NewzIntel.com

Category: DJF

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: PM Luxon meets with President Xi Jinping

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has met with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
    “My meeting with President Xi was a valuable opportunity to reflect on the depth and breadth of this important relationship, and to reaffirm our bilateral ties,” Mr Luxon says.
    “I outlined how our strong and innovative economic relationship has grown to cover a broad range of areas. Our trade and economic links are complementary and contribute to prosperity in both countries. These links also directly support New Zealand’s ambition to grow our economy.
    “We discussed the diversity of our people-to-people ties – from business, education, to cultural and science – and how they help build mutual understanding. I also welcomed progress made in increasing aviation links and tourism connections between our two countries.”
    Mr Luxon emphasised the importance of open, direct dialogue at the leader level to navigate some challenging regional and global developments. 
    “Engaging to share perspectives is more important than ever in a rapidly changing world. Where we have different views, our comprehensive and mature relationship allows New Zealand and China to speak frankly and constructively.
    “I raised the importance to New Zealand of the international rules-based system, as well as the key role that China can play in helping to resolve global challenges, such as the war in Ukraine,” Mr Luxon says. 
    Mr Luxon reaffirmed New Zealand’s direct interest in the maintenance of peace, security and prosperity in the Pacific, our enduring support for Pacific-led priorities, and the central role of the Pacific Islands Forum. 
    “I also discussed the necessity of a stable region and reduced tensions in the Indo-Pacific” Mr Luxon says.
    While in Beijing, Mr Luxon will also meet with Premier Li Qiang and National People’s Congress Chairman Zhao Leji.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Marshals Capture Two Memphis First-Degree Murder Fugitives in One Day

    Source: US Marshals Service

    Memphis, TN – The U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) captured two Memphis first-degree murder fugitives, in different states, on the same day.

    In the early morning of June 17, 2025, the USMS Two Rivers Violent Fugitive Task Force (TRVFTF) arrested Marco, McGhee, 19, at a residence in the 200 block of First Avenue in Memphis.

    McGhee’s alleged crime is related to a call around 4 p.m., on October 15, 2024, when the Memphis Police Department (MPD) responded to a shooting in the 1400 block of Bellevue Boulevard. Officers found a man suffering from multiple gunshot wounds in the front room of a residence. Following an investigation by MPD, McGhee was indicted, and a warrant was issued on June 6, 2025, through Shelby County Criminal Court for First-Degree Murder.

    In an unrelated crime, the USMS arrested Kaylon Spivey, 24, also on the morning of June 17, 2025, in Indiana. The TRVFTF developed information and provided investigative leads to the Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force. They arrested Spivey in the 5000 block of Keystone Avenue in Indianapolis where he was working at a fast-food restaurant.

    Spivey’s alleged crimes stem from a shooting investigation on September 6, 2020, when MPD responded to a shooting at Gill Avenue and Pillow Street. An unresponsive male was found with multiple gunshot wounds. Following an investigation by MPD, Spivey was indicted, and warrants were issued on April 28, 2025, through Shelby County Criminal Court for First-Degree Murder, Carjacking, and Especially Aggravated Robbery.

    Tyreece Miller, U.S. Marshal for the Western District of Tennessee said, “We commend the investigative work of the Memphis Police Department in solving these two heinous crimes. The U.S. Marshals Service will continue to support our partners in removing dangerous offenders from the streets, no matter where they think they can hide.”

    The U.S. Marshals Service Two Rivers Violent Fugitive Task Force is a multi-agency task force within Western Tennessee. The TRVFTF has offices in Memphis and Jackson, and its membership is primarily composed of Deputy U.S. Marshals, Shelby, Fayette, Tipton, and Gibson County Sheriff’s Deputies, Memphis and Jackson Police Officers, Tennessee Department of Correction Special Agents and the Tennessee Highway Patrol. Since 2021, the TRVFTF has captured over 3,000 violent offenders and sexual predators.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • Israel-Iran air war enters second week as Europe pushes diplomacy

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Israel and Iran’s air war entered a second week on Friday and European officials sought to draw Tehran back to the negotiating table after President Donald Trump said any decision on potential U.S. involvement would be made within two weeks.

    Israel began attacking Iran last Friday, saying it aimed to prevent its longtime enemy from developing nuclear weapons. Iran retaliated with missile and drone strikes on Israel. It says its nuclear programme is peaceful.

    Israeli air attacks have killed 639 people in Iran, said the Human Rights Activists News Agency. Those killed include the military’s top echelon and nuclear scientists. Israel has said at least two dozen Israeli civilians have died in Iranian missile attacks. 

    Israel has targeted nuclear sites and missile capabilities, and sought to shatter the government of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to Western and regional officials.

    “Are we targeting the downfall of the regime? That may be a result, but it’s up to the Iranian people to rise for their freedom,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday.

    Iran has said it is targeting military and defence-related sites in Israel, although it has also hit a hospital and other civilian sites.

    Israel accused Iran on Thursday of deliberately targeting civilians through the use of cluster munitions, which disperse small bombs over a wide area. Iran’s mission to the United Nations did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

    With neither country backing down, the foreign ministers of Britain, France and Germany along with the European Union foreign policy chief were due to meet in Geneva with Iran’s foreign minister to try to de-escalate the conflict on Friday.

    “Now is the time to put a stop to the grave scenes in the Middle East and prevent a regional escalation that would benefit no one,” said British Foreign Minister David Lammy ahead of their joint meeting with Abbas Araqchi, Iran’s foreign minister.

    U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also met Lammy on Thursday and held separate calls with his counterparts from Australia, France and Italy to discuss the conflict.

    The U.S. State Department said that Rubio and the foreign ministers agreed that “Iran can never develop or acquire a nuclear weapon.”

    Lammy said the same on X while adding that the situation in the Middle East “remained perilous” and a “window now exists within the next two weeks to achieve a diplomatic solution.”

    Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping both condemned Israel and agreed that de-escalation is needed, the Kremlin said on Thursday.

    The role of the United States remained uncertain. Lammy also met Trump’s special envoy to the region, Steve Witkoff, on Thursday in Washington, and said they had discussed a possible deal.

    Witkoff has spoken with Araqchi several times since last week, sources say.

    The White House said Trump will take part in a national security meeting on Friday morning. The president has alternated between threatening Tehran and urging it to resume nuclear talks that were suspended over the conflict.

    Trump has mused about striking Iran, possibly with a “bunker buster” bomb that could destroy nuclear sites built deep underground. The White House said Trump would decide in the next two weeks whether to get involved in the war.

    That may not be a firm deadline. Trump has commonly used “two weeks” as a time frame for making decisions and has allowed other economic and diplomatic deadlines to slide.

    With the Islamic Republic facing one of its greatest external threats since the 1979 revolution, any direct challenge to its 46-year-long rule would likely require some form of popular uprising.

    But activists involved in previous bouts of protest say they are unwilling to unleash mass unrest, even against a system they hate, with their nation under attack.

    “How are people supposed to pour into the streets? In such horrifying circumstances, people are solely focused on saving themselves, their families, their compatriots, and even their pets,” said Atena Daemi, a prominent activist who spent six years in prison before leaving Iran.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Bonta: Legal Fight Against Trump’s Unprecedented, Anti-Democratic Federalization of California Guard is Far from Over

    Source: US State of California

    Thursday, June 19, 2025

    Contact: (916) 210-6000, agpressoffice@doj.ca.gov

    OAKLAND – California Attorney General Rob Bonta today issued a statement following a decision by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals granting the federal government’s motion for a stay pending appeal in Newsom v. Trump. The court granted the federal government’s motion, staying the district court’s temporary restraining order during the federal government’s appeal. The temporary restraining order blocked the Trump Administration’s use of the federalized California National Guard to patrol our communities and engage in other law enforcement activity by returning control of the California National Guard to Governor Gavin Newsom.

    “While it is disappointing that our temporary restraining order has been stayed pending the federal government’s appeal, this case is far from over,” said Attorney General Bonta. “The Trump Administration far overreached its authority with its unprecedented and unlawful federalization of the California National Guard and deployment of military troops into our communities. As senior military leaders serving in administrations from JFK to Obama have affirmed, the use of the military on U.S. soil should be ‘rare, serious, and legally clear.’ That is not the case in Los Angeles where our state and local law enforcement officers responded effectively to isolated episodes of violence at otherwise peaceful protests and the President deliberately sought to create the very chaos and crises he claimed to be addressing. While the court did not provide immediate relief for Angelenos today, we remain confident in our arguments and will continue the fight.” 

