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  • MIL-OSI USA: Padilla, Schiff, Peters, Vargas Demand Investigation Into San Diego ICE Raid

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)
    Lawmakers to ICE’s Office of Professional Responsibility: “This troubling incident is not an isolated case. Rather, it appears to be part of a broader pattern of escalated and theatrical immigration enforcement operations across the country”
    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Alex Padilla, Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, and Adam Schiff (both D-Calif.), along with U.S. Representatives Scott Peters (D-Calif.-50) and Juan Vargas (D-Calif.-52), condemned a recent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid in San Diego and demanded an investigation following reports that around 20 ICE agents detained four employees at Buona Forchetta and Enoteca Buona Forchetta restaurants. ICE agents wearing military-style gear raided the restaurants during peak dining hours, detonating flash-bang grenades and instilling widespread fear and panic across the restaurants and the broader San Diego community. 
    The lawmakers emphasized that this disturbing raid reflects a pattern of “theatrical” immigration enforcement stunts under the Trump Administration, which have stoked fear and uncertainty in communities in California and across the country. They urged ICE’s Office of Professional Responsibility to investigate the agents’ use of force, tactical decisions, compliance with legal protocols, and coordination with local officials, as well as the operation’s impact on local communities and businesses. They also requested information on how the raid aligns with ICE’s current immigration enforcement priorities and what guidance agents had received regarding enforcement in civilian or public-facing settings.
    “This troubling incident is not an isolated case. Rather, it appears to be part of a broader pattern of escalated and theatrical immigration enforcement operations across the country,” wrote the lawmakers. “Similar tactics — including the use of heavily armed agents and high-profile raids in civilian spaces — have recently been employed in several other communities. These include a raid at an underground nightclub in Los Angeles just hours after the San Diego incident, and an April operation in New Bedford, MA, where agents violently smashed in a car window to detain a Guatemalan man waiting in his car for an attorney to arrive. These events raise serious questions about the appropriateness, proportionality, and execution of ICE tactics.”
    The lawmakers also highlighted the San Diego raid’s harmful impacts on the local economy, community safety, and public trust in law enforcement.
    “Several local officials — including the mayor of San Diego — have publicly condemned the raid, emphasizing its destabilizing effect on the community and economy. They have also condemned its chilling impact on the willingness of individuals to report crimes or co-operate with law enforcement,” continued the lawmakers. “These concerns are not just local; they speak to the national implications of how this Administration is misusing federal immigration enforcement power in ways that undermine public trust and community safety.”
    “We urge your office to prioritize this investigation and to provide a detailed report of your findings. Transparency and accountability are essential to maintaining public confidence in our law enforcement agencies,” concluded the lawmakers.
    Senators Padilla and Schiff, as well as Representatives Peters, Vargas, Sara Jacobs (D-Calif.-51), and Mike Levin (D-Calif.-49), also sent a letter today to Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem expressing their concern over the deliberate targeting of immigrants trying to follow the legal process at courthouses, including at the San Diego Immigration Court located in the Edward J. Schwartz Federal Building.
    Senators Padilla and Schiff continue to stand up against the Trump Administration’s inhumane immigration enforcement tactics across California. Last month, Padilla, Schiff, and Representative Norma Torres (D-Calif.-35) condemned the Department of Homeland Security’s indiscriminate immigration enforcement raids in Pomona, California, as part of President Trump’s cruel mass deportation agenda, which has terrorized California communities and harmed the economy. Earlier this year, Padilla and Schiff also demanded answers from the Trump Administration after Homeland Security Investigations agents attempted to enter two Los Angeles Unified School District elementary schools to question students.
    Full text of the letter is available here and below:
    Dear Associate Director Fenton:
    We write to express serious concern regarding the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation conducted on May 30, 2025, at Buona Forchetta and Enoteca Buona Forchetta restaurants in San Diego, California. Reports indicate that approximately 20 agents in military-style gear executed a raid during peak dining hours, detaining four employees and deploying flash-bang grenades, which created widespread panic among staff and patrons.
    This troubling incident is not an isolated case. Rather, it appears to be part of a broader pattern of escalated and theatrical immigration enforcement operations across the country. Similar tactics—including the use of heavily armed agents and high-profile raids in civilian spaces—have recently been employed in several other communities. These include a raid at an underground nightclub in Los Angeles just hours after the San Diego incident, and an April operation in New Bedford, MA, where agents violently smashed in a car window to detain a Guatemalan man waiting in his car for an attorney to arrive. These events raise serious questions about the appropriateness, proportionality, and execution of ICE tactics.
    Given the gravity of these concerns, and the potential civil rights implications of these enforcement strategies, we respectfully request that your office undertake a thorough investigation into the May 30 raid in San Diego. We also ask that you respond to the following questions by July 7, 2025:
    1. Use of Force and Tactical Decisions: Was the decision to deploy agents in military-style gear including face coverings and to use flash-bang devices in a civilian environment justified based on any credible threat or resistance? If so, what specific threat assessments, risk factors, or intelligence justified the use of such force?
    2. Compliance with Legal Protocols: Did the operation comply with ICE’s internal policies and all applicable laws governing workplace enforcement actions, including the scope and execution of the search or arrest warrants? Please identify any lapses in oversight that may have contributed to the operation’s execution, and clarify whether any internal review procedures have been initiated as a result.
    3. Community Impact and Coordination: What steps, if any, were taken to consider the effect of such tactics on local businesses, immigrant communities, and public safety? Were local officials or law enforcement agencies consulted prior to the operation?
    4. Pattern of Conduct: How does this operation fit into current enforcement priorities, and what guidance has been issued by ICE leadership in recent months regarding arrest and detention priorities in civilian or public-facing environments?
    Several local officials—including the mayor of San Diego—have publicly condemned the raid, emphasizing its destabilizing effect on the community and economy. They have also condemned its chilling impact on the willingness of individuals to report crimes or co-operate with law enforcement. These concerns are not just local; they speak to the national implications of how this Administration is misusing federal immigration enforcement power in ways that undermine public trust and community safety.
    We urge your office to prioritize this investigation and to provide a detailed report of your findings. Transparency and accountability are essential to maintaining public confidence in our law enforcement agencies.
    Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. We look forward to your timely response and to the results of your investigation.
    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Celebrating Our Agricultural Shows

    Source: Traditional Unionist Voice – Northern Ireland

    Statement by TUV agriculture spokesperson Councillor Allister Kyle:

    “The sunshine this year certainly helped make the Balmoral Show a roaring success, with crowds turning out in force to enjoy the biggest event in the farming calendar. Now, our attention rightly turns to the provincial shows that play such an important role in rural life across Northern Ireland.

    “Our party leader, Jim Allister KC MP, had the pleasure of attending the Ballymena Show last Saturday. He took the opportunity to meet with many within the farming community and discuss a range of pressing issues — from Minister Muir’s controversial NAP proposals, to Labour’s new inheritance tax plans, and looming concerns such as potential future cuts to TB compensation.

    “In the face of these challenges, our local agricultural shows offer something invaluable: a welcome release and an occasion for our farming families to come together in a relaxed and sociable setting.

    “This weekend marks the first of two agricultural shows within the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council area. The Ballymoney Show has firmly established itself as one of the top provincial shows in the country. Thanks to the hard work and enthusiasm of the Young Farmers’ Clubs from Finvoy, Kilraughts and Moycraig, and the generosity of sponsors, the show committee has once again pulled together a fantastic, affordable family event running across Friday evening and Saturday.

    “From light-hearted competitions like the Lego building and children’s fancy dress, to the serious business of livestock judging, there is truly something for everyone at Ballymoney.

    “Provincial shows like this are much more than just agricultural events. They offer local businesses the chance to showcase their products, and perhaps most importantly, they provide a vital opportunity for rural communities to connect. For many farming families, these shows are the only time in the year to catch up with friends, neighbours, and fellow farmers — a lifeline in a profession that can often feel isolating.

    “We perhaps do not give enough recognition to the role these shows play in reducing rural isolation and strengthening community bonds. They deserve our full support.

    “Let’s hope the weather holds up once again, and that everyone enjoys a brilliant weekend at Ballymoney Show.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: TUV question if Stonewall played a role in NICS attendance at Belfast Pride

    Source: Traditional Unionist Voice – Northern Ireland

    TUV Equality Spokeswoman Ann McClure said:

    “While public bodies across the UK have rushed for the exit door when it comes to Stonewall, Stormont remains stubbornly behind the curve. Both the Executive Office—jointly headed by Emma Little Pengelly—and the Northern Ireland Civil Service continue to maintain links with Stonewall, at a cost to the public purse.

    “The 2024 Stonewall feedback report into the Civil Service makes it abundantly clear that participation in Pride is regarded as a key indicator of an organisation’s commitment to what they term ‘LGBTQ+ inclusion and rights.’ That alone raises serious questions.

    “There is, therefore, an onus on the Northern Ireland Civil Service to be honest with the public. Was fear of falling down the rankings in Stonewall’s equality index a deciding factor in their continued participation in Belfast Pride? Was this political consideration weighed against the views of ordinary people—many of whom object not only to the overtly political nature of Pride but also to its hostility to the Executive’s stance on puberty blockers?

    “TUV will be tabling an Assembly question on this issue, and I will personally be submitting a Freedom of Information request today demanding the release of all internal communications and documents relating to the Civil Service’s decision to take part in Belfast Pride 2025.

    “While Stonewall and the Civil Service speak the language of inclusion, the reality is very different. Their involvement in Pride alienates a large section of the Northern Ireland public who do not support the LGBT+ movement’s agenda—particularly its radical push for life-altering drugs for children, against sound medical advice and public opinion.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: AI vs. Manual Cultivation: Round 2 of China’s Smart Farming Competition

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    CHENGDU, June 7 (Xinhua) — Under the golden rays of the June sun, a “high-risk” agricultural experiment is unfolding in the emerald rice fields of the “Tianfu Breadbasket” key demonstration area in Chongzhou City, southwest China’s Sichuan Province.

    Three weeks into the second AI rice-growing competition, organizers are faced with a key question: Can AI surpass centuries of farming wisdom?

    The competition, which runs from May 15 to September 30, features six traditional farming teams and four AI-enabled teams on 1,000 mu (about 66.7 hectares) of high-quality rural fields. Each team cultivates 100 mu using elite rice varieties. This modern duel between tradition and technology offers insight into China’s advancement toward smart agriculture.

    The AI teams use an intelligent agent for rice cultivation decision-making developed by the Institute of Urban Agriculture of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) using a sky-earth-space data network. The system collects information on crop growth, farming operations, diseases, pests and weeds in real time, processes the data through a cloud-based AI agent, generates detailed reports and professional recommendations that are instantly sent to the smartphones of the AI participants.

    Based on these recommendations, AI participants carry out field work, and the monitoring system continuously collects operational data, forming a closed decision-making loop to ensure the accuracy and intelligence of the growing process.

    Gao Ying, a participant from Qingqiao Shared Land Cooperative in Chongzhou City, said that compared with traditional farming, AI farming can quickly master key knowledge and production skills. “In addition, the system provides effective recommendations in response to queries,” she added.

    Lessons from the first competition

    This is not Gao Ying’s first experience. Last year’s competition showed the reality of the situation: the AI system from ASNC, which guided the newcomer Gao Ying in the 100 mu section, helped her team to take seventh place among nine teams.

    “AI needs field practice,” said Wang Ran, a leading researcher at ASNC for urban agriculture strategy, whose team developed the system.

    “When we created the algorithm, we had fragmentary data. Now we have created a comprehensive data set covering the entire rice growing process: start and end dates, photos of crop growth, relevant weather and soil data,” said Wang Ran.

    “The power of AI is in processing 10,000 data points from each mu through our monitoring network, but converting them into practical actions requires deeper synergy between farmers and algorithms,” Wang explained. He noted that the AI-based decision-making rate reached 73 percent last year, but there were challenges with the timing of pest control.

    “This year, the goal is to achieve more than 80 percent decision making to ensure that AI recommendations are consistent with farmers’ actions,” he said.

    Harmony between humans and AI

    The organizers view the competition not as a confrontation, but as an integration of humans and AI.

    “AI is a help, not a replacement for humans. We aim to provide more accurate support to urban producers and decision makers through AI computing power,” Wang Ran said of the initial goal of applying AI in agriculture.

    “The key value of the system is to create a bridge between innovators and farmers’ needs, improving the quality of decision-making by farmers and providing data for government sector planning,” he stressed.

    Now, in the midst of summer harvesting and planting, Qingqiao Village in Chongzhou City, Chengdu Plain, is demonstrating the results of technological transformation of traditional agriculture: an intelligent rice planting system works in tandem with farmers, creating a highly efficient symbiosis of smart technology and human labor. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China issues yellow alert over heavy rainfall in several regions

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    BEIJING, June 7 (Xinhua) — China’s National Meteorological Center (NMC) on Saturday issued a yellow alert for heavy rain.

    According to the NMC, heavy rains are expected to hit some areas along the Yangtze and Huaihe rivers, Hanjiang, and areas in Guizhou Province (southwest China) and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (south China) from 2:00 p.m. Saturday to 2:00 p.m. Sunday.

    Some parts of Anhui, Jiangsu, Hubei and Zhejiang provinces will see up to 180 mm of rainfall, while some areas in these regions will experience short-term heavy rainfall with hourly rainfall of 80 mm or more, accompanied by thunderstorms and strong winds.

    Let us recall that China has a four-tier weather warning system, with the highest level of danger indicated by red, followed in descending order by orange, yellow and blue. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: International motorcycle festival in Mongolia attracted 2,500 participants

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    ULAN BATOR, June 7 (Xinhua) — More than 2,500 motorcyclists, including 500 bikers from China, Russia, Germany and the Republic of Korea, are taking part in the 10th international motorcycle festival called “Steppe Wind 2025”.

    The motorcycle festival started on Saturday from the central square of Mongolia and continued along the main streets of Ulaanbaatar.

    The current event is being hosted by the capital’s Tourism Department and local motorcycle clubs Mongolian choppers brotherhood MC and Red Falcons.

    After the biker parade, the festival participants went to the Khui Doloon Khudag Valley, which is located 30 kilometers from the capital of Mongolia.

    The motorcycle festival is expected to feature a variety of events, including performances by famous Mongolian rock and hip-hop bands, a laser show, a Leila dance show, and an exhibition of rare vintage motorcycles.

    The festival will run until June 8. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Minister of National Defence Remarks at the Responsible AI in the Military domain (REAIM) Summit 2024

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    September 10, 2024

    Thank you, very much and good afternoon colleagues.

    I’d like to begin my remarks by offering my sincere thanks to our hosts for all the work that they have done in organizing the summit and bringing this very important discussion together.

    At the first REAIM Summit, in the Netherlands in February 2023, Canada supported the “Call to Action” on the responsible development, deployment, and use of AI in the military.

    And following the inaugural REAIM Summit, I would like to take the opportunity to reflect on the productive work that has emerged since that time.

    As you’re all well aware, we are in an era of heightened global competition.

    Changing physical, technological and geopolitical landscapes have created new threats, vulnerabilities as well as new opportunities not only for our country but for our Allies and partners around the world.

    These new threats are driving AI innovation within our Department of National Defence and our Armed Forces, and Canada remains fully committed to the responsible use of AI, through our endorsement of the Blueprint for Action.

    As this new technology continues to become more visible in our operations and day-to-day work, it is critical that we harness this technology both effectively and ethically.

    And to ensure Canada is ready to do this, I have announced the launch of our Department of National Defence and our Armed Forces’ AI Strategy in March of this year.

    Our strategy aims to position the Canadian Armed Forces and our Department of National Defence as an AI-enabled organization by 2030.

    And it envisions the ethical, inclusive, and trusted use of AI to achieve interoperability and strategic advantage in the battlefield while enhancing stewardship of our resources.

    Our strategy also emphasizes the importance of cultivating an AI-ready workforce through training and partnership with allies.

    This will ensure that AI technologies are not only developed efficiently but also effectively integrated and managed.

    As part of our work to implement our AI Strategy, we have established the Department of National Defence and our Canadian Armed Forces AI Centre.

    Our intent is that this Centre will become the hub of AI expertise, including for policy development.

    It will also accelerate experimentation, testing, evaluation, and support to our Armed Forces members in fielding AI.

    And as part of these efforts, Canada remains committed to developing a framework for the responsible use of AI in military contexts while making sure that we address unique ethical challenges ingrained in this technology. This includes mitigating unintended bias, including those related to gender and race.

    Canada will ensure that any new AI or AI-enabled technology is developed and implemented in accordance with applicable laws, policies and guidelines, including applicable International Humanitarian Law, international human rights law, and the laws of armed conflict.

    We will also ensure that this technology is only used to improve the work of our military personnel but not replace it.

    That is why we have committed to ensuring that humans will always remain at the forefront of significant decisions with appropriate accountability mechanisms remaining in place.

    Together, these efforts will ensure that our Department and our Military’s use of AI remains safe, ethical and responsible, and lives up to what all of our citizens expect of us.

    We know that we must continue to innovate and remain agile to leverage AI’s full potential, but we know that we cannot do this alone.

    And going forward, our Department of National Defence will always engage in extensive collaboration with our internal and external partners, with industry, academia, as well as our allies and partners to ensure that our use of AI remains responsible and interoperable.

    And only by working together and fielding trusted systems, can we have the greatest opportunity to develop AI-ready forces who can contribute to defending our citizens at home, and our friends around the world.

    International engagements such as REAIM reflect Canada’s dedication to fostering a global standard for ethical AI in military operations, and directly supports that collaboration and collective endeavor.

    And to that end, I want to express my gratitude and welcome the opportunity to be here, to share lessons learned and best practices, and to ensure that AI technologies are used responsibly within the military domain.

    I look very much forward to the outcome of our discussions.

    Thank you.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Minister of National Defence Remarks at the Seoul Defence Dialogue

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    September 11, 2024

    Minister Kim,
    Admiral Bauer,
    Excellencies,
    Colleagues and friends.

    Good morning to all.

    It’s a very great privilege for me to be here today for the Seoul Defence Dialogue as part of my first official visit to Korea.

    First of all, to Minister Kim, thank you for your very kind and warm hospitality, and your leadership both today at this very important Seoul Defence Dialogue, but also during yesterday’s United Nations Command Ministerial Meeting.

    And to Admiral Bauer, I want to take the opportunity to thank you for your exemplary leadership of the NATO Military Committee and your invaluable contributions to our alliance.

    As you have heard and understand, my co-panellists and I come from three very different parts of the world.

    But notwithstanding our separation by distance and culture, we share a common goal of maintaining the rules-based international order which has delivered peace, stability and prosperity to all of our peoples.

    And I believe that Canada has a unique role to play in achieving that goal because we are an Arctic nation, an Atlantic nation, and a Pacific nation.

    For example, our Pacific coastline is roughly 25,000 kilometres long and our trade and security links with this region are vital, and strong, and growing.

    In particular, Canada’s ties with the Republic of Korea run deep. Roughly 26,000 Canadians served here in Korea during the Korean War which was Canada’s third bloodiest conflict.

    And since the very beginning, we’ve been part of the United Nations Command, upholding and helping to uphold the Korean Armistice Agreement, and working towards a lasting peace.

    Canadian Armed Forces members also regularly deploy alongside members of Korea’s Armed Forces during regional exercises, including Exercise Rim of the Pacific which wrapped up only last month.

    And Korea has become one of Canada’s largest trading partners in the Indo-Pacific, as well as our third-largest regional partner when it comes to defence materiel.

    I believe very sincerely that there is much more that we can do together and that’s why we continue to make progress on our Action Plan to implement the Canada-Korea Strategic Partnership, which includes exploring more opportunities for our defence industries to work together.

    I am very pleased that in 2022, our countries re-signed a Defence Materiel Cooperation MOU and that we are seeing daily evidence of growing ties between our defence industrial bases.

    Relationships such as these, and those relationships fostered through this dialogue, are critical during increasingly difficult times.

    As we are all aware, our world has become a far more dangerous place over the past few years.

    A number of crises including Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine and the Israeli-Hamas conflict in the Middle East are all evidence of the challenges that the rules-based order is facing in today’s world.

    Here in the Indo-Pacific, we are seeing China undertaking the most rapid military build-up of any nation since the Second World War and it appears to intend to reshape the international system to suit its own goals.

    And as we’ve seen in the last few months, China is challenging the freedom of navigation of the South China Sea, a waterway that is critical to regional and global prosperity.

    And on occasion, it has repeatedly and dangerously obstructed the movement of Philippine vessels.

    They clearly openly aspire to unite with Taiwan, and we believe very strongly that any instability in the Taiwan Strait would have a devastating effect to the global economy.

    And closer to my country, China has deployed an increasing number of dual-purpose research vessels and surveillance platforms, collecting data about our Arctic and North.

    And in the Arctic, we are seeing China working hard to increase its economic and military presence in cooperation with Russia.

    It is clear that on matters of security, China’s interests may increasingly diverge from our own.

    But I think it’s also essential to prevent misunderstanding. Clear communication with China is vital and I took the opportunity just this past June to hold our first meeting between a Chinese and Canadian defence minister in over 11 years.

    And during that dialogue, I had the opportunity to make clear that foreign interference cannot be tolerated and expressed some concern about China’s military activity around Taiwan.

    But we were able to agree together that there is a need for dialogue and cooperation in order to avoid conflict.

    Likewise, we recognize the continued threat posed by North Korea. This includes the DPRK’s buildup in testing of ballistic missiles and weapons of mass destruction. Canada unequivocally condemns these actions in no uncertain terms.

    And we’ve taken action by imposing sanctions on North Korea, along with the UN Security Council sanctions, which the Canadian Armed Forces uphold through Operation NEON.

    Despite Russia’s attempts to undermine our work by vetoing the renewal of the UN Panel of Experts who track and report on evasion efforts, Canada will continue to monitor violations by the DPRK in cooperation with all of our international partners.

    We call on North Korea to stop these programs and other aggressive activities, to resume its adherence to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and to pursue dialogue with the international community.

    We are also concerned with China and North Korea’s deepening ties to Russia in support of its illegal invasion of Ukraine.

    We will continue to call them out for their work to spread disinformation and conduct malicious cyber activities which threaten our critical infrastructure and can sow distrust and a lack of trust in our most important institutions.

    In the face of these threats, the ties between Canada and our Indo-Pacific partners matter more now than ever, and that’s why in 2022, Canada released its Indo-Pacific Strategy.

    This strategy serves as a critical roadmap for how we will engage in the region. It makes very clear that our partners and allies can expect to see more of us present in this region of the world.

    We need to be a reliable and dependable partner and thanks to this strategy, our military presence in the Indo-Pacific is growing.

    Last year, as well as this year, we have deployed and are deploying, three Canadian naval warships into the region for the first time in decades.

    This increased presence is going to allow us to work more closely with partners including right here in the North Pacific.

    Most recently, HMCS Vancouver has been sailing on Exercise PACIFIC VANGUARD.

    As part of this mission, they’ve been training with members of the Korean, Japanese and American navies, strengthening their skills in maritime operations, anti-submarine warfare, air warfare operations and advanced maneuvering.

    And through Operation NEON, we have been deploying our ships and aircraft to monitor UN sanction operations against North Korea and working with the military members of all like-minded Pacific countries.

    As our people work and train together, they are learning valuable new skills and forging deeper bonds.

    Likewise, as one of the 18 countries that participates in the United Nations Command, Canada will continue to do our part to maintain stability and security on the Korean Peninsula.

    We have supported this mission from the very beginning, since 1953, and in the 71 years since this command was established, Canadian Armed Forces members have helped to enforce the Armistice Agreement and to reinforce deterrence.

    We have taken on a variety of critical roles including serving right on the front lines of the De-Militarized Zone as part of the Military Assistance Commission.

    And for the second time, a Canadian officer – currently Lieutenant General Macaulay, is currently serving as the Deputy Commander of the UNC.

    Our increased presence here in the Indo-Pacific must be sustained and that is going to require significant new investments in our capabilities.

    Earlier this year, I released an updated defence policy for my country.

    It’s called Our North, Strong and Free, and through this policy we have identified the Indo-Pacific, Europe and the Arctic as key strategic regions of focus for our military.

    We are investing almost $10 billion dollars to extend the life of our Halifax-class warships so that we can continue to deploy them right here and we’ve begun construction on a new fleet of River-Class Destroyers, launching the process to acquire up to 12 new conventionally-powered submarines for the Royal Canadian Navy.

    These are new and improved capabilities that are necessary, allowing Canada to continue to bolster its presence here in the Indo-Pacific, to do our part, and to live up to our obligations to our international partners.

    They will make us more interoperable with our closest partners and they will continue to contribute to deterrence.

    Our intent is to ensure that Canada remains a reliable and valuable partner in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.

    We recognize that the world has changed and continues to change rapidly. We also acknowledge we’ve got to do more, and we will do more.

    That’s why Canada has committed to investing 2% of its GDP in defence as rapidly as possible, and by 2032. As the security threats facing the Indo-Pacific and the world grow, we are stronger with like-minded partners who share our values.

    And as a proud Pacific nation and a dedicated NATO ally, Canada truly values our close relationships with nations that share our aspirations.

    Nations like the Republic of Korea, with whom we share a long and treasured friendship.

    These are indeed uncertain times, but I believe that they are also times of opportunity and possibility.

    Because we are stronger when we work together.

    When partners stand united.

    And for Canada’s part, I want to assure you all that we are committed to this region, we are here to stay, and we will do our part.

    And I believe that together we can maintain a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific, and defend the international rules that have kept us safe for nearly 80 years.

    Thank you. Merci.

    And again, thank you for the kind invitation to be here. 

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Remarks by the Deputy Prime Minister announcing the boldest mortgage reforms in decades to unlock homeownership for more Canadians

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    September 16, 2024 – Ottawa, Ontario

    Good morning, everyone. Great to be here.

    Welcome to the first economic press conference of the season. I will speak about the Canadian economy and the new mortgage rules. Minister Virani will talk about the new framework to protect renters and home buyers. Finally, Minister Boissonnault will speak about what these new mortgage rules will mean for young workers and for families across Canada.

    Before diving into the new mortgage rules, I’d just like to say a couple of words about the Canadian economy.

    We’ve had some positive news over the past few months. We have now had inflation down within the Bank of Canada’s target range for seven months in a row, and in July, inflation hit a 40-month low. We’ve seen the Bank of Canada lead the G7 in cutting interest rates. Canada has now been the first G7 country to cut interest rates for the first time, the first G7 country to cut interest rates for the second time, and the first G7 country to cut interest rates for the third time. It looks as if a soft landing is in sight.

    We’ve now seen wages outpacing inflation for 18 months in a row. That is really important for hard-working Canadians, because it means their paycheques have more purchasing power. And the IMF is predicting that Canada’s GDP will be the fastest growing in the G7 in 2025.

    That brings me to my announcement today about mortgages and mortgage rules. For our government, housing is a priority because it’s a priority for Canadians, and that’s why in the budget we put forward the most ambitious plan since the Second World War to build more homes faster. A big part of that plan is to have more purpose-built rentals, to have more affordable housing. Another key element of that plan is ensuring that young Canadians who want to buy a home can do that—that the dream of homeownership remains in reach for our younger generations. And that’s why we’re making some really significant changes today.

    First, we are increasing the price cap for insured mortgages from $1 million to $1.5 million, effective December 15th this year. Why? Because the current $1 million cap dates back to 2012, and there have been big changes in the Canadian economy, the Canadian market. This change allows more Canadians to qualify for a mortgage with a downpayment below 20 per cent.

    So, we are raising the level for insured mortgages from $1 million to $1.5 million. The $1 million level was set in 2012. Since then, Canada’s nominal GDP has increased by 65 per cent. It was time to look at that number, and that is a change that is going to have a real impact for thousands, even millions of Canadians. It is going to put the dream of homeownership in reach for more young Canadians.

    The second change that we’re making: We’re expanding 30-year amortizations for insured mortgages. In the budget in the spring, we announced that 30-year amortizations would be available for first-time home buyers buying newly built homes, effective August 1st. Today, we are announcing that 30-year amortizations on insured mortgages will be available for all first-time home buyers. This really is about fairness for every generation. It’s about making that first home more available for young Canadians, for first-time home buyers.

    The second change we’re making in the insured market is we’re saying that for all buyers of newly built homes in the insured space, 30-year amortizations will be available. This is really, at heart, a supply side measure. This is about creating more demand for new builds, because we know that crucially, Canada needs to get more homes built faster. In order to get those homes built faster, more people need to be there buying them. That’s what this change is going to permit. Both of those changes are effective December 15th.

    I do want to point out that these measures build on our huge housing plan announced in the budget in the spring. They build on our plan to get 4 million homes built. They build on our tax-free First Home Savings Account. More than 750,000 Canadians—young Canadians, people who don’t have a first home yet—have opened those accounts. We are now taking the next step and making it easier for people who are saving so hard for that downpayment to buy their first home. These measures build on our Canadian Mortgage Charter.

    I do want to point out—because over the summer, I talked to a lot of people who are concerned as their mortgages come up for renewal—in the Mortgage Charter, we allowed all holders of insured mortgages to switch lenders at renewal without another mortgage stress test. That’s because we want people at renewal—who are already under a lot of pressure, who are already really concerned—to have maximum flexibility, to have the ability to shop around for the deal that works for them and their family.

    We are also today releasing blueprints for the Home Buyers’ Bill of Rights and the Renters’ Bill of Rights, and that is what we’re going to hear from Minister Virani about in a minute.

    I just want to highlight that today’s announcement is really important—important for all Canadians. These measures are aimed at building more homes faster across Canada, at creating intergenerational equity, and enabling young Canadians to achieve this Canadian dream and purchase their first home.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: House Standing Committee on National Defence (NDDN) appearance on mandate and priorities  

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    September 26, 2024 – Ottawa, Ontario

    Merci, Mr. Chair. Good morning everyone. 

    This is my first appearance here as Chief of the Defence Staff, so I want to begin by saying how much I value the work this committee does.

    I appreciate the opportunity to discuss my mandate and priorities for the Canadian Armed Forces.

    I’m joined today by Vice Chief of the Defence Staff, Lieutenant-General Stephen Kelsey.

    We face a volatile and unpredictable global security environment.

    From ongoing wars in Ukraine and the Middle East to rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific.

    From climate change to disruptive technology to disinformation.

    These threats require us to be vigilant and forward-thinking in the way we approach defence.

    I’ve had the privilege of serving alongside the members of the Canadian Armed Forces for 34 years. Now I have the privilege of leading them.

    They are skilled, courageous, and dedicated beyond measure.

    Supporting and caring for our people must continue to be our top priority.

    I’m committed to building on the work of my predecessors.

    That means focusing on three R’s: recruitment, retention, and readiness.

    These are issues many of our Allies face as well.

    We need to get our Forces back to full strength within 5 years. This is vital.

    To do it, we need to continue modernizing how we recruit and who we recruit. 

    That means improving our processes without lowering our standards.

    And it means making a big push to recruit Canadians from all backgrounds, including opening the door to more permanent residents.

    Diversity makes us more operationally effective.

    What worked in the last 20 years will not work in the next 20 years. We can’t continue relying on the same thinking, the same mindset, and the same people around the table.

    We need to bring in new and broader perspectives, approaches, and ideas if we’re going to solve the complex challenges of today and tomorrow.

    On retention: we have stopped the downward trend and stabilized our numbers.

    We’re making progress, but there’s more to do.

    When we uphold the highest standards of conduct and performance…

    When our people can grow and thrive both professionally and personally…

    Not only will we attract the best and brightest—we will keep them.

    We also need to be ready. Always. And for anything.

    Readiness is a constant and it is a must.

    The world is in a state of transition.

    Outcomes are not guaranteed. We must be comfortable being uncomfortable.

    But that doesn’t mean we can’t be more organized and prepared.

    Readiness means having a stronger and more diverse foundation of personnel.

    With advanced capabilities that meet the future of warfare.

    With a willingness to innovate, adapt, and take risks.

    And it means collaborating with our Allies and partners around the world.

    This is particularly true when it comes to defending North America alongside the US—both through NORAD and more generally through the collaboration of our Canadian Joint Operations Command and the United States Northern Command.

    As you know, global interest in the Arctic is growing, including from our competitors and adversaries, and so we must be diligent in protecting and asserting Canadian sovereignty in the North.

    I visited NORAD Headquarters this week and saw firsthand how Canadian military members work seamlessly with their US colleagues 24/7 to defend our shared continent.

    We need to continue working closely through NORAD to detect, deter, and defend against aerospace threats.

    And beyond NORAD, through CJOC and US NORTHCOM to monitor our combined maritime approaches.

    This past July, for example, NORAD fighter jets from Canada and the United States intercepted Russian and Chinese aircraft in international airspace near Alaska.

    That same month, HMCS Regina shadowed a Chinese polar research vessel in the Bering Strait.

    As always, we must ensure our intercepts are carried out safely and professionally.

    Mr. Chair, I know none of this is easy.

    We’re transforming the Canadian Armed Forces while also fulfilling our growing duties.

    That’s like building and flying an airplane at the same time.

    But we know what our internal challenges are, and we know what we need to do.

    I believe deeply in this institution and what it stands for.

    We will continue tackling this work with determination and resolve.

    And we will get it done.

    Thank you. Merci. I’m happy to take your questions.

    General Jennie Carignan
    Chief of the Defence Staff 

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • India calls for global action on extreme heat risk at UNDRR session in Geneva

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Calling extreme heat a “global crisis,” Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Dr. P. K. Mishra urged coordinated international action during a keynote address at the Special Session on Extreme Heat Risk Governance hosted by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) in Geneva on Thursday.

    Dr. Mishra’s remarks echoed the urgency expressed by the UN Secretary-General, highlighting that rising temperatures now pose a systemic threat to public health, economic stability, and ecological resilience worldwide.

    “Heatwaves are no longer seasonal inconveniences; they are transboundary, systemic risks—especially for densely populated urban areas,” Dr. Mishra said, emphasizing the need for global collaboration on early warning systems, climate-resilient infrastructure, and equity-focused interventions.

    India’s Proactive Heat Risk Management

    Detailing India’s experience, Dr. Mishra said the country has shifted from reactive disaster response to proactive and integrated heat risk management under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

    He noted that since 2016, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued comprehensive national guidelines for heatwave management—revised in 2019—which have enabled decentralized action through Heat Action Plans (HAPs).

