NewzIntel.com

Category: DJF

  • MIL-Evening Report: Cape York deserves World Heritage status – and Queensland may need it to become a global leader in tourism

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael Westaway, Australian Research Council Future Fellow, Archaeology, School of Social Science, The University of Queensland

    Last week, the Queensland government launched the ambitious Destination 2045 tourism plan, which aims to make the state a global leader in tourism. The plan highlights that one in six jobs in tropical north Queensland are supported by tourism.

    However, earlier this year the same government tentatively withdrew support from a campaign to add Cape York to the UNESCO World Heritage List.

    If the goal is to position Queensland as a leader in tourism, then linking Cape York’s landscapes to the World Heritage brand would certainly help achieve that.

    Consultation is key

    In June 2024, Steven Miles, Labor’s then-premier in Queensland, and Tanya Plibersek, the federal environment minister, announced they had placed seven of the cape’s national parks on Australia’s tentative World Heritage list.

    In January, however, the newly elected Liberal-National government, under Premier David Crisafulli, ordered a review of the decision. The government cited concerns over a lack of sufficient consultation around the nomination.

    If a lack of consultation is the main issue, there is an opportunity for the Crissafulli government to thoughtfully reopen negotiations.

    Getting this step right could help conserve and encourage tourism to one of Australia’s most diverse landscapes – in line with the Destination 2045 plan.

    How to get onto (and kicked off) UNESCO’s list

    Cape York covers some 137,000 square kilometres. According to the 2021 census, it has a population of less than 8,000 people, including 3,678 Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders.

    Fruit Bat Falls is a waterfall located in the Apudthama National Park (Jardine River National Park) in Cape York.
    Jason Clark/Flickr, CC BY-NC

    Inscription to the World Heritage list doesn’t mean the entire cape would be listed – just specific sites and landscapes within it.

    It’s usually the responsibility of a country’s various governments to convince UNESCO, in a nomination bid, a certain place has the necessary “outstanding universal value” and meets at least one of UNESCO’s ten selection criteria.

    Sites that are physically altered or damaged after receiving World Heritage status can be de-listed, either by a state party or by UNESCO. This has happened in Oman, Germany, the United Kingdom and Georgia.

    We also recently saw the Murujuga Cultural Landscape in Western Australia, with its extraordinary record of rock engravings (petroglyphs), denied World Heritage inscription. This was mainly due to the threat of ongoing damage from industrial emissions from Woodside Energy’s nearby Karratha gas plant.

    World Heritage status: a risk or benefit?

    A carefully considered World Heritage inscription doesn’t necessarily block industries and tourism from the listed area.

    Many of the archaeological sites of the Willandra Lakes World Heritage Area in New South Wales are located on sheep stations. These stations, established in the late 19th century, have individual property plans that ensure the sites are conserved while remaining viable for agricultural activity.

    Another example is the tourism seen at the extraordinary eel trap system of Budj Bim in southwest Victoria. Budj Bim is one of Australia’s most recent additions to the World Heritage list. It is also the first site to be inscribed solely for its cultural value.

    The Budj Bim eel traps were engineered some 6,600 years ago, and represent one of the world’s oldest aquaculture systems.

    This cultural landscape is now home to a thriving tourism program that attracts thousands of visitors each year. The World Heritage listing ensures there are enough resources for the Gunditjmara Traditional Owners running the site to improve the health of Country through cultural and environmental management.

    World Heritage often boosts international tourism, funding opportunities and local branding. The Lake District in the UK is a good example of this, although the site has faced some controversy recently.

    While Queensland’s current government has cited concerns over planning restrictions, these types of concerns are typically based on perception rather than proven harm. In Queensland, they were also clearly addressed in government memos and communications.

    Tasmania’s forestry sector resisted World Heritage expansion (there were four expansions between 1989–2013), yet tourism in the region remains economically valuable.

    It’s unlikely the Cape York nominations would threaten the pastoral or mining industries, since most of the nominated sites are already protected as national parks.

    What makes a World Heritage site?

    The list of Cape York sites submitted for World Heritage consideration has some strong contenders. Quinkan Country is undoubtedly the most significant site on the list, distinguished by its diversity and richness of Aboriginal paintings and engravings.

    But the list isn’t exhaustive. There are several other Aboriginal cultural landscapes in Cape York that also deserve to be considered by UNESCO. These include the giant shell mounds around Weipa, Jiigurru (Lizard Island), and the Flinders Island Group with its extraordinary rock art galleries.

    Moving forward

    World heritage listings in Cape York have great potential to allow Aboriginal people to care for the landscapes and create tourism infrastructure that centres Aboriginal perspectives.

    Appointing Aboriginal rangers in the Flinders Island Group could help deliver a unique and sustainable cultural tourism experience, similar to that provided at the World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park. Destination 2045 highlights the importance of developing Aboriginal ranger programs in such landscapes to boost cultural tourism and economic growth.

    Inggal Odul (Denham Island part of Flinders Island Group). Source: Olivia Arnold (2023).

    The Crisafulli government now has the opportunity to meaningfully engage with the Traditional Custodians of the Cape York landscapes that have been put forth. We argue that the World Heritage listing outcome could help the cape’s economic development and support its communities.

    Michael Westaway receives funding from then Australian Research Council and has undertaken research with Aboriginal communities in the Kaurarag Archipelago, around Mapoon and Weipa including on the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve and in the Flinders Island Group adjacent to Princess Charlotte Bay.

    Anna M. Kotarba-Morley receives funding from the Australian Research Council (ARC). Ania previously sat on the International Council of Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) World Heritage Nomination Bids review panel. Ania undertakes research with Aboriginal communities including within the Kaurareg Archipelago.

    Denis Rose is on the board of the not-for-profit Country Needs People, which advocates for Indigenous Protected Areas and the Indigenous Rangers Program.

    Olivia Arnold has undertaken research with Aboriginal communities in the Flinders Island Group adjacent to Princess Charlotte Bay, Kaurarag Archipelago and Jiigurru (Lizard Island group).

    Rylee Smith 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. Cape York deserves World Heritage status – and Queensland may need it to become a global leader in tourism – https://theconversation.com/cape-york-deserves-world-heritage-status-and-queensland-may-need-it-to-become-a-global-leader-in-tourism-248660

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Colonisation cleared 95% of these woodlands – Indigenous cultural burning is bringing it back

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Elle Bowd, Research Fellow, Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University

    For millennia, First Nations people have shaped Australian ecosystems through the purposeful and skilful use of fire. This cultural burning is an important way for Aboriginal people to connect to and care for Country.

    Under climate change, Earth is experiencing more frequent and severe bushfires. This has prompted a rethink of Western approaches to fire management, and triggered the development of cultural burning programs supported by government agencies.

    At the same time, First Nations people have been calling to revitalise cultural burning as part of a generations-long pursuit of self-determination.

    Our new research details the results of a Indigenous-led cultural burning program in critically endangered woodlands in New South Wales. It shows how Western science can support cultural burning to deliver benefits across cultures – as well as for nature.

    What we did

    Box-gum grassy woodland has been extensively cleared for agriculture, and only about 5% of its original extent remains. The woodlands are endangered in NSW and critically endangered across eastern Australia.

    They feature diverse eucalypt trees, sparse shrubs and native tussock grasses, and support native fauna including the critically endangered regent honeyeater and swift parrot.

    Our project brought together First Nations communities, ecologists from the Australian National University and officers from Local Land Services. It also involved the Rural Fire Service.

    Cultural burns are relatively cool, slow fires. They trickle through the landscape, enabling animals to escape the flames. They promote the germination of plants, including culturally important food and medicine plants, among other benefits.

    Cultural burns are important to First Nations people for a variety of cultural and social reasons. The practice is part of a broader suite of inherited cultural responsibilities shared through generations.

    Our project involved cultural burns in the winter and spring of 2023. Wiradjuri people burned their Country around Young and Wagga Wagga, and Ngunnawal people burned their Country near Yass.

    The burns took place on travelling stock reserves – remnant patches of vegetation historically used to move cattle from paddock to market. These reserves are very important for Aboriginal people because they often trace Songlines and Dreaming tracks. They are also important for farmers as places to graze cattle during drought.

    Alongside the cultural burning program, ANU research ecologists monitored how the woodlands responded to the burns. They did this by surveying plants, soils and biomass before and about eight months after the burns, as well as in unburnt areas.

    What we found

    We measured plant responses by counting the number of plant individuals and recording germination.

    Many native plant species germinated after the burn. They included native peas – one an endangered species, the small scurf pea, which germinated exclusively after the burns.

    Germination was greater in burned than unburned sites, including for sensitive species that commonly respond well to fire such as native glycine (a herb) and lomandra grasses.

    Importantly, the condition of a site before the burn affected how well plants responded. Condition refers to factors such as the diversity of native plants (including sensitive species) and the presence of weeds.

    After the burn, native plants were more abundant on sites with a better starting condition, than on those in poor condition. This highlights the importance of improving the health of poor-condition areas after burns.

    The type of appropriate management will depend on the site, but may include weed control and planting or seeding native species. More monitoring will also help quantify longer term responses after burning.

    Investing in community and nature

    Indigenous community members led the burns on their Country and were represented by women and men of multiple generations. They were paid for their work and offered fire-safety training and personal protective equipment.

    The burns were often community events – days of connection and sharing knowledge within communities, and between cultures. This fostered opportunities for “two-way learning” and “two-eyed seeing” – ways of respectfully bringing together Indigenous and Western knowledge.

    Our project shows how cross-cultural partnerships can be central to conserving and restoring Australia’s unique and highly diverse ecosystems, during a period of environmental change. But for this to happen, cultural burning must be better integrated into mainstream land management.

    This is especially needed in some parts of southern Australia, where government-funded programs have been less resourced than in parts of northern and Central Australia.

    Government agencies and institutions can support Indigenous land stewardship in various ways.

    These include:

    • designing projects with Indigenous people from the outset, and being directed by community aspirations which supports self-determination

    • forming meaningful cross-cultural partnerships across agencies to navigate complex bureaucratic processes

    • providing Indigenous people with resources and land access to manage Country, including funding for labour, training and equipment. Provisions for sufficient resources must be made from the beginning, in grant applications

    • protecting and acknowledging the rights of Indigenous people to their cultural heritage, such as traditional knowledge, through formal protection agreements.

    Elle Bowd receives funding from the NSW Government, the ACT Government, the ACT government, the Local Land Services, and the Australian Research Council.

    David Lindenmayer receives funding from the NSW Government, the ACT Government, the 4AM Foundation, NSW Local Land Services, and the Australian Research Council. He is a Councillor with the Biodiversity Council and a Member of Birds Australia.

    Geoff Cary receives funding from the Australian Research Council and the Bushfire Research Centre of Excellence funded by ANU and Optus, and previously received funding from Future Ready Regions EDIS Development, Australian Research Council, ACT Government, Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC, National Health and Medical Research Council, Australian Greenhouse Office/Department of Climate Change Greenhouse Action in Regional Australia funding schemes, Desert Knowledge CRC, NSW Department of Environment & Conservation, Tasmanian Government and US National Science Foundation.

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

    – ref. Colonisation cleared 95% of these woodlands – Indigenous cultural burning is bringing it back – https://theconversation.com/colonisation-cleared-95-of-these-woodlands-indigenous-cultural-burning-is-bringing-it-back-257883

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • Trump urges Tehran evacuation as Iran-Israel conflict enters fifth day

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Israel and Iran attacked each other for a fifth straight day on Tuesday, and U.S. President Donald Trump urged Iranians to evacuate Tehran, citing what he said was the country’s rejection of a deal to curb nuclear weapons development.

    Trump was due to leave the Group of Seven summit in Canada later on Monday, a day early, due to the Middle East situation, the White House said. Fox News reported he would convene his National Security Council.

    “Iran should have signed the ‘deal’ I told them to sign. What a shame, and waste of human life. Simply stated, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. I said it over and over again! Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social media platform.

    French President Emmanuel Macron said Trump’s early departure from the G7 was positive, given the immediate objective was to get Israel and Iran to agree to a ceasefire that the U.S. had proposed.

    “There is an offer that has been made, especially to have a ceasefire and to initiate broader discussions. And I think this is a very good thing,” Macron told reporters. “So now we need to see what the stakeholders will do.”

    Iranian media reported explosions and heavy air defence fire in Tehran early on Tuesday. Air defences were activated also in Natanz, home to key nuclear installations 320 km (200 miles) away, the Asriran news website reported.

    A White House aide said it was not true that the U.S. was attacking Iran. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told Fox News that Trump was still aiming for a nuclear deal with Iran, while adding the U.S. would defend its assets in the region.

    In Israel, air raid sirens wailed in Tel Aviv after midnight and an explosion was heard as Iranian missiles targeted the country again.

    Iranian officials reported 224 deaths, mostly civilians, in five days, while Israel said 24 civilians had been killed. Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said nearly 3,000 Israelis had been evacuated due to damage from Iranian strikes.

    Sources told Reuters that Tehran had asked Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia to urge Trump to pressure Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to agree to an immediate ceasefire. In return, Iran would show flexibility in nuclear negotiations, according to two Iranian and three regional sources.

    “If President Trump is genuine about diplomacy and interested in stopping this war, next steps are consequential,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on X. “Israel must halt its aggression, and absent a total cessation of military aggression against us, our responses will continue.”

    Netanyahu told reporters on Monday that Israel was committed to eliminating threats posed by Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs, adding, “If this can be achieved in another way—fine. But we gave it a 60-day chance.”

    Speaking to Reuters on Friday, the first day of Israel’s assault, Trump said he had given the Iranians 60 days to come to an agreement to halt uranium enrichment and that the time had expired with no deal. Iran says its nuclear programme is only for peaceful purposes.

    Oil prices rallied more than 2% early in Asia on Tuesday after Trump’s evacuation warning, reversing losses on Monday amid reports that Iran was seeking an end to hostilities.

    CHINESE URGED TO LEAVE ISRAEL

    With security concerns growing and Israeli airspace closed because of the war, the Chinese embassy in Israel urged its citizens to leave the country via land border crossings as soon as possible.

    The Iran-Israel air war – the biggest battle ever between the two longtime enemies – escalated on Monday with Israel targeting Iran’s state broadcaster and uranium enrichment facilities.

    Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, told the BBC that the Natanz plant sustained extensive damage, likely destroying 15,000 centrifuges, while Iran’s Fordow plant remained largely intact.

    Talks between the United States and Iran, hosted by Oman, had been scheduled for June 15 but were scrapped, with Tehran saying it could not negotiate while under attack.

    Israel launched its air war with a surprise attack that has killed nearly the entire top echelon of Iran’s military commanders and its leading nuclear scientists. It says it now has control of Iranian airspace and intends to escalate the campaign in the coming days.

    Trump has consistently said the Israeli assault could end quickly if Iran agreed to U.S. demands that it accept strict curbs on its nuclear programme.

    “As I’ve been saying, I think a deal will be signed, or something will happen, but a deal will be signed, and I think Iran is foolish not to sign,” Trump told reporters on the sidelines of the Group of Seven summit in Canada on Monday.

    A U.S. official said Trump would not sign a draft statement from G7 leaders calling for a de-escalation of the conflict. The draft statement says Iran must never have a nuclear weapon and that Israel has the right to defend itself.

    (Reuters)

  • India, Cyprus unveil strategic roadmap, strongly condemn Pahalgam terror attack

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official visit to Cyprus concluded with the adoption of a Joint Declaration outlining a roadmap for deepened strategic cooperation between the two nations, according to a press release issued by the Prime Minister’s Office.

    The Ministry of External Affairs and the Government of Cyprus also released coordinated statements underscoring the breadth of this renewed partnership. As per the PMO release, Cyprus expressed solidarity and unwavering support to India in its fight against cross-border terrorism and strongly condemned the recent terrorist attacks in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.

    Both leaders “strongly condemned the gruesome killing of civilians in the recent heinous terrorist attacks in Pahalgam,” reiterating their zero-tolerance approach to terrorism. The press release also highlighted the shared commitment of both sides to strengthening EU-India relations.

    With Cyprus assuming the Presidency of the Council of the European Union in early 2026, both sides pledged to work towards the timely conclusion of the EU-India Free Trade Agreement by the end of 2025, calling it a move of “significant economic and strategic potential.”

    According to the release, Prime Minister Modi’s visit — the first by an Indian Prime Minister to Cyprus in over two decades — was described as a “historic milestone” that “reaffirms the deep and enduring friendship between the two nations.”The visit was seen as a celebration of a shared past and a “forward-looking partnership” rooted in strategic vision and mutual trust.

    The declaration noted that both leaders held wide-ranging discussions on bilateral, regional, and global issues, acknowledging growing cooperation in economic, technological, and people-to-people domains. Cyprus and India committed to furthering collaboration “as trusted and indispensable partners contributing to regional and global peace, prosperity, and stability.”

    The joint declaration reaffirmed both sides’ shared values–democracy, multilateralism, rule of law, and sustainable development–and their support for a rules-based international order grounded in the UN Charter and international law.

    Both leaders emphasized the importance of UNCLOS in securing freedom of navigation and maritime sovereignty. Cyprus reiterated support for India’s permanent membership in a reformed United Nations Security Council.

    Both countries agreed to coordinate closely within the UN, Commonwealth, and other international organizations, including supporting each other’s multilateral candidacies. The release also detailed the two sides’ agreement to hold regular political dialogue, led by their respective foreign ministries, and to implement a bilateral Action Plan to guide cooperation across key sectors.

    On defence and security, both nations reaffirmed their zero-tolerance approach to terrorism, condemned terrorism in all its forms, and emphasized dismantling terrorist infrastructure and financing. Cyprus expressed solidarity with India’s fight against cross-border terrorism, and the two sides emphasized accountability for perpetrators.

    Recognizing the changing global security environment, the leaders stressed the importance of enhancing strategic autonomy, cyber defence, and maritime cooperation. They agreed to explore greater naval collaboration, port calls, and joint maritime training.

    The declaration further underlined the importance of institutional cooperation in emergency preparedness and crisis response, including evacuation and Search and Rescue (SAR) efforts. On connectivity, Cyprus and India reiterated the significance of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) as a multi-nodal initiative to promote economic integration and regional stability.

    Cyprus was described as a gateway into Europe and welcomed as a hub for Indian maritime and logistics enterprises. In the areas of trade, innovation, and technology, both leaders supported expanding bilateral trade and investment.

    They called for a Cyprus-India Business Forum and supported enhanced collaboration in innovation, artificial intelligence, and digital infrastructure. The release also mentioned plans to finalize a related MoU to promote research and tech partnerships. Acknowledging people-to-people ties as a strategic pillar, the declaration confirmed efforts to finalize a Mobility Pilot Program Arrangement by the end of 2025. Both sides also agreed to improve tourism and explore direct air connectivity.

    An agreement to prepare a comprehensive 2025-2029 Action Plan to steer bilateral relations was included in the joint declaration, under the supervision of the foreign ministries of both countries. (ANI)

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Case Note 329274 [2025] NZ Priv Cmr 1 – Individual complains that government agency sent their health information to an incorrect address

    Source: Privacy Commissioner

    Background

    In 2021, a government agency mailed a client’s health information to the wrong address. The agency had the correct street but had misidentified the house number. 

    The agency had the incorrect address in its systems as the verified address for the client, because a staff member had misheard the street number they said and verified the incorrect address in the agency’s systems. The agency said it had taken steps to verify the address, and so it did not consider it had erred.

    The client was not satisfied with this response and complained to the agency. Further enquiries showed that the agency had the client’s correct address details at the time the information was sent to the wrong address but had not updated their file.

    The client asked for compensation, but the agency said it did not consider the breach had caused significant emotional harm, because the information that had been sent was “relatively generic.”

    However, the client said that their previous experiences meant that the harm of the information being sent to the wrong address was greater for them than it might have been for someone else. The client lodged an application for review of the agency’s decision. The agency was directed by the reviewer to obtain an external opinion on the emotional harm suffered by the client. This independent opinion said the breach had caused significant emotional harm and had exacerbated the client’s pre-existing conditions. Following this, the agency made a compensation offer to the client, however it miscommunicated how long the client had to consider and accept the offer. The client had lost trust in the agency by this point and was not willing to negotiate with the agency directly. 

    The client asked our Office to assist, advising that they would like to meet with the agency to discuss how the privacy breach had impacted them and to further attempt to resolve the complaint.

    The Rules Applying to this case

    This complaint raised issues under rules 5 and 8 of the Health Information Privacy Code 2020 (the Code).

    Rule 5 requires agencies that hold health information to ensure that the information is protected by reasonable safeguards to protect against loss, misuse or unauthorised 
    disclosure.  

    Rule 8 requires agencies to take reasonable steps to ensure that information is accurate, up to date, complete, relevant and not misleading before using or disclosing that information.

    OPC’s approach

    This was a case where the agency accepted it had breached its client’s privacy, but it didn’t fully understand the harm the breach had caused the client. Further, the relationship between the agency and its client had broken down, such that they weren’t able to resolve the matter between them directly. 

    We focus on resolving complaints where possible, and instead of investigating we decided to explore a settlement under section 77 of the Privacy Act. 

    Section 77 provides for the Commissioner to use best endeavours to settle the complaint without an investigation. An investigation may or may not follow if the Commissioner is unable to secure a settlement. 

    We facilitated a conciliation meeting between the agency, the client and the client’s psychologist, who attended as the client’s support person, and was able to help the client articulate the harm the privacy breach had caused them. It was clear that the breach had exacerbated pre-existing mental health conditions and caused a significant impact on the emotional state and the life of the client.

    At the meeting, the agency did a good job of hearing the complainant’s concerns. Its representatives provided the client with a heartfelt apology. The client thanked the 
    representatives and said it was the first time that they felt the agency had listened and understood how they felt. The conciliation meeting ended with both parties agreeing to settle the matter. 

    As part of this resolution, the agency agreed to pay financial compensation, that was more than twice the amount offered previously.  The agency also agreed to pay for ongoing psychological treatment to help the client to recover from the interference with their privacy.

    The matter was settled, and we closed our file. 

    Commentary

    When agencies are considering whether harm has been suffered by a complainant, it is essential that it seeks to understand the actual impact on the client, not what they think the impact should be without having lived that individual’s life experiences. What might not affect one person, can have a significant impact on another. 

    Additionally, it is critical that agencies take responsibility for errors from the outset and put things right early. In this instance, the complaint could have been resolved far earlier if the agency had accepted what had gone wrong earlier, and if it had considered the information it already had, in the form of the independent opinion about the harm the client had experienced. 

    Instead, the agency’s management of the breach and the subsequent complaint led to a further breakdown in the relationship between the parties, and this meant the matter wasn’t able to be resolved without our Office’s assistance. However, when the parties came to the conciliation with a genuine desire to hear the other and with an intention to resolve the matter and move forward, we were able to facilitate a conversation that allowed that to happen, and both sides to get closure.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Photo & Video Chronology — June 16, 2025 — Mauna Loa GPS Campaign and Kīlauea’s Growing Tephra Deposit

    Source: US Geological Survey

    USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory staff are conducting the annual Mauna Loa GPS campaign. During the survey, GPS instruments are deployed at established benchmarks so that their recorded positions can be compared with those from previous years to discern small changes in ground deformation associated with volcanic activity. Temporary GPS receivers and antennas are placed on tripods centered over benchmarks, which serve as a reference point for centering of the antenna. The equipment is left in place to collect data for a couple of days at each site. USGS photo by A. Ellis.

    Campaign, also known as ‘survey’, GPS data augment the permanent, continuously recording GPS instruments in HVO’s monitoring network. In this photo, a tripod mounted with a GPS antenna is temporarily installed over a benchmark the rim of Moku‘āweoweo, the caldera at the summit of Mauna Loa. Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park Mauna Loa Summit Cabin is visible in the background. USGS image by A. Ellis.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: USS America Arrives in Sydney

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    SYDNEY — Amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6), the flagship of the America Strike Group, arrived in Sydney, today, June 14, for a scheduled port visit. The ship carries embarked Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) and is currently conducting routine operations in the South Pacific.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: USSF INDOPACOM Brig. Gen. Mastalir visits Okinawa

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    KADENA AIR BASE, Japan — U.S. Space Force Brig. Gen. Anthony Mastalir, U.S. Space Forces Indo-Pacific commander, visited counterparts across various organizations in Okinawa, Japan, May 14, 2025, to ensure USSF assets and Guardians were postured to support U.S. joint partners.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: USS San Diego, USS Rushmore Join USS America in Sydney

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    SYDNEY — Amphibious transport dock ship USS San Diego (LPD 22), amphibious dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD 47), and embarked elements from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) arrived in Sydney, Australia, for a routine port visit while conducting operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations, June 15.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ernst Meets with Local Iowa Leaders

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA)

    RED OAK, Iowa – Over the past few weeks, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) has met with local leaders representing cities and chambers of commerce across Iowa to discuss their top priorities.
    Ernst’s discussions included the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Des Moines Partnership, the Ames Regional Economic Alliance, the Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce, the Quad Cities Chamber, and the City of Cedar Rapids.
    “Whether traveling River to River or in meetings with constituents, hearing directly from folks at home about the issues that matter most to them is essential to my efforts to bring Iowa common sense and values to Washington,” said Senator Ernst. “From my work to resolve Urbandale’s ZIP code boundary dispute and standing up for the National Guard’s 185th Air Refueling Wing in Sioux City to unleashing small business innovation as Chair of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee, I will always bring Iowans’ concerns to the highest levels.”

    Ernst meets with leaders from the City of Bondurant.
    Download photos from more of her meetings here.
    See what local leaders are saying about Ernst’s work for Iowans:
    “For 70 years, the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce has descended upon our nation’s capital to share our primary concerns, priorities, and political positions,” said Chris McGowan, President of the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce. “With this in mind, we are here this week, with over 40 Siouxland business leaders, to advocate for our tri-state community with our federal elected officials, including United States Senator Joni Ernst.”
    “Strong businesses create strong communities. The Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce met with the Iowa delegation to underscore the importance of certainty to guarantee investment in our communities,”said Molly Grover, President of the Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce. “We’re here with our community leaders from the public and private sector to advocate for a robust business climate conducive to economic job growth and development as well as a more vibrant and prosperous Dubuque.”
    “We are incredibly grateful for Senator Ernst’s support for Iowa, including to create high-quality jobs and a stable tax base,” said Hollie Zajicek, Director of the Economic Development Director for the City of Norwalk and Commissioner of the Greater Des Moines Sister Cities Commission. “I remember working with Senator Ernst years ago when she was the auditor for Montgomery County. I’m proud to say she’s the same person now that she was then; genuine, kind, hardworking, brave, and always doing the right thing for taxpayers, the great state of Iowa, and our amazing United States of America. We look forward to her continuous work to put Iowans first for many years to come.” 
    “We greatly appreciate discussing the issues that are most important to our community with Senator Ernst and her staff while in Washington, D.C.,” said Bob Andeweg, Mayor of the City of Urbandale.“The Senator has a proven track record of not only listening to our needs and concerns but taking action to address them and serve Iowans. Look no further than her work to resolve the ongoing ZIP code boundary dispute in Urbandale. She has been a leader in resolving this issue to get our residents the timely and efficient mail service they need.”
    “It was an honor to join Senator Ernst in Washington, D.C., and advocate alongside fellow Chamber leaders and city officials on key issues impacting the Des Moines region,” said Tiffany Menke, President of the Urbandale Chamber of Commerce. “For Urbandale, one of the most pressing concerns is the ZIP code boundary challenge, which affects everything from business perception to service delivery. We’re grateful for Senator Ernst’s openness to hearing our concerns and her ongoing commitment to supporting Iowa’s local economies through responsive, informed policymaking.”
    “The Partnership trip provides an opportunity for us to come together and advocate for the issues we see as most impactful to Central Iowa,” said Doug Elrod, Mayor of the City of Bondurant. “Senator Ernst takes the time to dig in and understand these, along with the specific issues which are important for Bondurant.  We feel she knows our community and has been with us along our journey. We are thankful to the Senator and her team for their service to Central Iowa and Bondurant!”
    “Meeting with Senator Ernst and her staff in Washington, DC is a critical opportunity for our members and community stakeholders to ensure their voices are heard at the highest levels,” said Dan Culhane, President and CEO of the Ames Regional Economic Alliance. “These visits strengthen our advocacy efforts and reinforce our shared priorities, which is why we place such a strong emphasis on being present and engaged in our nation’s capital.”
    “We were proud to represent Cedar Rapids in Washington, D.C. this week, meeting with members of our federal delegation and key administration officials to advocate for critical infrastructure and economic development projects,” said Tiffany O’Donnell, Mayor of the City of Cedar Rapids. “We explored targeted grant opportunities and strengthened federal partnerships to help turn today’s conversations into tomorrow’s benefits for our community. We also expressed our appreciation for Senator Ernst’s continued support in advancing important projects like our Flood Control System and 8th Avenue Bridge replacement.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ernst Names Small Business of the Week, PowerTech

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA)

    Published: June 16, 2025

    Throughout this Congress, Chair Ernst plans to recognize a small business in every one of Iowa’s 99 counties.

    RED OAK, Iowa – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Chair of the Senate Small Business Committee, today announced her Small Business of the Week: PowerTech of Pottawattamie County. Throughout the 119th Congress, Chair Ernst plans to recognize a small business in every one of Iowa’s 99 counties.
    “Josh and Cody have generated a company that delivers not just expertise, but heart,” said Chair Ernst. “From emergency response to community outreach, PowerTech provides top-tier electrical services that truly spark trust across commercial, industrial, and residential clients in Iowa. Operating out of multiple state-of-the-art facilities, they’ve become a current leader in the Council Bluffs community.”

    Download photos from Ernst’s recent visit to PowerTech here.
    Since acquiring the business in 2016, longtime friends Josh Kallsen and Cody Forristall have transformed PowerTech into one of the Midwest’s premier electrical service providers. Headquartered in Council Bluffs, the company offers 24/7 facility maintenance, generator services, emergency response, and comprehensive electrical solutions for residential, commercial, and industrial clients. In 2020, they launched Power to Give, a philanthropic initiative that supports employee volunteerism with local nonprofits – particularly those serving children and mental health causes. Through their PowerTech Cares Program, they donate electrical services to a family in need each month.
    Stay tuned as Chair Ernst recognizes more Iowa small businesses across the state with her Small Business of the Week award.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Money Market Operations as on June 16, 2025

    Source: Reserve Bank of India
    (Amount in ₹ crore, Rate in Per cent)
      Volume
    (One Leg)    		 Weighted
    Average Rate    		 Range
    A. Overnight Segment (I+II+III+IV) 6,17,545.69 5.21 2.90-6.55
         I. Call Money 15,722.23 5.30 4.75-5.35
         II. Triparty Repo 3,98,860.95 5.22 4.90-5.30
         III. Market Repo 2,01,209.51 5.16 2.90-5.50
         IV. Repo in Corporate Bond 1,753.00 5.52 5.36-6.55
    B. Term Segment      
         I. Notice Money** 113.00 5.20 5.00-5.31
         II. Term Money@@ 804.00 – 5.60-6.00
         III. Triparty Repo 3,058.00 5.34 5.25-5.35
         IV. Market Repo 1,144.84 5.55 5.50-5.55
         V. Repo in Corporate Bond 0.00 – –
      Auction Date Tenor (Days) Maturity Date Amount Current Rate /
    Cut off Rate
    C. Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF), Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) & Standing Deposit Facility (SDF)
    I. Today’s Operations
    1. Fixed Rate          
    2. Variable Rate&          
      (I) Main Operation          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
      (II) Fine Tuning Operations          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
    3. MSF# Mon, 16/06/2025 1 Tue, 17/06/2025 1,289.00 5.75
    4. SDFΔ# Mon, 16/06/2025 1 Tue, 17/06/2025 2,77,831.00 5.25
    5. Net liquidity injected from today’s operations [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*       -2,76,542.00  
    II. Outstanding Operations
    1. Fixed Rate          
    2. Variable Rate&          
      (I) Main Operation          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
      (II) Fine Tuning Operations          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
    3. MSF#          
    4. SDFΔ#          
    D. Standing Liquidity Facility (SLF) Availed from RBI$       8,471.32  
    E. Net liquidity injected from outstanding operations [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*     8,471.32  
    F. Net liquidity injected (outstanding including today’s operations) [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*     -2,68,070.68  
    G. Cash Reserves Position of Scheduled Commercial Banks
         (i) Cash balances with RBI as on June 16, 2025 9,56,885.87  
         (ii) Average daily cash reserve requirement for the fortnight ending June 27, 2025 9,54,173.00  
    H. Government of India Surplus Cash Balance Reckoned for Auction as on¥ June 16, 2025 0.00  
    I. Net durable liquidity [surplus (+)/deficit (-)] as on May 30, 2025 5,84,684.00  
    @ Based on Reserve Bank of India (RBI) / Clearing Corporation of India Limited (CCIL).
    – Not Applicable / No Transaction.
    ** Relates to uncollateralized transactions of 2 to 14 days tenor.
    @@ Relates to uncollateralized transactions of 15 days to one year tenor.
    $ Includes refinance facilities extended by RBI.
    & As per the Press Release No. 2019-2020/1900 dated February 06, 2020.
    Δ As per the Press Release No. 2022-2023/41 dated April 08, 2022.
    * Net liquidity is calculated as Repo+MSF+SLF-Reverse Repo-SDF.
    ¥ As per the Press Release No. 2014-2015/1971 dated March 19, 2015.
    # As per the Press Release No. 2023-2024/1548 dated December 27, 2023.
    Ajit Prasad          
    Deputy General Manager
    (Communications)    
    Press Release: 2025-2026/552

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: RM of BTS Becomes Samsung Art TV Global Ambassador

    Source: Samsung

    ▲ RM, a global icon and a widely respected art connoisseur, has become the official face of Samsung Art TVs. As an ambassador, he will share his commentary on artwork via Samsung Art Store, inviting users and fans to explore the world of art through his unique lens. (Photo courtesy of BIGHIT MUSIC)
     
    Samsung Electronics today announced RM of 21st century pop icons BTS as the official ambassador for Samsung Art TVs.1 The appointment is one of RM’s official activities following his highly anticipated return from mandatory military service in Korea.
     
    As a globally recognized art connoisseur, RM has made headlines for his deep appreciation of the arts, including visits to leading museums and his private collection of contemporary artwork. Now, in his role as Samsung Art TV ambassador, RM will bring his distinctive voice and passion for visual art to Samsung TV users around the world.
     
    “RM’s passion for art and culture deeply resonates with our vision to make art more accessible through technology,” said Hun Lee, Executive Vice President of the Visual Display (VD) Business at Samsung Electronics. “We’re thrilled to welcome him as the ambassador for Samsung Art TVs, and we believe his voice will inspire a new generation to explore the world of art in meaningful, personal ways.”
     

     
    Samsung Art TVs, known for their fusion of advanced display technology and artistic expression, serve as immersive platforms where art comes to life. Through Samsung Art Store2 — a subscription-based service featuring over 3,500 high-resolution artworks in 4K — users can now enjoy curated content with insights from RM himself. His personal reflections and commentary on select works will be accessible directly on Samsung Art Store, providing fans and art enthusiasts with a unique window into his aesthetic sensibilities.
     
    “As someone who finds deep inspiration and comfort in art, I’m honored to partner with Samsung to share my journey and love for visual creativity,” said RM. “Through this collaboration, I hope more people can connect with art in their everyday lives — just like I do.”
     
    As part of his new role, RM will appear at Art Basel, which is one of the world’s premier international art fairs and is held in Basel, Switzerland. There, he will host a special session to share his thoughts on contemporary art, collecting and the cultural significance of visual storytelling. Highlights from this event, including exclusive insights and behind-the-scenes moments, will be published on the Samsung Global Newsroom.
     
    RM’s partnership with Samsung Art TVs sets the stage for a new dialogue between art, technology and global pop culture. Through this collaboration, Samsung continues to elevate its commitment to making world-class art more accessible and personal — now with RM as the bridge between fans and the art world.
     
    For more information, visit www.samsung.com.
     
     
    About RM of BTS
    RM (Kim, Namjun) is a South Korean rapper, songwriter, music producer and the leader of 21st century pop icons BTS. His discography includes solo mixtapes RM (March 2015) and mono. (October 2018), as well as solo albums Indigo (December 2022) and Right Place, Wrong Person (May 2024), which showcase his remarkable versatility across genres. As a creative powerhouse and avid art enthusiast, RM is renowned for crafting profound lyrics often inspired by various art forms. His flexible and philosophical approach to music and ability to push creative boundaries with cutting-edge collaborations has led him to work with a diverse range of artists, including Erykah Badu, Anderson .Paak, Lil Nas X, HONNE, Mahalia, and more. On May 24, 2024, RM released his critically-acclaimed second solo album Right Place, Wrong Person.
     
     
    1 Samsung Art TVs include MICRO LED, The Frame, The Frame Pro, Neo QLED 8K, Neo QLED and QLED models starting from Q7F and above.
    2 Samsung Art Store is an art subscription service available on Samsung Art TVs, including The Frame, NEO QLEDs and QLEDs. Currently available in 117 countries around the world, Samsung Art Store offers over 70 partners and 3,500 artworks in 4K quality. Through Samsung Art Store, subscribers can enjoy artwork from world-class galleries and masters at home and use it to create new interior designs every day.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Secretary-General of ASEAN to participate in the 21st ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Science, Technology and Innovation (AMMSTI-21) in Jakarta

    Source: ASEAN

    At the invitation of H.E. Dr. Laksana Tri Handoko, ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Science, Technology and Innovation (AMMSTI) Chair 2025 and Chairman of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) of the Republic of Indonesia, H.E. Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN, will participate in the 21st ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Science, Technology and Innovation (AMMSTI-21), to be held in Jakarta, Indonesia, on 20 June 2025. AMMSTI Ministers are expected to adopt the ASEAN Plan of Action on Science, Technology and Innovation (APASTI) 2026–2035, a strategic milestone toward building an inclusive and future-ready regional innovation ecosystem. Anchored on the theme “Empowering ASEAN’s STI Ecosystem: National Commitments for Regional Impact,” AMMSTI will set out concrete measures to implement APASTI.
     
    SG Dr. Kao is also scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with H.E. Laksana Tri Handoko, AMMSTI Chair 2025 and Chairman of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) of the Republic of Indonesia, as well as with H.E. Dr. Renato U. Solidum, Jr., Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology of the Philippines, on the margins of the AMMSTI-21.
    The post Secretary-General of ASEAN to participate in the 21st ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Science, Technology and Innovation (AMMSTI-21) in Jakarta appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: G7 Leaders’ statement on recent developments between Israel and Iran

    Source: Government of Canada – Prime Minister

    We, the leaders of the G7, reiterate our commitment to peace and stability in the Middle East.

    In this context, we affirm that Israel has a right to defend itself. We reiterate our support for the security of Israel.

    We also affirm the importance of the protection of civilians.

    Iran is the principal source of regional instability and terror.

    We have been consistently clear that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon.

    We urge that the resolution of the Iranian crisis leads to a broader de-escalation of hostilities in the Middle East, including a ceasefire in Gaza.

    We will remain vigilant to the implications for international energy markets and stand ready to coordinate, including with like-minded partners, to safeguard market stability.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Media Advisory: Tara H. Jackson is the new Prince George’s County State’s Attorney

    Source: US State of Maryland

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    June 16, 2025

    Government Relations and Public Affairs
    187 Harry S. Truman Parkway
    Annapolis, Maryland 21401

    Media Advisory:
    Tara H. Jackson is the new Prince George’s County State’s Attorney 

    UPPER MARLBORO, Md. – Tara H. Jackson has been selected as the new State’s Attorney for Prince George’s County. Jackson succeeded Angela D. Alsobrooks, who was elected to the U.S. Senate, to serve as the Acting County Executive for Prince George’s County, Maryland. Jackson will serve as Prince George’s County State’s Attorney as Aisha Braveboy will be sworn in as county executive this week.

    Jackson’s career includes more than 20 years in the government and legal community. Jackson formerly served as Prince George’s County’s Chief Administrative Officer, beginning in December 2020. She began her career in public service as a prosecutor in the State’s Attorney’s Office, and later took on a role serving as Deputy Chief Administrative Officer (DCAO) for Government Operations under County Executive Alsobrooks.

    Jackson earned a Bachelor of Science from James Madison University, a Juris Doctor from the University of Maryland School of Law, and a Master of Divinity in Leadership Development from the Phoenix Seminary.

    Pursuant to Article V of the Maryland Constitution, the circuit court judges of Prince George’s County appointed Jackson to fill the vacancy of State’s Attorney for the remaining term.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China’s cross-border e-commerce volume to hit record 2.71 trillion yuan in 2024

    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

    SHIJIAZHUANG, June 17 (Xinhua) — China’s cross-border e-commerce volume will reach 2.71 trillion yuan (about 377.5 billion U.S. dollars) in 2024, hitting a new historical high, Cai Junwei, deputy head of the statistical analysis department of the General Administration of Customs, said Monday at the China International Economic and Trade Talks in Langfang, north China’s Hebei Province.

    According to the department, in 2024, China’s cross-border e-commerce export volume exceeded 2 trillion yuan for the first time, reaching 2.15 trillion yuan, up 16.9 percent from the previous year.

    “Since the beginning of this year, there has been a trend of steady recovery and improvement in the Chinese economy. The trade in goods has shown great resilience to external pressure, and China’s foreign trade volume in cross-border e-commerce has maintained a trend of further growth,” Cai Junwei said.

    According to him, more than 70 percent of Chinese companies express confidence that cross-border e-commerce exports and imports will remain stable or will grow further in 2025. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Rider and witnesses sought following crash on Edmund Road, Rotorua on Sunday

    Source: New Zealand Police

    Police are seeking witnesses to the events leading up to a crash on Edmund Road, Rotorua on Sunday 15 June at about 2.15pm at a designated pedestrian crossing.

    Rotorua Police is investigating after a motorcyclist overtook a stationary vehicle waiting for a pedestrian to cross, and then struck the pedestrian who was on the crossing at the time.

    The rider then performed a U-turn, rode back towards the crossing, but did not stop or check on the victim.  The rider then fled the scene.

    The 24-year-old sight and hearing-impaired victim was injured and flown to Waikato Hospital where he remains in a critical condition.

    Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Phil Wilkinson of the Rotorua Police is calling on any witnesses to come forward.

    “Police have a large team who are currently in the early stages of gathering evidence surrounding the circumstances of the crash, and what led to it happening,” he says.

    “Police have obtained CCTV footage of the motorcycle shortly after the crash showing the motorcycle turning left onto Clayton Road and travelling in the direction of Gem Street.

    “We would like the rider to do the right thing – come forward and speak to us about what happened.

    Someone will know who this rider is and police are appealing to those people to act on their conscience and contact us.

    The family of the injured man are understandably upset about this incident and are urging people to come forward.

    Police are wanting to hear from any other witnesses to the crash, and we ask them to contact us as soon as possible,” Detective Senior Sergeant Wilkinson says.

    We are appealing to anyone who recognises the motorcycle and or the rider pictured to come forward to Police online or call 105 using the file reference number 250615/1168.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Budget invests in CIT upgrades

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Our CBR is the ACT Government’s key channel to connect with Canberrans and keep you up-to-date with what’s happening in the city. Our CBR includes a monthly print edition, email newsletter and website.

    You can easily opt in or out of the newsletter subscription at any time.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for June 17, 2025

    ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on June 17, 2025.

    In view of Trump’s review of AUKUS, should Australia cancel the subs deal? We asked 5 experts
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Andrews, Senior Manager, Policy & Engagement, Australian National University Speculation is swirling around the future of the A$368 billion AUKUS agreement, following Washington’s decision to review the nuclear submarine deal to ensure it meets President Donald Trump’s “America first” agenda. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was planning

    Australians in the bush want tougher penalties on crime. Here’s why – and what’s needed now
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Caitlin Davey, Lecturer of Criminology, Griffith University New research has found that while Australians generally support strong punishments, people living in the bush are significantly more likely than city dwellers to want to punish more harshly those who break the law. It means Australians living in rural

    Judy Davis gives a singularly vivid performance in The Spare Room – but the play falls short
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Moya Costello, Adjunct Lecturer in Creative Writing, Southern Cross University Brett Boardman/Belvoir In The Spare Room, Judy Davis lights up the stage with a singularly vivid performance. Adapted by Eamon Flack from Helen Garner’s 2008 novel of the same name, Davis plays sharp-tongued Helen (or Hel) to

    US travel ban on Pacific 3 – countries have right to decide over borders, Peters says
    RNZ Pacific New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters says countries have the right to choose who enters their borders in response to reports that the Trump administration is planning to impose travel restrictions on three dozen nations, including three in the Pacific. But opposition Labour’s deputy leader Carmel Sepuloni says the foreign minister should push

    Attack on Iran’s state media – Israel bombs IRIB building in new war crime
    Pacific Media Watch Israel targeted one of the buildings of the state-run Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) in Tehran on the fourth day of attacks on Iran, interrupting a live news broadcast, reports Press TV. The attack, involving at least four bombs, struck the central building housing IRIB’s news department, while a live news

    What is ‘cognitive shuffling’ and does it really help you get to sleep? Two sleep scientists explain
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Melinda Jackson, Associate Professor at Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University Ursula Ferrara/Shutterstock If you’ve been on social media lately – perhaps scrolling in the middle of the night, when you know you shouldn’t but you just can’t sleep –

    New research shows Australians see influencers as major sources of misinformation
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sora Park, Professor of Communication, News & Media Research Centre, University of Canberra As consumption of traditional news continues to fall, audiences are turning to social media personalities and influencers for their information. These figures are increasingly shaping public debates. But Australian news audiences are sceptical. More

    Why does my phone sometimes not ring when people call? A communications expert explains
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jairo Gutierrez, Professor, Department of Computer and Information Sciences, Auckland University of Technology Tada Images There’s a certain feeling I get in the pit of my stomach when I’m waiting for an important call to come through. You know the type – maybe a call from your

    Wetland restoration is seen as sunk cost – but new research shows why it should be considered an investment
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Wei Yang, Senior Scientist in Environmental Economics, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University Shutterstock/Wirestock Creators As extreme weather intensifies globally, governments are seeking nature-based solutions that deliver both climate and economic benefits. The restoration of wetlands is an often overlooked opportunity. As our recent study shows,

    Jaws at 50: a cinematic masterpiece – and an incredible piece of propaganda
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Colin Alexander, Senior Lecturer in Political Communications, Nottingham Trent University Jaws turns 50 on June 20. Last year, Quentin Tarantino called Stephen Spielberg’s film “possibly the greatest movie ever made”. Though he was quick to add that it isn’t the best film in terms of script, cinematography

    Ancient termite poo reveals 120 million-year-old secrets of Australia’s polar forests
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alistair Evans, Professor, School of Biological Sciences, Monash University Witsawat.S/Shutterstock Imagine a lush forest with tree-ferns, their trunks capped by ribbon-like fronds. Conifers tower overhead, bearing triangular leaves almost sharp enough to pierce skin. Flowering plants are both small and rare. You’re standing in what is now

    When new dads struggle, their kids’ health can suffer. Tackling mental distress early can help
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Delyse Hutchinson, Associate Professor, Clinical Psychologist, and NHMRC Leadership Fellow, SEED Centre for Lifespan Research, School of Psychology, Deakin University D-BASE/Getty In Australia, an estimated one in ten men experience mental health issues such as anxiety and depression before and after their child is born (the perinatal

    A weird group of boronias puzzled botanists for decades. Now we’ve solved the pollination mystery
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Douglas Hilton, Chief Executive, CSIRO Andy Young Boronias, known for their showy flowers and strong scent, are a quintessential part of the Australian bush. They led Traditional Owners to the best water sources and inspired Australian children’s author and illustrator May Gibbs to pen one of her

    Some students learning English can take at least 6 years to catch up to their peers. How can we support them better?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lucy Lu, Adjunct Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Education and Social Work, University of Sydney Rawpixel/ Getty Images About one quarter of Australian school students are learning English as an additional language or dialect. This means their first language or dialect is something other than English and they

    Ice Age shelter high up in the Blue Mountains reveals Aboriginal heritage from 20,000 years ago
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Erin Wilkins, Aboriginal Cultural Educator, Trainer and Facilitator, Indigenous Knowledge Artist’s impression of Dargan Shelter as it would have looked during the last Ice Age. Painting by Leanne Watson Redpath Travel back 20,000 years into the last Ice Age, to a time when the upper reaches of

    ‘Be brave’ warning to nations against deepsea mining from UNOC
    By Laura Bergamo in Nice, France The UN Ocean Conference (UNOC) concluded today with significant progress made towards the ratification of the High Seas Treaty and a strong statement on a new plastics treaty signed by 95 governments. Once ratified, it will be the only legal tool that can create protected areas in international waters,

    Samoan fashion designer fatally shot at Salt Lake City ‘no kings’ protest
    RNZ Pacific A renowned Samoan fashion designer was fatally shot at the “No Kings” protest in Salt Lake City on Saturday, the Salt Lake City Police Department (SLCPD) has confirmed. Arthur Folasa Ah Loo, known as Afa Ah Loo, an “innocent bystander” at the protest, died despite efforts by paramedics to save his life, police

    Israelis ‘now realise’ what Palestinians and Lebanese have been suffering, says analyst
    Asia Pacific Report A Paris-based military and political analyst, Elijah Magnier, says he believes the hostilities between Israel and Iran will only get worse, but that Israeli support for the war may wane if the destruction continues. “I think it’s going to continue escalating because we are just in the first days of the war

    What is uranium enrichment and how is it used for nuclear bombs? A scientist explains
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kaitlin Cook, DECRA Fellow, Department of Nuclear Physics and Accelerator Applications, Australian National University Uranium ore. RHJPhtotos/Shutterstock Late last week, Israel targeted three of Iran’s key nuclear facilities – Natanz, Isfahan and Fordow, killing several Iranian nuclear scientists. The facilities are heavily fortified and largely underground, and

    Issa Amro: Youth Against Settlements – ‘life is very hard, the Israeli soldiers act like militia’
    RNZ News Palestinian advocate Issa Amro has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize this year for his decades of work advocating for peaceful resistance against Israel’s illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank. The settlements are illegal under international law — and a record 45 were established last year under cover of the war

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Director of Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of CPC Central Committee and Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of State Council Mr Xia Baolong to attend 5th Anniversary of Promulgation & Implementation of Hong Kong National Security Law Forum in Hong Kong

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Xia Baolong, will visit Hong Kong from June 18 to 22. He will attend the 5th Anniversary of Promulgation & Implementation of Hong Kong National Security Law Forum organised by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government. He will also take the opportunity to inspect the latest economic and social development of Hong Kong.
    ​
         The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, expressed gratitude to Mr Xia for his continued concern and support for Hong Kong. He also extended his warmest welcome to Mr Xia for visiting Hong Kong for the Forum and inspection. The HKSAR Government endeavours to support and facilitate the inspection, ensuring the smooth conduct of the visit.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Industry giants collaborating to seek to decarbonise steel

    Source: Ministers for the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science

    Overview

    • Category

      News

    • Date

      17 June 2025

    • Classification

      Renewables for industry

    The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has allocated $19.8 million in funding to the NeoSmelt project to investigate the development of Australia’s largest ironmaking electric smelting furnace pilot plant at Kwinana, Western Australia.

    NeoSmelt is a groundbreaking joint venture, combining the expertise of BlueScope, BHP, Rio Tinto, Woodside and Mitsui Iron Ore Development. ARENA funding will go towards a front-end engineering design (FEED) study for the NeoSmelt project to progress the direct reduced iron-electric smelting furnace (DRI-ESF) route for lower-emissions steelmaking.

    The DRI-ESF route is a transformative concept with the potential to overcome barriers using Australian iron ore in future lower-emissions steelmaking. Using the electric smelting furnace technology, the project aims to prove that it is possible to produce lower-carbon emission molten iron from Pilbara iron ore.

    ARENA CEO Darren Miller said to decarbonise mining and metal production in Australia, collaboration and partnership across industry is crucial.

    “Globally, the steelmaking industry makes up around eight per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, so the decarbonisation opportunity is huge,” Mr Miller said.

    “The NeoSmelt project brings together some of the world’s largest players in the mining, metals and energy industries, in a collaborative effort to reduce emissions in the sector. This represents what the energy transition is all about – working together to achieve the most efficient and effective outcome for Australia’s key export industry to transition into a lower-emissions economy.”

    “As the world’s largest producer of iron ore, Australia has an important role to play in reducing emissions across the steel value chain. We’re excited by the insights this project expects to provide. This is a positive step towards building a lower-emissions steel industry here in Australia.”

    Late last year, the Kwinana Industrial Area, south of Perth, was announced as the preferred location to develop the first of a kind pilot plant. The FEED study, to be supported by funding from ARENA, is expected to help inform a final investment decision for the pilot plant to be built.

    BlueScope Chief Executive Australia, Tania Archibald, on behalf of the joint venture said today marks a significant step forward in developing a technology for lower-carbon emissions steelmaking using Pilbara ore and we’re delighted by ARENA’s $19.8 million commitment to support the feasibility phase of this groundbreaking R&D pilot plant.

    “We also officially welcome Woodside Energy and Mitsui Iron Ore Development to the NeoSmelt joint venture, joining founding participants BlueScope, BHP and Rio Tinto. With this backing from government and industry leaders, we now have the opportunity to develop world leading technology that will have potential application across the global steel industry and provides the foundation for a future Australian lower-carbon emissions iron export industry.”

    The project builds on ARENA’s priority in low emissions metals and is being delivered under the Industrial Transformation Stream. Round 2 of the Industrial Transformation Stream is currently open to new applications and is expected to close 15 July 2025.

    For more information, including program guidelines, eligibility criteria and how to apply, visit the funding page.

    ARENA media contact:

    media@arena.gov.au

    Download this media release (PDF 151KB)

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Cultural heritage workshops boost rural revitalization, employment

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

    This photo shows pieces of the Li brocade weaved by students displayed at Hainan Minzu Technical School in Wuzhishan City, south China’s Hainan province, June 10, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    China’s intangible cultural heritage workshops are proving a powerful force for rural revitalization, with over 11,000 such workshops preserving traditional crafts, creating jobs and boosting local economies, official data shows.

    These workshops are distributed across 2,005 county-level regions, including 670 formerly impoverished counties and 135 key counties designated to receive rural revitalization assistance, and have generated employment for more than 1.2 million people in related industries.

    Notably, over 4,300 workshops operate directly in villages, providing flexible work arrangements particularly suited to elderly residents, women, and people with disabilities through home-based production and daily wage models.

    The Chinese government has actively promoted the role of intangible cultural heritage in cultural preservation and economic development. In December 2021, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and other central government departments issued a policy document specifically guiding the establishment and operation of these workshops, emphasizing talent cultivation, job creation and industrial support.

    At the local level, 18 provinces have introduced policies to certify and manage these workshops, offering funding, marketing assistance and resource coordination.

    In Zhejiang province, for example, the Xiaoshan district has paired workshops with villages. The provincial-level Xiaoshan pickled radish intangible cultural heritage workshop has connected over 40,000 farmers through contract-based production, generating an output value of 300 million yuan (about 42 million U.S. dollars) in 2024.

    As of March this year, the number of national-level intangible cultural heritage inheritors has grown to nearly 4,000.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China donates medical equipment, supplies to Ghanaian hospital

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

    Chinese Ambassador to Ghana Tong Defa (C-R) hands over a medical device to Ghana’s Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh (C-L) during a donation ceremony at Lekma Hospital in Accra, Ghana, on June 16, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    The Chinese government, through its 14th medical team to Ghana and in collaboration with the local Chinese business community, on Monday donated a range of medical equipment and supplies to Lekma Hospital in Accra, Ghana’s capital, to enhance healthcare services.

    The donation, including ultrasound devices, transducers, surgical instruments, and other medical tools, is expected to boost the hospital’s diagnostic and treatment capacity.

    Chinese Ambassador to Ghana Tong Defa described the gesture as another concrete support and action of love from the Chinese government and people to Ghana.

    “Healthcare cooperation is one of the key areas in China-Ghana relations. China is pleased to see that, through joint efforts, both sides have achieved fruitful results in epidemic prevention and control, vaccine rollout, and public health capacity building,” Tong said at the donation ceremony.

    Ghana’s Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh welcomed the donation as another shining example of the Ghana-China collaboration and “an enduring testament to the strength of our partnership.”

    Akandoh lauded the Chinese government for sending 14 medical teams to Ghana since 2009.

    As Ghana seeks to achieve universal health coverage by 2030, the minister said cooperation with China remains vital. “When we talk about herbal medicine, innovation, infrastructure, and financing facilities, it is China that comes to mind,” he said.

    Yang Yongguang, head of the 14th Chinese medical team to Ghana, said, “We stand ready to deepen the China-Ghana health cooperation through technology and resources, working hand-in-hand to forge a broad path towards health for all and shared prosperity.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Iran launches fresh missile attack on Israel

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

    Iran launched a fresh missile attack on Israel on Monday night, causing no casualties, Israeli officials said.

    The attack triggered air raid sirens in dozens of cities and communities in central and southern Israel, including Tel Aviv, according to the Israeli military.

    A security official told Xinhua that the attack included about two missiles, which were apparently intercepted or landed in open areas.

    Israel’s national rescue service Magen David Adom said there were no immediate reports of injuries or direct hits.

    The attack, announced by Iran’s state media earlier as a new wave of strikes targeting Tel Aviv and Haifa, marked the latest exchange in the ongoing aerial conflict between Israel and Iran, now in its fourth day. The escalation began with Israeli airstrikes on Iran on June 13.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Gaza internet outage ends, killings of food-seeking civilians continue

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

    Palestinians are seen in the Sudaniya area, northern Gaza City, on June 12, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    The internet outage which paralyzed humanitarian aid in Gaza has ended, but the famine threat and the killings of food-seeking Palestinians continue as fuel dips critically low, UN humanitarian said on Monday.

    The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said telecommunications cables in Gaza were repaired over the weekend, allowing internet services to resume after days of complete outage.

    The office said that the cut-off halted most aid operation communications and the ability of many Gazans to receive safety warnings and evacuation orders from the Israeli authorities.

    OCHA said communications were restored after the Israeli authorities allowed access for telecommunications company teams to repair damaged cables, following repeated denials.

    Partners reported on Monday that there was another outage in central and southern Gaza, but urgent repairs were coordinated between the repair teams and the authorities to restore connectivity.

    The humanitarian office said that attacks on civilians continued, including the reported killing and injury of people seeking food or other aid from the militarized distribution centers run by Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. Partners working on child protection say several children were temporarily separated from their families due to mass movements around the hubs. The partners are working to reduce risks for children near the depots.

    OCHA said life-saving aid must reach people in need in line with humanitarian principles, and humanitarians must be allowed to do their work. More essential supplies must be allowed to enter.

    The humanitarians said that Israeli authorities continue to deny many humanitarian movements. Seven out of 17 attempts to coordinate such movements were denied on Monday, including for trucking water and removing solid waste.

    The office said the United Nations and its partners managed on Saturday to collect nearly 100 truckloads from the Kerem Shalom/Karem Abu Salem border crossing, carrying wheat flour and other food supplies. The partners continue to send supplies to the checkpoint where the Israeli authorities are channeling the shipments.

    On Sunday, humanitarians said they were able to transport more than 50 Israeli-approved truckloads to the crossing from Israel. The payloads await clearance into Gaza.

    The office said its humanitarian partners continue to warn of the risk of famine in Gaza amid catastrophic levels of acute food insecurity. The partners provide support with whatever supplies remain available. Last week, a daily average of 200,000 meals were delivered through 44 community kitchens.

    Prices in Gaza continue to skyrocket. OCHA said that last week in Gaza City, a 25kg bag of flour was sold for 1,600 shekels (about 450 U.S. dollars) on the commercial market.

    Fuel stocks are at critically low levels. The office said more fuel is urgently needed for essential services, such as adequate water supplies. In the south of Gaza, diesel supplies are almost running out.

    “Today (Monday), Israeli authorities once again denied an attempt to coordinate the collection of some fuel supplies from Rafah,” OCHA said. “Partners are rationing the stocks they have as they continue attempting to coordinate access.”

    The office said that humanitarian, communications and banking activities may soon halt unless the supply of fuel resumes immediately or the United Nations is enabled by the Israeli authorities to retrieve available stocks from areas inside Gaza that require coordination with authorities for routes and access.

    OCHA said another continuing problem in Gaza, displacement orders, is increasing people’s shelter needs and driving further overcrowding at displacement sites. For more than 100 days, the Israeli authorities have banned the entry of any shelter materials into Gaza. The materials require frequent replenishment, as they wear out quickly or may be left behind when people are forced into another displacement.

    The UN Population Fund said pregnant mothers are living on a fraction of the food they need to survive. A growing number of mothers suffer from malnutrition, and one in three expectant mothers experiences a high-risk pregnancy at a time when half of essential maternal health medicines are no longer in stock.

    The United Nations and its humanitarian partners on Monday launched a “hyper-prioritized global appeal.” It is for 114 million people globally facing life-threatening needs due to funding cuts. OCHA said that of the 4.07 billion U.S. dollars being sought for about 3 million people in the occupied Palestinian territory, only 16 percent of it is funded.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Club World Cup: Chelsea see off LAFC in dominant fashion

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

    Chelsea kicked off its Club World Cup campaign with a comfortable 2-0 win against LAFC in a half-empty Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

    Chelsea was the better side, although LAFC looked to move the ball around against a rival that started the match with three of its four new signings on the bench.

    Liam Delap (3rd R) of Chelsea vies with Timothy Tillman (2nd R) of Los Angeles FC during the Group D match between Chelsea of England and Los Angeles FC of the United States at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 in Atlanta, the United States, June 16, 2025. (Xinhua/Xu Chang)

    Chelsea had to withstand a bright start from LAFC in a ground where there were far too many empty seats, but after around 15 minutes the Conference League champions began to get control of midfield.

    The more Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson got involved, the more danger Chelsea created, with Palmer, now wearing the number 10 shirt, curled an effort just after 20 minutes.

    Jackson was involved in the opening goal with a smart pass to Pedro Neto, who left his marker on the floor before beating Hugo Lloris with a cool finish in the 34th minute.

    LAFC had to replace Nathan Ordaz with David Martinez two minutes later after the El Salvador international suffered a knock on the head.

    Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca had said he didn’t want his side to treat the game like a friendly, but at times the pace seemed labored from both sides and Maresca was obviously thinking about keeping his players fresh when he replaced Reece James and Romeo Lavia with Malo Gusto and Enzo Fernandez at the break, while Olivier Giroud came on for LAFC against one of his former clubs.

    Jackson had a chance to double Chelsea’s lead when his goal-bound header was deflected just wide, while at the other end Denis Bouanga produced a moment of power and skill to draw a good save from Chelsea keeper Robert Sanchez in a rare attack.

    Chelsea brought Liam Delap, one of the club’s summer signings on for Jackson in the 64th minute and after Ryan Hollingshead fired over for LAFC, Delap capped his debut with an assist as he whipped in a cross for Fernandez to score from close range to secure the win.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Meeting with President Trump of the United States

    Source: Government of Italy (English)

    17 Giugno 2025

    The President of the Council of Ministers, Giorgia Meloni, had a bilateral meeting with the President of the United States, Donald Trump, today, in the margins of the G7 Summit in Kananaskis and on the eve of the session dedicated to foreign policy issues.

    The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss the most recent developments in Iran, reaffirming that it would be opportune to reopen negotiations. During the conversation, President Meloni also stressed the need at this time to work towards reaching a ceasefire in Gaza.

    Lastly, the conversation also allowed President Meloni to confirm the importance of reaching an agreement in the EU-US trade negotiations and to address the prospects for the upcoming NATO Summit in The Hague.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Arrests – Aggravated burglary – Alice Springs

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    NT Police have arrested two males in relation to an aggravated burglary and property damage incident that occurred in Alice Springs this morning.

    Around 5:30am, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre (JESCC) received reports that a licensed premises on Todd Street had been broken into. Unknown offenders had allegedly gained entry by prying off a security screen and breaking a window, before stealing alcohol and fleeing the scene.

    CCTV was obtained and active patrols of the CBD were conducted by members from Strike Force Viper and general duties officers. At 7:20am, Strike Force Viper members located and arrested a 21-year-old male on Stuart Terrace, and a short time later at 7:23am, general duties members located and arrested a 14-year-male near Sturt Terrace in East Side.

    The 14-year-old was dealt with under the provisions of the Youth Justice Act 2005.

    The 21-year-old has been charged with Aggravated burglary, Damage to property, Theft, and Recruiting child to engage in criminal activity. He was remanded in custody to appear in court on 18 June.

    Police continue to urge anyone who witnesses crime or antisocial behaviour to contact police on 131 444. In an emergency dial 000. Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Recruitment picks up as employers fill jobs faster

    Source: Jobs and Skills Australia

    Recruitment picks up as employers fill jobs faster

    Linda


    News and updates
    May 2025 sees a slight lift in the recruitment rate, well above the low point seen in October last year. Read more.

    MIL OSI News –