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  • MIL-Evening Report: Data gaps and demographic change: the end of the NZ census will create big blind spots

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Paul Spoonley, Distinguished Professor, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University

    Getty Images

    Ending the New Zealand census as we’ve known it will save money – it was “no longer financially viable”, according to Statistics Minister Shane Reti – but the true cost of those savings could be considerable.

    Of course, it’s no secret the two previous censuses raised major questions about the quality of census data and the process. In 2018, an untested experiment with online returns, and a reduced workforce in the field, saw “an unacceptably low response rate”.

    In 2023, StatsNZ had to apologise again, this time for failing to keep the collected data safe and for another low response rate, especially for Māori. The problems were compounded by low trust in government and an unwillingness to share private information in the wake of COVID-related misinformation.

    It didn’t help that the 2023 census cost NZ$325 million, up from $104 million in 2013 – double the amount per capita, for reasons that remain unclear.

    That was enough. Cabinet papers between March and May last year signalled the government was going to move to an alternative system of data collection. The shift was characterised as “modernising the census” – except there will be no census.

    But the change has been made without any apparent consideration of how the census is used – specifically, that it is crucial to the management of a modern society and economy – and what will be lost in the process.

    Comparison across time

    One of the primary functions of a census is to allow comparison with previous censuses over time. And these go back a long way.

    The first census, in 1851, collected data on Europeans only, although the Native Secretary provided details of Māori from 1849 to 1850. The Census Act of 1858 required that a national census of all Europeans take place every three years. A new act in 1877 introduced the five-yearly census we’ve become used to.

    Data on Māori was collected separately until 1916 when a question on “race” appeared. The 1926 Census and Statistical Act then required all individuals, including Māori, to complete the census forms.

    Depression and war meant there were no censuses in 1931 and 1941, and the 2011 census was delayed because of the Christchurch earthquakes. Otherwise, we have had regular updates from nearly all the resident population on a whole range of aspects of life in New Zealand.

    This comprehensive picture of New Zealanders and the way we live underpins nearly every aspect of political decision-making and policy development. But no more.

    The new approach will use existing administrative data collected by government departments and agencies as part of their normal business. ACC, Inland Revenue, the Ministry of Social Development, Ministry of Education, and Department of Internal Affairs will be key data sources.

    The data gaps will be addressed by asking those departments and agencies to change some of what they collect. But the main change will involve surveys – as yet unspecified in terms of sample size or frame, or the questions and topics to be covered – which will “verify data quality and fill gaps”.

    As well as saving money, the statistics minister says, this approach will provide “more timely insights”. But this all leaves important questions unanswered.

    Inadequate administrative data

    Administrative data is collected for specific purposes and in different ways by government departments and agencies. The coverage is incomplete, there is often no consistency in what is collected, and there are issues about data quality and robustness.

    Moreover, information management is not a particular strength of most public sector agencies (Inland Revenue might be one of the few exceptions). It will be interesting to see whether the government is prepared to fund new technology options and methods to help improve this data collection.

    For example, the Understanding Policing Delivery research project has identified issues with data collection, especially in relation to ethnicity: national intelligence activities collect and hold data on ethnicity, iwi and hapū affiliations, but the process for issuing police infringement notices for offending does not.

    As a StatsNZ exercise which looked at ethnicity data collection across the government sector noted:

    The question asked for ethnicity differs widely across administrative data sources and often differs within each administrative source depending on the mode of collection or the form used.

    Such inconsistencies will need to be rectified if administrative data is to be anything like as comprehensive and consistent as the data provided by the census.

    Major demographic change

    New Zealand is also undergoing major demographic change, including the following trends:

    • fertility has declined and is at sub-replacement levels

    • the population is rapidly ageing

    • the proportion of population living in the top half of the North Island is increasing

    • and immigration has contributed significantly to population growth and diversity.

    I am not convinced the new administrative approach will capture these demographic changes, much less good data on the wellbeing of various communities or the nature of families and households.

    Administrative data, by definition, is partial and suited to the particular activities and concerns of the agency or department in question. But in a modern, complex society, data is key. We have just lost one of the most powerful tools available for understanding this country in the 21st century.

    The author acknowledges Len Cook, former Government Statistician of New Zealand, for his comments and suggestions.

    Paul Spoonley has received funding from MBIE and is associated with Koi Tu.

    – ref. Data gaps and demographic change: the end of the NZ census will create big blind spots – https://theconversation.com/data-gaps-and-demographic-change-the-end-of-the-nz-census-will-create-big-blind-spots-259663

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Here’s why some people suffer from motion sickness – and which remedies actually work

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Christian Moro, Associate Professor of Science & Medicine, Bond University

    EyeEm Mobile GmbH/Getty

    Cars may be a modern phenomenon, but motion sickness is not. More than 2,000 years ago, the physician Hippocrates wrote “sailing on the sea proves that motion disorders the body”. In fact, the word nausea derives from the Greek naus, meaning ship.

    Whether you’re in a ship, car, plane, or riding a rollercoaster, motion sickness (also called travel sickness or seasickness) can make you retch, vomit, sweat and become pale, and feel nauseated, dizzy and tired.

    For some people, watching dizzying scenes in a television show or simply thinking about moving can make us feel woozy. Playing video games or using virtual reality headsets can also lead to motion sickness (in this case, called “cybersickness”).

    But why does it happen? And why doesn’t it affect everyone?

    What is motion sickness?

    Motion sickness can happen in response to real or perceived motion.

    We don’t understand the exact mechanisms underlying motion sickness, although there are various hypotheses.

    The most accepted theory is that our brains like to know what’s going on around us. If our body is moving, but our brain can’t work out why, this creates some internal confusion.

    Within our brains, the “vestibular system”, which includes sensory organs in your inner ear, helps maintain balance.
    It has trouble doing this when you’re constantly being moved around (for example, inside a car) and sends the signals throughout our body which make us feel woozy.

    Supporting this theory, people who have damage to some parts of their inner ear systems can become completely immune to motion sickness.

    Why does motion sickness affect some people and not others?

    Very rough movement will make almost anyone
    motion sick. But some people are much more susceptible.

    Women tend to experience motion sickness more than men. There is evidence that hormonal fluctuations – for example during pregnancy or some stages of the menstrual cycle – may increase susceptibility.

    Some other conditions, such as vertigo and migraines, also make people more likely to experience motion sickness.

    In children, motion sickness tends to peak between ages six and nine, tapering off in the teens. It is much rarer in the elderly.

    In a car, the driver is normally in charge of the motion, and so their brain can anticipate movements (such as turning), leading to less motion sickness than for passengers.

    Are some modes of transport worse?

    Motion sickness is typically triggered by slow, up-and-down and left-to-right movements (low-frequency lateral and vertical motion). The more pronounced the motion, the more likely we are to get sick.

    This is why you might feel fine during some stages of an air flight, but become nauseous during times when there is turbulence. It’s the same at sea, where the larger and more undulating the waves, the more chance there is passengers will feel sick.

    Recent reports have suggested electric vehicles make motion sickness worse.

    This may be because electric vehicles tend to launch from a standstill with a fast acceleration. Sudden movements like this can make some occupants more nauseous.

    The silence of an electric vehicle is also unusual. Most of us are used to hearing the engine running and feeling the vehicle’s rumble as it moves. The silence in an electric vehicle removes these prompts, and likely further confuses our brain, making motion sickness worse.

    Interestingly, when an electric vehicle is put into autonomous (self-driving) mode, the driver becomes just as susceptible to motion sickness as the passengers.

    What helps motion sickness?

    For some people it never goes away, and they remain susceptible to motion sickness for life.

    But there are ways to manage symptoms, for example, avoiding travelling in bad weather, looking out the window and focusing on stable points (such as the aeroplane wing during a flight) or a distant stationary object (such as the horizon). This reduces conflicting signals in your brain.

    It may also help to:

    Medicines can help. Your doctor or pharmacist can recommend a variety of over-the-counter medications, such as antihistamines, which may help alleviate symptoms.

    Some people find alternative treatments helpful, including ginger, anti-nausea wrist bands (sea-bands or pressure bands). However we still don’t have enough consistent scientific evidence to endorse these remedies.

    There are longer-term options such as prescription medications and skin patches. However, many have potential side effects, so you should discuss these with a health professional.

    Not all of these medications will be suitable for children. However, there are some options which may help alleviate serious cases, and these can be talked through with your family GP.

    Does it ever go away?

    Sometimes, repeated exposure to the activity (called habituation) can help reduce motion sickness. The ancient Romans and Greeks reported the more experienced a sailor became, the less prone they were to sea sickness.

    While inconvenient, motion sickness may also have some evolutionary advantages. It’s thought species prone to motion sickness (including humans, fish, dogs, cats, mice and horses) avoid dangerous patches of rough water or high windy branches.

    We’re safest when firmly on land and not moving at all. Perhaps motion sickness is simply one way that our body works to keep us out of harm’s way.

    The authors 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. Here’s why some people suffer from motion sickness – and which remedies actually work – https://theconversation.com/heres-why-some-people-suffer-from-motion-sickness-and-which-remedies-actually-work-258065

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: ‘Baths, wine, and sex make life worth living’: how ancient Romans used public baths to relax, work out and socialise

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Peter Edwell, Associate Professor in Ancient History, Macquarie University

    iLongLoveKing/Shutterstock

    Standing in the vast ruins of the Baths of Caracalla in Rome, hundreds of gulls circle above. Their haunting cries echo voices from 1,800 years ago. Today, the bare shell of what was one of Rome’s largest bath complexes mostly sits empty, occasionally playing host to opera performances.

    But what were the baths of ancient Rome actually like back then? And why were the Romans so into public bathing?

    Public baths everywhere

    While living in Rome for almost a year, I noticed the remains of ancient baths (thermae in Latin) everywhere.

    Virtually every emperor built them, and by the middle of the fourth century there were 952 public baths in the city.

    The largest were the baths built by the emperor Diocletian (284–305). Around 3,000 people a day could bathe at this 13-hectare complex.

    These baths, like most, contained a room (the caldarium) heated by air ducts in the walls and floors. The floors were so hot special sandals were worn.

    Another room leading from it was milder (the tepidarium), before bathers entered the frigidarium, which contained a cold pool. A 4,000-square-metre outdoor swimming pool was the central feature.

    Public baths also often featured gymnasiums, libraries, restaurants and exercise yards.

    Today, the baths of Caracalla mostly sit empty.
    Wirestock/Getty

    ‘Baths, wine, and sex make life worth living’

    The philosopher Seneca, also an advisor to the emperor Nero, lived above a bath complex around 50 CE.

    He described the sounds of people “panting in wheezy and high-pitched tones” as they lifted weights. Others plunged into swimming tanks with a loud splash. Shop-owners selling food yelled out the prices of their wares. Some sang loudly for their own pleasure in the bathroom.

    One 4th-century CE account describes how aristocrats sometimes arrived at the baths with 50 servants attending them.

    Sections of the baths were reserved for these guests, who brought their finest clothes and expensive jewellery.

    While emperors built large public bath complexes, there were many smaller private ones. Entry fees were low and sometimes free during festivals and political campaigns. This allowed all social classes to use the baths.

    Women and men bathed separately and used the baths at different times of the day. Some bath complexes had areas designated for women only. The physician Soranus of Ephesus, who wrote a treatise on gynaecology in the second century CE, recommended women go to the baths in preparation for labour.

    In a crowded and polluted city like Rome, the baths were a haven. Warm water, smells of perfumed ointments, massages and a spa-like environment were pleasures all could indulge in.

    A first-century CE inscription declared that

    baths, wine, and sex make life worth living.

    Baths and the grim reality of slavery

    Baths were places of great social importance, and nudity allowed bathers to show off their physical prowess.

    Archaeological evidence suggests even dentistry was performed at the baths.

    Behind these images of indulgence, however, lay the grim reality of slavery. Slaves did the dirtiest work in the baths.

    They cleaned out cinders, emptied toilets and saw to the clearing of drains.

    Slaves came to the baths with their owners, whom they rubbed down with oil and cleaned their skin with strygils (a type of scraper). They entered the baths through a separate entrance.

    Baths across the empire

    Baths were popular in every city and town across the Roman Empire. A famous example is Aquae Sulis – the modern town of Bath – in England (which was under Roman rule for hundreds of years). At Aquae Sulis, a natural hot spring fed the baths. The goddess Minerva was honoured at the complex.

    The remains of similar bath complexes have been found in North Africa, Spain and Germany.

    Extensive remains of a Roman bath at Baden Baden in Germany are among the most impressive.

    Similarly, at Toledo in Spain, a public Roman bath complex measuring almost an acre has been found.

    Baths were often built in military camps to provide soldiers with comforts during their service. Remains of military baths have been found all over the empire. Researchers have found and excavated the baths for the army camp at Hadrian’s wall, a wall built to help defend the Roman Empire’s northern frontier in what is now modern Britain.

    The baths at Chester contain hot rooms (caldaria), cold rooms (frigidaria) and also a sweat room (sudatoria), which is similar to a sauna.

    A long history

    The Romans weren’t the first to use public baths. Their Greek forebears had them too. But the Romans took public bathing to a empire-wide level. It became a marker of Roman culture wherever they went.

    Public bathing would continue in the empire’s Islamic period and became famously popular under the Ottomans, who ruled the empire between 1299 and 1922. Turkish hammams (baths) remain an important public institution to this day and they descend directly from the Romans. Istanbul still contains 60 functioning hammams.

    Roman baths were not only technically ingenious and architecturally impressive, they connected people socially from all walks of life. As the gulls circle over the baths of Caracalla in Rome, their haunting cries connect us to that very world.

    Peter Edwell receives funding from the Australian Research Council.

    – ref. ‘Baths, wine, and sex make life worth living’: how ancient Romans used public baths to relax, work out and socialise – https://theconversation.com/baths-wine-and-sex-make-life-worth-living-how-ancient-romans-used-public-baths-to-relax-work-out-and-socialise-257466

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese FM meets former British PM

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

    Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, meets with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair in Beijing, capital of China, June 23, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Chinese Foreign Minster Wang Yi on Monday met with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair in Beijing.

    Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that as permanent members of the UN Security Council and major countries in the world, China and Britain must fulfill their international obligations, demonstrate responsibility and commitment, and contribute to global peace and development.

    Last year, the leaders of the two countries talked over phone and held talks, steering bilateral relations onto a trajectory of improvement and development, Wang said, noting that China welcomes Britain’s commitment to a consistent, long-term China policy grounded in mutual respect.

    “China stands ready to work with Britain to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, enhance exchanges across sectors, deepen mutual understanding, and promote the healthy and stable development of China-Britain relations,” Wang said.

    Blair said that attempts to isolate China are doomed to fail as the world needs greater understanding of China, noting that the two sides should strengthen dialogue at government levels and across social sectors, while conducting extensive mutually beneficial cooperation to achieve sustained and sound bilateral development.

    On the Israel-Iran conflict, Wang said that differences between countries should be resolved peacefully through dialogue and consultation, noting that Israel’s preemptive strike on Iran on the grounds of “potential future threats” and U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency sent a wrong signal to the world by advocating force over dialogue in resolving disputes, and set a dangerous precedent with significant consequences.

    “All parties to the conflict are urged to take measures to de-escalate tensions and return to negotiations for political settlement to restore peace and stability in the Middle East,” Wang added.

    Blair said that Britain is deeply concerned about the Israel-Iran conflict and calls for diplomatic engagement through dialogue to swiftly return to negotiations, achieving a prompt recovery to the regional peace, security, and stability.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s top diplomat meets Indian National Security Advisor

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

    Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, meets with Shri Ajit Doval, India’s national security adviser and special representative for the India-China boundary question, in Beijing, capital of China, June 23, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    China’s top diplomat Wang Yi met with Ajit Doval, India’s National Security Advisor and India’s Special Representative on the China-India boundary question, in Beijing on Monday.

    Wang, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, said that important consensus on improving bilateral relations was reached by the leaders of the two countries during a meeting in Kazan, Russia last year.

    Wang said that China and India should adhere to the important consensus that they are opportunities for each other’s development and pose no threat to each other, and that they are partners, rather than rivals.

    Wang said that China and India should adhere to the direction of good-neighborliness and friendship, strive for a mutually beneficial and win-win prospect, demonstrate the historical wisdom of the two ancient civilizations, properly handle sensitive issues, and maintain peace and tranquility in the border areas.

    Doval said that the important consensus reached by the two leaders charted the course for bilateral relations, adding that the strategic goals of India and China are aligned, with development being both nations’ top priority.

    India is willing to strengthen coordination with China in multilateral spheres, fully supports China, which is the rotating chair of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), in successfully hosting its summit, and believes that the two major Asian countries can make greater contributions to the international community, Doval added.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ Cinity preview at CineEurope showcases China’s tech power

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

    The first footage from James Cameron’s highly anticipated “Avatar: Fire and Ash” was presented at CineEurope in Barcelona, Spain, on June 18, using the Chinese-developed Cinity projection system.

    An “Avatar: Fire and Ash” logo on display at CineEurope in Barcelona, Spain, June 18, 2025. [Photo courtesy of China Film Group]

    At CineEurope, the official convention of the International Union of Cinemas, a sub-5 minute presentation of “Avatar: Fire and Ash” was showcased using China’s premium cinema system Cinity, developed by China Film Group. The showcase delivered an immersive audiovisual experience that drew acclaim from global film industry professionals.

    James Cameron continues his pursuit of cinematic perfection in “Avatar: Fire and Ash” with 4K, 3D and 48fps screening technology. His selection of the Cinity system for the film’s first global reveal demonstrates his trust in its premium format capabilities — delivering Pandora’s vibrant landscapes with unprecedented clarity to create a sensory revolution for audiences worldwide.

    Industry veterans in attendance praised the system’s exceptional color depth, contrast, dynamic range and motion clarity. Several noted that Cinity’s unmatched brightness and high frame rate deliver superior 3D that fully realizes directors’ visions. The presentation of “Avatar: Fire and Ash” received particular acclaim for its immersive quality, with its high brightness and frame rate achieving something other systems cannot.

    In a video message shown at the China premiere of “Avatar: The Way of Water” in 2022, Cameron stated that Cinity technology helps moviegoers experience Avatar’s world more immersively than ever before. He then confirmed continuing the partnership with Cinity to create the ultimate big-screen experience, declaring it the new gold standard for film screening. 

    The Cinity cinema system, which utilizes independent Chinese intellectual property rights, is an advanced projection system featuring 4K, 3D, ultra-high brightness, high dynamic range, wide color gamut, high frame rate and immersive sound technologies, which makes films more vivid and immersive. It debuted in director Ang Lee’s film “Gemini Man” in 2019, demonstrating its huge potential to international studios and exhibitors.

    Cinity’s cinema projection system and LED cinema projection system are now expanding across Europe, delivering novel, exceptional and groundbreaking premium viewing experiences to audiences. The technology demonstrates China’s transition from follower to standard-setter in cinema tech, marking a key step in the globalization of Chinese film technology, according to a statement from China Film Group.

    Industry insiders and cinemagoers at CineEurope in Barcelona, Spain, June 18, 2025. [Photo courtesy of China Film Group]

    The “Avatar” franchise revolutionized the film industry in 2009 with its first installment. It became a global cultural phenomenon, ushered in the 3D era for cinemas worldwide, accelerated the growth of IMAX and transformed China’s film industry. The original film earned $2.92 billion and remains the highest-grossing movie in history, while its sequel, “Avatar: The Way of Water,” grossed $2.32 billion to become the third-highest grossing film worldwide.

    “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” the third film in the franchise, opens worldwide on Dec. 19, continuing James Cameron’s Pandora saga. The story follows Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) and Neytiri (Zoe Saldaña) as their family confronts grief after Neteyam’s death and the aggressive Ash People tribe led by Varang. The cast also includes Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Oona Chaplin and Kate Winslet.

    The film preview in Barcelona featured a video appearance from James Cameron in New Zealand, who paid tribute to his late collaborator Jon Landau. Cameron promised audiences they would see “a side of Pandora you didn’t know existed,” adding that “Avatar” films are “made to be experienced on the big screen.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Longevity-themed exhibition at Wanshou Temple in Beijing

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

    The permanent exhibition “Auspicious Antiques for Longevity” at the Beijing Art Museum in Wanshou Temple explores the profound significance of longevity in traditional Chinese culture. 

    Longevity holds the foremost position among China’s traditional Five Blessings — longevity, wealth, health, peace and descendants — symbolizing people’s respect for life and their aspiration for longevity and vitality. Through centuries of development, the celebration of longevity in China has evolved into a sophisticated symbolic system embedded in rituals, imagery, calligraphy, decorative arts and daily objects.

    From imperial birthday celebrations to folk customs, and from auspicious motifs on everyday items to scholarly brush and ink works, the exhibition presents the artistic, philosophical and spiritual dimensions of longevity in Chinese culture. Hosted at Wanshou Temple — a historic site once reserved for imperial longevity rituals — the exhibition invites visitors to immerse themselves in centuries of blessings, beauty and reverence for life.

    The entrance to the “Auspicious Antiques for Longevity” exhibition at the Beijing Art Museum in Wanshou Temple, June 19, 2025. The exhibition explores longevity in Chinese culture through centuries of ritual, symbolism and artistic expression. [Photo by Liu Ziying/China.org.cn]

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    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Iran denies ceasefire proposal as Trump announces end to ’12-Day War’

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

    Confusion and skepticism surrounded a surprise ceasefire announcement Monday, as a senior Iranian official told CNN that Tehran had not received any formal proposal from the United States and saw no reason to halt hostilities with Israel or Washington.

    “At this very moment, the enemy is committing aggression against Iran, and Iran is on the verge of intensifying its retaliatory strikes, with no ear to listen to the lies of its enemies,” the official was quoted as saying. He added that remarks from U.S. and Israeli leaders would be seen as a “deception” intended to justify further attacks on Iran.

    The conflicting narratives raised questions about the implementation and durability of any potential ceasefire. As of Monday night, neither Israeli nor Iranian officials had publicly confirmed any agreement. The White House and the Pentagon had also not issued formal statements, and it remained unclear whether the reported deal had been communicated through diplomatic channels, or whether either side intended to follow the terms.

    U.S. President Donald Trump announced Monday evening that Israel and Iran have reached a formal agreement to implement a complete and total ceasefire, marking what he called the end of the “12-Day War.”

    In a post on his Truth Social platform Monday, Trump congratulated both nations and revealed that the ceasefire will begin in approximately six hours, following the completion of each side’s ongoing military operations. The ceasefire will initially last 12 hours, during which the opposing side will maintain a posture of “peace and respect.”

    According to Trump, Iran will initiate the ceasefire, followed by Israel 12 hours later, culminating in an official declaration of the war’s end at the 24-hour mark.

    “On the assumption that everything works as it should, which it will,” Trump wrote, “I would like to congratulate both countries… on having the stamina, courage, and intelligence to end what should be called ‘THE 12 DAY WAR.’”

    Calling the agreement a breakthrough that “could have saved the Middle East from years of destruction,” Trump ended his announcement with a sweeping message of unity: “God bless Israel, God bless Iran, God bless the Middle East, God bless the United States of America, and GOD BLESS THE WORLD!”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Stay safe on winter walks

    Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

    Stay safe on winter walks

    Tuesday, 24 June 2025 – 12:44 pm.

    Walking in Tasmania’s wilderness areas in winter comes with special reward, but Tasmania Police warns there are also greater risks.The Tasmania Police search and rescue helicopter crew has been called out to almost 200 missions in the 2024/25 financial year, with a number of these rescue incidents avoidable had people undertaken better planning and preparation.Tasmania Police Search and Rescue Acting Inspector Paul Johns said the winter period often involved the crew attending missions where people had not been prepared for the often-harsh conditions of the Tasmanian wilderness.One incident involved two walkers who underestimated the terrain and distance of a walk, believing they would complete the track in six hours. The pair was rescued by the helicopter crew after spending a night in near-freezing conditions.A similar incident involved a family with a small child that spent two nights huddled together in blizzard conditions in the state’s north.The group was unprepared and only equipped for a day’s walking. When the weather turned, they became disorientated and lost.Remote search and rescue personnel located the group the next day and provided medical assistance until the rescue helicopter could attend and extract the group.Tasmania Police and the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania joined forces on Tuesday (June 24) to reinforce a winter walking safety message.Acting Inspector Johns urged people to adequately plan and prepare before they ventured into the Tasmanian outdoors.“At any time of the year, it’s important people research their intended trip, have appropriate equipment and that the walk or the track they are attempting is within their abilities and fitness level,” he said.“Tasmania’s weather conditions, particularly in our alpine areas, can change quickly.“In winter, you have added layers of complexity brought on by difficult conditions such as strong wind, rain, sleet and snow; there are much shorter daylight hours, and you can have very cold to freezing temperatures.”Acting Inspector Johns said it was important people who felt they were in difficulty did not leave it to the last minute to seek advice or raise the alarm.“Due to the harsh and inclement weather conditions experienced in Tasmania there are times the rescue helicopter will not be able to reach certain locations,” he said.“Rescue personnel will be in attendance however, if you find yourself in a situation where you believe you require assistance, let people or emergency services know as soon as possible.“Being able to locate people in the wilderness from the helicopter during daylight hours is safer and far less complex than when the sun goes down.“If, however, you do find yourself requiring assistance at night, a light source of any kind is invaluable. The crew on board the helicopter utilises night vision goggles which enhance any light source, be it a torch or mobile phone.”Advice for bushwalkersTasmania Police offers the following advice in reminding bushwalkers of the potential risks in the Tasmanian wilderness.• Police strongly advise bushwalkers against walking alone, and to ensure they carry sufficient warm clothing and food, and emergency communication devices. A Personal Locator Beacon and preferably also a two-way messaging emergency device (known as a ‘SEND’ – Satellite Emergency Notification Device) should also be carried. Take sufficient resources even if you are only undertaking a day walk.• Ensure you’re prepared with appropriate equipment – take a map and torch, clothing and footwear to suit any conditions. Have a waterproof jacket; adequate food and water and first-aid kit.• Research your intended trip. Ensure the trip is within your abilities and fitness level, and you have a route plan, map and check the expected weather forecast. Note that some walks are extremely demanding and should not be conducted without sufficient experience, and ensure you are mentally and physically prepared.• Let someone know before you go. Ensure someone knows your route and expected return time.• Always carry a fully charged mobile phone and consider a portable charger to extend battery life. Batteries do not last as long when cold and mobile navigation apps deplete batteries quicker than other apps.• Be aware that a PLB is a one-way communication device only and the nature of the emergency will not be known by rescue authorities.• Be mindful that assistance may take some time to arrive depending on the location and weather. You must be prepared to survive until assistance arrives.• Be flexible and have a contingency plan. Be prepared to turn back or change plans if severe weather is forecast or eventuates during the walk, or the trip is harder than you thought. Making the decision to push on when you should turn back can put you in danger.

    Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service Ranger-in-Charge Brendan Moodie, left, and Tasmania Police Search and Rescue Senior Constable Phil Rule urge bushwalkers to be fully prepared for adventures in the Tasmanian wilderness. Picture: Tasmania Police

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for June 24, 2025

    ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on June 24, 2025.

    Calls for New Zealand to denounce United States attack on Iran
    By Lillian Hanly, RNZ News political reporter Prominent lawyers are joining opposition parties as they call for the New Zealand government to denounce the United States attack on Iranian nuclear facilities. Iranian New Zealander and lawyer Arman Askarany said the New Zealand government was showing “indifference”. It comes as acting Prime Minister David Seymour told

    Warm-ups, layered clothes, recovery: 4 tips to exercise safely in the cold
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Harry Banyard, Senior Lecturer in Exercise and Sports Science, Swinburne University of Technology Maridav/Shutterstock Temperatures have dropped in many parts of Australia which means runners, cyclists, rowers, hikers, or anyone physically active outside need to take extra precautions to stay safe and exercise in relative comfort. Cold

    Sharks freeze when you turn them upside down – and there’s no good reason why
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jodie L. Rummer, Professor of Marine Biology, James Cook University Rachel Moore Imagine watching your favourite nature documentary. The predator lunges rapidly from its hiding place, jaws wide open, and the prey … suddenly goes limp. It looks dead. For some animals, this freeze response – called

    Drone footage captured orcas crafting tools out of kelp – and using them for grooming
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Vanessa Pirotta, Postdoctoral Researcher and Wildlife Scientist, Macquarie University Sara Jenkins/500px/Getty The more we learn about orcas, the more remarkable they are. These giant dolphins are the ocean’s true apex predator, preying on great white sharks and other lesser predators. They’re very intelligent and highly social. Their

    Inaccurate and misogynistic: why we need to make the term ‘hysterectomy’ history
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Theresa Larkin, Associate Professor of Medical Sciences, University of Wollongong Panuwat Dangsungnoen/Getty Images Have you had a tonsillectomy (your tonsils taken out), appendectomy (your appendix removed) or lumpectomy (removal of a lump from your breast)? The suffix “ectomy” denotes surgical removal of the named body part, so

    More women are using medical cannabis – but new research shows barriers push some into illegal markets
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Vinuli Withanarachchie, PhD candidate, College of Health, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University Getty Images The number of women using medicinal cannabis is growing in New Zealand and overseas. They use cannabis treatment for general conditions such as pain, anxiety, inflammation and nausea, as well as

    It’s time to face an uncomfortable truth: maybe our pampered pets would be better off without us
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nancy Cushing, Associate professor, University of Newcastle ROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP via Getty Images Pet-keeping is often promoted for the benefits it brings humans. A close association with another animal can provide us with a sense of purpose and a daily dose of joy. It can aid our health,

    Work, wages and apprenticeships: sifting for clues about the lives of girls in ancient Egypt
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Julia Hamilton, Lecturer in History and Archaeology, Macquarie University Weavers in the Tomb of Khnumhotep II, Beni Hassan, Egypt. Painted by Norman de Garis Davies (MMA 33.8.16) We know surprisingly little about the lives of children in ancient Egypt. And what records we do have about them

    Archetyp was one of the dark web’s biggest drug markets. A global sting has shut it down
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Elena Morgenthaler, PhD Candidate, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Griffith University Operation Deep Sentinel Last week, one of the dark web’s most prominent drug marketplaces – Archetyp – was shut down in an international, multi-agency law enforcement operation following years of investigations. It was touted as

    How do sleep trackers work, and are they worth it? A sleep scientist breaks it down
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dean J. Miller, Senior Lecturer, Appleton Institute, HealthWise Research Group, CQUniversity Australia Many smartwatches, fitness and wellness trackers now offer sleep tracking among their many functions. Wear your watch or ring to bed, and you’ll wake up to a detailed sleep report telling you not just how

    ‘It feels like I am being forced to harm a child’: research shows how teachers are suffering moral injury
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Glenys Oberg, PhD candidate in education and trauma, The University of Queensland SolStock/Getty Images Australia is in the grip of a teacher shortage. Teachers are burning out, warning the job is no longer sustainable and leaving the profession. We know this is due to excessive workloads, stress

    NZ Greens call on state to condemn US over ‘dangerous’ attack on Iran
    Asia Pacific Report New Zealand’s opposition Green Party has called on the government to condemn the United States for its illegal bombing of Iran and inflaming tensions across the Middle East. “The actions of the United States pose a fundamental threat to world peace,” said Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson in a statement. “The rest

    View from the Hill: Albanese supports US bombing, reluctantly
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra When Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong went out on Monday to back the United States attack on Iran, it was obvious their support was through gritted teeth. Albanese told their joint news conference: “The world has

    Woodside’s North West Shelf gas extension is being challenged in the courts. Could it be stopped?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Samantha Hepburn, Professor, Deakin Law School, Deakin University The controversial extension of Woodside’s North West Shelf gas project off Western Australia faces two legal challenges. Both raise significant concerns about the validity of government approvals. One could even seek an injunction, preventing federal environment minister Murray Watt

    Australian CEOs are still getting their bonuses. Performance doesn’t seem to matter so much
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Richard Denniss, Adjunct Professor, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University RomanR/Shutterstock Almost all of Australia’s top chief executives are, according to their boards at least, knocking it out of the park in terms of performance. That is despite sluggish productivity, persistently high carbon emissions, rising

    Strait of Hormuz: closing vital oil and gas route would disrupt global supplies. How will Australia be affected?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sanjoy Paul, Associate Professor in Operations and Supply Chain Management, UTS Business School, University of Technology Sydney Below the Sky/Shutterstock The Iranian parliament has approved the closure of key shipping route the Strait of Hormuz, in a move that could further escalate the Israel/Iran war. The strait

    MIT researchers say using ChatGPT can rot your brain. The truth is a little more complicated
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Vitomir Kovanovic, Associate Professor and Associate Director of the Centre for Change and Complexity in Learning (C3L), Education Futures, University of South Australia Rroselavy / Shutterstock Since ChatGPT appeared almost three years ago, the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies on learning has been widely debated. Are

    Why the US strikes on Iran are illegal and can set a troubling precedent
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Donald Rothwell, Professor of International Law, Australian National University After the United States bombed Iran’s three nuclear facilities on Sunday, US President Donald Trump said its objective was a “stop to the nuclear threat posed by the world’s number one state sponsor of terror”. US Defence Secretary

    How do I get started in the gym lifting weights?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mandy Hagstrom, Senior Lecturer, Exercise Physiology. School of Health Sciences, UNSW Sydney Thomas Barwick/Getty So you’ve never been to a gym and are keen to start, but something’s holding you back. Perhaps you don’t know what to actually do in there or feel like you’ll just look

    NZ’s plan to ‘welcome anyone, from anywhere, anytime’ is not a sustainable tourism policy
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Regina Scheyvens, Professor of Development Studies, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University Getty Images Attracting more Chinese tourists to New Zealand, including during the off-season, was a major part of Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s trade agenda during his visit to China last week. As Tourism Minister

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Checking In on the Energy Transition

    Source: World Economic Forum (video statements)

    Checking In on the Energy Transition

    In the past few years, public policies and industrial strategies have accelerated the transition to secure, clean and equitable energy. But increasing uncertainty in the world poses questions on how these policies and strategies will evolve.

    What is the outlook for the energy transition and what are the recipes for success for adopting clean, efficient and accessible energy solutions?

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUV0agTy3XE

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Top 10 Emerging Technologies of 2025

    Source: World Economic Forum (video statements)

    Top 10 Emerging Technologies of 2025

    For more than a decade, the World Economic Forum has been surveying decision-makers and experts on exponential technologies on the cusp of transforming economies and societies.

    Join us for the rundown of the Top 10 Emerging Technologies of 2025 and a discussion on their projected impact on lives and livelihoods.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51h5CWKN8Kg

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Ministerial statement on the Middle East

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Mr Speaker,

    The situation in the Middle East is of the gravest concern. 

    No New Zealanders want to wake up to news of more bombing, more strife and more misery. Yet, tragically, for the last two years, that is what we have seen: a relentless and remorseless series of events which have greatly destabilised the region and gravely harmed its people and their sense of security and prosperity. 

    New Zealanders are scattered across every part of the world – and so of course our minds turn in the current crisis to our people in harm’s way. Ensuring their safety is an absolute priority of this Government. 

    New Zealand is a very long way from the Middle East. Unlike our own region, the Pacific, New Zealand’s influence in the Middle East and our ability to affect the trajectory of events is modest. Nevertheless, this Government, continuing New Zealand’s long tradition as a responsible international citizen, has pursued an active foreign policy based on engagement with all – via an intensive programme of Prime Ministerial and Ministerial travel. 

    We have sought to understand the perspectives of all involved in the Middle East crisis – and to present a clear New Zealand position. That’s why we travelled to Egypt, the UAE and Saudi Arabia; why we’ve met and discussed these issues with Israel, Iran, the Palestinians, the Gulf states, the Europeans, Australia, the United States, our Asian partners, and many others. And that’s why we have resisted the pressure from some to expel from New Zealand the Ambassadors of some Middle Eastern countries. We prefer diplomacy to moral outrage. 

    Indeed, ours is a foreign policy of collecting all the facts, hearing all the perspectives, and applying a careful, reasonable, cool-headed approach to the situation – not kneejerk reaction and simplistic moral posturing. 

    The New Zealand Government’s response to what is happening in the Middle East should be guided by two questions: 

    • how can we act to get our people out of harm’s way?; and
    • how can we best contribute to an international debate which helps push the situation towards de-escalation and peace not further disintegration and despair? 

    Our first priority is the safety of New Zealanders. Our advice to New Zealanders in Iran and Israel remains to leave if and when they can find a safe route. The Government is committed to supporting New Zealanders caught up in this crisis. Since the beginning of the conflict, MFAT has provided 24/7 consular support to New Zealanders in Israel and Iran, and to their families back home in New Zealand. It will continue to do so. 

    As we announced on Sunday, we have sent a C-130 aircraft to ensure that we have the resource available to aid in evacuations from the region for those that want to leave. We are also in discussions with commercial airlines to see if they can help. We encourage all New Zealanders in the region to make sure they register with SafeTravel so we can have an accurate picture of who may need assistance and where. We are also monitoring carefully the economic impacts back home of what is happening in the Middle East. 

    We note, and welcome, positive signals in the last few hours about a potential ceasefire. New Zealand strongly supports all efforts toward diplomacy. We urge all parties to return to talks. An enduring solution depends on de-escalation and diplomacy.

    As we have repeatedly said, the Middle East is not a situation of black and white; of good and evil; of just one bad actor. Those in this House who rush to condemn or call out one actor or other – or who demand that the Government do the same – should pause to reflect on whether they are seeking to understand and influence what is going on, or simply virtue-signal about it.

    New Zealand has consistently called for peaceful resolution of this latest conflict. Diplomacy must always be the first resort, not the last. We have been clear to all our partners, and to all parties to the conflict, that military action must end and parties must return to the negotiating table to find a lasting resolution. 

    New Zealand has a long, proud history of standing up against nuclear weapons. Our concerns about Iran’s aspirations for nuclear weapons are longstanding. Iran has a proven pattern of non-compliance with its nuclear non-proliferation obligations. And Iran has made threats against other countries in the volatile Middle East.

    We end this statement by noting what New Zealand is looking for in the Middle East, and what we oppose. 

    We want de-escalation and dialogue. We want a two-state solution, with Israelis and Palestinians living in security and peace side-by-side. We want humanitarian aid to get to those who need it. Ultimately, we want peace. 

    And what we do not want is New Zealanders in harm’s way. We do not want ever escalating rounds of military action. We do not want a nuclear Iran. We do not want Hamas holding hostages and terrorising Palestinian and Israeli civilians alike. And we do not want Israel occupying Palestinian land.

    And, ultimately, we do not want another generation of young people in the Middle East, scarred by conflict, replicating the enmities of today and yesterday. This cycle of conflict, now generations old, must end.

    Mr Speaker, the Middle East is a long way away from New Zealand and our influence is limited. But the Government is committed to doing all we can to help New Zealanders affected and to help contribute to de-escalation and diplomacy. 

    Thank you. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Arrest – Domestic violence – Wulagi

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The NT Police Force arrested a 27-year-old male after responding to a domestic disturbance in Wulagi yesterday afternoon.

    About 1:30pm, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received reports of an ongoing domestic incident involving a 27-year-old male and his family. It is alleged the offender had smashed a vehicle window before threatening a female victim who is believed to be his partner.

    Police deployed general duties, Strike Force Trident, Traffic and specialist members to the scene and set up a cordon. An arrest plan was enacted resulting in the male being arrested without incident, and the victim and children involved being safely removed from the residence at the time.

     If you or someone you know are experiencing difficulties due to domestic violence, support services are available, including, but not limited to, 1800RESPECT (1800737732) or Lifeline 131 114.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rosen Leads Senators in Demanding Answers on Trump Administration’s Cuts to Veteran Education Benefits

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV)

    WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) led Senate colleagues in a letter to the Trump Administration expressing deep concern over the administration’s recent budget and staffing cuts at the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Education, and demanding answers on how these cuts will negatively impact critical education benefits for veterans and programs that support veterans as they transition to civilian life, pursue higher education, or reenter the workforce. Rosen was joined by Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Angus King (I-ME), Richard Durbin (D-IL), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), Andy Kim (D-NJ), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Tina Smith (D-MN), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Peter Welch (D-VT), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Jack Reed (D-RI), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Mark Warner (D-VA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and Tim Kaine (D-VA). 
    “With nearly 16 million veterans across our nation who have selflessly served and sacrificed in defense of our country, it is imperative that these cuts do not undermine essential programs that support veterans transitioning to civilian life and building successful careers,” wrote the Senators. “Education programs such as the Post-9/11 GI Bill, the Yellow Ribbon Program, and Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) have empowered countless veterans to pursue higher education, gain critical skills, and become integral contributors to our economy and society. Laws and regulations enforced by the Department of Education, such as the 90/10 rule and borrower defense to repayment, have also historically prevented veterans from being taken advantage of by predatory programs. Weakening or eliminating any of these programs or protections would not only harm veterans but also jeopardize our national workforce readiness and long-term economic resilience.”
    “As a country, we carry a moral and strategic responsibility to ensure our veterans are equipped for success after service. Safeguarding the educational benefits veterans rely upon is not only a commitment to our promises, but also an investment in our nation’s future and vital for military recruitment,” the Senators’ letter continued. “We respectfully request a detailed explanation of the impacts these budget and staffing cuts and planned changes to federal oversight and accreditation policy will have on veterans’ access to, and success in, higher education, vocational training, and associated support services nationwide.”
    The full letter can be found HERE.
    Senator Rosen has been a steadfast advocate for veterans in Nevada and nationwide. In January 2025, she co-sponsored the bipartisan Commitment to Veteran Support and Outreach Act, now law, which authorized funds to County Veterans Service Officers and local efforts to connect veterans with benefits related to education, housing, disability, and other services. In February 2025, she helped introduce the Purple Heart Veterans Education Act, closing a loophole so that every Purple Heart recipient can transfer their GI Bill benefits to their dependents. In 2024, Rosen led the bipartisan Education Flexibility for Veteran Parents Act, allowing veteran parents to receive full GI Bill housing stipends regardless of whether the program is in-person or online. Her bipartisan bill to require the VA to maintain a permanent helpline for veterans to use for information on VA services was signed into law last year as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025. These efforts underscore her unwavering commitment to ensuring veterans and their families receive the education benefits they’ve earned through service.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rosen Leads Senators in Demanding Answers on Trump Administration’s Cuts to Veteran Education Benefits

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV)

    WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) led Senate colleagues in a letter to the Trump Administration expressing deep concern over the administration’s recent budget and staffing cuts at the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Education, and demanding answers on how these cuts will negatively impact critical education benefits for veterans and programs that support veterans as they transition to civilian life, pursue higher education, or reenter the workforce. Rosen was joined by Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Angus King (I-ME), Richard Durbin (D-IL), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), Andy Kim (D-NJ), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Tina Smith (D-MN), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Peter Welch (D-VT), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Jack Reed (D-RI), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Mark Warner (D-VA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and Tim Kaine (D-VA). 
    “With nearly 16 million veterans across our nation who have selflessly served and sacrificed in defense of our country, it is imperative that these cuts do not undermine essential programs that support veterans transitioning to civilian life and building successful careers,” wrote the Senators. “Education programs such as the Post-9/11 GI Bill, the Yellow Ribbon Program, and Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) have empowered countless veterans to pursue higher education, gain critical skills, and become integral contributors to our economy and society. Laws and regulations enforced by the Department of Education, such as the 90/10 rule and borrower defense to repayment, have also historically prevented veterans from being taken advantage of by predatory programs. Weakening or eliminating any of these programs or protections would not only harm veterans but also jeopardize our national workforce readiness and long-term economic resilience.”
    “As a country, we carry a moral and strategic responsibility to ensure our veterans are equipped for success after service. Safeguarding the educational benefits veterans rely upon is not only a commitment to our promises, but also an investment in our nation’s future and vital for military recruitment,” the Senators’ letter continued. “We respectfully request a detailed explanation of the impacts these budget and staffing cuts and planned changes to federal oversight and accreditation policy will have on veterans’ access to, and success in, higher education, vocational training, and associated support services nationwide.”
    The full letter can be found HERE.
    Senator Rosen has been a steadfast advocate for veterans in Nevada and nationwide. In January 2025, she co-sponsored the bipartisan Commitment to Veteran Support and Outreach Act, now law, which authorized funds to County Veterans Service Officers and local efforts to connect veterans with benefits related to education, housing, disability, and other services. In February 2025, she helped introduce the Purple Heart Veterans Education Act, closing a loophole so that every Purple Heart recipient can transfer their GI Bill benefits to their dependents. In 2024, Rosen led the bipartisan Education Flexibility for Veteran Parents Act, allowing veteran parents to receive full GI Bill housing stipends regardless of whether the program is in-person or online. Her bipartisan bill to require the VA to maintain a permanent helpline for veterans to use for information on VA services was signed into law last year as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025. These efforts underscore her unwavering commitment to ensuring veterans and their families receive the education benefits they’ve earned through service.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Fujian coast guard conducts routine patrol of waters near Kinmen 2025-06-24 08:36:48 Fujian coast guard conducted a routine law enforcement patrol in the waters near Kinmen on Monday, according to a spokesperson for a regional bureau of China Coast Guard (CCG).

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

      FUZHOU, June 23 (Xinhua) — Fujian coast guard conducted a routine law enforcement patrol in the waters near Kinmen on Monday, according to a spokesperson for a regional bureau of China Coast Guard (CCG).

      Zhu Anqing, spokesperson for the CCG East China Sea Bureau, said that since June, the Fujian coast guard had organized fleet formations to strengthen law enforcement patrols in waters adjacent to Kinmen, while also carrying out special law enforcement operations related to the summer fishing moratorium.

      These measures have effectively enhanced maritime controls in relevant waters, safeguarded the legitimate rights and interests as well as the lives and property of Chinese fishermen, including those from the Taiwan region, and have strongly maintained normal navigation and operational order in the Xiamen-Kinmen maritime area, Zhu said.  

    loading…

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Tourists enjoy summer across China

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

    Tourists enjoy summer across China

    Updated: June 24, 2025 08:38 Xinhua
    An aerial drone photo taken on June 16, 2025 shows tourists taking boats for sightseeing in the Baofeng Lake of Wulingyuan District in Zhangjiajie, central China’s Hunan Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Tourists enjoy themselves at sunset on the beach in Weihai City, east China’s Shandong Province, June 22, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China Postal Airlines launches Zhengzhou-Luxemburg international cargo route

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

    China Postal Airlines launches Zhengzhou-Luxemburg international cargo route

    Updated: June 24, 2025 09:39 Xinhua
    A cargo plane of China Postal Airlines from China’s Zhengzhou to Luxembourg is pictured on the tarmac before its maiden flight at Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport in Zhengzhou, central China’s Henan Province, June 23, 2025. China Postal Airlines officially launched the Zhengzhou-Luxemburg international cargo route on Monday, with an initial weekly schedule. The flight frequency will be increased based on market demand, further strengthening the Zhengzhou-Luxembourg “Air Silk Road” as a thriving multi-industry corridor. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A cargo plane of China Postal Airlines from China’s Zhengzhou to Luxembourg is pictured before its maiden flight at Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport in Zhengzhou, central China’s Henan Province, June 23, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Staff members load cargo onto a plane of China Postal Airlines from China’s Zhengzhou to Luxembourg before its maiden flight at Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport in Zhengzhou, central China’s Henan Province, June 23, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Staff members transport cargo for a plane of China Postal Airlines from China’s Zhengzhou to Luxembourg before its maiden flight at Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport in Zhengzhou, central China’s Henan Province, June 23, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China-South Asia Expo key platform for regional cooperation: experts

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

    China-South Asia Expo key platform for regional cooperation: experts

    Updated: June 24, 2025 09:42 Xinhua

    Various experts have emphasized that the ongoing 9th China-South Asia Expo in southwest China’s Kunming plays a vital role in promoting regional cooperation and strengthening mutual understanding.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Watch out for ruru/morepork

    Source: NZ Department of Conservation

    Date:  24 June 2025

    One of the injured ruru which was found on the side of the road in Greymouth in mid-May has just been released after a spell recovering at the South Island Wildlife Hospital.

    “Usha” was found by a member of the public who used a towel to gently pick her up when she saw the ruru sitting on the ground unable to fly away.

    The bird was initially cared for by Cassie Mealey, a DOC Senior Technical Advisor who rehabilitates native birds in her spare time (under an appropriate Wildlife Act authority).

    After a few days of recovery and care Air NZ flew her across to the South Island Wildlife Hospital in Christchurch to see wildlife vet, Pauline Howard.

    The little ruru had x-rays that showed a fractured coracoid (a deep chest bone that helps stabilize flight muscles). This was likely the result of a vehicle hitting her. Treatment included pain relief, cage rest and fluids. Pauline said, “Usha was a model patient, and she had an uncomplicated recovery.”

    Once the fracture was stabilised and Usha had “rehab flight training”, Air NZ flew her back and Cassie released her into the wild near to where she was found.

    Cassie has had five ruru in her care throughout May, most with fractures from suspected vehicle strikes, and some with suspected secondary poisoning from mice that have eaten poison brodificaum bait used by households to control rats and mice.

    Chris Hickford, Greymouth DOC Operations Manager, says the work Cassie and the South Island Wildlife Hospital do to care and rehabilitate injured birds is really appreciated.

    “DOC can’t look after every bird, so we rely on a network of individuals and organisations nationwide who donate their time to do this work,” Chris says.

    Cassie says people are seeing more ruru in their back yards.

    “It is likely that the cooler weather and mice boom at this time of year that has driven them into urban areas where there is more food such as moths around streetlights and mice around houses and compost bins,” she says.

    After dark, ruru are attracted to streetlights, where they hunt moths attracted to the bright lights. They commonly fly into the sides of buildings or are hit by cars.

    “People can help protect ruru by maintaining old trees, as they like to nest in tree cavities instead of on the ground where they are more vulnerable. You can also build nest boxes, and place them in trees,” Cassie says.

    “Using traps instead of poison to control mice and rats also helps to protect the ruru population,” she says.

    If you see sick or injured ruru or other wildlife, call 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468).

    Contact

    For media enquiries contact:

    Email: media@doc.govt.nz

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S., Australia, and Japan strengthen ties during Southern Jackaroo 25

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    TOWNSVILLE, Australia — U.S. Marines and Sailors with the Marine Rotational Force – Darwin (MRF-D) 25.3 Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) arrived in Townsville to train alongside the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) during Exercise Southern Jackaroo 25, a multi-lateral exercise held from May 25 through June 13, 2025 at the Townsville Field Training Area, Queensland, Australia.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Republic of Singapore Navy divers visit U.S. Coast Guard, strengthen maritime security ties

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    SANTA RITA, Guam – Divers from the Republic of Singapore Navy, embarked on the Formidable-class frigate RSS Supreme (73), visited U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam on June 11 to discuss operations, share challenges, and tour the Sentinel-class patrol boat USCGC Myrtle Hazard (WPC 1139).

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Coast Guard strengthens partnership with Federated States of Micronesia at semi-annual Joint Committee Meeting

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    SANTA RITA, Guam — The U.S. Coast Guard actively participated in the semi-annual bilateral Joint Committee Meeting (JCM) with the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) on June 4 to 5, 2025, at Joint Task Force-Micronesia (JTF-M) Headquarters.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cotton, Warner, Colleagues Introduce Intelligence Community Workforce Agility Protection Act

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Arkansas Tom Cotton
    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353June 23, 2025
    Cotton, Warner, Colleagues Introduce Intelligence Community Workforce Agility Protection Act 
    Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas), Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, and Senator Mark R. Warner (D-Virginia), Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, today introduced the Intelligence Community Workforce Agility Protection Act, legislation that would provide equitable tax treatment for civilians workers in the intelligence community who are subject to permanent change of station orders, similar to those in the military.
    Senators Michael Bennet (D-Colorado), Ted Budd (R-North Carolina), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-New York), Mark Kelly (D-Arizona), James Lankford (R-Oklahoma), Jerry Moran (R-Kansas), Mike Rounds (R-South Dakota), and Todd Young (R-Indiana) are cosponsoring the legislation.
    “Just as in the military, permanent change of station orders can be a time of upheaval for the men, women, and families of the intelligence community. This bill will reinstate some of the eased burdens on moving costs and help keep our intelligence community workers focused on the mission at hand of keeping our country safe,” said Senator Cotton.
    “Like the men and women of our armed forces, our intelligence community professionals go to extraordinary lengths to serve and protect their country,” Senator Warner said. “They often uproot their lives to go serve where they are needed – no matter where that may be. This commonsense legislation will ensure that these brave Americans are not forced to pay out of pocket for the costs of their relocations.”
    Text of the Intelligence Community Workforce Agility Protection Act may be found here.
    The Intelligence Community Workforce Agility Protection Act would:
    Provide equitable tax treatment for IC civilians who are subject to permanent change of station orders, similar to those in the military. 
    Preserve for IC employees and appointees certain moving expense deductions and moving expense reimbursements.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murphy: 8 Things You Should Know About Iran

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Connecticut – Chris Murphy

    June 23, 2025

    WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) on Monday wrote a Substack post outlining eight ideas that should inform how the American public thinks about the Trump administration’s strikes against Iran and President Trump’s refusal to learn the lessons of America’s previous military misadventures in the Middle East.
    “America’s addiction to military intervention in the Middle East is a stubborn habit to break for our nation, and it’s heartbreaking,” Murphy wrote. “It’s heartbreaking mostly because we have continuous evidence that believing we can change minds or political realities in this complicated region by brute military force is folly.”
    Murphy explained the American people are not the ones pushing for endless conflict:  “But, we keep going to war, despite the evidence telling us “hell no,” because of a powerful but wrongheaded group of warmongers and cheerleaders in Washington: hawkish politicians; profit-obsessed weapons sellers; and capable but naively optimistic military planners.
    He laid out various potentially dangerous consequences of Trump’s decision to strike Iran: “The worst consequence, of course, is a full-blown war in the region that draws in the United States…If Iran kills American troops, the conflict could spiral and America would be back at war in the Middle East…Another potentially dangerous consequence would be the fall of the regime in Tehran. The Supreme Leader is a murderous tyrant who wants Israel wiped off the map and has killed hundreds of U.S. troops in Iraq. Even if he were pushed out internally, he could be replaced by someone even more hardline and bent on revenge, willing to order terrorist attacks all over the globe. A third scenario, a civil war in which Iran descends into chaos, could be even worse for the United States and the region…”
    Murphy argued diplomacy, not military intervention, is the best way to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon: “You cannot bomb knowledge out of existence. Iran knows how to make a nuclear bomb…And bombing their facilities just destroys their equipment; it does not eliminate their knowledge… If Iran makes the decision to build a weapon, and they have a country like Russia helping them, they could easily get a weapon in a dangerously short amount of time…If America hadn’t already successfully negotiated and implemented an agreement with Iran to stop them from obtaining a nuclear weapon, maybe the military option would look more reasonable. Yes, we don’t want Iran to have a nuclear weapon, but from 2014-2107, Iran’s advanced nuclear research program was dismantled, and we had inspectors crawling all over the country ensuring their compliance. Trump’s national security advisors urged him to stay in the deal – it was working! – but he disastrously withdrew.”
    Murphy concluded: “This is a moment where Congress needs to step in. This week, we are likely to take a vote that makes it crystal clear President Trump does not have the authorization for these strikes or a broader war with Iran. This is also a moment for the American people to stand up and say we do not want another war in the Middle East. In the last twenty years, we have seen the untold damage done – the lives lost, the billions of dollars wasted, and our reputation squandered – and we won’t allow Trump to take us down that path again.”
    Murphy released a statement Saturday night following the strikes.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murphy, Entire Senate Democratic Caucus Urge Leader Thune to Change Course on Proposed Cuts to Health Care and Food Assistance

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Connecticut – Chris Murphy
     
    WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Chris Murphy, a member of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, joined every member of the Senate Democratic Caucus in calling on Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) to change course on Republicans’ plan to take health care and food assistance away from millions of Americans—including seniors, children, people with disabilities, and veterans—to pay for tax breaks for the wealthiest.
    “If enacted, these cuts to food assistance and health care will mean widespread hardship for Americans, including seniors, children, people with disabilities, and veterans; irreversibly weaken state and local governments; and pull the rug out from under rural hospitals, nursing homes, community health centers, farmers, independent grocers, food banks, and so many others,” wrote the senators.
    “Just because the House has acted in this regard does not mean the U.S. Senate must make the same mistakes,” continued the senators. “Congress should be enacting policies that lower costs and make it easier for American families to thrive rather than raising the costs of food, health care, and other vital services.” 
    U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Angus King (I-Maine), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) also signed the letter.
    Full text of the letter is available HERE and below.
    Dear Senator Thune:
    At a time when American families are struggling with the high prices of food, health care, housing, and other essentials, the U.S. House of Representatives has passed a bill that will raise costs even more by terminating health insurance for millions of Americans and taking food assistance from millions — all to provide tax breaks to the wealthiest Americans and corporations.  
    If enacted, these cuts to food assistance and health care will mean widespread hardship for Americans, including seniors, children, people with disabilities, and veterans; irreversibly weaken state and local governments; and pull the rug out from under rural hospitals, nursing homes, community health centers, farmers, independent grocers, food banks, and so many others. Just because the House has acted in this regard does not mean the U.S. Senate must make the same mistakes. Congress should be enacting policies that lower costs and make it easier for American families to thrive rather than raising the costs of food, health care, and other vital services. 
    Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) guarantee access to affordable health care for millions of working and middle-class families across the country.  More than 80 million people are enrolled in Medicaid, while more than 24 million buy their own health insurance through the ACA Marketplaces. The nation’s uninsured rate has dropped to historic lows because of the health coverage and security afforded by these essential programs. The House-passed Republican reconciliation bill includes over $1 trillion in health care cuts, decimating Medicaid and dismantling the ACA. 
    The non-partisan, independent Congressional Budget Office (CBO) finds the entirety of Republicans’ health care cuts will terminate health care coverage for 16 million people. These coverage losses are not without consequence. New analyses find more than 51,000 Americans will die as a result of the bill’s Medicaid cuts, which will also lead to the loss of 850,000 jobs. The Republican bill will increase costs for everyone and damage local economies; raise premiums and health care costs across markets; shutter rural hospitals and nursing homes; worsen unemployment from resulting job loss; and slam state budgets with new, unaffordable costs. 
    The House-passed bill includes the largest health care cuts in history. Its Medicaid policies will ensnare millions in red tape, making it impossible for them to enroll in coverage; increase premiums and cost-sharing for low-income seniors and families; and slash Medicaid payments to hospitals, community health centers, nursing homes, and other health care providers; among other draconian, harmful cuts. 
    The Republican bill’s underhanded cuts to the ACA will dismantle and destabilize the Marketplaces. A thicket of new red tape requirements will make it nearly impossible for working and middle-class Americans to access tax credits that make their premiums affordable and enroll in coverage through the Marketplaces. Republican cuts will more than double ACA premiums for tens of millions of Americans, putting coverage out of reach for small businesses, gig workers, family caregivers, and millions of others who buy their own health insurance through the Marketplaces. 
    The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the cornerstone of America’s anti-hunger efforts, helping to put food on the table for 42 million Americans, including nearly 16 million children, 8 million seniors, 4 million people with disabilities, and 1.2 million veterans. The effectiveness of SNAP has been shown time and again. SNAP reduces food insecurity and poverty; lowers health care costs; supports farmers, grocers and local economies; provides a long-term return on investment in our children and their future; and acts as an automatic economic stabilizer during times of weak economic conditions. 
    The House-passed reconciliation bill proposes nearly $300 billion in cuts to SNAP — the deepest cuts to food assistance in history. If enacted into law, CBO estimates that over 3 million Americans – including seniors, kids 7 or older, and families living in areas with a weak economy – will lose their food assistance entirely because of stricter eligibility requirements and red tape. Another 1.3 million Americans will lose SNAP entirely or have their benefits cut as a result of the provision requiring states to pay for a significant portion of SNAP — forcing states to choose between helping their residents afford groceries and funding education, public safety, investment in workforce and education, and other critical priorities. 
    Other provisions in the bill will reduce future benefits for tens of millions of additional Americans. In addition, hundreds of thousands of children will lose free and reduced-price school meals through the National School Lunch Program. In total, tens of millions of Americans will see their grocery costs increase, and many will go hungry as a result.
    Just because the House has rushed to pass damaging policies that will raise costs and result in millions losing access to health care or food does not mean that it is too late for the Senate to change course. We urge you to set aside the House bill and instead work with us to lower costs and ensure all Americans can access the health care and food they need to survive.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Tuesday, June 24, 2025

    Source: Government of Canada – Prime Minister

    Note: All times local

    Brussels, Belgium

    8:20 a.m. The Prime Minister will depart for The Hague, the Netherlands.

    The Hague, the Netherlands

    10:15 a.m. The Prime Minister will arrive in The Hague, the Netherlands.

    2:30 p.m. The Prime Minister will meet with the President of Latvia, Edgars Rinkēvičs.

    Note for media:

    3:15 p.m. The Prime Minister will meet with the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Dick Schoof.

    Note for media:

    4:00 p.m. The Prime Minister will have an audience with Their Majesties King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands.

    Note for media:

    5:15 p.m. The Prime Minister will meet with leaders of Nordic countries.

    Note for media:

    7:25 p.m. The Prime Minister will attend the official welcome by Their Majesties King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands.

    Note for media:

    • Host broadcaster

    7:45 p.m. The Prime Minister will attend a reception given by Their Majesties King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands.

    Closed to media

    8:25 p.m. The Prime Minister will participate in a family photo with NATO Allies.

    Note for media:

    8:45 p.m. The Prime Minister will attend a dinner given by Their Majesties King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands.

    Note for media:

    • Host broadcaster

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Valadao Leads Subcommittee Markup of FY26 Legislative Branch Bill

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman David G Valadao (CA-21)

    WASHINGTON – Today, the House Appropriations Legislative Branch Subcommittee met to consider its Fiscal Year 2026 bill. The measure was approved by the Subcommittee, which Congressman Valadao chairs. 

    “As the Chairman of the Legislative Branch Subcommittee, it’s been an exciting few weeks working to draft a bill that demonstrates our strong commitment to fiscal responsibility and transparency in how Congress manages its own operations,” said Congressman Valadao. “This legislation reins in unnecessary spending, focuses on core needs, and ensures that every dollar is justified and accountable to the American people. It also fully funds sworn staffing needs for Capitol Police to ensure the Capitol complex, Members of Congress, and all who work and visit here are safe. I thank Chairman Cole for his leadership throughout this process and look forward to working with my colleagues on the House Appropriations Committee to get this bill over the finish line.”

    Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole said, “The foundation of our work is service to the American people, and this FY26 bill reflects that commitment through targeted and responsible investments. It supports functions core to democracy and upholds the oversight and accountability duties of Congress. The safety of the Capitol complex for constituents and visitors and operations of national institutions are also prioritized. Chairman Valadao’s bill puts the American people first – in strengthening the institutions that represent them, protecting effective governance, and safeguarding taxpayer dollars.”

    Legislative Branch Subcommittee Chairman David Valadao began the markup with remarks on the bill. Watch his full remarks here or read as prepared below:

    I am pleased to introduce the Fiscal Year 2026 Legislative Branch Appropriation bill for the subcommittee’s consideration.

    I’d like to begin by thanking our subcommittee Members in attendance for their input and support throughout the hearing season and during the formulation of the bill we present for consideration this evening. I’d like to specifically thank Ranking Member Espaillat for his contributions and valuable insights.

    This bill provides $5 billion – a 5.3 per cent decrease from the fiscal year 2025 enacted House level. As the legislative branch, we believe it is our responsibility to lead by example and make responsible funding decreases where appropriate.

    I want to take a moment to recognize the tragic events that took place in Minnesota since Congress was last in session. Political violence has no place in our country, and I continue to pray for the victims and those grieving the loss of their loved ones.

    As appropriators on the Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch, we have the unique responsibility to provide for the safety and security for Members of Congress and the United States Capitol complex, the heart of Democracy in the world.

    The bill under consideration today includes increased funding for the House Sergeant at Arms and the United States Capitol Police, including double the annual amount requested for mutual aid reimbursements. It also continues to carry the increase in the Members’ Representational Allowance that began in 2017 for the purpose of providing Member security when they are away from the Capitol complex.

    It is my understanding that the House Sergeant at Arms is developing a number of proposals regarding additional security measures for Member consideration. In the days ahead, we look forward to reviewing and discussing these proposals with our colleagues to determine the most appropriate path forward. As you all are aware, this subcommittee mark is the first step of this bill’s journey, and we look forward to continuing the discussion on security measures, particularly when we go to conference with the Senate where we will be able to address these concerns in a united fashion. 

    Again, I’d like to thank all Members for their thoughtful contributions to the Legislative Branch Subcommittee’s bill and report. I also want to thank the subcommittee staff on both sides. From the majority, Lori Rowley and April Lyman, and from the minority, Faye Cobb. Thank you for the many hours of work resulting in this product and for your efforts to include as many Member priorities as possible.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Public Broadcasting Service (PBS)’s Role in Emergencies

    Source: US State of Oregon

    strong>SALEM, Ore.—In an age of digital communication, public broadcasting radio stations remain an indispensable tool for emergency alerts and disaster response. As natural disasters, extreme weather events, and public safety emergencies continue to challenge communities, local and national public radio stations provide reliable, timely and accessible information that can save lives.

    “The Public broadcasting radio plays a critical role in disseminating emergency alerts when disasters strike,” Oregon Statewide Interoperability and Watch Center Manager William Chapman, said. “Through partnerships with agencies like the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), public radio stations broadcast emergency messages, weather warnings, and evacuation orders to ensure that residents receive crucial updates—especially in areas where other forms of communication, like internet access and cellular service, is unavailable or disrupted.”

    Unlike digital platforms that rely on cellular networks or broadband services, radio signals remain stable and reach communities even when power lines are down and mobile networks are overloaded. This resilience makes public radio a trusted source during hurricanes, wildfires, earthquakes and other crises where traditional communication channels may fail.

    The Public Broadcasting Network (PBN) helps emergency responders coordinate effectively by making its statewide spectrum available to federal and state authorities to communicate with first responders and the media during emergencies. While, PBS WARN provides a back-up mechanism to wireless emergency alerts, should carrier connections fail either due to an internet disruption or a cybersecurity incident.

    Additionally, the Federal Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) is collaborating on a new effort to arm agencies with a digital alerting system that taps into NEXTGEN public TV broadcasting technologies to provide emergency dispatch backup and resiliency if the internet or phone systems are down.

    “Next Gen TV will not only improve emergency alerting but also create resilient methods of communications to get emergency call information to first responders when other means of communication are offline,” Chapman said. “This capability is still in the development phase but early protypes have shown that the technology works.”

    While many for-profit broadcasters choose to provide emergency alerts voluntarily, public broadcasters are expected to do so as part of their core mission. Since public broadcasting is mission-driven—not profit-driven—and publicly owned, offering alerts is a mandatory service. However, services like emergency alerts often cost more to maintain than they generate in revenue, which is why they’ve traditionally been subsidized by taxpayer dollars. As a result, federal funding is foundational for public media, representing an essential portion of station budgets. It enables stations to provide free educational content, local programming, and critical emergency alerts. Without it, many stations, especially in rural areas, would struggle to operate.

    Public radio stations also contribute to disaster preparedness by offering educational programming on emergency response, featuring expert interviews, and keeping listeners informed about potential threats. Furthermore, in the aftermath of a disaster, they help relay recovery related information, share community resources, and offer support to those affected.

    “Public radio connects communities with lifesaving information and resources, ensures that emergency responders can coordinate effectively, and provides reassurance during uncertain times,” Erin McMahon, the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) director, said.

    As climate-related disasters increase and emergency response becomes more complex, public broadcasting radio remains a vital part of public safety infrastructure and a reliable source of information in times of crisis.

    For more information about how to prepare for and respond to disasters, visit the Community Preparedness section of the OEM website. For the budget breakdown for public broadcasting, visit the Corporation for Public Broadcasting’s website.

    MIL OSI USA News –