    India now has over 250 cities and districts across 23 heat-prone states operating localized HAPs, supported by NDMA’s advisory and technical frameworks. The Ahmedabad Heat Action Plan, a pioneering model, was cited as a successful example of how early warning systems, inter-agency coordination, and community outreach can significantly reduce mortality during heatwaves.

    Whole-of-Government, Whole-of-Society Approach

    Dr. Mishra highlighted India’s “whole-of-government and whole-of-society” strategy, engaging ministries including health, agriculture, urban development, labor, power, education, and infrastructure.

    “Extreme heat deeply impacts communities, and India has actively incorporated traditional wisdom and local experiences into its response,” he said, pointing to the role of schools in spreading climate awareness and of primary health centers in delivering frontline care during heat events.

    India’s response also includes long-term urban resilience measures such as cool roof technologies, passive cooling centers, greening of urban spaces, and the revival of traditional water bodies. Importantly, the integration of Urban Heat Island (UHI) assessments into urban planning is becoming a standard practice in several cities.

    Policy Shift to Enable Funding for Mitigation

    Announcing a major policy shift, Dr. Mishra said that National and State Disaster Mitigation Funds (SDMF) can now be used for heatwave mitigation, allowing local governments, private sector entities, NGOs, and individuals to co-finance adaptation projects. This move, he said, reflects India’s commitment to shared responsibility and community-driven resilience.

    A Call for Global Cooperation

    While acknowledging India’s progress, Dr. Mishra identified key global challenges, including the need for a localized heat-humidity index using real-time data, and the development of affordable, culturally appropriate passive cooling innovations.

    He stressed that vulnerable populations—such as women, outdoor workers, the elderly, and children—are disproportionately impacted by extreme heat, and called for international mechanisms to ensure equitable adaptation.

    Concluding his address, Dr. Mishra affirmed India’s support for the UNDRR’s Common Framework for Extreme Heat Risk Governance, describing it as a vital platform for shared learning, data sharing, institutional capacity building, and joint research.

    “India is fully committed to sharing its expertise, technical capacities, and institutional strengths with global partners,” he said. “We must ensure a resilient, coordinated, and proactive global response to the rising threat of extreme heat.”

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Yemen’s Houthis ready to exchange all prisoners with government

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    SANAA, June 7 (Xinhua) — Yemen’s Houthi group said on Friday it was ready to swap all prisoners with the country’s government, a major offer made by the rebels since the civil war began in late 2014.

    The Houthi-controlled Saba news agency reported, citing a statement from the head of the Houthi committee for prisoners’ affairs, Abdel Qader al-Murtada, that the group was ready to carry out “a full exchange process that includes all prisoners from all sides.”

    A.K. al-Murtada called on the Saudi government to put pressure on the Yemeni government to “respond to the initiative without preconditions.”

    Yemen’s internationally recognized government has yet to comment on the rebels’ proposal.

    In 2023, the Yemeni government and the Houthi group carried out a major UN-brokered prisoner exchange, exchanging about 900 people. Another major exchange took place in 2020, when both sides released about 1,000 prisoners and detainees.

    Yemen has been mired in civil war since late 2014, when rebels seized control of much of northern Yemen, ousting the Yemeni government from the capital Sanaa.

    Since April 2022, clashes between the Houthis and government forces have decreased following a UN-brokered ceasefire. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China’s Foreign Exchange Reserves Increase to $3.2853 Trillion

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    BEIJING, June 7 (Xinhua) — China’s foreign exchange reserves stood at 3.2853 trillion U.S. dollars as of the end of May 2025, up 3.6 billion U.S. dollars or 0.11 percent from the level at the end of April, data released by the State Administration of Foreign Exchange showed Saturday.

    The ministry said in a statement that China’s foreign exchange reserves rose in May, under the combined impact of currency translation and asset price changes. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SPC Tornado Watch 382

    Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

    Note:  The expiration time in the watch graphic is amended if the watch is replaced, cancelled or extended.Note: Click for Watch Status Reports.
    SEL2

    URGENT – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
    Tornado Watch Number 382
    NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
    105 AM CDT Sat Jun 7 2025

    The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

    * Tornado Watch for portions of
    Northwest Arkansas
    Southern Kansas
    Extreme Southwest Missouri
    Northeast Oklahoma

    * Effective this Saturday morning from 105 AM until 700 AM CDT.

    * Primary threats include…
    A couple tornadoes possible
    Widespread damaging winds likely with isolated significant gusts
    to 85 mph possible
    Isolated very large hail events to 2 inches in diameter possible

    SUMMARY…A fast-moving and intense bow echo along the
    Kansas/Oklahoma border will track east-southeastward across the
    watch through daybreak. Damaging wind gusts are the primary
    concern, along with a few tornadoes along the leading edge of the
    squall line.

    The tornado watch area is approximately along and 60 statute miles
    north and south of a line from 25 miles west northwest of Enid OK to
    35 miles east of Fayetteville AR. For a complete depiction of the
    watch see the associated watch outline update (WOUS64 KWNS WOU2).

    PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

    REMEMBER…A Tornado Watch means conditions are favorable for
    tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch
    area. Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for
    threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements
    and possible warnings.

    &&

    OTHER WATCH INFORMATION…CONTINUE…WW 380…WW 381…

    AVIATION…Tornadoes and a few severe thunderstorms with hail
    surface and aloft to 2 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind
    gusts to 75 knots. A few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 500. Mean
    storm motion vector 28040.

    …Hart

    SEL2

    URGENT – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
    Tornado Watch Number 382
    NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
    105 AM CDT Sat Jun 7 2025

    The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

    * Tornado Watch for portions of
    Northwest Arkansas
    Southern Kansas
    Extreme Southwest Missouri
    Northeast Oklahoma

    * Effective this Saturday morning from 105 AM until 700 AM CDT.

    * Primary threats include…
    A couple tornadoes possible
    Widespread damaging winds likely with isolated significant gusts
    to 85 mph possible
    Isolated very large hail events to 2 inches in diameter possible

    SUMMARY…A fast-moving and intense bow echo along the
    Kansas/Oklahoma border will track east-southeastward across the
    watch through daybreak. Damaging wind gusts are the primary
    concern, along with a few tornadoes along the leading edge of the
    squall line.

    The tornado watch area is approximately along and 60 statute miles
    north and south of a line from 25 miles west northwest of Enid OK to
    35 miles east of Fayetteville AR. For a complete depiction of the
    watch see the associated watch outline update (WOUS64 KWNS WOU2).

    PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

    REMEMBER…A Tornado Watch means conditions are favorable for
    tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch
    area. Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for
    threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements
    and possible warnings.

    &&

    OTHER WATCH INFORMATION…CONTINUE…WW 380…WW 381…

    AVIATION…Tornadoes and a few severe thunderstorms with hail
    surface and aloft to 2 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind
    gusts to 75 knots. A few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 500. Mean
    storm motion vector 28040.

    …Hart

    Note: The Aviation Watch (SAW) product is an approximation to the watch area. The actual watch is depicted by the shaded areas.
    SAW2
    WW 382 TORNADO AR KS MO OK 070605Z – 071200Z
    AXIS..60 STATUTE MILES NORTH AND SOUTH OF LINE..
    25WNW END/ENID OK/ – 35E FYV/FAYETTEVILLE AR/
    ..AVIATION COORDS.. 50NM N/S /22WNW END – 32ESE RZC/
    HAIL SURFACE AND ALOFT..2 INCHES. WIND GUSTS..75 KNOTS.
    MAX TOPS TO 500. MEAN STORM MOTION VECTOR 28040.

    LAT…LON 37369834 36879354 35139354 35629834

    THIS IS AN APPROXIMATION TO THE WATCH AREA. FOR A
    COMPLETE DEPICTION OF THE WATCH SEE WOUS64 KWNS
    FOR WOU2.

    Watch 382 Status Report Message has not been issued yet.

    Note:  Click for Complete Product Text.Tornadoes

    Probability of 2 or more tornadoes

    Mod (40%)

    Probability of 1 or more strong (EF2-EF5) tornadoes

    Low (10%)

    Wind

    Probability of 10 or more severe wind events

    High (80%)

    Probability of 1 or more wind events > 65 knots

    Mod (30%)

    Hail

    Probability of 10 or more severe hail events

    Mod (30%)

    Probability of 1 or more hailstones > 2 inches

    Mod (30%)

    Combined Severe Hail/Wind

    Probability of 6 or more combined severe hail/wind events

    High (>95%)

    For each watch, probabilities for particular events inside the watch (listed above in each table) are determined by the issuing forecaster. The “Low” category contains probability values ranging from less than 2% to 20% (EF2-EF5 tornadoes), less than 5% to 20% (all other probabilities), “Moderate” from 30% to 60%, and “High” from 70% to greater than 95%. High values are bolded and lighter in color to provide awareness of an increased threat for a particular event.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Desert Road expected to reopen shortly

    Source: New Zealand Police

    The Desert Road is expected to reopen approximately 6:45pm following the fatal crash earlier today.

    Motorists are thanked for their patience while emergency services and contractors worked at the scene.

    For updates on the road opening, please check https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/regions/bay-of-plenty

    ENDS

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Saving young eyes: China’s multifaceted approach to curbing myopia

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

    At a primary school in Jinan, east China’s Shandong Province, students are undergoing routine vision checks with the help of an innovative tool, namely a headphone-like smart monitoring device powered by artificial intelligence (AI).

    This device collects real-time data concerning students’ reading distance, sitting posture, light exposure and screen time, and then generates systematic evaluations and personalized recommendations. This technology not only tracks vision changes but also promotes healthier eye habits.

    “This is a dynamic monitoring process that is more objective and direct than traditional questionnaires,” said Huo Huanhuan, a doctor with the Shandong Prevention and Control Center for Child and Adolescent Myopia, as she scrolled through her phone to display trend analysis charts produced by the device.

    So far, more than 200 schools in Shandong have partnered with the center — leveraging big data and AI to enhance early monitoring and myopia prevention.

    This effort comes as China strives to address its pressing public health challenge of high myopia rates among children and adolescents. According to the latest official statistics, 51.9 percent of Chinese children and adolescents are nearsighted, despite a slight decline in recent years.

    To combat this challenge, China has set ambitious targets — by 2030, the country aims to keep the myopia rate among 6-year-olds at around 3 percent and ensure that no more than 38 percent of primary school students develop myopia. Achieving these goals requires a multipronged approach.

    A key strategy involves increasing outdoor time. A 2024 government document mandates that primary schools organize outdoor recess and ensure at least one hour of daily physical activity for students.

    Scientifically, sunlight exposure during outdoor play stimulates the retinas to release more dopamine, a chemical that helps slow excessive eyeball elongation — a major contributor to myopia.

    Leading the way is Shenzhen in south China’s Guangdong Province. This city rolled out a groundbreaking policy at the end of 2023, which stipulates that all its primary and middle schools must offer one physical education (PE) class a day. A year later, Shenzhen’s myopia rate among children and adolescents had dropped by 1.2 percentage points, meaning that over 20,000 students were prevented from needing glasses.

    “One year of implementation has proven that the ‘one-PE-class-a-day’ policy significantly boosts the physical and mental health of students,” said Zheng Xiuyu, director of the Shenzhen Education Bureau.

    Inspired by Shenzhen’s success, provincial-level regions like Yunnan, Anhui and Tianjin have introduced similar policies. Meanwhile, other regions, including Beijing, Shandong and Fujian in east China, have extended school break times from 10 to 15 minutes to encourage more physical activity.

    At 9 a.m., upon hearing the bell, Wang Jiahui, a fifth-grade student in Shandong, picked up a football and immediately rushed toward the playground. “With five more minutes, we can organize a small match or do some specialized football skills practice.”

    “Longer breaks give students more opportunities to exercise, leading to better fitness levels,” said Liu Shansong, an official from Licang District in Shandong’s Qingdao city, where the extended recess policy was piloted.

    The results speak for themselves. In 2024, the district saw an 8-percentage-point increase in the “excellent” and “good” physical fitness rates among primary school students, alongside a 4-percentage-point drop in myopia rates.

    In addition to promoting physical activity, education authorities nationwide are also upgrading school facilities to support eye health. Adjustable desks and chairs, along with lighting equipment beneficial to eye health, are being introduced to create vision-friendly learning environments.

    Notably, in central China’s Hubei Province, primary schools have installed an intelligent prompt system in teachers’ electronic whiteboards, setting a 12-minute usage limit per class session. Once the time limit is reached, an eye-protection reminder automatically pops up, prompting teachers to discontinue electronic device usage.

    Huo Pengfei, parent of a fourth-grade student at one of the schools, is delighted with the restriction on electronic screen use.

    “This significantly alleviates children’s eye strain — and we sincerely applaud and support this initiative,” said Huo.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Macao launches POP MART tourism event to attract global fans

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

    A resident takes photos of a Labubu toy at the Taipa exhibition area of “POP MART MACAO CITYWALK” in south China’s Macao, June 6, 2025. The tourism office of China’s Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) government, together with China’s trendy toy maker POP MART, on Friday launched “POP MART MACAO CITYWALK,” a cultural tourism initiative with the unveiling of a 7-meter-high toy Labubu known for its toothy grin. (Xinhua/Cheong Kam Ka)

    The tourism office of China’s Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) government, together with China’s trendy toy maker POP MART, on Friday launched “POP MART MACAO CITYWALK,” a cultural tourism initiative with the unveiling of a 7-meter-high toy Labubu known for its toothy grin.

    The office noted that, spanning 108 days from Monday to September 21, the event will bring POP MART’s globally popular characters, including Baby Molly, Crybaby Dimoo, and Labubu, to four iconic locations across Macao.

    A special “pop station” was set up at Senado Square, featuring a pop-up shop and a Macao-themed Mega Space Molly Egg Tart installation, where visitors could collect themed postcards and stamps at each site.

    Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, director of the tourism office, stated to the media that POP MART has a vast resource in terms of the number of fans worldwide. “When people come to take photos with the figures, they are also walking around the city and seeing different kinds of elements related to the city,” she added.

    Ms. Lin from Guangzhou was visiting Macao particularly for the event. Showing her two Labubu dolls and delicate decorations, she said she had only recently become familiar with the character and had become quite interested in the IP series.

    The project integrated a regional e-payment consumption lucky draw, open to users from Macao, Hong Kong, the Chinese mainland, Thailand, and Malaysia. 

    Visitors visit the Taipa exhibition area of “POP MART MACAO CITYWALK” in south China’s Macao, June 6, 2025. The tourism office of China’s Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) government, together with China’s trendy toy maker POP MART, on Friday launched “POP MART MACAO CITYWALK,” a cultural tourism initiative with the unveiling of a 7-meter-high toy Labubu known for its toothy grin. (Xinhua/Cheong Kam Ka)

    Guests attend the opening ceremony of “POP MART MACAO CITYWALK” in south China’s Macao, June 6, 2025. The tourism office of China’s Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) government, together with China’s trendy toy maker POP MART, on Friday launched “POP MART MACAO CITYWALK,” a cultural tourism initiative with the unveiling of a 7-meter-high toy Labubu known for its toothy grin. (Xinhua/Cheong Kam Ka)

    Residents pose for photos at the Taipa exhibition area of “POP MART MACAO CITYWALK” in south China’s Macao, June 6, 2025. The tourism office of China’s Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) government, together with China’s trendy toy maker POP MART, on Friday launched “POP MART MACAO CITYWALK,” a cultural tourism initiative with the unveiling of a 7-meter-high toy Labubu known for its toothy grin. (Xinhua/Cheong Kam Ka)

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s economic powerhouse charts ecological path with smart tech

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

    In a wetland park in the industrial hub of Wuxi in Jiangsu Province, east China, an AI-powered system tracks bird species, among which is the critically endangered Baer’s pochard.

    Installed at a biodiversity observatory in the district of Xinwu, the system can identify species and analyze population dynamics and behavioral patterns. Since its deployment in late 2024, the system has logged more than 30,000 bird activity video records.

    “The large-scale appearance of Baer’s pochards reflects a significant improvement in the local ecosystem,” said Yin Songjiang, an official with the district’s ecology and environment bureau.

    This project offers a glimpse into how one of the nation’s economic powerhouse provinces is leveraging smart technologies to protect the environment and biodiversity.

    Jiangsu, a manufacturing heartland with a GDP of 13.7 trillion yuan (1.9 trillion U.S. dollars) in 2024, has been pioneering a new path that reconciles dense industrial development with vibrant biodiversity.

    According to the Department of Ecology and Environment of Jiangsu Province, it has been redefining environmental stewardship with AI and digital tools, making ecological governance more precise, dynamic and effective.

    TECH-DRIVEN POLLUTION CONTROL

    In Jiangning District in Nanjing, capital of Jiangsu Province, high-tech instruments track air pollutants like PM2.5 in real time.

    “Airborne pollutants cannot escape the scrutiny of our automated systems,” said Wang Xin, deputy director of the Jiangning district department of ecology and environment. “Once detected, the pollution source is automatically reported, enabling swift and targeted pollution response.”

    Official data show that Jiangsu saw 82.5 percent of its days with good air quality last year, a 4.6-percentage-point improvement year-on-year and the best record since 2013.

    Local authorities have also beefed up efforts to monitor and tackle water pollution.

    Along riverbanks in the city of Suzhou, compact monitoring outposts autonomously analyze pollutants and transmit data. Drones equipped with infrared and high-definition cameras monitor river temperatures and detect illicit wastewater discharges.

    Taihu Lake, China’s third-largest freshwater lake, reported its best water quality in three decades in 2024. A smart dredging vessel capable of removing 5,000 cubic meters of nutrient-rich silt daily has helped suppress algal blooms.

    A multilayered smart surveillance network, spanning satellite remote sensing, AI-powered hyperspectral drone imagery, and underwater sensors, tracks algae and dissolved oxygen in real time.

    SMART BIODIVERSITY MONITORING

    In Jiangsu’s biodiversity database, wildlife footage is updated in real time. A few clicks can reveal infrared footage of a Pere David’s deer — an endangered species now thriving in Yancheng, home to the world’s largest wild herd of the animal. From just 39 deer in 1986, the population there has soared to 8,216 today.

    Jiangsu’s embrace of intelligent observation tools is redefining how species are tracked and studied.

    In Nanjing’s Jiangxinzhou wetland park, 11 smart video stations help to monitor key species. Along the banks of the Yangtze River, the world’s third-longest river, night-vision laser cameras capture footage of the elusive Yangtze finless porpoise.

    Nanjing has become the first city in China where this critically endangered freshwater mammal can be observed in the downtown area. In 2024, there were more than 1,800 sightings, a figure more than double that recorded five years ago.

    According to the provincial department of ecology and environment, Jiangsu is home to 8,842 species, an extraordinary number for a heavily industrialized region.

    These efforts have yielded tangible economic returns. In 2024, Jiangsu’s ecotourism destinations welcomed 300 million visitors, generating over 16 billion yuan in direct revenues.

    The province has also passed a local regulation for biodiversity protection and plans to establish 20 AI-powered biodiversity observatories in key areas by the end of this year.

    “These smart observatories will lay a solid foundation for long-term biodiversity monitoring and scientific research,” said Wu Jun, an official with the provincial ecology and environment department.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Opening remarks by SITI at Hong Kong Forum of International Science, Technology and Innovation Forum of Boao Forum for Asia 2025 Hong Kong Conference (English only) (with photo)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Following are the opening remarks by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, at Hong Kong Forum of International Science, Technology and Innovation Forum of Boao Forum for Asia 2025 Hong Kong Conference today (June 7):

    Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Over 60 domestic, international films set to entertain Chinese audiences this summer

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

    A slate of films for the 2025 summer movie season was announced on Friday, with more than 60 Chinese and international titles scheduled for release to entertain audiences.

    The China Film Administration unveiled the slate at a special event that brought together cast and crew from several upcoming films, who promoted their projects and shared key highlights with the public.

    This year’s summer lineup of domestic movies spans a wide range of genres, including historical drama, suspense, action, comedy and animation, catering to the increasingly diverse tastes of moviegoers.

    Among the Chinese films featured was “Dong Ji Island,” which tells the story of local fishermen involved in a dramatic international maritime rescue operation.

    Another highlight, “The Litchi Road,” follows the journey of a minor Tang Dynasty (618-907) official tasked with delivering fresh lychees — a mission that leads him on an epic adventure.

    In the animation category, titles such as “Nobody” promise engaging content for younger audiences during the holiday.

    The lineup of imported films set to hit Chinese theaters over the summer months includes high-profile titles such as “How to Train Your Dragon,” “Jurassic World: Rebirth” and “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning.”

    A series of initiatives to encourage moviegoing during the summer was also unveiled during the event.

    During the recent Dragon Boat Festival, both box office and audience turnout figures saw significant growth compared to the same period last year.

    This year’s Dragon Boat Festival holiday served as an effective warm-up for the upcoming summer season, signaling a recovery in the film market, said Maoyan analyst Lai Li, noting that the inventory of films slated for release in the summer is ample and diverse in genre.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Retinal implant offers hope for blind, extends vision to infrared

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

    A team of Chinese scientists has unveiled a revolutionary retinal implant that may not only restore sight to the blind but also grant them the ability to see infrared light, a spectrum beyond normal human sight.

    The study, published on Friday in the journal Science, demonstrates how a mesh of ultra-thin tellurium nanowires can replace damaged photoreceptors in a blind mouse’s eye, and convert near-infrared light into electrical signals that the macaque brain, a non-human primate model, can interpret as vision.

    The new technology’s feasibility and strong safety profile mark a milestone in the development of artificial vision, which could prove invaluable to 200 million patients worldwide who are living with blindness or retinal disease.

    The team from Shanghai tested their device in blind mice, which subsequently regained reflexes in the pupil and evoked neuron firing in the visual cortex. They performed almost as well as normal mice in visual pattern recognition tests.

    More significantly, the device was successfully implanted in macaque monkeys, where it demonstrated both safety and the ability to detect near-infrared 1,550-nanometer light, according to the study.

    In patients with severe eye diseases, such as macular degeneration, infrared vision could, in principle, aid vision in low light and darkness. The device could potentially provide significant advantages in low-light conditions.

    The nanowire mesh is remarkably thin — about ten times thinner than previous artificial photoreceptors — making it easier to implant and more compatible with the delicate structures of the eye, said Zhang Jiayi from Fudan University, one of the lead researchers.

    The retinal implant might be a game-changer since a single minimally invasive, reversible procedure restores natural vision without bulky glasses or frequent charging, according to the study.

    The team designed a nanowire for the retina based on tellurium, a silver-white, light-sensitive element that’s used as a semiconductor, and interlaced them into an implantable lattice network.

    It showed good biocompatibility and did not require external power sources, said the journal’s editor Mattia Maroso.

    This successful animal study paves the way for future human trials, and offers a safer, more effective and wider-spectrum solution than existing technologies, said the researchers.

    It could “substantially improve the efficacy of retinal neuroprostheses in restoring vision in blind and visually impaired individuals,” said Maroso.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China accelerates market-based reforms in allocation of resources, environmental factors

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

    In pursuit of greener growth, China is steadily incorporating resources and environmental factors into the market framework as tradable production inputs, ensuring their value is more visible across the economy.

    The latest move came in late May, when Chinese authorities unveiled a high-level guideline to accelerate the development of trading markets for carbon emission rights, water utilization rights, and pollution discharge permits.

    According to the guideline, by 2027, China will have established a basically complete carbon emission and water trading system, and a more well-functioning trading system for pollution discharge rights. The guideline also envisions more vibrant markets, better price formation, and stronger support for national environmental goals through efficient flows and allocation of resources and environmental factors.

    The latest reform builds on the principles laid out in October 2022, when Chinese leadership pledged to improve the system for market-based allocation of resources and environmental factors, and accelerate the R&D, promotion, and application of advanced energy-saving and carbon emission reduction technologies.

    Analysts note that China faces rising pressure from limited per capita resources, tightening environmental constraints, and growing demand driven by rapid industrialization and urbanization. As a result, the role of resources and environmental factors as essential economic inputs has become increasingly prominent, making efficient, market-based allocation a pressing national priority.

    “Resource scarcity and limited environmental carrying capacity are fundamental conditions in China,” said an official with the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) in an interview with Xinhua, highlighting the urgency of using market mechanisms to break resource and environmental bottlenecks.

    Over the years, China has laid important groundwork for the trading of resources and environmental factors, including establishing a nationwide carbon trading market, voluntary greenhouse gas emission reduction market, and water exchanges. Pilot programs for pollution permit exchanges have been rolled out in 28 provincial-level regions, demonstrating the viability of market-based mechanisms.

    Nevertheless, despite these notable advances, the NDRC official pointed out that challenges persist, as China’s market-based system for allocating resources and environmental factors is still in its early stages. This system has been hindered by incomplete regulatory frameworks, a limited range of trading participants and mechanisms, as well as insufficient policy coordination and data sharing.

    The new guideline, the official added, is expected to promote the notion that “resources and environmental factors carry value,” guiding their orderly flow, optimized allocation, and more efficient use, thereby fostering green, low-carbon development and supporting the growth of new quality productive forces.

    Under the reform plan, China seeks to promote a unified framework for quota allocation and trading rules, while preserving the flexibility needed to address the specific nature of different environmental rights and major policy transitions.

    Beyond regulation, the document also called for greater involvement from financial institutions. Financial entities are encouraged to develop green financial products, such as loans, insurance, and bonds, linked to resources and environmental factors.

    Experts have hailed the policy as a landmark step towards systemic ecological reform in China. Wang Yi, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, described it as a “top-level design” to fix overlapping compliance and double counting, adding it marks a shift toward more integrated, system-level ecological governance.

    Li Zhong, deputy director at the Energy Research Institute under the Academy of Macroeconomic Research, said the reform reflects China’s regional diversity, noting that the document explicitly calls for a phased approach, adjusting market structures according to local environmental characteristics and the readiness of market conditions.

    While many local governments have launched pilot exchanges for carbon, water, and pollution rights, the new guideline emphasizes the need to align regional efforts under a national framework to improve allocation efficiency and market consistency.

    In the carbon market, the country plans to expand its carbon market coverage, diversify trading products, and strengthen coordination with voluntary reduction schemes. Water-rights trading will extend across provinces in key river basins, incorporating conserved water from industrial and agricultural use. Pollution rights will see pilot cross-regional trading within shared watersheds.

    Looking ahead, experts emphasize that accurate data, standardized trading platforms, transparent information disclosure, and enforceable oversight are all critical to building a well-functioning market for resources and environmental factors.

    “Data integrity and legal safeguards are critical,” Wang Yi noted, adding that the development of a market-based system for resources and environmental factors is an evolving process that requires continuous adjustment and careful monitoring.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Ponsonby community up in arms over impending post office closure

    Asia Pacific Report

    The community is up in arms over another local post office in Aotearoa New Zealand about to be closed down, this time in the iconic and historic Auckland inner city suburb of Ponsonby.

    A local author and founder of Greenstone Pictures, John Harris, has led a pushback against plans to close the Ponsonby post office branch in Three Lamps next month with an undated open letter to the chief executive David Walsh.

    Saying he was “surprised and dismayed” to see the “closing soon but staying put” sign in the Ponsonby NZ Post shop, Harris pointed out that the small office gave “great service to dozens of businesses” in the area, and hundreds of residents.

    “It is misleading on your poster to claim that people will be able to obtain the same services at nearby post shops like that in Jervois Road,” Harris said.

    “Will they be able to pay their bills and car registration there? Collect mail and parcels? Buy courier bags and send mail and parcels?

    “And do you expect them to walk there?  It is not helpful to say this closure ‘might mean a few minutes extra drive’.

    This assumed that all clients were using a car, not elderly or young who were on foot.

    Parking in busy streets
    “And people are expected to try and find parking on other busy streets — Jervois Road, Karangahape Road, Wellesley Street.”

    Harris said: “The Ponsonby post shop is a vital part of the network that binds the community together.

    “To close it is like removing part of the community’s nervous system:  an ill-considered stab at the heart of a community which has always been vibrant, socially aware and productive.”

    The NZ Post website proclaims that “we provide customers with the solutions and products to help them communicate and do business.”

    However, said Harris, this planned closure for July 4 did not match those promises.

    Harris also pointed out that NZ Post made a $16 million operating profit for the last six months of 2024.

    The Ponsonby protest letter from a local community advocate to the NZ Post. Image: APR

    “Congratulations. I’m pleased you are keeping NZ Post viable. But it shows there is a bit of ‘wriggle room’ to keep the Ponsonby store open.”

    Digital services use
    In response to the call to reconsider the decision, a customer services officer replied on June 6 on behalf of chief executive Walsh, saying that the NZ Post Office needed to “ensure our physical locations are in the right places and operating efficiently” in an age where more people used digital services.

    “In some areas, including Ponsonby, we’ve had more than one store serving the same neighbourhood. That’s not a sustainable way for us to operate, so we’ve had to make some changes.”

    However, critics of the decision to close the Ponsonby store say the reasoning  was “not credible”, stressing that all claimed alternative postal stores are several kilometres away.

    A year after chief executive Walsh was appointed in 2017, it was announced that NZ Post would close almost 80 local post offices across the country and replace some of them with franchises.

    Harris, a children’s author with a strong association with the local community stretching back to the 1970s and a former editor of West End News in Freemans Bay, acknowledged that the Ponsonby  PO boxes lobby was being kept open, “but what about the ordinary rank-and-file residents and small business owners who value the other everyday services offered at the store?”

    He said he had written to local MP, Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick and the Ponsonby Business Association seeking their support.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Your guide to winter dining in Canberra

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    This local brewery has all the perfect winter comforts – hearty burgers, great beverages and a crackling fire.

    Capital Brewing Co. by Tourism Australia

    The Duxton, O’Connor

    This gastro pub located at O’Connor shops offers a roast every Sunday.

    For $39, enjoy pork belly, chicken and lamb with veggies and Yorkshire pudding, covered in gravy.

    This cosy pub at Ainslie shops offers the perfect winter special every Sunday from 12pm.

    For $25 enjoy a roast served with sides and a house beer, wine or soft drink.

    This great old English-style pub has it all. Great food, beers and ambience – with regular live music and a crackling fire.

    It’s the perfect spot to escape the cold weather.

    Indulge in speciality drinks at Highroad this Canberra winter.

    Warm up your choice of a pumpkin spice latte, orange and white chocolate latte or a chai cuddle cup.

    This Irish pub in the city centre is a great place to hide from the cold.

    Enjoy traditional pub food, live music and a crackling fire.

    King O’Malley’s by Visit Canberra.

    This Parisian-style café on Lake Burley Griffin is serving up speciality hot drinks this winter.

    After a lakeside walk, warm up with a mulled wine or cider beside the firepit.

    This modern restaurant offers contemporary cuisine and features a fireplace to set the perfect tone for a winter date night.

    Desserts we have our eye on this winter include the sticky date pudding and mulled wine poached pear crumble.

    This old rustic pub is the perfect place to cosy up this winter.

    Enjoy great comfort food like bangers and mash, paired with a mulled wine by the fireplace.

    Parlour changes its menu every season, so it’s a must visit this winter.

    Enjoy great wine and food by the restaurant fire.

    This modern pub at Manuka shops offers a roast every Sunday.

    For $30 enjoy a roast plate of beef with classic sides and gravy.

    Find this cosy bookstore café in Gold Creek.

    Sit by a crackling fire while you read and warm your belly with comfort food like sausages and mash or a curry.

    Check out one of Canberra’s oldest hospitality venues this winter.

    The cottage’s rustic character and warm fireplace makes it an inviting place for locals in the cooler months.

    Warm up at this lakeside gastro pub.

    Indulge in pub classics like sausages, mash and gravy, or share one of their cheeseboards by the inviting fireplace.

    Walt and Burley by Visit Canberra.

    Read more like this:

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ernst Honors Iowa’s Servicemembers, Witnesses Disaster Recovery, Touts Small Business Innovation, and More

    US Senate News:

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

    RED OAK, Iowa – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) recently traveled from Pottawattamie County to Scott County to meet with servicemembers, small business owners, farmers, and law enforcement officers on her River to River Tour – part of her ongoing commitment to hear from Iowans in every corner of the state.
    Click HERE to download photos from Ernst’s visits.
    As the first female combat veteran elected to the Senate who served in the Iowa National Guard, it was especially meaningful for Ernst to honor Iowa National Guard soldiers as they deploy to serve our country in the Middle East. She gave remarks at the send-off ceremonies for both the 1st Battalion, 168th Infantry Regiment in her hometown of Red Oak and 224th Brigade Engineer Battalion in Davenport. Learn more about the ceremony in Red Oak from KSOM, KMALand, The Red Oak Express, and KMTV. WQAD, KLJB,and the Quad-City Times detailed the event in Davenport.

    To mark one year since devastating storms and tornados swept through southwest Iowa, Ernst visited Adair County where she toured an active Habitat for Humanity home construction site in Greenfield.Raccoon Valley Radio, KCCI, and WHO 13 joined the tour as she talked with the future homeowner about rebuilding and community recovery efforts.

    In Scott County, KWQC covered Ernst’s visit to Davenport Guns & Shooting Club where she met with the store’s owner to discuss the importance of protecting lawful gun dealers from Biden’s ATF with herFIREARM Act. Ernst closed out the visit with some target practice on the shop’s range.

    As Chair of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Ernst elevates the voices of Iowa small businesses and presented five outstanding entrepreneurs across the state with her Small Business of the Week award. The Wilton-Durant Advocate News and the Muscatine Journal both joined as she honored Lynn and Brenda Ochiltree, owners of The Candy Kitchen, a historic soda fountain in downtown Wilton.

    As reported by Journal-Eureka, Ernst stopped by Boomerang Corporation in Jones County to learn more about how their team plans, designs, and oversees construction projects across eastern Iowa.

    In Jackson County, Ernst was thrilled to present Air Force veteran Dr. Don Schwenker and his family with a Small Business of the Week award for all their hard work providing care for veterans and the Maquoketa community at Timber City Chiropractic. The Maquoketa Sentinel-Press featured the visit. Daily Nonpareiland KMTV highlighted Ernst’s work to cut red tape and help rural entrepreneurs thrive during her visit to PowerTech in Council Bluffs.

    Iowa’s leadership in innovation for businesses both large and small was top of mind as Ernst gave remarks at an event hosted by Google in Cedar Rapids.

    Ernst also spotlighted entrepreneurship and the needs of small business owners at her roundtable in Iowa City. As featured on KGAN, she gathered folks with growing small businesses and University of Iowa leadership to discuss her INNOVATE Act followed by a tour of a University of Iowa research laboratory.

    Carroll Broadcasting and the Carroll Times Herald both featured Ernst’s roundtable with Iowa pork producers and cattlemen about her work to support Iowa farmers and producers, which includes fighting for a Farm Bill, pushing back against California’s Prop 12 overreach, and combatting foreign animal disease. Ernst also held a second roundtable in Dallas County to hear about the experiences and concerns of central Iowa law enforcement officers.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • Vande Bharat train between Katra and Srinagar begins today; slashes travel time to just three hours

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    In a major boost to connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir, regular services of the Vande Bharat Express between Srinagar and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra commence on Saturday.

    The Northern Railway has confirmed that the semi-high-speed trains will operate six days a week, significantly reducing travel time between the Kashmir Valley and the prominent pilgrimage hub in Katra.

    This development marks a transformative step in the region’s transport infrastructure.

    The new Vande Bharat service will cut travel time between Srinagar and Katra to just three hours—less than half of the current six to seven hours required by road.

    Two pairs of Vande Bharat Express trains—Train Nos. 26404/26403 and 26401/26402—will run on the newly inaugurated Srinagar–Katra–Srinagar route, with scheduled halts at Banihal.

    These trains are specially designed to function in extreme winter conditions and are equipped with advanced heating systems, thermally insulated lavatories, heated windshields, and defrosting technology for improved driver visibility.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday flagged off the inaugural run of these trains, following the successful completion of the 272-kilometer Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link project—a long-awaited engineering feat that includes the iconic Chenab Bridge, the world’s highest railway arch bridge.

    Until now, train services in the region were limited to the Banihal–Baramulla section in the Kashmir Valley and the Jammu–Udhampur–Katra section in the Jammu region.

    The extension of Vande Bharat services will not only provide a faster and more reliable mode of transportation for residents and tourists but is also expected to facilitate easier access for pilgrims visiting the revered Vaishno Devi shrine.

    With seamless all-weather operations and premium onboard amenities, the Vande Bharat Express promises to enhance the travel experience and strengthen regional connectivity, linking North India more closely with the Valley.

    IANS

  • MIL-OSI USA: Office of the Governor — News Release — Gov. Green Releases Intent-to-Veto List

    Source: US State of Hawaii

    Office of the Governor — News Release — Gov. Green Releases Intent-to-Veto List

    Posted on Jun 6, 2025 in Latest Department News, Newsroom, Office of the Governor Press Releases

    STATE OF HAWAIʻI 
    KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI 
     
    JOSH GREEN, M.D. 
    GOVERNOR
    KE KIAʻĀINA 
     

    GOVERNOR GREEN RELEASES INTENT-TO-VETO LIST 

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    June 6, 2025

    HONOLULU – Governor Josh Green, M.D., today informed legislative leaders and stakeholders of his intent to veto 19 bills passed during the 2025 regular session of the Hawai‘i State Legislature.

    Governor Green is not required to veto every bill indicated on the Intent-to-Veto list, but cannot veto a bill that is not included. The release of this list provides additional time to continue ongoing discussions with key stakeholders concerning implementation and impact. Due to the record-setting number of bills enrolled to the governor this legislative session, potential changes to the state’s federal funding and reduced revenue projections from the Council on Revenues, additional time to analyze bills will ensure each bill is given the nuanced, thoughtful consideration it deserves. Governor Green has until July 9 to issue final vetoes. All other bills will become law by July 9.

    “Let me be clear: of the 320 bills passed by the Legislature this session, 19 are on our Intent-to-Veto list,” said Governor Green. “Our team has completed a review of every measure and the overwhelming majority of legislation will become law. Each bill on today’s list is based on thorough legal and fiscal analysis, and as always, was guided by what will best serve the people of Hawai‘i, protect our resources and strengthen our future.”

    To date, Governor Green has signed 200 bills into law benefiting the people and ‘āina of Hawai‘i, with core themes including environmental stewardship, educational access and success, as well as public safety. These represent key focus areas so far; additional bills awaiting signature will build upon this foundation to address state priorities. The remaining 101 bills are on track to become law by July 9.

    Over 300 bills were reviewed by state departments and agencies, the Attorney General and the Governor in the last month. The Governor has until July 9 to issue final vetoes from today’s list.

    The following bills are being considered for vetoes, line-item vetoes, or reductions.

    Fiscal Bills:

    HB126: RELATING TO PROPERTY FORFEITURE

    Bill Description: Increases transparency and accountability surrounding property forfeiture. Clarifies which property is subject to forfeiture. Amends the authorized disposition of forfeited property and the proceeds thereof. Requires the Attorney General to adopt rules necessary to carry out the purpose of the Hawaiʻi Omnibus Criminal Forfeiture Act. Repeals language that requires the Hawaiʻi Omnibus Criminal Forfeiture Act to be construed liberally.

    Veto Rationale: Asset forfeiture serves as a powerful deterrent against and punishment for criminal activity. The one-year deadline to return seized property for which the owner has not been charged with a covered offense, significantly weakens the efficacy of this dual deterrent and punishment. Many covered offenses, including felonies, often involve complex investigations that extend beyond a year, rendering this bill’s one-year deadline for law enforcement to file charges unrealistic. Seized property can serve as critical evidence in investigations, and its return before an investigation’s completion would severely hamper the investigation as well as the administration of justice at large.

    HB300: RELATING TO THE STATE BUDGET

    Bill Description: Appropriates funds for the operating and capital improvement budget of the Executive Branch for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027.

    Veto Rationale: Potential shifts in federal funding, coupled with recent projections from the Hawaiʻi Council on Revenues, require the state to reevaluate its budget to ensure essential services and priorities remain supported. Specific line-item reductions based on program feasibility, stability, and sustainability will help the state enter the fiscal year with a balanced budget and sound financial plan.

    HB302: RELATING TO CANNABIS
    Bill Description: Part I: Authorizes DOH to inspect qualifying patient medical records held by the physician, advanced practice registered nurse, or hospice provider who issued a written certification for the qualifying patient. Amends and adds definitions for purposes of the medical use of cannabis law. Clarifies the conditions of use for the medical use of cannabis. For purposes of issuing written certifications, authorizes the establishment of a provider-patient relationship via telehealth and limits the maximum amount of fees that can be assessed by providers. Authorizes the sale of hemp products and accessories for the medical use of cannabis at retail dispensing locations, except in waiting rooms. Clarifies transportation requirements for certain inter-dispensary sales of cannabis and manufactured cannabis products. Part II: Establishes criminal penalties for the unlicensed operation of a medical cannabis dispensary. Part III: Authorizes expenditures from the Medical Cannabis Registry and Regulation Special Fund to fund programs for the mitigation and abatement of nuisances related to illegal cannabis and hemp products and medical cannabis dispensaries and appropriates funds from the Special Fund to the AG’s Drug Nuisance Abatement Unit for these purposes, including establishing positions. Part IV: Beginning 1/1/2028, prohibits the cultivation of cannabis without a cannabis cultivator license issued by DOH.

    Veto Rationale: This administration remains committed to Hawai‘i’s existing medical cannabis program and supports efforts to expand access to medical cannabis for any medical condition. Although this bill’s authorization of medical cannabis certifications via telehealth expands access to medical cannabis, provisions authorizing the inspection of patients’ medical records without warrant constitute a grave violation of privacy. Given that the federal government classifies cannabis as a Schedule I substance, patients’ reasonable fears of repercussions based upon information gained from inspection of their personal medical records may deter patients from participating in the medical cannabis program.

    HB496: RELATING TO MĀMAKI TEA

    Bill Description: Prohibits the use of certain words and misleading Hawaiian imagery, place names, and motifs on the label of a consumer package that contains or includes tea or dried leaves from the plant Pipturus albidus, unless 100% of the tea or dried leaves were cultivated, harvested, and dried in the state. Appropriates funds for a Measurement Standards Inspector position.

    Veto Rationale: While the intent of this measure is to ensure consumer protection and reliable Made in Hawai‘i labeling, the bill imposes overly strict labeling requirements that could harm small businesses and māmaki producers who responsibly blend leaves from multiple sources. Prohibiting the labeling of products composed of less than 100% māmaki tea as “māmaki” ignores the economic contributions of and impacts to producers who mix or process māmaki with other herbs, undermining producers who support local māmaki farmers while meeting broader demand.

    HB796: RELATING TO TAX CREDITS

    Bill Description: Requires that income tax credits existing on 12/31/2025 or established or renewed after 12/31/2025 include a five-year sunset or an annual one-third reduction, beginning with the sixth year of the credit.

    Veto Rationale: This bill would have a significant long-term impact on income tax credits across a variety of industries, including film and television, research, and renewable energy. These tax credits are critical to supporting economic development and diversification, particularly within growing and emerging sectors. Categorically sunsetting income tax credits will not only disincentivize future investors from doing business in Hawai‘i, but will destabilize existing businesses that currently rely upon these tax credits.

    HB1369: RELATING TO TAXATION 

    Bill Description: Amends and repeals certain exemptions under the general excise tax and use tax laws.

    Veto Rationale: The amendments to the general excise tax and use tax contained in this bill would impact sugarcane producers, commercial fishing vessels and securities exchanges. Removing the specific tax exemptions afforded to these entities would provide little financial benefit to the state while harming, in particular, sugarcane producers.

    SB583: RELATING TO NAMING RIGHTS

    Bill Description: Allows the naming rights of the Stadium Facility and Convention Center Facility to be leased to any public or private entity. Requires any revenues derived from advertising or marketing in or on the Stadium Facility or Convention Center Facility to be deposited into the appropriate special fund of the facility. Authorizes the display of the name of any entity that leased the naming rights to a stadium operated by the Stadium Authority on the exterior of the stadium.

    Veto Rationale: Pursuant to section 14, article III, of the Hawai‘i State Constitution, each bill may only contain one subject, which must pertain to the bill’s title. The exemption of concessions in the stadium facility and Convention Center from typical concession procurement procedures may violate section 14, article III, of the Hawai‘i State Constitution since the exemption appears to fall outside the titular scope of the bill, naming rights.

    SB589: RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY

    Bill Description: Requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish an installation goal for customer-sited distributed energy resources in the state. Requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish tariffs to achieve the installation goal and for grid services programs, microgrids and community-based renewable energy. Ensures that certain levels of compensation are provided for solar and energy storage exports from customer-sited distributed energy resources as part of grid service programs and requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish grid service compensation values. Clarifies when a person who constructs, maintains, or operates a new microgrid is not considered a public utility. Authorizes wheeling of renewable energy and requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish policies and procedures to implement wheeling and microgrid service tariffs.

    Veto Rationale: Maintaining Hawai‘i’s leadership in clean energy through established goals and initiatives remains a priority. The Public Utilities Commission has already opened or plans to open proceedings relating to microgrid services tariffs and customer-sited distributed energy resources and grid services. The mandates contained in this bill therefore risk duplication and delay of already existing efforts.

    Non-Fiscal Bills: 

    HB235: RELATING TO TRAFFIC SAFETY

    Bill Description: Requires the Department of Transportation, after the City and County of Honolulu educates the public and adjusts any systems, to expand the use of photo red light imaging detector systems and automated speed enforcement systems to locations on the North Shore of O‘ahu.

    Veto Rationale: The Department of Transportation has developed specific criteria for the selection of communities within which to implement traffic safety systems. This criteria incorporates data-driven crash, citation and traffic volume metrics, which ensure communities are chosen based on need and potential for greatest impact. Ignoring this criteria in favor of legislatively mandated location selection threatens the integrity of the photo red light imaging detector system and automated speed enforcement system programs.

    HB800: RELATING TO GOVERNMENT

    Bill Description: Provides for the transfer of certain parcels in the Liliha Civic Center area and Iwilei Fire Station area from various state agencies to the City and County of Honolulu. Provides for the transfer of the parcel of land upon which Ali‘i Tower is sited from the City and County of Honolulu to the Department of Land and Natural Resources. Exempts the lands transferred to the Department of Land and Natural Resources from the definition of public lands for purposes of Chapter 171, HRS.

    Veto Rationale: The land transfers provided in the bill would negatively impact the City and County of Honolulu, which relies upon Ali‘i Tower’s land lease revenues and office spaces. Additionally, the state would face indeterminate additional costs, as Ali‘i Tower’s age likely necessitates capital improvements and ongoing maintenance. Although the intent of this bill is to reduce the state’s reliance on private commercial office space, no analysis exists identifying the amount of office space the acquisition of Aliʻi Tower would provide the state.

    HB958: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION

    Bill Description: Establishes safe riding behaviors for electric bicycles. Prohibits the operation of high-speed electric devices in certain locations. Establishes labeling and signage requirements for electric bicycles. Prohibits the operation of a moped or electric motorcycle in certain locations. Amends the definition of “bicycle” for purposes of county vehicular taxes. Defines “electric bicycle” in place of “low-speed electric bicycle.” Defines “electric micro-mobility device” and requires the same regulations as electric foot scooters to apply to electric micro-mobility devices. Prohibits a person under the age of 16 from operating a class 3 electric bicycle. Authorizes a person under the age of 14 to operate class 2 electric bicycles under supervision. Prohibits a person from riding a class 3 electric bicycle on a sidewalk. Authorizes a person to ride a class 1 or class 2 electric bicycle on a sidewalk under certain circumstances. Prohibits a person from operating a bicycle or electric foot scooter under the age of 18 without a helmet. Repeals the requirement that moped drivers use bicycle lanes and substitutes the term “motor-driven cycle” with the term “motor scooter.”

    Veto Rationale: While mopeds and motorcycles are exempt from the prohibition established within this bill, on “high-speed electric devices” driving on public roadways, electric cars are not exempt. Such a prohibition would likely violate the Commerce Clause and Equal Protection Clause of the United States Constitution and conflict with the administration’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

    HB1296: RELATING TO THE MAJOR DISASTER FUND

    Bill Description: Establishes timely notice and reporting requirements to the Legislature by the Governor regarding the transfer of appropriations to the Major Disaster Fund. Effective 7/1/2025. Sunsets 7/1/2026.

    Veto Rationale: The administration is committed to the transparent, efficient management of state funds. During times of emergency, flexibility and the quick release of funds is necessary to respond to rapidly changing situations. This bill disrupts the delicate balance between reporting requirements facilitating government transparency and fiscal flexibility undergirding efficient response and recovery efforts. Placing additional administrative oversight over funds expended for emergencies jeopardizes public safety.

    SB15: RELATING TO HISTORIC PRESERVATION 

    Bill Description: Amends the definition of “historic property” to require that the property is over 50 years old and meets the criteria for inclusion in the Hawaiʻi Register of Historic Places. Excludes proposed projects on existing residential property and proposed projects that are in nominally sensitive areas from the State’s Historic Preservation Program review, under certain circumstances.

    Veto Rationale: Exempting proposed projects on any existing residential property from historic preservation review fails to consider properties that have never undergone such a review and may contain historically significant artifacts or iwi kūpuna. This categorical exclusion increases the risk for desecration of iwi kūpuna and historical resources. Although Governor Green supports amending the historic preservation review process to facilitate housing production, a more nuanced approach to protecting iwi kūpuna is needed, such as that advanced in SB 1263.

    SB31: RELATING TO PROPERTY

    Bill Description: Authorizes a person who discovers a recorded discriminatory restrictive covenant to take certain actions, without liability, to invalidate the covenant. Defines discriminatory restrictive covenant.

    Veto Rationale: By enabling any person, including those without any interest in the specified real property, to record a statement that a real property’s title includes a discriminatory restrictive covenant, this bill provides a statutorily authorized mechanism for the circulation of disinformation. This disinformation has the potential to negatively affect the marketability of a property. Because the person who recorded the statement claiming a discriminatory restrictive covenant exists is waived of any liability, no recourse is available to those who suffer financial loss due to inaccurate claims concerning their property’s title.

    SB38: RELATING TO HOUSING

    Bill Description: Requires the Hawaiʻi Housing Finance and Development Corporation to provide counties with an opportunity to comment on certain housing development projects. Prohibits the legislative body of a county from imposing stricter conditions than the Hawaiʻi Housing Finance and Development Corporation, stricter area median income requirements, or a reduction in fee waivers to housing development proposals that would increase the cost of the project.

    Veto Rationale: County councils have expressed concerns that this bill hampers their ability to work with developers to modify housing projects to reflect the specific needs of their communities. While the administration supports measures intended to facilitate the production of affordable housing, further dialogue with the counties on this measure’s implementation is required.

    SB66: RELATING TO HOUSING

    Bill Description: Establishes procedures and requirements for single-family and multifamily housing project applicants to apply for an expedited permit, including requirements for completeness of expedited permit applications, duties of licensed professionals and the counties during construction, and applications for owner-builder exemptions. Takes effect 7/1/2026. Sunsets 6/30/2031.

    Veto Rationale: By allowing any qualified professional to determine a project’s impact on historical resources, this bill permits a project proponent to evaluate and determine the impact of its own projects on historical resources. This is a conflict of interest that allows for self-serving determinations, undermines the authority and purpose of regulatory agencies’ independent evaluations, and increases risk to iwi kūpuna.

    SB104: RELATING TO CORRECTIONS

    Bill Description: Beginning 7/1/2026, restricts the use of restrictive housing in state-operated and state-contracted correctional facilities, with certain specified exceptions. Establishes a restrictive housing legislative working group to develop and recommend more comprehensive laws, policies and procedures regarding restrictive housing for members of vulnerable populations by 1/8/2027. Requires the Hawaiʻi Correctional System Oversight Commission to review restrictive housing placements on an annual basis. Authorizes the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, by 12/1/2027, to implement policies and procedures recommended by the restrictive housing working group related to committed persons. Requires interim and final reports to the Legislature and Hawaiʻi Correctional System Oversight Commission.

    Veto Rationale: The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has policies in place governing the use of restrictive housing. These policies and procedures comply with National Institute of Corrections and American Correctional Association standards. Rather than improve the health and safety of those in the department’s care, the implementation of certain requirements proposed in this bill will jeopardize the safety, security and good governance of the department’s facility, negatively impacting inmates. In lieu of this measure and to address stakeholders’ concerns, the department is working with the Hawaiʻi Correctional Systems Oversight Commission to amend its policies and procedures.

    SB447: RELATING TO A DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH PILOT PROGRAM

    Bill Description: Establishes a Hiring Pilot Program within the Department of Health, which includes an amended hiring procedure for delegated position classifications, certain flexibilities regarding minimum qualifications for positions having a salary range at or below SR-10, the ability to directly hire certain individuals into a civil service position if certain conditions are met, and the authority to make certain temporary appointments at the merited civil service pay scale without step limitation. Applies to recruitments initiated before 7/1/2028. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Sunsets 7/1/2028.

    Veto Rationale: The governor strongly supports efforts to streamline the state’s hiring process to address our workforce vacancies, especially those in our state’s public health sector. However, this bill conflicts with state civil service law, undermining the state’s merit-based civil service system. Disparities in hiring, classification and compensation throughout the state are expected to occur should this bill become law.

    SB1102: RELATING TO THE AIRCRAFT RESCUE FIRE FIGHTING UNIT

    Bill Description: Specifies the appointment processes and terms for the Fire Chief of the Hawaiʻi State Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting Unit of the Airports Division of the Department of Transportation.

    Veto Rationale: The appointment process proposed in the bill is inconsistent with the selection process for other department leadership positions. Further, due to the need to obtain legislative approval for the appointment of the Fire Chief, following the appointment process contained in this bill may delay the appointment of this critical leadership position, impacting airport operations, safety and readiness.

    # # #

    Media Contacts:  
    Erika Engle
    Press Secretary
    Office of the Governor, State of Hawai‘i
    Office: 808-586-0120
    Email: [email protected] 

    Makana McClellan
    Director of Communications
    Office of the Governor, State of Hawaiʻi
    Cell: 808-265-0083
    Email: [email protected]

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Gavin Newsom on recent chaotic and reckless immigration raids

    Source: US State of California 2

    Jun 6, 2025

    LOS ANGELES – Governor Gavin Newsom today issued the following statement in response to widespread immigration raids by federal agents:

    Continued chaotic federal sweeps, across California, to meet an arbitrary arrest quota are as reckless as they are cruel. 

    Donald Trump’s chaos is eroding trust, tearing families apart, and undermining the workers and industries that power America’s economy.

    Governor Gavin Newsom

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  • PM Modi greets people on occasion of Eid ul-Adha

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted people on the occasion of Eid ul-Adha today, calling for the festival to “inspire harmony and strengthen the fabric of peace in our society.”

    “Best wishes on Eid ul-Adha. May this occasion inspire harmony and strengthen the fabric of peace in our society. Wishing everyone good health and prosperity,” the PM said in his post on X.

    Union Minister Kiren Rijiju also extended his wishes on the occasion. Posting his greetings in Urdu, he said, “Happy Eid al-Adha! Heartfelt congratulations to all Muslim brothers and sisters on this auspicious occasion.”

    Earlier today, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also wished people, urging them to unite and foster a stronger bond to work towards a peaceful, harmonious, and just society.

    “Eid al-Adha celebrates the noble values of selfless sacrifice, trust, and forgiveness. As we celebrate this joyous occasion, may we all unite to foster stronger fraternity and work towards a peaceful, harmonious, and just society. Eid Mubarak!” his post read.

    As people across the country celebrated Eid, dargahs and mosques were filled with devotees offering prayers early in the morning. In Mumbai, people gathered at Jama Masjid Mahim Dargah, while in Delhi, many turned to the historic Jama Masjid at dawn to offer their prayers.

    The air echoed with chants of “Eid Mubarak” as families—young and old—embraced and celebrated the spirit of sacrifice and compassion that the festival symbolises.

    Eid al-Adha, also known as Id-ul-Adha in Arabic and Bakr-Id in the Indian subcontinent due to the tradition of sacrificing a goat or bakri, is celebrated across India with great fervour and joy.

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  • MIL-OSI Russia: Wildfire smoke causes poor air quality in major Canadian cities

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    OTTAWA, June 6 (Xinhua) — Smoke from wildfires raging in northern Ontario and the Prairies of Canada caused poor air quality and reduced visibility in major Canadian cities including Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal on Friday.

    Environment Canada issued a special air quality statement Friday in affected areas, warning that people most vulnerable to health impacts from air pollution should avoid strenuous outdoor work and seek medical attention if symptoms develop.

    Environment Canada’s David Phillips told CTV News that air quality is deteriorating as wildfires spread across the country.

    “We’ve certainly seen this week in Ontario that a lot of the smoke from the fires is going south,” he said.

    “Only a few people see the flames, but millions smell the smoke,” added D. Phillips.

    Toronto’s air quality was ranked the second worst in the world on Friday afternoon, data showed. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –