Source: United States Navy
Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) opened a new chapter in its support of naval aviation’s heavy lift mission with the induction of a CH-53K King Stallion April 17, marking the first time the platform has ever been inducted for depot-level maintenance.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Tracey Mann (Kansas, 1)
[embedded content]
CLICK HERE to download Rep. Mann’s opening remarks.
CLICK HERE to watch Rep. Mann’s opening remarks on YouTube.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Tracey Mann (KS-01) spoke on the U.S. House floor in support of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which passed in the House with a vote of 215-214 on May 22, 2025. During the speech, Rep. Mann highlighted his priorities in the bill, which include advancing the largest tax cuts in American history, historic investments in the nation’s border security and air traffic control systems, and long overdue relief for the nation’s agriculture community.
Rep. Mann’s Remarks as Prepared:
Mr. Speaker, over the Memorial Day recess, Rasmussen found that a majority of Americans say the country is on the right track. Under President Trump, America just keeps winning, again and again and again. Promises made, promises kept.
77 million Americans trusted President Trump to restore common sense to our nation’s capital by bringing down everyday costs, reining in our federal spending, lowering taxes, rolling back burdensome regulations, strengthening our nation’s border security and getting our fiscal house back in order. President Trump has already begun delivering on that mandate, and Congress is helping him advance his agenda.
Just a few days ago, here in this chamber, House Republicans voted to deliver the largest tax cut in American history. We made long overdue investments into our nation’s border security by funding the completion of the border wall, investing in modern technology to assist with intercepting drug and human smuggling, and increasing detention capacity for Immigration and Customs Enforcement as they work to deport violent criminals and gang members who are in the country illegally.
Our bill supports America’s farmers, ranchers, and agricultural producers like those in the Big First District of Kansas who want to see the farm safety net strengthened by expanding crop insurance and updating reference prices. We permanently expanded the death tax exemption, saving two million family farms and saving those families more than $10 billion. We supported President Trump and Secretary Duffy’s request to make much-needed investments into the Federal Aviation Administration to modernize our air traffic control technology and infrastructure and to uphold the Gold Standard of American aviation.
The One Big Beautiful Act strengthens our social safety net while better stewarding the tax dollars of hardworking Americans. Americans are generous people, but we cannot allow the government to abuse that generosity. Programs like Medicaid and SNAP were intended for the most vulnerable populations in the country—pregnant women, single parents with kids too young for school, low-income Americans, disabled individuals, and the elderly. Over the years, those programs have been exploited and expanded beyond their initial intent, causing the cost of these programs to skyrocket exponentially.
If taxpaying Americans can get up every day and go to work, why shouldn’t we ask the same thing of those who benefit from that generosity? Our bill requires that able-bodied adults without kids too young for school, work, or volunteer at least 20 hours a week. This includes volunteering at a food pantry, a local church, or giving back to their community. It’s disheartening that so many of my Democrat colleagues would prefer to lie about what our bill does and limit Americans to a permanent destination of government assistance rather than empower them returning to the ladder of opportunity. That is not the American dream.
I am hopeful that the Senate will move quickly to get it over the finish line and on the President’s desk. The country cannot afford for us to get this bill wrong, and I trust that every single Republican is committed to getting it to the President as soon as possible and helping America win yet again.
###
For more information about Representative Mann, visit: www.mann.house.gov.
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
BINGHAMTON, N.Y., June 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Natrion, a leader in advanced battery technology, has been awarded a $150,000 R&D grant and a $100,000 SuperBoost grant from the National Science Foundation Energy Storage Engine in Upstate New York. The funding will accelerate the commercialization of Natrion’s LISIC solid-state electrolyte separator technology, a breakthrough in lithium-ion battery safety, reliability, and thermal stability for electric mobility, grid storage, and aerospace applications.
Natrion’s proprietary LISIC solid electrolyte separator technology mitigates risks associated with thermal runaway, addressing one of the most significant safety challenges in lithium-ion batteries. By replacing porous separators containing flammable liquid electrolytes with its advanced non-porous solid-state separator, Natrion enhances battery safety while maintaining high energy density and stability. This transformative solution also integrates seamlessly with existing manufacturing processes, enabling cost-effective scaling.
“The energy storage industry has long sought safer, high-performance alternatives to conventional lithium-ion technology,” said Alex Kosyakov, CEO of Natrion. “This support from the NSF Energy Storage Engine is a game-changer for us, allowing us to accelerate the commercialization of our LISIC separator technology and bring it to real-world applications. By leveraging the world-class testing facilities at Rochester Institute of Technology, we are optimizing our platform for electric vehicles, aerospace, and beyond.”
The R&D grant will focus on enhancing the LISIC platform’s performance, cost-effectiveness, and manufacturability, while the SuperBoost grant will support rapid prototyping, quality control, and production automation efforts. Natrion will collaborate with RIT’s Battery Development Center, using its state-of-the-art facilities to validate the technology for cylindrical batteries, widely used in electric mobility, electronics, and grid applications.
The SuperBoost program, a core initiative of the NSF Energy Storage Engine, is designed to accelerate commercialization timelines — reducing the traditional five-plus-year development cycle to under two years. The program provides direct funding, strategic partnerships, and infrastructure access, helping early-stage companies bridge the gap between technological innovation and market deployment.
Fernando Gómez-Baquero, director of the Translation Pillar at the Energy Storage Engine, highlighted the critical role of Natrion’s advancements in battery safety: “Battery safety is paramount as the world moves toward widespread electrification. Natrion’s LISIC technology directly addresses one of the industry’s greatest challenges — thermal runaway — while enhancing energy density and manufacturability. SuperBoost isn’t just about funding; it’s about ensuring that companies like Natrion have the right ecosystem support to scale and succeed.”
The NSF Energy Storage Engine is at the forefront of creating a national energy storage ecosystem, leveraging its extensive network of testbeds, infrastructure, and research collaborations to help startups accelerate their path to market.
Meera Sampath, CEO of the NSF Energy Storage Engine, emphasized the Engine’s role in strengthening the U.S. energy supply chain: “The Engine is committed to fostering technology translation and commercialization through strategic investments like SuperBoost. By leveraging upstate New York’s unparalleled network of testbeds, manufacturing capabilities, and industry partnerships, we are strengthening the energy storage supply chain and positioning the region as a leader in battery innovation. Natrion’s advancements exemplify our mission to accelerate solutions that will drive U.S. energy independence and economic growth.”
Through the support of the NSF Energy Storage Engine, Natrion is well-positioned to accelerate its technology toward commercial deployment. By leveraging the Engine’s regional resources — including collaborations with RIT’s Battery Development Center and other key partners — the company is advancing its battery technology toward full-scale production. This
initiative aligns with the Engine’s broader mission to transform upstate New York into America’s Battery Capital, fostering economic growth, national energy security, and technological leadership in next-generation energy storage.
About Natrion
Natrion develops advanced battery technologies to deliver safe, scalable, and high-performance energy storage solutions for EVs, aviation, grid storage, and beyond. With a focus on innovation, cost-efficiency, and seamless integration into existing manufacturing, Natrion is redefining the future of energy storage.
For more information, visit https://www.natrion.co
Contact:
Alex Kosyakov
CEO & Co-Founder akosyakov@natrion.com
About the NSF Energy Storage Engine in Upstate New York
The NSF Energy Storage Engine in Upstate New York, led by Binghamton University, is a National Science Foundation-funded, place-based innovation program. The coalition of 40+ academic, industry, nonprofit, state, and community organizations includes Cornell University, Rochester Institute of Technology, Syracuse University, Launch-NY and NY-BEST as core partners. The Engine advances next-gen battery technology development and manufacturing to drive economic growth and bolster national security. Its vision is to transform upstate New York into America’s Battery Capital.
For more information on the Upstate New York Energy Storage Engine, visit https://upstatenyengine.org/.
Contact:
Fernando Gómez-Baquero, Ph.D.
Translation Pillar Director
NSF Energy Storage Engine in Upstate New York
fernando@cornell.edu
Source: US Energy Information Administration
In-brief analysis
June 9, 2025
In 2024, the United States produced a record amount of energy, according to data in our Monthly Energy Review. U.S. total energy production was more than 103 quadrillion British thermal units in 2024, a 1% increase from the previous record set in 2023. Several energy sources—natural gas, crude oil, natural gas plant liquids, biofuels, solar, and wind—each set domestic production records last year.
Natural gas accounted for about 38% of U.S. total energy production in 2024 and has been the largest source of U.S. domestic energy production every year since 2011, when it surpassed coal. U.S. dry natural gas production was nearly 38 trillion cubic feet, about the same as in 2023.
Domestic crude oil accounted for about 27% of U.S. total energy production in 2024, as the United States continues to be the world’s top crude oil-producing country. U.S. crude oil production was a record 13.2 million barrels per day in 2024, 2% more than the previous record set in 2023. Almost all of the production growth came from the Permian region that spans parts of New Mexico and Texas.
Coal accounted for about 10% of U.S. total energy production in 2024. At 512 million short tons, last year’s coal production was the lowest annual output since 1964. Coal was the largest source of U.S. energy production from 1984 through 2010.
Natural gas plant liquids (NGPL), which includes fuels such as ethane and propane that are associated with natural gas processing, accounted for about 9% of U.S. total energy production in 2024. NGPL production was a record 4 trillion cubic feet in 2024, up 7% from 2023. Domestic NGPL production have increased every year since 2005 as U.S. natural gas production and processing capacity have increased.
Biofuels, wind, and solar production each set records in 2024, contributing to record total renewable energy production in the United States. In 2024, U.S. total biofuels production, which includes ethanol, renewable diesel, biodiesel, and other biofuels such as sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), was a record 1.4 million barrels per day, up 6% from previous records set in 2023.
In 2024, U.S. solar and wind production increased by 25% and 8%, respectively, as new generators came online. Output from other energy sources that are primarily used for electric power generation either peaked decades ago (hydropower and nuclear) or fell slightly from their 2023 values (geothermal).
We convert sources of energy to common units of heat, called British thermal units, to compare different types of energy that are usually measured in units that are not directly comparable, such as barrels of crude oil and cubic feet of natural gas. Appendix A of our Monthly Energy Review has the conversion factors that we use for each energy source.
Principal contributor: Mickey Francis
Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, June 9 (Xinhua) — Russian airline NordStar will launch a direct flight linking Moscow and Datong in northern China’s Shanxi Province on July 6 this year, becoming the second tourist air route between the Russian capital and China’s Shanxi Province.
As the newspaper “Shanxi Wanbao” /“Evening Shanxi”/ writes, in April of this year a charter flight Taiyuan-Moscow was opened.
Flights Y7535/Y7536 on the new route will operate once a week.
The airliner will leave Moscow on Saturday at 18:45 Moscow time and arrive in Datong at 08:50 the next day Beijing time, on the return flight it will depart at 10:30 Sunday Beijing time and land at Moscow airport at 15:35 Moscow time.
Flights from Datong to Moscow and back are already on sale. Tickets can be purchased at a discount on the platforms of tour operators.
From the 17th to the early 20th century, the famous Great Tea Road connected modern Shanxi Province and Russia. Today, the opening of Taiyuan-Moscow and Datong-Moscow flights will allow the two sides to deepen their friendship and intensify cooperation.
According to Li Zhiwei, CEO of Baohua Travel, Moscow and St. Petersburg are very attractive to Chinese travelers. Shanxi Province, where many attractions have been preserved, is also an interesting destination for Russian tourists.
Baohua Travel has developed various tourism products for Russian clients, including 8-day tours of Taiyuan and Datong cities and 8-day tours of intangible cultural heritage sites. -0-
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 2
Planning permissions will be sped up as the Government rolls out a new AI tool which can scan hundreds of files in seconds – making it easier to make home improvements, while turbocharging the Plan for Change milestone to build 1.5 million homes.
PM unveils revolutionary AI tool to transform planning system and speed up housebuilding at London Tech Week
‘Extract’ set to digitise planning documents and bring England’s outdated planning system into the 21st century
Breakthrough AI tool to be made available to all councils by Spring 2026, using Google DeepMind’s Gemini model
Digital planning transformation to help deliver Plan for Change milestone to build 1.5 million homes
Planning permissions will be sped up as the Government rolls out a new AI tool which can scan hundreds of files in seconds – making it easier to make home improvements, while turbocharging the Plan for Change milestone to build 1.5 million homes.
Speaking at London Tech Week, the Prime Minister announced the launch of “Extract” – an AI assistant for planning officers and local councils, developed by government with support from Google.
For the first time, this cutting-edge technology will help councils convert decades-old, handwritten planning documents and maps into data in minutes – and will power new types of planning software to slash the 250,000 estimated hours spent by planning officers each year manually checking these documents. This will dramatically reduce delays that have long plagued the system.
Around 350,000 planning applications are submitted a year in England, yet the system remains heavily reliant on paper documents – some hundreds of pages long. Once submitted, each of these documents needs to be manually validated and approved by a planning officer.
In test trials across Hillingdon, Nuneaton & Bedworth, and Exeter councils, Extract digitised planning records, including maps, in just three minutes each – compared to the 1–2 hours it typically takes manually. This means Extract could process around 100 planning records a day – significantly speeding up the process.
This represents a step-change in productivity, freeing up thousands of hours for planning officers to focus on decision-making to speed up housebuilding. It will also accelerate the delivery of much-needed housing, improve reliability in the planning process and reduce costs and save time for councils and developers.
Extract is expected to be made available to all councils by Spring 2026. The government’s ambition is to fully digitise the planning system – making it faster, more transparent, and easier to navigate for working people, councils, businesses and developers.
The rollout will help deliver the government’s Plan for Change milestone to build 1.5 million homes over the next Parliament and is part of the government’s efforts to harness tech and AI to deliver change and renewal for working people.
It also comes alongside the government’s wider efforts to digitise the planning system, building on an estimated £59.4m per year spent by councils on digital planning and housing software, delivering an estimated time and cost saving of £527m for the public sector each year.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:
For too long, our outdated planning system has held back our country— slowing down the development of vital infrastructure and making it harder to get the homes we need built.
