NewzIntel.com

Category: DJF

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Underwriting Auction for sale of Government Securities for ₹27,000 crore on June 20, 2025

    Source: Reserve Bank of India

    Government of India has announced the sale (re-issue) of Government Securities, as detailed below, through auctions to be held on June 20, 2025 (Friday).

    As per the extant scheme of underwriting commitment notified on November 14, 2007, the amounts of Minimum Underwriting Commitment (MUC) and the minimum bidding commitment under Additional Competitive Underwriting (ACU) auction, applicable to each Primary Dealer (PD), are as under:

    (₹ crore)
    Security Notified Amount MUC amount per PD Minimum bidding commitment per PD under ACU auction
    6.75% GS 2029 15,000 358 358
    7.09% GS 2054 12,000 286 286

    The underwriting auction will be conducted through multiple price-based method on June 20, 2025 (Friday). PDs may submit their bids for ACU auction electronically through Core Banking Solution (E-Kuber) System between 09:00 A.M. and 09:30 A.M. on the day of underwriting auction.

    The underwriting commission will be credited to the current account of the respective PDs with RBI on the day of issue of securities.

    Ajit Prasad          
    Deputy General Manager
    (Communications)    

    Press Release: 2025-2026/562

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • Government signs MoU to boost inclusive education for PwDs

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities on Wednesday signed a tripartite agreement with the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) and the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) to enhance inclusive education for Persons with Disabilities (PwD).

    The event, held in New Delhi, was presided over by Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Dr. Virendra Kumar and Union Minister for Education Dharmendra Pradhan.

    The collaboration aims to establish a framework that promotes education for persons with disabilities, in line with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, and the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. This initiative seeks to build an inclusive educational ecosystem that provides equitable learning opportunities across the country.

    Under the terms of the agreement, NIOS will set up Special Accredited Institutions for Education of the Divyangjan (SAIEDs). These will recognize special schools managed by NGOs funded through DEPwD’s Deendayal Divyangjan Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS).

    The SAIEDs will provide a range of educational programs, including Open Basic Education (Levels A, B, and C), Secondary, Senior Secondary, and vocational courses. NIOS will oversee admissions, examination registration, distribution of self-learning materials (SLMs), and issuance of ID cards, hall tickets, and certificates. The institute will also ensure that students with disabilities receive necessary accommodations and exemptions during examinations.

    Complementing these efforts, NCERT will review and modify curricula and textbooks to align with the teaching methods outlined in the NEP 2020. The aim is to ensure that learning materials are relevant, accessible, and inclusive for students with disabilities.

    Addressing the MoU signing ceremony, Dr. Kumar highlighted the untapped potential of children with disabilities, saying, “When given the right platform, they can illuminate society with their talents.” He reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of equal educational access for every child in the country. “This MoU is a strong step in that direction. Inclusive education for children with disabilities is not merely an option but a right,” Dr. Kumar said.

    Pradhan emphasized the transformative power of education, noting that NEP 2020 aims to provide equal educational opportunities to all. He urged society to foster greater awareness and sensitivity towards disability.

    The education minister also highlighted recent technological advancements that cater to the specific needs of persons with disabilities. Furthermore, he announced a mission-mode initiative to equip schools across states with accessible toilet facilities within the coming year, ensuring no child drops out due to lack of basic infrastructure.

    Speaking at the event, Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary of DEPwD, stressed education’s critical role in the lives of children with disabilities. He expressed the government’s commitment to this cause, noting encouraging signs such as children with disabilities pursuing science education and aspiring to enter premier institutes like IITs and IIMs.

    Aggarwal also praised NIOS for introducing Indian Sign Language as a subject at the secondary level, reflecting the government’s dedication to building an inclusive society.

    Sanjay Kumar, Secretary of the Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL), reiterated the collective goal of ensuring every child with a disability completes their school education. He affirmed that NIOS, DEPwD, and NCERT are working together to drive transformational change for children with disabilities.

    To ensure smooth coordination and implementation of the MoU, a Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) comprising representatives from all three signatories will be constituted. The committee will monitor progress, address operational challenges, and ensure timely achievement of the partnership’s objectives.

  • Government signs MoU to boost inclusive education for PwDs

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities on Wednesday signed a tripartite agreement with the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) and the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) to enhance inclusive education for Persons with Disabilities (PwD).

    The event, held in New Delhi, was presided over by Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Dr. Virendra Kumar and Union Minister for Education Dharmendra Pradhan.

    The collaboration aims to establish a framework that promotes education for persons with disabilities, in line with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, and the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. This initiative seeks to build an inclusive educational ecosystem that provides equitable learning opportunities across the country.

    Under the terms of the agreement, NIOS will set up Special Accredited Institutions for Education of the Divyangjan (SAIEDs). These will recognize special schools managed by NGOs funded through DEPwD’s Deendayal Divyangjan Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS).

    The SAIEDs will provide a range of educational programs, including Open Basic Education (Levels A, B, and C), Secondary, Senior Secondary, and vocational courses. NIOS will oversee admissions, examination registration, distribution of self-learning materials (SLMs), and issuance of ID cards, hall tickets, and certificates. The institute will also ensure that students with disabilities receive necessary accommodations and exemptions during examinations.

    Complementing these efforts, NCERT will review and modify curricula and textbooks to align with the teaching methods outlined in the NEP 2020. The aim is to ensure that learning materials are relevant, accessible, and inclusive for students with disabilities.

    Addressing the MoU signing ceremony, Dr. Kumar highlighted the untapped potential of children with disabilities, saying, “When given the right platform, they can illuminate society with their talents.” He reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of equal educational access for every child in the country. “This MoU is a strong step in that direction. Inclusive education for children with disabilities is not merely an option but a right,” Dr. Kumar said.

    Pradhan emphasized the transformative power of education, noting that NEP 2020 aims to provide equal educational opportunities to all. He urged society to foster greater awareness and sensitivity towards disability.

    The education minister also highlighted recent technological advancements that cater to the specific needs of persons with disabilities. Furthermore, he announced a mission-mode initiative to equip schools across states with accessible toilet facilities within the coming year, ensuring no child drops out due to lack of basic infrastructure.

    Speaking at the event, Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary of DEPwD, stressed education’s critical role in the lives of children with disabilities. He expressed the government’s commitment to this cause, noting encouraging signs such as children with disabilities pursuing science education and aspiring to enter premier institutes like IITs and IIMs.

    Aggarwal also praised NIOS for introducing Indian Sign Language as a subject at the secondary level, reflecting the government’s dedication to building an inclusive society.

    Sanjay Kumar, Secretary of the Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL), reiterated the collective goal of ensuring every child with a disability completes their school education. He affirmed that NIOS, DEPwD, and NCERT are working together to drive transformational change for children with disabilities.

    To ensure smooth coordination and implementation of the MoU, a Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) comprising representatives from all three signatories will be constituted. The committee will monitor progress, address operational challenges, and ensure timely achievement of the partnership’s objectives.

  • Assembly bypolls: Voting underway on five seats in Bengal, Kerala, Punjab and Gujarat

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Amid heightened security, voting began on Thursday for by-elections to five Assembly seats across Punjab, West Bengal, Gujarat, and Kerala — marking the first electoral contest since the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor.

    Polling commenced at 7 a.m. and will continue till 6 p.m. (till 8 p.m. in Gujarat), with heavy deployment of central security forces and local police, alongside live monitoring through an extensive webcasting system.

    By-elections are being held in Kaliganj (West Bengal), Nilambur (Kerala), Ludhiana West (Punjab), and the Visavadar and Kadi constituencies in Gujarat. The counting of votes is scheduled for June 23.

    With Assembly elections due in West Bengal and Kerala early next year, this mini electoral battle has gained added political significance.

    Ludhiana West Bypoll (Punjab)

    The Ludhiana West seat fell vacant following the death of AAP MLA Gurpreet Bassi Gogi in January. The bypoll is witnessing a multi-cornered contest involving key political players — AAP, Congress, BJP, and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) — vying for dominance in this urban constituency.

    A total of 14 candidates are contesting, with 1,75,469 eligible voters, including 85,371 women and 10 from the third gender. Voting is taking place across 194 polling stations, all equipped for 100% live webcasting.

    The ruling AAP has fielded Rajya Sabha MP and industrialist Sanjeev Arora (61), who is also known for his social welfare initiatives. The Congress has nominated former Minister and state Working President Bharat Bhushan Ashu (51), a two-time MLA from the constituency, who lost to Gogi in 2022 by 7,512 votes.

    The BJP has fielded senior leader Jiwan Gupta, a core committee member and former state general secretary. SAD’s candidate is Parupkar Singh Ghuman, a lawyer and former president of the Ludhiana Bar Association.

    Nilambur Bypoll (Kerala)

    The Nilambur seat fell vacant after MLA P.V. Anvar resigned following a fallout with the CPI(M)-led LDF over allegations he made against Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and his aides.

    Among the 10 candidates, key contenders include LDF’s M. Swaraj, UDF’s Aryadan Shoukath, independent candidate and former MLA P.V. Anvar (now aligned with TMC), and Mohan George from the BJP-led NDA.

    Over 2.32 lakh voters are eligible to vote across 263 polling booths. The final voter list includes 1,13,613 men, 1,18,760 women, and 8 transgender persons, with 7,787 first-time voters, 373 overseas voters, and 324 service voters.

    Kaliganj Bypoll (West Bengal)

    The by-election in Kaliganj, located in Nadia district, was triggered by the death of Trinamool Congress MLA Nasiruddin Ahamed in February. The TMC has nominated his daughter, Alifa, for the seat.

    The contest is shaping up as a triangular battle between the TMC, BJP’s Ashis Ghosh, and Congress candidate Kabil Uddin Shaikh, who is supported by the CPI(M). The campaign has been influenced by issues of identity politics, post-Murshidabad riot concerns, and a nationalist wave following Operation Sindoor.

    Visavadar and Kadi Bypolls (Gujarat)

    Voting for the Visavadar and Kadi Assembly seats began at 7 a.m. and will continue until 8 p.m., with 294 polling stations set up in each constituency.

    Visavadar (Junagadh district):

    The seat became vacant in December 2023 after AAP MLA Bhupendra Bhayani resigned and joined the BJP.

    The BJP has fielded Kirit Patel, Congress has nominated Nitin Ranpariya, and AAP’s candidate is former state president Gopal Italia, making it a high-stakes triangular contest.

    Notably, the BJP hasn’t won this seat since 2007. In 2022, Bhayani defeated BJP’s Harshad Ribadiya (a Congress defector) by 7,063 votes.

    Kadi (Mehsana district):

    A reserved constituency for Scheduled Castes, the seat fell vacant following the death of BJP MLA Karsan Solanki in February.

    The BJP has nominated Rajendra Chavda, while Congress has fielded former MLA Ramesh Chavda, who won in 2012 but lost to Solanki in 2017. AAP’s candidate is Jagdish Chavda. Like Visavadar, Kadi is also witnessing a triangular contest among BJP, Congress, and AAP.

    (With inputs from IANS)

  • PM Modi highlights 11 years of workforce-centric reforms, cites historic gains in jobs and social protection

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday reaffirmed the Union government’s focus on the welfare and empowerment of workers, emphasising that India’s workforce has remained at the heart of policy, planning, and progress over the past 11 years.

    This strategic shift, he said, has driven historic gains in employment generation and significantly expanded the coverage of social protection schemes.

    Responding to an article authored by Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, PM Modi wrote on X:
    “Union Minister Dr. @mansukhmandviya highlights how over the past 11 years, India’s workforce has been at the centre of policy, planning and progress. This shift has led to historic improvements in employment generation and the expansion of social protection coverage. Do read!”

    In his article, titled “11 Years of Empowering Shram Shakti and Building a Future”, Mandaviya elaborated on the Modi government’s efforts to uplift the working population and lay the foundation for a Viksit Bharat (Developed India).

    He outlined the government’s multi-pronged approach, which prioritises employment creation, social safety nets, robust institutional mechanisms, and the use of digital infrastructure to reach the last mile.

    Mandaviya pointed to flagship initiatives such as Make in India, Skill India, and Digital India, which, when combined with large-scale infrastructure development, have led to substantial job creation.

    A notable focus has been placed on empowering women and youth. Citing official data, Mandaviya noted that the female employment rate rose from 22 percent in 2017–18 to 40.3 percent in 2023–24. During the same period, the national unemployment rate declined from 5.6 percent to 3.2 percent.

    Youth employability also saw a major boost, climbing from 33 percent in 2013 to 55 percent in 2024. In support of women entrepreneurs, Mandaviya said over 70 centrally sponsored schemes across 15 ministries are currently in operation.

    Addressing the unorganised sector, including gig and platform workers, he said the E-Shram portal has been a critical tool in creating a comprehensive database and linking these workers to welfare schemes.

    He also outlined the government’s reforms in key social institutions such as the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) and the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC).

    Citing data from the International Labour Organization (ILO), Mandaviya noted that India’s social protection coverage rose from 19 percent in 2016 to 64.3 percent in 2025. Over 94 crore citizens are now covered under at least one welfare scheme, making India home to the world’s second-largest welfare system by beneficiary count.

  • MIL-OSI Russia: What to do this coming weekend at the Summer in Moscow project sites

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    The events of the large-scale project “Summer in Moscow” continue in the capital. We tell you where you can go with your whole family on June 20, 21 and 22. Most events are free to attend, but some require registration.

    Rock, Paper, Scissors Championship

    A large-scale championship in the game “Rock, Paper, Scissors” is held at the project sites. Every day, children and adults can compete on Tverskoy Boulevard.

    On June 20, the game will be held in Severnoye Butovo Park (Feodosiyskaya Street, Building 7, Building 6). On June 21, you can play on the Moskovskikh Sezonov site on Teply Stan Street (Building 1b). On June 22, the competition will be held in Akademichesky Park (Dmitrya Ulyanov Street, Building 9a, Building 1). The sites will be open from 15:00 to 20:00.

    Tournament “Heroes of the Chessboard. Moscow”

    On June 22 from 12:00 to 16:00 the next competitions of the tournament “Heroes of the Chessboard. Moscow” will take place. To participate you need to register.

    An open series of blitz chess tournaments is taking place at40 sites all over Moscow – in parks, on boulevards and in the districts.

    Tverskoy Boulevard: Summer Club “Moscow”

    On Tverskoy Boulevard, there is a summer club called “Moscow”, where residents and guests of the capital of all ages can find an event to their liking. They are offered rock climbing and yoga classes, master classes, lectures and much more.

    From June 20 to 22, guests will be able to take part in beauty events dedicated to the graduation party. The space of two pop-up stores will be occupied by Russian brands. In addition, three beauty trucks will be operating on the site. All guests will be offered discounts, gifts, yoga classes, presentations, a photo and video zone with floral elements. And for graduates, a master class on creating perfume will be held.

    Strastnoy Boulevard: Art Studio venue

    The “Art Studio” site operates on Strastnoy Boulevard. Here, professionals help guests master the basics of painting and create unique masterpieces. Participants in outdoor classes paint landscapes and still lifes in various artistic techniques.

    Master classes will be held at two sites every hour from 12:00 to 19:00. On June 20, you can attend watercolor painting classes “Flower Stained Glass” and “Fruit Slices”. On June 21, there will be master classes in pastel technique “Dandelion Field” and “Colorful Houses”. On June 22, guests are invited to master classes in pencil drawing “Summer Pop Art” and “Sunny Day”.

    Music of the past at the vintage market in Kolomenskoye

    The vintage market in Kolomenskoye will be open all summer and will bring together the most famous collectors of the capital, who bring here precious relics of the past: jewelry, household items, figurines, dishes, badges, coins, stamps, rare books and much more.

    From June 20 to 22, guests at the market will learn what the USSR era sounded like and get acquainted with the musical technology of the past.

    The journey through time will take place under the atmospheric sound of gramophone records. Guests of the vintage market will be delighted by the famous radio amateur and blogger Nikita Sharapa, better known as Elektronik, one of the main participants of the project “Made in the USSR”.

    At Nikita Sharapa’s master classes, which will be held these days at 16:00, visitors will learn how gramophones, radios and record players work and how tube sound differs from modern technology. Guests will hear that very crackling of records and the characteristic “warm” analog sound that evokes nostalgia. Nikita will tell you what kind of music devices were created in the USSR and what hits of those times were played on them in every home.

    Chistoprudny Boulevard: “Street. Dances” venue

    On Chistoprudny Boulevard, the “Street. Dances” venue has opened, where master classes for the whole family are held. On weekends, the “Summer in Moscow. Dances” children’s and youth tournament is held here, and anyone can become a spectator.

    On the big stage on June 20 from 18:00 to 19:00 there will be a demonstration performance by the dance group Todes, from 19:00 to 22:00 – a master class in bachata and a dance party. On the same day on the middle stage from 19:00 to 22:30 you can attend a master class in salsa and a dance party.

    On June 21, the main stage will host a qualifying round of children’s competitions from 12:00 to 19:00, and a salsa master class and dance party from 19:00 to 22:30. On the middle stage, from 16:00 to 17:00, you can take part in a master class of the dance community “TantsBaza”. From 19:00 to 22:30, there will be a master class in modern swing and a party of the dance school “Lisoborie”.

    On June 22, from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM, students of the musical theater of the Russian Institute of Theater Arts — GITIS will perform songs from the war years on the rotunda stage. On the main stage, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM, there will be a master class in Argentine tango by the CyberTango dance school, from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM — demonstration performances by the Todes dance group, from 7:00 PM to 10:30 PM — a salsa master class and a dance party. On the middle stage, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, there will be a master class by the 9 Halls dance school, from 7:00 PM to 10:30 PM — a master class in Dominican bachata and a dance party.

    Bolotnaya Square

    The Green Market pavilion of the Made in Moscow project is open in Repinsky Square on Bolotnaya Square. On June 20, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., test session cosmetics of the capital brand. The factory employees will tell you how to use them and let you test samples.

    On June 21, at 15:00, the Creative hub will host a lesson on making a wax candle, at 16:00 — a meditative lesson on coloring a mandala, and at 17:00 — a unique master class on fashion illustration. At 19:00, everyone will be able to take part in neurographics, where everyone will project their task on a piece of paper using a drawing.

    At the “Microgreens” class in the “Razvitie” hub from 17:00 to 18:00, participants will be taught how to grow microgreens and told about their beneficial properties. At 18:00, a lettering master class will begin. On the veranda from 14:00 to 15:00, Spirit.Fitness will hold a sports master class to develop endurance and flexibility of the body. And at 18:00, the popular game “Mafia” will take place.

    Revolution Square: Leto Department Store

    This summer, the department store of Russian designers “Leto” is open on Revolution Square. Everyone can not only try on clothes they like and update their wardrobe, but also listen to lectures, take part in master classes and even watch performances.

    On June 21 from 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM you can listen to a lecture on “The History of Flower Etiquette”. Guests will learn about the importance of flowers in the life of Russian society and the bouquet fashion of the 19th century.

    From 18:00 to 19:30 there will be a master class oninterior bouquet Ksenia Mezentseva, designer-decorator, researcher of Russian and foreign traditions, and the Sota flowers floristic team.

    Festival “Book in the City”: venue in Pushkin Square

    On June 21 from 20:40 to 21:30, cellist Anastasia Vesnina will perform at the “Book in the City” venue in Pushkin Square (near house 2 on Pushkin Square).

    On June 22 from 16:00 to 17:00 there will be a presentation of the book “Letters of Lidochka M”. The collection-document tells about Lida Makeeva, a young reader of the library, whose childhood fell on the years of the Great Patriotic War. On the same day from 18:00 to 19:00 there will be a creative meeting with the actor of theater and cinema Anton Shagin and a presentation of his book “Neblyandiya. Poems for children”.

    Circus divertissements

    On June 20, 21 and 22, there will be circus entertainment for the whole family. Aerial gymnasts, equilibrists, jugglers, clowns and four-legged artists will perform for guests in the Moskino Cinema Park and Izmailovsky Park. Also on June 20, the third tent will open in the Yuzhnoye Butovo Landscape Park. Spectators will be able to see acrobatic numbers, clown skits and exciting stunts with the participation of artists from the famous Bolshoi Moscow Circus on Vernadsky Avenue.

    The performances will run throughout the summer season. On Fridays, performances are from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM, and on Saturdays and Sundays, from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM and 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM. You can find out more and buy tickets atofficial website project.

    Yoga classes

    On June 21, fans of the most popular Eastern health practice will gather at the helipad near the Michurinsky Garden of VDNKh to celebrate the XI International Day of Yoga.

    From 09:00 to 19:00 there will be sessions for visitors of any level of training, master classes on drawing mandalas and playing the hang, lectures on Ayurveda and meditation, as well as live performances by musicians. Creative events and dishes of traditional Indian cuisine will complement the festive atmosphere. To visit, you must register on the portal Ruspass.

    In addition, yoga classes are held every weekend on the roofs of the district centers “Meeting Place” as part of the project “My Sports District”Adults over 18 years of age can join them.

    The training sessions will be held at 12 sites in five districts of Moscow: SAO — “Meeting Place “Prague”, “Meeting Place “Rassvet”, “Meeting Place “Neva””; VAO — “Meeting Place “Yantar”, “Meeting Place “Sofia”, “Meeting Place “Budapest”, “Meeting Place “Mars””; SAO — “Meeting Place “Elbrus”, “Meeting Place “Angara”, “Meeting Place “Orbita””; YuVAO — “Meeting Place “Height” and “Meeting Place “Ekran””. On June 21, the classes will begin at 11:45. It is necessary register.

    The project also invites you to engage in physical education in unusual places “Sports Weekend”. Yoga classes are held on Saturdays at 50 venues, including such picturesque places as the Vorontsovo Estate, the Hermitage Garden, Khodynka Field Park, the Muzeon Arts Park, Victory Park and others. In addition, the project includes 13 festival venues in different areas of Moscow. To attend the classes, you must register.

    Events in the parks

    In Izmailovsky Park of Culture and Leisure (Bolshoy Krug Alley, Building 7) on June 21 from 12:00 to 19:00 retro studio. Visitors will be able to feel like representatives of the 19th century nobility. They will be offered to try on images of bygone eras and take photos in costumes as a keepsake.

    A master class will be held in Kuzminsky Park (house 1, building 2) on June 21 from 12:00 to 14:00 “Noble accessories. Brooches”Participants will learn about the history of jewelry, its symbolism, and will also make an exquisite brooch under the guidance of a master.

    On June 21, from 12:00 to 19:00 (with breaks), the Kuzminki estate will host noble promenade. Guests will stroll through a picturesque park, discuss books they have read, and listen to romances with a guitar. They will be able to learn the rules of etiquette and learn fashionable social dances of the 19th century.

    On June 1, from 12:00 to 18:00, Vorontsov Park will host estate gamesVisitors can play lapta, croquet, badminton, gorodki and trinkets, and also visit the throwing range.

    The festival “Gardens and Vegetable Gardens” continues in five parks of the capital. This weekend, about 130 events and master classes have been prepared for visitors. A series of classes on making bookmarks and postcards with fresh flowers, clay panels with plant prints and ecobombing (making balls with seeds that can be taken with you and planted in any convenient place) will be held for children. In addition, a practical lesson “Microgreens” will be held. Experienced experts will also share simple techniques, useful tips and life hacks for a healthy lifestyle.

    Cinema park “Moskino”

    On June 21, from 12:00 to 19:00, the Moskino cinema park will host waltz, quadrille and polka dance lessons every hour. You can take part in them with an entrance ticket to the cinema park.

    You can immerse yourself in the world of film production by participating in the immersive quest performance “Film! Film! Film!” It will take place at the “Uyezdny Gorod” site on June 21 from 12:00 to 18:30 (sessions will be held every hour). Visitors will not only see how a film is shot, but will also complete a number of fun tasks, meet the director, producer and actors, and will be able to create their own masterpiece. Participation is included in the price of an entrance ticket to the cinema park.

    On June 22 at 12:00, the Moscow of the 1940s site will host the “We Remember” event, dedicated to the memory of the heroes of the Great Patriotic War. Guests will be able to spell out the word “remember” from red lanterns with lit candles and recall how exactly 83 years ago – on June 22, 1941 – the festive graduation morning was overshadowed by the news of Germany’s treacherous attack on the Soviet Union. At 12:15, there will be a minute of silence.

    In addition, on June 22 at 14:00, 16:00 and 18:00, as part of the Day of Remembrance and Sorrow, the cinema park will show the play “Tish” based on the story “The Dawns Here Are Quiet…” by war veteran writer Boris Vasiliev. The performers are the actors of the Young Muscovites Theatre. Admission is with a ticket to the cinema park.

    For the anniversary of Victory

    On June 21 and 22, two outstanding films about the Great Patriotic War will be shown in Zaryadye Park as part of the Cinema Summer in Zaryadye project: The Cranes Are Flying (1957) and Brest Fortress (2010). The screenings will begin at 22:15. The films will be presented by Honored Artist of Russia Vasily Mishchenko, as well as director, screenwriter, producer and People’s Artist of Russia Igor Ugolnikov. Admission is free.

    Also, as part of the Theatre Weekend festival, on June 22 in Zaryadye Park, on the stage of the large amphitheater, you can see plays and literary and musical productions based on plays by writers who fought in the war and dedicated to the 80th anniversary of victory in the Great Patriotic War. Actors from the Russian Academic Youth Theater will show the play “Amazement Before Life” based on the works of the writer and war veteran Viktor Rozov. Third-year students from the Moscow State Institute of Culture will perform the literary and musical composition “Frontline Brigades.” The play “On a Clear Day,” based on a story by Viktor Astafyev, will be presented by actors from the Donetsk Republican Youth Theater. Actors from the Moscow Sovremennik Theater will show fragments of the play “A Tale. The story of extraordinary love, and the students of the Moscow Art Theatre School will present the musical and literary program Russian Poets about the Great Patriotic War, which will feature works by Bulat Okudzhava, Alexander Tvardovsky, Andrei Voznesensky, Olga Bergolts, Vladimir Lugovskoy, Yunna Moritz and other authors. People’s Artist of Russia Konstantin Raikin will read the poem Snowfall by David Samoilov. The festival program will end with a concert by actors from the Central Academic Theatre of the Russian Army.

    Festival “Theatre Boulevard”

    On June 22 at 15:00, the amphitheater on Pokrovsky Boulevard will show the concert performance “It happened, the men left…” Actresses from the Moscow Drama Theater named after A.S. Pushkin will take part in the production.

    The project “Unconquered Kursk” will begin here on June 22 at 21:00. Guests will learn more than 200 real stories of veterans of the Battle of Kursk and modern defenders of the Fatherland.

    On June 22 at 8:00 pm, the amphitheater in the Polytech Museum Park will host the play “Children of War”. It is based on letters from children and parents from the front, archival materials and memories, into which war songs are woven.

    On the stage on Chistoprudny Boulevard on June 22 at 18:00 the performance-concert “May Waltz” will begin. It is dedicated to the artists of the front brigades who performed in dugouts, hospitals, factory workshops and on ships.

    The third festival “Theatre Weekend” will be held in Zaryadye Park on June 21 and 22. It will provide an opportunity to get acquainted with both recognized stage masters and talented debutants, opening up new horizons of theatrical art.

    Project “Summer in Moscow”— the main event of the season. It brings together the most vibrant events of the capital. Every day, charity, cultural and sports programs are held in all districts of the city, most of which are free. The Summer in Moscow project is being held for the second time, and this season will be more eventful: new, original and colorful festivals and events will be added to the traditional ones.

    Get the latest news quicklyofficial telegram channel the city of Moscow.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/155437073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: It’s not just ‘chronic fatigue’: ME/CFS is much more than being tired

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sarah Annesley, Senior Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Cell and Molecular Biology, La Trobe University

    Edwin Tan/Getty

    Myalgic encephalomyelitis / chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is as complex as its name is difficult to pronounce. It’s sometimes referred to as simply “chronic fatigue”, but this is just one of its symptoms.

    In fact, ME/CFS is a complex neurological disease, recognised by the World Health Organization, that affects nearly every system in the body.

    The name refers to muscle pain (myalgia), inflammation of the brain (encephalomyelitis), and a profound, disabling fatigue that rest can’t relieve.

    However, the illness’s complexity – and its disproportionate impact on women – means ME/CFS has often been incorrectly labelled as a psychological disorder.

    What is ME/CFS?

    ME/CFS affects people of all ages but is most commonly diagnosed in middle age. It is two to three times more common in women than men.

    While the exact cause is unknown, ME/CFS is commonly triggered by an infection.

    The condition has two core symptoms: a disabling, long-lasting fatigue that rest doesn’t relieve, and a worsening of symptoms after physical or mental exertion.

    This is known as post-exertional malaise. It means even slight exertion can make symptoms much worse, and take much longer than expected to recover.

    This varies between people, but could mean simply having a shower or attending a social event triggers worse symptoms, either immediately or days later.

    These symptoms include pain, sleep issues, cognitive difficulties (such as thinking, memory and decision-making), flu-like symptoms, dizziness, gastrointestinal problems, heart rate fluctuations and many more.

    For some people, symptoms can be managed in a way that allows them to work. For others, the disease is so severe it can leave them housebound or bedridden.

    Symptoms can fluctuate, changing over time and in intensity, making ME/CFS a particularly unpredictable and misunderstood condition.

    Not just ‘in your head’

    A growing body of scientific evidence, however, clearly shows ME/CFS is a biological, not mental, illness.

    Neuroimaging studies have revealed differences in the brain activity and structure of people with ME/CFS, including poor blood flow and lower levels of neurotransmitters (chemical messengers in the nervous system).

    Other research indicates the condition affects how the body produces energy (the metabolism), fights infection (the immune system), delivers oxygen to muscles and tissues, and regulates blood pressure and heart rate (the vascular system).

    Issues with criteria

    To diagnose ME/CFS, a clinician will also exclude other possible causes of fatigue, which can be a lengthy process. A patient needs to meet a set of clinical criteria.

    But one of the major challenges in researching ME/CFS is that the diagnostic criteria clinicians use vary worldwide.

    Some criteria focus solely on fatigue and include people with alternate reasons for fatigue, such as a psychiatric disorder.

    Others are more narrow and may only capture ME/CFS patients with more severe symptoms.

    As a result, it can be very difficult to compare across different studies, as the reasons they include or exclude participants vary so much.

    Changes to the guidelines

    In Australia, doctors often receive little formal education about ME/CFS.

    Most commonly, they follow the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners’ clinical guidelines to diagnose and manage ME/CFS. These are based on the Canadian Consensus Criteria which are considered more stringent than other ME/CFS diagnostic criteria.

    They include post-exertional malaise and fatigue for more than six months as core symptoms.

    However, these guidelines are outdated and rely heavily on controversial studies that assumed the primary cause of ME/CFS was “deconditioning” – a loss of physical strength due to a fear or avoidance of exercise.

    These guidelines recommend ME/CFS should be treated with cognitive behavioural therapy – a common psychotherapy which focuses on changing unhealthy thoughts and behaviours – and graded exercise therapy, which gradually introduces more demanding physical activity.

    While cognitive behaviour therapy can be effective for some people managing ME/CFS, it’s important not to frame this condition primarily as a psychological issue.

    Graded exercise therapy can encourage people to push beyond their “energy envelope”, which means they do more than their body can manage. This can trigger post-exertional malaise and a worsening of symptoms.

    In June 2024, the Australian government announced A$1.1 million towards developing new clinical guidelines for diagnosing and managing ME/CFS.

    Leading organisations have scrapped the recommendation of graded exercise therapy in the United States (in 2015) and the United Kingdom (in 2021). Hopefully Australia will follow suit.

    What can people with ME/CFS do?

    While we wait for updated clinical guidelines, “pacing” – or working within your energy envelope – has shown some success in managing symptoms. This means monitoring and limiting how much energy you expend.

    Some evidence also suggests people who rest in the early stages of their initial illness often experience better long-term outcomes with ME/CFS.

    This is especially relevant after the COVID pandemic and with the emergence of long COVID. Studies indicate more than half of those affected meet stringent clinical criteria for ME/CFS.

    In times of acute illness we should resist the temptation to push through. Choosing to rest may be a crucial step in preventing a condition that is much more debilitating than the original infection.

    The Conversation

    Sarah Annesley receives funding from The Judith Jane Mason & Harold Stannett Williams Memorial Foundation and ME Research UK (SCIO charity number SCO36942).

    – ref. It’s not just ‘chronic fatigue’: ME/CFS is much more than being tired – https://theconversation.com/its-not-just-chronic-fatigue-me-cfs-is-much-more-than-being-tired-258803

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Is Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, right? Can dancing or twerking really bring on labour?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Hannah Dahlen, Professor of Midwifery, Associate Dean Research and HDR, Midwifery Discipline Leader, Western Sydney University

    Meghan, Duchess of Sussex is back in the news this week in a podcast discussing her viral “baby mama” video.

    The video was made four years ago when she gave birth to daughter Lilibet, but only released recently. It shows the duchess in hospital, heavily pregnant, dancing and twerking to bring on labour. Her husband, Prince Harry, dances too.

    She wrote on Instagram:

    Both of our children were a week past their due dates […] so when spicy food, all that walking, and acupuncture didn’t work – there was only one thing left to do!

    The video follows the trend of other celebrities sharing similar videos of themselves dancing while heavily pregnant.

    So does the Duchess of Sussex have a point? Can dancing really bring on labour?

    First, how about dancing during pregnancy?

    Exercise is recommended during pregnancy, and while some higher-impact exercises may need to be moderated, it carries minimal risk for healthy women and their babies. In fact, evidence shows regular exercise during pregnancy is associated with a variety of benefits.

    Exercise can lead to a lower risk of gestational diabetes, caesarean section, the use of forceps and vacuum during birth and perinatal mental health problems, as well as quicker postpartum recovery.

    While pregnant women might more often gravitate towards a brisk walk, some laps in the pool, or a group exercise class, dancing is a good option too. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has even listed dance as one of the forms of exercise found to be safe and beneficial during pregnancy.

    The movements of dance involve the hips and pelvic area (especially twerking) which may help the baby get into a more optimal position and tone the pelvic floor, though the evidence for this is lacking.

    Choose any form of dancing you like – even belly dancing. In a small qualitative study with two pregnant women, belly dancing was found to be joyful and empowering, boosting feelings of wellbeing.

    You can dance any time during pregnancy but you may need to adapt your dance moves as the pregnancy advances and your growing belly gets in the way.

    If you have risk factors such as bleeding it’s best to be cautious and discuss any planned dancing with your health-care provider.

    Music can also play an important role in mental health, as well as reducing pain, blood pressure and heart rate. So the combination of exercise with music, in the form of dance, could have added benefits.

    A man and a pregnant woman dancing together.
    Exercise is recommended during pregnancy – so why not try dancing?
    sandsun/Shutterstock

    What about dancing to induce labour, and during labour?

    Meghan is not the first woman to report dancing to induce their labour, but this is all anecdotal. There’s no scientific evidence to show dancing is an effective way to bring on labour.

    There is perhaps slightly more evidence suggesting benefits once labour has started.

    Many women seek non-pharmacological options (not involving medications) during labour. Especially early in labour, dancing may decrease the intensity of pain and lead women to feel more satisfied and in control of their labour.

    In one study, 60 women were randomly allocated to either dance during labour, or not. The dancing group had significantly lower pain scores and higher satisfaction than the control group.

    And again, music can lower levels of pain in early labour. So combining relaxing music with some movement could be a good thing.

    Dancing to your comfort levels during labour could be helpful due to the combination of pelvic movements, being upright, moving the body rhythmically and changing the position of the body frequently.

    Evidence shows being upright and moving during labour is beneficial as it enables the pelvis to open up fully to let the baby through and reduces the length of labour.

    Being upright and moving could also help transfer some pressure from the baby’s head onto the cervix, which can stimulate prostaglandin, a key chemical involved in progressing labour.

    It’s been suggested dancing during labour could help get the baby into a better position for delivery and therefore help labour to proceed more smoothly and quickly. But ultimately we don’t have reliable evidence to substantiate these hypotheses.

    So, did Meghan induce her labour with dance?

    It’s unclear if dancing helped to induce the duchess’ labour as she was in hospital and may have later had a medical or surgical induction.

    Labour can be medically induced with hormones, by using a balloon-shaped catheter placed in the woman’s cervix to open it up, or by breaking the bag of water around the baby.

    Alternatively, Meghan’s labour may have eventually begun naturally without her dancing having played a role if she chose to wait another few days.

    However, the joy on her face and connection and support of her husband Prince Harry is a good way to increase oxytocin, a hormone that stimulates contractions. This could have helped too.

    Meghan may have been on the right track, but we need more research before we can confidently recommend dancing to bring on or during labour.

    In the meantime, while there’s no evidence to show dancing is effective for inducing labour, it’s highly unlikely to have any downsides – and it may contribute to a more positive childbirth experience. So, if you feel inclined, I say dance away.

    The Conversation

    Hannah Dahlen receives funding from the Australian Research Council and the National Health and Medical Research Council.

    – ref. Is Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, right? Can dancing or twerking really bring on labour? – https://theconversation.com/is-meghan-duchess-of-sussex-right-can-dancing-or-twerking-really-bring-on-labour-259257

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: TIR Export-Import Operations Launched in China-SCO Demonstration Zone in Qingdao

    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 19 (Xinhua) — The China-SCO Regional Economic and Trade Cooperation Demonstration Zone in the eastern Chinese coastal city of Qingdao recently received the first two trucks carrying imported canned beef under the TIR international road system. Thus, in addition to export operations, the zone has also started import operations under the TIR system, according to Qingdao Customs.

    TIR is an international system that simplifies the transportation of goods between countries. Within this system, the goods are sealed at the starting point of the route and checked only upon arrival at the destination, and at intermediate border crossings, checkpoint officers only check the TIR carnet data and the customs seal for the vehicle. This reduces the time of transportation and reduces possible risks associated with administrative customs control procedures and damage to the goods.

    China joined the TIR Convention in July 2016.

    According to Gao Lin, CEO of one of the local foreign trade companies, for his company, transport operating within the TIR system has significant advantages over sea shipping in terms of shorter transportation time and, in comparison with air transport, due to lower costs, which has made it possible to significantly save both on time and on the cost of import-export logistics.

    According to customs data, there are currently four TIR routes operating in the China-SCO Demonstration Zone: China-Russia, China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan, China-Kazakhstan and China-Belarus-Russia.

    In the first five months of 2025, the number of TIR shipments from the zone was 169, up 245 percent year-on-year, with the total value of cargo transported reaching 121 million yuan (about 16.87 million US dollars), up 329 percent, making the zone the leader in China in terms of TIR shipment volume. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Israel says it has launched new airstrikes in western Iran

    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

    JERUSALEM/TEHRAN, June 19 (Xinhua) — The Israeli Air Force carried out new strikes on western Iran on Wednesday evening, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman Effie Defrin said in a video message.

    The fighter jets flew over launch sites and storage areas for surface-to-surface missiles, hitting people trying to access and remove ammunition from previously shelled areas, he said.

    The IDF spokesman said it was the third major wave of Israeli airstrikes on Iranian territory in the past 24 hours. During the initial overnight operation, more than 50 fighter jets struck about 40 targets around Tehran.

    “Among the targets hit was a centrifuge plant, a key component of the Iranian regime’s uranium enrichment efforts,” Defrin said. Also hit was a facility near Tehran used to produce anti-tank missiles, including for the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, he added.

    The second wave of strikes began on Wednesday afternoon, with aircraft hitting more than 20 targets in the Tehran area.

    “The targets hit were part of Iran’s military industry and its security apparatus,” said E. Defrin. “They include three important facilities related to missile production, including engines, navigation systems and missile assembly.”

    In a video address to the nation, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel had air superiority over Tehran.

    Israel carried out an airstrike on Wednesday near police headquarters in Tehran, injuring several police officers, Iran’s state news agency IRNA reported. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: UN chief calls for de-escalation of conflict between Israel and Iran, ceasefire

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    UNITED NATIONS, June 19 (Xinhua) — United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday called for an immediate de-escalation of the conflict between Israel and Iran and a subsequent ceasefire.

    “I remain deeply alarmed by the ongoing military escalation in the Middle East between Israel and Iran. I reiterate my call for immediate de-escalation leading to a ceasefire,” A. Guterres said in a statement.

    He warned against widening the conflict to involve other countries.

    “I urge everyone to avoid further internationalization of the conflict. Any additional military intervention could have enormous consequences not only for the parties involved, but for the entire region and for international peace and security in general.”

    A. Guterres condemned the strikes, which resulted in tragic and unnecessary loss of life and injury to civilians, as well as damage to homes and critical civilian infrastructure.

    He said diplomacy remains the best and only way to resolve issues related to Iran’s nuclear program and regional security.

    “The UN Charter remains our common foundation for saving people from the scourge of war,” he said. “I call on all Member States to fully respect the Charter and international law, including international humanitarian law.” –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: E. Macron called for talks to resolve Iranian nuclear crisis and condemned escalation of conflict

    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

    PARIS, June 19 (Xinhua) — French President Emmanuel Macron said on Wednesday that a lasting solution to the Iranian nuclear issue can only be achieved through negotiations.

    During a meeting of the National Defense and Security Council, he reiterated that France is committed to an uncompromising dialogue with Iran.

    The president also expressed concern about the ongoing escalation of tensions between Israel and Iran, with strikes increasingly targeting targets unrelated to the Islamic Republic’s nuclear and missile programs, the Elysee Palace said in a press release.

    “It is urgent to stop these military operations, which pose a serious threat to regional security,” the Elysee Palace said.

    E. Macron also instructed the Minister of Foreign Affairs to propose in the coming days, in close consultation with key European partners, a credible plan for a negotiated settlement that would end the conflict. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Nine killed in road accident in southwest India

    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 DELHI, June 19 (Xinhua) — At least nine people, including a child and a woman, were killed in a road accident in India’s southwest state of Maharashtra, a local police official confirmed on Thursday.

    Three other people, including a child, were injured and taken to a nearby government hospital.

    The accident took place on the Jejuri-Morgaon road in Pune district when a private car moving at a very high speed rammed into a stationary car. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Final tax determination – early stage investor offset scheme

    Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

    Following public consultation in March, we’ve published a final tax determination on the early stage investor tax offset scheme we’ve been warning about for some time.

    The final determination confirms our draft view – that the anti-avoidance provisions in the tax law can apply to this scheme, potentially cancelling any tax benefit obtained by participants.

    What this means for your business

    Our view applies to taxpayers involved in the scheme before, during and after the date of this final determination. If you’ve already been caught up in it, you may be asked to pay back any offset claimed. Penalties and interest may also apply.

    Be wary of this scheme. If it’s offered to you, even by a registered agent, reject it and report it to the ATO.

    If you suspect you’ve inadvertently become involved in an unlawful tax scheme, you should contact us immediately. If you proactively approach us, you may be eligible for a reduction in penalties.

    We’re protecting businesses by taking action against those promoting unlawful schemes. For information on the warning signs, and how to protect yourself, visit Tax schemes.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: It’s not just ‘chronic fatigue’: ME/CFS is much more than being tired

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Sarah Annesley, Senior Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Cell and Molecular Biology, La Trobe University

    Edwin Tan/Getty

    Myalgic encephalomyelitis / chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is as complex as its name is difficult to pronounce. It’s sometimes referred to as simply “chronic fatigue”, but this is just one of its symptoms.

    In fact, ME/CFS is a complex neurological disease, recognised by the World Health Organization, that affects nearly every system in the body.

    The name refers to muscle pain (myalgia), inflammation of the brain (encephalomyelitis), and a profound, disabling fatigue that rest can’t relieve.

    However, the illness’s complexity – and its disproportionate impact on women – means ME/CFS has often been incorrectly labelled as a psychological disorder.

    What is ME/CFS?

    ME/CFS affects people of all ages but is most commonly diagnosed in middle age. It is two to three times more common in women than men.

    While the exact cause is unknown, ME/CFS is commonly triggered by an infection.

    The condition has two core symptoms: a disabling, long-lasting fatigue that rest doesn’t relieve, and a worsening of symptoms after physical or mental exertion.

    This is known as post-exertional malaise. It means even slight exertion can make symptoms much worse, and take much longer than expected to recover.

    This varies between people, but could mean simply having a shower or attending a social event triggers worse symptoms, either immediately or days later.

    These symptoms include pain, sleep issues, cognitive difficulties (such as thinking, memory and decision-making), flu-like symptoms, dizziness, gastrointestinal problems, heart rate fluctuations and many more.

    For some people, symptoms can be managed in a way that allows them to work. For others, the disease is so severe it can leave them housebound or bedridden.

    Symptoms can fluctuate, changing over time and in intensity, making ME/CFS a particularly unpredictable and misunderstood condition.

    Not just ‘in your head’

    A growing body of scientific evidence, however, clearly shows ME/CFS is a biological, not mental, illness.

    Neuroimaging studies have revealed differences in the brain activity and structure of people with ME/CFS, including poor blood flow and lower levels of neurotransmitters (chemical messengers in the nervous system).

    Other research indicates the condition affects how the body produces energy (the metabolism), fights infection (the immune system), delivers oxygen to muscles and tissues, and regulates blood pressure and heart rate (the vascular system).

    Issues with criteria

    To diagnose ME/CFS, a clinician will also exclude other possible causes of fatigue, which can be a lengthy process. A patient needs to meet a set of clinical criteria.

    But one of the major challenges in researching ME/CFS is that the diagnostic criteria clinicians use vary worldwide.

    Some criteria focus solely on fatigue and include people with alternate reasons for fatigue, such as a psychiatric disorder.

    Others are more narrow and may only capture ME/CFS patients with more severe symptoms.

    As a result, it can be very difficult to compare across different studies, as the reasons they include or exclude participants vary so much.

    Changes to the guidelines

    In Australia, doctors often receive little formal education about ME/CFS.

    Most commonly, they follow the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners’ clinical guidelines to diagnose and manage ME/CFS. These are based on the Canadian Consensus Criteria which are considered more stringent than other ME/CFS diagnostic criteria.

    They include post-exertional malaise and fatigue for more than six months as core symptoms.

    However, these guidelines are outdated and rely heavily on controversial studies that assumed the primary cause of ME/CFS was “deconditioning” – a loss of physical strength due to a fear or avoidance of exercise.

    These guidelines recommend ME/CFS should be treated with cognitive behavioural therapy – a common psychotherapy which focuses on changing unhealthy thoughts and behaviours – and graded exercise therapy, which gradually introduces more demanding physical activity.

    While cognitive behaviour therapy can be effective for some people managing ME/CFS, it’s important not to frame this condition primarily as a psychological issue.

    Graded exercise therapy can encourage people to push beyond their “energy envelope”, which means they do more than their body can manage. This can trigger post-exertional malaise and a worsening of symptoms.

    In June 2024, the Australian government announced A$1.1 million towards developing new clinical guidelines for diagnosing and managing ME/CFS.

    Leading organisations have scrapped the recommendation of graded exercise therapy in the United States (in 2015) and the United Kingdom (in 2021). Hopefully Australia will follow suit.

    What can people with ME/CFS do?

    While we wait for updated clinical guidelines, “pacing” – or working within your energy envelope – has shown some success in managing symptoms. This means monitoring and limiting how much energy you expend.

    Some evidence also suggests people who rest in the early stages of their initial illness often experience better long-term outcomes with ME/CFS.

    This is especially relevant after the COVID pandemic and with the emergence of long COVID. Studies indicate more than half of those affected meet stringent clinical criteria for ME/CFS.

    In times of acute illness we should resist the temptation to push through. Choosing to rest may be a crucial step in preventing a condition that is much more debilitating than the original infection.

    Sarah Annesley receives funding from The Judith Jane Mason & Harold Stannett Williams Memorial Foundation and ME Research UK (SCIO charity number SCO36942).

    – ref. It’s not just ‘chronic fatigue’: ME/CFS is much more than being tired – https://theconversation.com/its-not-just-chronic-fatigue-me-cfs-is-much-more-than-being-tired-258803

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: It’s not just ‘chronic fatigue’: ME/CFS is much more than being tired

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Sarah Annesley, Senior Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Cell and Molecular Biology, La Trobe University

    Edwin Tan/Getty

    Myalgic encephalomyelitis / chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is as complex as its name is difficult to pronounce. It’s sometimes referred to as simply “chronic fatigue”, but this is just one of its symptoms.

    In fact, ME/CFS is a complex neurological disease, recognised by the World Health Organization, that affects nearly every system in the body.

    The name refers to muscle pain (myalgia), inflammation of the brain (encephalomyelitis), and a profound, disabling fatigue that rest can’t relieve.

    However, the illness’s complexity – and its disproportionate impact on women – means ME/CFS has often been incorrectly labelled as a psychological disorder.

    What is ME/CFS?

    ME/CFS affects people of all ages but is most commonly diagnosed in middle age. It is two to three times more common in women than men.

    While the exact cause is unknown, ME/CFS is commonly triggered by an infection.

    The condition has two core symptoms: a disabling, long-lasting fatigue that rest doesn’t relieve, and a worsening of symptoms after physical or mental exertion.

    This is known as post-exertional malaise. It means even slight exertion can make symptoms much worse, and take much longer than expected to recover.

    This varies between people, but could mean simply having a shower or attending a social event triggers worse symptoms, either immediately or days later.

    These symptoms include pain, sleep issues, cognitive difficulties (such as thinking, memory and decision-making), flu-like symptoms, dizziness, gastrointestinal problems, heart rate fluctuations and many more.

    For some people, symptoms can be managed in a way that allows them to work. For others, the disease is so severe it can leave them housebound or bedridden.

    Symptoms can fluctuate, changing over time and in intensity, making ME/CFS a particularly unpredictable and misunderstood condition.

    Not just ‘in your head’

    A growing body of scientific evidence, however, clearly shows ME/CFS is a biological, not mental, illness.

    Neuroimaging studies have revealed differences in the brain activity and structure of people with ME/CFS, including poor blood flow and lower levels of neurotransmitters (chemical messengers in the nervous system).

    Other research indicates the condition affects how the body produces energy (the metabolism), fights infection (the immune system), delivers oxygen to muscles and tissues, and regulates blood pressure and heart rate (the vascular system).

    Issues with criteria

    To diagnose ME/CFS, a clinician will also exclude other possible causes of fatigue, which can be a lengthy process. A patient needs to meet a set of clinical criteria.

    But one of the major challenges in researching ME/CFS is that the diagnostic criteria clinicians use vary worldwide.

    Some criteria focus solely on fatigue and include people with alternate reasons for fatigue, such as a psychiatric disorder.

    Others are more narrow and may only capture ME/CFS patients with more severe symptoms.

    As a result, it can be very difficult to compare across different studies, as the reasons they include or exclude participants vary so much.

    Changes to the guidelines

    In Australia, doctors often receive little formal education about ME/CFS.

    Most commonly, they follow the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners’ clinical guidelines to diagnose and manage ME/CFS. These are based on the Canadian Consensus Criteria which are considered more stringent than other ME/CFS diagnostic criteria.

    They include post-exertional malaise and fatigue for more than six months as core symptoms.

    However, these guidelines are outdated and rely heavily on controversial studies that assumed the primary cause of ME/CFS was “deconditioning” – a loss of physical strength due to a fear or avoidance of exercise.

    These guidelines recommend ME/CFS should be treated with cognitive behavioural therapy – a common psychotherapy which focuses on changing unhealthy thoughts and behaviours – and graded exercise therapy, which gradually introduces more demanding physical activity.

    While cognitive behaviour therapy can be effective for some people managing ME/CFS, it’s important not to frame this condition primarily as a psychological issue.

    Graded exercise therapy can encourage people to push beyond their “energy envelope”, which means they do more than their body can manage. This can trigger post-exertional malaise and a worsening of symptoms.

    In June 2024, the Australian government announced A$1.1 million towards developing new clinical guidelines for diagnosing and managing ME/CFS.

    Leading organisations have scrapped the recommendation of graded exercise therapy in the United States (in 2015) and the United Kingdom (in 2021). Hopefully Australia will follow suit.

    What can people with ME/CFS do?

    While we wait for updated clinical guidelines, “pacing” – or working within your energy envelope – has shown some success in managing symptoms. This means monitoring and limiting how much energy you expend.

    Some evidence also suggests people who rest in the early stages of their initial illness often experience better long-term outcomes with ME/CFS.

    This is especially relevant after the COVID pandemic and with the emergence of long COVID. Studies indicate more than half of those affected meet stringent clinical criteria for ME/CFS.

    In times of acute illness we should resist the temptation to push through. Choosing to rest may be a crucial step in preventing a condition that is much more debilitating than the original infection.

    Sarah Annesley receives funding from The Judith Jane Mason & Harold Stannett Williams Memorial Foundation and ME Research UK (SCIO charity number SCO36942).

    – ref. It’s not just ‘chronic fatigue’: ME/CFS is much more than being tired – https://theconversation.com/its-not-just-chronic-fatigue-me-cfs-is-much-more-than-being-tired-258803

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SPC Jun 19, 2025 0100 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook

    Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

     For best viewing experience, please enable browser JavaScript support.

    Jun 19, 2025 0100 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook

    Updated: Thu Jun 19 00:52:49 UTC 2025 (Print Version |   |  )

    Probabilistic to Categorical Outlook Conversion Table

     Forecast Discussion

    SPC AC 190052

    Day 1 Convective Outlook
    NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
    0752 PM CDT Wed Jun 18 2025

    Valid 190100Z – 191200Z

    …THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS FROM THE LOWER
    GREAT LAKES/OHIO VALLEY TO THE SOUTHERN PLAINS…

    …SUMMARY…
    Severe thunderstorms, with damaging winds, will spread across
    portions of the Ohio/Tennessee Valley region this evening. Isolated
    severe thunderstorms will also continue across portions of the Red
    River region of southern Oklahoma and North Texas.

    …01z Update…

    Notable mid-level height falls will spread across the lower Great
    Lakes/Ohio Valley overnight in response to a short-wave trough that
    will advance into MI-IL by the end of the period. Synoptically, LLJ
    is strengthening across the OH Valley ahead of the main surface
    front that extends from Lake MI-central IL-central MO. While the
    primary squall line has surged well ahead of the front into central
    OH/KY, scattered convection is gradually increasing along the front
    across MO/western IL. This activity may continue to increase as the
    boundary surges southeast later tonight. Otherwise, the lead squall
    line is expected to propagate into the upper Ohio Valley with an
    attendant threat of damaging winds.

    Farther southwest into the southern Plains, 00z soundings from both
    OUN and FWD exhibit minimal CINH with seasonally high PW values and
    strong MLCAPE (>3000 J/kg). Both soundings have adequate deep-layer
    shear for organized updrafts, but the Red River corridor should only
    experience weak low-level warm advection through the overnight
    period. Isolated severe thunderstorms will be the most likely
    scenario given the weak forcing along this portion of the boundary.

    ..Darrow.. 06/19/2025

    CLICK TO GET WUUS01 PTSDY1 PRODUCT

    .html”>Latest Day 2 Outlook/Today’s Outlooks/Forecast Products/Home

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SPC MD 1360

    Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

    Mesoscale Discussion 1360
    NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
    1108 PM CDT Wed Jun 18 2025

    Areas affected…portions of central Missouri

    Concerning…Severe potential…Watch unlikely

    Valid 190408Z – 190545Z

    Probability of Watch Issuance…5 percent

    SUMMARY…A couple instances of marginally severe hail may occur
    over the next couple of hours. A WW issuance is not expected.

    DISCUSSION…An embedded 500 mb impulse is overspreading MO,
    contributing to locally higher deep-layer shear (e.g. 40+ kts of
    effective bulk shear per 03Z mesoanalysis), as well as deep-layer
    ascent. As such, a few transient supercells have developed, with
    MRMS mosaic radar data suggesting that some of these storms are
    producing hail that is approaching severe limits. Mid-level lapse
    rates are not particularly steep, as shown by the 00Z SGF observed
    soundings, which depicts near 7 C/km mid-level lapse rates atop a
    stabilizing boundary layer. While an instance or two of 1+ inch
    diameter hail may be observed, the aforementioned tall/thin CAPE
    (with MLCAPE around 1000 J/kg) and modest deep-layer shear suggest
    that severe hail should be overall isolated. As such, a WW issuance
    is not expected.

    ..Squitieri/Smith.. 06/19/2025

    …Please see www.spc.noaa.gov for graphic product…

    ATTN…WFO…LSX…SGF…EAX…

    LAT…LON 37959434 38589392 38979245 38769109 38219066 37589103
    37339210 37379301 37569393 37959434

    MOST PROBABLE PEAK HAIL SIZE…UP TO 1.25 IN

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SPC – No watches are valid as of Thu Jun 19 05:07:01 UTC 2025

    Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

    Current Convective Watches (View What is a Watch? clip)Updated:  Thu Jun 19 05:19:06 UTC 2025 No watches are currently valid

    Archived Convective ProductsTo view convective products for a previous day, type in the date you wish to retrieve (e.g. 20040529 for May 29, 2004). Data available since January 1, 2004.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Who are Iran’s allies? And would any help if the US joins Israel in its war?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ali Mamouri, Research Fellow, Middle East Studies, Deakin University

    As Israel continues its attacks on Iran, US President Donald Trump and other global leaders are hardening their stance against the Islamic Republic.

    While considering a US attack on Iran’s nuclear sites, Trump has threatened Iran’s supreme leader, claiming to know his location and calling him “an easy target”. He has demanded “unconditional surrender” from Iran.

    Meanwhile, countries such as Germany, Canada, the UK and Australia have toughened their rhetoric, demanding Iran fully abandon its nuclear program.

    So, as the pressure mounts on Iran, has it been left to fight alone? Or does it have allies that could come to its aid?

    Has Iran’s ‘axis of resistance’ fully collapsed?

    Iran has long relied on a network of allied paramilitary groups across the Middle East as part of its deterrence strategy. This approach has largely shielded it from direct military strikes by the US or Israel, despite constant threats and pressure.

    This so-called “axis of resistance” includes groups such as Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) in Iraq, the Houthi militants in Yemen, as well as Hamas in Gaza, which has long been under Iran’s influence to varying degrees. Iran also supported Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria before it was toppled last year.

    These groups have served both as a regional buffer and as a means for Iran to project power without direct engagement.

    However, over the past two years, Israel has dealt significant blows to the network.

    Hezbollah — once Iran’s most powerful non-state ally — has been effectively neutralised after months of attacks by Israel. Its weapons stocks were systematically targeted and destroyed across Lebanon. And the group suffered a major psychological and strategic loss with the assassination of its most influential leader, Hassan Nasrallah.

    In Syria, Iranian-backed militias have been largely expelled following the fall of Assad’s regime, stripping Iran of another key foothold in the region.

    That said, Iran maintains strong influence in Iraq and Yemen.

    The PMF in Iraq, with an estimated 200,000 fighters, remains formidable. The Houthis have similarly sized contingent of fighters in Yemen.

    Should the situation escalate into an existential threat to Iran — as the region’s only Shiite-led state — religious solidarity could drive these groups to become actively involved. This would rapidly expand the war across the region.

    The PMF, for instance, could launch attacks on the 2,500 US troops stationed in Iraq. Indeed, the head of Kata’ib Hezbollah, one of the PMF’s more hardline factions, promised to do so:

    If America dares to intervene in the war, we will directly target its interests and military bases spread across the region without hesitation.

    Iran itself could also target US bases in the Persian Gulf countries with ballistic missiles, as well as close the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20% of the world’s oil supply flows.

    Will Iran’s regional and global allies step in?

    Several regional powers maintain close ties with Iran. The most notable among them is Pakistan — the only Islamic country with a nuclear arsenal.

    For weeks, Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has tried to align Iran more closely with Pakistan in countering Israel’s actions in Gaza.

    In a sign of Pakistan’s importance in the Israel-Iran war, Trump has met with the country’s army chief in Washington as he weighs a possible strike on its neighbour.

    Pakistan’s leaders have also made their allegiances very clear. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has offered Iran’s president “unwavering solidarity” in the “face of Israel’s unprovoked aggression”. And Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif recently said in an interview Israel will “think many times before taking on Pakistan”.

    These statements signal a firm stance without explicitly committing to intervention.

    Yet, Pakistan has also been working to de-escalate tensions. It has urged other Muslim-majority nations and its strategic partner, China, to intervene diplomatically before the violence spirals into a broader regional war.

    In recent years, Iran has also made diplomatic overtures to former regional rivals, such as Saudi Arabia and Egypt, in order to improve relations.

    These shifts have helped rally broader regional support for Iran. Nearly two dozen Muslim-majority countries — including some that maintain diplomatic relations with Israel — have jointly condemned Israel’s actions and urged de-escalation.

    It’s unlikely, though, that regional powers such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Turkey would support Iran materially, given their strong alliances with the US.

    Iran’s key global allies, Russia and China, have also condemned Israel’s strikes. They have previously shielded Tehran from punitive resolutions at the UN Security Council.

    However, neither power appears willing — at least for now — to escalate the confrontation by providing direct military support to Iran or engaging in a standoff with Israel and the US.

    Theoretically, this could change if the conflict widens and Washington openly pursues a regime change strategy in Tehran. Both nations have major geopolitical and security interests in Iran’s stability. This is due to Iran’s long-standing “Look East” policy and the impact its instability could have on the region and the global economy.

    However, at the current stage, many analysts believe both are unlikely to get involved directly.

    Moscow stayed on the sidelines when Assad’s regime collapsed in Syria, one of Russia’s closest allies in the region. Not only is it focused on its war in Ukraine, Russia also wouldn’t want to endanger improving ties with the Trump administration.

    China has offered Iran strong rhetorical support, but history suggests it has little interest in getting directly involved in Middle Eastern conflicts.

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

    – ref. Who are Iran’s allies? And would any help if the US joins Israel in its war? – https://theconversation.com/who-are-irans-allies-and-would-any-help-if-the-us-joins-israel-in-its-war-259265

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 19 June 2025 News release WHO issues first global guideline to improve pregnancy care for women with sickle cell disease

    Source: World Health Organisation

    The World Health Organization (WHO) today released its first-ever global guideline on the management of sickle cell disease (SCD) during pregnancy, addressing a critical and growing health challenge that can have life-threatening consequences for both women and babies.

    SCD is a group of inherited blood disorders characterized by abnormally shaped red blood cells that resemble crescents or sickles. These cells can block blood flow, causing severe anaemia, episodes of severe pain, recurrent infections, as well as medical emergencies like strokes, sepsis or organ failures.

    Health risks associated with SCD intensify during pregnancy, due to heightened demands on the body’s oxygen and nutrient supply. Women with SCD face a 4- to 11-fold higher likelihood of maternal death than those without. They are more likely to experience obstetric complications like pre-eclampsia, while their babies are at greater risk of stillbirth or being born early or small.

    “With quality health care, women with inherited blood disorders like sickle cell disease can have safe and healthy pregnancies and births,” said Dr Pascale Allotey, Director for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research at WHO and the United Nations’ Special Programme for Human Reproduction (HRP). “This new guideline aims to improve pregnancy outcomes for those affected. With sickle cell on the rise, more investment is urgently needed to expand access to evidence-based treatments during pregnancy as well as diagnosis and information about this neglected disease.”

    There are around 7.7 million people living with SCD worldwide – a figure that has increased by over 40% since 2000. SCD is estimated to cause over 375 000 deaths each year. The disease is most prevalent in malaria-endemic regions, particularly sub-Saharan Africa–which accounts for around 8 in 10 cases–as well as parts of the Middle East, the Caribbean, and South Asia. With population movements and improvements in life expectancy, the sickle cell gene is also becoming more widespread globally, meaning more maternity care providers need to know how to manage the disease.

    Until now, clinical guidance for managing SCD in pregnancy has largely drawn on protocols from high-income countries. WHO’s new guideline aims to provide evidence-based recommendations that are also relevant for low- and middle-income settings, where most cases and deaths from the disease occur. Accordingly, the guideline includes over 20 recommendations spanning:

    • folic acid and iron supplementation, including adjustments for malaria-endemic areas;
    • management of sickle cell crises and pain relief;
    • prevention of infections and blood clots;
    • use of prophylactic blood transfusions; and
    • additional monitoring of the woman and the baby’s health throughout pregnancy.

    Critically, the guideline highlights the need for respectful, individualized care, adapted according to women’s unique needs, medical histories and preferences. It also addresses the importance of tackling stigma and discrimination within healthcare settings, which can be a major challenge for people with SCD in several countries around the world.

    “It’s essential that women with sickle cell disease can discuss their care options early in pregnancy—or ideally before—with knowledgeable providers,” said Dr Doris Chou, Medical Officer and lead author of the guideline. “This supports informed decisions about any treatment options to continue or adopt, as well as agree on ways of handling potential complications, so as to optimize outcomes for the woman, her pregnancy, and her baby.”

    Given the complex nature of these disorders, if a pregnant woman has SCD, the guideline notes the importance of involving skilled and knowledgeable personnel in her care team. These may include specialists like haemotologists as well as midwives, paediatricians and obstetrician-gynecologists who provide services for reproductive and newborn health.

    SCD is a neglected health condition that remains considerably under-funded and under-researched, despite its growing prevalence worldwide. While treatment options are improving for the general population, the guideline underscores the urgent need for more research into the safety and efficacy of SCD treatments for pregnant and breastfeeding women – populations that have historically been excluded from clinical trials.

    This publication is the first in a new WHO series on managing noncommunicable diseases in pregnancy. Future guidelines will address cardiovascular conditions, diabetes, respiratory diseases, mental health disorders and substance use. Chronic diseases are increasingly recognized as major contributors to maternal and newborn deaths and ill health.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Secretary-General’s message on the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict [scroll down for French version]

    Source: United Nations secretary general

    Sexual violence is a grotesque tactic of war, used to brutalize, torture, and repress, scarring bodies, minds and entire communities. The horror of these heinous crimes echoes long after the guns fall silent.

    Too often, perpetrators walk free, cloaked in impunity, while survivors often bear the impossible burden of stigma and trauma. The pain does not end with them. It stretches across lifetimes, ravaging generations of families, and forces the inherited legacy of trauma and suffering on the descendants of survivors.

    The focus of this year is the deep and lasting intergenerational wounds of conflict-related sexual violence. To break the cycle, we must confront the horrors of the past, support the survivors of today, and protect future generations from the same fate.

    That means ensuring safe access to vital, survivor-centered and trauma-informed services; delivering justice and holding perpetrators to account; and listening to – and amplifying – the vital voices of survivors.

    Let’s unite to end this despicable crime, demand justice for survivors, and sustain our critical efforts to end the cycle of violence for good. 

    ***

    La violence sexuelle est une tactique de guerre abjecte, utilisée pour brutaliser, torturer et opprimer. Elle laisse des séquelles durables sur les corps et les esprits et meurtrit des populations entières. L’horreur de ces crimes odieux continue de résonner longtemps après que les armes se sont tues.

    Trop souvent, les auteurs de ces crimes restent en liberté et vivent en toute impunité, tandis que les personnes survivantes portent le fardeau insoutenable de la stigmatisation et du traumatisme. La douleur ne cesse jamais. Elle dure toute la vie, ravage les familles de génération en génération et lègue aux descendants traumatismes et souffrances.

    Cette année, l’attention se porte sur les blessures intergénérationnelles causées par la violence sexuelle liée aux conflits, qui sont profondes et durables. Pour briser cette chaîne, nous devons affronter les horreurs du passé, accompagner les personnes survivantes d’aujourd’hui et protéger les générations futures d’un sort identique.

    Pour cela, il faut permettre aux personnes survivantes d’avoir accès en toute sécurité à des services de base capables de prendre en charge leur traumatisme ; rendre la justice et faire en sorte que les auteurs de crimes répondent de leurs actes ; être à l’écoute des personnes survivantes et faire entendre leur voix.

    Unissons-nous pour mettre fin à ce crime odieux, exiger que justice soit rendue aux personnes survivantes et, grâce à l’action que nous continuerons à mener, briser définitivement le cycle de la violence.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Energy Sector – Electricity generators collaborate to help secure New Zealand’s energy future

    Source: Energy Resources Aotearoa

    Energy Resources Aotearoa welcomes today’s announcement from Genesis Energy and other major electricity generators, Mercury, Meridian, and Contact, setting out a proposed long-term agreement to establish a strategic energy reserve and retain Huntly’s Rankine units to support a secure energy future for New Zealand.
    Energy Resources Aotearoa Chief Executive John Carnegie says the proposal is a pragmatic signal that generators can work together to manage growing system risks.
    “As New Zealand navigates the challenges of declining domestic natural gas, growing but intermittent renewable generation, and highly volatile economic and geopolitical conditions, this proposal is a practical response to uncertainty.
    “Huntly has long been New Zealand’s energy security blanket. Its dual-fuel capability – capable of running on both coal and natural gas – provides the system with resilience and flexibility, with the potential to expand this to biomass in the future.
    More domestic gas supply will further enhance this capability and reduce our dependence on coal during periods of peak demand or supply shortfall.”
    “We welcome more wind and solar, but they also make the system more volatile. We need to increase our firm generation capacity even more, in the form of more gas-fired power plants, to meet demand peaks. There’s no single fix, but this proposal is a useful part of the solution as we manage uncertainty.”
    Energy Resources Aotearoa will continue to advocate for policy and regulatory settings that support long-term investment in reliable, secure and affordable energy, to power New Zealand’s future.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: ACT Budget 2025–26: Supporting Primary Care and Building a More Inclusive Health Workforce

    Source: Australian National Party

    As part of ACT Government’s ‘One Government, One Voice’ program, we are transitioning this website across to our . You can access everything you need through this website while it’s happening.

    Released 19/06/2025

    The 2025–26 ACT Budget will deliver targeted investment to strengthen local general practice, improve affordability and access to primary care, and support a more inclusive and self-determined First Nations health workforce.

    The ACT Government is investing in new health funding over four years to ensure Canberrans can access the right care in the right place, with a stronger primary care system that delivers better outcomes and equity.

    This includes:

    • $7.3 million over four years to support general practice through bulk billing incentives, wellbeing and professional development support for GPs, and more junior doctor placements in ACT general practices.
    • $2.36 million over four years (ongoing and indexed) to grow the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workforce and address systemic barriers to participation.
    • Payroll tax changes for medical practices from 1 July 2025 that will exempt income from bulk billed GP services – a measure that will support affordability and access while reducing the administrative burden on practices.

    Treasurer Chris Steel said that investments is part of  ACT Government’s delivering on its health priorities and compliments the Federal Government’s commitments to strengthening Medicare.

    “Health care is our biggest priority in the Budget, and these measures will support more affordable local access to primary health care,” Minister Steel said.

    “The Government will provide support for both the workforce and the community – with more bulk billing appointments, better support for GPs, and a stronger First Nations workforce to deliver culturally safe care. These measures will ensure Canberrans can access the care they need, closer to home.”

    Key measures in the Budget will deliver on Government commitments to support GPs to expand services and reduce out-of-pocket costs for families. A $1.5 million grants program will be piloted over two years to support general practices that commit to bulk billing all children under 16.

    The Government is also delivering on the Government commitment to support for the primary health care workforce by investing in professional development and wellbeing, including funding for the Drs4Drs mental health support program and expanding Junior Medical Officer (JMO) placements into general practice settings to promote early consideration of a GP career pathway.

    To support greater access for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to health careers, the Budget also includes funding for new workforce governance structures, culturally safe supervision, and support for local implementation of the National First Nations Workforce Plan.

    Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith said the investments are part of a coordinated approach to grow and support the health workforce and are key actions in the ACT Health Workforce Strategy: Action Plan 2024-2026 .

    “Primary care is the foundation of a strong health system, and we’re backing our GP workforce to do what they do best – deliver high-quality, accessible care to the community,” Minister Stephen-Smith said.

    “We’re also backing a stronger, more self-determined Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce. This Budget funds new dedicated roles, better training and supervision, and action on systemic racism in the health system.

    “Together, these investments will help build a more inclusive, sustainable health system – one that puts equity, respect and workforce wellbeing at its core.

    “They complement Federal Labor’s commitments to expanding bulk billing and build on the ACT Government’s broader work to expand community-based, person-centred healthcare and reduce pressure on the hospital system.”

    – Statement ends –

    Chris Steel, MLA | Rachel Stephen-Smith, MLA | Media Releases

    «ACT Government Media Releases | «Minister Media Releases

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Secretary-General of ASEAN delivers keynote speech at the Jakarta Forum on ASEAN-China Relations

    Source: ASEAN

    Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today delivered the keynote speech at the Jakarta Forum on ASEAN-China Relations: New Areas, New Engines and New Opportunities, held at the Shangri-La Hotel, Jakarta, Indonesia. In his speech, Dr. Kao outlined key strategic priorities for shaping the future of ASEAN–China relations, including Digital Economy, Green Transition, Supply Chain Resilience, Transport Connectivity, and Tourism Cooperation, among others.
     
    Download the full keynote speech here.
     

    The post Secretary-General of ASEAN delivers keynote speech at the Jakarta Forum on ASEAN-China Relations appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI USA: News 06/18/2025 VIDEO: Blackburn Slams White House ‘Cabal’ for Hiding Biden Cognitive Decline and Hijacking Executive Power

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) slammed the Biden White House during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing for hiding Joe Biden’s cognitive decline for four years and the subsequent shameless coverup by the media and Democrats. Senator Blackburn laid out how Joe Biden’s cabal behind the curtain has undermined the faith of the American people in public institutions. 

    Click here to download video of Senator Blackburn’s remarks during the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing.

    Many of Joe Biden’s Own Cabinet Members Knew He Was Unfit to Serve

    Senator Blackburn: “You could look at any of the footage and see what was transpiring with President Biden, and I think the fact that many of his own cabinet members knew that he was not fit to serve, and that there was a cabal behind the curtain who was making all the decisions it is so offensive to the American people, and it’s not something that is a partisan issue. As I talk with Democrats, many of them have lost faith in what they thought was going to be a very moderate Joe Biden administration, and it turned into be the far-left Bernie Sanders version of the Democrat party that was using the autopen and making decisions and committing our great nation to policies that the American people did not support and would never have supported.”

    Biden Staffers Were Willing to Do Undemocratic Things to Hold onto Power

    Senator Blackburn: “These staffers were willing to do undemocratic things, using their term to keep the president in office. To keep Biden there, they were willing to do undemocratic things, unlawful things. That behavior… undermines the faith of Tennesseans and all Americans in our public institutions because they could see what was happening, but they were being lied to by people in the White House who were probably then running in their office and saying, ‘Well, we pulled it off another day.’”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Marshall: We Do Not Want American Troops Involved in a Foreign War

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kansas Roger Marshall

    Senator Marshall Joins The Vince Show to Discuss The President’s One Big Beautiful Bill, English Language Requirements for Truck Drivers, and the Iran / Israel Conflict
    Washington – On Wednesday, U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas), joined Vince Coglianese on The Vince Show to discuss President Trump’s ‘One Big, Beautiful Bill,’ his new legislation to mandate all truck drivers speak English, and what could happen next in the ongoing conflict in Iran. 

    Click HERE to listen to the full interview.
    On the progress being made in the OBBB negotiations:
    “We’re making incredible progress in the Senate. I think first of all, we have to figure out what all the Senators can agree upon and then follow back up with the House. … Probably the one thing that is still missing, there are a lot of us who would still like to see some more cuts – there’s about $2 trillion of cuts so far. We’d like to see a little bit more, if at all possible.
    “We think another couple hundred billion dollars is sitting there. We’ve given those suggestions to leadership. I just think it’s an incredible negotiation going on now between House leadership with Mike Johnson and, of course, Leader Thune in the Senate and the White House. I can tell you, they’re all in the same room, they’re working hard and just trying to find that sweet spot where we can get to 218 in the house, 51 in the Senate.”
    On what will happen to the SALT Deduction:  
    “I know everyone is fixated on the amounts 20, 30, $40,000, and by the way, that’s a $400 billion hit over the next 10 years. Red states subsiding, blue states $400 billion. But I really think it’s when you should not be able to benefit from them at what salary – if you’re making $500,000 a year, should you still get that, and be able to write that off? And if you’re making $600,000?  …So that’s another dial to keep your eye on, as we go forward.”
    On why the OBBB is needed to keep the southern border secure:  
    “[DHS] is going to run out of money very soon. It’s expensive what they’re doing; they probably said maybe $100,000 per person when it comes to arresting them, housing them, going through the process, and deporting them. You think about that we have 400,000 violent illegal aliens out there. It’s going to be very expensive to do. I think they’re living on borrowed time and borrowed money.
    “And to your point, as much as anything, this bill will allow President Trump to fulfill his campaign promise to secure the border, arguably forever, but at least for the next four years. And so, I say, I think it’s all it’s going to have $45 billion to build 2000 miles of barrier, double the number of ice removal agents, etc.”
    On the newest legislation for English literacy requirements for truck drivers:   
    “So, we want to codify President Trump’s rules, so that way, heaven forbid another Barack Obama President comes in here. And he’s the one who said it was okay – he took this rule out that required the English language to drive, and we’re not just talking little trucks, we’re talking the big trucks, the big semis that we see on the roads – I mean, it just makes sense.
    “And by the way, I’m not the first to say this, but common sense is not very common in Washington, DC, but under President Trump, he’s restoring common sense. This is just a common-sense issue: that if you’re driving a big truck, you need to be able to take a driver’s test in English and be able to read and speak English proficiently. It’s just common sense.”
    On what’s happening in Iran and if American forces will become involved:
    “I think that we all agree that Iran cannot have nuclear weapons. I think that is the absolute bottom line. I think that we have trust that President Trump is weighing all the different sides of this conversation. I think that most of us hope that Israel can finish the job. I think there’s a way that they can finish the job as well without us. I think that’s what would be best. And I certainly don’t want to get ahead of the President, if he decides differently, there’ll be a darn good reason that he decided differently.
    “I never want to speak for the President. I think that most senators hope and believe that Israel can finish the job on their own. We’ll continue our defensive posture. Do everything we can to stay out of the war … Again, we’re talking about us to look through the eyes of the Iranian people – this is a great time for them. What we’re hoping to see over there is a regime change as well and end this terrorist organization. We have confidence that President Trump will thread the needle properly to do whatever needs to be done. But the great thing is, I know philosophically, President Trump is not going to get us into another endless war.
    “We do not want American troops in there. I think we would all just have a fit to see one American troop in there on the ground. It’s a big difference between that and a precision strike, if that’s what’s necessary. President Trump has demonstrated precision strikes in the past, but I just don’t see any circumstances that we’re going to have American boots on the ground in this. Look, Israel’s got this under control – why do we want to go in there and make this thing get worse?… I certainly believe that Iran was very close to nuclear warheads – they had 60% enriched uranium enough to make at least 10 atomic bombs. Look, nuclear power plants in America never go beyond 6% enrichment. They’re sitting there at 60%, there’s no doubt in my mind that they were planning on making a nuclear weapon.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Duckworth, Durbin Announce $30 Million in Federal Funding for O’hare Airport Runway Extensions

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth

    June 18, 2025

    [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced $30,000,000 in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Authority for O’Hare International Airport. The federal funding will be used to pave Runway 9R/27L an additional 3,290 feet in length to reduce delays, accommodate more passengers and allow for increased aircraft operations.

    “Illinois’s airports are critical economic engines for our state and the source of jobs for so many working families,” Duckworth said. “I’m proud to join Senator Durbin in announcing this investment of federal funding to help expand and modernize infrastructure at O’Hare International Airport. I will continue to work alongside Senator Durbin to make traveling more efficient and reliable for all passengers while ensuring that our communities are receiving the much-needed federal resources they deserve.”

    “O’Hare keeps millions of Americans connected with reliable air travel. By improving and modernizing its infrastructure, we are laying the foundation for increased connectivity and reliability,” said Durbin. “Today’s announced federal funding for O’Hare will enhance the travel experience for passengers. I will continue working with Senator Duckworth to ensure Illinois airports have the necessary federal resources to keep passengers safe and connected.”

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Duckworth to Hegseth: “Let the Military Get Back to Its Real Job Defending Americans, Not Policing Them”

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth

    June 18, 2025

    [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Today, combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) excoriated Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth for deploying American servicemembers to police and intimidate their fellow Americans in our nation’s communities, something that actively undermines the Secretary’s own self-proclaimed goal of strengthening our military’s warfighting capabilities and protecting Americans from real foreign threats. Duckworth underscored how misusing our military for domestic law enforcement matters diverts taxpayer dollars and our Armed Forces’ attention away from the combat training that servicemembers need to face foreign enemies abroad. Duckworth’s remarks can be found on the Senator’s YouTube.

    “The unjustified, un-American misuse of the military in American cities pulls resources and attention away from our Armed Forces’ core missions to the detriment of the country, the warfighters and, yes, even the warfighting that Secretary Hegseth claims to love,” said Senator Duckworth. “The military should not be playing cop against their fellow Americans—and the longer they do, the less they’re preparing for real warfighting against real foreign threats to the American people. It’s time Mr. Hegseth let the military get back to its actual job and stop forcing them to do DHS’s. If he wants to be DHS Secretary, he can apply for it when he’s been fired from being Defense Secretary due to his incompetence.”

    During today’s Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) hearing, Duckworth noted that the Trump Administration’s deployment of American servicemembers to California is just the latest in a deliberate, systematic and dangerous politicized campaign to reorient our military away from warfighting and toward intimidating Americans in their own communities. On his first day back in office, President Trump directed U.S. Northern Command to revise its Unified Command Plan and add new planning requirements to combat “criminal activities.” Trump also signed a series of executive orders redirecting the Defense Department’s priorities toward supporting domestic law enforcement, including one in April that tells the Department to “use national security assets for law and order.” This is an egregious misuse of the military that undermines its core mission to protect and defend our nation from foreign threats, and thereby makes all Americans less safe.

    Over the weekend, Duckworth joined U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA) and the entire Senate Democratic Caucus in demanding that President Trump immediately withdraw all military forces from Los Angeles and cease all threats to deploy the National Guard or active-duty service members to American cities. And, while questioning the Commandant of the Marine Corps during a hearing last week, Duckworth slammed the Trump Administration’s deployment of 700 Marines into Los Angeles. The Senator said, “I don’t condone violence or property destruction, but using active-duty Marines this way sets a dangerous precedent that risks damaging public trust in our military and politicizing a military force that must remain mission-focused. President Trump is asking Marines to be away from their families for a situation that the President himself said yesterday was ‘simmering, but not very much.’”

    Since he was first nominated and throughout his confirmation hearing, Duckworth has made it clear that Pete Hegseth is manifestly unqualified to lead our men and women in uniform as Secretary of Defense. After his egregious national security breach that needlessly put the lives of our troops in greater danger, Duckworth has demanded that Hegseth resign in disgrace or be fired immediately.

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Almost 16 thousand Moscow teachers will take courses on teaching mathematics in a new format

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    About 16 thousand Moscow teachers will undergo training to use new approaches in teaching mathematics, of which over 1.5 thousand teachers work in the fifth and sixth grades. Employees of 150 schools will begin training. These are teachers, methodologists and principals. This was reported by the press service Department of Education and Science of the City of Moscow.

    “Starting from the new academic year, Moscow schools will introduce additional courses in mathematics, science and technology for grades one through four. Large-scale training of teachers is being conducted for this purpose. Already 14,000 primary school teachers have begun classes, and now teachers of grades five through six will join them. They will master the stratified approach, in which students are divided into groups depending on the child’s interest in studying mathematics: mathematics for everyone, mathematics for those interested, and mathematics for those passionate. Teachers will learn to work with children with different educational needs,” the department’s press service noted.

    Children’s groups (strata) will be formed based on the results of diagnostics and taking into account the opinions of parents. In the first half of the year, children will be able to try themselves at different levels, and from the second half, they will continue their studies in a suitable group. At the same time, they can move to a simpler level at any time.

    This approach will help schoolchildren master mathematics at a comfortable pace. The tasks will correspond to their level of preparation and interests, which will have a positive effect on the results and motivation. To do this, teachers will study different teaching methods, get acquainted with the experience of schools that already use the stratified approach, and learn how to build interaction with students and parents.

    Courses in mathematics, science and technology in grades one through four will begin in September 2025. The emphasis will be on creative tasks and the development of modern skills. Some classes will be devoted to Moscow’s opportunities and in-demand professions. The program also does not include homework, so as not to create an additional burden.

    Earlier, the capital created expert council for the development of mathematical and natural science education. Its goal is to improve the quality of education in schools and support children’s interest in the exact sciences. The Council is engaged in the development of promising proposals for the development of mathematical and natural science education, the examination of teaching aids, advanced training courses for teachers, and the analysis of best pedagogical practices. It is headed by the Rector Moscow City Pedagogical University Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences Igor Remorenko. The group includes leading specialists – coaches of Olympic teams, teachers, scientists, methodologists, representatives of universities and industrial partners.

    Strengthening mathematical and natural science training is part of the Moscow education development strategy approved by Sergei Sobyanin. The measures taken will help maintain the capital’s advantage in this area. This year, young Muscovites won a record number of awards at the All-Russian School Olympiad — 1,863 diplomas, and by the end of 2024, they had received more than 50 percent of the country’s gold medals at international intellectual competitions.

    Sobyanin: Muscovites win medals at international chemistry and physics olympiadsMoscow schoolchildren won 17 medals at the International Informatics TournamentIn the Kingdom of Science: How Moscow Schoolchildren Win Medals at International Olympiads

    The advanced training program was organized by the Center for Pedagogical Excellence of the Moscow Department of Education and Science and the Moscow City Pedagogical University.

    Get the latest news quicklyofficial telegram channel the city of Moscow.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/155456073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –