ESG Planning & Reporting
    775-356-9029 (ext. 65726)
    slavi@ormat.com    		 Investor Relations Agency Contact:
    Joseph Caminiti or Josh Carroll
    Alpha IR Group
    312-445-2870
    ORA@alpha-ir.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Honduran National Sentenced for Illegally Entering the US After a Prior Removal

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Josue Osmin Montoya Acosta was pulled over by police for driving without a rear plate light

    PORTLAND, Maine: A Honduran national was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Portland for illegally entering the U.S. after a prior removal.

    U.S. District Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr., sentenced Josue Osmin Montoya Acosta, 36, to time served (approximately 93 days). Montoya Acosta pleaded guilty on April 3, 2025.

    According to court records, on February 25, 2025, Montoya Acosta was observed by an officer from the Brunswick Police Department operating a vehicle with no front license plate and no light on the rear license plate. The rear plate was later determined to be a temporary plate from Indiana. When asked for his license, Montoya Acosta presented a Honduran passport and told the officer he did not have a driver’s license. When asked if he had a visa, he told the officer he did not. Immigration records showed that he had previously been removed on two prior occasions.

    U.S. Customs and Border Protection investigated the case with assistance from the Brunswick Police Department.

    Operation Take Back America: This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Microsoft helps dismantle transnational scam network targeting older adults

    Source: Microsoft

    Headline: Microsoft helps dismantle transnational scam network targeting older adults

    On May 28, 2025, India’s Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the country’s federal police service, executed raids at 19 locations across India to dismantle cyber-enabled financial fraud networks, including tech support fraud schemes. This operation, which disrupted a malicious enterprise impersonating Microsoft and targeting older adults in Japan, resulted in the arrest of six key operatives, the takedown of two illegal call centers, and the seizure of digital and physical infrastructure, such as computers, storage devices, digital video recorders, and phones.

    Through close collaboration with the Japan Cybercrime Control Center (JC3), a nonprofit organization dedicated to combating cybercrime in Japan, Microsoft’s Digital Crimes Unit (DCU) identified the India-based malicious ecosystem behind these scams. The DCU alerted Japan’s National Police Agency (NPA) and CBI, helping them to take decisive action against the individuals behind the operations.

    This case represents an evolution in the DCU’s disruption approach for cyber-enabled financial fraud. With the growth of cybercrime-as-a-service, connectivity among cybercriminals has increased and become more global. We must continue to look at the full ecosystem in which these actors operate and coordinate with multiple international partners to meaningfully address cybercrime. In the case of tech support fraud, where cybercriminals are increasingly using technology like artificial intelligence to scale their operations, we have transitioned away from focusing on individual call centers to targeting the highest levels of the operation and proactively disrupting their technical infrastructure. 

    The impact of cross-sector collaboration 

    Our collaboration with JC3 marked the DCU’s first partnership with a Japan-based organization to assist victims, proving crucial to the operation’s success. On an ongoing basis, JC3 provided actionable identifiers for malicious pop-ups that urged recipients to call fake technical support lines, believing they were contacting Microsoft. This information, coupled with additional threat intelligence and signals data, was then analyzed by the Microsoft Threat Intelligence Center (MSTIC), enabling Microsoft to proactively take down approximately 66,000 malicious domains and URLs globally since May 2024. The intelligence gathered was then integrated into Microsoft services to strengthen them against abuse.  

    Importantly, the information from JC3 enabled the DCU to identify the broader network behind these scams—encompassing pop-up creators, search-engine optimizers, lead generators, logistics and technology providers, payment processors, and talent providers. These actors used generative AI to scale their operations, including to identify potential victims, automate the creation of malicious pop–up windows, and perform language translations to target Japanese victims. This activity highlights the increasingly sophisticated tactics employed by cybercriminals and underscores the importance of proactive global collaboration to protect victims. 

    Examples of malicious pop-ups impersonating Microsoft. 

    Continued commitment to cybercrime prevention 

    Cyber-enabled financial fraud disproportionately targets older adults, and unfortunately, this growing trend is global. According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, tech support fraud was the most frequently reported crime type reported by older Americans (over 60) in 2023, resulting in nearly $590 million in losses. The Global Anti-Scam Alliance reported that, in Japan, the majority of scams target adults over the age of 45. This was consistent with what we observed in this operation, with approximately 90% of the 200 people affected being over the age of 50.

    The DCU has long been at the forefront of combatting sophisticated scams, and our ongoing collaboration with global law enforcement has led to hundreds of arrests and increasingly severe prison sentences worldwide. However, as cybercriminals continue to evolve their tactics, we too must take more aggressive action to protect those vulnerable to fraud. By leveraging cutting-edge technologies like AI and expanding collaborations with law enforcement and civil society, the DCU is intensifying its efforts to disrupt cybercrime operations from the top down. We are grateful for our ongoing collaboration partners across sectors and will continue to look for new ways to help protect people from cybercrime.

    Important: Microsoft will never send unsolicited email messages or make unsolicited phone calls to request personal or financial information, or to provide technical support to fix your computer. If you have been contacted by someone claiming to be from, or associated with, Microsoft and believe it was a scam, report the incident via our online reporting tool: microsoft.com/reportascam.  

    Doing so assists us with our ongoing investigations with law enforcement as we take appropriate action against those targeting our customers. We also use these insights to strengthen our technology to better protect consumers from fraudulent tactics. 

    For more information on how individuals can protect themselves, please visit: Protect yourself from tech support scams (microsoft.com). 

    Tags: cybercrime, Microsoft Digital Crimes Unit, The Digital Crimes Unit

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cassidy Reintroduces Legislation to Combat Obesity Epidemic

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Louisiana Bill Cassidy
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) reintroduced the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act (TROA) to combat the obesity crisis in the United States by providing regular screenings. The bill would also prevent diseases associated with obesity through expanded coverage of new health care specialists and chronic weight management medications for Medicare recipients.
    “Obesity shortens your life,”said Dr. Cassidy. “We have an opportunity to treat it through Medicare. Let’s do it.”
    Cassidy was joined by U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), John Fetterman (D-PA), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Gary Peters (D-MI), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Chris Coons (D-DE) in introducing the legislation.
    The following organizations have endorsed TROA this Congress: Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, American Academy of Pas, American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, American Association of Nurse Practitioners, American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, American Diabetes Association, American Gastroenterological Association, American Medical Group Association, American Psychological Association, American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery, American Society for Nutrition, Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations, Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists, Black Woman’s Health Imperative, Boehringer-Ingelheim, ConscienHealth, Currax, Diabetes Leadership Council, Diabetes Patient Advocacy Coalition, Eli Lilly and Company, Endocrine Society, Gerontological Society of America, Global Liver Institute, Healthcare Leadership Council, HealthyWomen, Intuitive Surgical, MedTech Coalition for Metabolic Health, National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions, National Consumers League, National Council on Aging, National Hispanic Medical Association, National Kidney Foundation, Novo Nordisk, Obesity Action Coalition, Obesity Medicine Association, Ro, Strategies to Overcome and Prevent (STOP) Obesity Alliance, The Obesity Society, Trust for America’s Health, WW Weight Watchers International, and YMCA of the USA.
    Background
    According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, diseases associated with obesity such as heart disease, stroke, type II diabetes, and certain types of cancer are the leading causes of preventable death in the U.S. TROA would work to directly prevent these comorbidities.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Jayapal Statement on Trump Travel Ban 2.0

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (7th District of Washington)

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Ranking Member of the Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement Subcommittee, released the following statement regarding the Trump Administration’s newly announced travel ban:

    “There are a myriad of reasons that people come to the United States, from travel and tourism to fleeing violent and dangerous situations. This ban, expanded from Trump’s Muslim ban in his first term, will only further isolate us on the world stage.

    “This discriminatory policy, which limits legal immigration, not only flies in the face of what our country is supposed to stand for, it will be harmful to our economy and our communities that rely on the contributions of people who come to America from this wide range of countries. Banning a whole group of people because you disagree with the structure or function of their government not only lays blame in the wrong place, it creates a dangerous precedent. Further, banning people fleeing dangerous countries like Afghanistan — a country where many people are in danger due to their work assisting the U.S. military — the Congo, Haiti, and Sudan will only further destabilize global security.

    “Trump is indiscriminately taking a chainsaw to our government — destroying federal agencies that keep us safe, indiscriminately cutting jobs, and hindering our progress across research fields. This will only further hurt our country and cannot be allowed to stand.”

    This travel ban fully restricts and limits the entry of nationals from 12 countries: Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.

    The Travel Ban partially restricts entry of people from seven countries: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.

    Jayapal is a cosponsor of the NO BAN Act, legislation to prevent this exact type of discriminatory travel ban, as well as the lead sponsor of the Access to Counsel Act, to ensure that U.S. citizens, green card holders, and other individuals with legal status can consult with an attorney, relative, or other interested parties to seek assistance if they are detained for over an hour by Customs and Border Protection (CBP). She originally wrote this legislation following the first Muslim Ban in 2017, as legal residents were held at points of entry. 

    Issues: Immigration

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Hong Kong (China SAR) card payments market to reach nearly $170 billion in 2025, forecasts GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    Hong Kong (China SAR) card payments market to reach nearly $170 billion in 2025, forecasts GlobalData

    Posted in Banking

    The Hong Kong (China SAR) card payments market is forecast to grow by 4.5% to reach HKD1.32 trillion ($168.4 billion) in 2025, supported by a constant consumer shift towards non-cash payments, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    GlobalData’s Payment Cards Analytics reveals that Hong Kong saw a growth of 15.7% in card payments value in 2023, driven by the rise in consumer spending. The market continued its growth trajectory with 7.4% growth to reach HK$1.26 trillion ($161.2 billion) in 2024. However, the current global uncertainty as a result of the latest US tariffs can pose a challenge for Hong Kong’s overall economic growth, resulting in a slowdown in the overall card payments value in 2025.

    Ravi Sharma, Lead Banking and Payments Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “The Hong Kong payment card market is mature, supported by consistent efforts by the government to promote electronic payment methods, the launch of digital-only banks, and the development and expansion of payment acceptance infrastructure. Consumers are now switching from cash purchases in favor of electronic payments. This shift in consumer behavior signals a move away from conventional payment methods like cash to embrace digital alternatives, thereby benefiting card payments.”

    A well-developed payment infrastructure has supported the overall card payments growth, with POS terminal penetration per 1 million individuals standing at 27,252 in 2024, one of the highest in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region.

    Sharma adds: “The growth of card payments has also been supported by high adoption and usage of contactless cards, supported by strong penetration and awareness of contactless cards among consumers and merchants in Hong Kong. Consumers and financial institutions alike have embraced the technology, with widespread acceptance infrastructure being the major reason why the cards are popular.”

    Rising usage of contactless payments for public transport payments is also contributing to the growth of card payments. In November 2021, Golong International Technology Company entered into a partnership with the French firm Thales to upgrade the payment system for Hong Kong Tramways. This modernized electronic payment system was successfully deployed across all regular passenger trams by June 2023. The system accepts 12 payment methods, including contactless credit cards and QR codes, supplementing the two previously available options: the Octopus card and cash.

    Among the card types, Hong Kong consumers strongly favor credit and charge cards over debit cards. This can be attributed to value-added benefits such as cashback, discounts, reward programs, and instalment payment plans offered by banks and financial institutions. Although debit cards are traditionally preferred for cash withdrawals, they are now increasingly being used for payments as well – especially low-to-medium value transactions.

    Sharma concludes: “Looking ahead, the total card payments market in Hong Kong is expected to continue its upward trajectory, driven by ongoing government initiatives, well-developed payment infrastructure, and a consumer shift towards electronic payments. The market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.3% between 2025 and 2029 to reach HKD1.62 trillion ($207.1 billion) in 2029.”

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Atopic dermatitis market to reach $22.4 billion in 7MM by 2033, forecasts GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    Atopic dermatitis market to reach $22.4 billion in 7MM by 2033, forecasts GlobalData

    Posted in Pharma

    Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a widespread, chronic inflammatory skin condition that can affect patients of all age. Prior to the approval of Regeneron Pharmaceuticals/Sanofi’s Dupixent (dupilumab) in 2017, the AD market had been stagnant and the pipeline for drugs in late-stage development was lacking. However, recent developments have reignited interest in AD treatments, especially as the estimated drug-treated population may grow to over 25,100,000 people in 7MM by 2033. Against this backdrop, the AD market in 7MM is estimated to grow from $8.5 billion in 2023 to $22.4 billion by 2033, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    GlobalData’s latest report, “Atopic Dermatitis: Seven-Market Drug Forecast and Market Analysis,” anticipates that the 7MM AD market will experience significant growth during the forecast period, registering a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.2%.

    Filippos Maniatis, Healthcare Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “AD is a growing market with an impressive pipeline of new products from current and future players in the field. The AD space was previously dominated by broad-acting immunomodulatory agents, which are now being slowly replaced by more targeted agents. This shift is likely due to better comprehension of the pathophysiology behind AD and the approval of several new systemic agents.”

    The major drivers of growth in the AD market include the increase in treatment options for all age groups and severities, the high diagnosed prevalence of AD, high treatment rates across all markets in the 7MM, the high annual cost of therapy (ACOT) expected for novel agents such as biologics and JAK inhibitors, and the novel mechanisms of action (MoAs) that will be entering the market and thus increasing the available therapeutic options for patients.

    Additionally, barriers to patient uptake that have been identified within the AD market include the highly anticipated ACOTs of pipeline agents, the pipeline topical JAK inhibitors entering a competitive topical therapy landscape, and the increasing competition in the interleukin (IL) inhibitor market.

    GlobalData’s report highlights that Sanofi/Regeneron’s Dupixent has transformed the space and has improved the quality of life for moderate to severe patients, and this gap of limited drugs available is continuing to close as many more therapies have been and will continue to be introduced during the first half of the 2023–33 forecast period. As there are many promising pipeline agents in late-stage development for AD, GlobalData expects developers to address some of these unmet needs in the next decade and beyond.

    Pipeline agents that are anticipated to be introduced in the next 10 years include the systemic drug classes OX40 inhibitors (Amgen/Kyowa Kirin’s rocatinlimab, Sanofi’s amlitelimab, Astria Therapeutics’ telazrolimab), IL inhibitors (LEO Pharma’s anti-IL-22 telazorlimab, GSK’s anti-IL-18 GSK1070806, Nektar’s anti-IL-2R complex rezpegaldesleukin), and oral PDE4 inhibitors (Union Therapeteutics’ orismilast). Other topical therapies in the pipeline include AOBiome’s bacterial therapy B-244, Aclaris Therapeutics’ JAK1/3 inhibitor, Arcutis Biotherapeutics’ PDE4 inhibitor Zoryve, and Dermavant’s AhR agonist Tapinarof.

    Maniatis concludes: “With multiple pipeline agents in development, key unmet needs may be further addressed. Such unmet needs include the lack of personalized treatments through improved diagnostic methods, the high cost of current therapy options, the limited therapeutic options for chronic hand eczema, and better long-term disease control and management.”

    *7MM- US, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, UK, and Japan

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Airbus A350s order to allow IndiGo to gain strategic share in India’s outbound long-haul market, says GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    Airbus A350s order to allow IndiGo to gain strategic share in India’s outbound long-haul market, says GlobalData

    Posted in Aerospace, Defense & Security

    India’s largest airline, IndiGo, has taken a decisive step in its international expansion roadmap by exercising its option to place additional orders for 30 Airbus A350-900 aircraft in June 2025, effectively doubling its initial commitment to a wide-body fleet from 30 to 60 aircraft. The move allows IndiGo to claim a strategic share in the outbound long-haul market, which has traditionally been dominated by Gulf and Southeast Asian carriers, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    GlobalData’s “Commercial Aircraft Orders and Deliveries” dashboard reveals that IndiGo is the largest buyer of commercial aircraft in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, with 1,300 aircraft orders placed between 2011 and 2024, followed by Air India, Jet Airways, Go Air, and Spicejet. The dashboard also indicates that IndiGo accounts for almost one-fourth of the total orders Airbus received from the Asia-Pacific region during the same period.

    With the new order, IndiGo will also become the largest customer in India for Airbus wide-body aircraft, followed by Air India, which currently has an order for 50 aircraft in the same wide-body segment.

    Sai Kiran, Aerospace and Defense Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “The move reaffirms IndiGo’s long-term strategy to become a formidable global player in the commercial aviation sector. The additional order and growing international partnerships signify a paradigm shift in IndiGo’s positioning from a dominant low-cost domestic carrier to a serious contender in the full-service long-haul market.”

    With a modern wide-body fleet and strong global partnerships, including an expanding international code-share ecosystem with Air France-KLM, Delta Air Lines, and Virgin Atlantic, IndiGo adds significant network depth and customer access across Europe and North America.

    Kiran concludes: “Currently, Air India is the only Indian carrier operating wide-body long-haul services at scale. With the A350s and leased Boeing 777-300 ER aircraft, IndiGo is emerging as the second player in the Indian wide-body market, enhancing India’s aviation competitiveness and offering more choices to the country’s flyers for international travel.

    “Moreover, the A350s are powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines, which offer 25% less fuel burn compared to old generation engines, making them more cost-effective than other aircraft, thereby creating real competition for legacy players like Air India.”

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: IMF and AUC wrap up First MENA Economic Research Conference: Steering Macroeconomic and Structural Policies in a Shifting Global Economic Landscape

    Source: IMF – News in Russian

    June 5, 2025

    Cairo: Following two days of high-level dialogue and expert analysis, the inaugural IMF MENA Economic Annual Research Conference co-organized by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the American University in Cairo, concluded with a strong call for coordinated, evidence-based policy responses to the region’s old and new pressing economic challenges. Held on May 18–19, 2025, the conference served as a critical platform for advancing rigorous research tailored to the realities of the Middle East and North Africa. It brought together global policymakers, academics, government officials and thought leaders to bridge the discussion on global economic issues with regional realities. The event marked a first-of-its-kind collaboration between the IMF and a leading university in the region, reflecting a shared commitment to deepening the link between academic research and policy development.

    Jihad Azour, Director of the IMF’s Middle East and Central Asia Department, noted that trade tensions and increasing uncertainty affecting the global economy, alongside ongoing regional conflicts and climate risks, are creating new layers of complexities for MENA policymakers. Azour called for building a regional platform for dialogue and exchange of ideas that connects MENA to world-class research centers to provide reliable analysis and develop workable and innovative policy responses to old and new economic issues facing the region. “We are deeply grateful to President Ahmad Dallal and AUC for their commitment to fostering dialogue, research, and policy innovation in the region.”

    AUC President Ahmad Dallal highlighted the event’s role as a vital platform in fostering collaboration between governments, academia and the private sector. “This is about generating ideas that are globally informed but deeply rooted in the realities of our region,” he noted. Dallal affirmed that this type of multi‑stakeholder engagement is at the heart of AUC’s mission and reflects the University’s commitment to research, education, and open dialogue as drivers of stability, resilience, and inclusive growth.

    Under the theme “Steering Macroeconomic and Structural Policies in a Shifting Global Economic Landscape,” discussions centered on four pivotal issues shaping the future of the MENA region and the global economy:

    • Fiscal Policy: With public debt at historic highs, experts stressed the importance of rebuilding fiscal buffers while tackling social inequalities, aging populations, and climate pressures. Proposals included reforms in fiscal frameworks and measures to mobilize revenues including through multinational taxation and more progressive tax systems.
    • Monetary Policy: Participants reflected on the lessons of recent inflationary shocks, emphasizing the need for more preemptive and well communicated policy responses to global shocks and sector-specific disruptions—particularly for emerging markets.
    • Industrial Policy: Speakers examined the renewed interest in industrial policy as a tool to drive inclusive growth, innovation, and climate resilience. The discussion highlighted the need to balance vertical strategies with horizontal reforms that promote private investment, trade integration, and productivity.
    • Green Transition and AI: The intersection of climate action and digital transformation sparked debate about their potential to reshape labor markets. Recommendations included investing in human capital, developing targeted safety nets, and aligning policy tools to support job creation in low-emission sectors.

    Throughout the sessions, there was a clear consensus that the MENA region’s economic resilience depends on institutional reforms, cross-border cooperation, and investment in skills and innovation. Participants also underscored the importance of embedding policy in local realities—an approach that both the IMF and AUC pledged to champion moving forward.

    In addition to prominent global and regional academics, as well as economists and government officials from across the region, and representatives of international and regional organizations, the conference brought together policymakers, including Rania El Mashat, minister of planning, economic development and international cooperation, Egypt; Youssef Boutros-Ghali, member of the Specialized Council for Economic Development, Egypt; Mahmoud Mohieldin, United Nations special envoy on financing the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda; and Martin Galstyan, governor of the Central Bank of Armenia.

    As Nigel Clarke, IMF Deputy Managing Director concluded, “This conference is a milestone demonstrating the IMF’s commitment to deepening engagement with the research and academic community, as we strive to ensure that the IMF support is not only responsive to the needs of member countries, but also built on rigorous tested analytics and importantly, it’s aligned with local realities. Through this kind of multi-stakeholder dialogue, we aim to better understand how all our expertise and resources can be directed towards the most pressing challenges of the region.”

    Visit the conference website for more details and to rewatch Day 1 and Day 2 of the discussions.

    Founded in 1919, The American University in Cairo (AUC) is a leading English-language, American-accredited institution of higher education and center of the intellectual, social, and cultural life of the Arab world. It is a vital bridge between East and West, linking Egypt and the region to the world through scholarly research, partnerships with academic and research institutions and study abroad programs.

    The University offers 39 undergraduate, 52 master’s and two PhD programs rooted in a liberal arts education that encourages students to think critically and find creative solutions to conflicts and challenges facing both the region and the world.

    An independent, nonprofit, politically non-partisan, non-sectarian and equal opportunity institution, AUC is fully accredited in Egypt and the United States.

    IMF Communications Department
    MEDIA RELATIONS

    PRESS OFFICER: Angham Al Shami

    Phone: +1 202 623-7100Email: MEDIA@IMF.org

    https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2025/06/04/pr25180-imf-auc-wrap-up-1st-mena-conf-macroecon-structural-policies-shifting-global-econ-landscape

    MIL OSI

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: VIDEO: Ricketts Issues Red Alert on Communist China

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Pete Ricketts (Nebraska)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) discussed the threat Communist China poses to the American way of life. On the 36th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square Massacre, he spoke with Nebraska reporters about Communist China and his recent Congressional Delegation to the Shangri-La Dialogue.

    ”Dictator Xi Jinping has told his military to be ready to seize Taiwan by 2027,” said Ricketts. ”[Communist China’s] actions threaten peace and stability across the Indo-Pacific… Communist China is the very greatest threat to our very way of life. Communist China is actively threatening our rules-based system that we’ve had in place for over 80 years and that has kept peace.”

    Ricketts also highlighted Communist China’s coercion in the Indo-Pacific, and spoke to the importance of America’s continued engagement in the region with our partners.

    “Countries throughout the region know that Communist China is an inconsistent trading partner and a bad neighbor,” said Ricketts. “While Beijing focuses on coercing its neighbors, we are working with our regional partners to deepen relationships. What we heard from America’s friends and partners   in the Indo-Pacific is that they want America there. They want to have a renewed emphasis on strengthening their defense capabilities as well.”

    Watch the video here.

    TRANSCRIPT:

    Senator Ricketts:

    ”Thank you all for joining our weekly press call.

    “36 years ago today, the People’s ‘Liberation Army’ killed or wounded tens of thousands of pro-democracy Chinese protesters in Tiananmen Square.

    “Communist China’s attacks on freedom are not only existential threats to America and the rest of the world but are a tragic reality for their own people.

    “To this day, the Communists censor any mention of these attacks in China in media and across their online platforms, including AI platforms like DeepSeek.

    “Just go use DeepSeek, plug in Tiananmen Square, and see what you get.

    “We remember the lost lives, repression suffered, and the sacrifices made in the Chinese struggle for freedom.

    “I participated in the Shangri-La Dialogue Friday and Saturday of last week in Singapore with Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth.

    “The Shangri-La Dialogue is an annual conference where world leaders meet to discuss defense policy and national security in the Indo-Pacific.

    “Now, why does this matter to Nebraskans?

    “The Indo-Pacific is critical to our peace and prosperity.

    “Communist Chinese aggression has threatened some of our largest trade partners, Japan and South Korea.

    “Singapore hosts over 6000 American companies that are doing business in Asia.

    “This includes ADM, which has nine facilities and processing plants in Nebraska,

    “$5.3 trillion worth of trade flows through the South China Sea.

    “This makes up about 21% of all global trade.

    “If global trade in the region is disrupted by Communist Chinese aggression, Nebraskans would feel it in their pocketbooks.

    “We would not be able to export our agricultural products.

    “We would also not be able to import products, which would drive up prices.

    “The topic that was top of mind for everyone was the increasing aggression from Communist China.

    “Communist China has been infringing upon economic zones of countries other than just Taiwan and attacking them using cyber networks.

    “Dictator Xi Jinping has told his military to be ready to seize Taiwan by 2027 all these actions threaten peace and stability across the Indo-Pacific.

    “Both the Trump and Biden administrations have declared Communist China our foremost geopolitical threat.

    “Communist China is the very greatest threat to our very way of life.

    “Communist China is actively threatening a rules-based system that we’ve had in place for over 80 years and is kept to peace.

    “Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s speech at the conference was heralded as one of the most detailed accounts of the Indo-Pacific by a secretary of defense in years.

    “He said, ‘America is proud to be back in the Indo-Pacific.

    “’America and our interests are here to stay.’

    “I was happy to see the extent of America’s presence at the conference.

    “Unlike Communist China, we sent our top security and defense officials.

    “In addition to Secretary Hegseth, Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, attended.

    “So did Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan King.

    “Admiral Sam Paparo, the INDOPACOM commander in charge of the region, also spoke of the importance of the Indo-Pacific

    “The US Congress was represented by a bipartisan, bicameral delegation from the House and Senate.

    “Countries throughout the region know that Communist China is an inconsistent trading partner and a bad neighbor.

    “While Beijing focuses on coercing its neighbors, we are working with our regional partners to deepen relationships.

    “What we heard from America’s friends and partners in the Indo-Pacific is that they want America there.

    “They want to have a renewed emphasis on strengthening their defense capabilities as well.

    “In the Senate, I am working with my colleagues to make sure we are ready for Xi Jinping aggression.

    “We are making all aspects of our government ready to respond to Beijing’s malign influence and their illegal, coercive, deceptive, and aggressive behavior, we are playing a decisive role in supporting our Indo-Pacific allies and partners.

    “At the same time, we are complicating Xi Jinping plan to take Taiwan through force or coercion.

    “This trip with Senator Duckworth follows an April trip I took to Taiwan and the Philippines with Senator Chris Coons and Ted Budd.

    “These trips highlight the threat posed by Communist China and make it clear to win the fight against Communist China, we must help our regional partners as they help us.

    “What we see in our trips are not weak partners asking for shelter or protection.

    “They are force multipliers for our deterrence.

    “That’s why I’ve been leading legislation like the PORCUPINE Act, which would make it easier for Taiwan to buy American weapons and supplies.

    “I’m also a co-sponsor of the COUNTER Act, which would address the threats of Communist China’s military bases across the globe.

    “I’m leading action to make sure America is ready to counter the Communist threat to our way of life.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 5 June 2025 Donors making a difference: cholera

    Source: World Health Organisation

    Cholera is a severe diarrhoeal disease that can be fatal within hours if not treated. Quick access to treatment is therefore crucial. Researchers estimate that there are 1.3 to 4 million cases and 21 000 to 143 000 deaths from cholera worldwide each year, with cases surging since 2021. Over 40 countries reported cases last year, and WHO estimates that 1 billion people are directly at risk.

    Cholera remains a global public health threat closely linked to inequality and inadequate social and economic development. Access to safe water, basic sanitation and hygiene are essential to prevent cholera and other waterborne diseases.

    WHO works to improve prevention and control of cholera globally, as well as increase awareness. WHO and partners also support research for the development of innovative strategies to prevent and control cholera.

    Below are some examples of how WHO is collaborating with governments and partners across the world, with critical financial support from donors, to prevent and control cholera.

    WHO and the French Development Agency strengthen emergency community responses to cholera in Democratic Republic of Congo

    WHO and the French Development Agency launch a cholera response project in Haut-Katanga to strengthen emergency community responses.
    Photo by: WHO/Joel Lumbala

    WHO, in partnership with the French Development Agency, has launched a catalytic US$ 392 000 project, working closely with the health authorities of Haut-Katanga and the National Program for the elimination of cholera and the fight against other diarrheal diseases.

    This project aims to drastically reduce the risk of cholera epidemics in this southeastern province of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The project will provide medical supplies, improve infection prevention and control, install 40 oral rehydration points and build two semi-durable isolation treatment centres in the Kafubu and Kipushi health zones.

    Over six months, the project will train 50 registered nurses and 140 community health workers in integrated disease surveillance and response, while raising awareness amongst the population on good hygiene practices. The health zones will also be empowered to locally produce liquid chlorine (bleach) to facilitate the decontamination of households affected by suspected cases of cholera, the treatment of drinking water and medical needs in health facilities. Solar kits and reagents will be available for 6 months.

    Read the full story (in French)

    Angola reinforces actions to end cholera with WHO support

    Deploying rapid response teams, training health personnel, establishing cholera treatment centres and units, providing safe drinking water, intensive community engagement, and the rollout of targeted vaccination campaigns is part of the urgent response measures against cholera. Photo by: WHO/Angola

    Since the onset of a cholera outbreak in Angola in January 2025, more than 14 000 cases and 505 associated deaths have been reported. Around 50% of the cases affected people under 20 years.

    The Ministry of Health, in close coordination with WHO and other development partners, carried out a series of urgent response measures. These included deploying rapid response teams, training health personnel, establishing cholera treatment centres and units, providing safe drinking water, intensive community engagement, and the rollout of targeted vaccination campaigns.

    In addition, health authorities, with support from WHO and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), mapped and treated the country’s main water access points. In early 2025, 28 public health officials from 15 municipalities in five of the most affected provinces were trained in mapping water sources. Nearly 320 water sources were mapped, improving access to treated water for people, particularly in Luanda and Icolo e Bengo provinces, which account for around 94% of cholera cases and 15% of related deaths in the country.

    Read the full stories here and here

    How WHO is supporting cholera outbreak response in Sudan

    A child receives oral cholera vaccine in Baqa’a shelter for internally displaced people in Gedaref, October 2024. Photo by: WHO/Omer Tarig

    The Federal Ministry of Health of Sudan declared a cholera outbreak on 12 August 2024, following the confirmation of cases in Kassala State. Heavy rains, flooding, overcrowding, and limited access to clean water in displacement sites and within communities contributed to the rapid spread of the disease. As of 18 January 2025, the outbreak had affected 84 localities across 11 states, with more than 51 300 cases and 1 359 deaths reported.

    As part of the response, the Federal Ministry of Health, with support from WHO and UNICEF, has conducted oral cholera vaccination campaigns in 8 states, reaching 7.4 million people.

    WHO is supporting the outbreak response through comprehensive health interventions that include strengthening surveillance, deployment of rapid response teams for swift investigation of alerts, case management and improving water quality, sanitation and hygiene services in displacement sites and other at-risk communities.

    WHO is able to deliver on its cholera commitment through the financial contribution of donors: Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the European Union Commission, United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), United States Agency for International Development (USAID), UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office (MPTF), and the Governments of France and Germany.

    Read the full story

    WHO and partners launch second cholera vaccine dose to protect young refugees in Cox’s Bazar

    A young girl receives the 2nd dose of the OCV Vaccine in the Rohingya Camps. Photo by: WHO/Terence Ngwabe Che

    In April 2025, WHO, in collaboration with the Government of Bangladesh and health sector partners, launched the second round of a targeted Oral Cholera Vaccination (OCV) campaign in Cox’s Bazar. This initiative aims to administer a second dose of the vaccine to Rohingya refugee children aged 1 to 5 years.

    This builds on the success of the initial mass vaccination campaign conducted in January 2025, across the Cox’s Bazar, Bandarban districts, and on Bhasan Char Island. A total of 1.4 million doses were administered from the 1.6 million doses supplied by the International Coordinating Group on Oral Cholera Vaccine Provision for Cholera Control.

    The vaccine deployment followed an approved request by the Directorate General of Health Services, Communicable Disease Control, with operational support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.

    Read the full story

    WHO and King Salman Humanitarian Aid & Relief Centre expand life-saving health interventions

    KSRelief Supervisor-General, Abdullah Al Rabeeah, and Dr Tedros, signing funding agreements in response to humanitarian crises at the Riyadh International Humanitarian Forum on 24-25 February 2025, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Photo by: WHO/Karim Yassmineh.

    WHO and the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) agreed on a series of new pledges to deliver life-saving health measures for people threatened by cholera and malaria in Yemen. The pledges also support health services for Sudanese who have fled conflict to neighbouring Egypt, and to support polio eradication efforts in countries where the virus continues to circulate. The agreements were signed during the fourth Riyadh International Humanitarian Forum, being held on 24-25 February.

    WHO’s Country Office in Yemen and KSrelief finalized a donation of US$ 2.1 million to support an existing agreement to expand cholera response and control measures, and improve access to treatment in affected and high-risk areas.

    Read the full story

    Purified water, lives saved: the fight against cholera in Haiti continues

    OPS/WHO delivering materials to the Ministry of Public Health and Population to respond against cholera. Photo by: OPS/WHO

    PAHO/WHO continued to support the Ministry of Public Health and Population in its fight against cholera since its resurgence in October 2022. Access to clean and safe water remains a major challenge in Haiti and is a key factor in the decline of the disease across the country.

    With support from the UNCERF and in partnership with the health authorities, PAHO/WHO implemented a project to improve access to drinking water for Acute Diarrhea Treatment Centres, facilities established to treat cholera patients.

    Installing a water treatment unit made it possible to supply drinking water, on demand, by tanker trucks to a network of 15 distribution points, consisting of tankers installed in as many health facilities throughout the department. In the second phase, 218 departmental health officers were trained on methods for accessing drinking water, effective sanitation techniques, and essential hygiene practices to prevent water-related diseases.

    Read the full story (in French)

    Malawi declares end of cholera outbreak

    Case management at Area 25 cholera treatment centre. Photo by: WHO/Ovixlexla Kamenyagwaza-Bunya

    The Government of Malawi, through its Public Health Institute, declared the end of a protracted cholera outbreak that started in March 2022 and lasted over two years. WHO and partners supported the set-up of cholera treatment centres and units and oral rehydration points, provided clinical mentorship, and supported the development of referral guidelines and standardized patient records from the initial stages of the outbreak.

    The surveillance team supported the roll out of the One Health Surveillance Data Platform, intensified case investigations, and strengthened laboratory testing and event-based surveillance. WHO also provided support for oral cholera vaccination campaigns, where over four million doses were administered with a utilization rate of almost 100%.

    To strengthen resilience and bolster global health security, in June 2023, WHO conducted a Scoping Mission which led to the development of a 2-year roadmap. WHO continues to work with multi-sectoral partners and the donor community to support implementation of these priorities. In 2024, USAID and FCDO UK provided funds towards preparedness activities.

    Read the full story

    South Sudan steps up vaccination, response measures to curb cholera

    A vaccinator administering oral cholera vaccine in Renk, Upper Nile State, during December 2024’s campaign after the September outbreak declaration.
    Photo by: WHO/Atem John Ajang

    The Government of South Sudan declared a cholera outbreak in October 2024. In January 2025, the Ministry of Health, with support from WHO and partners, rolled out several oral cholera vaccination campaigns in four high-risk countries: Malakal, Juba, Renk, and Rubkona.

    With support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, around four million doses of the vaccine were approved and around 910 000 doses administered (as of January 2025) in the four counties, which is above 90% coverage.

    WHO continues to distribute essential medical supplies for cholera response to local and national health authorities and partners, which can treat 4 700 cholera cases. WHO has also facilitated the establishment of a 50-bed cholera treatment centre at Juba Teaching Hospital and is supporting the deployment of nine rapid response teams from national level to 11 priority counties to support implementing partners on the ground to provide critical case management.

    Read the full story

    Scaling up cholera testing in Zimbabwe

    WHO staff build cholera treatment centres with support of communities. Photo by: WHO/Vivian Mugarisi

    To ramp up testing for cholera in Zimbabwe, WHO supported the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) with training of 986 nurses in antigen Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) testing, addressing critical staff shortages at rural health centres. Additionally, 44 laboratory personnel at provincial and district levels were trained in cholera culture, further strengthening diagnostic capacity.

    Prior to the training programme, testing capabilities were limited. Between the outbreak’s onset in February 2023 and 18 January 2024, only 2 090 antigen RDTs and 2 250 culture tests were conducted across 10 health centres. Following the training, the number of antigen RFT tests increased to 9 853, a staggering 371% increase. The success of the programme is attributed to the collaborative efforts of various stakeholders including UNICEF, Higher Life Foundation, JHPIEGO, World Vision International and WHO, with MoHCC leading the efforts.

    Funding for the training activities came from the Health Resilience Fund (HRF), UNCERF and the United States Department of the State (USDOS). HRF is a pool of funding from the European Union, the Government of Ireland and the United Kingdom, as well as Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.

    Additionally, in a significant boost to Zimbabwe’s healthcare infrastructure, WHO donated a wide range of medical equipment to the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC). The equipment, valued close to USD$1.8 million, was funded by various donors and partners, including the African Development Bank (AfDB), the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (UNCERF), USAID, and the Government of Japan.

    Read the full stories here and here

    ***

    Read more about WHO’s work on cholera

    The donors and partners acknowledged in this story are (in alphabetical order)

    African Development Bank, European Union, French Development Agency, Germany, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, Health Resilience Fund, Higher Life Foundation, International Coordinating Group on Oral Cholera Vaccine Provision for Cholera Control, Ireland, Japan, JHPIEGO, King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre, United Kingdom Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, UNICEF, UN Central Emergency Response Fund, UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office (MPTF), United States Department of the State, USAID, World Vision International.

    WHO’s work is made possible through all contributions of our Member States and partners. WHO thanks all donor countries, governments, organizations and individuals who are contributing to the Organization’s work, with special appreciation for those who provide fully flexible contributions to maintain a strong, independent WHO.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Europe trade mission will promote B.C. tech, attract investment

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    A B.C. delegation will travel to Europe to promote the province’s expertise in technology to support investment and trade opportunities for businesses in the province, and good-paying jobs for British Columbians.

    The best of B.C. technology and agricultural technology will be highlighted on the world stage during three major tech conferences: London Tech Week, GreenTech in Amsterdam and VivaTech in Paris. These events provide a platform to showcase what B.C. has to offer and attract investment, driving sustainable and innovative growth in B.C.

    Diana Gibson, Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation, and Rick Glumac, Minister of State for Trade, will be in Europe from June 9 until June 14, 2025.

    “Now more than ever, it’s critical that we reach into new markets and promote B.C. as a competitive destination for business across all sectors,” Gibson said. “We will be meeting with investors, key government officials and stakeholders to build connections and showcase our world-class, made-in-B.C. technology.”

    In early 2023, the B.C. government introduced the Trade Diversification Strategy to strengthen and expand the province’s trading base. Through this initiative, B.C. is fostering trade and investment opportunities in new markets while growing its presence in established ones, increasing both the number and diversity of B.C. exporters.

    Today, the province benefits from a network of more than 50 trade and investment representatives across 14 key markets in North America, Europe and Asia. Given rising global trade tensions, the urgency of these efforts has become more pronounced.

    “B.C. is already seeing strong results since the launch of our Trade Diversification Strategy, with exports growing in new and existing markets globally,” Glumac said. “We will be travelling with numerous B.C. companies on this European trade mission to build on our efforts to diversify trade and showcase the incredible innovation coming from B.C.”

    The ministers will be meeting with key representatives during three major tech conferences overseas:

    • London Tech Week is a collection of events featuring tech innovation, entrepreneurship and talent. The Province will highlight B.C.’s economic priorities and gain perspectives on B.C.-U.K. trade and investment, while connecting with B.C. companies successfully operating in the U.K.
    • VivaTech is Europe’s biggest tech and startup event, with companies from more than 25 sectors and more than 2,000 investors and funds. Canada is Country of the Year for 2025 and Scale AI, the Canadian AI Cluster, is organizing a delegation for about 100 Canadian companies, of which 16 are from B.C. In addition, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster and National Research Council are organizing an Ocean Tech mission to France with 11 companies, eight of which are from B.C. As part of that mission, they will be at Vivatech, where a specific focus session on their technologies will be held.  
    • GreenTech Amsterdam is the premier global trade show for horticulture technology, bringing together more than 13,000 professionals and 530 exhibitors from around the world. The event showcases cutting-edge innovations in areas such as greenhouse automation, robotics, AI, climate control, water and energy solutions, and vertical farming. This is the fourth year that B.C. will participate with a booth at the event.

    “Greentech Amsterdam is a prime opportunity to showcase leading companies with made-in-B.C. technologies that advance food production, open doors to global partnerships and drive long-term growth,” said Seychelle Cushing, executive director, B.C. Centre for Agritech Innovation. “The B.C. Centre for Agritech Innovation is proud to partner with leading agri-businesses, government and academia to showcase B.C.’s leadership in agritech innovation on the world stage.”

    The EU meetings build on the work underway on Premier David Eby’s trade mission focused on key markets in Asia, as B.C. elevates and expands its trade efforts for new partnerships in light of the ongoing global trade conflict.

    B.C. is the economic engine of the new Canada and innovation is at the heart of this transformation, positioning the province as a global destination for tech talent and investment.

    Quick Facts:

    • In 2022, the European Union was B.C.’s fifth-largest destination for exports.
    • With 20 EU members and seven non-EU members adopting the euro as their official currency, trade and competition is facilitated between businesses in the region while concurrently providing price stability.
    • The Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement was established in 2017 and facilitates trade between Canada and the European Union.

    Learn More:

    To learn more about the deputy minister’s recent mission to Hannover Messe in Germany, visit: https://www.britishcolumbia.ca/news-stories/b-c-fuels-innovation-at-hannover-messe-2025/

    To read the Trade Diversification Strategy, visit:
    https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/employment-business/international-investment-and-trade/trade-diversification-strategy

    For more about the StrongerBC Economic Plan, visit:
    https://strongerbc.gov.bc.ca/economic-plan/

    For more about trade and investment in B.C., visit: www.britishcolumbia.ca

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • Modi government’s 11-year journey marked by bold reforms and technological transformation: Dr. Jitendra Singh

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    As the Modi government marks 11 years in power, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh hailed the period as one defined by “bold decisions, futuristic reforms, and transformative governance.” Reflecting on more than a decade of leadership under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Dr. Singh stated that this era has redefined India’s developmental narrative while restoring public faith in government systems.

    Speaking in an exclusive interview, Dr. Singh—who oversees portfolios in Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, Atomic Energy, Space, and Public Grievances—emphasized that the government’s major initiatives have consistently prioritized the country’s long-term strategic interests. Citing landmark reforms like the Goods and Services Tax (GST), Digital India, and the opening of critical sectors such as space and atomic energy to private enterprise, he said each step was aligned with the broader vision of a self-reliant and globally competitive India.

    Dr. Singh also highlighted the expanded role of the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), noting its achievements in vaccine development, genetic research, and promoting bio-entrepreneurship. These advances, he said, have contributed significantly to India’s emergence as a global technology hub.

    One of the defining characteristics of the Modi era, according to Dr. Singh, has been the integration of traditional governance objectives with cutting-edge technology. “Under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, sectors like space, atomic energy, and biotechnology received unprecedented support. The global recognition India commands in these fields today is a result of visionary and consistent policies,” he said.

    Space technology, once confined to rocket launches, is now part of everyday life, improving services such as telemedicine, agricultural forecasting, and digital classrooms. Dr. Singh praised the JAM trinity (Jan Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile) and Swachh Bharat Mission for transforming public service delivery and igniting mass social movements that transcend politics.

    Another key initiative, Special Campaign 4.0, was highlighted for its focus on systemic efficiency. Government departments across the country used the campaign to clear backlogs, responsibly dispose of e-waste, and free thousands of square feet of space by removing redundant materials. “What was once waste is now wealth,” Dr. Singh remarked, calling it a model for responsible governance.

    On the administrative front, Dr. Singh underlined the success of reforms like performance-based assessments and lateral entry of professionals, which have begun to change the culture of governance. He described Mission Karmayogi—a flagship bureaucratic training reform—as a cornerstone of this transformation.

    Dr. Singh also elaborated on new pension reforms introduced under the Modi government, particularly those aimed at supporting women. These include continued family pension benefits for childless widows after remarriage and entitlements for divorced daughters whose legal proceedings were initiated while their parents were alive. Additionally, female government employees can now nominate their children for family pensions in cases of marital dispute.

    Commenting on India’s foreign policy, Dr. Singh noted that the country has earned new respect on the global stage. He praised India’s proactive role during global crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic, as proof of the nation’s growing reliability and strategic importance.

    Looking ahead, Dr. Singh said the government has laid the foundation for the next 25 years as India moves toward its centenary in 2047. “This is just the beginning. The next phase will be about accelerating the gains of the last decade and ensuring India’s rightful place in the global order,” he concluded.

  • MIL-OSI Security: Department Files Civil Forfeiture Complaint Against More Than $7.74 Million Laundered on Behalf of the North Korean Government

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    The Department of Justice filed a civil forfeiture complaint today in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia alleging that North Korean information technology (“IT”) workers obtained illegal employment and amassed millions in cryptocurrency for the benefit of the North Korean government, all as a means of evading U.S. sanctions placed on North Korea.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Nasser hospital in Gaza must be preserved

    Source: Médecins Sans Frontières –

    Jerusalem – In southern Gaza, Palestine, Israeli authorities-imposed displacement orders and movement restrictions on Nasser hospital are pushing this vital medical facility to the brink of becoming non-functional, warns Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). Ordering hospitals to refuse new patients and making it harder for people to reach places of care has been a pattern by the Israeli forces throughout this war, aimed at closing the hospitals. Nasser is the last remaining referral hospital in the south of Gaza, a vital lifeline for people in need, and its full functionality must be immediately restored and preserved. Israeli authorities must protect Nasser hospital and guarantee full and unimpeded access to patients and medical staff alike, to avoid more deaths.

    On 3 June, MSF teams were told that any movement to Nasser hospital would require authorisation, and this must be requested with at least 24 hours’ notice. This meant that our medical staff due on the day shift could not reach the hospital. The staff from the previous night had to continue working; they ended up staying on shift for 48 consecutive hours. 

    The outpatient department remained closed for the whole day. Ambulances that were able to carry patients to the hospital did so at great risk, as there was a danger they would be shot at because they lacked authorisation. Nasser hospital’s location on the frontline hampers both staff and patients’ ability to access this essential remaining hospital. 

    This is occurring while people are exhausted, their lives shattered by 20 months of extremely violent war, and a suffocating siege where even the distribution of minimal amounts of aid results in devastating massacres. In this context, any remaining functional medical facility is of critical importance and must be protected.

    The attacks on healthcare in Gaza are not only carried out through military action. They also occur through limitations imposed on the importation of medical supplies, forcing doctors to ration pain relief medicine. They happen through displacement orders, leading to entire hospitals having to shut down at short notice. They occur through harassment and confusing orders issued by Israeli authorities, making it more and more difficult to provide lifesaving care.

    “We have seen this pattern before,” says Jose Mas, head of MSF emergency programmes. “It happened to facilities like Al-Awda and the Indonesian hospital, in northern Gaza, where they were first asked to not admit more patients, and a few days later, were attacked and practically shut down.” 

    “Putting Nasser hospital out of service would equate to a death sentence for the most severe patients among wounded adults and children, critically ill patients, and women in need of emergency obstetric care,” says Mas.

    An MSF staff member assists patients inside Nasser hospital. Gaza, Palestine, May 2025.
    MSF

    Nasser hospital is a large referral hospital with many specialist services no longer found anywhere else in the south of Gaza, including operating theatres, an oxygen plant, ventilators, a blood bank, and incubators. Reducing access to this hospital, and blocking the referral of patients who need specialist, emergency care, stops people from receiving treatment that may save their life. 

    In the past few months, MSF medical teams in Nasser hospital have provided care to over 500 patients in the maternity ward, including women requiring surgical care, as well as to more than 400 babies and children. The hospital is full of patients with burns and severe trauma. 

    Healthcare is under attack everywhere in Gaza. On the morning of 4 June, Israeli forces struck the MSF-supported Al-Aqsa hospital three times, the main facility in Deir Al-Balah, in central Gaza. Although no casualties were reported, it is a stark reminder of how patients, medical staff and health facilities are constantly at great risk in the Gaza Strip.

    Our teams have received patients who have been critically injured while trying to get food, as a result of the shootings which have taken place at the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation food distribution centres. This is in addition to the people who have been wounded in the ongoing bombardment of the Gaza Strip. Hospitals are overflowing with patients.

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Why South Korea’s new leader may be on a collision course with Trump

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Christoph Bluth, Professor of International Relations and Security, University of Bradford

    The new South Korean president, Lee Jae-myung, calls himself a foreign policy “pragmatist”. He says he is driven by South Korea’s national interest, rather than ideology, and has spoken of his desire to improve relations with China and North Korea.

    Under the former president, Yoon Suk Yeol, South Korea’s relationship with these countries came under increasing strain. Yoon adopted a confrontational stance toward North Korea, and openly sided with Washington in its rivalry with Beijing. Lee’s vision may bring his government into conflict with the Trump administration.

    On the campaign trail, Lee sought to dispel doubts about his commitment to the longstanding military alliance between the US and South Korea. He repeatedly described Seoul’s relationship with Washington as the “basic axis of our diplomacy”.

    But he signalled that there would be some rebalancing of relations under his leadership, stressing that South Korea should not rely solely on the US. This reflects the fundamental belief of liberal politicians in South Korea. While acknowledging the importance of ties with the US, they want a more balanced relationship with other regional powers like China.

    Lee says closer relations with China will occur within the framework of South Korea’s alliance with the US. But, with Washington and Beijing battling for global influence, this is still likely to become a major point of tension with the US. The Trump administration has taken a hawkish approach towards China and wants its allies to do the same.

    Lee, for his part, has stated that South Korea should not be forced to choose between the US and China, saying: “We should not put all our eggs in one basket”. And he has signalled that his government will resist efforts by Washington to draw South Korea into any conflict with China over Taiwan or territorial disputes in the South China Sea.

    The Lee government clearly has a delicate balancing act ahead when it comes to the two superpowers. Trump has previously criticised the amount South Korea pays for the US forces stationed on its soil, while recent reports suggest he is considering the withdrawal of about 4,500 US troops from the country.

    Relations with Pyongyang

    Another of Lee’s pressing foreign policy issues is how to deal with the North Korean threat. Yoon’s government avoided dialogue with the North and encouraged the spread of outside information across the border.

    Over the past decade, in response to North Korea’s improved nuclear and missile capabilities, public opinion in South Korea has shifted in favour of developing an independent nuclear weapons programme.

    This is not a strategy the Lee government will pursue. The Democratic party, of which Lee is a member, has historically advocated a policy of engagement and peaceful coexistence with North Korea.

    From 1998 to 2008, and then again from 2017 to 2022, liberal governments in South Korea pursued a so-called “sunshine policy” towards the North. The goal was to reduce tension through engagement, with the ultimate goal being to create the conditions for unification.

    In his inaugural address on June 4, Lee said his government would deal with North Korean aggression with “strong deterrence” – referring to the military alliance with the US. But he also elaborated on the need to again reopen channels of communication with North Korea to deliver peace through talks and cooperation. He added: “Peace is always cheaper than war”.

    In a signal of his intent for renewed engagement with the North, Lee has nominated the former unification minister, Lee Jong-seok, as chief of the National Intelligence Service. Lee Jong-seok was the architect of South Korea’s policy towards the North between 2003 and 2008, during the presidency of Roh Moo-hyun.

    However, the geopolitical landscape has changed in recent years. In January 2024, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un declared South Korea an “enemy” nation and said the North would no longer be working toward reunification. North Korea has since then stopped any contact with the South and has ceased any economic collaboration.

    South Korea’s sunshine policy had seen the development of projects such as the Kaesong Industrial Complex, which involved South Korean businesses establishing factories in North Korea and employing North Korean workers.

    North Korea is a foreign policy issue in which the Trump administration and the Lee government may pursue similar objectives. Trump has also signalled that he is seeking to renew dialogue with North Korea, and has hinted at the possibility of future summits to discuss a nuclear agreement.

    Trump’s first term saw him become the first US president to meet with a North Korean leader while in office, though he ultimately made no progress in restraining North Korea’s nuclear programme.

    Kim is very unlikely to be responsive to efforts by either country to engage in dialogue. North Korea has forged a close partnership with Russia in recent years, which has even seen it send troops to fight against Ukraine, and no longer considers engagement with the US or South Korea necessary.

    It is instead banking on making significant advances in military technology. Russian assistance has reportedly already contributed to improvements in North Korea’s missile guidance systems, while Russia has also supplied North Korea with advanced air defence systems.

    The new Lee government faces a very challenging international environment. The North Korean threat is growing, the US security guarantee is weakening, and it will have to resist Trump’s attempts to draw South Korea into a regional military network to contain China. How it meets all of these challenges will become clear in the months and years ahead.

    Christoph Bluth received funding from the Korea Foundation and the Academy of Korean Studies

    – ref. Why South Korea’s new leader may be on a collision course with Trump – https://theconversation.com/why-south-koreas-new-leader-may-be-on-a-collision-course-with-trump-258143

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Huizenga Introduces Legislation to Protect Free Speech, Stop Government Censorship, & Codify Trump Executive Order into Law

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bill Huizenga (MI-02)

    Today, Congressman Bill Huizenga (R-MI), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on South and Central Asia, announced the introduction of H.R. 3719, the Restoring American Freedom Act. This commonsense measure bans employees at the State Department from silencing the free speech of American citizens by explicitly stating that no taxpayer dollars can be used to unconstitutionally limit the free speech of any American citizen. Additionally, this legislation stops the federal government from using third party entities to “blacklist” Americans or create censorship tools used against Americans.

    “The Restoring American Freedom Act is a direct response to the Biden Administration’s effort to censor Americans, particularly conservatives and those who disagreed with the Administration’s policies,” said Congressman Bill Huizenga. “The federal government should not be censoring the speech of Americans, and they sure as heck shouldn’t be using taxpayer dollars to pay outside organizations to do it either. The Restoring American Freedom Act codifies President Trump’s executive order from April into law and makes sure that free speech is protected and the federal government is never weaponized in this manner against Americans again.”

    The legislative text of the Restoring American Freedom Act can be found here. H.R. 3719 is cosponsored by Representatives Tim Burchett (R-TN), Jefferson Shreve (R-IN), Keith Self (R-TX), Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL), Michael Guest (R-MS), Abe Hamadeh (R-AZ), and Andrew Clyde (R-GA)

    Background

    The State Department’s Global Engagement Center (GEC) played a key role in facilitating the censorship of Americans protected free speech via its shadowy network of grantees and subgrantees. The GEC awarded grants to NGOs, not-for-profits, and for-profit entities that created and sold advertising blacklists that were used to target conservative media outlets and voices. Prior to the 2020 Presidential election, the GEC also quietly worked with a consortium of academic and media entities to monitor and censor political speech in the US by flagging posts to get taken down from social media websites.

    In December 2024, following an investigation from House Foreign Affairs Committee and numerous other committees, Congress allowed the statutory authorization of the Global Engagement Center to lapse. Following the termination of GEC, the Biden Administration restructured the office into a Counter Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference Hub (R/FIMI).

    On January 20, 2025, President Trump issued the Restoring Freedom of Speech and Ending Federal Censorship executive order to end all censorship of Americans by the federal government. On April 16, 2025, President Trump terminated the remaining 40 R/FIMI employees and shuttered the office.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Trump’s travel ban casts shadow over the upcoming Fifa Club World Cup and other US-hosted sporting events

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Eric Storm, Senior Lecturer in General History, Leiden University

    Donald Trump’s controversial announcement of a travel ban on people from 12 countries visiting the US, immediately sparked questions about the implications for the upcoming Fifa Club World Cup and next year’s men’s football World Cup, both hosted in the US, as well as the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

    The Fifa Club World Cup starts on June 15 and is hosted at venues across the US including at stadiums in Miami, Los Angeles and New York. Teams will travel from across the world to the US for the tournament.

    The travel ban will start on June 9, just before the major tournament, which features some of the biggest football clubs in the world, will start.

    While the announcement says athletes competing will be exempt from the ban, it is not obvious that this will extend to fans. And further restrictions on who can enter the country may add to the fear many travellers are feeling of being stopped at the US border.

    The announcement states that “any athlete or member of an athletic team, including coaches, persons performing a necessary support role, and immediate relatives travelling for the World Cup, the Olympics, or other major sporting events as defined by the Secretary of State” will be exempted from the ban. There’s not yet a list of which sporting events will be included in the exemption, or clarification of how the phrase “support role” may be interpreted.

    Some teams that have qualified for the Club World Cup have players from countries listed in the travel ban, and Iran, which is listed, has already qualified for the 2026 World Cup. The countries listed in the travel ban are: Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen. Nationals from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela may also face some restrictions.

    President Trump announces a travel ban on 12 countries.

    The US relationship with both of its co-hosts (Mexico and Canada) for the world cup in 2026 is already rather tense, because of the current geopolitics, rhetoric and US tariffs. There’s already been a significant downturn in Canadian travel to the US, and a boycott of US products, after Trump’s assertions that he could take over his northern neighbour. This has also resulted in some tension at sports matches.

    The rivalry against US teams is likely to be more intense than normal. And it’s possible that many foreign fans could take out their frustration with Trump on US sportspeople. The president, who chairs the taskforce for the 2026 footballing event, could take that personally. And hostilities between rival groups of fans might escalate during the event.

    In the current polarised atmosphere some artists may not want to participate in the opening ceremony, unless they are aligned with Trump’s politics.

    Historical sporting conflicts

    Historically, political tension has had some impact on international sporting events, and affected how they were carried out. During the cold war, 60 countries, including the US, boycotted the Moscow Olympic Games of 1980 in protest against the recent Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. Four years later, 15 countries from the Soviet orbit responded by boycotting the Los Angeles games in 1984.

    After the fall of the Berlin wall in 1989 brought an end to the cold war, international relations generally became more relaxed and this was also reflected in major sport events. Fifa sought to reconcile Japan and South Korea, who had a difficult shared history of colonisation and war-time exploitation, by pressuring them to host the 2002 World Cup together.

    The tournament became a great success, patching up relations between the two countries. Both national teams performed better than anticipated, leading to outbursts of feelgood patriotism. This was unprecedented for Japan, burdened by the memory of the second world war.

    Four years later, the world cup was held in a recently reunited Germany. Fans from around the world, dressed up in their national colours, were welcomed in the host cities. The German public threw off its generally restrained attitude – and celebrated by waving the national flag with enthusiasm. It was felt to be a symbol of a new positive phase of a reunified Germany.

    Since the reelection of Trump, the United States has signalled it is reviewing its support for many international organisations, and is largely disregarding traditional avenues for soft power, (influence through cultural means such as film, art or foreign aid). Trump has also shocked Nato partners by suggesting that the US may not be willing to defend them.

    In the shadow of these international events and the growing geopolitical tensions, the upcoming football world cups may find their atmosphere somewhat dampened.

    Eric Storm 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. Trump’s travel ban casts shadow over the upcoming Fifa Club World Cup and other US-hosted sporting events – https://theconversation.com/trumps-travel-ban-casts-shadow-over-the-upcoming-fifa-club-world-cup-and-other-us-hosted-sporting-events-253496

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Luján, Heinrich Join Bipartisan Legislation to Combat Obesity Epidemic

    US Senate News:

    Source: US Senator for New Mexico Ben Ray Luján
    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) joined a bipartisan group of Senators in reintroducing the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act (TROA) to combat the obesity crisis in the United States by providing regular screenings. The bill would also prevent diseases associated with obesity through expanded coverage of new health care specialists and chronic weight management medications for Medicare recipients.
    “Access to the full range of health care options is essential to preventing deadly, obesity-related illnesses – one of the leading causes of preventable death in the U.S.,” said Senator Luján. “The bipartisan Treat and Reduce Obesity Act will expand Medicare coverage, support those fighting obesity, and help save lives.”
    The bill was introduced by U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), and is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), John Fetterman (D-PA), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Gary Peters (D-MI), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Chris Coons (D-DE).
    The following organizations have endorsed TROA this Congress: Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, American Academy of Pas, American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, American Association of Nurse Practitioners, American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, American Diabetes Association, American Gastroenterological Association, American Medical Group Association, American Psychological Association, American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery, American Society for Nutrition, Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations, Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists, Black Woman’s Health Imperative, Boehringer-Ingelheim, ConscienHealth, Currax, Diabetes Leadership Council, Diabetes Patient Advocacy Coalition, Eli Lilly and Company, Endocrine Society, Gerontological Society of America, Global Liver Institute, Healthcare Leadership Council, HealthyWomen, Intuitive Surgical, MedTech Coalition for Metabolic Health, National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions, National Consumers League, National Council on Aging, National Hispanic Medical Association, National Kidney Foundation, Novo Nordisk, Obesity Action Coalition, Obesity Medicine Association, Ro, Strategies to Overcome and Prevent (STOP) Obesity Alliance, The Obesity Society, Trust for America’s Health, WW Weight Watchers International, and YMCA of the USA.
    Background:
    According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, diseases associated with obesity such as heart disease, stroke, type II diabetes, and certain types of cancer are the leading causes of preventable death in the U.S. TROA would work to directly prevent these comorbidities.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Saskatchewan and Philippines Collaborating on Clean Energy Solutions

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on June 5, 2025

    Today, Saskatchewan and the Philippines signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to cooperate in advancing clean and sustainable energy. 

    “Saskatchewan is critical to energy security, not just here at home, but across the globe,” Trade and Export Development Minister Warren Kaeding said. “This MOU is another positive step toward our regions’ shared energy security goals. With Saskatchewan’s expertise in clean energy, paired with the Philippines’ strategic exploration of nuclear power, we have laid the groundwork for a strong partnership on advancing sustainable energy solutions.”

    This MOU recognizes the importance of cooperation between the two jurisdictions in innovation, diversification, clean technologies and economic and environmental sustainability in the energy sector. Commitments within the agreement include cooperation on technology development and deployment, workforce development, research and innovation, and engagement with community, Indigenous and stakeholder partners. 

    Examples could include exploring the feasibility of small modular reactors in both Saskatchewan and the Philippines and developing shared programs to build a skilled workforce for the nuclear energy sector. It also includes sharing research and expertise on energy policies, regulations and strategies.

    “This MOU is a significant milestone in our 75-year relationship and a manifestation of our shared commitment to building resilient, sustainable, and inclusive energy systems that support long-term economic growth,” Ambassador of the Philippines to Canada Andrelita Austria said.

    Workforce development is a key part of this agreement, aiming to create joint educational and student exchange programs. These programs will focus on the areas of nuclear engineering, smart grid technology and energy storage systems.

    This agreement is another result of the province’s efforts to diversify its markets and expand its reach internationally. 

    Saskatchewan has long understood the importance of international partnerships. 

    That is why our province has a network of nine international offices, including one in Singapore that serves as a key hub for connecting with target markets in Southeast Asia, such as the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia.

    The Philippines continues to be a strong commercial partner, collaborator and innovator with Saskatchewan.

    For more information, visit: InvestSK.ca.

    -30-

    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Allergy-Safe Intubation May Help Prevent Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia

    Source: US Agriculture Research Service

    Allergy-Safe Intubation May Help Prevent Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia

    By: Amaani Lyle
    Email: arspress@usda.gov

    Researchers from the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) have devised a way to lower the health risks of using endotracheal intubation for lifesaving breathing procedures. 

    Endotracheal intubation has been a lifesaving albeit invasive airway opening procedure often performed on unconscious patients or those who can’t breathe spontaneously amid surgery or emergencies.

    The procedure involves placing a flexible tube in the windpipe through a patient’s mouth or nose and can pose a dire risk to patients who have adverse reactions to irritants, allergens, and bacterial infections.

    It is estimated that 8-28% of mechanically ventilated patients develop ventilator associated pneumonia, with some cases fatal.

    An ARS scientist and her team at the U.S. Arid Land Agricultural Research Center (ALARC) in Maricopa, AZ, addressed this challenge to help people safely breathe easier.

    Katrina Cornish, ALARC center director, recently released a published article introducing the advanced endotracheal tube (ETT), which uses balloon cuffs made from guayule latex.

    Study findings suggest the alternative material complements the design: an allergen-safe, guayule latex endotracheal tube balloon cuff, inflates around the ETT to form a seal with the trachea, offering superior leak-proof and mechanical qualities compared to traditional polyvinyl chloride (PVC) balloon cuffs.

    Allergen-safe guayule latex offers superior leak-proof and mechanical qualities for patients requiring endotracheal intubation in comparison to traditional polyvinyl chloride (PVC) balloon cuffs as shown in this diagram. (USDA/ARS diagram)

    “Our innovative guayule latex ETT balloon cuffs offer a significant advancement in patient safety,” said Cornish. “With their allergy-safe properties and exceptional mechanical performance, these cuffs provide a reliable, softer, and safer option for patients requiring endotracheal intubation.”

    Guayule is a perennial shrub native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. One of its applications is being used as a sustainable alternative to traditional rubber, which is sourced from the tropical rubber tree primarily grown in Southeast Asia.

    Freshly harvested guayule bale sits ready for latex extraction. Guayule shrubs are harvested as a fresh crop to make latex. The harvested shrubs are baled for transport to a local latex extraction plant. Allergen-free guayule latex is separated like cream from milk at the extraction plant. (USDA photo/Katrina Cornish)

    These new guayule-based cuffs, designed to be placed around existing pleated PVC cuffs, on the outside, provide a safe alternative for patients with Type I latex allergies, minimize the risk of adverse contact reactions, and prevent leakage of bacteria-laden saliva into the lungs.

    “Our new outer cuffs have been made with guayule latex using an accelerant system specifically designed to prevent adverse contact reactions and create a perfect seal with the patient’s trachea,” Cornish noted.

    Cornish explained future studies could include stability testing of the cuffs against salivary and gastric secretions, multi-variable fluid leakage comparison, edema, and reintubation. She envisioned guayule farming propelling high-value medical products such as ETT cuffs into the commercial sector.

    “If adopted by the healthcare industry, these cuffs have the potential to save hospitals and patients tens of thousands of dollars each year in VAP treatment and prevent deaths caused by ventilator-associated pneumonia,” Cornish said.

    For more information, visit U.S. Arid Land Agricultural Research Center. 

    ###

     

    The Agricultural Research Service is the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s chief scientific in-house research agency. Daily, ARS focuses on solutions to agricultural problems affecting America. Each dollar invested in U.S. agricultural research results in $20 of economic impact. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • Shivraj Singh Chouhan interacts with Punjab farmers as ‘Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan’ reaches halfway milestone

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Thursday marked the halfway milestone of the nationwide ‘Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan’ by engaging directly with farmers in Punjab. The campaign, now in its eighth day, has connected with millions of farmers across India and is aimed at transforming agricultural practices by bridging the gap between research and the realities of the field.

    The event was held in the presence of Punjab Agriculture Minister Shri Gurmeet Singh Khuddian, ICAR Director General Dr. M. L. Jat, and senior officials from Punjab Agricultural University, alongside scientists and local farming representatives.

    Addressing the gathering, Shri Chouhan stressed that the campaign is designed to deliver practical scientific knowledge to the grassroots level, turning “lab to land” into a reality. Agricultural experts are actively visiting villages with localized knowledge to advise farmers on soil health, crop choices, pest control, and efficient use of agrochemicals. Data collected during these interactions is also helping guide agricultural research toward real-world challenges.

    Sharing his personal commitment, the Minister recounted operating a tractor himself during one such field visit to understand farmers’ day-to-day difficulties. He affirmed that future agricultural policy will be built upon the grassroots insights gathered through this campaign.

    Chouhan praised Punjab for its historic role as India’s food bowl, crediting its farmers with helping the country achieve food self-sufficiency. He recalled the era of dependence on imported wheat under the PL-480 agreement and emphasized how the Green Revolution, powered by Punjab’s farmers, had decisively ended that reliance.

    The Minister highlighted India’s agricultural achievements under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, noting that all previous production records in wheat, rice, pulses, and oilseeds had been surpassed. He pointed to Punjab’s vast potential in horticulture and its capacity to produce high-quality fruits and vegetables for global markets.

    Among the techniques promoted through the campaign, Shri Chouhan spotlighted Direct Seeding of Paddy (DSR) as a promising alternative to traditional transplanting. Farmers practicing DSR have reported comparable yields with significantly lower labor and water requirements, the Minister noted. He also cautioned against excessive pesticide use, urging balanced application to preserve both crop quality and input efficiency.

    In his address, Chouhan laid out six core goals for Indian agriculture: increasing productivity, lowering production costs, ensuring fair pricing, compensating crop losses, encouraging crop diversification, and conserving natural resources for future generations.

    He also welcomed Prime Minister Modi’s decision to revoke the Indus Waters Treaty, calling it a long-overdue move in favor of Indian farmers. He said the treaty had disproportionately affected farming communities in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir, and expressed optimism that India’s water resources would now be harnessed for its own agricultural needs.

  • MIL-OSI Europe: At a Glance – The EU’s digital partnerships – 05-06-2025

    Source: European Parliament 2

    The EU launched digital partnerships with several Asian countries and Canada in 2022 and 2023, to promote human-centric, responsible, sustainable and inclusive technology governance. These partnerships help the EU to address vulnerabilities like foreign technology dependence and cybersecurity threats, aligning with its Indo-Pacific cooperation strategy. The EU and the partner countries usually meet once a year at ministerial level to discuss topics of mutual interest.

    MIL OSI Europe News –