This government is working hand in hand with business to change that. With Extract, we’re harnessing the power of AI to help planning officers cut red tape, speed up decisions, and unlock the new homes for hard-working people as part of our Plan for Change.
It’s a bold step forward in our mission to build 1.5 million more homes and deliver a planning system that’s fit for the 21st century.”
Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary Angela Rayner said:
From day one we made an unwavering promise to use every tool at our disposal to build the 1.5 million homes and vital infrastructure through our Plan for Change that our local communities desperately need.
By using cutting-edge technology like Extract we can fix the broken planning system, cut delays, save money, and also reduce burdens on councils to help pave the way for the biggest building boom in a generation.”
Co-Founder & CEO of Google DeepMind, Demis Hassabis said:
We build our AI models to understand all types of information – from text to handwritten notes and technical drawings – so it’s really exciting to see the UK government choose Gemini to help speed up the planning process and support planners and people across the country.
Hillingdon Council’s Chief Operating Officer Matthew Wallbridge said:
‘The UK Planning System relies on paper-based processes, and AI can help to read and then extract the key information from it, to help both residents and planning officers. The productivity benefits will allow for a faster and cheaper service’.
Tom Shardlow, CEO Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council said:
Just like many local authorities, Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council has many plans and documents in storage from historic planning applications over the years. Working with the Extract team, we have seen the outputs from Extract, and how these could improve our service, providing high quality, digital, GeoSpatial data and how this could speed up the process for our Planning Team.”
The government is now working with Google to develop and expand Extract to all local authorities in England using its Gemini model. The government will expand Extract to handle all planning document types with the aim of supporting local authorities to digitise all planning documents by the end of 2026.
The planning data, unlocked through Extract, will be uploaded to a publicly accessible gov.uk service page. Open, public data will ensure the planning system is more transparent, accessible and understandable to the public. The government will also explore the best and most efficient ways to deploy Extract into local authorities – this might also include developing an app to scan documents instantly.
This government is turning the page on the decline of the past and choosing growth with a significant number of planning decisions already made by Ministers since July.
This includes 18 planning decisions taken by Ministers over 85% of which within the target timeframe, and 18 nationally significant infrastructure projects approved, collectively spanning airports, data centres, solar farms and major housing developments such as the Expansion of London City Airport, a data centre in Buckinghamshire and a new M&S store in Oxford Street, London.
The Planning and Infrastructure Bill will also provide the powers to accelerate the infrastructure and homes needed to deliver on the government’s ambitions – and fast track critical infrastructure such as wind farms, power plants, and major road and rail projects.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (25th District of FLORIDA)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart (FL-26), Vice Chair of the House Appropriations Committee, led a 17-member coalition from the Florida Congressional Delegation in a letter to President Trump and his administration requesting sustained F-35A production and fielding to modernize the aging F-16C fleet at Homestead Air Reserve Base.
“As Dean of the Florida Delegation, I am acutely aware of the security threats our nation faces from drug trafficking, transnational criminal organizations, and the increasing malign influence and presence of anti-American adversaries like Russia and China in the Southern Hemisphere. Florida is foundational in protecting our national security, countering the southern border threats and defending our Eastern coastline.
“For these reasons, having the modern, multi-role F-35A fighter aircraft at HomesteadAir Reserve Base, which has served as a foundational line of defense for over 80 years, is a vital asset and will ensure the United States’ readiness in confronting these threats to our national security,” said Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart.
“As America faces growing threats from our adversaries like Communist China and Putin’s Russia, the need to modernize our air defenses has never been more urgent,” said Congressman Carlos Gimenez. “The F-35 is the most advanced fighter jet in the world, and its production is critical to maintaining our military dominance. Located in Florida’s 28th District, Homestead Air Reserve Base must receive the investments and upgrades needed to support the next generation of tactical air power. South Florida plays a strategic role in our national defense, and Homestead must be ready to host and sustain the F-35 mission for decades to come.”
Read the full text of the letter here or below.
“We would first like to thank you for your efforts to keep our nation safe, make our military the most lethal military force in the world and return peace through strength around the world. As Commander in Chief, you understand the critical role Florida plays in delivering on that mission and protecting our national security. From deterring and preventing the approximately $2.7 trillion impact to American lives through fentanyl counternarcotics efforts to supporting Southern border operations and homeland defense alert missions along our coastlines, Homestead Air Force Reserve Base (HARB) is critical for our national security. Florida’s strategic location makes it uniquely postured to counter Chinese, Russian, Violent Extremist Organizations (VEOs), and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) and their influence in the southern hemisphere. These regional threats are the largest contributor to the state of national emergency within the United States over illegal aliens, infiltration of Tren de Aragua and MS-13 gangs, and illicit opioids.
“Under your leadership as both our 45th and 47th president, Florida continues to fight the cartels and drug traffickers, leading to South Florida being named the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area of the Year. We dismantled or disrupted 54 drug trafficking organizations in 2023 and seized an estimate value of $748 million in illicit drugs, including 23 metric tons of cocaine, 248 kilograms of methamphetamine, and 224 kilograms of fentanyl.
“Through U.S. Southern Command, appropriately headquartered in Florida, we are tracking and thwarting Chinese efforts to expand their Belt and Road Initiative in Latin American Countries to monopolize natural resources, such as 20% of the world’s oil reserves, 25% of the strategic metals, and 31% of the fishing areas. We are working to claw back the $358 billion amassed by 35 TCOs in the region in 2023 through interdiction and counter trafficking efforts to help stabilize South America, preventing their problems from reaching our shores. The Russian Surface Action Group, led by the frigate Admiral Gorshkov and cruise missile submarine Kazan docked in Havana, Cuba, passed within 30 miles of the Florida Keys last June. Florida is uniquely postured to support the border alert mission to deter these acts of aggression.
“Within Florida, HARB serves a foundational role in supporting the most critical national defense missions. HARB generated $364 million for the local economy in 2023 alone. It is the home to the 2,500-member 482nd Fighter Wing and its reserve associate, the 367th Fighter Squadron, responsible for F-16 alerts across the coastline in support of Operation Noble Eagle. It houses the Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Branch, operating Blackhawks and turbo-prop airliners like the DHC-8 to interdict smugglers and prevent illegal aliens from crossing into the United States. Special Operations Command South Headquarters is also resident at HARB, executing special operations as assigned to U.S. Southern Command, spanning 31 countries and 10 overseas territories across Central and South America and the Caribbean.
“Florida’s Gulf of America, Atlantic Ocean access, and its proximity to Central and South America is what drove the 125th Fighter Wing Air National Guard (ANG) unit selection for the F-35A Lightning II. Starting with an initial batch of aircraft to Jacksonville ANG in March of this year and expanding to the 125th Fighter Wing Detachment 1 at HARB in 2027. The Air Force Reserve also planned this F-35A modernization to replace the aging F-16C fleet within the 482nd Fighter Wing. This would create a common fighter platform between the Reserves and National Guard at HARB, reducing costs for base operations through shared maintenance efforts. Together, these units would provide a considerable increase in readiness for the North American Aerospace Defense Command Alert mission across both the Southern and Eastern U.S. border as well as downrange multi-role operations through short-notice worldwide deployments.
“Together, we ask your administration to ensure that the F-35A goes to Homestead Air Reserve Base and the F-35A production quantities remain undeterred. There is no real trade when comparing other airframes and locales to a multi-role fighter aircraft capable of countering Russian, Chinese, VEOs, and TCOs operations across the entirety of the Southern and Eastern U.S. border and throughout the Southern Hemisphere. HARB is a vital asset for our national security and power projection, and critical for your Peace through Strength agenda. Thank you again for your leadership and we hope you will consider, within all applicable rules and regulations, our input on the matter.”
###
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, June 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Red Cat Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: RCAT), a drone technology company integrating robotic hardware and software for military, government, and commercial operations, today issued a statement of support for a series of executive orders from the White House that advance U.S. leadership in uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) and reinforce the resilience of America’s domestic industrial base.
The executive actions are expected to remove regulatory barriers and modernize federal approval processes to prioritize U.S.-manufactured drones. Additional provisions include expanded detection and mitigation authority, and streamlined regulations to accelerate the deployment of UAS across federal and commercial sectors.
“These executive orders send a clear signal that the U.S. is serious about enabling a secure domestic drone industry that supports mission-critical outcomes for the U.S. and its allies,” said Brendan Stewart, VP of Regulatory Affairs at Red Cat. “This level of policy alignment removes barriers to fielding trusted, American-made systems at scale. Red Cat stands ready to meet this moment with its proven, electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing systems that utilize advanced AI and computer vision solutions from partners including Palantir, Palladyne AI, Athena AI and Primordial Labs.”
This announcement follows Red Cat’s earlier show of support for the White House’s April 2025 executive order aimed at restoring America’s maritime dominance. In alignment with that national strategy, Red Cat unveiled its initiative to develop advanced uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) designed to enhance multi-domain situational awareness and autonomous mission execution across maritime environments.
Red Cat’s Family of Systems is anchored by its advanced aerial platforms, led by America’s Drone, the Black Widow™, a secure, autonomous ISR drone delivering real-time intelligence at the tactical edge. The company’s vision is to build a holistic ecosystem of fully integrated autonomous platforms to support operations across air, land, and sea. This vision aligns with the Order to support the warfighter by expanding access to U.S.-manufactured high-performing drones.
The company supports the White House’s coordinated approach to enabling American drone and maritime dominance through regulatory clarity, targeted investment, and streamlined authorizations. Clear federal guidance is essential to unlock broader operational use cases and promote American leadership in production, certification, and export of systems for use across all domains.
About Red Cat Holdings, Inc.
Red Cat (Nasdaq: RCAT) is a drone technology company integrating robotic hardware and software for military, government, and commercial operations. Through two wholly owned subsidiaries, Teal Drones and FlightWave Aerospace, Red Cat has developed a leading-edge Family of Systems. This includes the flagship Black Widow™, a small unmanned ISR system that was awarded the U.S. Army’s Short Range Reconnaissance (SRR) Program of Record contract. The Family of Systems also includes TRICHON™, a fixed wing VTOL for extended endurance and range, and FANG™, the industry’s first line of NDAA compliant FPV drones optimized for military operations with precision strike capabilities. Learn more at www.redcat.red.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” that are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained in this press release are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release may be identified by the use of words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “contemplate,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “seek,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “target,” “aim,” “should,” “will” “would,” or the negative of these words or other similar expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. Forward-looking statements are based on Red Cat Holdings, Inc.’s current expectations and are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Further, certain forward-looking statements are based on assumptions as to future events that may not prove to be accurate. These and other risks and uncertainties are described more fully in the section titled “Risk Factors” in the Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 27, 2023. Forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are made as of this date, and Red Cat Holdings, Inc. undertakes no duty to update such information except as required under applicable law.
Contact:
INVESTORS:
E-mail: Investors@redcat.red
NEWS MEDIA:
Phone: (347) 880-2895
Email: peter@indicatemedia.com
Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements
Planning permissions will be sped up as the Government rolls out a new AI tool which can scan hundreds of files in seconds – making it easier to make home improvements, while turbocharging the Plan for Change milestone to build 1.5 million homes.
PM unveils revolutionary AI tool to transform planning system and speed up housebuilding at London Tech Week
‘Extract’ set to digitise planning documents and bring England’s outdated planning system into the 21st century
Breakthrough AI tool to be made available to all councils by Spring 2026, using Google DeepMind’s Gemini model
Digital planning transformation to help deliver Plan for Change milestone to build 1.5 million homes
Planning permissions will be sped up as the Government rolls out a new AI tool which can scan hundreds of files in seconds – making it easier to make home improvements, while turbocharging the Plan for Change milestone to build 1.5 million homes.
Speaking at London Tech Week, the Prime Minister announced the launch of “Extract” – an AI assistant for planning officers and local councils, developed by government with support from Google.
For the first time, this cutting-edge technology will help councils convert decades-old, handwritten planning documents and maps into data in minutes – and will power new types of planning software to slash the 250,000 estimated hours spent by planning officers each year manually checking these documents. This will dramatically reduce delays that have long plagued the system.
Around 350,000 planning applications are submitted a year in England, yet the system remains heavily reliant on paper documents – some hundreds of pages long. Once submitted, each of these documents needs to be manually validated and approved by a planning officer.
In test trials across Hillingdon, Nuneaton & Bedworth, and Exeter councils, Extract digitised planning records, including maps, in just three minutes each – compared to the 1–2 hours it typically takes manually. This means Extract could process around 100 planning records a day – significantly speeding up the process.
This represents a step-change in productivity, freeing up thousands of hours for planning officers to focus on decision-making to speed up housebuilding. It will also accelerate the delivery of much-needed housing, improve reliability in the planning process and reduce costs and save time for councils and developers.
Extract is expected to be made available to all councils by Spring 2026. The government’s ambition is to fully digitise the planning system – making it faster, more transparent, and easier to navigate for working people, councils, businesses and developers.
The rollout will help deliver the government’s Plan for Change milestone to build 1.5 million homes over the next Parliament and is part of the government’s efforts to harness tech and AI to deliver change and renewal for working people.
It also comes alongside the government’s wider efforts to digitise the planning system, building on an estimated £59.4m per year spent by councils on digital planning and housing software, delivering an estimated time and cost saving of £527m for the public sector each year.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:
For too long, our outdated planning system has held back our country— slowing down the development of vital infrastructure and making it harder to get the homes we need built.
This government is working hand in hand with business to change that. With Extract, we’re harnessing the power of AI to help planning officers cut red tape, speed up decisions, and unlock the new homes for hard-working people as part of our Plan for Change.
It’s a bold step forward in our mission to build 1.5 million more homes and deliver a planning system that’s fit for the 21st century.”
Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary Angela Rayner said:
From day one we made an unwavering promise to use every tool at our disposal to build the 1.5 million homes and vital infrastructure through our Plan for Change that our local communities desperately need.
By using cutting-edge technology like Extract we can fix the broken planning system, cut delays, save money, and also reduce burdens on councils to help pave the way for the biggest building boom in a generation.”
Co-Founder & CEO of Google DeepMind, Demis Hassabis said:
We build our AI models to understand all types of information – from text to handwritten notes and technical drawings – so it’s really exciting to see the UK government choose Gemini to help speed up the planning process and support planners and people across the country.
Hillingdon Council’s Chief Operating Officer Matthew Wallbridge said:
‘The UK Planning System relies on paper-based processes, and AI can help to read and then extract the key information from it, to help both residents and planning officers. The productivity benefits will allow for a faster and cheaper service’.
Tom Shardlow, CEO Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council said:
Just like many local authorities, Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council has many plans and documents in storage from historic planning applications over the years. Working with the Extract team, we have seen the outputs from Extract, and how these could improve our service, providing high quality, digital, GeoSpatial data and how this could speed up the process for our Planning Team.”
The government is now working with Google to develop and expand Extract to all local authorities in England using its Gemini model. The government will expand Extract to handle all planning document types with the aim of supporting local authorities to digitise all planning documents by the end of 2026.
The planning data, unlocked through Extract, will be uploaded to a publicly accessible gov.uk service page. Open, public data will ensure the planning system is more transparent, accessible and understandable to the public. The government will also explore the best and most efficient ways to deploy Extract into local authorities – this might also include developing an app to scan documents instantly.
This government is turning the page on the decline of the past and choosing growth with a significant number of planning decisions already made by Ministers since July.
This includes 18 planning decisions taken by Ministers over 85% of which within the target timeframe, and 18 nationally significant infrastructure projects approved, collectively spanning airports, data centres, solar farms and major housing developments such as the Expansion of London City Airport, a data centre in Buckinghamshire and a new M&S store in Oxford Street, London.
The Planning and Infrastructure Bill will also provide the powers to accelerate the infrastructure and homes needed to deliver on the government’s ambitions – and fast track critical infrastructure such as wind farms, power plants, and major road and rail projects.
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
Vladivostok, June 9 /Xinhua/ — Chinese airline Juneyao Air will launch direct flights from Vladivostok to Shanghai on June 23, the Russian city’s international airport announced on its website on Monday.
The route will be operated by an Airbus 321 aircraft in a two-class configuration. Flights in the summer schedule are scheduled from June 23, twice a week on Mondays and Fridays to Shanghai Pudong Airport. Flight time from Vladivostok to Shanghai is 3 hours 30 minutes.
Currently, flights from Vladivostok airport to Shanghai are operated by Russian airlines Rossiya and S7 Airlines.
According to Dmitry Khazin, Head of the Aviation Marketing Department at Vladivostok International Airport, China remains one of the most popular and promising international destinations. Thanks to the cooperation between Juneyao Air and a major Chinese tour operator, Russian tourists will have access to new tour products not only to Shanghai, but also to other cities in China. –0–
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
In the first five months of this year, the customs of two major airports in Beijing processed departure tax refund applications for overseas travelers totaling approximately 478 million yuan (about 66.52 million U.S. dollars), up 91.61 percent year on year, setting a new record high for the same period in history, according to Beijing Customs.
From January to May 2025, the customs of Beijing Capital International Airport and Beijing Daxing International Airport handled a total of 12,180 departure tax refund applications from overseas visitors, marking a year-on-year increase of 147.01 percent.
During the same period, the customs of Beijing Daxing International Airport processed departure tax refund applications for outbound travelers totaling over 72.37 million yuan, achieving nearly 200-percent growth year on year.
The 240-hour visa-free transit policy has significantly boosted the number of foreigners visiting China, the municipal customs said.
As China continues to optimize its tax refund policy for overseas tourists, the potential for inbound tourism consumption is being fully realized. During the recent Dragon Boat Festival holiday, the number of tax refund applications processed at the two Beijing airports surged by 263.81 percent year on year, while the total refund amount increased by 130.59 percent compared to the same period last year, data from Beijing Customs shows.
The customs of Beijing Capital International Airport now has multiple tax refund counters in departure areas, which has helped streamline processing amid rising demand. Meanwhile, Beijing Customs is working closely with tax authorities, tourism officials and Capital Airports Holdings Co., Ltd., to publicize tax refund procedures via airport media, multimedia systems, and official new media platforms.
Source: Government of India
Source: Government of India (4)
As Prime Minister Narendra Modi marks 11 years at the helm of the Indian government, the nation reflects on a decade defined by unprecedented transformation, inclusive development, and governance rooted in the spirit of Seva (service).
Under PM Modi’s leadership, India has not only surged economically and technologically but also redefined its global standing and internal governance priorities. The slogan 11 Years of Seva has come to symbolize a period of speed, scale, and selfless public service, touching every section of Indian society—from farmers to youth, from marginalized communities to women, and from remote villages to global forums.
India’s GDP has more than tripled over the last decade—from ₹105 lakh crore ($2.1 trillion) in 2013–14 to over ₹330 lakh crore ($4.2 trillion) in 2024–25. The country’s export capacity saw a 91% surge, hitting $890 billion in total exports this year. Initiatives like the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Schemes attracted ₹1.61 lakh crore in investments and created over 11.5 lakh jobs across 14 sectors.
Infrastructure witnessed massive upgrades. National highway length grew from 91,287 km in 2014 to 1,46,204 km in 2024. Operational airports more than doubled to 157. In the Northeast alone, ₹81,000 crore has been invested in railway projects, with 1,728 km commissioned—up 159% from the previous decade.
Agriculture saw a budgetary increase of nearly six times, with Minimum Support Prices (MSPs) rising substantially for major crops. Over ₹3.68 lakh crore has been directly transferred to over 11 crore farmers under PM-KISAN, while institutional credit to agriculture nearly tripled.
Women emerged as key stakeholders in this growth journey. The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam has secured one-third reservation for women in legislatures, and women now constitute 43% of STEMM enrollments and over 2 crore MSME entrepreneurs. Self-help groups (SHGs) have grown to 90.9 lakh, transforming grassroots leadership.
Health and Digital Transformation
Healthcare underwent a seismic shift. Ayushman Bharat has issued over 36 crore health cards, saving citizens ₹1.25 lakh crore in medical costs. India added nearly 400 new medical colleges, doubled MBBS seats, and saw a sharp decline in maternal and infant mortality rates.
Telemedicine service eSanjeevani delivered over 36 crore consultations—making it the world’s largest digital health platform. Aadhaar-enabled DBT schemes transferred over ₹43 lakh crore directly to beneficiaries, while UPI transactions crossed ₹214 lakh crore, with India now handling nearly half of global real-time payments.
Global Positioning and Defence Prowess
India has transitioned from a major arms importer to an emerging defence exporter, with defence exports soaring from ₹1,941 crore in 2014 to ₹23,662 crore in 2024. Indigenous platforms like the Vande Bharat trains and advanced defence drones have solidified India’s technological edge.
India’s role on the global stage also evolved, leading humanitarian missions like Operation Ganga, Brahma, Kaveri, and Vande Bharat to rescue citizens and deliver aid globally.
Sustainability and Green Growth
The green revolution under PM Modi’s governance is visible in the 3,400% rise in solar power capacity (from 2.82 GW to 100+ GW), the planting of over 142 crore trees, and the creation of 282 new protected ecological areas. The ₹19,744 crore National Green Hydrogen Mission aims to position India as a global clean energy hub.
Peace and Integration in the Northeast
Violence in the Northeast has reduced significantly—insurgency-related incidents fell by 70%, and over 10,500 insurgents have surrendered. The Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) has been revoked in large parts of the region, as development replaces discord. PM Modi has visited the region 78 times—more than all previous prime ministers combined.
Youth, Innovation, and Digital Bharat
With 1.61 lakh startups recognized and India now ranking third globally in the unicorn count, the youth have become central to India’s innovation ecosystem. Over 2.27 crore youth have been trained under Skill India, and more than ₹2 lakh crore has been invested in their skilling and employment.
India’s digital backbone also saw remarkable growth—with average data usage per person rising 325 times, from 70 MB in 2014 to 22.8 GB in 2025, and mobile phone production scaling from 5.8 crore units to over 33 crore annually.
From eradicating open defecation and improving healthcare access to transforming India into a startup and manufacturing powerhouse, the past 11 years under Prime Minister Narendra Modi have laid the foundation for a Viksit Bharat (developed India).
Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Donald Rothwell, Professor of International Law, Australian National University
On October 7 2023, more than 1,000 Hamas militants stormed into southern Israel and went on a killing spree, murdering 1,200 men, women and children and abducting another 250 people to take back to Gaza. It was the deadliest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust.
That day, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the country, “Israel is at war”. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) immediately began a military campaign to secure the release of the hostages and defeat Hamas. Since that day, more than 54,000 Palestinians have been killed, mostly women and children.
Israel has maintained its response is justified under international law, as every nation has “an inherent right to defend itself”, as Netanyahu stated in early 2024.
This is based on the right to self-defence in international law, which is outlined in Article 51 of the 1945 United Nations Charter as follows:
Nothing in the present Charter shall impair the inherent right of individual or collective self-defence if an armed attack occurs against a Member of the United Nations[…]
At the start of the war, many nations agreed Israel had a right to defend itself, but how it did so mattered. This would ensure its actions were consistent with international humanitarian law.
However, 20 months after the October 7 attacks, fundamental legal issues have arisen around whether this self-defence justification still holds.
Can Israel exercise self-defence ad infinitum? Or is it now waging a war of aggression against Palestine?
Self-defence has a long history in international law.
The modern principles of self-defence were outlined in diplomatic exchanges over an 1837 incident involving an American ship, The Caroline, after it was destroyed by British forces in Canada. Both sides agreed that an exercise of self-defence would have required the British to demonstrate their conduct was not “unreasonable or excessive”.
The concept of self-defence was also extensively relied on by the Allies in the second world war in response to German and Japanese aggression.
Self-defence was originally framed in the law as a right to respond to a state-based attack. However, this scope has broadened in recent decades to encompass attacks from non-state actors, such as al-Qaeda following the September 11 2001 terror attacks.
Israel is a legitimate, recognised state in the global community and a member of the United Nations. Its right to self-defence will always remain intact when it faces attacks from its neighbours or non-state actors, such as Hamas, Hezbollah or the Houthi rebels in Yemen.
However, the right of self-defence is not unlimited. It is constrained by the principles of necessity and proportionality.
The necessity test was met in the current war due to the extreme violence of the Hamas attack on October 7 and the taking of hostages. These were actions that could not be ignored and demanded a response, due to the threat Israel continued to face.
The proportionality test was also met, initially. Israel’s military operation after the attack was strategic in nature, focused on the return of the hostages and the destruction of Hamas to eliminate the immediate threat the group posed.
The legal question now is whether Israel is still legitimately exercising self-defence in response to the October 7 attacks.
This is a live issue, especially given comments by Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz on May 30 that Hamas would be “annihilated” unless a proposed ceasefire deal was accepted.
These comments and Israel’s ongoing conduct throughout the war raise the question of whether proportionality is still being met.
The importance of proportionality in self-defence has been endorsed in recent years by the International Court of Justice.
Under international law, proportionality remains relevant throughout a conflict, not just in the initial response to an attack.
While the law allows a war to continue until an aggressor surrenders, it does not legitimise the complete destruction of the territory where an aggressor is fighting.
The principle of proportionality also provides protections for civilians. Military actions are to be directed at the foreign forces who launched the attack, not civilians.
While Israel has targeted Hamas fighters in its attacks, including those who orchestrated the October 7 attacks, these actions have caused significant collateral deaths of Palestinian civilians.
Therefore, taken overall, the ongoing, 20-month military assault against Hamas, with its high numbers of civilian casualties, credible reports of famine and devastation of Gazan towns and cities, suggests Israel’s exercise of self-defence has become disproportionate.
The principle of proportionality is also part of international humanitarian law. However, Israel’s actions on this front are a separate legal issue that has been the subject of investigation by the International Criminal Court.
My aim here is to solely assess the legal question of proportionality in self-defence and international law.
Israel could separately argue it is exercising legitimate self-defence to rescue the remaining hostages held by Hamas.
However, rescuing nationals as an exercise of self-defence is legally controversial. Israel set a precedent in 1976 when the military rescued 103 Jewish hostages from Entebbe, Uganda, after their aircraft had been hijacked.
In current international law, there are very few other examples in which this interpretation of self-defence has been adopted – and no international consensus on its use.
In Gaza, the size, scale and duration of Israel’s war goes far beyond a hostage rescue operation. Its aim is also to eliminate Hamas.
Given this, rescuing hostages as an act of self-defence is arguably not a suitable justification for Israel’s ongoing military operations.
If Israel can no longer rely on self-defence to justify its Gaza military campaign, how would its actions be characterised under international law?
Israel could claim it is undertaking a security operation as an occupying power.
While the International Court of Justice said in an advisory opinion last year that Israel was engaged in an illegal occupation of Gaza, the court expressly made clear it was not addressing the circumstances that had evolved since October 7.
Israel is indeed continuing to act as an occupying power, even though it has not physically reoccupied all of Gaza. This is irrelevant given the effective control it exercises over the territory.
However, the scale of the IDF’s operations constitute an armed conflict and well exceed the limited military operations to restore security as an occupying power.
Absent any other legitimate basis for Israel’s current conduct in Gaza, there is a strong argument that what is occurring is an act of aggression. The UN Charter and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court prohibit acts of aggression not otherwise justified under international law.
These include invasions or attacks by the armed forces of a state, military occupations, bombardments and blockades. All of this has occurred – and continues to occur – in Gaza.
The international community has rightly condemned Russia’s invasion as an act of aggression in Ukraine. Will it now do the same with Israel’s conduct in Gaza?
Donald Rothwell receives funding from the Australian Research Council.
– ref. Can Israel still claim self-defence to justify its Gaza war? Here’s what the law says – https://theconversation.com/can-israel-still-claim-self-defence-to-justify-its-gaza-war-heres-what-the-law-says-257822
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
On May 30 local time, the Symposium on Public Administration and Dialogue on People-to-People Exchanges between China and Central Asian Countries – 2025 was held in Astana (Republic of Kazakhstan).
In the photo: Deputy Director of the CPC Central Committee’s Propaganda Department Hu Heping delivers a speech.
Hu Heping noted that China is comprehensively promoting the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese modernization, and the Central Asian countries are also tirelessly seeking a path of development and revival with their own national characteristics. And on this path of modernization, China and the Central Asian countries are fellow travelers and good partners. The parties need to raise the level of cooperation within the framework of the joint construction of the “One Belt, One Road” (hereinafter referred to as OBOR), support each other in choosing a development path that meets national realities, promote the construction of a more equitable international order, and strengthen international humanitarian exchanges and cooperation.
In the photo: Director General of the China International Civil Aviation Authority (CICG) Du Zhanyuan delivers a speech.
Du Zhanyuan said that China and the five Central Asian countries are developing countries. Their exchanges and cooperation in many areas such as public administration have deep historical roots, a solid foundation of public opinion and a wide range of practical needs. Looking to the future, the two sides should focus on issues such as modernization, poverty alleviation and environmental protection, continue to promote ideological convergence and exchanges on the China-Central Asia concept, and strengthen the cultural foundation of the China-Central Asia community with a shared future through mutual enrichment of ideas.
Pictured: Chinese Ambassador to Kazakhstan Han Chunlin delivers a speech.
In the photo: Executive Secretary of the Amanat Party of Kazakhstan Daulet Karibek gives a speech.
In the photo: Secretary General of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) Kairat Sarybay delivers a speech.
In the photo: Vice Minister of Culture and Information of Kazakhstan Yevgeny Kochetov gives a speech.
In the photo: Secretary General of the China-Central Asia format Sun Weidong delivers a video address.
During the symposium, guests from China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and other countries held in-depth exchanges of views on the topic of the event. Jiang Yonggang, Director of the Europe and Asia Broadcasting Center (Renmin Huabao Publishing House) under the Foreign Languages Publication and Distribution Administration of the People’s Republic of China, acted as the host of the event.
In the photo: guests give speeches
In the photo: sites of four thematic sections
In the photo: the event site
On May 29 local time, a presentation of the Kazakh edition of the 4-volume collection “Xi Jinping on State Governance” was also held in Astana under the auspices of the PRC Foreign Language Publication and Dissemination Office and the National Ethnic Affairs Committee of the PRC. Du Zhanyuan delivered a speech at the ceremony.
Source:
His longstanding career exemplifies outstanding leadership, innovation and service in firefighting, emergency management, aviation operations and community engagement. Beyond his distinguished service in frontline firefighting, Colin has played a pivotal role in shaping strategic emergency management frameworks, mentoring future leaders, and championing inclusivity.
Colin is a current volunteer member of Warrandyte Fire Brigade, a fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) Commander at CFA District 13, and a former CFA Deputy Group Officer of Seymour Group. He is also an accredited wildfire and structural fire investigator and has mentored prospective investigators undergoing training in the past.
“As a teenager growing up in The Basin, there was little to do to occupy my time,” Colin said.
“The local fire brigade was near my home and hearing them regularly respond to incidents prompted me to join. Once I became a member, the camaraderie within the brigade and a sense of helping the community led me to pursue a career as a firefighter.”
Across his more than four decades of service, Colin has made a significant contribution in the protection of life and property at major fires including Dandenong Ranges fires (1967, 1997), Ash Wednesday (1983), Black Saturday Fires (2009) and the Cambarville fires (2019-20).
He also managed emergency response as Incident Controller for complex fires including Dutson Downs Bombing Range (1999), Hazelwood Power Station (2000) and Maryvale Paper Mill (2001), and provided strategic leadership during the Victorian Alpine Fires (2002-03), Emu Track Fire (2003), the 2019-20 fires (in both Victoria and NSW) and numerous other large-scale emergencies. Additionally, he has been involved in multi-agency emergency operations, working alongside Victoria Police, CFA, DELWP and other emergency services.
“One of the incidents that stands out for me is the Longford gas explosion in 1998. It was my first day as a CFA Operations Officer and I was asked to lead the CFA Fire Investigation team in determining its cause,” Colin said.
“I was then privileged to be asked by ESSO Australia to support the Longford team to obtain their licence as a major hazards facility.”
Colin’s expertise and leadership during catastrophic events has led to significant advancements in township protection plans, improvements in Incident Control Centres and the creation of the highly successful Your Emergency Services (YES) program in the Yarra Ranges.
Following the Black Saturday Royal Commission, Colin worked with 21 CFA brigades across the Dandenong Ranges and surrounding areas on an EMV-led project to provide community alert sirens in emergencies through existing CFA and purpose-built sirens. This project is now in place and has been used to alert these communities to emergencies since its implementation, improving public safety outcomes.
Colin is also a champion of diversity in emergency response operations. His commitment to training, mentoring and inclusivity has led to advancements in fire aviation operations and fire investigation, including endorsing the first accredited woman CFA Air Observer and managing the development of a joint agency training manual between CFA and DELWP.
“Receiving the AFSM is very humbling, and I am privileged to be honoured by this significant award,” Colin said.
“CFA is a fantastic organisation. It allows you to challenge yourself and contribute to protecting your community. It provides you with opportunities to develop diverse skills, including leadership and teamwork, outside of your normal day-to-day life.
“I have also made many friends and acquaintances over my 45 years of service to the organisation and the community.”
Colin’s dedication, visionary leadership and commitment to safeguarding communities has enhanced firefighting and incident management in Victoria. His contributions continue to shape best practice, mentor future leaders and inspire excellence in firefighting and emergency management.
| Submitted by | CFA media |
|---|
Source:
The AFSM is the highest award for a member of an Australian fire service and as part of the Kings Birthday honours list, is awarded yearly to a select group of dedicated CFA members.
The four members have been recognised for their exceptional bravery, expertise, and leadership, guiding their communities and the wider Victorian population through major natural disasters.
They have all worked on the frontlines as well as providing and imparting valuable knowledge and skills back into the organisation so that everyone in CFA may benefit from their experience.
The 2025 CFA Australian Fire Service Medal recipients are:
Anthony Scicluna – Clonbinane Brigade
Sharon Merritt – Macclesfield Brigade
Colin Brown – Warrandyte Brigade
Peter Langridge – Yellingbo and District 13 Headquarters brigades
Anthony is a volunteer, a frontline firefighter and a courageous leader and mentor. As a Wildfire Instructor he has been instrumental in developing and delivering CFA’s initial core Firefighter training module and most recently championing the Chainsaw Program and the introduction of the General Firefighter Program.
Sharon has been a CFA member for 28 years, initially as a volunteer firefighter and then a staff member for more than 15 years. Since 2003, Sharon has served as captain of Macclesfield Fire Brigade, showing exceptional leadership in a specialised large animal rescue brigade.
Colin’s longstanding career exemplifies outstanding leadership, innovation and service in firefighting, emergency management, aviation operations and community engagement. Beyond his distinguished service in frontline firefighting, Colin has played a pivotal role in shaping strategic emergency management frameworks, mentoring future leaders, and championing inclusivity.
Highly regarded as an experienced health researcher and practitioner, Peter has transformed CFA’s approach to health monitoring and firefighter rehabilitation leading to a safer fireground for firefighters. His research into firefighter health has also led to the implementation and development of new programs and training.
CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan congratulated the four highly respected CFA AFSM recipients for their invaluable service during their many decades of service.
“CFA is incredibly proud of its volunteers and staff, and it is great to see our members recognised with the highest fire service medal in the country,” Jason said.
“We are fortunate as an organisation to have so many incredible people who devote a large part of their life to the protection of lives and property in their communities, and I thank them for their dedication.”
CFA would also like to recognise AFSM recipient and Assistant Chief Fire Officer Operational Training Andy Waterson who has dedicated more than 35 years to improving the safety of firefighters, with a particular focus on specialist response and training. Andy started as a junior volunteer at Cohuna Fire Brigade in 1985, before becoming a full-time firefighter at Dandenong in 2001. He was instrumental in the establishment of CFA’s urban search and rescue course and heavily involved in the development of driver instructor training before transferring to Fire Rescue Victoria.
Another ten CFA members were also awarded the prestigious Order of Australia Medal for their service to their communities, including Donald Paterson, Roger Sykes, Raymond Pattle, Joy Pitts, Jason Reid, Mancel Giddings, Roslyn Greenwood, Bruce Holland, Christopher May and David O’Donnell. Congratulations also goes to Jamieson Fire Brigade member Andrew Dwyer who was honoured as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his significant service to the community.
| Submitted by | CFA media |
|---|
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Donald Rothwell, Professor of International Law, Australian National University
On October 7 2023, more than 1,000 Hamas militants stormed into southern Israel and went on a killing spree, murdering 1,200 men, women and children and abducting another 250 people to take back to Gaza. It was the deadliest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust.
That day, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the country, “Israel is at war”. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) immediately began a military campaign to secure the release of the hostages and defeat Hamas. Since that day, more than 54,000 Palestinians have been killed, mostly women and children.
Israel has maintained its response is justified under international law, as every nation has “an inherent right to defend itself”, as Netanyahu stated in early 2024.
This is based on the right to self-defence in international law, which is outlined in Article 51 of the 1945 United Nations Charter as follows:
Nothing in the present Charter shall impair the inherent right of individual or collective self-defence if an armed attack occurs against a Member of the United Nations[…]
At the start of the war, many nations agreed Israel had a right to defend itself, but how it did so mattered. This would ensure its actions were consistent with international humanitarian law.
However, 20 months after the October 7 attacks, fundamental legal issues have arisen around whether this self-defence justification still holds.
Can Israel exercise self-defence ad infinitum? Or is it now waging a war of aggression against Palestine?
Self-defence has a long history in international law.
The modern principles of self-defence were outlined in diplomatic exchanges over an 1837 incident involving an American ship, The Caroline, after it was destroyed by British forces in Canada. Both sides agreed that an exercise of self-defence would have required the British to demonstrate their conduct was not “unreasonable or excessive”.
The concept of self-defence was also extensively relied on by the Allies in the second world war in response to German and Japanese aggression.
Self-defence was originally framed in the law as a right to respond to a state-based attack. However, this scope has broadened in recent decades to encompass attacks from non-state actors, such as al-Qaeda following the September 11 2001 terror attacks.
Israel is a legitimate, recognised state in the global community and a member of the United Nations. Its right to self-defence will always remain intact when it faces attacks from its neighbours or non-state actors, such as Hamas, Hezbollah or the Houthi rebels in Yemen.
However, the right of self-defence is not unlimited. It is constrained by the principles of necessity and proportionality.
The necessity test was met in the current war due to the extreme violence of the Hamas attack on October 7 and the taking of hostages. These were actions that could not be ignored and demanded a response, due to the threat Israel continued to face.
The proportionality test was also met, initially. Israel’s military operation after the attack was strategic in nature, focused on the return of the hostages and the destruction of Hamas to eliminate the immediate threat the group posed.
The legal question now is whether Israel is still legitimately exercising self-defence in response to the October 7 attacks.
This is a live issue, especially given comments by Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz on May 30 that Hamas would be “annihilated” unless a proposed ceasefire deal was accepted.
These comments and Israel’s ongoing conduct throughout the war raise the question of whether proportionality is still being met.
The importance of proportionality in self-defence has been endorsed in recent years by the International Court of Justice.
Under international law, proportionality remains relevant throughout a conflict, not just in the initial response to an attack.
While the law allows a war to continue until an aggressor surrenders, it does not legitimise the complete destruction of the territory where an aggressor is fighting.
The principle of proportionality also provides protections for civilians. Military actions are to be directed at the foreign forces who launched the attack, not civilians.
While Israel has targeted Hamas fighters in its attacks, including those who orchestrated the October 7 attacks, these actions have caused significant collateral deaths of Palestinian civilians.
Therefore, taken overall, the ongoing, 20-month military assault against Hamas, with its high numbers of civilian casualties, credible reports of famine and devastation of Gazan towns and cities, suggests Israel’s exercise of self-defence has become disproportionate.
The principle of proportionality is also part of international humanitarian law. However, Israel’s actions on this front are a separate legal issue that has been the subject of investigation by the International Criminal Court.
My aim here is to solely assess the legal question of proportionality in self-defence and international law.
Israel could separately argue it is exercising legitimate self-defence to rescue the remaining hostages held by Hamas.
However, rescuing nationals as an exercise of self-defence is legally controversial. Israel set a precedent in 1976 when the military rescued 103 Jewish hostages from Entebbe, Uganda, after their aircraft had been hijacked.
In current international law, there are very few other examples in which this interpretation of self-defence has been adopted – and no international consensus on its use.
In Gaza, the size, scale and duration of Israel’s war goes far beyond a hostage rescue operation. Its aim is also to eliminate Hamas.
Given this, rescuing hostages as an act of self-defence is arguably not a suitable justification for Israel’s ongoing military operations.
If Israel can no longer rely on self-defence to justify its Gaza military campaign, how would its actions be characterised under international law?
Israel could claim it is undertaking a security operation as an occupying power.
While the International Court of Justice said in an advisory opinion last year that Israel was engaged in an illegal occupation of Gaza, the court expressly made clear it was not addressing the circumstances that had evolved since October 7.
Israel is indeed continuing to act as an occupying power, even though it has not physically reoccupied all of Gaza. This is irrelevant given the effective control it exercises over the territory.
However, the scale of the IDF’s operations constitute an armed conflict and well exceed the limited military operations to restore security as an occupying power.
Absent any other legitimate basis for Israel’s current conduct in Gaza, there is a strong argument that what is occurring is an act of aggression. The UN Charter and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court prohibit acts of aggression not otherwise justified under international law.
These include invasions or attacks by the armed forces of a state, military occupations, bombardments and blockades. All of this has occurred – and continues to occur – in Gaza.
The international community has rightly condemned Russia’s invasion as an act of aggression in Ukraine. Will it now do the same with Israel’s conduct in Gaza?
Donald Rothwell receives funding from the Australian Research Council.
– ref. Can Israel still claim self-defence to justify its Gaza war? Here’s what the law says – https://theconversation.com/can-israel-still-claim-self-defence-to-justify-its-gaza-war-heres-what-the-law-says-257822
Source: US State of Wyoming
Story and photos by A1C Michael Swingen
CHEYENNE, Wyo. – Every day, people flip on a light switch, run hot water, and turn up the A/C without giving it a second thought. Phones charge. Toilets flush. Stormwater drains away. Every day, people drive on smooth, paved roads and work in buildings that stay upright with silent beams and pillars.
Although oftentimes invisible in the hustle and bustle of everyday life, even the smallest part of the built environment is a testament to the civil engineers who make the world a hospitable place. Although they work in plain sight, they are quiet professionals who do not seek recognition or praise.
They just want the lights to come on.
The Wyoming Air National Guard’s 153rd Civil Engineer Squadron recently returned from a weeklong trip to the North Carolina Air National Guard Regional Training Site, where they all received hands-on training in their respective trades and crafts. The trip also included 15 Airmen from the 90th Civil Engineering Squadron at F.E. Warren Air Force Base.
Specialists in Heavy Construction Operation, Structural, Water and Fuel Systems Maintenance, Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration, or HVAC/R, Electrical Power Production, Electrical Systems, and Engineer’s Assistants all do their part in the world of civil engineering.
And while working in the Wyoming Air National Guard, they do their part in a unique context, too.
“We build bases,” said U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sergeant Christian Lowe, who helps lead the 153rd Civil Engineer Squadron. “You take a patch of dirt somewhere in the world and the Air Force says, ‘Dibs,’ and it’s flattened. Then there’s tents, air traffic control towers, and a runway. All these things are built up. It’s tangible, it’s palpable, it’s touchable. And for the right-minded person, it’s hugely gratifying.”
In the Air National Guard, civil engineering is divided into two specialized units with distinct but overlapping missions. One unit is the Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineer, also known as RED HORSE. They are a highly mobile, rapidly deployable response force that builds bases in combat zones. The other specialized unit is Prime Base Engineer Emergency Force, or Prime BEEF, which focuses on maintaining bases and their utility systems, whether at home or abroad.
The Wyoming Air National Guard’s 153rd Civil Engineer Squadron is a Prime BEEF squadron.
During the weeklong training exercise, U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Vinny Wagoner, who is an Engineer’s Assistant, peered through a surveying instrument while measuring the 3,500 feet long airstrip at the North Carolina Air National Guard Regional Training Site.
Resting at a cross-section of theory and application, an Engineer’s Assistant uses a lot of math, maps, and rulers.
“The thing I enjoy about the job is you get a lot of updated toys, like state-of-the-art surveying equipment,” Wagoner said. “You have to keep up with the times.”
An Engineer’s Assistant resembles a superhero with a day job, like Clark Kent, with his two distinct wardrobes. Indoors, Wagoner sports business casual while plotting an airstrip from scratch on the geospatial software program GeoExPT. Outdoors, Wagoner dons a hard hat while making onsite inspections, muddying his steel-toe boots in a construction zone.
They also help if an airstrip gets bombed.
The system the U.S. Air Force uses to repair a cratered airstrip is called Rapid Airfield Damage Recovery, or RADR.
After an attack, damage assessment teams glass the airstrip with binoculars, collecting information. Drones sweep overhead. Towers detect. Together, they identify the debris, unexploded ordinance, craters and camouflets, and spall damage from an attack. The information is fed into GeoExPT, which creates a real-time map of the pockmarked airstrip.
Members of Explosive Ordnance Disposal, or EOD, are the first personnel on the airstrip, combing it for munitions that failed to detonate on impact. They neutralize them through a variety of means. For example, they carry out Blow & Go Operations, placing pre-made charges near the munitions and detonating them. They carry out Standoff Munitions Disruptions, employing small arms from a distance. Sometimes they unwire the unexploded munitions.
Once bulldozers broom off all the shells and debris, the craters must be filled. Each step in the process has a dedicated crew that performs their tasks with assembly line execution.
First, the Engineer’s Assistant measures the lip of the crater’s edge, homing in on the entire patch of airstrip that has bulged, even to the slightest degree. For safety and functionality purposes, it is imperative the runway remain level.
Another crew attaches a wheel saw to a compact track loader, or CTL, to cut out the cratered patch of airstrip. The wheel saw looks like a giant steel pizza cutter that is 45-inches or 60-inches in diameter, respectively. The six-person crew divides into two sub-crews, each with two CTL operators and a spotter. Two CTLs face each other on parallel sides of a crater, cutting through concrete at approximately one foot per minute. The whirl of the wheel saw is shrill.
The next step removes the crater and the surrounding upheaval. An excavator with an impactor pounds the cut-out block of concrete, pulverizing it. An excavator with a bucket scoops out the rubble, leaving behind a precise square hole in the ground. It is two feet deep.
The Slash and Splash technique is a method used to backfill the excavated area. A 3,000-pound sack of flowable-fill material is suspended over the square hole on the fork of an excavator. A spotter slashes the bag, pouring out the material until it reaches ten inches to the top. The remaining inches are capped with rapid-setting concrete or asphalt poured from a volumetric mixer. Finally, the new patch of airstrip is rolled and raked smooth.
After an attack, one team can repair up to 18 craters in less than seven hours.
“Muscle memory gets built into all these pieces of equipment,” Lowe said. “That’s why we have our guys practice going out there, finding a crater, and getting it back to where we are launching planes off that runway again.”
In addition to ensuring operational readiness after an attack, the 153rd Civil Engineer Squadron put their skills to work in a variety of other contexts and scenarios during their weeklong training exercise.
All week long, the Dirt Boys reared in their heavy machinery, kicking up dust all around them. Before the dust settled, the black silhouette of the bulldozer resembled an apex predator on the savannah. U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Nicholas Cardillo and U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Levi Phillips, who are both specialists in Heavy Construction Operation, wore mirrored sunglasses that reflected the glare of day as they worked late into the afternoon.
Before enlisting, Phillips worked construction in the private sector before realizing he wanted to do it in a more challenging context. Navedo came from a military family and knew he wanted to serve but wasn’t sure how. They both landed in the 90th Civil Engineering Squadron at F.E. Warren Air Force Base and haven’t looked back.
“Ever since I was a little kid, I wanted to get behind a piece of equipment or drive a truck,” Phillips said. “For my job, we grade roads. Then we drive on it two weeks later, and you’re like, ‘Oh, I did that.’ I just think it’s cool.”
Cardillo agreed. “It’s fun,’” he said. “You always have something different going on. And then you get to see the work you’ve put in. You get to see it pay off. There’s so many things we drive by right now that we had a hand in building. That part of it is really cool.”
Neither of them had operated a crane until North Carolina. They took turns in the cab with the joystick, feeling the flow of the boom as it swung across the sky. The test weight they used was a 900-pound drum. Cardillo dropped anchor and hooked the drum.
“It seemed easy at first when you were dropping the claw,” Cardillo said. “But when you put weight on it and you start moving back and forth, it really starts swinging. It took me some time to get used to that and figure out how to catch the load swing.”
Once he began to operate the joystick with just the tips of his fingers, the movements became smoother.
Over the course of the training, Phillips discovered a passion for crane operation. “That crane really put something in me,” he said. “With the crane, you boom out, stick up, pick the boom up, and lower your winch all at the same time. There’s always something going on. It’s just very cool.”
Thanks to their training in the military, Cardillo and Phillips are certified in dozers, excavators, jackhammers, rollers, loaders, graders, sweepers, water truck, dump truck, asphalt, concrete, and more. Phillips wants to get certified in crane operation now. All this is training is provided by the U.S. Air Force.
The training in Civil Engineering is always cutting-edge. Back home, the 153rd Civil Engineer Squadron partners with the local Laramie County Community College, sending shops to get trained with staff and instructors at the school.
“All our training is in line with the industry standard in the private sector,” Lowe said. “If you’re going through an electrician’s course, for example, you’re training to the National Electrical Code. You’re getting exposed to everything you would see on the civilian side and getting qualified for it.”
U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Luis Navedo did his research before signing on to be a specialist in Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration, or HVAC/R. “I have my universal license through my Air Force training, and that’s for life,” he said. “Once I get out after four years, I can buy and sell refrigerant anywhere.”
Also, Navedo is proud to be a specialist in HVAC/R for the military. “Think of a base like Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada,” he said. “It’s like 115 degrees there every day. Let’s say there’s no HVAC, all the servers would melt. Then the mission is impacted, and everyone starts losing their head. Cooling and heating is essential.”
During the weeklong training exercise, the instructors at the North Carolina Air National Guard Regional Training Site marveled at the work ethic that was on display by the 153rd Civil Engineer Squadron. “They were phenomenal,” U.S. Air Force Master Sergeant Tyler Nadeau, who is an Electrical Cadre, said. “They were proactive. They asked questions.”
Other equipment the 153rd Civil Engineer Squadron trained on during the week included the Mobile Aircraft Arresting System (MAAS), the Reverse Osmosis Water Purification Unit (ROWPU), the BEAR Distribution System (BDS), and the Expeditionary Airfield Lighting System (EALS).
“On Monday, they had no clue about a new piece of equipment,” Nadeau said. “On Friday, they could teach it.”
Soon it was time to go back home. The 153rd Civil Engineer Squadron packed up and headed to the airstrip, waiting for a lift.
After a while, a shimmering trace appeared in the sky, magnifying into a C-130 Hercules in its final descent. It thundered down at around 100 knots, roaring by the cheering 153rd Civil Engineer Squadron. The buzzing propellers still whirled ferociously as the aircraft turned around and taxied back to the passengers before coming to a full stop.
The rear cargo door lowered, settling into the baked airstrip. A loadmaster in a flight suit approached the 153rd Civil Engineer Squadron. An officer broke from the group and met him at the edge of the airstrip, shaking hands.
With cargo bags hoisted over their shoulders, the 153rd Civil Engineer Squadron filed onto the rear ramp of the C-130 Hercules, locating their seats. They buckled in and grabbed a fistful of red netting. The loadmasters worked in a whirl of straps, winches, and staticky headset communication. Soon the rear cargo door raised again, pinching off the North Carolina daylight.
A few remaining Airmen watched as the aircraft peeled off the runway and shrank soundlessly into the sky, bringing everyone back home. The takeoff and landing of a C-130 Hercules would not be possible without the 153rd Civil Engineer Squadron at the Wyoming Air National Guard and people like them. But they do not seek glory or praise. They are the quiet professionals.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-07) and Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21) led a group of 23 lawmakers in a letter to U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) Secretary Howard Lutnick and Acting National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Administrator Laura Grimm, demanding that the Trump Administration restore 24/7 operations at the National Weather Service’s (NWS) Sacramento and Hanford Forecast Offices.
It was recently reported that the NWS Sacramento and Hanford Weather Forecast Offices are unable to maintain 24/7 operations due to severe staffing shortages, following layoffs, resignations, and a hiring freeze by the Trump Administration.
“These service reductions represent the beginning of a public safety crisis with potentially catastrophic consequences if the NWS is unable to retain the staff necessary to maintain around-the-clock weather monitoring in California,” wrote the lawmakers. “Across the state’s airports, highways, farms, and reservoirs, accurate, reliable, and timely weather forecasting is critical for every Californian.”
From hurricanes and tornadoes to atmospheric rivers, NWS provides the forecasting necessary to keep Americans safe and prepared for natural disasters. In California, NWS experts are critical for wildfire prediction and water management. NWS also delivers critical services for our farmers, our military, and our critical infrastructure. However, since the Trump Administration took office, over 500 NWS employees have been laid off or pushed into early retirement. Those cuts mean that nearly half of NWS offices have staffing vacancy rates of 20 percent or higher.
“The National Weather Service is a public safety lifeline and an essential public good. This is not waste or fraud. Americans depend on accurate and timely weather forecasts and alerts not just to plan their day, but to prepare for, and survive, deadly natural disasters,” the lawmakers concluded. “We demand that you immediately reinstate all terminated workers at these offices, lift the federal hiring freeze for NWS, and ensure that the Sacramento and Hanford weather forecast offices are adequately staffed to maintain 24/7 operations.”
Full text of the letter can be found below or HERE.
Dear Secretary Lutnick and Acting Administrator Grimm,
Due to terminations, hiring freezes, and vacancies, the National Weather Service (NWS) recently announced that it would cease 24-hour 7-day-a-week operations at the Sacramento and Hanford Weather Forecast Offices. These service reductions represent the beginning of a public safety crisis with potentially catastrophic consequences if the NWS is unable to retain the staff necessary to maintain around-the-clock weather monitoring in California. Across the state’s airports, highways, farms, and reservoirs, accurate, reliable, and timely weather forecasting is critical for every Californian. We urge immediate action to halt any service interruptions at the Sacramento and Hanford Weather Forecast Offices by reinstating terminated workers and lifting the federal hiring freeze for NWS.
Across NWS, reports have recently stated that as many as 500 employees have been terminated or taken an early retirement, representing a 12% reduction in staffing since President Trump took office. A recent internal assessment by NWS employees found that nearly half of NWS Weather Forecast Offices had vacancy rates of 20% or higher, a level that represents “critical understaffing.” The Sacramento office currently has seven vacancies for meteorologists, out of 16 positions, while the Hanford office has eight vacancies out of 13 positions—leaving both offices operating at half strength as we approach the peak of wildfire season. Slashing staffing in half at the offices responsible for predicting wildfires, atmospheric rivers, and natural disasters is unacceptable, puts thousands of lives at risk, and does nothing to increase government efficiency.
Recent years have demonstrated that wildfire season in California is now year-round. In 2024, California saw 8,018 wildfires, burning a total of 1,049,963 acres.4 Since 2013, an average of 1,029,049 acres have burned annually.5 NWS fire weather forecasting plays a critical role in predicting wildfire and protecting the lives of millions of Californians who live in fire prone areas. Incident meteorologists at NWS are often at the frontline to provide information to wildfire managers and first responders to safely contain wildfires.
The Office of Water Prediction and the National Water Prediction Service also play a critical role in hydrological predictions, in concert with NOAA’s Office of Marine and Aviation Operations. Water managers in California rely on the forecasting expertise of these federal agencies to make reservoir operating decisions. Without the NWS’s expert hydrological forecasters, water managers in California are left blindly guessing and forced to make life-or-death decisions amid the state’s swings between crippling drought and catastrophic flooding.
The National Weather Service is a public safety lifeline and an essential public good. This is not waste or fraud. Americans depend on accurate and timely weather forecasts and alerts not just to plan their day, but to prepare for, and survive, deadly natural disasters. If the NWS weather forecast offices in Sacramento and Hanford, together covering the entire Central Valley, cannot monitor overnight conditions, that puts our constituents in danger. This is a reckless and unnecessary risk that offers no benefit to the American public. We demand that you immediately reinstate all terminated workers at these offices, lift the federal hiring freeze for NWS, and ensure that the Sacramento and Hanford weather forecast offices are adequately staffed to maintain 24/7 operations. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.
# # #
Source: Government of India
Source: Government of India (4)
Over the past eleven years, the Narendra Modi-led government has redefined India’s foreign policy, transitioning from a reactive to a proactive and assertive global stance. Guided by the principles of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, and Sabka Prayas,” India’s diplomacy has become more inclusive, development-focused, and aligned with national interests.
Neighborhood First and Regional Engagement
Central to India’s foreign policy is the ‘Neighborhood First’ approach, which emphasizes strengthening ties with neighboring countries. This policy has been complemented by the ‘Act East,’ ‘Think West,’ and ‘Connect Central Asia’ strategies, aiming to enhance India’s engagement with its extended neighborhood. The government’s vision of ‘Security and Growth for All in the Region’ (SAGAR) underscores the commitment to regional stability and cooperation.
Indigenous Defense and Strategic Partnerships
India’s defense policy has focused on achieving self-reliance and enhancing indigenous manufacturing capabilities. The commissioning of the indigenous aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, showcases the country’s growing prowess in defense technology. Through initiatives like the Innovation for Defence Excellence (iDEX), India has supported startups and innovators in developing successful prototypes, fostering innovation and technological advancement in the defense sector.
Humanitarian Leadership and Disaster Response
India continues to play a pivotal role as the ‘First Responder’ during times of humanitarian crises. The establishment of the Rapid Response Cell as a specialized division in the Ministry of External Affairs has made disaster protocols more resilient. India has undertaken several major relief and evacuation operations, such as Operation Dost (2023), Operation Ganga (2022), Operation Devi Shakti (2021), and Mission Sagar (2020), demonstrating its commitment to humanitarian assistance.
Global Initiatives and Multilateral Engagement
India’s foreign policy has been characterized by active participation in global initiatives and multilateral platforms. The launch of the International Solar Alliance (ISA), the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), and the Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE) movement reflects India’s commitment to addressing global challenges such as climate change and sustainable development. These initiatives have strengthened India’s multilateral relations and showcased its leadership in promoting a sustainable future.
G20 Presidency: A Global Milestone
India’s G20 presidency in 2023 marked a significant achievement in its diplomatic journey. The theme “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (One Earth, One Family, One Future) resonated globally, emphasizing the interconnectedness of all nations. India successfully advocated for the inclusion of the African Union as a full member of the G20, highlighting its leadership role in representing the Global South.
Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, India’s foreign policy has evolved into a dynamic and transformative force on the global stage. By prioritizing regional cooperation, indigenous defense capabilities, humanitarian assistance, global initiatives, and multilateral engagement, India has established itself as a responsible and influential global power.
Source: Government of Canada News (2)
September 11, 2024
Minister Kim,
Admiral Bauer,
Excellencies,
Colleagues and friends.
Good morning to all.
It’s a very great privilege for me to be here today for the Seoul Defence Dialogue as part of my first official visit to Korea.
First of all, to Minister Kim, thank you for your very kind and warm hospitality, and your leadership both today at this very important Seoul Defence Dialogue, but also during yesterday’s United Nations Command Ministerial Meeting.
And to Admiral Bauer, I want to take the opportunity to thank you for your exemplary leadership of the NATO Military Committee and your invaluable contributions to our alliance.
As you have heard and understand, my co-panellists and I come from three very different parts of the world.
But notwithstanding our separation by distance and culture, we share a common goal of maintaining the rules-based international order which has delivered peace, stability and prosperity to all of our peoples.
And I believe that Canada has a unique role to play in achieving that goal because we are an Arctic nation, an Atlantic nation, and a Pacific nation.
For example, our Pacific coastline is roughly 25,000 kilometres long and our trade and security links with this region are vital, and strong, and growing.
In particular, Canada’s ties with the Republic of Korea run deep. Roughly 26,000 Canadians served here in Korea during the Korean War which was Canada’s third bloodiest conflict.
And since the very beginning, we’ve been part of the United Nations Command, upholding and helping to uphold the Korean Armistice Agreement, and working towards a lasting peace.
Canadian Armed Forces members also regularly deploy alongside members of Korea’s Armed Forces during regional exercises, including Exercise Rim of the Pacific which wrapped up only last month.
And Korea has become one of Canada’s largest trading partners in the Indo-Pacific, as well as our third-largest regional partner when it comes to defence materiel.
I believe very sincerely that there is much more that we can do together and that’s why we continue to make progress on our Action Plan to implement the Canada-Korea Strategic Partnership, which includes exploring more opportunities for our defence industries to work together.
I am very pleased that in 2022, our countries re-signed a Defence Materiel Cooperation MOU and that we are seeing daily evidence of growing ties between our defence industrial bases.
Relationships such as these, and those relationships fostered through this dialogue, are critical during increasingly difficult times.
As we are all aware, our world has become a far more dangerous place over the past few years.
A number of crises including Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine and the Israeli-Hamas conflict in the Middle East are all evidence of the challenges that the rules-based order is facing in today’s world.
Here in the Indo-Pacific, we are seeing China undertaking the most rapid military build-up of any nation since the Second World War and it appears to intend to reshape the international system to suit its own goals.
And as we’ve seen in the last few months, China is challenging the freedom of navigation of the South China Sea, a waterway that is critical to regional and global prosperity.
And on occasion, it has repeatedly and dangerously obstructed the movement of Philippine vessels.
They clearly openly aspire to unite with Taiwan, and we believe very strongly that any instability in the Taiwan Strait would have a devastating effect to the global economy.
And closer to my country, China has deployed an increasing number of dual-purpose research vessels and surveillance platforms, collecting data about our Arctic and North.
And in the Arctic, we are seeing China working hard to increase its economic and military presence in cooperation with Russia.
It is clear that on matters of security, China’s interests may increasingly diverge from our own.
But I think it’s also essential to prevent misunderstanding. Clear communication with China is vital and I took the opportunity just this past June to hold our first meeting between a Chinese and Canadian defence minister in over 11 years.
And during that dialogue, I had the opportunity to make clear that foreign interference cannot be tolerated and expressed some concern about China’s military activity around Taiwan.
But we were able to agree together that there is a need for dialogue and cooperation in order to avoid conflict.
Likewise, we recognize the continued threat posed by North Korea. This includes the DPRK’s buildup in testing of ballistic missiles and weapons of mass destruction. Canada unequivocally condemns these actions in no uncertain terms.
And we’ve taken action by imposing sanctions on North Korea, along with the UN Security Council sanctions, which the Canadian Armed Forces uphold through Operation NEON.
Despite Russia’s attempts to undermine our work by vetoing the renewal of the UN Panel of Experts who track and report on evasion efforts, Canada will continue to monitor violations by the DPRK in cooperation with all of our international partners.
We call on North Korea to stop these programs and other aggressive activities, to resume its adherence to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and to pursue dialogue with the international community.
We are also concerned with China and North Korea’s deepening ties to Russia in support of its illegal invasion of Ukraine.
We will continue to call them out for their work to spread disinformation and conduct malicious cyber activities which threaten our critical infrastructure and can sow distrust and a lack of trust in our most important institutions.
In the face of these threats, the ties between Canada and our Indo-Pacific partners matter more now than ever, and that’s why in 2022, Canada released its Indo-Pacific Strategy.
This strategy serves as a critical roadmap for how we will engage in the region. It makes very clear that our partners and allies can expect to see more of us present in this region of the world.
We need to be a reliable and dependable partner and thanks to this strategy, our military presence in the Indo-Pacific is growing.
Last year, as well as this year, we have deployed and are deploying, three Canadian naval warships into the region for the first time in decades.
This increased presence is going to allow us to work more closely with partners including right here in the North Pacific.
Most recently, HMCS Vancouver has been sailing on Exercise PACIFIC VANGUARD.
As part of this mission, they’ve been training with members of the Korean, Japanese and American navies, strengthening their skills in maritime operations, anti-submarine warfare, air warfare operations and advanced maneuvering.
And through Operation NEON, we have been deploying our ships and aircraft to monitor UN sanction operations against North Korea and working with the military members of all like-minded Pacific countries.
As our people work and train together, they are learning valuable new skills and forging deeper bonds.
Likewise, as one of the 18 countries that participates in the United Nations Command, Canada will continue to do our part to maintain stability and security on the Korean Peninsula.
We have supported this mission from the very beginning, since 1953, and in the 71 years since this command was established, Canadian Armed Forces members have helped to enforce the Armistice Agreement and to reinforce deterrence.
We have taken on a variety of critical roles including serving right on the front lines of the De-Militarized Zone as part of the Military Assistance Commission.
And for the second time, a Canadian officer – currently Lieutenant General Macaulay, is currently serving as the Deputy Commander of the UNC.
Our increased presence here in the Indo-Pacific must be sustained and that is going to require significant new investments in our capabilities.
Earlier this year, I released an updated defence policy for my country.
It’s called Our North, Strong and Free, and through this policy we have identified the Indo-Pacific, Europe and the Arctic as key strategic regions of focus for our military.
We are investing almost $10 billion dollars to extend the life of our Halifax-class warships so that we can continue to deploy them right here and we’ve begun construction on a new fleet of River-Class Destroyers, launching the process to acquire up to 12 new conventionally-powered submarines for the Royal Canadian Navy.
These are new and improved capabilities that are necessary, allowing Canada to continue to bolster its presence here in the Indo-Pacific, to do our part, and to live up to our obligations to our international partners.
They will make us more interoperable with our closest partners and they will continue to contribute to deterrence.
Our intent is to ensure that Canada remains a reliable and valuable partner in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.
We recognize that the world has changed and continues to change rapidly. We also acknowledge we’ve got to do more, and we will do more.
That’s why Canada has committed to investing 2% of its GDP in defence as rapidly as possible, and by 2032. As the security threats facing the Indo-Pacific and the world grow, we are stronger with like-minded partners who share our values.
And as a proud Pacific nation and a dedicated NATO ally, Canada truly values our close relationships with nations that share our aspirations.
Nations like the Republic of Korea, with whom we share a long and treasured friendship.
These are indeed uncertain times, but I believe that they are also times of opportunity and possibility.
Because we are stronger when we work together.
When partners stand united.
And for Canada’s part, I want to assure you all that we are committed to this region, we are here to stay, and we will do our part.
And I believe that together we can maintain a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific, and defend the international rules that have kept us safe for nearly 80 years.
Thank you. Merci.
And again, thank you for the kind invitation to be here.
Source: Government of Canada News (2)
September 26, 2024 – Ottawa, Ontario
Merci, Mr. Chair. Good morning everyone.
This is my first appearance here as Chief of the Defence Staff, so I want to begin by saying how much I value the work this committee does.
I appreciate the opportunity to discuss my mandate and priorities for the Canadian Armed Forces.
I’m joined today by Vice Chief of the Defence Staff, Lieutenant-General Stephen Kelsey.
We face a volatile and unpredictable global security environment.
From ongoing wars in Ukraine and the Middle East to rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific.
From climate change to disruptive technology to disinformation.
These threats require us to be vigilant and forward-thinking in the way we approach defence.
I’ve had the privilege of serving alongside the members of the Canadian Armed Forces for 34 years. Now I have the privilege of leading them.
They are skilled, courageous, and dedicated beyond measure.
Supporting and caring for our people must continue to be our top priority.
I’m committed to building on the work of my predecessors.
That means focusing on three R’s: recruitment, retention, and readiness.
These are issues many of our Allies face as well.
We need to get our Forces back to full strength within 5 years. This is vital.
To do it, we need to continue modernizing how we recruit and who we recruit.
That means improving our processes without lowering our standards.
And it means making a big push to recruit Canadians from all backgrounds, including opening the door to more permanent residents.
Diversity makes us more operationally effective.
What worked in the last 20 years will not work in the next 20 years. We can’t continue relying on the same thinking, the same mindset, and the same people around the table.
We need to bring in new and broader perspectives, approaches, and ideas if we’re going to solve the complex challenges of today and tomorrow.
On retention: we have stopped the downward trend and stabilized our numbers.
We’re making progress, but there’s more to do.
When we uphold the highest standards of conduct and performance…
When our people can grow and thrive both professionally and personally…
Not only will we attract the best and brightest—we will keep them.
We also need to be ready. Always. And for anything.
Readiness is a constant and it is a must.
The world is in a state of transition.
Outcomes are not guaranteed. We must be comfortable being uncomfortable.
But that doesn’t mean we can’t be more organized and prepared.
Readiness means having a stronger and more diverse foundation of personnel.
With advanced capabilities that meet the future of warfare.
With a willingness to innovate, adapt, and take risks.
And it means collaborating with our Allies and partners around the world.
This is particularly true when it comes to defending North America alongside the US—both through NORAD and more generally through the collaboration of our Canadian Joint Operations Command and the United States Northern Command.
As you know, global interest in the Arctic is growing, including from our competitors and adversaries, and so we must be diligent in protecting and asserting Canadian sovereignty in the North.
I visited NORAD Headquarters this week and saw firsthand how Canadian military members work seamlessly with their US colleagues 24/7 to defend our shared continent.
We need to continue working closely through NORAD to detect, deter, and defend against aerospace threats.
And beyond NORAD, through CJOC and US NORTHCOM to monitor our combined maritime approaches.
This past July, for example, NORAD fighter jets from Canada and the United States intercepted Russian and Chinese aircraft in international airspace near Alaska.
That same month, HMCS Regina shadowed a Chinese polar research vessel in the Bering Strait.
As always, we must ensure our intercepts are carried out safely and professionally.
Mr. Chair, I know none of this is easy.
We’re transforming the Canadian Armed Forces while also fulfilling our growing duties.
That’s like building and flying an airplane at the same time.
But we know what our internal challenges are, and we know what we need to do.
I believe deeply in this institution and what it stands for.
We will continue tackling this work with determination and resolve.
And we will get it done.
Thank you. Merci. I’m happy to take your questions.
General Jennie Carignan
Chief of the Defence Staff
Source: US State of Hawaii
Posted on Jun 6, 2025 in Latest Department News, Newsroom, Office of the Governor Press Releases
STATE OF HAWAIʻI
KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI
JOSH GREEN, M.D.
GOVERNOR
KE KIAʻĀINA
GOVERNOR GREEN RELEASES INTENT-TO-VETO LIST
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 6, 2025
HONOLULU – Governor Josh Green, M.D., today informed legislative leaders and stakeholders of his intent to veto 19 bills passed during the 2025 regular session of the Hawai‘i State Legislature.
Governor Green is not required to veto every bill indicated on the Intent-to-Veto list, but cannot veto a bill that is not included. The release of this list provides additional time to continue ongoing discussions with key stakeholders concerning implementation and impact. Due to the record-setting number of bills enrolled to the governor this legislative session, potential changes to the state’s federal funding and reduced revenue projections from the Council on Revenues, additional time to analyze bills will ensure each bill is given the nuanced, thoughtful consideration it deserves. Governor Green has until July 9 to issue final vetoes. All other bills will become law by July 9.
“Let me be clear: of the 320 bills passed by the Legislature this session, 19 are on our Intent-to-Veto list,” said Governor Green. “Our team has completed a review of every measure and the overwhelming majority of legislation will become law. Each bill on today’s list is based on thorough legal and fiscal analysis, and as always, was guided by what will best serve the people of Hawai‘i, protect our resources and strengthen our future.”
To date, Governor Green has signed 200 bills into law benefiting the people and ‘āina of Hawai‘i, with core themes including environmental stewardship, educational access and success, as well as public safety. These represent key focus areas so far; additional bills awaiting signature will build upon this foundation to address state priorities. The remaining 101 bills are on track to become law by July 9.
Over 300 bills were reviewed by state departments and agencies, the Attorney General and the Governor in the last month. The Governor has until July 9 to issue final vetoes from today’s list.
The following bills are being considered for vetoes, line-item vetoes, or reductions.
Fiscal Bills:
HB126: RELATING TO PROPERTY FORFEITURE
Bill Description: Increases transparency and accountability surrounding property forfeiture. Clarifies which property is subject to forfeiture. Amends the authorized disposition of forfeited property and the proceeds thereof. Requires the Attorney General to adopt rules necessary to carry out the purpose of the Hawaiʻi Omnibus Criminal Forfeiture Act. Repeals language that requires the Hawaiʻi Omnibus Criminal Forfeiture Act to be construed liberally.
Veto Rationale: Asset forfeiture serves as a powerful deterrent against and punishment for criminal activity. The one-year deadline to return seized property for which the owner has not been charged with a covered offense, significantly weakens the efficacy of this dual deterrent and punishment. Many covered offenses, including felonies, often involve complex investigations that extend beyond a year, rendering this bill’s one-year deadline for law enforcement to file charges unrealistic. Seized property can serve as critical evidence in investigations, and its return before an investigation’s completion would severely hamper the investigation as well as the administration of justice at large.
HB300: RELATING TO THE STATE BUDGET
Bill Description: Appropriates funds for the operating and capital improvement budget of the Executive Branch for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027.
Veto Rationale: Potential shifts in federal funding, coupled with recent projections from the Hawaiʻi Council on Revenues, require the state to reevaluate its budget to ensure essential services and priorities remain supported. Specific line-item reductions based on program feasibility, stability, and sustainability will help the state enter the fiscal year with a balanced budget and sound financial plan.
HB302: RELATING TO CANNABIS
Bill Description: Part I: Authorizes DOH to inspect qualifying patient medical records held by the physician, advanced practice registered nurse, or hospice provider who issued a written certification for the qualifying patient. Amends and adds definitions for purposes of the medical use of cannabis law. Clarifies the conditions of use for the medical use of cannabis. For purposes of issuing written certifications, authorizes the establishment of a provider-patient relationship via telehealth and limits the maximum amount of fees that can be assessed by providers. Authorizes the sale of hemp products and accessories for the medical use of cannabis at retail dispensing locations, except in waiting rooms. Clarifies transportation requirements for certain inter-dispensary sales of cannabis and manufactured cannabis products. Part II: Establishes criminal penalties for the unlicensed operation of a medical cannabis dispensary. Part III: Authorizes expenditures from the Medical Cannabis Registry and Regulation Special Fund to fund programs for the mitigation and abatement of nuisances related to illegal cannabis and hemp products and medical cannabis dispensaries and appropriates funds from the Special Fund to the AG’s Drug Nuisance Abatement Unit for these purposes, including establishing positions. Part IV: Beginning 1/1/2028, prohibits the cultivation of cannabis without a cannabis cultivator license issued by DOH.
Veto Rationale: This administration remains committed to Hawai‘i’s existing medical cannabis program and supports efforts to expand access to medical cannabis for any medical condition. Although this bill’s authorization of medical cannabis certifications via telehealth expands access to medical cannabis, provisions authorizing the inspection of patients’ medical records without warrant constitute a grave violation of privacy. Given that the federal government classifies cannabis as a Schedule I substance, patients’ reasonable fears of repercussions based upon information gained from inspection of their personal medical records may deter patients from participating in the medical cannabis program.
HB496: RELATING TO MĀMAKI TEA
Bill Description: Prohibits the use of certain words and misleading Hawaiian imagery, place names, and motifs on the label of a consumer package that contains or includes tea or dried leaves from the plant Pipturus albidus, unless 100% of the tea or dried leaves were cultivated, harvested, and dried in the state. Appropriates funds for a Measurement Standards Inspector position.
Veto Rationale: While the intent of this measure is to ensure consumer protection and reliable Made in Hawai‘i labeling, the bill imposes overly strict labeling requirements that could harm small businesses and māmaki producers who responsibly blend leaves from multiple sources. Prohibiting the labeling of products composed of less than 100% māmaki tea as “māmaki” ignores the economic contributions of and impacts to producers who mix or process māmaki with other herbs, undermining producers who support local māmaki farmers while meeting broader demand.
HB796: RELATING TO TAX CREDITS
Bill Description: Requires that income tax credits existing on 12/31/2025 or established or renewed after 12/31/2025 include a five-year sunset or an annual one-third reduction, beginning with the sixth year of the credit.
Veto Rationale: This bill would have a significant long-term impact on income tax credits across a variety of industries, including film and television, research, and renewable energy. These tax credits are critical to supporting economic development and diversification, particularly within growing and emerging sectors. Categorically sunsetting income tax credits will not only disincentivize future investors from doing business in Hawai‘i, but will destabilize existing businesses that currently rely upon these tax credits.
HB1369: RELATING TO TAXATION
Bill Description: Amends and repeals certain exemptions under the general excise tax and use tax laws.
Veto Rationale: The amendments to the general excise tax and use tax contained in this bill would impact sugarcane producers, commercial fishing vessels and securities exchanges. Removing the specific tax exemptions afforded to these entities would provide little financial benefit to the state while harming, in particular, sugarcane producers.
SB583: RELATING TO NAMING RIGHTS
Bill Description: Allows the naming rights of the Stadium Facility and Convention Center Facility to be leased to any public or private entity. Requires any revenues derived from advertising or marketing in or on the Stadium Facility or Convention Center Facility to be deposited into the appropriate special fund of the facility. Authorizes the display of the name of any entity that leased the naming rights to a stadium operated by the Stadium Authority on the exterior of the stadium.
Veto Rationale: Pursuant to section 14, article III, of the Hawai‘i State Constitution, each bill may only contain one subject, which must pertain to the bill’s title. The exemption of concessions in the stadium facility and Convention Center from typical concession procurement procedures may violate section 14, article III, of the Hawai‘i State Constitution since the exemption appears to fall outside the titular scope of the bill, naming rights.
SB589: RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY
Bill Description: Requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish an installation goal for customer-sited distributed energy resources in the state. Requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish tariffs to achieve the installation goal and for grid services programs, microgrids and community-based renewable energy. Ensures that certain levels of compensation are provided for solar and energy storage exports from customer-sited distributed energy resources as part of grid service programs and requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish grid service compensation values. Clarifies when a person who constructs, maintains, or operates a new microgrid is not considered a public utility. Authorizes wheeling of renewable energy and requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish policies and procedures to implement wheeling and microgrid service tariffs.
Veto Rationale: Maintaining Hawai‘i’s leadership in clean energy through established goals and initiatives remains a priority. The Public Utilities Commission has already opened or plans to open proceedings relating to microgrid services tariffs and customer-sited distributed energy resources and grid services. The mandates contained in this bill therefore risk duplication and delay of already existing efforts.
Non-Fiscal Bills:
HB235: RELATING TO TRAFFIC SAFETY
Bill Description: Requires the Department of Transportation, after the City and County of Honolulu educates the public and adjusts any systems, to expand the use of photo red light imaging detector systems and automated speed enforcement systems to locations on the North Shore of O‘ahu.
Veto Rationale: The Department of Transportation has developed specific criteria for the selection of communities within which to implement traffic safety systems. This criteria incorporates data-driven crash, citation and traffic volume metrics, which ensure communities are chosen based on need and potential for greatest impact. Ignoring this criteria in favor of legislatively mandated location selection threatens the integrity of the photo red light imaging detector system and automated speed enforcement system programs.
HB800: RELATING TO GOVERNMENT
Bill Description: Provides for the transfer of certain parcels in the Liliha Civic Center area and Iwilei Fire Station area from various state agencies to the City and County of Honolulu. Provides for the transfer of the parcel of land upon which Ali‘i Tower is sited from the City and County of Honolulu to the Department of Land and Natural Resources. Exempts the lands transferred to the Department of Land and Natural Resources from the definition of public lands for purposes of Chapter 171, HRS.
Veto Rationale: The land transfers provided in the bill would negatively impact the City and County of Honolulu, which relies upon Ali‘i Tower’s land lease revenues and office spaces. Additionally, the state would face indeterminate additional costs, as Ali‘i Tower’s age likely necessitates capital improvements and ongoing maintenance. Although the intent of this bill is to reduce the state’s reliance on private commercial office space, no analysis exists identifying the amount of office space the acquisition of Aliʻi Tower would provide the state.
HB958: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION
Bill Description: Establishes safe riding behaviors for electric bicycles. Prohibits the operation of high-speed electric devices in certain locations. Establishes labeling and signage requirements for electric bicycles. Prohibits the operation of a moped or electric motorcycle in certain locations. Amends the definition of “bicycle” for purposes of county vehicular taxes. Defines “electric bicycle” in place of “low-speed electric bicycle.” Defines “electric micro-mobility device” and requires the same regulations as electric foot scooters to apply to electric micro-mobility devices. Prohibits a person under the age of 16 from operating a class 3 electric bicycle. Authorizes a person under the age of 14 to operate class 2 electric bicycles under supervision. Prohibits a person from riding a class 3 electric bicycle on a sidewalk. Authorizes a person to ride a class 1 or class 2 electric bicycle on a sidewalk under certain circumstances. Prohibits a person from operating a bicycle or electric foot scooter under the age of 18 without a helmet. Repeals the requirement that moped drivers use bicycle lanes and substitutes the term “motor-driven cycle” with the term “motor scooter.”
Veto Rationale: While mopeds and motorcycles are exempt from the prohibition established within this bill, on “high-speed electric devices” driving on public roadways, electric cars are not exempt. Such a prohibition would likely violate the Commerce Clause and Equal Protection Clause of the United States Constitution and conflict with the administration’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
HB1296: RELATING TO THE MAJOR DISASTER FUND
Bill Description: Establishes timely notice and reporting requirements to the Legislature by the Governor regarding the transfer of appropriations to the Major Disaster Fund. Effective 7/1/2025. Sunsets 7/1/2026.
Veto Rationale: The administration is committed to the transparent, efficient management of state funds. During times of emergency, flexibility and the quick release of funds is necessary to respond to rapidly changing situations. This bill disrupts the delicate balance between reporting requirements facilitating government transparency and fiscal flexibility undergirding efficient response and recovery efforts. Placing additional administrative oversight over funds expended for emergencies jeopardizes public safety.
SB15: RELATING TO HISTORIC PRESERVATION
Bill Description: Amends the definition of “historic property” to require that the property is over 50 years old and meets the criteria for inclusion in the Hawaiʻi Register of Historic Places. Excludes proposed projects on existing residential property and proposed projects that are in nominally sensitive areas from the State’s Historic Preservation Program review, under certain circumstances.
Veto Rationale: Exempting proposed projects on any existing residential property from historic preservation review fails to consider properties that have never undergone such a review and may contain historically significant artifacts or iwi kūpuna. This categorical exclusion increases the risk for desecration of iwi kūpuna and historical resources. Although Governor Green supports amending the historic preservation review process to facilitate housing production, a more nuanced approach to protecting iwi kūpuna is needed, such as that advanced in SB 1263.
SB31: RELATING TO PROPERTY
Bill Description: Authorizes a person who discovers a recorded discriminatory restrictive covenant to take certain actions, without liability, to invalidate the covenant. Defines discriminatory restrictive covenant.
Veto Rationale: By enabling any person, including those without any interest in the specified real property, to record a statement that a real property’s title includes a discriminatory restrictive covenant, this bill provides a statutorily authorized mechanism for the circulation of disinformation. This disinformation has the potential to negatively affect the marketability of a property. Because the person who recorded the statement claiming a discriminatory restrictive covenant exists is waived of any liability, no recourse is available to those who suffer financial loss due to inaccurate claims concerning their property’s title.
SB38: RELATING TO HOUSING
Bill Description: Requires the Hawaiʻi Housing Finance and Development Corporation to provide counties with an opportunity to comment on certain housing development projects. Prohibits the legislative body of a county from imposing stricter conditions than the Hawaiʻi Housing Finance and Development Corporation, stricter area median income requirements, or a reduction in fee waivers to housing development proposals that would increase the cost of the project.
Veto Rationale: County councils have expressed concerns that this bill hampers their ability to work with developers to modify housing projects to reflect the specific needs of their communities. While the administration supports measures intended to facilitate the production of affordable housing, further dialogue with the counties on this measure’s implementation is required.
SB66: RELATING TO HOUSING
Bill Description: Establishes procedures and requirements for single-family and multifamily housing project applicants to apply for an expedited permit, including requirements for completeness of expedited permit applications, duties of licensed professionals and the counties during construction, and applications for owner-builder exemptions. Takes effect 7/1/2026. Sunsets 6/30/2031.
Veto Rationale: By allowing any qualified professional to determine a project’s impact on historical resources, this bill permits a project proponent to evaluate and determine the impact of its own projects on historical resources. This is a conflict of interest that allows for self-serving determinations, undermines the authority and purpose of regulatory agencies’ independent evaluations, and increases risk to iwi kūpuna.
SB104: RELATING TO CORRECTIONS
Bill Description: Beginning 7/1/2026, restricts the use of restrictive housing in state-operated and state-contracted correctional facilities, with certain specified exceptions. Establishes a restrictive housing legislative working group to develop and recommend more comprehensive laws, policies and procedures regarding restrictive housing for members of vulnerable populations by 1/8/2027. Requires the Hawaiʻi Correctional System Oversight Commission to review restrictive housing placements on an annual basis. Authorizes the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, by 12/1/2027, to implement policies and procedures recommended by the restrictive housing working group related to committed persons. Requires interim and final reports to the Legislature and Hawaiʻi Correctional System Oversight Commission.
Veto Rationale: The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has policies in place governing the use of restrictive housing. These policies and procedures comply with National Institute of Corrections and American Correctional Association standards. Rather than improve the health and safety of those in the department’s care, the implementation of certain requirements proposed in this bill will jeopardize the safety, security and good governance of the department’s facility, negatively impacting inmates. In lieu of this measure and to address stakeholders’ concerns, the department is working with the Hawaiʻi Correctional Systems Oversight Commission to amend its policies and procedures.
SB447: RELATING TO A DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH PILOT PROGRAM
Bill Description: Establishes a Hiring Pilot Program within the Department of Health, which includes an amended hiring procedure for delegated position classifications, certain flexibilities regarding minimum qualifications for positions having a salary range at or below SR-10, the ability to directly hire certain individuals into a civil service position if certain conditions are met, and the authority to make certain temporary appointments at the merited civil service pay scale without step limitation. Applies to recruitments initiated before 7/1/2028. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Sunsets 7/1/2028.
Veto Rationale: The governor strongly supports efforts to streamline the state’s hiring process to address our workforce vacancies, especially those in our state’s public health sector. However, this bill conflicts with state civil service law, undermining the state’s merit-based civil service system. Disparities in hiring, classification and compensation throughout the state are expected to occur should this bill become law.
SB1102: RELATING TO THE AIRCRAFT RESCUE FIRE FIGHTING UNIT
Bill Description: Specifies the appointment processes and terms for the Fire Chief of the Hawaiʻi State Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting Unit of the Airports Division of the Department of Transportation.
Veto Rationale: The appointment process proposed in the bill is inconsistent with the selection process for other department leadership positions. Further, due to the need to obtain legislative approval for the appointment of the Fire Chief, following the appointment process contained in this bill may delay the appointment of this critical leadership position, impacting airport operations, safety and readiness.
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Media Contacts:
Erika Engle
Press Secretary
Office of the Governor, State of Hawai‘i
Office: 808-586-0120
Email: [email protected]
Makana McClellan
Director of Communications
Office of the Governor, State of Hawaiʻi
Cell: 808-265-0083
Email: [email protected]
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Nevada Cortez Masto
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) introduced legislation to strengthen the domestic supply chain for rare earth magnets, which are critical components of cell phones, computers, defense systems, and vehicles, but are almost exclusively made in China.
Over 15% of the world’s rare earth minerals are mined and processed at the Mountain Pass 15 miles outside Primm, Nevada, which employs approximately 600 Nevadans. However, China controls 90% of the world’s manufacturing of these materials into magnets, which are critical to national defense and the U.S. economy. Cortez Masto’s legislation will help build the U.S. supply chain for these minerals by creating a tax credit for companies processing these rare earth oxides and manufacturing the magnets necessary to power American technology.
“If we want to combat the influence of the Chinese Communist Party and strengthen our national security, we need to stop relying on China to power our defense and energy systems,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “This bipartisan bill will create American jobs and help fill critical gaps in our domestic supply chain.”
“Mineral security is national security. The days of fully relying on adversaries for critical resources are over,” said Senator Mullin. “Rare earth magnets, such as Neodymium (NdFeB), are essential for countless applications including missile guidance, fighter aircraft, computer hard drives, audio equipment, MRI devices, and other economically critical technology. That is why bolstering our domestic rare earth magnet manufacturing capability is key to defending our nation and ensuring we have a strong economy. I’m proud to lead in this effort, alongside my colleagues, to strengthen our supply.”
The Rare Earth Magnet Security Act would provide a $20 per kilogram production tax credit for high performance magnets that are manufactured in the U.S. and increase the credit to $30 per kilogram for magnets manufactured in the U.S. whose components are produced, recycled, or reclaimed domestically. Companion legislation introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Congressmen Guy Reschenthaler (R-Penn.-14) and Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.-15) was included in last year’s House Select Committee on China’s report on how to counter the influence of the Chinese Communist Party.
The full text of the legislation can be found here.
Senator Cortez Masto has led efforts in Congress to support Nevada’s critical mineral and mining industries, supporting tens of thousands of local jobs and paving the way for Nevada to power the clean energy economy. She has consistently blocked burdensome taxes on mining and wrote important provisions of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to bolster Nevada’s critical mineral supply chain and fund battery recycling and manufacturing programs in the state.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
A flight carrying 192 Venezuelan migrants deported from the United States arrived Friday at the Simón Bolívar International Airport in Maiquetía, which serves the capital Caracas area, the Ministry of Interior, Justice and Peace reported.
According to a press release, the flight, operated by a U.S.-registered aircraft, carried 156 men, 26 women, and 10 minors.
The returned migrants were attended to under established medical, legal, and social protocols.
Since February, Venezuela has been receiving two to three flights per week of individuals deported by U.S. authorities, including those relocated from Mexico and Honduras.
So far in 2025, a total of 5,475 deported migrants have been processed under the government’s Plan Vuelta a la Patria, designed to facilitate their return, official figures indicate.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Texas John Cornyn
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) today released the following statement praising the inclusion of a Cornyn-led space provision, the Mission to Modernize Astronautic Resources (MARS) for Space Act, as well as funding for National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Artemis program and resources to support the International Space Station (ISS) in the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation’s legislative text to be included in the Senate version of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act:
“Texas has long been a leader in space exploration and innovation, and I am glad my provision to bolster Johnson Space Center’s infrastructure has been included in the Senate’s One Big Beautiful Bill,” said Sen Cornyn. “My initiative will help ensure NASA has the research, equipment, and modernized facilities needed to send Americans to Mars and beyond, and I urge my Senate colleagues to advance this part of our One Big Beautiful Bill.”
Background:
Yesterday, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation released its legislative text to be included in the Senate’s version of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The legislation includes the Mission to Modernize Astronautic Resources (MARS) for Space Act, which was introduced by Sen. Cornyn.
The Mission to MARS Act, introduced by Sen. Cornyn in May, would improve and modernize JSC’s infrastructure to prepare NASA for human missions to the moon and Mars by preparing the Neutral Buoyancy Lab for commercial space station training, lunar-suited operations, and collaborations with the Department of Defense; upgrading and repairing the Astromaterials Curation and Research facility for samples from the moon and Mars; modernizing the Mission Control Center to prepare for crewed missions beyond low-Earth orbit; improving Ellington Field astronaut flight training facilities; constructing the space food systems laboratory; and refurbishing astronaut training aircraft.
Sen. Cornyn continues to support resources for the Artemis program and the ISS to keep the United States and Texas as a world leader in human space exploration.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell
06.06.25
Cantwell Joins IAM District 751 for Grand Opening of New Machinists Institute & Union Hall in Everett
New institute can train 700 new machinists per year, helping the PNW continue to lead the world in plane manufacturing
EVERETT, WA – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, joined the members of IAM District 751 in Everett to celebrate the ribbon cutting of a new Machinists Institute to help train and skill the next generation of plane manufacturers.
“By 2030, we may have a shortfall of over 2 million machinists. Can you imagine? America’s competitiveness is at stake,” Sen. Cantwell said. “751 is answering the call, not just with this new facility, but in integrating the Machinists Institute to train, and skill, and attract people […] That is why this building and the Machinists Institute — with a training capacity of over 700 machinists, to be trained right here — is such a great facility.”
Photos of the event are HERE; a transcript of Sen. Cantwell’s full remarks is HERE.
The new building opening today stands in the same location across the street from the Boeing Everett Plant as the former Everett Union Hall, which was demolished in 2021.
The new building includes a larger union meeting room with triple the previous hall’s capacity, administrative offices, and an educational facility run by the Machinists Institute. The Machinists Institute facility will provide continuing education and industry certifications to members, and will offer students Heavy Equipment Apprenticeships or pre-apprenticeship training — helping IAM 751 attract more members and increasing the union’s capacity to serve them.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) is one of the largest labor unions in North America, with 600,000 active and retired members. IAM District 751 is the Washington contingent with over 33,000 members, most of whom are machinists at the Boeing Company.
In October 2024, IAM District 751 members at Boeing went on strike for 53 days to secure a new contract with 38% general wage increases over the next four years, lower health insurance premiums, a commitment to build the next Boeing plane in Washington, and improved benefits. During the strike, Sen. Cantwell attended a rally on the picket line in Everett to show solidarity with the machinists.
In her historic 2024 bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Sen. Cantwell expanded funding and assistance under the FAA Aviation Workforce Development Grant Program, securing $60 million per year through FY 2028 to grow the aviation workforce pipeline. Sen. Cantwell secured a new subprogram dedicated to recruiting and training the next generation of aviation manufacturing workers. Local aviation workforce training programs operated by IAM 751’s Machinist Institute and the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA) are directly eligible for funding awards. As a whole, the grant program makes investments in the education and recruitment of pilots, unmanned aircraft systems operators, maintenance technicians, aerospace engineers, and aircraft manufacturing technical workers.
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that that James R. Muench Jr., 45, of Depew, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with entering an aircraft area at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport by forcefully ramming his vehicle through a closed security gate and entering the secure aircraft operational area of the airport. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Franz M. Wright, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, on May 20, 2025, Muench, driving a pickup truck, breached perimeter access Gate 1 at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport by forcefully driving up to the gate, intentionally crashing and ramming it multiple times, before bending the gate. After breaking through, he then drove to the aircraft operational area without authorization, evading the security procedures or restrictions in place. The vehicle was observed driving through various secure parts of the airport to include the airfield, aircraft taxiways, the passenger ramp where commercial aircraft are usually docked when transporting passengers, and the airport runway where aircraft take off and land. Vehicle access to all these areas is highly regulated. The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority police responded to the scene, located Muench, and took him into custody.
Muench made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy and was released on conditions.
The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority Police, under the direction of Chief Brian Patterson and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Mark Grimm.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Source: Government of Canada regional news (2)
While some communities are allowing residents to return, evacuation orders remain in many other places. Warm, dry and windy conditions across many parts of the province continue to elevate the fire danger and are driving active fire behaviour.
Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement
WASHINGTON — On June 5, following an investigation by ICE Homeland Security Investigations’ New York field office and law enforcement partners, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctioned four Guyanese nationals and two Colombian nationals responsible for trafficking tons of cocaine from South America to the United States, Europe, and the Caribbean.
These sanctions target drug traffickers utilizing boats and narco-subs to traffic ton-quantities of cocaine, along with an alleged corrupt Guyanese law enforcement official. The sanctions also target individuals who are operating covert airstrips to traffic drugs via aircraft.
For decades, reported corrupt actors have used Guyana as a transshipment point for the movement of drugs from South America to the United States, with Mexican drug cartels also maintaining a presence in the region. International cocaine trafficking remains a serious threat to the United States, as the substantial profits generated from these sales continue to fund and strengthen cartel operations.
The June 5 action was taken pursuant to Executive Order 14059, which targets the proliferation of illicit drugs and their means of production. ICE HSI New York and OFAC carried out this investigation in coordination with ICE HSI Bogota, the Drug Enforcement Administration Guyana Country Office, DEA New York, Customs and Border Protection Office of Intelligence New York, Internal Revenue Service New York and the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, with assistance from NYPD Intelligence Bureau, CBP New York and the New York National Guard Counterdrug Task Force.
According to the investigation:
Guyana’s proximity to the Caribbean, as well as alleged corruption along its ports and borders, allows aircraft and maritime vessels, also known as narco-submarines, to transit through its waters undetected. Drug traffickers exploit the rivers and jungles of South America by transporting large quantities of cocaine from Colombia and Venezuela through Guyana and Suriname.
In the last few years, Guyana has been the focus of major U.S. law enforcement operations in partnership with Guyanese authorities, resulting in multi-ton seizures of cocaine. In March 2025, a cargo vessel originating in Guyana was discovered by police in the waters of Trinidad and Tobago with approximately 182 kilograms of cocaine.
On Feb. 20, the State Department identified the Sinaloa Cartel as a foreign terrorist organization and as a specially designated global terrorist.
On March 21, 2024, U.S. and Guyanese law enforcement seized 2,370 kilograms of cocaine in a self-propelled semi-submersible approximately 150 miles off the coast of Guyana.
In August 2024, Guyanese authorities, with support from DEA and DSS, discovered 4.4 tons of cocaine in a clandestine airfield in the northwest region of Guyana known as Barima-Waini, or Region One.
More information, including the full press release announcing these OFAC sanctions.