    A copy of the decision is available here.

    # # #

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Ulan-Chab: Volcanoes attract large numbers of tourists

    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

    The tourist season has recently begun in Chahar Yuhouqi Banner in Ulan Chub City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, northern China. In particular, the Ulan Chub Volcanic Group attracts a large number of tourists. In 2024, Chahar Yuhouqi Banner received 4.348 million tourists, earning 3.47 billion yuan in tourism revenue.

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    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China’s Foreign Ministry: Hong Kong’s attractiveness as an international financial center is constantly increasing

    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 20 (Xinhua) — Hong Kong is becoming increasingly attractive as an international financial center, with a growing magnetic attraction for foreign enterprises and individuals to invest and do business, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said at a regular press briefing on Thursday, commenting at the request of the media on Hong Kong’s rise in the World Competitiveness Index 2025 released by the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) in Lausanne, Switzerland.

    Hong Kong rose to third place in the annual ranking, returning to the top three for the first time since 2019.

    The IMD yearbook was a “recognition of Hong Kong’s unique position and advantages, as well as the prospects of the ‘one country, two systems’ concept,” Guo Jiakun said.

    Hong Kong continues to be one of the freest economies and one of the most competitive regions in the world, he noted, citing data according to which the financial holding Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) ranked first in the world in terms of funds raised in the first half of 2025 – US$14 billion. Hong Kong’s overseas tourist flow increased by 18 percent in the first 5 months of 2025 compared to the same period last year; several large international companies redomiciled to Hong Kong.

    All this is “a vote of confidence in Hong Kong from the international community,” said a spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

    Pointing to the upcoming 5th anniversary of the National Security Law in Hong Kong, Guo Jiakun expressed confidence that with the institutional guarantee of “one country, two systems”, the unique advantage of supporting the motherland and having extensive connections with the world, as well as a more secure environment that supports high-quality development, Hong Kong will definitely have a brighter future.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: D. Trump delays TikTok ban for third time

    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

    NEW YORK, June 19 (Xinhua) — U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday signed an executive order allowing TikTok to continue operating in the country for another 90 days until Sept. 17, 2025, giving his administration more time to discuss a possible sale of the app.

    This is the third time the White House has extended the TikTok ban. He previously signed similar orders on January 20 and April 4, 2025.

    Since joining the 2024 presidential race, Trump has amassed more than 15 million followers on TikTok, which is popular with American youth. In January, the politician said he had “warm feelings” for the app.

    As local media note, a ban on TikTok in the US is becoming less and less likely in the foreseeable future: the president’s decrees to extend the app’s operation have never been challenged in court.

    During his first term, Trump signed an executive order that effectively sought to ban TikTok in the United States unless its owner, Chinese company ByteDance, sold its business in the country to an American counterparty. The order was challenged in court and never went into effect.

    In April 2024, then-US President Joseph Biden signed a law giving ByteDance 270 days to sell TikTok. The rationale was national security. Failure to comply would require app store operators like Apple and Google to remove TikTok from their platforms by January 19, 2025.

    According to a recent Pew Research Center poll, about a third of Americans support a TikTok ban, about a third oppose it, and the same number were undecided. In March 2023, half of respondents supported a ban on the app.

    TikTok currently has an audience of about 170 million users in the US. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: IRGC appoints new intelligence chief

    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

    TEHRAN, June 20 (Xinhua) — Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Thursday appointed Majed Khademi as its new intelligence chief, Fars news agency reported.

    The appointment was made by IRGC commander-in-chief Mohammad Pakpour just days after former IRGC intelligence chief Mohammad Kazemi and his deputy Hassan Mohakak were killed in Israeli airstrikes in Tehran on Sunday.

    Previously, M. Khademi headed the IRGC Intelligence Protection Organization.

    On June 13, Israel launched airstrikes on Tehran and several other areas of Iran, killing several high-ranking military commanders, nuclear scientists and hundreds of civilians. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: AEOI chief calls on IAEA to end inaction and condemn Israeli attacks

    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

    TEHRAN, June 20 (Xinhua) — Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) head Mohammad Eslami on Thursday called on the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to immediately stop its inaction and condemn Israeli attacks on Iran’s peaceful nuclear facilities, Fars news agency reported.

    M. Eslami sent a letter to IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi after Israel struck a heavy water research reactor in the city of Arak in Markazi province on Thursday morning.

    M. Eslami called on the IAEA to immediately stop its inaction and condemn Israel’s actions, which are contrary to international law. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Betting Duty (Amendment) Bill 2025 gazetted

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    The Government published the Betting Duty (Amendment) Bill 2025 in the Gazette today (June 20).

         The Bill seeks to amend the Betting Duty Ordinance (Cap. 108) and relevant subsidiary legislation to provide for a regulatory framework for basketball betting, which includes granting the power to the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs to issue a licence for conducting basketball betting and to impose licensing conditions; the calculation and collection of betting duty (which is charged at 50 per cent of the net stake receipts, same as that for the football betting duty); and expanding the functions of the Betting and Lotteries Commission to cover matters relating to the regulation of basketball betting.

    A spokesman for the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau said, “As a matter of policy, the Government does not encourage gambling. The Government adopts a multipronged strategy to address gambling-related problems, including law enforcement against illegal gambling activities, public education on the harms of gambling addiction, provision of counselling and support services for people in need, as well as regulation of gambling activities through legislation. On the regulation of gambling activities through legislation, the policy objective of providing authorised gambling outlets is to address the public demand for certain gambling activities, preventing people from turning to illegal operators.”

    The spokesman added, “If the Bill is enacted, we will, by making reference to the current regime of horse race betting and football betting, issue a licence for basketball betting to the Hong Kong Jockey Club, and to impose licensing conditions so as to minimise the negative impact of gambling on the public, especially on young people.

         “We will continue to closely collaborate with the Ping Wo Fund Advisory Committee to strengthen publicity and counselling for young people. To this end, in addition to the existing four funded counselling centres, we will allocate additional resources to establish a new centre dedicated to providing counselling and support services for youth. Public education efforts will also be strengthened to emphasise to young people that participating in illegal gambling or placing bets with an illegal bookmaker is already a criminal offence.”

    The Bill will be introduced into the Legislative Council for first reading on July 2.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Money Market Operations as on June 19, 2025

    Source: Reserve Bank of India
    (Amount in ₹ crore, Rate in Per cent)
      Volume
    (One Leg)    		 Weighted
    Average Rate    		 Range
    A. Overnight Segment (I+II+III+IV) 5,99,265.81 5.18 3.50-6.55
         I. Call Money 14,174.25 5.26 4.70-5.35
         II. Triparty Repo 3,96,475.35 5.18 5.14-5.25
         III. Market Repo 1,86,372.11 5.16 3.50-6.24
         IV. Repo in Corporate Bond 2,244.10 5.47 5.38-6.55
    B. Term Segment      
         I. Notice Money** 60.04 5.21 5.00-5.30
         II. Term Money@@ 440.50 – 5.50-6.00
         III. Triparty Repo 1,275.00 5.24 5.15-5.29
         IV. Market Repo 750.00 5.40 5.40-5.40
         V. Repo in Corporate Bond 0.00 – –
      Auction Date Tenor (Days) Maturity Date Amount Current Rate /
    Cut off Rate
    C. Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF), Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) & Standing Deposit Facility (SDF)
    I. Today’s Operations
    1. Fixed Rate          
    2. Variable Rate&          
      (I) Main Operation          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
      (II) Fine Tuning Operations          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
    3. MSF# Thu, 19/06/2025 1 Fri, 20/06/2025 1,323.00 5.75
    4. SDFΔ# Thu, 19/06/2025 1 Fri, 20/06/2025 3,22,568.00 5.25
    5. Net liquidity injected from today’s operations [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*       -3,21,245.00  
    II. Outstanding Operations
    1. Fixed Rate          
    2. Variable Rate&          
      (I) Main Operation          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
      (II) Fine Tuning Operations          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
    3. MSF#          
    4. SDFΔ#          
    D. Standing Liquidity Facility (SLF) Availed from RBI$       7,157.31  
    E. Net liquidity injected from outstanding operations [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*     7,157.31  
    F. Net liquidity injected (outstanding including today’s operations) [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*     -3,14,087.69  
    G. Cash Reserves Position of Scheduled Commercial Banks
         (i) Cash balances with RBI as on June 19, 2025 9,46,312.30  
         (ii) Average daily cash reserve requirement for the fortnight ending June 27, 2025 9,54,173.00  
    H. Government of India Surplus Cash Balance Reckoned for Auction as on¥ June 19, 2025 0.00  
    I. Net durable liquidity [surplus (+)/deficit (-)] as on May 30, 2025 5,84,684.00  
    @ Based on Reserve Bank of India (RBI) / Clearing Corporation of India Limited (CCIL).
    – Not Applicable / No Transaction.
    ** Relates to uncollateralized transactions of 2 to 14 days tenor.
    @@ Relates to uncollateralized transactions of 15 days to one year tenor.
    $ Includes refinance facilities extended by RBI.
    & As per the Press Release No. 2019-2020/1900 dated February 06, 2020.
    Δ As per the Press Release No. 2022-2023/41 dated April 08, 2022.
    * Net liquidity is calculated as Repo+MSF+SLF-Reverse Repo-SDF.
    ¥ As per the Press Release No. 2014-2015/1971 dated March 19, 2015.
    # As per the Press Release No. 2023-2024/1548 dated December 27, 2023.
    Ajit Prasad          
    Deputy General Manager
    (Communications)    
    Press Release: 2025-2026/566

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Oxfam reaction to final outcome document for Financing for Development Conference

    Source: Oxfam –

    In reaction to the vote of the final outcome document of the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, Amitabh Behar, Oxfam International’s Executive Director said: 

    “Rich countries missed a chance to make a real difference in the fight against global poverty and inequality. They could have helped to end the debt crisis that is impacting over three billion people in the Global South mainly women and girls. This was a key demand of developing countries, many of whom are spending more repaying debt than they can on public education and healthcare. The outcome does however make some positive calls on inequality and on taxing the super-rich, which governments can build upon. 

    Oxfam is going to Sevilla in two weeks to urge governments to take more ambitious commitments to fight inequality by taxing the super-rich, advancing on gender equality, meeting their aid goals and adopting a public finance first approach. We cannot transform multilateralism without putting the fight against inequality at its core.” 

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Global survey finds 8 out of 10 people support taxing oil and gas corporations to pay for climate damages

    Source: Oxfam –

    A majority of people believe governments must tax oil, gas and coal corporations for climate-related loss and damage, and that their government is not doing enough to counter the influence on politics of the super-rich and polluting industries. These are the key findings of a global survey, which reflects broad consensus across political affiliations, income levels and age groups.  

    Today’s study, which was jointly commissioned by Greenpeace International and Oxfam International, was launched at the Bonn UN climate meetings (SB62 16-26 June), where governments are discussing key climate policy priorities, including ways to mobilize at least US $ 1.3 trillion annually in climate finance for Global South countries by 2035. The poll was conducted across 13 countries, including most G7 countries. 

    The study, run by Dynata, comes with additional research by Oxfam showing that a polluter profits tax on 590 oil, gas and coal companies could raise up to US $400 billion in its first year. This is equivalent to the estimated annual costs of climate damage in the Global South. Loss and damage costs from climate change to the Global South are estimated to reach between $290bn to $580bn annually by 2030. 
     

    Key findings of the survey include: 

    • 81% of people surveyed support new taxes on the oil, coal and gas industry to pay for damages caused by fossil-fuel driven climate disasters like storms, floods, droughts and wildfires.
       
    • 86% of people in surveyed countries support channelling revenues from higher taxes on oil and gas corporations towards communities who are most impacted by the climate crisis. Climate change is disproportionately hitting people in Global South countries, who are historically least responsible for greenhouse gas emissions.
       
    • When asked who should be taxed to pay for helping survivors of fossil-fuel driven climate disasters, 66% of people across countries surveyed think it should be oil and gas companies compared to than 5% who support taxes on working people, 9% on goods people buy, and 20% in favour of business taxes.
       
    • 68% felt that the fossil fuel industry and the super-rich had a negative influence on politics in their country. 77% say they would be more willing to support a political candidate who prioritises taxing the super-rich and the fossil fuel industry. 
       

    Oxfam’s research finds that 585 of the world’s largest and most polluting fossil fuel companies made $583 billion in profits in 2024, a 68% increase since 2019. The annual emissions of 340 of these corporations (for whom data was available) accounted for over half of global greenhouse gas emissions caused by humans. Their emissions in just one year are enough to cause 2.7 million heat-related deaths over the next century. 

    A polluter profits tax on these companies would ensure that renewable energy is more profitable than fossil fuels, encouraging companies to invest in renewables, as well as avoid more deaths driven by fossil fuelled climate change. This new tax must be accompanied by higher taxes on the super-rich and other polluting companies. Governments should impose such taxes nationally and engage positively at the UN to ensure a fair global tax agreement.  

    “People understand that storms, floods, drought, wildfires, and other extreme weather events are being fuelled by oil and gas corporations. Instead of leaving communities exposed to deal with these devastating costs alone, governments can unlock huge sums of money to invest in climate solutions through making dirty energy companies pay,” said Rebecca Newsom, Global Political Lead for Greenpeace’s Stop Drilling, Start Paying campaign. “The Polluters Pay Pact unites communities on the frontlines of climate disasters, concerned citizens, first responders like firefighters and humanitarian groups around the world to call on politicians to act now through making polluters, not people, pay for climate damages.”  

    Amitabh Behar, Executive Director of Oxfam International, said: “Mega-rich coal, oil and gas companies have known for decades about the damage their polluting products wreak on humanity. Corporations continue to cash in on climate devastation, and their profiteering destroys the lives and livelihoods of millions of women, men and children, predominantly those in the Global South who have done the least to cause the climate crisis. Governments must listen to their people and hold rich polluters responsible for their damages. A new tax on polluting industries could provide immediate and significant support to climate-vulnerable countries and finally incentivise investment in renewables and a just transition.”  

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Duckworth, Warren Press RFK Jr. on “Dangerous War on Vaccines,” Reckless Decision to Slash HHS Vaccine Funding

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth
    June 19, 2025
    RFK Jr. cut hundreds of millions of dollars for bird flu, HIV vaccine development
    [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) wrote to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., pressing him on his recent reckless decisions to slash funding for critical vaccine development. In May, the Trump Administration announced that it would cut off millions of dollars that the federal government had committed to the development of the critical bird flu vaccine, and HHS abruptly ended an over-$250 million program to develop an AIDS vaccine.
    “This is a grievous mistake that threatens to leave the country unprepared for what experts fear might be the next pandemic – and there appears to be no rationale for this decision other than your ill-informed and dangerous war on vaccines,” wrote the Senators.
    In January, HHS championed the development of new vaccines to make sure “Americans have the tools they need to stay safe.” Now, the RFK Jr.-led HHS is ripping those tools away — tools which would save lives and save billions in health care costs over time.
    An HHS spokesperson indicated that the decision to cut funding for the bird flu vaccine was made following a “rigorous review.” Another senior HHS official claimed that the decision to slash funding for the HIV vaccine was made after a “review by N.I.H. (National Institutes of Health) leadership.” HHS has made neither review available to the American public.
    “You have failed to justify either of these moves to (ruin) vaccine research,” continued the Senators. “This is just the latest example that calls into question your commitment to ‘radical transparency.’”
    “The public has little reason to trust your judgment or your review of the science surrounding vaccines or any aspect of public health,” concluded the Senators.
    The Administration also recently released its “Make America Healthy Again” report, containing numerous references and citations that were fully fabricated. RFK Jr. himself has long peddled anti-vaccine conspiracy theories and spread harmful misinformation.
    The lawmakers requested copies of the “rigorous review” that resulted in the termination of funding for the bird flu vaccine and the “review by N.I.H. leadership” that prompted the termination of funding for AIDS vaccine research. The lawmakers also requested a detailed description of the process by which HHS decided to end these contracts, including whether it was based on a recommendation by the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) officials.
    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: In Peoria, Duckworth Joins Illinois Health Care Advocates and Medicaid Recipients to Condemn GOP Efforts to Gut Medicaid

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth

    June 19, 2025

    [PEORIA, IL] – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today joined Peoria-area health care advocates, Medicaid recipients and their families to call out the Trump Administration and Republican’s dangerous, relentless attempts to slash Medicaid with their Big, Beautiful Betrayal. Duckworth spoke in support and defense of the millions of Americans who rely on Medicaid including pregnant women, children with disabilities as well as people in nursing homes—and demanded that Republicans put their constituents’ lives ahead of Trump’s ego by working with Democrats to protect the critical basic needs program. Photos from the press conference are available on Senator Duckworth’s website.

    “Republicans told us in Project 2025 that they’d come for Medicaid—and this is one of the rare times the GOP is actually keeping its word,” Duckworth said. “Make no mistake: there’s no way to pay for Trump’s $4 trillion tax break for billionaires without putting it on the backs of Americans who are already struggling to pay the bills. As Republicans threatened health care for 16 million Americans—including 3.4 million Illinoisans—to appease Trump and his billionaire buddies, I’ll keep working with Illinois health care advocates to protect and defend Medicaid.”

    “In Illinois, Medicaid covers over half of all births—and in many rural areas, that number is even higher. For thousands of pregnant people, Medicaid is the difference between accessing prenatal care or going without it. The proposed cuts to Medicaid would jeopardize maternal health and endanger the lives of mothers and babies across our state,” said Chi Chi Okwu, Executive Director, EverThrive Illinois.

    “Children and families—especially those with complex medical needs or in rural communities—already face so many barriers to care. The proposed changes to the Medicaid program would only widen the care gap for children,” said Michele Beekman, MD, FAAP, Secretary, Executive Committee of the Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

    “In Illinois, Medicaid is not just a program; it is a lifeline that embodies our commitment to compassion and justice, ensuring that our most vulnerable citizens, including those with disabilities, our children, and working families, have access to the healthcare and support they need to thrive. It is our duty to protect this essential safety net for the sake of our collective humanity,” said Samantha Alloway, Executive Director, The Arc of Illinois.

    “Hospital leaders are doing everything they can to preserve access to care, protect jobs, and remain anchors in their communities. But make no mistake—Medicaid cuts erode that foundation. We need policies that invest in rural health, not undermine it,” said Tracy Warner, Executive Director, Illinois Critical Hospital Network.

    Last month, Duckworth joined Caring Across Generations’ 24-hour Capitol Hill vigil to call out Donald Trump and Elon Musk for their heartless, relentless attempts to slash Medicaid funding.

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • Prime Minister Modi to launch multiple development projects in Bihar today

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the Siwan district of Bihar today (Friday), where he will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of multiple infrastructure and development projects. 

    The Prime Minister will address a public gathering after the launch event, scheduled around 12 noon. In a significant push for railway infrastructure, PM Modi will inaugurate the Vaishali–Deoria railway line project, built at a cost of over Rs 400 crore.

    A new train service will also be flagged off on this route. The visit will also witness the flagging off of the Patliputra-Gorakhpur Vande Bharat Express, via Muzaffarpur and Bettiah, marking a new chapter in high-speed rail connectivity in North Bihar.

    In a major milestone under the ‘Make in India – Make for the World’ initiative, PM Modi will flag off the first export locomotive manufactured at the Marhowra Plant. The locomotive is destined for the Republic of Guinea and features high-horsepower engines, advanced AC propulsion, regenerative braking, and microprocessor-based controls.

    In alignment with his commitment to Ganga rejuvenation, the Prime Minister will inaugurate six new Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) under the Namami Gange program, collectively worth Rs 1,800 crore. These projects aim to significantly reduce pollution and improve sanitation in towns across Bihar.

    PM Modi will also lay the foundation stone for STPs, sanitation, and water supply projects worth over Rs 3,000 crore in several towns of the state, ensuring safe and clean drinking water for thousands of households.

    Taking a leap in renewable energy efficiency, PM Modi will lay the foundation stone for a 500 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). These standalone storage units will be installed at 15 substations, including Siwan, Muzaffarpur, Bettiah, and Motihari, with capacities ranging from 20 MWh to 80 MWh.

    Continuing support to housing for all, the Prime Minister will release the first instalment of assistance to more than 53,600 beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban (PMAY-U).

    Additionally, PM Modi will hand over keys to select beneficiaries of 6,600 newly completed houses, marking their Grih Pravesh (housewarming). This visit marks PM Modi’s second trip to Bihar in less than a month and his fifth this year, reflecting the Centre’s growing focus on Bihar’s development in the lead-up to the state assembly elections. (IANS)

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Matariki Weekend rail closure – getting one step closer to CRL

    Source: Auckland Transport

    Date: 13 June 2025

    Major rail upgrades to bring more frequent and reliable services mean no trains will be running from Friday 20 June to Monday 23 June 2025, as essential upgrade works are carried out across the city’s rail lines over the extended Matariki long weekend.

    This closure across the Eastern, Western, Southern, and Onehunga Lines is needed so that KiwiRail, City Rail Link Limited and AT can continue vital network upgrade works ahead of the City Rail Link opening in 2026.

    No trains will operate during this period, including on Monday 23 June, a standard weekday. People should also be aware there will be changes to train services during the upcoming winter school holidays.

    To support passengers, AT will operate frequent all-stop rail replacement bus services throughout the rail closure period. For some passengers AT’s regular scheduled bus services will also be a good alternative. 

    AT’s Group Manager Rail Services Mark Lambert says closures like this are needed to get the wider Auckland rail network ready for the faster, more frequent train services that will come when the City Rail Link opens.

    “We understand this closure will be disruptive—especially with Monday being a regular workday—but it is a necessary step to ensure the future reliability and efficiency of our rail network,” Mr Lambert says.

    “We’ve timed this work over a long weekend to reduce disruption for our passengers as much as possible, and we’re doing everything we can to keep people moving.”

    The upgrade work includes track renewals, foundation upgrades and drainage improvements as part of KiwiRail’s Rail Network Rebuild programme, the installation of fibre optic cables across the rail network, and maintenance work at train stations that would be too disruptive to undertake when services were running.

    “The work AT and our partners are doing now will help unlock the benefits of the City Rail Link and transform how people move around our city,” Mr Lambert says.

    “We know that for many people this is likely to be frustrating. But this is a once-in-a-generation upgrade, so we’re asking Aucklanders to bear with us just a little longer so we can deliver a faster, more reliable, and more frequent rail service for everyone.”

    KiwiRail Chief Metro and Capital Programme Officer Dave Gordan says: “KiwiRail is progressing works at pace especially on the Southern Line where we still have more to do to improve foundations and drainage to ensure our network is resilient.” 

    “Our teams will be working night and day to get as much completed as possible during the four days.”

    Notes to the editor:

    Extended Matariki weekend rail closure

    • The extended rail closure over Matariki weekend extends from Friday 20th June to Monday 23rd June.
    • Buses will replace trains on all lines, with all-stops rail replacement buses stopping at or near every train station.
    • Newmarket and Remuera stations will be fully closed during this period to enable work to progress more quickly on station maintenance projects.
    • Information for passengers about the closure and alternative transport options is being shared widely across AT’s customer communication channels and at stations.
    • The AT Journey Planner (on the AT Mobile app or AT website) is the easiest way for people to plan their journeys while train services aren’t running.

    Partial rail closure during the winter school holidays

    • There will be also changes to train services from 28 June to 13 July during the winter school holidays.
    • Parts of the Southern Line will be closed for essential drainage works and reduced frequencies will be in place for the rest of the Southern Line, the Eastern Line, and the Western Line.
    • The Onehunga Line will retain its all-day 30-minute service during this period.
    • Rail replacement buses, including an express service will serve closed parts of the Southern Line as we do our best to keep passengers moving.

    The City Rail Link will bring Auckland closer together

    • City Rail Link will double the number of Aucklanders within a 30-minute train journey to the central city and increase rail capacity by at least 50 per cent on its opening day. 
    • It will also significantly cut journey times – for example Henderson to the city centre in just 35 minutes (save 24 minutes). Another example is Maungawhau Station (formerly Mt Eden) to Waitematā (Britomart) in under 10 minutes, which is about half the current time. 
    • Trains will run more frequently – every four minutes through the central city, every five minutes from all stations north of Puhinui on the Southern and Eastern Lines, every 8 minutes on the Western Line from Henderson and every 10 from Pukekohe.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: 34 Youth Leaders Champion Diverse Environmental Causes

    Source: Government of Singapore

    Singapore, 20 June 2025 – The National Environment Agency (NEA) celebrated the graduation of the second cohort of the YOUth for Environmental Sustainability (YES) Leaders Programme today. Minister for Sustainability and the Environment, Ms Grace Fu, commended the 34 graduates and urged perseverance and resilience towards Singapore’s green and sustainability agenda.

    Empowering Youths for Sustainability

    2          Introduced in 2023, the YES Leaders Programme is part of NEA’s YOUth for Environmental Sustainability (YES) Movement, a nationwide initiative designed to engage youths, nurture their interest in environmental issues, and deepen their knowledge of sustainability within Singapore’s context. Through the YES Movement, NEA collaborates with partners and stakeholders to create meaningful opportunities for youths to contribute to a Clean & Green Singapore. The programme also supports the Singapore Green Plan 2030’s Sustainable Living pillar by fostering active green citizenry among youths [1].

    3          The YES Leaders Programme empowers passionate youths with the skills and knowledge to lead impactful environmental projects in their communities. Over the past year, the 34 YES Leaders successfully championed 16 projects, addressing diverse sustainability challenges. Their graduation marks not an end but a beginning, as NEA pledges continued support for their future environmental initiatives.

    4          Mr Loo Deliang, Head of the Sustainability Strategy Unit for the National University of Singapore’s University Campus Infrastructure and a YES Advisor, said, “Seeing passionate youths bring their ideas to life, from the drawing board to real-world practice, is deeply satisfying. As educational institutions, we should provide our campuses as real-world canvases for young people to realise their passion and ideas.”

    5          Mr Shane Tan Tsiat Siong, an Institute of Higher Learning (IHL) mentor from the Singapore University of Social Sciences, said, “The YES Leaders Programme offers a purposeful learning ground for young environmental stalwarts to pursue their passions and curiosity as change-makers of today and tomorrow.”

    6          Ms Samantha Thian, Founder of Seastainable and a YES Advisor, added, “As a strong advocate for youth development, it has been deeply meaningful to support the YES Leaders Programme over the past two years. This programme equips young leaders with the tools, networks, mentorship, and courage to think outside the box and take bold action to rethink sustainability in Singapore.”

    Championing Diverse Environmental Causes

    7          The second cohort of YES Leaders, with diverse academic backgrounds and interests, embarked on projects that engaged the community on topics such as public hygiene, energy efficiency, waste reduction, and environmental sustainability.

    • Beyond the Flush! – Led by Chia Howie, Su Ying Da, and Ma Shu Hang William from Singapore Polytechnic, this project focuses on improving public toilet hygiene. Their innovative prototypes, SHIELD (a barrier for urinals) and Bidet+ (an affordable built-in bidet for male and female toilets), aim to reduce spillage and improve cleanliness.
    • Bite the change: The future of food – Led by Nadhira Fateen Safeel from Singapore University of Social Sciences, this project promotes food sustainability within the community through interactive educational events. It features hands-on cooking session that teach participants simple steps on food scrap repurposing and at-home composting via workshop. Supported by a targeted social media campaign, the initiative engaged over 200 students and staff, equipping participants with skills and awareness to foster long-term sustainable food habits aligned with Singapore’s broader food sustainability goals.
    • Green Grow Gang – Launched by Natalee Chan, Cheyenne Lee, Pang Yu Fei, and Zoe Wong from ITE College West, this project transforms discarded fruit scraps, such as watermelon rinds, into biodegradable flower pots. To date, 56 batches of pots have been produced, tested, and refined for durability and plant compatibility.
    • Developing Net Zero Energy Resource Pack for Primary Schools – Led by Goh Tian Ning and Lim Xin Quan from the National University of Singapore’s Students’ Association for Visions of the Earth (NUS SAVE), this project developed a resource pack featuring classroom slides and a self-guided tour of NUS’ School of Design & Environment 4 (SDE4), a net-positive energy building. The pilot programme also empowered over 25 primary school students, inspiring them to adopt energy-saving habits and understand the differences between net-zero and conventional buildings.

    8          Graduates have continued their sustainability journey beyond YES Leaders Programme. For example:

      • Lim Xin Quan from NUS and Nadhira Fateen Safeel from SUSS from Cohort 2 have joined hands to kick start Planet Pages, a social-environmental project that seeks to facilitate book donations in Singapore and channel it to nooks in needy communities at remote areas overseas.
      • Sophia Ding from Cohort 1 has continued to develop Green Doctor Programme. Her team collected a total mass of 109.2kg of medical blisters from 6 health care institutions over a 6-month period. Her team is continuously looking for ways to improve outcomes and is now conducting a Life Cycle Analysis of their approach and developing plans to scale up their operations.

    Welcoming the Next Cohort

    9          The graduation ceremony also marked the start of the third YES Leaders Programme cohort’s journey. NEA welcomed 37 YES leaders-in-training, nominated by their institutions of higher learning and selected through a rigorous process. Starting 25 June 2025, the new cohort will participate in learning opportunities with policy makers and campaign developers from government agencies, and experts from corporate and non-governmental partners, including CapitaLand, MeTech, EnviroGreen, Chye Thiam Maintenance, Razer, Pan Pacific Hotel Group, Sustainable Living Lab, and Our Tampines Hub. The third cohort will be embarking on their own projects to engage the community to develop innovative ideas on sustainable living.

    Launch of YES Festival

    10        NEA, with the support of CapitaLand, also launched the inaugural YES Festival (YES Fest) at Funan from 20–22 June 2025. This mini-carnival, organised with the involvement of YES Leaders and student volunteers, offers everyone an opportunity to learn about sustainability through project showcases and hands-on workshops conducted by YES Leaders. The event begins at 12 noon on Friday, 20 June 2025. More information and registration for complimentary workshops are available at go.gov.sg/yesfestsg2025.

    —————————————–

    [1] For more information on the YES Movement, visit go.gov.sg/yesmovement.

     

    ~~ End ~~

    For more information, please submit your enquiries electronically via the Online Feedback Form or myENV mobile application.

    About the Youth for Environmental Sustainability (YES) Leaders Programme

    Launched in September 2023, the NEA YES Leaders Programme provides a platform for passionate and active youth leaders to learn from local policy makers, regulators, developers of national campaigns and programmes, as well as industry experts. They will develop key knowledge surrounding sustainability issues and approaches in Singapore, and build their skills to develop and run sustainability projects within their Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) and communities. In addition, NEA YES Leaders will also receive guidance from YES Advisors, comprising individuals who are accomplished in driving sustainability initiatives in local contexts.

    YES Advisor Loo Deliang is currently the Head of Sustainability Strategy Unit for the National University of Singapore’s University Campus Infrastructure. Responsible for spearheading the implementation of the Campus Sustainability Roadmap 2030 and its sustainability programmes, he oversees campus infrastructure sustainability, sustainability roadmap development and implementation, engineering and technology for decarbonisation, and sustainability reporting and disclosure.

    He was awarded the Public Service Medal in 2019 and NEA’s “Ecofriend Award” in 2022 for his community work to promote environmental stewardship

    YES Advisor Pek Hai Lin is currently senior manager for sustainability at the Singapore Institute of Technology. Since her time with NGO Zero Waste SG in 2017, she has led several projects and initiatives driving the circular economy in Singapore and Southeast Asia. In 2019, she was awarded the NEA EcoFriend for coordinating the Bring Your Own Singapore movement which had since onboarded more than 135 partner brands and 1,000 retail and F&B outlets. Her work at SIT has since broadened to look at Environment, Social and Governance impact, and through her commitment to further sustainable development, she hopes to continue to engage people and organisations to relook and disrupt business as usual.

    YES Advisor Samantha Thian is currently serving as Deputy Head of Operations at the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Working Group II Technical Support Unit, hosted at Singapore Management University. Samantha is also the founder of Seastainable, a social enterprise sustainability consultancy that she founded in 2017.

    Recognised by Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia (Social Impact) and the NEA EcoFriend Awards in 2021, Samantha has represented Singapore at the G20 Youth Summit (Y20), as part of Singapore’s COP28 and 29 Youth Delegations, and various regional climate forums.

    YES Advisor Veerappan Swaminathan is the founder and director of Sustainable Living Lab (SL2), a consultancy that helps organisations innovate for environmental, economic, and social sustainability. He is also the CEO and director of edm8ker, which trains teachers to impart “maker education” to youths. Additionally, Veera contributes to various initiatives and platforms that promote sustainability, innovation, and social impact. Repair Kopitiam is one such initiative that he had started, to promote the habit of repairing items and combat today’s ‘buy-and-throw’ culture. He received the NUS Outstanding Young Alumni Award in 2019, 2018 Joseph Jaworski Next Generation Foresight Asia Special Award, the EcoFriend Award 2016, the Young Enterprise For Sustainable Development Award 2015, and the President’s Challenge Youth Social Enterprise Award 2015.

     

    Annex A : YES Leaders Programme Graduates and Projects

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Homicide investigation launched after death in Tūrangi

    Source: New Zealand Police

    A woman has died following an incident in Tūrangi this morning.

    Emergency services were called to an address on Hinerangi Street at about 6:30am, where the victim was found deceased.

    A homicide investigation is underway and a scene guard is at the property.

    We would like to hear from any witnesses, or anybody with CCTV footage from the incident.

    You can contact Police via 105, either over the phone or online.

    Please reference the file number 250620/6721.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Prevention of Bribery Ordinance (Amendment of Schedules 1 and 2) Order 2025 takes effect upon gazettal

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Government published in the Gazette today (June 20) the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance (Amendment of Schedules 1 and 2) Order 2025 (the Amendment Order), which takes effect on the same day. The Amendment Order aims to put the Hong Kong Investment Corporation Limited (HKIC) and three financial infrastructure-related institutions (namely, the Hong Kong FMI Services Limited (HKFMI), the OTC Clearing Hong Kong Limited (OTC Clear) and the CMU OmniClear Limited (CMU OmniClear)) under the regulatory regime of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance (Cap. 201) (the Ordinance).
     
         The Amendment Order specifies the HKIC, the HKFMI, the OTC Clear and the CMU OmniClear as public bodies that are subject to various restrictions under the Ordinance. Furthermore, persons doing business with the four public bodies are subject to the relevant sections of the Ordinance.
     
         A spokesperson for the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau said, “The HKIC is entrusted by the Government to support the development of innovation and technology, as well as strategic industries in Hong Kong through investment. The other three financial infrastructure-related institutions have public functions to manage and operate financial market infrastructures. In view of the important role played by the four public bodies in Hong Kong’s financial system and economic development, it is in the public interest to cover them under the regulation of the Ordinance.”
     
         The Amendment Order will be tabled at the Legislative Council on June 25 for negative vetting.
     

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: District Cooling Services Ordinance (Amendment of Schedules 1 and 2) Notice 2025 gazetted today

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    ​The Government today (June 20) published in the Gazette the District Cooling Services Ordinance (Amendment of Schedules 1 and 2) Notice 2025. The Notice seeks to revise the service area of the Kai Tak District Cooling System (DCS) and include the DCS in Kwu Tung North New Development Area (Kwu Tung North) and Tung Chung New Town Extension (East) (Tung Chung East) in the scope of the District Cooling Services Ordinance (Cap. 624) (the Ordinance).
     
    A spokesperson for the Environment and Ecology Bureau said, “The amendments will adjust the service area of the Kai Tak DCS by including the redevelopment area surrounded by To Kwa Wan Road, Ma Tau Kok Road, Mok Cheong Street and Kowloon City Road, as well as potential user buildings of the DCS surrounded by Wang Kwong Road and Kai Cheung Road, so that the Kai Tak DCS may serve more non-domestic developments in the vicinity. In addition, the two DCS projects in Kwu Tung North and Tung Chung East are expected to be completed in 2026 and 2027 respectively. The amendments will include the two DCS projects in the scope of the Ordinance, including their capacity charge rates and consumption charge rates, to ensure the timely provision of district cooling services in Kwu Tung North and Tung Chung East. The charges, which are subject to annual adjustments according to the changes in the Composite Consumer Price Index and electricity tariff, aim to recover the capital cost and the operating cost of the DCS respectively.”
     
    The Government will table the Notice before the Legislative Council at its sitting on June 25. Upon the completion of negative vetting, the amendments will come into effect on September 5.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Registered General Building Contractor and its Authorized Signatory disciplined for negligent or misconduct

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Registered Contractors’ Disciplinary Board has completed a disciplinary inquiry under the Buildings Ordinance (BO) and decided that a Registered General Building Contractor (RGBC) and its Authorized Signatory (AS) should be disciplined for having been negligent and/or misconducted themselves in building works (including foundation and superstructure works).

         The Board ordered the RGBC to be fined $170,000, and the AS be reprimanded. Also, the RGBC and its AS are to pay $148,200 extra in total, being the costs of the Board and the Buildings Department (BD) for conducting the inquiry. 

         The Board’s written decision and order issued on June 10, was published in the Gazette today (June 20). Details are available at the following link: www.gld.gov.hk/egazette/pdf/20252925/egn202529253644.pdf.

         The case involved a construction site at Tai Shu Ha Road West in Yuen Long. Upon investigation by the BD, it was found that the RGBC and its AS had knowledge of the construction of unauthorised concrete walls below the ground floor of all houses and the club house at the site, which deviated from the approved plans in a material way. In view of the investigation results, the BD notified the Board for its consideration of disciplinary action against the RGBC and its AS under the provisions of sections 13(1) and 13(3) of the BO.

         A spokesperson for the BD reiterated that any registered contractors who have been negligent or have misconducted themselves in building works may be subject to disciplinary action under the BO.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Announcement on Open Market Operations No.117 [2025]

    Source: Peoples Bank of China

    Announcement on Open Market Operations No.117 [2025]

    (Open Market Operations Office, June 20, 2025)

    The People’s Bank of China conducted reverse repo operations in the amount of RMB161.2 billion through quantity bidding at a fixed interest rate on June 20, 2025.

    Details of the Reverse Repo Operations

    Maturity

    Rate

    Bidding Volume

    Winning Bid Volume

    7 days

    1.40%

    RMB161.2 billion

    RMB161.2 billion

    Date of last update Nov. 29 2018

    2025年06月20日

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: PLA spokesperson slams UK warship’s sailing through Taiwan Strait 2025-06-20 On June 18th, the UK’s offshore patrol vessel (OPV) HMS Spey sailed through the Taiwan Strait and hyped it up publicly.

    Source: People’s Republic of China – Ministry of National Defense

      BEIJIG, June 20 — On June 18th, the UK’s offshore patrol vessel (OPV) HMS Spey sailed through the Taiwan Strait and hyped it up publicly. Troops assigned to the Chinese PLA Eastern Theater Command (ETC) tracked and monitored the action of the UK warship throughout the process and dealt with it effectively, said Senior Captain Liu Runke, spokesperson for the navy of the Chinese PLA ETC, in a written statement released on Friday.

      The spokesperson slammed that the UK’s relevant remarks distorted the legal principles and confused the public, and its actions were deliberately intended to disrupt the situation, undermining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. “The troops of the PLA Eastern Theater Command will remain on high alert at all times and resolutely counter all threats and provocations,” stressed the spokesperson.

    loading…

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: ASEAN secretary-general calls for pioneering forward-looking partnership with China

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

    ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn delivers a speech during the Jakarta Forum on ASEAN-China Relations in Jakarta, Indonesia, June 19, 2025. The forum, held under the theme “New Areas, New Engines, New Opportunities” on Thursday, brought together officials, diplomats, and business leaders to explore new paths for inclusive and sustainable growth. [Photo/Xinhua]

    ASEAN and China must pioneer a forward-looking partnership, anchored in resilient and equitable value-chain integration as well as climate and tech-responsive infrastructure, to chart a more inclusive and sustainable course in today’s fragmented world, said ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn here on Thursday.

    Speaking at the Jakarta Forum on ASEAN-China Relations, Kao highlighted five strategic areas he believed to be pivotal in redefining the future of ASEAN-China relations: digital economy, green transition, supply chain connectivity and resilience, transport connectivity, and tourism cooperation.

    The ASEAN-China partnership has delivered substantial economic achievements. Two-way trade surged dramatically from 105.9 billion U.S. dollars in 2004 to 770 billion dollars in 2024, accounting for 20 percent of ASEAN’s total trade, Kao said.

    Both ASEAN and China attach great importance to cooperation in emerging industries, and advance it as a priority area, said Chinese Ambassador to ASEAN Hou Yanqi.

    “We must implement the consensus reached by our leaders and deepen cooperation in areas such as digital economy, digital transformation, scientific and technological innovation, artificial intelligence, big data, and smart cities,” said Hou.

    The development and growth of emerging areas require a more open, inclusive and orderly international economic and trade environment, Hou added.

    The Jakarta Forum on ASEAN-China Relations, held under the theme “New Areas, New Engines, New Opportunities” on Thursday, brought together officials, diplomats, and business leaders to explore new paths for inclusive and sustainable growth. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China to accelerate review of rare earth-related export license applications: commerce ministry

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

    An undated file phto shows the entrance to China’s Ministry of Commerce in Beijing. [Photo/Xinhua]

    China has consistently placed great importance on maintaining the stability and security of global industrial and supply chains and has been accelerating the review of rare earth-related export license applications in accordance with relevant laws and regulations, the Ministry of Commerce said Thursday.

    China has approved a certain number of compliant applications in accordance with the law and will continue to strengthen the review and approval of such applications, ministry spokesperson He Yadong said at a press conference when answering a question on rare earth exports.

    China is willing to enhance communication and dialogue with relevant countries on export controls and actively promote the facilitation of compliant trade, He added. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Media advisory: Police Media Centre closing at 6pm, Sunday 22 June

    Source: New Zealand Police

    The Police Media Centre will close at 6pm on Sunday 22 June due to staffing constraints.

    Prior to that time, we will be operating with reduced staff numbers and prioritising urgent/serious incidents.

    After 6pm, information on any significant public safety issues will be released proactively.

    The centre will reopen at the usual time of 6am on Monday 23 June.

    We appreciate our media colleagues’ continued patience and understanding.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Gov. Pillen Celebrates Ruling Protecting Nebraska Nursing Homes From Biden-era Rule

    Source: US State of Nebraska

    . Pillen Celebrates Ruling Protecting Nebraska Nursing Homes From Biden-era Rule

    LINCOLN, NE — Today, Governor Jim Pillen celebrated a federal court ruling that blocked a Biden-era rule that would have put critical nursing homes in rural Nebraska out of business.

    In November 2023, Gov. Pillen joined fellow Republican Governors in submitting a letter to the Biden administration objecting to the impact of proposed federal staffing requirements on long term care facilities. The burdensome and arbitrary new rules would have been nearly impossible for many nursing homes to meet and could have forced their closure.

    “This decision is an important and significant win for Nebraska seniors,” said Gov. Pillen. “The overturned rule was issued without regard for the needs of rural America and would have hurt our seniors.  With this court ruling, our rural nursing homes can rest easy that they will not be subjected to baseless and arbitrary staffing requirements that would have certainly impacted the quality of care and their ability to remain open. I am grateful to Attorney General Hilgers and his team for their work representing the State of Nebraska in this case.”

    A link to the Attorney General’s news release regarding this ruling is available here:

    https://ago.nebraska.gov/news/attorney-general-hilgers-announces-victor…

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for June 20, 2025

    ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on June 20, 2025.

    Mark Brown: Cook Islands ‘not consulted’ on NZ-China agreements
    By Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific journalist Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown has suggested a double standard, saying he was “not privy to or consulted on” agreements New Zealand may enter into with China. New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters has paused $18.2 million in development assistance to the Cook Islands due to a lack

    Mark Brown: Cook Islands ‘not consulted’ on NZ-China agreements
    By Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific journalist Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown has suggested a double standard, saying he was “not privy to or consulted on” agreements New Zealand may enter into with China. New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters has paused $18.2 million in development assistance to the Cook Islands due to a lack

    Mark Brown: Cook Islands ‘not consulted’ on NZ-China agreements
    By Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific journalist Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown has suggested a double standard, saying he was “not privy to or consulted on” agreements New Zealand may enter into with China. New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters has paused $18.2 million in development assistance to the Cook Islands due to a lack

    West Australian miners flexed their muscle to block a federal EPA last year. Will it be different this time?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Diane Dowdell, PhD Candidate in Sustainable Mining, The University of Queensland CUHRIG/Getty This week, Environment Minister Murray Watt met with groups representing business, the environment, renewable energy and First Nations communities in a bid to restart Labor’s stalled environmental reforms. There was one group in the room

    Eugene Doyle: How centrifugal forces have been unleashed in Iran
    COMMENTARY: By Eugene Doyle The surprise US-Israeli attack on Iran is literally and figuratively designed to unleash centrifugal forces in the Islamic Republic. Two nuclear powers are currently involved in the bombing of the nuclear facilities of a third state. One of them, the US has — for the moment — limited itself to handling

    Technology to enforce teen social media ban is ‘effective’, trial says. But this is at odds with other evidence
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lisa M. Given, Professor of Information Sciences & Director, Social Change Enabling Impact Platform, RMIT University MAYA LAB/Shutterstock Technologies to enforce the Australian government’s social media ban for under 16s are “private, robust and effective”. That’s according to the preliminary findings of a federal government-commissioned trial that

    A new special tribunal will investigate Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. Will it be effective?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Yvonne Breitwieser-Faria, Lecturer in Criminal Law and International Law, Curtin University Earlier this year, the European Union, the Council of Europe, Ukraine and an international coalition of states agreed to establish a new special tribunal. The tribunal will eventually be tasked with holding Russia accountable for the

    6 things Australia must do if it’s serious about tackling school bullying
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Vanessa Miller, Lecturer in Education (Classroom Management), Southern Cross University Wander Women/ Getty Images Bullying is arguably one of the most serious issues facing Australia’s schools. About one in four students between Year 4 and Year 9 report being bullied regularly. This can have serious and lasting

    Keith Rankin Analysis – America’s imperial ‘gifts’: ‘Crusader Democracy’ and ‘Christian Nationalism’
    Analysis by Keith Rankin. The United States has always fancied itself as the founder of modern democracy (aka ‘Democracy’). And, although that country has been self-absorbed for most of its history, it has always sensed that Democracy was its greatest export. ‘America’ became involved in Africa and the ‘Middle East’ very early in its history.

    Many elite athletes live below the poverty line. Tax-deductible donations won’t solve the problem
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle O’Shea, Senior Lecturer, School of Business, Western Sydney University Australia’s Jaclyn Narracott competes in the women’s skeleton at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. Joe Klamar/AFP via Getty Images As the end of the 2024-25 financial year nears, the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC), in partnership with the

    Bribe or community benefit? Sweeteners smoothing the way for renewables projects need to be done right
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Hugh Breakey, Deputy Director, Institute for Ethics, Governance & Law, Griffith University Louise Beaumont/Getty When a renewable energy developer announces a new project, there’s one big question mark – how will nearby communities react? Community pushback has scuttled many renewables projects. Sometimes, communities are angry landowners hosting

    Despite decades of cost cutting, governments spend more than ever. How can we make sense of this?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ian Lovering, Lecturer in International Relations, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington Getty Images Recent controversies over New Zealand’s Ka Ora, Ka Ako school lunch program have revolved around the apparent shortcomings of the food and its delivery. Stories of inedible meals, scalding packaging and

    Is there any hope for a fairer carve-up of the GST between the states?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Saul Eslake, Vice-Chancellor’s Fellow, University of Tasmania When the Western Australian state government handed down its state budget on Thursday, it showed a balance sheet solidly in the black with a A$2.5 billion surplus. But, as it has for seven years, the state has received an outsized

    Jaws at 50: the first summer blockbuster is still a film that bites – even when the shark didn’t work
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Will Jeffery, Sessional Academic, Discipline of Film Studies, University of Sydney Photo by Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images When I was eight years old, on a Saturday night before surf lifesaving training, my dad put on the film Jaws and it changed my life forever. Unlike the

    New cases of meningococcal disease have been detected. What are the symptoms? And who can get vaccinated?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Archana Koirala, Paediatrician and Infectious Diseases Specialist; Clinical Researcher, University of Sydney Two Tasmanian women have been hospitalised with invasive meningococcal disease, bringing the number of cases nationally so far this year to 48. Health authorities are urging people to watch for symptoms and to check if

    Grattan on Friday: Sussan Ley has her first big outing with the national media next week, so here are some questions for her
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra On Wednesday, Opposition Leader Sussan Ley will front the National Press Club. So why is that a big deal? For one thing, her predecessor Peter Dutton never appeared there as opposition leader. For another, it’s a formidable forum for a

    A war on diplomacy itself – Israel’s unprovoked attack on Iran
    ANALYSIS: By Joe Hendren Had Israel not launched its unprovoked attack on Iran on Friday night, in direct violation of the UN Charter, Iran would now be taking part in the sixth round of negotiations concerning the future of its nuclear programme, meeting with representatives from the United States in Muscat, the capital of Oman.

    Why New Zealand has paused funding to the Cook Islands over China deal
    BACKGROUNDER: By Christina Persico, RNZ Pacific bulletin editor/presenter;Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific; and Don Wiseman, RNZ Pacific senior journalist New Zealand has paused $18.2 million in development assistance funding to the Cook Islands after its government signed partnership agreements with China earlier this year. This move is causing consternation in the realm country, with one local

    Egyptian crackdown on Gaza blockade busters but Kiwi activists vow to ‘defeat genocide’
    SPECIAL REPORT: By Saige England in Ōtautahi and Ava Mulla in Cairo Hope for freedom for Palestinians remains high among a group of trauma-struck New Zealanders in Cairo. In spite of extensive planning, the Global March To Gaza (GMTG) delegation of about 4000 international aid volunteers was thwarted in its mission to walk from Cairo

    The 28 Days Later franchise redefined zombie films. But the undead have an old, rich and varied history
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Christopher White, Historian, The University of Queensland The history of the dead – or, more precisely, the history of the living’s fascination with the dead – is an intriguing one. As a researcher of the supernatural, I’m often pulled aside at conferences or at the school gate,

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for June 20, 2025

    ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on June 20, 2025.

    Mark Brown: Cook Islands ‘not consulted’ on NZ-China agreements
    By Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific journalist Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown has suggested a double standard, saying he was “not privy to or consulted on” agreements New Zealand may enter into with China. New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters has paused $18.2 million in development assistance to the Cook Islands due to a lack

    Mark Brown: Cook Islands ‘not consulted’ on NZ-China agreements
    By Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific journalist Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown has suggested a double standard, saying he was “not privy to or consulted on” agreements New Zealand may enter into with China. New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters has paused $18.2 million in development assistance to the Cook Islands due to a lack

    Mark Brown: Cook Islands ‘not consulted’ on NZ-China agreements
    By Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific journalist Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown has suggested a double standard, saying he was “not privy to or consulted on” agreements New Zealand may enter into with China. New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters has paused $18.2 million in development assistance to the Cook Islands due to a lack

    West Australian miners flexed their muscle to block a federal EPA last year. Will it be different this time?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Diane Dowdell, PhD Candidate in Sustainable Mining, The University of Queensland CUHRIG/Getty This week, Environment Minister Murray Watt met with groups representing business, the environment, renewable energy and First Nations communities in a bid to restart Labor’s stalled environmental reforms. There was one group in the room

    Eugene Doyle: How centrifugal forces have been unleashed in Iran
    COMMENTARY: By Eugene Doyle The surprise US-Israeli attack on Iran is literally and figuratively designed to unleash centrifugal forces in the Islamic Republic. Two nuclear powers are currently involved in the bombing of the nuclear facilities of a third state. One of them, the US has — for the moment — limited itself to handling

    Technology to enforce teen social media ban is ‘effective’, trial says. But this is at odds with other evidence
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lisa M. Given, Professor of Information Sciences & Director, Social Change Enabling Impact Platform, RMIT University MAYA LAB/Shutterstock Technologies to enforce the Australian government’s social media ban for under 16s are “private, robust and effective”. That’s according to the preliminary findings of a federal government-commissioned trial that

    A new special tribunal will investigate Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. Will it be effective?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Yvonne Breitwieser-Faria, Lecturer in Criminal Law and International Law, Curtin University Earlier this year, the European Union, the Council of Europe, Ukraine and an international coalition of states agreed to establish a new special tribunal. The tribunal will eventually be tasked with holding Russia accountable for the

    6 things Australia must do if it’s serious about tackling school bullying
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Vanessa Miller, Lecturer in Education (Classroom Management), Southern Cross University Wander Women/ Getty Images Bullying is arguably one of the most serious issues facing Australia’s schools. About one in four students between Year 4 and Year 9 report being bullied regularly. This can have serious and lasting

    Keith Rankin Analysis – America’s imperial ‘gifts’: ‘Crusader Democracy’ and ‘Christian Nationalism’
    Analysis by Keith Rankin. The United States has always fancied itself as the founder of modern democracy (aka ‘Democracy’). And, although that country has been self-absorbed for most of its history, it has always sensed that Democracy was its greatest export. ‘America’ became involved in Africa and the ‘Middle East’ very early in its history.

    Many elite athletes live below the poverty line. Tax-deductible donations won’t solve the problem
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle O’Shea, Senior Lecturer, School of Business, Western Sydney University Australia’s Jaclyn Narracott competes in the women’s skeleton at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. Joe Klamar/AFP via Getty Images As the end of the 2024-25 financial year nears, the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC), in partnership with the

    Bribe or community benefit? Sweeteners smoothing the way for renewables projects need to be done right
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Hugh Breakey, Deputy Director, Institute for Ethics, Governance & Law, Griffith University Louise Beaumont/Getty When a renewable energy developer announces a new project, there’s one big question mark – how will nearby communities react? Community pushback has scuttled many renewables projects. Sometimes, communities are angry landowners hosting

    Despite decades of cost cutting, governments spend more than ever. How can we make sense of this?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ian Lovering, Lecturer in International Relations, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington Getty Images Recent controversies over New Zealand’s Ka Ora, Ka Ako school lunch program have revolved around the apparent shortcomings of the food and its delivery. Stories of inedible meals, scalding packaging and

    Is there any hope for a fairer carve-up of the GST between the states?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Saul Eslake, Vice-Chancellor’s Fellow, University of Tasmania When the Western Australian state government handed down its state budget on Thursday, it showed a balance sheet solidly in the black with a A$2.5 billion surplus. But, as it has for seven years, the state has received an outsized

    Jaws at 50: the first summer blockbuster is still a film that bites – even when the shark didn’t work
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Will Jeffery, Sessional Academic, Discipline of Film Studies, University of Sydney Photo by Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images When I was eight years old, on a Saturday night before surf lifesaving training, my dad put on the film Jaws and it changed my life forever. Unlike the

    New cases of meningococcal disease have been detected. What are the symptoms? And who can get vaccinated?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Archana Koirala, Paediatrician and Infectious Diseases Specialist; Clinical Researcher, University of Sydney Two Tasmanian women have been hospitalised with invasive meningococcal disease, bringing the number of cases nationally so far this year to 48. Health authorities are urging people to watch for symptoms and to check if

    Grattan on Friday: Sussan Ley has her first big outing with the national media next week, so here are some questions for her
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra On Wednesday, Opposition Leader Sussan Ley will front the National Press Club. So why is that a big deal? For one thing, her predecessor Peter Dutton never appeared there as opposition leader. For another, it’s a formidable forum for a

    A war on diplomacy itself – Israel’s unprovoked attack on Iran
    ANALYSIS: By Joe Hendren Had Israel not launched its unprovoked attack on Iran on Friday night, in direct violation of the UN Charter, Iran would now be taking part in the sixth round of negotiations concerning the future of its nuclear programme, meeting with representatives from the United States in Muscat, the capital of Oman.

    Why New Zealand has paused funding to the Cook Islands over China deal
    BACKGROUNDER: By Christina Persico, RNZ Pacific bulletin editor/presenter;Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific; and Don Wiseman, RNZ Pacific senior journalist New Zealand has paused $18.2 million in development assistance funding to the Cook Islands after its government signed partnership agreements with China earlier this year. This move is causing consternation in the realm country, with one local

    Egyptian crackdown on Gaza blockade busters but Kiwi activists vow to ‘defeat genocide’
    SPECIAL REPORT: By Saige England in Ōtautahi and Ava Mulla in Cairo Hope for freedom for Palestinians remains high among a group of trauma-struck New Zealanders in Cairo. In spite of extensive planning, the Global March To Gaza (GMTG) delegation of about 4000 international aid volunteers was thwarted in its mission to walk from Cairo

    The 28 Days Later franchise redefined zombie films. But the undead have an old, rich and varied history
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Christopher White, Historian, The University of Queensland The history of the dead – or, more precisely, the history of the living’s fascination with the dead – is an intriguing one. As a researcher of the supernatural, I’m often pulled aside at conferences or at the school gate,

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –