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  • MIL-OSI Analysis: The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives shatters the church’s century-long effort to curate its own image

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Brenton Griffin, Casual Lecturer and Tutor in History, Indigenous Studies, and Politics, Flinders University

    Hulu

    Reality TV series The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives follows a number of social media influencers from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who rose to prominence through social media, and particularly TikTok.

    The show is based in Utah, United States, where the church has its headquarters. But it stands in stark contrast with the stereotypical perception of Mormons – and especially Mormon women – the church has promoted for more than a century.

    Through its exploration of traditionally “taboo” topics such as sex, marital issues, mental illness and sexual abuse, The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives clashes against the church’s carefully curated public image.

    Historical pariahs

    Historically, the church’s practice of polygamy placed it at odds with the mainstream sexual and familial norms of 19th century America.

    Polygamy had been practised by Mormons since at least the 1830s, and was officially announced as permissible by the church in 1852. The church now acknowledges its founder, Joseph Smith, married almost 40 women and teenage girls before his death in 1844.

    When Mormon missionaries began to proselytise throughout the world, newspapers criticised the practice, and Mormons were framed as sexual deviants and racialised “pariahs”. In other words, Mormons were presented as being racially different to the rest of white American society. This claim was even supported by doctors at the time.

    1904 Time cartoon by C.J. Rudd, captioned: ‘Mormon Elder Berry – out with his six year olds, who take after their mothers.’
    KUER/Religion of a Different Color: Mormonism and the Struggle for Whiteness’ (2017) by W. Paul Reeve.

    To Mormons, however, polygamy was a reintroduction of the correct form of marriage, and they pointed to biblical prophets to justify it.

    In 1862, the US congress passed a series of laws aimed at abolishing polygamy. This resulted in the arrest of church leaders and the confiscation of church-owned funds and properties in Utah.

    Then, in the 1870s, exposés written by former Mormons (particularly women) decried polygamy as evil, increasing hostility against Mormon leaders.

    Ann Eliza Webb Young, ex-wife of Mormon prophet Brigham Young, wrote the exposé ‘Wife No. 19, Or The Story of Life in Bondage’.
    Internet Archive Open Library

    In 1890, church leader Wilford Woodruff announced in a revelation known as the Manifesto that polygamy would cease. The Manifesto was accepted by most Mormons as the government’s harassment increased. However, breakaway groups called “fundamentalists” continued the practice.

    Today, Mormon scriptures continue to state polygamy is the correct form of marriage, and will exist in the afterlife.

    The stereotypical Mormon

    Since the ending of polygamy, the church has sought to establish itself as a moral equal to mainstream Christian norms, especially sexual norms. In 1995, it released a document titled Family: A Proclamation to the World which emphasised the view that heterosexual marriage and strict gender roles are divinely ordained.

    The 1995 official Mormon document, ‘The Family: A Proclamation to the World’.
    BYU Scholar Arcive

    As the church has grown, it has presented its members as model citizens of the nations they reside in.

    In doing so, it has promoted unique doctrines and practices, such as sexual abstinence before marriage, and a particular health code called the Word of Wisdom which bars alcohol, tea, coffee and tobacco.

    These doctrines, and existing stereotypes of Mormons, are examined in The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.

    Colliding perceptions

    The 2024 release of the series caused waves in the Latter-day Saints community, with a number of Mormon-focused publications condemning it.

    Before the show was released, the church published a general statement saying media portrayals of Mormons “often rely on sensationalism and inaccuracies that do not fairly and fully reflect the lives of our Church members”. It has yet to directly comment on the show.

    Nonetheless, the representation of Mormons in The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives is problematic for the church, because it transgresses its highly curated image of Mormonism.

    As the influencers put it, there is a desire to push back against stereotypes around Mormonism, and particularly Mormon women. These stereotypes have been crystallised by the church to combat perceptions of Mormons as sexually abhorrent, due to past practices of polygamy.

    The women in the show wear clothing that would not cover “temple garments”, the mandatory Latter-day Saint undergarments which seek to impose sexual modesty.

    There is also a tongue-in-cheek acknowledgement that while the church prohibits stimulants such as tea, coffee and alcohol, Mormons within Utah and surrounds still consume other, somewhat surprising, substances. For instance, the use of ketamine in therapy is allowed when administered by a healthcare professional.

    The series also engages with topics considered taboo in the church, such as marital issues, mental health struggles and consensual sex. Even if these are being played up by the cast or producers, such discussions are lacking in broader Mormon circles.

    Importantly, there are admissions by some cast members, including one of the husbands, of being sexually abused as children. According to the cast members themselves, these disclosures are intended to empower viewers who may have had similar experiences.

    This is a powerful critique, because the Mormon church has come under intense scrutiny for its failure to properly respond to child sexual assault, both in the US and globally.

    The next steps

    The show is having a marked impact on perceptions of Mormonism, despite the church’s stance it doesn’t represent the beliefs and lifestyle of Mormons more broadly.

    For many viewers, it might be their introduction to the religion. This is concerning for adherents, and particularly for the church’s leadership.

    The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives reunion special aired earlier this month.
    Hulu

    There are internal tools the church could use against the show’s cast members, such as disciplinary councils or excommunication. But these would be ineffective since only about half the members consider themselves “faithful” Mormons.

    It’s interesting the church has yet to condemn the show. Perhaps maintaining an image of reluctant acceptance is more important, as in recent years the church has been criticised for overreach against its own members.

    In this case, the show would be an uncomfortable reality the church will just have to live with. Either way, the damage to the stereotypical Mormon image is done.

    The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives is available to stream on Disney+.

    Brenton Griffin was raised as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but is no longer a practising member of the church. His research is focused on the religion’s place in Australian and New Zealand popular culture, politics, and society from the 19th century to present.

    – ref. The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives shatters the church’s century-long effort to curate its own image – https://theconversation.com/the-secret-lives-of-mormon-wives-shatters-the-churchs-century-long-effort-to-curate-its-own-image-260418

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  • MIL-OSI Analysis: What is the Strait of Hormuz and why is it so important for global shipping?

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Belinda Clarence, Law Lecturer, RMIT University

    During the recent conflict between Iran and Israel, Iran threatened to block the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s major shipping routes.

    Would that be possible, and what effects would it have?

    The Strait of Hormuz is a choke point at the entrance to the Persian Gulf. It is used to transport about 20% of global daily oil consumption.

    Iran effectively controls this crucial shipping route because it is a coastal state bordering this narrow stretch of water. The strait is too narrow to avoid navigating waters claimed by Iran. This raises thorny legal questions about whether it is really possible for Iran to block the strait, and what recourse other states have if it does.

    This geographical reality is far from new, and the legal frameworks governing international maritime activity have developed over centuries. At its heart is the lex mercatoria — the “law of merchants” — a body of transnational commercial law that emerged organically from the practices of traders operating across borders.

    Within this broader framework sits the lex maritima, or customary maritime law, which has long adapted to the hazards of shipping across vast oceans.

    The lex maritima originated from the shared practices of seafarers and merchants. Its purpose? To manage the unpredictable nature of maritime trade that demands coherent and stable rules.

    One of the most enduring principles of this legal tradition is the idea of mare liberum, or “the free sea”, set out by Dutch jurist Hugo Grotius in 1609. He argued the high seas should remain open to all for peaceful navigation and trade. This conveniently legitimised the ambitions of European colonial powers, granting them unfettered access to global maritime routes at a time when control over sea-based trade promised immense economic and strategic advantage.

    The shifting boundaries of maritime law

    One of the most fundamental questions in maritime law is: where do a nation’s territorial waters end, and the high seas begin?

    After the second world war, a series of conferences culminated in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), where the customary 3 nautical miles (5.56km) of territorial waters states could claim as their own was extended. This narrow limit was rooted more in historical naval range – the so-called “cannon shot rule” – than in modern geopolitical or environmental realities.

    In 1959, Iran took the unusual step of unilaterally extending its territorial sea to 12 nautical miles, despite not being a party to UNCLOS. Two decades later, following the 1979 Iranian Revolution and the US Embassy hostage crisis, Washington grew increasingly anxious about the security of oil flows from the Persian Gulf. These concerns intensified during the Iran-Iraq War, especially as Iran began using small islands in the Strait of Hormuz to deploy military forces and threaten commercial shipping.

    UNCLOS and the new rules of the sea

    One of the key compromises of UNCLOS was an extension of territorial waters for states that ratified the treaty. In exchange, UNCLOS replaced the older concept of “innocent passage” – which allowed only surface navigation through territorial seas – with the broader notion of “transit passage”. Under this regime, vessels and aircraft from other states are granted the right to travel not only on the surface, but also under the sea and through the air above straits used for international navigation.

    While 169 states have ratified UNCLOS, both Iran and the United States remain notable holdouts. This means Iran does not enjoy the broader 12-nautical-mile limit recognised under UNCLOS, and the US cannot claim the agreement’s protections for transit passage through strategic choke points.

    While the geopolitical and legal tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz may seem far removed from the world of private commerce, the global economy continues to function thanks to a powerful legal tool: the contract. Contracts offer a predictable framework that allows trade across borders without parties needing to trust one another personally.

    The Strait of Hormuz is bordered by active, assertive states such as Iran, which means the potential for interstate conflict is relatively high. This doesn’t mean commercial contracts are irrelevant to the recent dispute in the Strait of Hormuz — far from it. But their influence is more indirect.

    What can be learned?

    Without significant political change in Tehran, it’s unlikely either Iran or the US will shift its position on adopting UNCLOS. Yet despite Iran’s repeated threats to close the strait, it has never followed through — and the US Navy continues to maintain a steady presence in the region. For now, a fragile but persistent equilibrium holds.

    Belinda Clarence 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. What is the Strait of Hormuz and why is it so important for global shipping? – https://theconversation.com/what-is-the-strait-of-hormuz-and-why-is-it-so-important-for-global-shipping-260920

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  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Rugby headgear can’t prevent concussion – but new materials could soften the blows over a career

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Nick Draper, Professor of Sport and Exercise Science, University of Canterbury

    The widely held view among rugby players, coaches and officials is that headgear can’t prevent concussion. If so, why wear it? It’s hot, it can block vision and hearing, and it can be uncomfortable.

    Headgear was originally designed to protect players from cuts and abrasions. But players still hope it will offer them a degree of protection against the collisions they experience in the game. Some players adopt it after previous concussions.

    We’re now seeing increasing numbers of professional players opting in. The Irish men’s team, for example, field up to five players each match sporting headgear. In Japan, it’s mandatory for juniors. And more parents in New Zealand are making their children wear it, too.

    The exact specifications for rugby match kit – boots, shorts, shoulder pads and
    headgear – are regulated through World Rugby’s Law 4 and Regulation 12. In 2019, the governing body launched a trial enabling players to wear headgear with new technical specifications in training and matches.

    The specifications have meant manufacturers can take advantage of novel “isotropic” materials that can potentially reduce the impact forces experienced by players.

    Conventional headgear is composed of soft foams that flatten when a player’s head collides with the ground or another player. As such, they can only minimally absorb those collision forces.

    Isotropic materials behave differently. They can absorb impacts from multiple directions and may offer a level of protection against the effects on a player’s head of a tackle or other collision event.

    Given these changes, and in light of recent research, we may need to change the narrative around rugby headgear: while it may not prevent concussion, it might reduce the total contact “burden” experienced by players in a game and over a whole season. And this could have benefits for long-term brain health.

    Impacts across seasons and careers

    Contact in rugby – through tackles, at the breakdown, and in scrums and lineouts – leads to players experiencing a number of collisions or “head acceleration events”. This contact is most commonly head to ground, head to body or head to head.

    By having players use “smart” mouthguards with embedded micro-accelerometers and gyroscopes to capture head movements, researchers can now measure each collision and each player’s contact load in a game – and potentially over a career.

    A player’s total contact load is found by adding together the magnitude of the impacts they experience in a game. These are measured as “peak linear accelerations” or “peak rotational accelerations”.

    While past research and media attention has focused on concussion, it has become clear the total contact burden in training and matches – the total “sub-concussive knocks” through head acceleration events – may be as important, if not more so.

    One of our own research projects involved following 40 under-16 players wearing smart mouthguards for all training and matches across one season. Peak Linear accelerations are measured as a g-force (g). Activities such as such as running, jumping and shaking the head would measure under 8g, for example, whereas heading a soccer ball might measure 31g.

    The results of our study showed the players differed greatly in their cumulative exposure over a whole season, from 300g to nearly 14,000g. These differences would be amplified further over an entire rugby career.

    Some of the variation is likely due to a player’s team position, with loose forwards having a greater burden than others. But it also seems some players just enjoy the contact aspects of the game more than others.

    Rugby is an impact sport: the Ireland and England women’s teams clash in 2025.
    Getty Images

    Potential benefits of new headgear materials

    Researcher Helen Murray at the University of Auckland has highlighted the need for more research into the burden of collisions, rather than just concussions, over a rugby career. In particular, we need to know more about its effect on future brain health.

    We hope to contribute to this by following our existing cohort of players through their careers. In the meantime, our research has examined the potential of existing rugby headgear and new isotropic materials to mitigate peak accelerations in rugby collisions.

    Using the field data collected from male and female players over the past four seasons, we have designed laboratory testing protocols to compare the conventional and newer materials.

    The results suggest the new forms of headgear do have the potential to reduce the impact burden for players.

    We found 55–90% of head acceleration events do involve direct contact with the head. As such, collision-mitigation headgear could be beneficial. And our laboratory testing produced an estimated 30% reduction in peak linear accelerations with the headgear compared to without.

    The nature of concussion is complex and related to the size of an impact as well as its direction and angle. For instance, we observed the concussions experienced by the junior players occurred between 12g and 62g – well below the male threshold of 70g requiring professional players to be removed from the field for a head injury assessment.

    Currently, it seems unlikely headgear can prevent concussion. But it does appear new headgear materials could significantly reduce the total impact burden for players during their careers. And this may help safeguard their future brain health.

    Nick Draper receives funding from the Health Research Council, Cure Kids, the Neurological Foundation, Canterbury Medical Research Foundation, Pacific Radiology Group, the Maurice and Phyllis Paykel Trust, and the UC Foundation.

    – ref. Rugby headgear can’t prevent concussion – but new materials could soften the blows over a career – https://theconversation.com/rugby-headgear-cant-prevent-concussion-but-new-materials-could-soften-the-blows-over-a-career-258912

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  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Does AI actually boost productivity? The evidence is murky

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Jon Whittle, Director, Data61, CSIRO

    Roman Samborskyi/Shutterstock

    There’s been much talk recently – especially among politicians – about productivity. And for good reason: Australia’s labour productivity growth sits at a 60-year low.

    To address this, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has convened a productivity round table next month. This will coincide with the release of an interim report from the Productivity Commission, which is looking at five pillars of reform. One of these is the role of data and digital technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI).

    This will be music to the ears of the tech and business sectors, which have been enthusiastically promoting the productivity benefits of AI. In fact, the Business Council of Australia also said last month that AI is the single greatest opportunity in a generation to lift productivity.

    But what do we really know about how AI impacts productivity?

    What is productivity?

    Put simply, productivity is how much output (goods and services) we can produce from a given amount of inputs (such as labour and raw materials). It matters because higher productivity typically translates to a higher standard of living. Productivity growth has accounted for 80% of Australia’s income growth over the past three decades.

    Productivity can be thought of as individual, organisational or national.

    Your individual productivity is how efficiently you manage your time and resources to complete tasks. How many emails can you respond to in an hour? How many products can you check for defects in a day?

    Organisational productivity is how well an organisation achieves its goals. For example, in a research organisation, how many top-quality research papers are produced?

    National productivity is the economic efficiency of a nation, often measured as gross domestic product per hour worked. It is effectively an aggregate of the other forms. But it’s notoriously difficult to track how changes in individual or organisational productivity translate into national GDP per hour worked.

    AI and individual productivity

    The nascent research examining the relationship between AI and individual productivity shows mixed results.

    A 2025 real-world study of AI and productivity involved 776 experienced product professionals at US multinational company Procter & Gamble. The study showed that individuals randomly assigned to use AI performed as well as a team of two without. A similar study in 2023 with 750 consultants from Boston Consulting Group found tasks were 18% faster with generative AI.

    A 2023 paper reported on an early generative AI system in a Fortune 500 software company used by 5,200 customer support agents. The system showed a 14% increase in the number of issues resolved per hour. For less experienced agents, productivity increased by 35%.

    But AI doesn’t always increase individual productivity.

    A survey of 2,500 professionals found generative AI actually increased workload for 77% of workers. Some 47% said they didn’t know how to unlock productivity benefits. The study points to barriers such as the need to verify and/or correct AI outputs, the need for AI upskilling, and unreasonable expectations about what AI can do.

    A recent CSIRO study examined the daily use of Microsoft 365 Copilot by 300 employees of a government organisation. While the majority self-reported productivity benefits, a sizeable minority (30%) did not. Even those workers who reported productivity improvements expected greater productivity benefits than were delivered.

    AI and organisational productivity

    It’s difficult, if not impossible, to attribute changes in an organisation’s productivity to the introduction of AI. Businesses are sensitive to many social and organisational factors, any one of which could be the reason for a change in productivity.

    Nevertheless, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has estimated the productivity benefits of traditional AI – that is, machine learning applied for an industry-specific task – to be zero to 11% at the organisational level.

    A 2024 summary paper cites independent studies showing increases in organisational productivity from AI in Germany, Italy and Taiwan.

    In contrast, a 2022 analysis of 300,000 US firms didn’t find a significant correlation between AI adoption and productivity, but did for other technologies such as robotics and cloud computing. Likely explanations are that AI hasn’t yet had an effect on many firms, or simply that it’s too hard to disentangle the impact of AI given it’s never applied in isolation.

    AI productivity increases can also sometimes be masked by additional human labour needed to train or operate AI systems. Take Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology for shops.

    Publicly launched in 2018, it was intended to reduce labour as customer purchases would be fully automated. But it reportedly relied on hiring around 1,000 workers in India for quality control. Amazon has labelled these reports “erroneous”.

    More generally, think about the unknown number (but likely millions) of people paid to label data for AI models.

    AI and national productivity

    The picture at a national level is even murkier.

    Clearly, AI hasn’t yet impacted national productivity. It can be argued that technology developments take time to affect national productivity, as companies need to figure out how to use the technology and put the necessary infrastructure and skills in place.

    However, this is not guaranteed. For example, while there is consensus that the internet led to productivity improvements, the effects of mobile phones and social media are more contested, and their impacts are more apparent in some industries (such as entertainment) than others.

    Productivity isn’t just doing things faster

    The common narrative around AI and productivity is that AI automates mundane tasks, making us faster at doing things and giving us more time for creative pursuits. This, however, is a naive view of how work happens.

    Just because you can deal with your inbox more quickly doesn’t mean you’ll spend your afternoon on the beach. The more emails you fire off, the more you’ll receive back, and the never-ending cycle continues.

    Faster isn’t always better. Sometimes, we need to slow down to be more productive. That’s when great ideas happen.

    Imagine a world in which AI isn’t simply about speeding up tasks but proactively slows us down, to give us space to be more innovative, and more productive. That’s the real untapped opportunity with AI.

    Jon Whittle works at CSIRO which receives R&D funding from a wide range of government and industry clients.

    – ref. Does AI actually boost productivity? The evidence is murky – https://theconversation.com/does-ai-actually-boost-productivity-the-evidence-is-murky-260690

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  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Does Donald Trump deserve the Nobel Peace Prize? We asked 5 experts

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Emma Shortis, Adjunct Senior Fellow, School of Global, Urban and Social Studies, RMIT University

    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally nominated United States President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize. He says the president is “forging peace as we speak, in one country, in one region after the other”.

    Trump, who has craved the award for years, sees himself as a global peacemaker in a raft of conflicts from Israel and Iran, to Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

    With the conflict in Gaza still raging, we ask five experts – could Trump be rewarded with the world’s most prestigious peace prize?

    Emma Shortis is Director of International and Security Affairs at The Australia Institute, an independent think tank.

    Jasmine-Kim Westendorf has received funding from the Australian Research Council.

    Shahram Akbarzadeh receives funding from Australia Research Council.

    Ali Mamouri and Ian Parmeter 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. Does Donald Trump deserve the Nobel Peace Prize? We asked 5 experts – https://theconversation.com/does-donald-trump-deserve-the-nobel-peace-prize-we-asked-5-experts-260801

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  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Trump is aiming to silence public media in the US – and if he succeeds, his supporters here will take note

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Bruce Wolpe, Non-resident Senior Fellow, United States Study Centre, University of Sydney

    The ABC dodged a bullet in the Australian election. The Albanese government supports the ABC. In the United States, however, the 2024 presidential election severely wounded public media in America.

    Fresh from his decisive victory in Congress – passage of the One Big Beautiful bill that locks in the legislation to prosecute Trump’s domestic policy agenda – Trump is demanding Congress cancel funding for public media, the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) and National Public Radio (NPR). Hardliners in the US House of Representatives have already voted to end all federal funding for public media. The Senate will vote on this issue in mid-July.

    We have tale of two vital and powerful media institutions in Australia and the US. What happens over there can affect what happens here.

    Towards the end of Australia’s election campaign, Peter Dutton, then leader of the Liberal Party, opened up on the ABC. He looped in The Guardian for good measure. And he implied other media deserved his words:

    Forget about what you have been told by the ABC, The Guardian and the other hate media.

    Dutton’s words embellished previous policies under Coalition governments, with budget cuts to the ABC of over $500 million, and several inquiries into the degree of ABC’s neutrality and objectivity in its coverage of news and current affairs.



    Read more:
    Peter Dutton calling the ABC and the Guardian ‘hate media’ rings alarm bells for democracy

    Kim Williams, chair of the ABC, said the network would “perform well” under any scrutiny from a Dutton government. Dutton himself, shortly before the election, demanded the ABC show “excellence” in order to prove to taxpayers that its almost $1.2 billion annual budget was justified.

    The Coalition’s defeat aided the ABC’s victory in its longstanding quest for financial stability and future growth. The ABC can continue to build on the commitments established by the Albanese Labor government in 2023 – even though there are choppy waters for the ABC as its new leadership makes programming and staffing decisions for the years ahead.

    With a new Coalition shadow cabinet in place, we will see as future budgets play out whether they have changed their tune on their approach to the ABC.

    We will see how both the government and the Coalition react to Kim Williams’ powerful case he recently presented for “more investment for much-needed renewal” in the ABC.

    Public media in Trump’s America

    In America today, public media are facing Trump’s wrath.

    Trump’s hatred of mainstream media is legendary. For the past decade, Trump has called the major media outlets the “enemy of the people” – the same label that Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin used against those who dared to oppose him.

    In his second term, Trump is engaged in aggressive muscling of the enemies he sees in the media. The Associated Press is barred from the pool of journalists covering the president. Trump has silenced the Voice of America. The US ABC and CBS television networks have both settled lawsuits filed by Trump to seek damages for their broadcast coverage of him and the 2024 presidential campaign. The price to help avoid regulatory punishment by the government of those two networks: $US16 million (A$24.5 million) each.

    For a country that established freedom of the press under its Constitution, Trump’s attacks on news media are an ongoing assault on America’s democracy.

    Trump’s attacks on PBS and NPR show the existential threat they face.

    In 1967, Congress established and funded the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to bring to life public television and radio across America. Money from CPB supports the stations. The stations contract with PBS and NPR to help produce the programming they air, from the PBS NewsHour, Frontline and Sesame Street on PBS to Morning Edition and All Things Considered on NPR – and much more.

    Trump holds the same sentiment that Dutton expressed against the ABC – that the public broadcasters are biased toward the “extreme woke Marxist left”. Trump wrote on Truth Social that:

    Jim Jordan of Ohio, one of the most influential Republican leaders in the House of Representatives, was in-your-face direct on the case against public media:

    This bill’s real simple. Don’t spend money on stupid things, and don’t subsidize biased media.

    In late April, Trump ordered the firing of three of CPB’s five directors. On May 1, Trump issued an executive order that will savage public media’s existence:

    At the very least, Americans have the right to expect that if their tax dollars fund public broadcasting at all, they fund only fair, accurate, unbiased, and nonpartisan news coverage […] The CPB fails to abide by these principles to the extent it subsidizes NPR and PBS.“

    Public media has filed red-hot lawsuits against Trump and his officials for crushing the First Amendment free-speech rights of public televion and radio stations, and for cancelling funds appropriated by Congress. The court rulings in these cases will be crucial to the outcome.

    The last near-fatal threat to public broadcasting was in 1981, when President Ronald Reagan sought Congress’ approval to decimate its funding. Under Reagan conservatism, media belong in the private sector. The conservative’s political bias against public broadcasting framed the push to cancel government funding.

    But Congress rose up successfully against the Reagan cuts – led not only by Democrats but with Senate Republicans from rural states who understood how important public broadcasting was to their communities. Their budgets were trimmed, but PBS and NPR were not decapitated.

    Lessons for the ABC

    The same is true here: ABC stations in country areas are similarly held in high regard.

    The cuts to public media passed the US House by one vote on June 12.

    The Senate will vote in the coming days. We will see if some Senate Republicans who voted against Trump’s One Big Beautiful bill last week will stand up again and vote to buck Trump on this issue and protect public media in their states.

    If Trump succeeds in silencing public media in America, the Trump echo chamber in Australia will take note. Some hard conservatives in Canberra and the Murdoch media will likely leverage Congress’ approval of Trump’s order that PBS and NPR be punished for their left-wing bias and that public media should become the province of the private sector. Defunding public media in the US will sustain the sentiment that one day, under a future government here, the scythe will be wielded at the ABC.

    If the US Senate supports Trump, the fight for the ABC in Australia – not just over money, but over its role, responsibilities and standing in Australia – may not be over.

    Bruce Wolpe is a (non-resident) Senior Fellow at the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney. The views expressed herein are his own. Wolpe served on the staff of Prime Minister Julia Gillard. He worked on the Democratic staff in Congress on public broadcasting issues and was an executive with NPR. He is the author of two books on Trump and Australia.

    – ref. Trump is aiming to silence public media in the US – and if he succeeds, his supporters here will take note – https://theconversation.com/trump-is-aiming-to-silence-public-media-in-the-us-and-if-he-succeeds-his-supporters-here-will-take-note-260584

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  • MIL-OSI China: China section of China-Russia east-route natural gas pipeline transports over 100 bln cubic meters

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

    China section of China-Russia east-route natural gas pipeline transports over 100 bln cubic meters

    Updated: July 11, 2025 08:39 Xinhua
    Engineers check facilities at a gas transmission pipeline station in Heihe, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, July 9, 2025. As of July 10, the cumulative gas transmission volume of the China-Russia east-route natural gas pipeline’s China section has surpassed 100 billion cubic meters. The pipeline’s China section begins in Heihe, a city in the country’s northeast bordering Russia, and transports natural gas from Siberia all the way south to Shanghai, China’s economic and financial hub. [Photo/Xinhua]
    This photo taken on July 9, 2025 shows a view of a gas transmission pipeline station in Heihe, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province. [Photo/Xinhua]

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  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese FM dubs country dependable partner for ASEAN to address challenges

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

    KUALA LUMPUR, July 10 — China has always been the most reliable stabilizing force in a turbulent world and the most dependable partner for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) members to address challenges, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said here on Thursday.

    Noting that China and ASEAN share similar development concepts, common demands and integrated interests, Wang said when attending the China-ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held here that China regards ASEAN as a priority direction for neighborhood diplomacy and a pioneer area for promoting the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

    “We should support and achieve success for each other in promoting the modernization process of Asia,” said Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.

    Wang briefed the achievements of China-ASEAN cooperation and put forward four proposals.

    Firstly, to be a model in defending international fairness and justice. Wang said that China and ASEAN must resolutely safeguard the global system with the United Nations at its core and the international order based on international law.

    China supports ASEAN’s central position in the regional architecture and its greater role in regional and international affairs. China is willing to work with ASEAN countries to practice open regionalism and true multilateralism and make greater contributions to regional and global governance.

    Secondly, to be a model for maintaining regional peace and stability. Wang said that the peace and stability in the region are extremely precious and should be firmly safeguarded, and geopolitical conflicts or bloc confrontations should not be introduced into Asia, adding that China is willing to take the lead in signing the Protocol to the Treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone.

    Wang said that the South China Sea is the common home of regional countries, rather than a “gladiatorial arena” for major powers, and China is willing to expand cooperation with ASEAN countries in areas such as marine environmental protection, navigation safety, maritime law enforcement and key marine infrastructure, and fully implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, advance consultations on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, and always keep the initiative on the South China Sea issue in our own hands.

    Thirdly, to set an example of conducting mutually beneficial and win-win cooperation. Wang said that China is willing to work with ASEAN to build the Version 3.0 China-ASEAN Free Trade Area, implement the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement to a high quality, and create a high-level free trade network.

    China is willing to continue to take the high-quality Belt and Road cooperation as the main platform, strengthen connectivity and cooperation in production and supply chains with ASEAN, and create highlights of cooperation in areas such as artificial intelligence, digital transformation and clean energy.

    China speaks highly of ASEAN’s firm commitment to free trade and the multilateral trading system and believes that it is necessary to resolve economic and trade differences through equal dialogue and mutual benefit, safeguard own dignity and the bottom line of principles, and must not do so at the expense of the interests of third parties, Wang said.

    Fourthly, to set an example for promoting inclusiveness and mutual learning. China is willing to continue to advocate dialogue, exchanges and mutual learning among different civilizations with ASEAN countries, Wang said, adding that both sides should jointly well organize the “Year of People-to-People Exchange,” enhance exchanges in education, youth, think tanks, media and other fields, take concrete actions to implement the Global Civilization Initiative, and promote mutual understanding, friendship and integration among the people.

    The participating countries said that China-ASEAN cooperation is the most dynamic and fruitful. China has always been one of the most important dialogue partners of ASEAN, expressing gratitude to China for its support of ASEAN’s central position.

    They said that they are willing to accelerate the alignment of development strategies with China, cooperate under the Belt and Road Initiative at a high quality, deepen all-round cooperation in trade, investment, connectivity, digital transformation, clean energy and transnational crime, and look forward to the signing of the ASEAN-China free trade area 3.0 protocol within this year to continuously promote regional economic integration.

    Appreciating China’s willingness to take the lead in signing the Protocol to the Treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone, they said they look forward to the early conclusion of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea by all parties.

    They also said that they are willing to work with China to safeguard multilateralism and the multilateral trading system and jointly address global challenges, further strengthen unity and cooperation with China, jointly advance the modernization process in Asia, and promote regional peace, stability and prosperity.

    During the meeting, Wang also met with foreign ministers of relevant countries.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Cruising event held in Qingdao to celebrate 20th anniv. of establishment of Maritime Day of China

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

    Cruising event held in Qingdao to celebrate 20th anniv. of establishment of Maritime Day of China

    Updated: July 11, 2025 09:09 Xinhua
    An aerial drone photo taken on July 10, 2025 shows yachts and sailboats participating in a sea cruising event in Laolong Bay area in Qingdao, east China’s Shandong Province. A sea cruising event was held in the coastal city of Qingdao on Thursday to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Maritime Day of China and the 620th anniversary of Chinese explorer Zheng He’s maritime voyages. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A drone photo taken on July 10, 2025 shows citizens and tourists participating in a sea cruising event in Laolong Bay area in Qingdao, east China’s Shandong Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
    An aerial drone photo taken on July 10, 2025 shows yachts and sailboats participating in a sea cruising event in Laolong Bay area in Qingdao, east China’s Shandong Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A drone photo taken on July 10, 2025 shows citizens and tourists participating in a sea cruising event near Xiaomai Island in Qingdao, east China’s Shandong Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A drone photo taken on July 10, 2025 shows citizens and tourists participating in a sea cruising event in Laolong Bay area in Qingdao, east China’s Shandong Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
    An aerial drone photo taken on July 10, 2025 shows yachts and sailboats participating in a sea cruising event in Laolong Bay area in Qingdao, east China’s Shandong Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
    An aerial drone photo taken on July 10, 2025 shows motorboats participating in a sea cruising event in Laolong Bay area in Qingdao, east China’s Shandong Province. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China Soong Ching Ling Foundation hosts Silk Road-themed summer camp

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

    More than 80 young people and representatives from 12 countries gathered in Beijing on July 7 for the launch of the “Youth Development for a Shared Future” Summer Camp, organized by the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation (CSCLF).

    The seven-day event brings together participants from Armenia, Gambia, Malaysia, Mongolia, Oman, the Philippines, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, Spain, Thailand and Uzbekistan to experience Chinese culture.

    Participants pose for a group photo at the launch of the “Youth Development for a Shared Future” Summer Camp organized by the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation in Beijing, July 7, 2025. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

    CSCLF Vice Chairperson Zhang Jiming said the event aims to create a platform for youth from different countries to engage, enhance understanding and friendship, and promote unity and cooperation. 

    He expressed hope that the participants will strengthen their appreciation of the richness of different civilizations, uphold the spirit of the Silk Road, and contribute to building a global community of shared future.

    China Soong Ching Ling Foundation Vice Chairperson Zhang Jiming delivers a speech at the launch event of the “Youth Development for a Shared Future” Summer Camp in Beijing, July 7, 2025. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

    During the opening ceremony, students from several countries introduced themselves and thanked the foundation for the opportunity.

    They said the camp is a valuable way to learn more about Chinese culture, wisdom and heritage, and they looked forward to building lasting friendships.

    The summer camp runs from July 6 to 12 and features visits and cultural exchanges in Beijing and Shaanxi province, an area with historical significance to the ancient Silk Road.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Police appeal for information following vehicle break-ins in Rolleston

    Source: New Zealand Police

    Rolleston Police investigating a series of vehicle break-ins in the community are appealing for information from the public.

    Senior Constable Matt Barraclough says Police are aware of multiple reports of vehicles having been allegedly broken into in the early hours of Monday 8 July and Friday 11 July.

    “These have occurred in the Arbor Green, Harrison Drive, Marcoola Crescent, and Brenley Drive areas.”

    Police are appealing for any information in relation to these incidents including CCTV or dashcam footage in the surrounding areas.

    “Specifically, we would like to hear from anyone who may have seen a person riding a scooter in the Brenley Drive, Marcoola Crescent, and Harrison Drive areas at around 4am on Friday.”

    To ensure their vehicle is not targeted, Police would like to remind the public to lock their vehicles, park in off-street parking or in a well-lit area, remove any valuables that may attract thieves, invest in a steering lock or wheel clamp, and install cameras around and in their vehicle.

    If you have any information that may assist us in our enquiries, please contact Police online at 105.police.govt.nz, clicking “Update Report” or call 105.

    Please use the reference number 250711/3587.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Appointments to SCOLAR announced

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    The Education Bureau (EDB) today (July 11) announced the reappointment of Dr Anissa Chan Wong Lai-kuen as the Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Language Education and Research (SCOLAR) for two years with effect from July 1, 2025.
                     
    The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, said, “Under Dr Chan’s outstanding leadership over the past four years, SCOLAR continues to collaborate with various stakeholders to organise and support a wide range of activities promoting biliteracy and trilingualism. These efforts are dedicated to enhancing local language strengths at various levels of the community, developing Hong Kong’s language and talent capital, and creating a more conducive language learning environment for the community. “

    The EDB also reappointed eight serving members and appointed four new members to SCOLAR, with their terms ending on June 30, 2027.

    Dr Choi also thanked the outgoing members, Ms Joanne Fong Yee-man, Professor Anthony Fung Ying-him, Mr Armstrong Lee Hon-cheung, and Dr Tse Wai-lok, for their sterling service and contributions to the work of SCOLAR.
          
    “The Government will continue to work closely with SCOLAR to create and cultivate an environment conducive to language learning, with a view to enhancing the public’s biliterate and trilingual proficiency,” she said.

    The updated membership list of SCOLAR is as follows:
     
    Chairperson
    —————
    Dr Anissa Chan Wong Lai-kuen
     

    Reappointed members
    —————————-
    Mr Kenny Chan Ngai-sang
    Ms Katherine Cheung Marn-kay
    Ms Cheung Shin-yee
    Mrs Cindy Chow Lok Mei-ki
    Mr Mohan Datwani
    Professor Lo Yuen-yi
    Mr Pang Chor-fu
    Professor Zhu Xin-hua

    Newly appointed members 
    ———————————-
    Ms Ip Wan-ting, Belinda
    Ms Lam Chui-ling, Nancy
    Mr Kenneth Ng King-tsun
    Professor Tam Kar-yan

    Ex-officio members
    ————————
    Deputy Secretary for Education
    Chairperson of Curriculum Development Council’s Committee on Chinese Language Education
    Chairperson of Curriculum Development Council’s Committee on English Language Education
    Chairperson of Curriculum Development Council’s Committee on Early Childhood Education
    Chairperson of the Committee on Professional Development of Teachers and Principals
    Secretary-General of Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority or representative
     
    SCOLAR was set up in 1996 to advise the Government on language education issues in general and on the use of the Language Fund.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Crapo, Risch Introduce Bill to Ban Radical Gender Ideology in Schools

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Idaho Mike Crapo

    Washington, D.C.–U.S. Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) joined U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho) to introduce the Say No to Indoctrination Act to codify President Trump’s executive order preventing taxpayer dollars from funding radical gender ideology in K-12 schools.

    “Children should not be radicalized, indoctrinated or taught gender ideology in public elementary or secondary schools funded by federal tax dollars,” Crapo said.  “This legislation places commonsense guardrails around the use of these dollars in public education, which will ensure schools are providing foundational instruction in subjects like mathematics and reading rather than divisive concepts of gender ideology.”

    “Schools should prepare our children for the future, not promote radical gender ideology,” said Risch.  “The Say No to Indoctrination Act puts an end to woke education practices in K-12 schools and makes President Trump’s commonsense policy permanent.”

    The bill is also cosponsored by U.S. Senators Ted Budd (R-North Carolina), Josh Hawley (R-Missouri), Roger Marshall (R-Kansas), Eric Schmitt (R-Missouri) and Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama).  It has received support from Concerned Women for America and American Principles Project.

    “For far too long, radical left-wing ideology has preyed on K-12 students in our nation’s school systems.  It’s high time we put a stop to these woke lesson plans that take advantage of children and undermine parental rights,” said Budd.  “I am proud to join Senator Risch and my colleagues to prevent taxpayer dollars from funding public schools that teach gender ideology.” 

    “As American students lag behind globally in math, reading and writing, the last thing our taxpayer-funded teachers and schools should be doing is teaching radical leftist nonsense like so-called gender theory,” said Marshall.  “I’m proud to support this legislation to codify President Trump’s executive order, and ensure our children’s education is focused on meaningful, future-ready skills, not woke ideology.”

    “Parents send their kids to school to learn the skills they need to succeed later in life, not to be indoctrinated with radical gender ideology.  There are only two genders—male and female, and not a single penny of federal funds should go to schools that teach anything different,” said Schmitt.

    “Our children go to school to be educated, not indoctrinated,” said Tuberville.  “I’ve always said that education is the key to unlocking opportunity.  But under Joe Biden, Democrats turned our children’s classrooms into woke propaganda HQ.  Schools should focus on teaching kids to read, write and do math.  I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing the Say No to Indoctrination Act to get woke politics out of the classroom.”

    The Say No to Indoctrination Act codifies the Executive Order President Trump issued on January 20, 2025, declaring that no taxpayer dollars be sent to K-12 schools that teach or promote radical gender ideology.

    Full text of the legislation is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Crapo: Jonathan Gould Ready to Lead the OCC

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Idaho Mike Crapo

    Washington, D.C.–U.S. Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Finance Committee and former Chairman of the U.S. Senate Banking Committee, congratulated Jonathan Gould on his confirmation to be the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) by a vote of 50-45.

    “Jonathan’s extensive background, including his firsthand experience at the OCC, means he’ll be ready to hit the ground running as Comptroller.  I am confident in his ability to carry out the agency’s critical mission to ensure the safety and soundness of our banking system, and to ensure banks provide fair access to financial services.  He has the experience, quality of character and demeanor to be an effective leader of the agency, and I look forward to working with him in this new role.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Advocacy – PSNA condemns the New Zealand government’s silence over US sanctions against United Nations Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese

    Source: Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa (PSNA)

     The Palestine Solidarity Network has just demanded that the government speak out against the US sanctions imposed on United Nations Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese.

    Albanese released a damning report identifying companies complicit in Israel’s mass killing and mass starvation of civilians in Gaza, provoking the US to sanction her.

     

    PSNA Co-Chair Maher Nazzal says it is unacceptable for the US to bully the UN and for New Zealand to stay silent.

     

    “Anyone who stands up for Palestinians is attacked and menaced by the US.  New Zealand claims to support the United Nations and the so-called ‘rules-based international order’ but we stay cowardly mute when the Trump administration does Israel’s bidding and attacks United Nations representatives and UN agencies such as the United Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).”

    “New Zealand’s silence is eerily reminiscent of western silence as the Nazi regime in 1930s Germany targeted Jews, socialists, communists, gays, and gypsies, and took over country by country through Europe.” 

    “New Zealanders are calling on the government to sanction Israel, but our government remains cowardly complicit” says Nazzal. “Our silence represents the weakest and worst of human nature.”


    “Silence is what empowers racism, genocide and imperial thuggery as personified in US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio’s attack on Albanese.

     

    PSNA, last week, referred four New Zealand government ministers and two business leaders to the International Criminal Court for investigation over their criminal support for Israeli war crimes in Gaza.


    Maher Nazzal

    Co-Chair 

    Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa (PSNA)

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Arts – Applications open for NZSA Peter & Dianne Beatson Fellowship 2025 – A $10,000 Opportunity for Writers

    Source: New Zealand Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi o Aotearoa PEN NZ Inc

    Calling for applications from writers of fiction, non-fiction, poetry and drama with a literary track record, who are currently working on a new project.

    The Peter and Dianne Beatson Fellowship is awarded each year to a mid-career or senior writer to work on a project that shows a high level of literary merit and national significance and is donated by Peter Beatson. We thank Peter for his continuing and generous support of New Zealand writers.

    In 2024, the fellowship was awarded to Dr Jacqueline Leckie, who used the funding to work on her biography with the working title Meg Campbell (1937–2007): Aroha and Resistance.

    Dr Jacqueline Leckie told us she was honoured to be the recipient of the 2024 Peter and Dianne Beatson Fellowship and the Fellowship would enable her to research and write the first book length biography of one of Aotearoa’s most original and memorable poets, Meg Campbell (1937–2007), provisionally titled ‘Meg Campbell (1937–2007): Aroha and Resistance.’ Meg’s story has remained within the shadows of her renowned creative husband, Alistair Te Ariki Campbell.

    Other previous recipients include: Laurence Fearnley, Tim Jones, Siobhan Harvey, Whiti Hereaka, Emma Neale, Michael Harlow, Tina Makereti, Jillian Sullivan, Sue Wootton, and Frankie McMillan.

    Deadline for applications: Thursday 18 September 2025

    To apply for the fellowship you need to be a member of the NZ Society of Authors (PEN NZ Inc). Membership is open to all developing and established writers.
    New Zealand Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi O Aotearoa (PEN NZ Inc) was established in 1934 and is the principal organisation representing writers’ interests in NZ. A national office oversees 8 branches and hubs, administers prizes and awards, runs professional development programmes, advocates for the sector and to raise the visibility of NZ writers and NZ writing. It works in partnership with Ngā Kaituhi Māori and its developing Youth writer’s network.

    To find out more and to access application forms: https://authors.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=905a5275ec5c023659502ec21&id=920fd027ce&e=466373ae7c

    The New Zealand Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi o Aotearoa PEN NZ Inc is the principal organisation representing writers in Aotearoa. Founded in 1934, it advocates for the right to fair reward and creative rights, administers prizes and awards, works closely with the literary sector and runs professional development programmes for writers among other activities.
    authors.org.nz

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Accommodation support for Tasman and Nelson

    Source: New Zealand Government

    The Government’s Temporary Accommodation Service has been activated today to support people affected by severe weather in the Tasman and Nelson Region, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says.

    The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s (MBIE) Temporary Accommodation Service is accepting registrations from displaced residents in Tasman and Nelson who need assistance finding temporary accommodation.

    “With further rainfall expected, it’s essential people are swiftly supported into secure temporary accommodation, whether that be hotels, motels or otherwise.

    “MBIE is working closely with Civil Defence Emergency Management, the National Emergency Management Agency, local councils, and the Ministry of Social Development to ensure a seamless transition for people in need to access safe, appropriate accommodation,” Mr Potaka says.

    “Agencies are also working together to provide wrap-around support including social services, mental health support, financial support and others.”

    MBIE has a responsibility to coordinate temporary accommodation following an emergency, as per the National Civil Defence Emergency Management Plan Order 2015.

    People affected by the Tasman and Nelson severe weather who have a current, or expected future need for temporary accommodation, are encouraged to register via the TAS website: www.tas.mbie.govt.nz or email: TemporaryAccommServ@mbie.govt.nz or phone 0508 754 163.

    Note to editor:

    As TAS has only been taking registrations for a short time, it is too early to confirm numbers at this stage.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Be safe on top of the South roads

    Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

    With weather warnings for the top of the South Island escalated, local drivers are being urged to keep a close eye on road and weather conditions.

    The Metservice has issued a Red Heavy Rain Warning for Tasman district about and southeast of Motueka and north of Lake Rotoroa.

    Orange Heavy Rain Warnings are also in force for Tasman District northwest of Motueka, Nelson, and Marlborough northwest of the Awatere Valley.

    This weather will affect:

    • State Highway 60 – Richmond to Collingwood
    • State Highway 6 – Nelson to Murchison
    • State Highway 6 – Nelson to Blenheim
    • State Highway 1 – Picton to Seddon
    • State Highway 63 – Renwick to Kawatiri Junction

    Emma Speight, Director Regional Relationships says Red Warnings must be taken seriously.

    “There is no room for complacency. Keep an eye on the weather and avoid unnecessary travel. If you’re in a safe place, stay there and don’t put yourself at risk by driving on flooded roads.”

    “It’s also about reducing danger to others too. Respect and obey any road closures that are in place. They are there to keep people safe. Ignoring them not only risks your own safety, but also that of anyone who may be called on to help rescue you,” Ms Speight says.

    She also asks people to avoid driving through floodwaters.

    “Flood waters can obscure hidden dangers. You just don’t know what is below the surface.”

    “Also, driving through flooded areas creates bow waves that can cause more damage to homes and properties. Please, don’t do this,” Ms Speight says.

    Contractors are on call and ready to respond to events as they arise and will do their best to keep state highways open.

    However, Ms Speight says safety is the priority.

    “We are keeping a close eye on areas that suffered damage over the past two weeks – SH6 Kohatu to Kawatiri, SH63 Renwick to Saint Arnaud, and SH6 Rocks Road.”

    “If public safety is at risk, roads will be closed. This is why it is critical people keep a close eye on road and weather conditions, and Civil Defence updates. Make sure you know what is happening and how it may affect you,” Ms Speight says.

    More Information:

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: 21st Iteration of Pacific Partnership Prepares for Indo-Pacific Mission Aboard USS Pearl Harbor

    Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

    JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii – Pacific Partnership 2025 (PP-25) officially kicks off with the arrival of the Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52) at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, led by Rear Admiral Todd F. Cimicata, U.S. Pacific Fleet Executive Agent for Pacific Partnership, and the mission commander, U.S. Navy Captain Mark B. Stefanik.

    The PP-25 team, embarked aboard the Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52), arrived at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam to make final preparations ahead of its upcoming port visits throughout the Indo-Pacific region. The PP-25 team will conduct medical exchanges, engineering projects, community outreach, and disaster preparedness engagements with host nation partners.

    “Pacific Partnership is a testament to what we can achieve together,” said Cimicata. “By working alongside our allies and partners, we strengthen regional capacity and resilience and lay the foundation for a collective response to crises. It’s about preparing in calm to respond in crisis.”

    This year’s PP-25 mission will include mission stops in Papua New Guinea, Federated States of Micronesia, Palau, Samoa, and Vanuatu. Prior to the USS Pearl Harbor’s departure, separate fly-in missions were conducted in the Philippines, Fiji, and Tonga in June.

    “This enduring mission provides us the opportunity to build on our relationships, share expertise, and learn from one another,” said Stefanik. “Our shared experiences help create more resilient communities, and I’m proud to lead a team committed to strengthening partnerships across the Indo-Pacific.”

    Pacific Partnership brings together more than 1,500 personnel from the United States and participating nations including Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Singapore, and the United Kingdom. Activities will include engineering projects at schools and clinics, medical subject matter expert exchanges, and performances by the Pacific Partnership Band, composed of musicians from the U.S. Pacific Fleet and partner nations.

    The mission team will work alongside allies and partners to strengthen relationships, bolster host nation capacity to provide essential humanitarian services, and support efforts to reduce the risk of, prepare for, and respond to disasters.

    Every day, the U.S. Pacific Fleet operates to protect the security, freedom, and prosperity for the U.S. and our allies and partners. The U.S. Pacific Fleet continues to advance a shared vision, alongside our allies and partners, of a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific.

    Now in its 21st iteration, the Pacific Partnership series is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster management preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. Pacific Partnership works collaboratively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security and stability in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships in the Indo-Pacific.

    For updates and multimedia from Pacific Partnership 2025, follow #PacificPartnership, #PP25, and #PacificPartnership25 on social media or visit: https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/PacificPartnership

    Date Taken: 07.09.2025
    Date Posted: 07.10.2025 20:57
    Story ID: 542493
    Location: JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, HAWAII, US
    Web Views: 3
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    PUBLIC DOMAIN  

    This work, 21st Iteration of Pacific Partnership Prepares for Indo-Pacific Mission Aboard USS Pearl Harbor, by LCDR Andrew Bertucci, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Reed Rips Trump’s Reckless Tariff Threat Against Brazil That Would Raise Costs for Americans to Help Trump’s Political Ally on Trial in Brazil

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed
    WASHINGTON, DC – After President Trump threatened Brazil – a significant U.S. trading partner that does $92 billion in trade with American companies annually and with which the U.S. has a trade surplus — with a 50 percent tariff rate and linked the levy in large part to the prosecution of disgraced former Brazilian president and Trump ally Jair Bolsonaro, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) strongly condemned Trump’s move, stating:
    “President Trump’s chaotic tariffs are recklessly raising costs for Americans, putting the U.S. economy at risk, and sending a dangerous signal that he will put his own personal grievances ahead of America’s economic interests.  Let’s be clear: Trump is threatening to financially harm millions of Americans in order to benefit one disgraced foreign radical who is charged with corruption.  President Trump lacks the legal authority for this partisan gambit, which would damage U.S. interests and only serve to drive Brazil into the arms of adversaries like China.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: July 10th, 2025 N.M. Delegation Welcomes Emergency Declaration for Ruidoso Flooding, Maintains Push for Major Disaster Declaration

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Mexico Martin Heinrich

    RUIDOSO, N.M. – U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), and Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) released the following joint statement, welcoming President Donald Trump’s granting of an emergency declaration for Chaves, Lincoln, Otero, and Valencia Counties, while renewing their call for President Trump to grant a Major Disaster Declaration in the wake of severe flooding that took the lives of three people and damaged homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure.

    “The loss of life and devastation in Ruidoso as a result of this catastrophic flooding is horrific and heartbreaking, with three confirmed fatalities and dozens of homes and businesses already destroyed. Our thoughts are with the families of those who have been lost to this flooding and the hundreds of New Mexicans who have had to flee their homes. And our gratitude is with the first responders, local leaders, medical providers, and rescue teams helping respond to this disaster. We’re grateful that this approval will unlock funding needed for immediate disaster response, and we will continue to push President Trump to grant the state’s Major Disaster Declaration request to make sure that all New Mexicans impacted by this disaster are provided with the federal support necessary to rebuild.”

    The emergency declaration opens up access to specific FEMA funds for immediate disaster response, including support for search and rescue and incident management efforts. An emergency declaration does not preclude a subsequent Major Disaster Declaration. Therefore, the N.M. Delegation will continue to push President Trump to approve a Major Disaster Declaration request from Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham.

    Through a Major Disaster Declaration request, the State of New Mexico has requested Public Assistance, Category A through G, including Direct Federal Assistance for Lincoln County, Chaves County, Otero County, and Valencia County, as well as Individual Assistance, including Housing Assistance, Small Business Administration Disaster Assistance, Disaster Case Management, Transitional Sheltering Assistance, Serious Needs Assistance, Crisis Counseling, Disaster Legal Services, Disaster Unemployment, and Displacement Assistance for Lincoln County and Valencia County. The State also requested Hazard Mitigation statewide, as facilitated by New Mexico’s Natural Disaster Hazard Mitigation Plan.

    This news comes on the heels of the New Mexico Congressional Delegation urging the Trump Administration to approve a Major Disaster Declaration request from Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: July 10th, 2025 N.M. Delegation Welcomes Emergency Declaration for Ruidoso Flooding, Maintains Push for Major Disaster Declaration

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Mexico Martin Heinrich
    RUIDOSO, N.M. – U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), and Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) released the following joint statement, welcoming President Donald Trump’s granting of an emergency declaration for Chaves, Lincoln, Otero, and Valencia Counties, while renewing their call for President Trump to grant a Major Disaster Declaration in the wake of severe flooding that took the lives of three people and damaged homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure.
    “The loss of life and devastation in Ruidoso as a result of this catastrophic flooding is horrific and heartbreaking, with three confirmed fatalities and dozens of homes and businesses already destroyed. Our thoughts are with the families of those who have been lost to this flooding and the hundreds of New Mexicans who have had to flee their homes. And our gratitude is with the first responders, local leaders, medical providers, and rescue teams helping respond to this disaster. We’re grateful that this approval will unlock funding needed for immediate disaster response, and we will continue to push President Trump to grant the state’s Major Disaster Declaration request to make sure that all New Mexicans impacted by this disaster are provided with the federal support necessary to rebuild.”
    The emergency declaration opens up access to specific FEMA funds for immediate disaster response, including support for search and rescue and incident management efforts. An emergency declaration does not preclude a subsequent Major Disaster Declaration. Therefore, the N.M. Delegation will continue to push President Trump to approve a Major Disaster Declaration request from Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham.
    Through a Major Disaster Declaration request, the State of New Mexico has requested Public Assistance, Category A through G, including Direct Federal Assistance for Lincoln County, Chaves County, Otero County, and Valencia County, as well as Individual Assistance, including Housing Assistance, Small Business Administration Disaster Assistance, Disaster Case Management, Transitional Sheltering Assistance, Serious Needs Assistance, Crisis Counseling, Disaster Legal Services, Disaster Unemployment, and Displacement Assistance for Lincoln County and Valencia County. The State also requested Hazard Mitigation statewide, as facilitated by New Mexico’s Natural Disaster Hazard Mitigation Plan.
    This news comes on the heels of the New Mexico Congressional Delegation urging the Trump Administration to approve a Major Disaster Declaration request from Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Britain, France agree to coordinate nuclear deterrence, unveil new migration scheme

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

    British Prime Minister Keir Starmer (L) welcomes French President Emmanuel Macron at 10 Downing Street in London, Britain, on July 10, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Thursday that Britain and France have signed a new deal to allow the two countries to coordinate their nuclear deterrents for the first time.

    During a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron at a military base in Northwood, near London, Starmer said the two countries had signed the Northwood Declaration, a deal designed to show adversaries that any attack on either nation would result in a response from both nations.

    For his part, Macron, who will conclude a three-day state visit to Britain later Thursday, highlighted the importance of defense and security cooperation between the two countries, noting that times have changed in Europe and the Britain-France partnership “must change accordingly.”

    Referring to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Macron said Europe must be able to rely on the strategic collaboration between Britain and France, Europe’s only two nuclear powers.

    A statement by Downing Street underscored the “extreme threat to Europe” that would prompt a joint nuclear response. “Any adversary threatening the vital interests of Britain or France could be confronted by the strength of the nuclear forces of both nations,” it said.

    Meanwhile, Britain and France plan to order additional highly lethal Storm Shadow cruise missiles and step up replenishment of arms depots as part of a renewed defense agreement, according to the statement.

    Following a Britain-France Summit at Downing Street and a “coalition of the willing” virtual meeting, which included Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Starmer announced that a new coalition headquarters supporting Ukraine will be established in Paris.

    On the issue of migration, the two leaders unveiled a new “one in, one out” scheme to reduce English Channel crossings.

    Under the scheme, migrants arriving in Britain via small boats will be “detained and returned to France in short order,” Starmer said. In parallel, individuals who have not previously attempted to cross the Channel illegally will be allowed to enter Britain through a newly created route.

    The route will be subject to strict security checks and limited to those meeting the eligibility criteria. Starmer described the plan as “groundbreaking” but didn’t specify how many migrants would be returned.

    Macron said he’s “totally committed” to the pilot scheme, which will come into effect within weeks.

    However, it remains unclear whether the scheme will serve as an effective deterrent. Despite joint funding and efforts, more than 20,000 people have crossed the Channel in small boats so far this year, marking a 50 percent increase compared to the same period in 2024.

    Both Macron and Starmer face rising pressure at home from far-right and anti-immigration sentiment. Addressing the British parliament on Tuesday, Macron described the migration challenge as “a burden” shared by both countries.

    Starmer also said the two countries “have gone further” to improve trade and investment, adding that both sides will strengthen collaboration on supercomputers, satellite connectivity, and artificial intelligence.

    Macron hailed the development as a “reset” in bilateral ties, noting that trade volumes have topped pre-Brexit levels and the two countries are strengthening their partnerships in civilian nuclear power and cooperating in space exploration.

    During his visit, Macron reiterated support for the two-state solution to solving the conflicts in Gaza, and called recognition of the State of Palestine the “only path to peace.”

    The visit marks the first state trip to Britain by a French president since 2008, and Macron is the first European Union head of state to visit since Brexit.

    Observers said trust between the two sides still needs to be rebuilt after years of tension, particularly during the Brexit negotiations. Macron previously described Brexit as a product of “lies and false promises.” Dialogue between the two nations had diminished following disputes on fishing rights and the Britain-Australia submarine deals.

    Sebastien Maillard, an expert at London-based think tank Chatham House, said that “the memory of these difficult times has not vanished” on either side. “Trust needs time to build,” he added. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China harvests 149M tons of summer grain in 2025 despite adverse weather

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

    A farmer checks newly harvested wheat in Xiwangwen village of Boxing county, Binzhou city, East China’s Shandong province, June 5, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    China secured a steady summer grain harvest in 2025, with a total output reaching about 149.74 million metric tons, official data showed on Thursday.

    According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), summer grain output dipped slightly by 0.1 percent compared to last year amid challenging weather conditions.

    The slight decrease in summer grain output was minimal, with overall production remaining stable, said NBS official Wei Fenghua.

    “China’s stable and bumper summer grain harvest in 2025 lays a solid foundation for overall annual grain production, providing strong support for coping with complex international challenges and promoting sustained economic growth,” Wei said.

    Severe drought affected major producing areas, including Henan and Shaanxi provinces, creating some challenges. However, proactive irrigation efforts, including large-scale water diversion, ensured effective watering of most farmland, Wei said.

    As China enters its primary flood season, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs has initiated a 100-day campaign to boost yields, mitigate disasters and secure autumn grain production, which is pivotal to China’s grain security.

    To achieve China’s grain production goal of approximately 700 million tons this year, the ministry will deploy teams to guide field management for robust seedlings, disaster prevention and pest control.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China urges EU to view bilateral economic, trade ties in non-emotional, unprejudiced manner

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

    China on Thursday called on the European Union (EU) to view bilateral economic and trade relations in a non-emotional and unprejudiced manner, as this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and there will be important high-level exchanges.

    China hopes that the EU side will engage in less criticism and more communication, less protectionism and more openness, less anxiety and more action, less labeling and more consultations, commerce ministry spokesperson He Yongqian remarked at a regular press briefing when responding to the recent comments made by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

    The spokesperson noted that the EU leader’s comments did not accurately reflect the current state of China-EU economic relations nor the positive progress achieved through dialogue between economic and trade authorities from both sides.

    Regarding market access, the spokesperson said China had consistently expanded high-level opening-up, completely removing restrictions on foreign investment in the manufacturing sector and proactively increasing imports from Europe through platforms like the China International Import Expo.

    In contrast, the EU has in recent years practiced protectionism in the name of fair trade, abused trade remedy instruments, and exploited gaps in international trade rules to create unilateral tools that contradict fundamental principles of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the spirit of free trade, said the spokesperson.

    The EU has frequently launched investigations against Chinese companies regarding foreign subsidies and other matters, leading to a continuous regression in market openness and deterioration of the business environment, the spokesperson added.

    On subsidies, the spokesperson highlighted the EU’s double standards, noting that the bloc itself is a major provider of subsidies, with those for aircraft, agriculture and other sectors all having been ruled as violations by the WTO.

    According to incomplete statistics, the EU plans to provide over 1.44 trillion euros in various subsidies between 2021 and 2030, with member states offering additional subsidies worth hundreds of billions of euros, said the spokesperson.

    On government procurement, the spokesperson said that the European public procurement market contains numerous implicit barriers despite claims of fairness and openness, with policies encouraging the purchase of European goods.

    The EU side has used international procurement instruments to adopt measures restricting Chinese companies and products from participating in its medical device public procurement, said the spokesperson, noting that it is against this background that China has had to adopt reciprocal countermeasures to protect the legitimate interests of Chinese companies.

    On export controls, the spokesperson emphasized that China’s measures are prudent and moderate, covering far fewer items than the EU’s control list. The spokesperson added that China has established a special green channel to expedite approval for European enterprises, while the EU’s high-tech export control approval process remains slow and cumbersome.

    Regarding so-called “overcapacity,” the spokesperson said output and export volumes alone cannot determine overcapacity, arguing that China’s new energy industry actually faces capacity shortages from a global and long-term perspective.

    What is excessive is not China’s production capacity, but rather the EU’s anxiety stemming from insufficient long-term R&D investment and declining industrial competitiveness, said the spokesperson.

    The spokesperson said that China is willing to work with the EU to expand mutual market access, strengthen dialogue on government procurement and export controls, deepen supply chain cooperation, and promote WTO reform, injecting more stability, certainty and positive energy into building an open global economy. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s innovative solutions propel global shifts toward smarter, greener industries

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

    A staff member sets parameters before welding at Guangdong Lyric Robot Automation Co., Ltd. in Huizhou, south China’s Guangdong Province, June 27, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    As global industries accelerate their transition toward intelligence and sustainability, China’s innovative solutions form vital components of international supply chains, driving cross-sector transformation.

    Smarter factories 

    At Guangdong Lyric Robot Automation’s Huizhou facility in south China, an automated warehouse operates efficiently with only two staff members. Materials glide autonomously through storage systems, arriving precisely at workstations as needed. A central control screen displays real-time inventory levels, material usage frequency, and shelf capacity.

    “This system cuts operational costs by over 30 percent while boosting productivity by 40 percent,” said Duan Yajie, general manager of Lyric subsidiary Shunchu Intelligence. Overseas orders for such integrated solutions now constitute over 40 percent of the subsidiary’s total business.

    Lyric’s intelligent factories serve industry leaders across six countries. From battery plants in North America to a comprehensive automotive logistics center in Hungary, as well as sectors like renewable energy and AI computing, Lyric has supported clients in establishing digital factories using technologies such as intelligent sensing, precision control and execution systems.

    With subsidiaries in 14 countries, including the United Kingdom, Poland, France, Switzerland, Germany, Canada, and the United States, Lyric has navigated cross-cultural challenges through co-developed standards. “Building consensus during the design phase helps prevent conflicts during implementation,” Lyric’s co-founder Lu Jiahong said.

    “Once rare on European streets, electric vehicles are now increasingly common, reflecting the combined efforts of Chinese equipment, battery and auto manufacturers,” she added.

    Powering energy revolution 

    EVE Energy Co., Ltd., a leading Chinese lithium battery company headquartered in Huizhou, Guangdong Province, is advancing its global manufacturing strategy with a new battery production base in Hungary’s Debrecen.

    The facility represents a transformative industrial upgrade for the region, introducing advanced manufacturing systems where agricultural production once dominated the local economy.

    “We’re bringing advanced industrial production to this region, creating employment while accelerating the energy transition,” stated EVE vice president Jiang Min. He added that the Debrecen base is scheduled to begin production in late 2026, while their overseas facility in Malaysia is already operational.

    Ranked fourth globally in cylindrical battery shipments and second in energy storage capacity for 2024, EVE Energy operates 12 production bases across Asia, Europe and North America. Its power batteries supply premier global automakers including Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Jaguar Land Rover.

    According to Jiang, the company continues to expand investments in carbon-reduction technologies. It has recently established a comprehensive resource recovery ecosystem with over 10 partners. “Collaborative expansion across the industrial chain creates mutual benefits,” Jiang said.

    A staff member operates a robot to perform synchronous action at a provincial embodied artificial intelligence robot innovation center in Shenzhen, south China’s Guangdong Province, June 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Vision for intelligent machines 

    At Orbbec’s Shenzhen exhibition hall, a food-delivery robot navigates through display areas, skillfully avoiding obstacles.

    This agility comes from its 3D vision sensors, powered by the proprietary “MX6600” chip, which measures about 9 square millimeters. This chip processes depth-sensing data to enable high-precision spatial mapping.

    Currently, 7 out of 10 service robots in China use Orbbec sensors, while international clients grew by 77 percent year on year to 1,469 in 2024, including major companies like Nvidia and Microsoft.

    “We concentrate on foundational technologies,” said Huang Yuanhao, founder of Orbbec. “We are one of the few companies worldwide to cover all major 3D vision perception technology approaches, serving global robotics enterprises across various sectors, such as smart factories, warehouse logistics, construction automation, and intelligent inspection,” he added.

    Orbbec also offers rapid technical support to better serve its global users. “Some of our products have demanding technical service requirements, and excellent service is a major factor why overseas users choose us,” said Orbbec’s CFO Chen Bin.

    China’s global engagement is transitioning from manufacturing exports to integrated technological empowerment, said Yang Boru, professor at the School of Electronics and Information Technology, Sun Yat-sen University in Guangdong. As these innovative solutions expand worldwide, they have become key drivers of intelligent and sustainable industrialization, he added.  

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China-Vietnam freight train cargo volume sees sharp growth in H1

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

    Aerial photo taken on Aug. 23, 2022 shows a China-Vietnam freight train pulling out of Xi’an international port in Xi’an, northwest China’s Shaanxi Province. [Photo/Xinhua]

    In the first half (H1) of 2025, freight trains departing from south China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region heading to Vietnam, transported a total of 18,870 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) of export goods, marking a year-on-year surge of 283 percent, according to the China Railway Nanning Group.

    Staff with the Nanning Railway Logistics Center of China Railway Nanning Group said that during this period, outbound shipments of auto parts and fiberboard carried by these China-Vietnam freight trains from Guangxi had reached 2,528 TEUs and 4,580 TEUs, respectively, representing respective year-on-year growth of 100 percent and 398 percent.

    Notably, auto parts and motorcycle parts from provinces such as Jiangsu in east China and Guangdong in south China, are transported by rail to Nanning International Railway Port before being shipped to Vietnam via China-Vietnam freight trains, thereby forming a new growth point for transport.

    This year, the frequency of scheduled China-Vietnam freight trains has increased from five trips per week to 14, providing more transport options for China’s goods exports. Currently, the fastest end-to-end transit time for China-Vietnam trains from Nanning, capital of Guangxi, to Yen Vien in Vietnam is only 14 hours.

    To date, China-Vietnam trains departing from Guangxi have transported over 380 varieties of export goods. Cargo sources span 25 Chinese provincial regions — including Jiangsu, Guangdong and north China’s Hebei.

    The cross-border freight transport network now covers multiple ASEAN countries, such as Vietnam, Laos and Thailand, creating a “fast track” for promoting economic and trade exchanges between China and ASEAN. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Arsenal sign Christian Norgaard from Brentford

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

    Arsenal on Thursday completed the signing of Christian Norgaard from Brentford for an initial price of 10 million pounds, with Norgaard signing an initial two-year contract.

    Norgaard is Arsenal’s third signing of the summer after goalkeeper, Kepa Arrizabalaga and midfielder Martin Zubimendi, who signed from Real Sociedad.

    Liverpool’s Federico Chiesa (R) is challenged by Brentford’s Christian Norgaard during the English Premier League match between Brentford and Liverpool in London, Britain, on Jan. 18, 2025. (Xinhua)

    The 31-year-old admitted it had been difficult to leave Brentford, where he had been club captain, but said joining Arsenal meant “fulfilling” his dream of playing in the Champions League.

    “I had just turned 31 and had signed a new deal with Brentford, there is always a chance that a miracle could happen with Brentford, but it was probably unrealistic to play Champions League with them.”

    “Now I get to hear the anthem and to be part of the Champions League campaign, it is a childhood dream, but something I didn’t think was possible, so it’s something I’m really happy about.”

    Norgaard leaves Arsenal after helping Brentford win promotion to the Premier League in 2021 and has made 122 top-flight appearances for the club.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Have you seen Tamiya?

    Source: New Zealand Police

    Waitematā Police are appealing for information about the whereabouts of a North Shore teenager who has been reported missing.

    Tamiya, 15, was last seen in the Torbay area around 1pm on 7 July.

    Police and her family members have concerns for her safety.

    Tamiya is described as of a thin build and generally wears baggy jeans and hoodies, with a cap and sneakers.

    Police are asking anyone with information that can assist in our enquiries to please get in touch online at 105.police.govt.nz or call 105.

    Please use the reference number 250709/7653.

    You can also provide information anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 0800 555 111.

    ENDS

    Nicole Bremner/NZ Police 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Padilla, Schiff, Booker, Vargas, Peters Announce Bicameral Bill to Clean Up Tijuana River

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)

    Padilla, Schiff, Booker, Vargas, Peters Announce Bicameral Bill to Clean Up Tijuana River

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), and Cory Booker (D-N.J.), along with Representatives Juan Vargas (D-Calif.-52) and Scott Peters (D-Calif.-50), introduced bicameral legislation to help combat the ongoing Tijuana River sewage pollution crisis across the U.S.-Mexico border.

    The Border Water Quality Restoration and Protection Act of 2025 would designate the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as the lead agency to coordinate all federal, state, Tribal, and local agencies to build and maintain critical infrastructure projects to address long-standing, systemic water infrastructure and pollution issues in the Tijuana River and New River watersheds. The bill would create a new Geographic Program within EPA to manage each watershed through a comprehensive water quality management plan. These provisions and other key components of the bill follow the findings and recommendations of the Government Accountability Office’s February 2020 Report, “International Boundary and Water Commission: Opportunities Exist to Address Water Quality Problems.” The bill also directs EPA to consider projects based on new research examining how wastewater pollutants get into the air, harming air quality and public health.

    “Raw sewage and toxic waste from the Tijuana River are still shutting down public beaches, threatening the health of our families, and jeopardizing the readiness of our military and border personnel,” said Senator Padilla. “By assigning the Environmental Protection Agency with the clear role of coordinating with federal, state, local, and tribal leaders to maintain the health of the watershed, we’re bringing the full weight and commitment of the federal government to address the Tijuana River pollution crisis.”

    “The Tijuana River pollution crisis is one of the worst ongoing ecological crises in this country, posing serious environmental and public health risks to Californians living and working near the U.S.-Mexico border and nearby beaches. We must work quickly on a resolution, and this bill would provide clear direction and authority to EPA to work with state and local partners on a plan to give this crisis the focused attention it demands,” said Senator Schiff.

    “For too long, communities along both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border have suffered the consequences of untreated sewage and toxic waste flowing into the Tijuana River,” said Senator Booker. “What I observed during my visit to Imperial Beach in May was unacceptable. This public health crisis, with growing economic and environmental impacts, would never be tolerated in Malibu or Mar-a-Lago and it shouldn’t be tolerated here. This bicameral legislation will ensure the EPA leads a comprehensive effort in coordination with local, state, and federal officials to clean up the Tijuana River and New River watersheds, and finally deliver clean air and water to the San Diego community.”

    “This horrible pollution has harmed the health of our communities, our local businesses, and our environment,” said Representative Vargas. “It’s absolutely critical that we have a streamlined response from the federal government. But right now, there is no one agency in charge of addressing the pollution. There are too many cooks in the kitchen. Our legislation would finally change that and charge the EPA with coordinating the whole-of-government effort needed to combat this pollution.”

    “This is an environmental crisis, a public health crisis, and an economic crisis for San Diegans. The federal government should treat it as such,” said Representative Peters. “Our legislation institutes a whole-of-government approach for resolving this disaster. This is the same type of program you see in the San Francisco Bay, Chesapeake Bay, and Great Lakes; San Diego is no less deserving.”

    Since 2018, more than 200 billion gallons of toxic sewage, trash, and unmanaged stormwater have flowed across the United States-Mexico border into the Tijuana River Valley and neighboring communities, forcing long-lasting beach closures and causing harmful impacts on public health, the environment, and water quality. U.S. military personnel, border patrol agents, and the local economy have also suffered harmful impacts from airborne and waterborne transboundary sewage flows. In 2023, sewage flowed across the border at the highest volume in a quarter century, exceeding 44 billion gallons.

    The Tijuana River pollution crisis has disproportionately harmed underserved communities along San Diego’s southern border for decades. U.S. military personnel, border patrol agents, and the local environment and economy have also suffered harmful impacts from waterborne and airborne transboundary sewage flows.

    To address these long-standing issues, the Border Water Quality Restoration and Protection Act of 2025 would:

    • Direct EPA, in coordination with relevant federal, state, Tribal, and local governments, to implement a comprehensive water quality management program for the Tijuana River and New River watersheds within 180 days;
    • Require EPA and its partners to identify a consensus list of priority projects, including incorporating a comprehensive suite of water quality projects identified by EPA and IBWC in the 2022 United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement implementation plan, as well as the construction and operations and maintenance costs associated with them;
    • Provide transfer authority to EPA to accept and distribute funds to federal, state, Tribal, and local partners to construct, operate, and maintain the identified priority projects;
    • Provide technical assistance for restoration and protection activities to federal, state, Tribal, and local stakeholders;
    • Codify the U.S.-Mexico Border Water Infrastructure Program (BWIP) to fund water infrastructure projects that benefit U.S. communities;
    • Require the IBWC Commissioner to participate in the construction of projects identified in the Tijuana and New River comprehensive plans; and
    • Authorize the IBWC to address stormwater quality and accept funding made available by the bill.

    EPA currently administers 12 Geographic Programs that help protect local ecosystems through water quality improvement, ecosystem and habitat restoration, environmental education, and local capacity building. Establishing such a program for the Tijuana River and New River is important for the long-term improvement and monitoring of the watersheds during and after the expansion of the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant (SBIWTP).

    Representatives Sara Jacobs (D-Calif.-51), Mike Levin (D-Calif.-49), and Raul Ruiz (D-Calif.-25) are cosponsoring the bill in the House of Representatives.

    The legislation is endorsed by the City of San Diego, City of Coronado, County of Imperial, Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Aguirre, Rural Community Assistance Corporation, SANDAG, San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, and Surfrider.

    Senator Padilla has prioritized addressing the Tijuana River pollution crisis since he first came to the Senate, working with the San Diego Congressional delegation to secure $250 million in the federal disaster relief package last year to clean up the Tijuana River. This marked the final tranche of funding required to complete the SBIWTP upgrade project. The SBIWTP project broke ground in October 2024, and over the coming years, the SBIWTP will double in capacity, reducing transboundary flows by 90 percent. Crucially, Mexico’s rehabilitated San Antonio de los Buenos wastewater treatment plant is now operational, which will help further reduce flows to California communities.

    In response to a request from Padilla and the San Diego Congressional delegation, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently opened an investigation into the public health impacts of air pollution caused by the ongoing Tijuana River transboundary pollution crisis. Senator Padilla and the delegation also secured a $200 million authorization for the Tijuana River Valley Watershed and San Diego County through the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 to help address the ongoing transboundary sewage crisis through stormwater conveyance, environmental and ecosystem restoration, and water quality protection projects. They also delivered over $103 million in additional funding for the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) in the bipartisan FY 2024 appropriations package. Padilla previously successfully secured language in the FY 2023 appropriations package to allow the EPA to unlock $300 million previously secured in the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement to the IBWC for water infrastructure projects.

    A one-pager on the bill is available here.

    Full text of the bill is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –