Category: Asia

Over 100 terrorists killed in Pakistan terror hubs during Operation Sindoor: DGMO Lt Gen Rajeev Ghai

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (2)

ore than 100 terrorists, including those linked to the 1999 Indian Airlines IC-814 hijacking and the 2019 Pulwama terror attack, were killed in precision strikes conducted by Indian armed forces in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) under Operation Sindoor, Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) Lt Gen Rajeev Ghai said on Sunday.

Addressing a press conference in the capital, Lt Gen Ghai said the operation was conceived with a clear military objective: to target the perpetrators and planners of the recent Pahalgam terror attack, in which 26 civilians were killed.

“Operation Sindoor was conceptualised with a clear military aim—to punish the perpetrators and planners of terror and to destroy their infrastructure. What I will not reiterate here is India’s established resolve and intolerance for terrorism,” he said.

Among those killed were high-value targets such as Yusuf Azhar, Abdul Malik Rauf, and Mudasir Ahmed. According to officials, these individuals were directly involved in the hijacking of IC-814 and the Pulwama suicide bombing that claimed the lives of 40 CRPF personnel.

“Strikes across nine identified terror hubs eliminated more than 100 terrorists. Some of these locations were actively being used as launch pads and training centres,” Ghai said.

He also confirmed that the Indian Air Force and Indian Navy played significant roles in executing the strikes. “The Air Force engaged several camps with precision targeting, and the Navy provided advanced munitions. The IAF maintained air dominance during the operations,” he added.

In response to the strikes, Pakistani forces violated the Line of Control (LoC), leading to retaliatory engagements. Ghai described Pakistan’s reaction as “erratic and rattled”, pointing out that several civilian areas, including villages and religious sites such as gurdwaras, were hit during their response, resulting in civilian casualties.

Ghai said the Pahalgam attack, along with a string of recent terror strikes, was a tipping point. “The brutal killing of 26 innocent civilians at Pahalgam on April 22, coupled with other attacks on our forces and defenceless civilians, made it imperative for India to respond decisively,” he said.

Post-strike surveillance indicated that several terror hubs had been vacated in anticipation of Indian retaliation. “We undertook a thorough assessment of the terror infrastructure across the border. Many of these sites had been pre-emptively abandoned, likely fearing retribution,” he said.

The government has not released an official count of casualties on the Pakistani side, reiterating that the mission’s objective was not body count but the neutralisation of terror networks.

May 12, 2025
MIL-OSI Banking: ADB’s Work in Urban Development: Building Livable Cities

Source: Asia Development Bank

ADB has partnered with countries in Asia and the Pacific since 1968 to improve urban services and living conditions. With a With a portfolio of $1.7 billion in 2024,, ADB focuses on making cities green, competitive, inclusive, and resilient, tackling complex urban challenges through integrated approaches.

MIL OSI Global Banks –

May 12, 2025
MIL-OSI China: South Korea sweep recurve golds at Archery World Cup

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

South Korea completed a dominant sweep of all five recurve titles at the Archery World Cup Shanghai stop, the second stage of the 2025 season, on Sunday, while host China claimed two silver medals in team events.

In the recurve men’s team final, the Korean trio of Lee Woo-seok, Kim Je-deok, and Kim Woo-jin delivered a flawless first set with a perfect 60-point score, overpowering France 6-0. The United States took bronze with a 5-3 win over India.

Kim Woojin of South Korea competes during the gold final of the Recurve Mixed Team competition at Shanghai 2025 Archery World Cup Stage 2 in Shanghai, east China, May 11, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Xiang)

The recurve women’s team final featured a clash between South Korea and China. Despite an uncharacteristic 7 in the third set from the Koreans, young Chinese archers Zhu Jingyi and Huang Yuwei struggled under pressure, allowing the reigning Olympic champions to seal a 6-2 victory. Chinese Taipei claimed bronze by defeating Mexico 5-1.

South Korea continued its supremacy in the mixed team event, with Olympic champions Kim Woo-jin and Lim Si-hyeon overpowering China’s Wang Yan and Li Jiaman 6-2. Türkiye secured the bronze medal.

“These young athletes experienced their first international final showdown against Korean archers,” said Chinese coach Kwon Yong-hak. “They were angry after the match – I told them they should feel that way. This unyielding attitude is crucial for growth.”

He particularly noted Li Jiaman’s determination: “She desperately wanted redemption after the women’s team loss, but the mounting pressure affected her mixed team performance. We’re not afraid of losing – these lessons will fuel our preparation for Los Angeles 2028.”

Kim Woo-jin cemented his status as the tournament’s standout athlete, adding individual men’s gold to his team and mixed team triumphs. The Paris 2024 Olympic champion edged Mexico’s Matias Grande 7-1 in the final. In the women’s event, Lee Ga-hyun completed Korea’s golden sweep with a 6-2 victory over compatriot Lim Si-hyeon.

The compound finals on Saturday saw Dutch star Mike Schloesser claim his tenth World Cup stage gold in the men’s final, while India’s Madhura Dhamangaonkar secured her victory in the women’s final. Team honors went to India (men), Mexico (women), and Britain’s Ella Gibson and Ajay Scott (mixed).

The Archery World Cup moves to Antalya, Türkiye for its next stage from June 3-8.

MIL OSI China News –

May 12, 2025
MIL-OSI Economics: [Interview] Transforming the Monitor Experience: Expanding the Boundaries With Odyssey 3D

Source: Samsung

“The Odyssey 3D marks the beginning of a new era of experiences.”— Taekwan Lee, Samsung Electronics

3D content has often been associated with inconvenience. Enjoying it typically required specialized equipment such as 3D glasses or head-mounted displays (HMDs). Imperfections in the delivery of 3D images caused crosstalk, potentially leading to dizziness. These discomforts would chip away the immersion of 3D content.

Samsung Electronics is changing that narrative with the introduction of the Odyssey 3D (G90XF) — a finely tuned glasses-free 3D gaming monitor. Featuring eye-tracking and view-mapping technology, the Odyssey 3D marks a paradigm shift in immersive viewing and gaming experiences.

Samsung Newsroom sat down with Donghwa Lim from the Enterprise R&D Lab and Taekwan Lee from the Product Innovation Lab, both part of the Visual Display (VD) Business at Samsung Electronics, to discuss how the Odyssey 3D is redefining perceptions of 3D.

The Three Core Technologies Behind Odyssey 3D
3D displays create a sense of dimension using binocular disparity, in which the brain perceives depth by processing the slightly different images seen by each eye. Leveraging this principle, the Odyssey 3D delivers a glasses-free 3D experience by precisely presenting different images to each eye without the need for external equipment. The eye-tracking technology is designed to recognize users’ eyes even when they are wearing glasses.

“It’s incredibly rewarding to bring to market a technology that once seemed out of reach.”— Donghwa Lim, Samsung Electronics

At the heart of the Odyssey 3D are three key technologies — eye tracking, view mapping and a lenticular lens.

▲ Odyssey 3D features a myriad of technologies to deliver an immersive, glasses-free 3D experience

Eye tracking is enabled by a stereo camera mounted at the top of the monitor, detecting and tracking the user’s eye movements in real time.

“Because the two cameras capture different images, much like human eyes, they can determine the exact position of the user’s eyes and distance between the eyes and the monitor in real time,” said Lim. “This real-time eye position detection allows us to deliver a precise 3D image, even when the user moves.”

▲ (From left) View mapping and the lenticular lens

Based on this data, the system calculates the correct pixel positioning for each eye and reconstructs a single image through a process called view mapping. The final mapped images are then separately delivered to each eye through the lenticular lens, allowing the images from the display panels to be visible to each eye by utilizing light refraction.

What’s more, the Odyssey 3D isn’t limited to 3D gameplay alone. Since the Odyssey 3D was developed as a gaming monitor, it performs exceptionally well in terms of picture quality and response speed, even when used for 2D gameplay. The lenticular lens activates only when a 3D mode is enabled by Reality Hub.

Minimizing Crosstalk With Samsung’s Advanced Display Technology
While 3D effects offer new levels of immersion, even minor visual inconsistencies can disrupt the experience. Samsung has dedicated significant resources to ensuring premium 3D visuals.

“Crosstalk occurs when the images perceived by the left and right eyes aren’t properly aligned,” said Lim. “It can lead to dizziness and other visual discomforts, so we developed several techniques to reduce it.”

▲ Donghwa Lim, Enterprise R&D Lab, Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics, explains how technologies were meticulously put together to minimize crosstalk

“Even the slightest misalignments during the production or assembly of camera and display components can affect image accuracy,” he noted. “To address this, Samsung applies post-assembly calibration for both the camera and display panel and stores unit-specific data into a dedicated chip inside the monitor.”

In addition to hardware calibration, the Odyssey 3D features a deep learning-based eye-tracking algorithm and a specially engineered display cell coating designed to reduce light distortion and glare — all contributing to minimizing crosstalk and delivering a refined 3D experience.

Driving 3D Gaming Innovation Through Industry Partnerships
The true strength of the Odyssey 3D comes to life during gameplay. To bring immersive and personalized gaming experiences to users, Samsung is actively collaborating with industry partners to optimize games for glasses-free 3D.

“When industry-leading companies join forces, the benefits are ultimately passed on to gamers.”— Taekwan Lee, Samsung Electronics

In partnership with Microsoft and virtual reality (VR) company Zero Density, Samsung has made high-quality 3D gaming content available through Reality Hub — a Windows-based 3D content platform that also supports the conversion of 2D photos and videos into 3D.

▲ Taekwan Lee, Product Innovation Lab, Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics, explains that cross-industry efforts are key in expanding the 3D market

Joint efforts are also underway to expand 3D gaming content.

“Game developers are constantly exploring ways to offer new experiences to users,” said Lee. “One of those directions is 3D gaming.”

While the 3D gaming market is still emerging, Lee emphasized that industry-wide collaboration is key to accelerating its growth.

“The First Berserker: Khazan” — a recently published game developed by Nexon Korea and Neople — stands as a notable example of how 3D immersion can come to life through collaboration with Samsung during development.

“Through this partnership, Nexon, Neople and Samsung have been working closely to tailor the 3D visuals, carefully adjusting them based on the composition of characters and backgrounds. We ensured that everything from scene-specific factors to cinematic transitions could be presented more vividly on Odyssey 3D monitor,” he explained.

▲ A scene from “The First Berserker: Khazan”

“Creating effects like drifting particles, fast-moving flames and cinematic cutscenes1 was technically challenging, but I’m proud of what we achieved through teamwork,” Lee added. “In particular, the snowy mountain scene in Khazan gives the impression that snowflakes are flying directly toward the player when played on the Odyssey 3D. It’s an experience I would strongly recommend trying firsthand.”

“Our research is a journey to connect users to the future.”— Taekwan Lee, Samsung Electronics

With the Odyssey 3D, Samsung is elevating the gaming experience to new levels of immersion.

“We are in discussions with local and global game developers to expand the 3D gaming market,” he emphasized. “Our goal is to collaborate with more developers to bring a broader range of 3D games to users. When industry-leading companies join forces, the benefits are ultimately passed on to gamers.”

From Impossible to Possible: Leading the Future of 3D Monitors
Lim reflected on how far technology has come over the past decade.

“Way back when I first joined Samsung, I attended a meeting on 3D technology where the lenticular lens was deemed ‘not feasible’ with existing technology,” he said. “Now, years later, we’ve not only made it possible, but we’ve also brought it to market. It’s incredibly remarkable and deeply rewarding to see a product launch built on technology that once seemed out of reach.”

▲ Donghwa Lim and Taekwan Lee are excited about the market potential of 3D content and monitors

“Our research to create new experiences is a journey to connect users to the future. The Odyssey 3D marks the beginning of a new era in expanding the boundaries of technology-driven experiences,” said Lee. “Games played on the Odyssey 3D are sure to deliver a ‘wow’ factor — not just at specific moments, but throughout the entire experience.”

As Samsung continues to lead the gaming monitor market, the Odyssey 3D stands as a powerful example of how the company is redefining immersive experiences and pushing the limits of display innovation.

1 Short storytelling clips shown between stages during gameplay.

MIL OSI Economics –

May 12, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: ‘Fighting more frequent now’ – researcher warns of escalating West Papua conflict

By Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific journalist

The escalation of violence in West Papua is on par with some of the most intense times of conflict over the past six decades, a human rights researcher says.

The United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) claims that Indonesia killed at least one civilian and severely injured another last Tuesday in Puncak Regency.

In a statement, ULMWP interim president Benny Wenda said Deris Kogoya, 18, was killed by a rocket attack from a helicopter while riding his motorbike near Kelanungin Village.

Jemi Waker, meanwhile, sustained severe violent injuries, including to both his legs.

The statement said Waker had refused to go to hospital, fearing he would be killed if he went.

Human Rights Watch researcher Andreas Harsono said that over the past month he had received an unusually high number of messages accompanied by gruesome photos showing either Indonesian soldiers or civilians being killed.

“The fighting is much more frequent now,” Harsono said.

More Indonesian soldiers
“There are more and more Indonesian soldiers sent to West Papua under President Pradowo.

“At the same time, indigenous Papuans are also gaining more and more men, unfortunately also boys, to join the fight in the jungle.”

He said the escalation could match similarly intense periods of conflict in 1977, 1984, and 2004.

A spokesperson for Indonesia’s Embassy in Wellington said they could not confirm if there had been a military attack in Puncak Regency on Tuesday.

However, they said all actions conducted by Indonesia’s military were in line with international law.

They said there were attacks in March and April of this year, instigated by an “armed criminal group” targeting Indonesian workers and civilians.

Harsono said if the attack was on civilians, it would be a clear breach of human rights.

Confirmation difficult
However, he said it was difficult to confirm due to the remoteness of the area. He said it was common for civilians to wear army camouflage because of surplus Indonesian uniforms.

https://t.co/m15LSHXmZW

— Benny Wenda (@BennyWenda) May 7, 2025

ULMWP’s Benny Wenda said West Papuans were “a forgotten, voiceless people”.

“Where is the attention of the media and the international community? How many children must be killed before they notice we are dying?”

Wenda compared the lack of attention with the Russia-Ukraine war and the Israel-Palestine conflict that was getting more media attention.

He said Indonesia had banned media “to prevent journalists from telling the world what is really going on”.

The Indonesian Embassy spokesperson said foreign journalists were not allowed in the area for their own safety.

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

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

May 12, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Major brands don’t need to kowtow to Trump: they have the power to bring people together

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael Beverland, Professor of Brand Management, University of Sussex Business School, University of Sussex

Whatever you think of his personality or politics, it’s impossible to deny the success of Donald Trump as a brand. Supporters and detractors across the world are transfixed by his second term as US president.

And so far, many corporate brands appear keen to get alongside him. The leaders of Tesla, Amazon and Meta were all prominent guests at Trump’s inauguration in January 2025.

By then, Mark Zuckerberg had already shifted company policy on fact checking to be more aligned with the political wind. Weeks later, retail giants Walmart and Target had rolled back diversity, equality and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.

Even the NFL, which had so infuriated Trump in his first term with its support for diversity, has come to heel.

So now that Trump is back in town, is the only option available to big US organisations to swing to the right? Well, not necessarily.

Our research suggests that the rise of populism actually represents an opportunity for brands to rebuild a sense of shared national identity.

And the most well-known brands are the best placed to do this. Their familiar place in people’s everyday lives gives them huge power as non-political agents of collective identity which can cross divides of race, class, geography and age.

A great example of this was during the presidential election campaign when Trump’s team wanted to organise a publicity stunt involving the Republican candidate “working” at a branch of McDonald’s in Pennsylvania.

Trump’s love of the golden arches is well known, but McDonald’s is a strongly non-political brand. So what should it do? Refuse and risk a backlash, or accept and be accused of taking sides?

In the end, the company’s response was a masterclass in neutrality.

McDonald’s told its employees that the company was neither red (Republican) nor blue (Democrat), but golden. Referring to both presidential candidates’ love of McDonald’s, the company made it clear that the permission granted to Trump illustrated one of their core values, stating: “We open our doors for everyone”.

The plan worked. And this was partly down to McDonald’s being widely thought of as an authentic brand which connects people.

Research has shown that people really value a company’s place in local communities. And McDonald’s is a place which hosts children’s birthday parties, where you can catch up with friends, where you might even have had your first ever job.

This kind of power to unify is something other brands can do too. As something our earlier research shows, brands can benefit from bringing people together, by creating a sense of shared identity.

Brand new

In New Zealand for example, ANZ Bank was widely applauded for a campaign featuring Indian immigrants. The advert tells the story of a father and son and their mixed cricketing loyalties (the parent to India, the child to New Zealand).

It is a tale of immigrants achieving their version of the national dream, through hard work and trademark Kiwi humour. This kind of narrative-driven campaign does not pitch one side against another, but instead highlights the things that bind people together.

Similarly in the UK, the department store John Lewis has become a seasonal advertising staple as it reminds customers of their shared rituals over Christmas. And Kraft’s “How do you love your Vegemite” campaign allowed new immigrants to participate in local snacking rituals, helping them feel Australian.

In the US, a 1971 Coca Cola commercial (one of the most lauded adverts ever) presented a united multi-cultural collection of young people as a response to the anti-Vietnam war counter-culture.

So far, American brands have struggled to navigate the ever-shifting pronouncements coming from the White House in Trump’s second term. Amazon for example, quickly went back on its decision to list the cost of tariffs on products after it was branded a “hostile move”.

But one brand does stand out. And that’s Ford.

Perhaps it was inevitable that the car maker which came to symbolise successful 20th century American manufacturing would get this right. And the company’s decision to extend employee discounts to all consumers in what it describes as “unprecedented times” is a clever move.

Some might call it a cynical tactic to embrace Trump’s tariffs and encourage Americans to buy American. But the firm (which will likely take a huge hit from more expensive imported parts and materials) is doing much more than that.

Its new campaign (with the slogan “From America for America”) reminds US citizens that the brand is part of their lives, regardless of their political home. Supportive full-page print ads go further, setting out the firm’s long history spent backing the people of America.

One Ford executive says that the campaign is about “authenticity” and Ford being a brand “that all consumers can rely on, especially in these uncertain times”.

Authenticity is much prized when the political landscape is so polarised. And while divisions cannot be healed solely by brands, they can help to remind us of shared values and a sense of community. And in doing so, dial down those political tensions.

The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. Major brands don’t need to kowtow to Trump: they have the power to bring people together – https://theconversation.com/major-brands-dont-need-to-kowtow-to-trump-they-have-the-power-to-bring-people-together-249401

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

May 12, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: India-Pakistan ceasefire shouldn’t disguise fact that norms have changed in South Asia, making future de-escalation much harder

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Farah N. Jan, Senior Lecturer in International Relations, University of Pennsylvania

A member of the Indian Border Security Force stands guard near the India-Pakistan border. Narinder Nanu/AFP via Getty Images

India and Pakistan have seen the scenario play out before: a terror attack in which Indians are killed leads to a succession of escalatory tit-fot-tat measures that put South Asia on the brink of all-out war. And then there is a de-escalation.

The broad contours of that pattern have played out in the most recent crisis, with the latest step being the announcement of a ceasefire on May 10, 2025.

But in another important way, the flare-up – which began on April 22 with a deadly attack in Indian-controlled Kashmir, in which 26 people were killed – represents significant departures from the past. It involved direct missile exchanges targeting sites inside both territories and the use of advanced missile systems and drones by the two nuclear rivals for the first time.

As a scholar of nuclear rivalries, especially between India and Pakistan, I have long been concerned that the erosion of international sovereignty norms, diminished U.S. interest and influence in the region and the stockpiling of advanced military and digital technologies have significantly raised the risk of rapid and uncontrolled escalation in the event of a trigger in South Asia.

These changes have coincided with domestic political shifts in both countries. The pro-Hindu nationalism of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has heightened communal tensions in the country. Meanwhile Pakistan’s powerful army chief, Gen. Syed Asim Munir, has embraced the “two-nation theory,” which holds that Pakistan is a homeland for the subcontinent’s Muslims and India for Hindus.

Newspapers with front page articles on the India-Pakistan conflict are displayed on May 8, 2025.
Narinder Nanu/AFP via Getty Images

This religious framing was even seen in the naming of the two countries’ military operations. For India, it is “Operation Sindoor” – a reference to the red vermilion used by married Hindu women, and a provocative nod to the widows of the Kashmir attack. Pakistan called its counter-operation “Bunyan-un-Marsoos” – an Arabic phrase from the Quran meaning “a solid structure.”

The role of Washington

The India-Pakistan rivalry has cost tens of thousands of lives across multiple wars in 1947-48, 1965 and 1971. But since the late 1990s, whenever India and Pakistan approached the brink of war, a familiar de-escalation playbook unfolded: intense diplomacy, often led by the United States, would help defuse tensions.

In 1999, President Bill Clinton’s direct mediation ended the Kargil conflict – a limited war triggered by Pakistani forces crossing the Line of Control into Indian-administered Kashmir – by pressing Pakistan for a withdrawal.

Similarly, after the 2001 attack inside the Indian Parliament by terrorists allegedly linked to Pakistan-based groups Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage engaged in intense shuttle diplomacy between Islamabad and New Delhi, averting war.

And after the 2008 Mumbai attacks, which saw 166 people killed by terrorists linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba, rapid and high-level American diplomatic involvement helped restrain India’s response and reduced the risk of an escalating conflict.

As recently as 2019, during the Balakot crisis – which followed a suicide bombing in Pulwama, Kashmir, that killed 40 Indian security personnel – it was American diplomatic pressure that helped contain hostilities. Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo later wrote in his memoirs, “I do not think the world properly knows just how close the India-Pakistan rivalry came to spilling over into a nuclear conflagration in February 2019.”

A diplomatic void?

Washington as peacemaker made sense: It had influence and a vested interest.

During the Cold War, the U.S. formed a close alliance with Pakistan to counter India’s links with the Soviet Union. And after the 9/11 terror attacks, the U.S. poured tens of billions of dollars in military assistance into Pakistan as a frontline partner in the “war on terror.”

Simultaneously, beginning in the early 2000s, the U.S. began cultivating India as a strategic partner.

A stable Pakistan was a crucial partner in the U.S. war in Afghanistan; a friendly India was a strategic counterbalance to China. And this gave the U.S. both the motivation and credibility to act as an effective mediator during moments of India-Pakistan crisis.

Today, however, America’s diplomatic attention has shifted significantly away from South Asia. The process began with the end of the Cold War, but accelerated dramatically after the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. More recently, the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East have consumed Washington’s diplomatic efforts.

Since President Donald Trump took office in January 2025, the U.S. has not appointed an ambassador in New Delhi or Islamabad, nor confirmed an assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asian Affairs – factors that must have hampered any mediating role for the United States.

And while Trump said the May 10 ceasefire followed a “long night of talks mediated by the United States,” statements from India and Pakistan appeared to downplay U.S. involvement, focusing instead on the direct bilateral nature of negotiations.

Should it transpire that Washington’s role as a mediator between Pakistan and India has been diminished, it is not immediately obvious who, if anyone, will fill the void. China, which has been trying to cultivate a role of mediator elsewhere, is not seen as a neutral mediator due to its close alliance with Pakistan and past border conflicts with India. Other regional powers like Iran and Saudi Arabia tried to step in during the latest crisis, but both lack the power clout of the U.S. or China.

This absence of external mediation is not, of course, a problem in itself. Historically, foreign interference – particularly U.S. support for Pakistan during the Cold War – often complicated dynamics in South Asia by creating military imbalances and reinforcing hardline positions. But the past has shown external pressure – especially from Washington – can be effective.

Breaking the norms

The recent escalation unfolded against the backdrop of another dynamic: the erosion of international norms since the end of the Cold War and accelerating after 2001.

America’s “war on terror” fundamentally challenged international legal frameworks through practices such as preemptive strikes against sovereign states, targeted drone killings and the “enhanced interrogation techniques” of detainees that many legal scholars classify as torture.

More recently, Israel’s operations in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria have drawn widespread criticism for violations of international humanitarian law – but have resulted in limited consequences.

Security forces patrol the street near the Wuyan area of Pampore in south Kashmir on May 7, 2025.
Faisal Khan/Anadolu via Getty Images

In short, geopolitical norms have been ebbed away and military actions that were once deemed red lines are crossed with little accountability.

For India and Pakistan, this environment creates both opportunity and risk. Both can point to behaviors elsewhere to justify assertive actions that they have undertaken that, in previous years, would have been deemed a step too far – such as attacks on places of worship and sovereignty violations.

Multi-domain warfare

But what truly distinguished the latest crisis from those of the past is, I believe, its multi-domain nature. The conflict is no longer confined to conventional military exchanges along the line of control – as it was for the first five decades of the Kashmir question.

Both countries largely respected the line of control as a de facto boundary for military operations until the 2019 crisis. Since then, there has been a dangerous progression: first to cross-border airstrikes into each other’s territories, and now to a conflict that spans conventional military, cyber and information spheres simultaneously.

Reports indicate Chinese-made Pakistani J-10 fighter jets shot down multiple Indian aircraft, including advanced French Rafale jets. This confrontation between Chinese and Western weapons represents not just a bilateral conflict but a proxy test of rival global military technologies – adding another layer of great-power competition to the crisis.

In addition, the use of loitering drones designed to attack radar systems represents a significant escalation in the technological sophistication of cross-border attacks compared to years past.

The conflict has also expanded dramatically into the cyber domain. Pakistani hackers, claiming to be the “Pakistan Cyber Force,” report breaching several Indian defense institutions, potentially compromising personnel data and login credentials.

Simultaneously, social media and a new right-wing media in India have become a critical battlefront. Ultranationalist voices in India incited violence against Muslims and Kashmiris; in Pakistan, anti-India rhetoric similarly intensified online.

Cooler voices prevailing … for now

These shifts have created multiple escalation pathways that traditional crisis management approaches weren’t designed to address.

Particularly concerning is the nuclear dimension. Pakistan’s nuclear doctrine is that it will use nuclear weapons if its existence is threatened, and it has developed short-range tactical nuclear weapons intended to counter Indian conventional advantages. Meanwhile, India has informally dialed back its historic no-first-use stance, creating ambiguity about its operational doctrine.

Thankfully, as the ceasefire announcement indicates, mediating voices appear to have prevailed this time around. But eroding norms, diminished great power diplomacy and the advent of multi-domain warfare, I argue, made this latest flare-up a dangerous turning point.

What happens next will tell us much about how nuclear rivals manage, or fail to manage, the spiral of conflict in this dangerous new landscape.

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

– ref. India-Pakistan ceasefire shouldn’t disguise fact that norms have changed in South Asia, making future de-escalation much harder – https://theconversation.com/india-pakistan-ceasefire-shouldnt-disguise-fact-that-norms-have-changed-in-south-asia-making-future-de-escalation-much-harder-256285

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

May 12, 2025
MIL-OSI Video: True American Hero – Marines Col. Harvey Curtiss Barnum Jr. (FULL VIDEO)

Source: United States Department of Defense (video statements)

—————
Within the first two weeks of @marines Col. Harvey Curtiss “Barney” Barnum Jr.’s first deployment to Vietnam, the then lieutenant found himself calmly leading his company out of an intense enemy ambush. Barnum’s sound decisions that day helped stabilize his badly depleted unit. For his courage and selflessness, he earned the #MedalofHonor.

#military #marines

For more on the Department of Defense, visit: http://www.defense.gov
—————
Keep up with the Department of Defense on social media!

Like the DoD on Facebook: http://facebook.com/DeptofDefense
Follow the DoD on Twitter: http://twitter.com/DeptofDefense
Follow the DoD on Instagram: http://instagram.com/DeptofDefense
Follow the DoD on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/DeptofDefense

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtpGX5TMwzA

MIL OSI Video –

May 12, 2025
MIL-OSI Video: True American Hero – Marines Col. Harvey Curtiss Barnum Jr.

Source: United States Department of Defense (video statements)

Within the first two weeks of @marines Col. Harvey Curtiss “Barney” Barnum Jr.’s first deployment to Vietnam, the then new lieutenant found himself calmly leading his company out of an intense enemy ambush. Barnum’s sound decisions that day helped stabilize his badly depleted unit. For his courage and selflessness, he earned the #MedalofHonor.

#military #marines

For more on the Department of Defense, visit: http://www.defense.gov

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtTm8ya8dvs

MIL OSI Video –

May 12, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New NHS programme to reduce brain injury in childbirth 
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

Press release

New NHS programme to reduce brain injury in childbirth 

Government to roll out the Avoiding Brain Injuries in Childbirth (ABC) programme nationally
Government rolls out NHS programme to boost maternity safety

Scheme will help maternity staff rapidly respond to emergencies and protect mothers and babies

Hundreds of maternity staff, including obstetricians, midwives and anaesthetists, involved in developing and testing quality improvement programme

Expectant mothers will receive safer maternity care as a new NHS programme to help prevent brain injury during childbirth is rolled out across the country.

The Avoiding Brain Injury in Childbirth (ABC) programme will help maternity staff to better identify signs that the baby is in distress during labour so they can act quickly.

It will also help staff respond more effectively to obstetric emergencies, such as where the baby’s head becomes lodged deep in the mother’s pelvis during a caesarean birth.

The government programme, which will begin from September and follows an extensive development phase and pilot scheme, will reduce the number of avoidable brain injuries during childbirth – helping to prevent lifelong conditions like cerebral palsy.

The national rollout is only one step the government is taking to improve maternity services under its Plan for Change to fix the health service, as it reforms the NHS to ensure all women receive safe, personalised and compassionate care.  

Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said:

All expectant mothers giving birth in an NHS hospital should have peace of mind that they are in safe hands.

This vital programme will give staff across the country the right tools and training to deliver better care to women and their babies, reducing the devastating impact of avoidable brain injury.

Under our Plan for Change, we are supporting trusts to make rapid improvements and training thousands more midwives – but I know more needs to be done. We will put women’s voices right at the heart of our reforms as we work to improve care.

The national rollout follows a pilot in 12 maternity units that was launched in October and delivered by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Royal College of Midwives (RCM) and the THIS (The Healthcare Improvement Studies) Institute.

The pilot has shown the programme will fill an important gap in current training by bringing multidisciplinary teams together to work more collaboratively than ever before, to improve outcomes. The programme will give clinicians more confidence to take swift action managing an emergency during labour.

It is expected to reduce unacceptable inequalities in maternity outcomes across England – so that most maternity units achieve outcomes comparable to the highest-performing 20% of trusts. 

This government is dedicated to improving maternity services more widely and is committed to training thousands more midwives, as well as setting an explicit target to close the Black and Asian maternal mortality gap.

In addition, we have allocated an extra £57 million for Start for Life services, helping expectant and new mothers with their infants by providing expert, trusted advice and guidance around pregnancy, birth and motherhood.

Ranee Thakar, President of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists said:

The ABC programme supports multidisciplinary maternity teams to deliver safer, more personalised care. Hundreds of maternity staff, including obstetricians, midwives and anaesthetists, have been involved in developing and testing this quality improvement programme.

We have heard what a difference it makes, supporting teams to work effectively together in time-sensitive and high-pressure situations. The RCOG is extremely proud to have been part of this fantastic collaboration.

Gill Walton, Royal College of Midwives Chief Executive, said:

Every midwife, maternity support worker, obstetrician, anaesthetist and sonographer wants to provide good, safe care – and the best way to do that is by working and training together. The ABC programme has brought together all those involved in maternity care, offering practical solutions to some of the most acute clinical challenges.

Crucially the ABC programme tools and training have been developed based on the voices of women, families and maternity staff. This has been the key to the success of the pilot programme.

Equally the will and drive of midwives and the wider multidisciplinary team to improve safety and outcomes for women and their families has been evident across the course of the training at the pilot sites.

The ABC programme has the potential to reduce the devastating impact of brain injuries during childbirth and the RCM is proud to have been part of this innovative programme and we hope to see this adopted and implemented across maternity services.

Professor Mary Dixon-Woods, Director of The Healthcare Improvement Studies Institute, said:

The ABC programme design is based on the principle that evidence-based, co-designed patient-focused standardisation of clinical practice can reduce unwarranted variation and improve care and outcomes.

Crucially, this needs to be supported by comprehensive improvement resources, including training, tools and assets to enable good clinical practice and teamwork and respectful and inclusion communication and decision-making with women and birth partners.

The pilot has shown that it’s possible to train people effectively and efficiently. A national commitment to implement the programme at scale will be important in ensuring that the benefits are seen.

Notes to editors

The following sites participated in the pilot scheme:

Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust

Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust

Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Croydon Health Services NHS Trust

Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust

St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

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Published 12 May 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
May 12, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CE begins Qatar visit

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Chief Executive John Lee met Qatar’s leaders and government officials and learnt about the latest developments of the country’s sovereign wealth fund on the first day of a visit to Qatar.

Leading a business delegation comprising representatives from Hong Kong and Mainland enterprises, Mr Lee in the morning, met respectively the Amir, head of state of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Qatar Prime Minister & Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and Minister of Communications & Information Technology Mohammed bin Ali bin Mohammed Al Mannai to exchange views on strengthening bilateral relations and economic co-operation between Hong Kong and Qatar.

The Chief Executive said that Qatar and Hong Kong are economic powerhouses in the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific region respectively. Noting that Qatar is Hong Kong’s third-largest trading partner in the Middle East with bilateral trade in goods worth US$1.6 billion last year, Mr Lee said that there is plenty of room for further growth in trade and business between the two places.

He also expressed his anticipation that during this visit, multiple memoranda of understanding and agreements will be made between Hong Kong and Qatar, covering various areas including trade and investment promotion, financial services, innovation and technology (I&T), and cultural tourism, with a view to further enhancing co-operation among the governments and institutions of the two places.

Mr Lee noted that Hong Kong, as a functional platform of the Belt & Road Initiative, is committed to deepening international exchanges and co-operation and leveraging its strengths as a “super connector” and “super value-adder” to facilitate and add value to government and business projects along the Belt & Road through the city’s world-class professional services.

He also said that the Qatar National Vision 2030 and the Belt & Road Initiative align in their values and aspirations for achieving high-quality development through all-round co-operation, embracing economic diversification and innovation, as well as fostering friendship and facilitating exchanges.

The Chief Executive supplemented that both Hong Kong and Qatar attach great importance to technological development and regard artificial intelligence as an engine of new economic development, and that he hoped Hong Kong and Qatar would enhance collaboration through joint research and exchanges, joint ventures, and cross-border investments to achieve mutual benefits.

In addition, Mr Lee visited the Qatar Investment Authority to learn about the development of Qatar’s financial sector. Established in 2005, the authority is Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund. It manages and grows Qatar’s financial assets, with an aim to diversify Qatar’s economic development and ensure the country’s long-term financial sustainability. Mr Lee received an in-depth briefing on the operation and investment strategies of the sovereign wealth fund, and explored with the authority the development and co-operation opportunities for both sides in finance and the economy.

In the afternoon, he attended a luncheon hosted by an international financial group, where he gained insights into the group’s analysis of Qatar’s banking and financial services industry, as well as its capital markets.

Pointing out that Hong Kong is an international financial centre now moving towards also becoming an international green finance hub, Mr Lee said that last year the total amount of green and sustainable debt issued in Hong Kong exceeded US$84 billion, with green and sustainable bonds accounting for approximately US$43 billion. It captured around 45% of the total Asian market, ranking first in the region for seven consecutive years. He highlighted that under the principle of “one country, two systems”, Hong Kong and Mainland enterprises complement each other’s strengths, and that Hong Kong would give full play to its bridging role in attracting international investments to China and “going global” with Mainland enterprises. He welcomed Qatari enterprises to leverage Hong Kong’s broad and deep capital markets, professional financial services and seamless connectivity with the Mainland market to raise international funds for their sustainable infrastructure projects.

Afterwards, Mr Lee led the delegation to visit Lusail City, the second-largest city in Qatar, to understand how the city integrates I&T with urban planning and infrastructure development. Lusail City is one of Qatar’s flagship smart cities, focusing on information and communication technology, with the aim of developing into a model for intelligent living, urban evolution and diverse cultural landscapes. He noted that Hong Kong, as the world’s third-largest financial centre, offers world-class professional services that can support Qatar’s investment needs, adding that Hong Kong and Qatar can explore co-operation and exchanges in areas such as sustainable urban development.

Next on the itinerary is a visit to the National Museum of Qatar to learn about the country’s history and cultural heritage as well as a dinner hosted by the Ambassador Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to the State of Qatar Cao Xiaolin.

The Chief Executive and his delegation will continue their visit to Qatar tomorrow by meeting local political and business leaders before departing for Kuwait.

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

May 12, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: No tsunami warning issued after magnitude 6.2 earthquake off Indonesia

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

JAKARTA, May 11 (Xinhua) — A 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Aceh province in western Indonesia on Sunday, but no strong waves were generated, according to the country’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency.

The tremors occurred at 15:57 local time, with the epicenter located 21 km southwest of Aceh Barat Daya County at a depth of 45 km.

The agency did not issue a tsunami warning because the earthquake was not expected to generate high waves.

Local residents felt strong tremors, but there were no preliminary reports of major damage, a senior official at Aceh’s disaster management agency told Xinhua. -0-

MIL OSI Russia News –

May 12, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CE leads delegation to begin visit programme to Qatar

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, today (May 11) led a business delegation comprising representatives from Hong Kong and Mainland enterprises to commence its visit programme to Qatar. He met with leaders and government officials of Qatar and leant about the latest development of the country’s sovereign wealth fund. He also exchanged views with representatives of a local financial institution. He inspected Qatar’s town planning and visited local cultural and tourism facilities.

In the morning, Mr Lee met respectively with the Amir of Qatar, Mr Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the head of state of Qatar; the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, Mr Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani; and the Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Mr Mohammed bin Ali bin Mohammed Al Mannai, to exchange views on strengthening bilateral relations and economic co-operation between Hong Kong and Qatar.

Mr Lee said that Qatar and Hong Kong are economic powerhouses in the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific region respectively. Noting that Qatar is Hong Kong’s third-largest trading partner in the Middle East with bilateral trade in goods worth US$1.6 billion last year, Mr Lee said that there is plenty of room for further growth in trade and business between the two places. He also expressed his anticipation that during this visit, multiple memoranda of understanding and agreements will be made between Hong Kong and Qatar, covering various areas including trade and investment promotion, financial services, innovation and technology (I&T), and cultural tourism, with a view to further enhancing co-operation among the governments and institutions of the two places.

Mr Lee said that Hong Kong, as a functional platform of the Belt and Road Initiative, is committed to deepening international exchanges and co-operation and leveraging its strengths as a “super connector” and “super value-adder” to facilitate and add value to government and business projects along the Belt and Road through the city’s world-class professional services. He also said that the Qatar National Vision 2030 and the Belt and Road Initiative align in their values and aspirations for achieving high-quality development through all-round co-operation, embracing economic diversification and innovation, as well as fostering friendship and facilitating exchanges.

Mr Lee also highlighted that both Hong Kong and Qatar attach great importance to technological development and regard artificial intelligence as an engine of new economic development. He said he hoped that Hong Kong and Qatar would enhance collaboration through joint research and exchanges, joint ventures, and cross-border investments to achieve mutual benefits.

Mr Lee also visited Qatar Investment Authority this morning to learn about the development of Qatar’s financial sector. Established in 2005, the Qatar Investment Authority is Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund. It manages and grows Qatar’s financial assets, with an aim to diversify Qatar’s economic development and ensure the country’s long-term financial sustainability. Mr Lee received an in-depth briefing on the operation and investment strategies of the sovereign wealth fund, and explored with the Qatar Investment Authority the development and co-operation opportunities for both sides in finance and the economy.

In the afternoon, Mr Lee attended a luncheon hosted by an international financial group, where he gained insights into the group’s analysis of Qatar’s banking and financial services industry, as well as its capital markets.

Noting that Hong Kong, an international financial centre now moving towards also becoming an international green finance hub, Mr Lee said that last year the total amount of green and sustainable debt issued in Hong Kong exceeded US$84 billion, with green and sustainable bonds accounting for approximately US$43 billion. It captured around 45 per cent of the total Asian market, ranking first in the region for seven consecutive years. Mr Lee said that under the principle of “one country, two systems”, Hong Kong and Mainland enterprises complement each other’s strengths, and that Hong Kong would give full play to its bridging role in attracting international investments to China and “going global” with Mainland enterprises. He welcomed Qatari enterprises to leverage Hong Kong’s broad and deep capital markets, professional financial services and seamless connectivity with the Mainland market to raise international funds for their sustainable infrastructure projects.

Afterwards, Mr Lee led the delegation to visit Lusail City, the second-largest city in Qatar, to understand how the city integrates I&T with urban planning and infrastructure development. Lusail City is one of Qatar’s flagship smart cities, focusing on information and communication technology, with the aim of developing into a model for intelligent living, urban evolution and diverse cultural landscapes. Mr Lee said that Hong Kong, as the world’s third-largest financial centre, offers world-class professional services that can support Qatar’s investment needs. He also noted that Hong Kong and Qatar can explore co-operation and exchanges in areas such as sustainable urban development.

Mr Lee will later visit the National Museum of Qatar to learn about the country’s history and rich cultural heritage. The museum, which opened in 2019, is dedicated to vividly presenting the story of Qatar and its people in an innovative and immersive way.

The delegation led by Mr Lee will attend a dinner hosted by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to the State of Qatar, Mr Cao Xiaolin. Mr Lee expressed his gratitude to the Embassy for its strong support to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Dubai, and for making meticulous arrangements for the visit.

Mr Lee will lead the delegation to continue its visit to Qatar tomorrow (May 12) to meet with local political and business leaders before departing for Kuwait.

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

May 12, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: How AI could help safeguard Indigenous languages

Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Anna Luisa Daigneault, PhD Student in Linguistic Anthropology, Université de Montréal

If there are few speakers left of a language, how does a community revive it? In our current era, 3,000 languages are at risk of extinction due to the pressures of colonization, globalization, forced cultural assimilation, environmental devastation and other factors.

According to Canada’s Commission for Indigenous Languages, “research shows that no Indigenous language in Canada is safe and that all are in varying stages of endangerment.”

Our society is also being shaped by the rapid rise of artificial intelligence. Can AI be used for the benefit of Indigenous language survival in Canada and elsewhere?

According to the World Economic Forum, most AI chatbots are trained on 100 of the world’s 7,000 languages. English is the main driver of most large language models.

This scenario leaves the bulk of the world’s languages in the dust. In the coming years, will AI contribute to language revitalization, or language oppression?

A language in a box

In a 2023 TEDx talk, Northern Cheyenne computer engineer Michael Running Wolf shared his design of a cedar box that looks both ancient and contemporary. He described the dragonfly-adorned device as a “cedar-enclosed, offline Edge AI that contains the inner workings of a minimal voice-based language curricula — in other words, a language in a box.”

He proposed that conversational AI technology, much like Amazon Alexa or Google Home, could help language learners improve their fluency.

Running Wolf is the technical director of the First Languages AI Reality initiative at the Québec Institute for Artificial Intelligence. The program propels Indigenous scholars and technologists towards creating innovative solutions regarding language loss.

A TEDx Talk by Michael Running Wolf on how AI can assist Indigenous langauge learning.

Voice-controlled tools trained via machine learning could serve as AI assistants for speakers who wish to hear unfamiliar sounds pronounced accurately, and practice their own pronunciation. This technology could establish a new means for facilitating oral transmission, which is crucial when there are few fluent speakers left.

At the heart of Running Wolf’s project is Indigenous data sovereignty, which ensures that Indigenous people retain control over their data.

A place in the digital world

Around the world in the Philippines, AI scholar and politician Anna Mae Yu Lamentillo is on a quest to support the Indigenous languages of her home country. She created NightOwlGPT, a new AI-powered translation app.

In an email to me, Lamentillo wrote:

“In the Philippines alone, we are working on nine languages, many of which are endangered. Our goal is to ensure that these languages — not just the dominant ones — have a place in the digital world.”

NightOwlGPT creator Anna Mae Yu Lamentillo.
(Arwin Doloricon)

We have seen that in the hands of the powerful, AI software can lead to oppressive forms of control, such as excessive AI-powered surveillance by Amazon and the U.S. government’s unethical data mining tactics.

When it comes to the survival or extinction of languages, it is important to question the power behind AI tools. Who controls them, and who benefits from them?

When I asked about the democratization of AI, Lamentillo noted the need for inclusivity:

“AI’s rapid advancement could parallel historical patterns of colonization. If AI is truly a black swan event — a disruptive moment in history — then what happens when 99 per cent of languages are left behind? This is more than just a linguistic issue; it’s a serious matter of accessibility, representation and digital equity.

If we don’t change who is leading AI development, we risk creating a new form of colonization — one where only a small fraction of the world has the tools to thrive.”

Diversity of voices

Linguistics professor Emmanuel Ngué Um.
(Emmanuel Ngué Um)

At a recent workshop series on endangered languages, Emmanuel Ngué Um, a professor of linguistics at the University of Yaoundé I in Cameroon, spoke on behalf of a research team of African linguists.

They are currently using Mozilla’s Common Voice platform to create open-source datasets containing thousands of words and audio recordings in 31 African languages.

The platform aims to make speech recognition and voice-based AI more inclusive by crowd-sourcing a massively multilingual speech corpus. But this process is not without significant challenges in Africa.

Ngué Um noted that building datasets for languages with many dialects is not straightforward. There may not be a standardized spelling or pronunciation that should be used by AI as the accepted norms for the language.

Because of postcolonial changes, many African languages do not have one unified or agreed-upon writing system. This issue can slow the creation of teaching tools, but many local efforts backed by UNESCO are underway to change this.

So, how do automatic speech recognition tools deal with dialectical diversity? And how do text-to-speech models handle competing writing systems?

As Ngué Um wrote in an email to me:

“AI has been instrumental in delivering services that applied linguists have promised but are slow to deliver. This is not due to a lack of will or means on the part of linguists, but rather, because of the linguistic reality in Africa.

Despite the impact of colonization and the imposition of a monolithic ideal on language reality, Africa reflects the plurality, fluidity and resourcefulness that drive human communication…If AI is informed by these intricacies at all phases of its implementation, it will adequately address the diversity of voices…in Africa.”

It is clear that AI engineers and computational linguists need to integrate thoughtful approaches that take into account unique circumstances of languages.

In the not-too-distant future, using AI tools to learn and communicate in under-resourced languages may become the norm. However, that shift depends on financial backing, accurate training data for machine learning, and community desire to embrace AI. Ultimately, data sovereignty and equitable access must be at the core of AI tools.

Anna Luisa Daigneault volunteers for Living Tongues Institute for Endangered Languages, a non-profit organization whose work is not connected to contents of this article.

– ref. How AI could help safeguard Indigenous languages – https://theconversation.com/how-ai-could-help-safeguard-indigenous-languages-255359

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

May 12, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected cocaine worth over $1.1 million at airport (with photo)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected cocaine worth over $1.1 million at airport (with photo)
A 30-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Entebbe, Uganda via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia yesterday. During customs clearance, Customs officers found the batch of suspected cocaine concealed in 7 pieces of cardboard inside his check-in suitcase. The man was subsequently arrested.

After an investigation, the arrested person has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. The case will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (May 12).

Following the increasing number of visitors to Hong Kong, Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.

Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hkIssued at HKT 19:42

NNNN

CategoriesMIL-OSI

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

May 12, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Magnitude 6.0 earthquake hits Indonesia’s North Sumatra province – GFZ

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

HONG KONG, May 11 (Xinhua) — An earthquake with a magnitude of 6.0 jolted Indonesia’s North Sumatra province at 08:57 GMT on Sunday, the German Research Center for Geosciences (GFZ) said.

The epicenter of the tremors, according to preliminary data, was located at a point with coordinates of 3.73 degrees north latitude and 97.03 degrees east longitude. The hypocenter was located at a depth of 89.4 km. –0–

MIL OSI Russia News –

May 12, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Pakistan opens airspace for all types of flights

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

ISLAMABAD, May 11 (Xinhua) — Pakistan has fully opened its airspace for all types of flights, the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) said on Saturday.

“Pakistan’s airspace is fully open for all types of flights,” a PAA spokesman told Xinhua, assuring travellers that all airports are currently operating normally.

The resumption of flights follows a ceasefire agreement between Pakistan and India that eased concerns after missile strikes and heightened security measures led to restricted airspace and a temporary suspension of flights earlier in the week.

The representative advised passengers to check with their airlines for the latest information on flight schedules and operational changes.

The full resumption of airport operations is expected to help stabilise air travel both domestically and internationally, bringing relief to airlines, airport staff and passengers affected by flight cancellations and delays during the heightened tensions. –0–

MIL OSI Russia News –

May 11, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Kamchatka crab becomes tourism brand for border town Hunchun

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

CHANGCHUN, May 11 (Xinhua) — The May Day holiday has ended, but the tourism boom in the border city of Hunchun is still going strong. Tourists from all over China come here to taste the freshest seafood imported from Russia.

The city of Hunchun /Jilin Province, Northeast China/ is located at the junction of the state borders of China, Russia and the DPRK. The Hunchun checkpoint is 42 km from the Russian port of Posyet and 71 km from the port of Zarubino.

Every morning, trucks loaded with fresh Russian seafood arrive at the Hunchun checkpoint, bringing seafood from the deep sea to the tables of the city’s restaurants.

The 145-meter-long “Seafood Street” is the place most often visited by tourists. There are more than 20 specialized shops on both sides of this street. It not only sells a variety of seafood, but also provides comprehensive services such as processing, packaging and delivery.

When entering any store, a visitor will be able to see a wide range of seafood of different varieties and characteristics, such as Kamchatka crabs, hairy crabs and Sakhalin spizulas, among which Kamchatka crabs are the most popular.

Various cooking methods such as steaming, pepper-frying and char-grilling make seafood more delicious.

Liu Mengni, a tourist from Beijing, tasted various seafood dishes to write a guidebook for a food tour of Hunchun and posted it on social media. “The seafood here is very fresh, the meat is very tasty. I will definitely come here again!” she said.

Thanks to logistics networks, namely transportation by rail and air, fresh Kamchatka crabs can be delivered from Hunchun to all over the country on the same day.

In the Northeast Asia Cross-Border E-Commerce Industrial Park in Hunchun City, there is a Kamchatka crab shop covering an area of more than 1,000 square meters.

Wang Hai, the person in charge of the store, said that they have established close cooperation with Russian companies and the Kamchatka crabs caught from the depths of the sea are delivered to his store in original packaging.

“Kamchatka crab is delicious and affordable. At peak times, our store can receive over ten thousand customers daily,” said Wang Hai.

In addition, the Chinese businessman also promotes the sale of king crab through live broadcasting on social media. “Now we can sell about 100 king crabs daily in just two hours through live broadcasting. We have regular customers in Guangdong, Yunnan and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. You can place an order online and the goods will be delivered in about 24 hours,” he added.

In 2016, the Hunchun border crossing received official status as an import point for chilled fresh seafood and edible aquatic animals, becoming the main channel for delivering Russian Kamchatka crab to China.

Hunchun Mayor Zhang Linguo said that more than 1.5 million crabs enter China through the Hunchun checkpoint every year. The Kamchatka crab has already become a tourist brand for Hunchun.

As it became known, this year the local authorities will actively promote the construction of a “smart port” and improve logistics services in order to further reveal the city’s potential in developing the maritime economy. -0-

MIL OSI Russia News –

May 11, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: G20 is too elite. There’s a way to fix that though – economists
Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Danny Bradlow, Professor/Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Advancement of Scholarship, University of Pretoria

The G20 claims to be “the premier forum for international economic cooperation”.

But is it?

As scholars of global economic governance, we are sceptical of this claim. Here are our main reasons.
- The G20 is insufficiently representative of the 193 member states of the United Nations plus the small number of non-member states.
- It is a self-selected group of 19 countries and the European and African Unions.
- It has no mandate to act or speak on behalf of the international community.
- It has no transparent or formal mechanisms through which it can communicate with actors who do not participate in the G20 but have a stake in its deliberations and their outcomes.
The growing tensions in the world make it more urgent to improve the efficacy of the G20. Firstly, because there is growing evidence of the loss of interest in global cooperation. Secondly, because rich states are cutting their official development assistance and are failing to meet their commitments to help countries deal with loss and damage from climate impacts and make their economies more resilient to shocks.

And thirdly, because rich countries are also reluctant to discuss financing sustainable and inclusive development in forums like the upcoming Fourth Financing for Development Conference or the UN, where all states can participate. They prefer exclusive forums like the G20.

Here, after briefly describing the structure of the G20, we argue that its lack of representation is a major problem. We offer a solution and argue that, as chair of the G20 this year, South Africa is well placed to promote this solution.

What is the G20 and how does it function?

The G20 was established in the late 1990s in the wake of the East Asian financial crisis. Its members were invited by the US and Germany based on a proposal from the Canadian government. Initially only finance ministers and central bank governors of major advanced and emerging economies were involved. After the financial crisis of 2008-2009 it was upgraded to summit level with the same membership.

A summit is held annually, under the leadership of a rotating presidency.

The group accounts for 67% of the world’s population, 85% of global GDP, and 75% of global trade. The membership comprises 19 of the “weightiest” national economies plus the European Union and the African Union. The 19 national economies are the G7 (US, Japan, Germany, UK, France, Italy, Canada), plus Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Republic of Korea, Russia, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina. These countries are permanently “in”. The remaining 90% of countries in the world are excluded unless invited as “special guests” on an ad hoc basis.

Representatives of a select group of international organisations including the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the World Trade Organization also participate, together with those from some UN entities.

The G20’s work is managed by a troika consisting of the current president with the assistance of the past president and the incoming president. In 2025 this troika consists of South Africa as the current chair, Brazil as the past chair and the US, which will become the G20 president in 2026. The G20 has no permanent secretariat.

The consistency in G20 membership has proven to be an advantage because it helps foster a sense of familiarity, understanding and trust at the technical level among the permanent members. This is helpful in times of crisis and in dealing with complex problems.

But its exclusivity and informal status have limited its ability to address major challenges such as the global response to the economic and health consequences of the COVID pandemic. This is because an effective response required agreement and coordinated action by all states and not just those in the G20.

A solution

We think that the governance model of the Financial Stability Board offers a solution.

The Financial Stability Board was established under the umbrella of the G20 in 2009. Its job is to coordinate international financial regulatory standard-setting, monitor the global financial system for signs of stress, and to make recommendations that can help avert potential financial crises.

It is also an exclusive club. Its membership consists of the financial regulatory authorities in the G20 countries plus those in a few other countries that are considered financially systemically important.

However, unlike the G20, the Financial Stability Board has made a systematic effort to learn the views of non-members. It has established six Regional Consultative Groups, one each for the Americas, Asia, Commonwealth of Independent States, Europe, Middle East and North Africa, and sub-Saharan Africa.

The objective is to expand and formalise the Financial Stability Board’s outreach activities beyond its membership and to better reflect the global character of the financial system.

The regional consultative groups operate in a framework which promotes compliance within each region with the Financial Stability Board’s policy initiatives. The framework enables the group members to share among themselves and with the board their views on common problems and solutions and on the issues on the board’s agenda.

Importantly, each regional group is co-chaired by an official from a Financial Stability Board member and an official from a non-member institution.

Applying this model to the G20 would allow the current G20 membership to continue, while obliging the members to establish a consultation process with regional neighbours. This would create a limited form of representation for all the world’s states.

It would also empower the smaller and weaker members of the G20 because it would enable them to speak with more confidence and credibility about the challenges facing their region.

This arrangement would also establish a limited form of G20 accountability towards the international community.

Next steps

As chair of the G20 chair for 2025, South Africa is well placed to promote this solution to the group’s representation problem. It should work with the African Union to establish an African G20 regional consultative group. South Africa and the African Union could invite each African regional organisation to select one representative to serve on the initial consultative group.

South Africa could also commit to convey the outcomes of G20 regional consultative group meetings to the G20.

South Africa can then use this example to demonstrate to the G20 the value of having a G20 regional consultative group and advocate that other regions should adopt the same approach.

Danny Bradlow, in addition to his position at the University of Pretoria, is the Senior G20 Advisor, South African institute of International Affairs.

Robert Wade 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. G20 is too elite. There’s a way to fix that though – economists – https://theconversation.com/g20-is-too-elite-theres-a-way-to-fix-that-though-economists-255783
MIL OSI – Global Reports –
May 11, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: G20 is too elite. There’s a way to fix that though – economists
Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Danny Bradlow, Professor/Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Advancement of Scholarship, University of Pretoria

The G20 claims to be “the premier forum for international economic cooperation”.

But is it?

As scholars of global economic governance, we are sceptical of this claim. Here are our main reasons.
- The G20 is insufficiently representative of the 193 member states of the United Nations plus the small number of non-member states.
- It is a self-selected group of 19 countries and the European and African Unions.
- It has no mandate to act or speak on behalf of the international community.
- It has no transparent or formal mechanisms through which it can communicate with actors who do not participate in the G20 but have a stake in its deliberations and their outcomes.
The growing tensions in the world make it more urgent to improve the efficacy of the G20. Firstly, because there is growing evidence of the loss of interest in global cooperation. Secondly, because rich states are cutting their official development assistance and are failing to meet their commitments to help countries deal with loss and damage from climate impacts and make their economies more resilient to shocks.

And thirdly, because rich countries are also reluctant to discuss financing sustainable and inclusive development in forums like the upcoming Fourth Financing for Development Conference or the UN, where all states can participate. They prefer exclusive forums like the G20.

Here, after briefly describing the structure of the G20, we argue that its lack of representation is a major problem. We offer a solution and argue that, as chair of the G20 this year, South Africa is well placed to promote this solution.

What is the G20 and how does it function?

The G20 was established in the late 1990s in the wake of the East Asian financial crisis. Its members were invited by the US and Germany based on a proposal from the Canadian government. Initially only finance ministers and central bank governors of major advanced and emerging economies were involved. After the financial crisis of 2008-2009 it was upgraded to summit level with the same membership.

A summit is held annually, under the leadership of a rotating presidency.

The group accounts for 67% of the world’s population, 85% of global GDP, and 75% of global trade. The membership comprises 19 of the “weightiest” national economies plus the European Union and the African Union. The 19 national economies are the G7 (US, Japan, Germany, UK, France, Italy, Canada), plus Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Republic of Korea, Russia, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina. These countries are permanently “in”. The remaining 90% of countries in the world are excluded unless invited as “special guests” on an ad hoc basis.

Representatives of a select group of international organisations including the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the World Trade Organization also participate, together with those from some UN entities.

The G20’s work is managed by a troika consisting of the current president with the assistance of the past president and the incoming president. In 2025 this troika consists of South Africa as the current chair, Brazil as the past chair and the US, which will become the G20 president in 2026. The G20 has no permanent secretariat.

The consistency in G20 membership has proven to be an advantage because it helps foster a sense of familiarity, understanding and trust at the technical level among the permanent members. This is helpful in times of crisis and in dealing with complex problems.

But its exclusivity and informal status have limited its ability to address major challenges such as the global response to the economic and health consequences of the COVID pandemic. This is because an effective response required agreement and coordinated action by all states and not just those in the G20.

A solution

We think that the governance model of the Financial Stability Board offers a solution.

The Financial Stability Board was established under the umbrella of the G20 in 2009. Its job is to coordinate international financial regulatory standard-setting, monitor the global financial system for signs of stress, and to make recommendations that can help avert potential financial crises.

It is also an exclusive club. Its membership consists of the financial regulatory authorities in the G20 countries plus those in a few other countries that are considered financially systemically important.

However, unlike the G20, the Financial Stability Board has made a systematic effort to learn the views of non-members. It has established six Regional Consultative Groups, one each for the Americas, Asia, Commonwealth of Independent States, Europe, Middle East and North Africa, and sub-Saharan Africa.

The objective is to expand and formalise the Financial Stability Board’s outreach activities beyond its membership and to better reflect the global character of the financial system.

The regional consultative groups operate in a framework which promotes compliance within each region with the Financial Stability Board’s policy initiatives. The framework enables the group members to share among themselves and with the board their views on common problems and solutions and on the issues on the board’s agenda.

Importantly, each regional group is co-chaired by an official from a Financial Stability Board member and an official from a non-member institution.

Applying this model to the G20 would allow the current G20 membership to continue, while obliging the members to establish a consultation process with regional neighbours. This would create a limited form of representation for all the world’s states.

It would also empower the smaller and weaker members of the G20 because it would enable them to speak with more confidence and credibility about the challenges facing their region.

This arrangement would also establish a limited form of G20 accountability towards the international community.

Next steps

As chair of the G20 chair for 2025, South Africa is well placed to promote this solution to the group’s representation problem. It should work with the African Union to establish an African G20 regional consultative group. South Africa and the African Union could invite each African regional organisation to select one representative to serve on the initial consultative group.

South Africa could also commit to convey the outcomes of G20 regional consultative group meetings to the G20.

South Africa can then use this example to demonstrate to the G20 the value of having a G20 regional consultative group and advocate that other regions should adopt the same approach.

– G20 is too elite. There’s a way to fix that though – economists
– https://theconversation.com/g20-is-too-elite-theres-a-way-to-fix-that-though-economists-255783

MIL OSI Africa –
May 11, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: View from The Hill: if Jacinta Nampijinpa Price became Liberal deputy it would be a wild ride

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra

Jacinta Nampijinpa Price’s confirmation she will run for Liberal deputy has put the members of an already shell-shocked party into a new spin.

Tuesday’s leadership contest, where the numbers are said to be tight, is a battle for the direction of the party as much as one between the two personalities.

It’s essentially a contest between the moderates and the conservatives. Sussan Ley, deputy for the past three years, carries the flag for the moderates (although she is aligned to the old Scott Morrison faction, which is led by Alex Hawke, one-time Morrison numbers man).

Her opponent, Angus Taylor, who’s been shadow treasurer, leads the conservatives.

Neither Ley nor Taylor has impressed during the last term, but that’s become beside the point.

Taylor has embraced the ambitious Price, who has defected (amid great bitterness) from the Nationals, to boost his support as part of a joint ticket.

Whether the combination will work for or against Taylor’s chances remains to be seen. There are fears in the Ley camp it may attract some undecideds, but it possibly could frighten off others.

Price was elevated spectacularly to national prominence as the most effective “no” campaigner against the Voice. She is forceful and articulate, and the conservative base of the Coalition loves her.

But, leaving aside the complication that she’s a senator, her performance in the Voice campaign doesn’t automatically translate into qualifications for deputy which, if done properly, is a demanding, multi-faceted job.

The Liberal deputy needs deep roots in the party, not having just arrived in controversial circumstances. They have to do a lot of work with the party organisation, not just the parliamentary party.

In the latter, the deputy is there in part to protect the leader’s back and to keep track of the mood of colleagues, which requires having long-standing relationships of familiarity and trust with them.

Some would argue the ideal deputy is a person who does not have their eyes on the leadership, which Price clearly has.

The deputy needs a broad grasp of policy areas, because they will be a high profile public spokesperson for the party, and will be hit with questions on every issue that’s running.

The deputy also has to be comfortable with media across the spectrum, because that’s part of the job. Price’s natural home has been on Sky News. On Sunday, she appeared on Sky’s highly opinionated program Outsiders.

If the Liberals are to get themselves back into shape, they must seek to regain their appeal in the urban areas that went teal in 2022, and to women. Indeed, they have to tap into professional women in those places. It is unlikely Price, unless she undergoes a major political makeover, would be attractive to that constituency.

In their bid for the support of women, the Liberals need a root-and-branch debate about how to get more women candidates, but Price is already totally against quotas.

If Price becomes deputy it will be a wild ride for the party – and for its leader.

Other names mooted as possible deputies are Dan Tehan, from Victoria, who’s been immigration spokesman, and Queenslander Ted O’Brien, the energy spokesman. Either would be less fraught for the party than Price. O’Brien would have the problem of being welded on to the nuclear policy, which will be at least overhauled and perhaps ditched by the Liberals.

Ley is set to have a running mate, but the name has not yet been disclosed.

Another option would be for the loser out of Ley and Taylor to become deputy. Awkward, but perhaps the cleanest way forward. Ley is used to the role; Taylor would be entitled to stay shadow treasurer and would be at the centre of things (what things are left).

Nationals’ identity battle

In the Nationals, the leadership contest – to be decided Monday – is also a battle over identity.

The Nationals under David Litteproud held almost all their seats at the election but one-time resources minister Matt Canavan – a Barnaby Joyce supporter back in the day – says they need a new direction.

Critical to his pitch are energy and climate issues. The Nationals signed up reluctantly to net zero emissions by 2050 in the Morrison prime ministership, when Joyce was leader (although he indicated he personally didn’t favour doing so). They were dragged to the deal with great reluctance.

Canavan, who is a senator, said in his leadership pitch, “We should scrap the futile and unachievable goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. Net zero makes everything more expensive and it is not helping the environment given that the US, China and India are no longer even paying lip service to it.”

Littleproud, describing the challenge as “healthy for our democracy”, is favoured to see off the Canavan bid. Regardless, it is a reminder the Nationals remain a divided party, as they have been for years.

Michelle Grattan 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. View from The Hill: if Jacinta Nampijinpa Price became Liberal deputy it would be a wild ride – https://theconversation.com/view-from-the-hill-if-jacinta-nampijinpa-price-became-liberal-deputy-it-would-be-a-wild-ride-255964

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

May 11, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: UN chief welcomes ceasefire between India and Pakistan

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

UNITED NATIONS, May 11 (Xinhua) — United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Saturday welcomed the ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan.

“The Secretary-General welcomes the ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan as a positive step towards ending the current hostilities and easing tensions,” UN chief spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement.

“He hopes that the agreement will help to establish a lasting peace and create an environment conducive to resolving broader, long-standing issues between the two countries,” said S. Dujarric.

The press secretary added that the world organization is ready to support efforts aimed at strengthening peace and stability in the region.

Earlier on Saturday, Pakistan and India announced an immediate ceasefire after days of military strikes against each other. –0–

MIL OSI Russia News –

May 11, 2025
MIL-OSI NGOs: A vote for the next generation

Source: Greenpeace Statement –

This year, Mother’s Day comes a day before the 2025 national midterm elections. Before Filipinos vote for future legislators and local officials, Virginia Benosa-Llorin reflects on the intersection of motherhood, climate anxiety, and the hope of having a say in what the future holds.

My son married a wonderful woman last year and they are now expecting their first child. Like many other young parents, they gathered family and friends to celebrate with them as they reveal the gender of their upcoming baby.

The excitement grew as the couple asked us to answer trivia questions and for each correct answer, my son or daughter-in-law’s picture appeared on something like a crossword puzzle displayed on the screen.

After all the questions were answered, the photos of my son formed a straight horizontal line, which means we are going to have a baby boy!

The crowd cheered, and congratulations echoed throughout the room. I had hoped for a girl, only for a selfish reason that I could doll her up. But of course, any gender will be most welcome. I am already super excited to have a baby in the family. This early, I have already mapped out the pampering he will get from me.

It was a joyous moment, a celebration.

But then, it dawned on me: My first grandchild will be born this year during a time when the heat index is already considered dangerous.

Graph from 2019 Lancet Report showing extent to which current and future generations will experience a hotter and different world.

In my day, class suspensions were only due to flooding, but now it is different. Hot temperature prompts class suspensions as a precautionary health measure.

As I looked at my son and daughter-in-law’s proud and happy, hopeful smiles, I couldn’t help but think about their future and how they will raise Amari. His name is going to be Amari, which means Promised by God.

I felt a lump in my chest—the kind that mothers feel when they are worried.

And I have my reasons. According to a 2019 Lancet Report, a child born today will encounter a world that is more than four degrees warmer than the pre-industrial average, with climate change impacting human health from infancy and adolescence to adulthood and old age.

A warmer planet will have serious consequences for people, especially those living in poor conditions—health-wise, economically, and educationally. It is frightening to think about these consequences.

I recently attended a forum on climate change and health, organized by the Institute of Child Health and Development, University of the Philippines Manila. The presentation by Dr. Ronald Law caught my attention the most. Dr. Law clearly and interestingly discussed the intergenerational inequity of climate change, noting that children are considered a particularly disadvantaged population due to their physiological and developmental vulnerabilities, as well as their higher likelihood of experiencing severe effects of climate change in the future.

Dr. Ronald Law, Head of the Climate Change Unit of the Department of Health with Greenpeace Campaigners Virginia Benosa-Llorin and Khevin Yu

Dr. Law, head of the newly established Climate Change Unit at the Department of Health, encourages advocacy and awareness-raising on the intersectionality of climate change and health. He emphasized that the medical and public health communities need to recognize, acknowledge, and speak out about the health burdens of climate change and their disproportionate effects on children.

Sadly, despite the recognized impacts of climate change, many people—including those running for political office—fail to grasp the importance of addressing environmental issues. I’ve attended several electoral forums organized by civil society groups. Candidates for the midterm elections were invited to share their environmental platforms.

Not surprisingly, only a handful, if none, of the candidates that top the surveys attended. Is this a reflection of their commitment to environmental protection? What gives? You decide.

This brings me back to my grandson and to my final point.

Is there still hope? Of course! If we act together, our collective actions can rebuild our society. We can engage in impactful acts that drive meaningful change in the system.

And this change can start on May 12. When you cast your votes, please think about Amari, his generation, and the next ones.

Virginia Benosa-Llorin is a senior climate campaigner at Greenpeace Southeast Asia – Philippines.

You might want to check out Greenpeace Philippines’ petition called Courage for Climate, a drive in support of real policy and legal solutions in the pursuit of climate justice.

Courage for Climate

The climate crisis may seem hopeless, but now is the time for courage, not despair. Join Filipino communities taking bold action for our planet.

Make an Act of Courage Today!

MIL OSI NGO –

May 11, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Comprehensive partnership and strategic interaction between China and Russia can serve as an example of modern equal relations between the two countries – V. Putin

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

Moscow, May 11 (Xinhua) — The comprehensive partnership and strategic interaction between China and Russia can serve as an example of modern equal relations between the two countries, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Sunday while speaking to reporters in the Kremlin following talks with foreign leaders who attended celebrations to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War.

“Our comprehensive partnership and strategic interaction with the People’s Republic of China can serve as a true example of modern equal relations in the 21st century. PRC President Xi Jinping was the main guest at the ceremonial events dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory,” he said.

The Russian President called the negotiations with Chinese President Xi Jinping, who was in Moscow on a state visit, “exceptionally fruitful.”

V. Putin also confirmed that in September he will pay a return official visit to China and take part in celebrations dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the Victory over militaristic Japan.

“It is deeply symbolic and logical that the main and, in essence, the most important commemorative events associated with the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe and Asia will take place in Moscow and Beijing – in the capitals of states whose peoples went through the most difficult trials and paid the highest price in the name of the common Victory,” the leader of the Russian state emphasized. –0–

MIL OSI Russia News –

May 11, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Iran will not back down from its nuclear rights – Foreign Minister

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

DOHA, May 11 (Xinhua) — Iran will not give up its nuclear rights in talks with the United States, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Saturday, a day before the start of the fourth round of proximity talks in Oman.

Speaking at the fourth Arab-Iranian Dialogue Conference in Doha, A. Araghchi reaffirmed that Iran has always been a committed party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and defends its right to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, including uranium enrichment.

“We do not seek to possess nuclear weapons, and weapons of mass destruction have no place in Iran’s military doctrine,” he said. “For this reason, we were among the initiators of the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in West Asia.”

The Foreign Minister stressed that Iran continues negotiations with the United States and other countries.

If the goal of these talks is to ensure that Iran does not have nuclear weapons, then an agreement is achievable, he said. But if the goal is to strip Iran of its nuclear rights or make other unrealistic demands, then Iran will never back down.

Iranian and US delegations have already held three rounds of indirect talks. The first and third were held on April 12 and 26 in the Omani capital Muscat, and the second was held on April 19 in Rome. –0–

MIL OSI Russia News –

May 11, 2025
MIL-OSI China: E-commerce park launched in Lhasa to boost trade with South Asia

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

A maiden flight from Lhasa to Pokhara is seen at Lhasa Gonggar International Airport in Lhasa, southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region, March 31, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

A new cross-border e-commerce industrial park opened on Friday in Lhasa, southwest China, as part of efforts to deepen trade and economic ties with South Asia, local authorities said.

The industrial park, located in the capital of the Xizang Autonomous Region, was designed to be a comprehensive platform for product display, warehousing, logistics, customs clearance and financial settlement services, according to Ye Haiying, director of the city’s commerce bureau.

Spanning 16,000 square meters, the park has already attracted 12 cross-border e-commerce firms.

Goods are first consolidated in two major domestic trade hubs — Guangzhou and Yiwu — before being routed through Lhasa and shipped to a 1,800-square-meter overseas warehouse in Nepal, Ye said.

The overseas warehouse has reduced delivery times from 60 days when shipped by sea to just 20 days. Logistics efficiency has improved by 50 percent, and overall costs have fallen 20 percent, giving companies a competitive edge as they expand into South Asian markets, Ye noted.

Lhasa’s location and multimodal transport links make it a well-positioned logistics hub.

The park is expected to attract more enterprises going forward, supporting local plateau industries and facilitating the flow of goods imported from South Asia, Ye said.

The project is part of China’s broader efforts to enhance connectivity with South Asian economies. Official data shows that the total volume of trade between China and South Asian countries neared 200 billion U.S. dollars in 2023 — double the amount recorded in 2013.

MIL OSI China News –

May 11, 2025
MIL-OSI Economics: APEC Trade Officials Lay Groundwork for Ministerial Meeting Jeju, Republic of Korea | 11 May 2025 APEC Committee on Trade and Investment Amid persistent global economic uncertainty, the meeting underscored APEC’s enduring role in maintaining open and predictable trade and investment systems.

Source: APEC – Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation

Trade and investment officials from the 21 APEC member economies gathered in Jeju for the second meeting of the Committee on Trade and Investment, laying critical groundwork ahead of next week’s APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting.

Amid persistent global economic uncertainty, the meeting underscored APEC’s enduring role in maintaining open and predictable trade and investment systems.

Under Korea’s host year theme of “Building a Sustainable Tomorrow: Connect, Innovate, Prosper,” members discussed how APEC can support the multilateral trading system, and reviewed concrete proposals to advance the Free Trade Area of the Asia Pacific (FTAAP) agenda, boost digital trade, strengthen supply chain resilience and connectivity, and deepen cooperation on sustainable and inclusive growth initiatives.

“In Jeju, APEC economies came together with a clear mission: to advance technical work so our ministers can deliver strong, collective outcomes next week,” said Christopher Tan, Chair of the Committee on Trade and Investment (CTI).

“As we head toward the Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting, the spirit of collaboration remains our strongest asset. APEC thrives when we work together—constructively, inclusively and with purpose,” Tan added.

Among the key items discussed were Korea’s flagship deliverables for 2025, including the APEC Artificial Intelligence Initiative and the Collaborative Framework on Demographic Change. The AI initiative aims to drive economic growth and resilience by enhancing AI readiness, strengthening institutional and workforce capacities, and catalyzing investment in sustainable digital infrastructure.

The demographic framework, meanwhile, seeks to address region-wide challenges such as aging populations and labor shortages through cross-border collaboration, human resource mobility, and structural reforms.

The meeting also heard updates from the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC), which called on economies to support the multilateral trading system with the WTO as its core. ABAC reiterated the importance of the Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement, the E-Commerce Agreement and the establishment of a permanent E-Commerce Moratorium.

The council also emphasized the need for early FTAAP deliverables, greener trade practices and inclusive policies that champion universal economic participation and empower women and small businesses, as well as the establishment of a Centre of Excellence for Paperless Trade.

Another highlight was the discussion on the Implementation Plan for the Lima Roadmap (2025–2040), a regional strategy to support informal economic actors in transitioning to the formal and global economy. The plan encourages APEC economies to align policies and capacity-building efforts to foster entrepreneurship, digital access, and financial inclusion.

Members also deliberated on advancing the FTAAP agenda, with the CTI holding its first policy dialogue under the Ichma Statement that discussed on how APEC can improve trade facilitation amongst members as well as increase the convergence of regional trade agreements. Members discussed proposals on capacity building, paperless trade, digital trade and support for women participation in global value chain.

Looking ahead, outcomes from this meeting will directly inform ministerial discussions on 15–16 May in Jeju, where APEC trade ministers are expected to chart the region’s path on priorities such as WTO reform, inclusive digital trade, and regional economic integration.

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

MIL OSI Economics –

May 11, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: E-commerce industrial park opens in Lhasa to boost trade with South Asia

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

LHASA, May 11 (Xinhua) — A new cross-border e-commerce industrial park opened in Lhasa, capital of southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region, on Friday as part of efforts to deepen economic and trade ties with South Asia, local authorities said.

The industrial park was designed as a comprehensive platform for product display, warehousing, logistics, customs clearance and financial settlement, the city’s Commerce Department said.

The 16,000 square meter park is already home to 12 cross-border e-commerce companies.

The goods are reportedly first consolidated in two major domestic trading hubs, Guangzhou and Yiwu, before being routed through Lhasa and shipped to an 1,800-square-meter overseas warehouse in Nepal.

The overseas warehouse has reduced delivery time from 60 days by sea to just 20 days. Logistics efficiency has increased significantly and overall costs have been reduced, giving companies a competitive advantage when entering South Asian markets.

The park will attract more businesses in the future and facilitate the flow of goods imported from South Asia, the city’s Commerce Department said.

The project is part of China’s broader efforts to strengthen ties with South Asia. Official data showed that trade between China and South Asian countries will reach nearly $200 billion in 2023, double the level in 2013. -0-

MIL OSI Russia News –

May 11, 2025
MIL-OSI: Best Instant Withdrawal Casinos: JACKBIT Named Fast Payout Casino for 2025
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

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JACKBIT’s Game Selection

Finding the best instant withdrawal casinos isn’t just about speed — it’s also about the quality of the games you can play. JACKBIT delivers a full lineup that covers every gambling style, from casual spins to high-stakes action. With thousands of games powered by top developers, JACKBIT makes sure you’re never short of options.

A closer look at the available game categories is provided below:
- Classic Slots: Simple, traditional three-reel slots for fans of old-school slot machines.
- Video Slots: Modern, feature-rich slots with stunning visuals and bonus rounds.
- Megaways: Slots with thousands of ways to win, powered by the Megaways mechanic.
- Drops & Wins: Time-limited tournaments and bonus games with boosted prize pools.
- Bonus Buy: Slots where you can purchase direct entry into bonus rounds without waiting.
- Jackpot Games: Progressive jackpot slots offering life-changing payouts.
- Table Games: Blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and more virtual table classics.
- Video Poker: Poker variants played against the machine with skill-based payouts.
- Instant Games: Fast, easy-to-play games like Crash and Plinko.
- Video Bingos: Bingo-style games with enhanced graphics and jackpots.
- Scratch Cards: Instant win games with simple rules and quick results.
- Lotto: Online lottery draws with big prizes.
- Fish: Arcade-style games where players shoot targets to win prizes.
- Live Casino Games: Live versions of blackjack, baccarat, roulette, video slots, poker, Sic Bo, and game shows.
How To Sign Up At JACKBIT: Your Guide To Joining One Of The Best Instant Withdrawal Casinos

1. Access JACKBIT’s Website:

Open a secure browser and visit JACKBIT’s official site to begin your journey at one of the best instant withdrawal casinos.

2. Create Your Account:

Click the “Register” button, then provide your email, a unique username, and a strong password, and choose your preferred cryptocurrency.

3. Verify (If Needed)

Crypto players can enjoy anonymous play without KYC, while fiat users may need to confirm their email for added security.

4. Fund Your Account

Head to the deposit section, select a payment option like Bitcoin, USDT, or Google Pay, and add funds instantly.

5. Grab Your Welcome Bonus

Enjoy an automatic 30% rakeback and 100 wager-free spins upon your first deposit at this top-rated instant withdrawal casino.

6. Jump Into the Games

Browse over 6,000 games, including slots, live casino, and sports betting, and cash out winnings instantly when you strike it big.

7. Get Help Anytime

Reach out to JACKBIT’s 24/7 live chat or email support for quick assistance with any questions.

With this fast and easy process, you’ll be gaming at one of the best instant withdrawal casinos in no time, enjoying seamless deposits and lightning-fast withdrawals.

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Banking Methods At JACKBIT Casino
Fast, secure banking is a big reason JACKBIT ranks high among the best instant withdrawal casinos. Players can enjoy quick deposits and even quicker payouts, mainly through trusted cryptocurrency options.

Here’s a breakdown of the banking methods you can use to move your money safely at JACKBIT.

Cryptocurrencies Accepted At JACKBIT:
When it comes to the best instant withdrawal casinos, JACKBIT stands out with a wide range of cryptocurrency options. It’s a strong choice for players looking for crypto casinos with instant withdrawals and for those who prioritize speed and security. JACKBIT is one of the best fast withdrawal casinos with a long list of supported coins. Here’s a closer look at each option:
- Bitcoin (BTC)
- Ethereum (ETH)
- Tether (USDT)
- Binance Coin (BNB)
- Solana (SOL)
- XRP (Ripple)
- USD Coin (USDC)
- Cardano (ADA)
- Dogecoin (DOGE)
- Chainlink (LINK)
- TRON (TRX)
- Polygon (MATIC)
- Shiba Inu (SHIBA)
- DAI
- Bitcoin Cash (BCH)
- Litecoin (LTC)
- Monero (XMR)
- Dash (DASH)
- Binance USD (BUSD)
Fiat Banking Methods At JACKBIT:

JACKBIT is one of the best instant withdrawal casinos, as it also supports several cryptocurrencies. However, JACKBIT’s vast fiat payment methods also make things easier for players who don’t already own cryptocurrency.

Fiat Payment Options:
- Traditional methods: Visa, Mastercard, Bank Transfer.
- Digital wallets: Apple Pay, Google Pay, Skrill, Neteller, Pix.
However, it’s important to remember that you cannot wager or withdraw using fiat. These methods are only used to purchase cryptocurrencies on the platform. All gameplay and cashouts are handled exclusively in crypto.

Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to buying crypto with fiat at JACKBIT:
1. Register or log in to your JACKBIT account.
2. Go to the Deposit Section and select “Buy Crypto.”
3. Choose your preferred payment method (Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay, etc.).
4. Select the cryptocurrency you want to purchase (BTC, ETH, USDT, etc.).
5. After entering the desired purchase amount, confirm the transaction.
6. Complete the payment through your selected provider.
7. Crypto is credited to your JACKBIT balance
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Final Thoughts On Best Instant Withdrawal Casino

JACKBIT stands out as one of the best instant withdrawal casinos, offering players a seamless, fast-paced gaming experience with minimal waiting times for withdrawals. Whether you’re into classic slots, table games, or live casino games, JACKBIT delivers quality across the board. With its extensive range of cryptocurrencies for both deposits and withdrawals, players can expect quick cashouts without any hassles.

Not only does JACKBIT provide a sleek interface and a range of games, but its rewards program and regular promotions also give players plenty of opportunities to maximize their gaming experience. You’ll find everything from welcome bonuses and cashback offers to unique tournaments, all designed to keep things exciting.

As one of the best fast payout casinos for 2025, JACKBIT ensures that your winnings are in your hands quickly, whether you’re a crypto enthusiast or prefer traditional payment methods. With low minimum deposit requirements, generous bonuses, and an emphasis on instant payouts, this casino is built for players who value speed and convenience.

Don’t miss out on the chance to experience one of the most trusted online casinos with fast withdrawal times. Join JACKBIT today for an exceptional gaming adventure!

FAQ’s

1. What makes JACKBIT one of the best instant withdrawal casinos in 2025?

JACKBIT offers lightning-fast crypto withdrawals and a vast game library. Its no-KYC policy ensures quick, hassle-free payouts.

2. Which cryptocurrencies can I use at JACKBIT Casino?

JACKBIT supports Bitcoin, Ethereum, Tether, Solana, and many others. All transactions are processed securely and instantly.

3. Does JACKBIT support fiat payment methods?

Fiat options like Visa and Apple Pay are available to buy crypto. Gameplay and withdrawals are crypto-only.

4. What types of games are available at JACKBIT?

JACKBIT features over 6,000 games, including slots, live casinos, and sports betting. Top providers like Pragmatic Play ensure quality.

5. Are there any bonuses for new players at JACKBIT?

New players get 100 wager-free spins and a 30% rakeback offer. A no-risk sports bonus is also available.

6. How fast are withdrawals at JACKBIT Casino?

Most withdrawals are instant or take just minutes. Crypto transactions ensure rapid payouts.

7. Is JACKBIT Casino licensed and secure?

JACKBIT holds a Curacao eGaming license and uses SSL encryption. This ensures a safe and fair gaming environment.

Email: support@JACKBIT.com

Disclaimer

Gambling online carries financial risks. Verify that you meet the legal age requirement (19+) and adhere to local laws. Practice responsible gambling and check JACKBIT’s official site for current terms and promotions.

Legal Disclaimer
This article is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. It does not offer legal or financial advice. Please verify the information and ensure you are following local laws before engaging in any gambling activities.

Casino and Gambling Disclaimer

Online gambling involves risks and may not be suitable for everyone. Gambling laws vary by jurisdiction, and compliance is your responsibility. We do not promote gambling, and participation is at your own risk. JACKBIT is a third-party platform, and we are not liable for any losses or disputes arising from its use. Always gamble responsibly and seek professional advice if needed.

Affiliate Disclosure

We may receive commissions for referrals to JACKBIT through affiliate links, at no additional cost to you. Our reviews are impartial, focusing on player satisfaction and clarity.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3bf40bef-409f-488f-979d-f8ba3c696e41
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The MIL Network –
May 11, 2025
MIL-OSI China: World Brand Moganshan Conference highlights innovation in global journeys of Chinese brands

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

The ongoing 2025 World Brand Moganshan Conference in Deqing County, east China’s Zhejiang Province, is emphasizing innovation as a major driving force in expanding the global reach of Chinese brands.

Themed “Brands Bring Better Future for the World,” the event offers Chinese brands a global stage to share their brand stories and fosters shared opportunities, common development and mutually beneficial cooperation.

Conference attendees have emphasized the importance of brand building in nurturing new quality productive forces. They further noted that recent initiatives have shown positive outcomes — with innovation being a key driver.

Take Wensli Group, a well-known Chinese silk producer established in 1975, as an example. Admired for its industry-leading silk double-sided printing process, Wensli has not only maintained long-term partnerships with many luxury brands but also created new growth opportunities.

Notably, Wensli’s mini-program enables customers to instantly create a unique, self-designed scarf pattern. Leveraging AI-generated content, the scarf can be produced in just two hours, with minimal release of carbon emissions or wastewater.

“With the help of technology, we can customize 100,000 unique silk scarves for each of the 8 billion people in the world,” said Tu Hongyan, chairperson of Wensli. She added that innovation has transformed Wensli from importing technologies and services to exporting its own independent, new technologies.

Wensli’s journey mirrors the development trajectory of many Chinese brands.

“Chinese brands have transitioned from followers to creators and leaders in new models and standards. Consequently, the image of Chinese brands has acquired new significance on the global stage,” said Shan Fan, president of the Brand University of Applied Sciences in Hamburg, Germany.

The Chinese fashion industry has also seen Bosideng Group, a leading down jacket manufacturer, take its brand global.

Its first overseas store opened in London ahead of the 2012 Olympics. Since then, its products have graced the runways of New York, Milan and London, shining a spotlight on Chinese down jackets in the global arena.

“The robust growth of the Chinese economy, its rising cultural confidence, swift progress in technological innovation, and growing international influence have all paved the way for Chinese brands to thrive,” said Gao Dekang, chairman and chief executive officer of Bosideng Group.

Despite mounting obstacles in international trade, Chinese brands have remained resolute in their pursuit of global presence.

“To venture overseas, we have to tackle numerous challenges, such as obtaining the necessary certifications, arranging logistics and building our brand reputation. The overseas markets are highly diverse, and we stick to one unbreakable rule — we must adapt to local conditions and respect the differences,” said Wang Pu, co-founder of Chinese beverage company Chi Forest.

In 2020, Chi Forest officially entered mainstream distribution channels in Singapore. Now, the company’s products have entered more than 40 countries and regions, including the United States and Australia, Wang added.

Held for three consecutive years, the World Brand Moganshan Conference has developed into a vital platform for Chinese brands to enhance their visibility and explore new cooperation opportunities.

Over 50 parallel activities also form part of the 2025 conference, including a main forum, a launch event for brand value evaluation, and several themed high-end dialogues.

MIL OSI China News –

May 11, 2025