NewzIntel.com

Category: KB

  • MIL-OSI China: Iraqi militant group claims 2 drone attacks on Israeli targets

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a Shiite militia group, on Saturday claimed responsibility for two drone attacks on Israeli targets.

    The group said in separate statements that its fighters launched two drone attacks on vital sites in Israel’s Tel Aviv and Eilat, without specifying the affected sites or reporting any casualties.

    Earlier in the day, the group claimed four drone attacks on Israeli targets — three at dawn on sites in northern Israel, including one in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, and a fourth attack on a site in southern Israel.

    The attacks come following the latest devastating Israeli airstrikes on the southern suburbs of Lebanon’s capital Beirut, during which Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah was killed.

    Since the onset of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the Gaza Strip on Oct. 7, 2023, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq has conducted multiple attacks on Israeli and U.S. targets in the region to show its support for the Palestinians in Gaza.

    The group has recently escalated its attacks on Israel amid ongoing intensive Israeli airstrikes across Lebanon.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves North Carolina Disaster  Declaration

    US Senate News:

    Source: The White House
    Today, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. declared that a major disaster exists in the State of North Carolina and ordered Federal aid to supplement State, tribal, and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by Tropical Storm Helene beginning on September 25, 2024, and continuing.
    The President’s action makes Federal funding available to affected individuals in Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes, and Yancey Counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
    Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.
    Federal funding also is available to State, tribal, and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work in Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes, and Yancey Counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
    Finally, Federal funding is available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.
    Mr. E. Craig Levy, Sr. of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has been appointed to coordinate Federal recovery operations in the affected areas. 
    Damage assessments are continuing in other areas, and more counties and additional forms of assistance may be designated after the assessments are fully completed.
    Residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated areas can begin applying for assistance at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, or by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362), or by using the FEMA App. Anyone using a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, can give FEMA the number for that service. 
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION MEDIA SHOULD CONTACT THE FEMA NEWS DESK AT (202) 646-3272 OR FEMA-NEWS-DESK@FEMA.DHS.GOV.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Kustoff Statement on Passing of Governor Winfield Dunn

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative David Kustoff (TN-08)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman David Kustoff (R-TN) released the following statement regarding the death of former Governor Winfield Dunn:

    “Roberta and I are saddened to hear about the passing of Governor Winfield Dunn. He was a favorite son of West Tennessee who, through his service, inspired so many people all across the state of Tennessee. We are especially thinking about Betty, his favorite first lady and best girl, whom you rarely saw without him, and whose life exemplified a life well-lived.

    “I was honored to travel, campaign, and work with Governor Dunn on many occasions, and I always came away understanding that public service done right has the ability to change the lives of so many people.

    “Our prayers are with the entire Dunn family today as we truly celebrate a good man and a great public servant for the state of Tennessee.”

     

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese FM attends general debate of 79th session of UNGA

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, delivers a speech at the general debate of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Sept. 28, 2024. [Photo/Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs]

    Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, delivered a speech at the general debate of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Saturday. 

    Wang warned against any expansion of the Ukraine crisis. “The top priority is to commit to no expansion of the crisis, no escalation of the tension and no provocation by any party,” he said, urging efforts to push for the de-escalation of the situation at an early date.

    He said China is committed to playing a constructive role, as well as engaging in shuttle mediation and promoting peace talks regarding the crisis.

    On the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, Wang said there must not be any delay in reaching a comprehensive ceasefire in the Middle East, and the fundamental way out lies in the two-state solution.

    China always supports the just cause of the Palestinian people in restoring their legitimate national rights and supports Palestine’s full UN membership, he said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Mideast countries, anti-Israel factions condemn brutal assaults in Lebanon

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    This photo taken on Sept. 28, 2024 shows displaced people from the southern suburbs of Beirut due to Israeli airstrikes in Tripoli, Lebanon. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Countries and anti-Israel factions in the Middle East on Saturday strongly condemned a previous Israeli attack that killed Hezbollah Leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah in the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon.

    On Friday evening, Israeli warplanes launched airstrikes on Hezbollah’s main headquarters in Dahieh, which Israeli military said killed Nasrallah along with some other group commanders. Hezbollah on Saturday confirmed Nasrallah’s death.

    In a statement, the group mourned Nasrallah, describing him as “a great martyr” and “a heroic, bold, brave, wise, insightful, and faithful leader” for nearly 30 years, who lately led in “the battle for Palestine, Gaza, and the oppressed Palestinian people.”

    According to Lebanon’s MTV TV channel, Friday’s raids on Beirut killed at least six people, injured 91 others, flattened several residential buildings, and caused huge damage to infrastructure in the neighborhood.

    Shortly after Hezbollah confirmed Nasrallah’s death, Hamas issued a statement condemning the Israeli airstrikes on Dahieh as “a cowardly terrorist act, a massacre, and a heinous crime” that proved once again Israel’s “bloodiness and brutality.”

    Hamas held Israel fully responsible for “this heinous crime and its serious repercussions on the security and stability of the region,” and condemned the U.S. administration’s “continued support” for Israel.

    Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned on social media platform X Israel’s “brutal” and “inhumane” attacks that killed many Lebanese, including children, and called on the international community to “act swiftly” to ensure global peace, stability and security.

    While also slamming Israel’s “utter disregard for innocent human life,” Iranian Vice President for Strategic Affairs Mohammad Javad Zarif vowed on X that “The Resistance will continue as long as the cause — aggression and occupation — persists.”

    In the meantime, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei declared five days of national mourning over the “martyrdom” of Nasrallah.

    Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi also mourned the death of Nasrallah.

    In a phone call with his Lebanese counterpart Abdallah Bou Habib, Araghchi described Nasrallah’s death as a great loss for Lebanon, West Asia, and the Muslim world.

    Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani called Nasrallah’s killing “a new sinful attack and a crime that confirms Israel’s crossing of all red lines,” saying it expresses Israel’s “reckless desire to expand the conflict at the expense of all the peoples of the region.” The prime minister announced Saturday a three-day national mourning in honor of the “martyrdom” of Nasrallah.

    Also on Saturday, the Tunisian Foreign Ministry condemned the “brutal aggression” against Lebanon, and called on the UN Security Council to adopt a “decisive and firm position to stop the bombings against the Lebanese people and put an end to the violation of their sovereignty and the threat to their security.”

    Meanwhile, Yemen’s Houthi group described Nasrallah’s passing as a “huge loss” and “a curse that haunts Israel until it is uprooted.” The group declared three days of mourning and ordered flags to be flown at half-mast.

    In a statement by the Syrian Foreign Ministry, the Syrian government strongly condemned the “criminal Israeli aggression,” which it described as another example of Israel’s “treachery, cowardice, and terrorism.” The ministry accused Israel of disregarding international law and held it fully responsible for the consequences of the attack.

    In a post on X, Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi expressed his country’s “solidarity with Lebanon and its people,” reaffirming “support for Lebanon’s sovereignty, security, stability, cohesion, and peace.”

    In a phone call with Mikati, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi vowed to stand by Lebanon, especially during these critical circumstances. Sisi also stressed “the need for an immediate, comprehensive, and permanent ceasefire in both Lebanon and Gaza.”

    Israel has intensified its airstrikes across Lebanon since Monday, marking the most extensive Israeli military action in the country since 2006.

    Israel’s latest escalation further fuels its ongoing clashes with Hezbollah that began on Oct. 8, 2023, when Hezbollah started launching rockets at Israel in solidarity with Hamas, prompting Israel’s retaliatory artillery fire and airstrikes in southeastern Lebanon.

    According to the Lebanese Health Ministry on Saturday, 1,640 people in Lebanon, including 104 children and 194 women, have been killed and 8,408 more injured in Israeli attacks on Lebanon since Oct. 8 last year.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Yemen’s Houthis claim missile attack on Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Yemen’s Houthi group claimed on Saturday that it had launched a missile attack on Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv in Israel.

    In a statement aired by the Houthi-run al-Masirah TV, the group’s military spokesman Yahya Sarea said a “ballistic missile” was fired at Ben Gurion Airport “upon the arrival” of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who returned to the country on Saturday after addressing the United Nations General Assembly on Friday.

    Sarea vowed that the group “will continue to respond to Israel’s crimes and will not hesitate to raise the level of escalation in support of the Gaza Strip and Lebanon.”

    Earlier in the day, the Israel Defense Forces said it successfully intercepted a surface-to-surface missile launched from Yemen, which triggered air raid sirens across central Israel, including in Tel Aviv.

    This is the second missile attack claimed by the Houthis against Israel within two days after the group claimed a ballistic missile attack on a military target in the Jaffa area of Tel Aviv on Friday.

    Meanwhile, the Houthis declared via al-Masirah TV a three-day mourning over the death of Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed in Israeli airstrikes on Friday evening.

    The Houthi group, which controls large swathes of northern Yemen, has been attacking “Israeli-linked” shipping near the country’s coastline since November 2023, allegedly to support Palestinians in their conflict with Israelis.

    The group is aligned with the anti-Israel “axis of resistance,” which also includes Iran, Hezbollah, Hamas, and militant groups in Iraq and Syria, among others.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: 17 people killed in mass shooting in South Africa

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    South African police have launched an urgent manhunt after 17 people were shot and killed in the Eastern Cape Province of the country, said authorities Saturday.

    The Eastern Cape provincial government confirmed in a statement that the “catastrophic incident” occurred in the town of Lusikisiki in the early hours of Saturday morning.

    “In one house, 13 people were killed which include 12 women and one man. In another homestead, four people were also killed,” said Athlenda Mathe, the national spokesperson of the South African Police Service (SAPS), in a separate statement.

    “The eighteenth victim is in a critical condition in hospital. In total 15 women and two men were killed,” said Mathe. “The South African Police Service has launched an extensive search to bring those responsible for these brutal killings to justice. We are committed to ensuring the safety and security of our communities.”

    In addition, the spokesperson told Xinhua that “police have deployed forensic experts and a team of detectives to collect evidence which will assist in cracking the case.”

    In the provincial government’s statement, Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane condemned the “senseless acts of violence in the strongest possible terms” in the incident.

    “The loss of life on this scale is a devastating blow to our province, and we mourn the passing of these innocent lives. We stand in solidarity with the families and communities affected. The brutal and senseless killing of innocent people is a heinous act that has no place in our society,” said Mabuyane. “We call on all Eastern Cape residents to stand together in condemning violence and work towards creating a safer, more peaceful province.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: UN releases $10M emergency humanitarian funds for Lebanon aid

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    The acting UN relief chief on Friday allocated 10 million U.S. dollars in emergency funding for the humanitarian situation in Lebanon, which the local UN coordinator described as catastrophic.

    The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said Israeli air strikes continued to affect civilians and civilian infrastructure on the fifth consecutive day of the large-scale military escalation.

    The world body’s humanitarian coordinator in Lebanon, Imran Riza, called the destruction nothing short of catastrophic, with the surge in violence extending to previously unaffected areas, causing widespread destruction.

    “We are witnessing the deadliest period in Lebanon in a generation, and many express their fear that this is just the beginning,” Riza said.

    He said that in less than a week, at least 700 lives have been lost, thousands have been injured, and nearly 120,000 people have been displaced, with the numbers continuing to rise. Since the beginning of the conflict on Oct. 7, 2023, more than 1,500 civilians have been killed, and over 200,000 people have been forced to flee their homes.

    “The United Nations and partners are closely coordinating with the Lebanese Government to support the response efforts,” OCHA said. “We are delivering food, mattresses, hygiene kits, and emergency medical supplies.”

    Riza said that critical funding gaps persist in the areas of shelter repair, food, fuel and coordination, among others. Humanitarian organizations are assessing the amount of funding required to address the increasing number of displaced people and the rising humanitarian needs.

    UN Acting Emergency Relief Coordinator Joyce Msuya allocated the 10 million U.S. dollars from the world body’s Central Emergency Response Fund.

    The office said the funds are in addition to the 10 million dollars released from the Lebanon Humanitarian fund earlier in the week.

    In Gaza, OCHA warned that displaced people live in abysmal conditions, which could further deteriorate in the upcoming cold and rainy winter weather.

    The United Nations and humanitarian partners recently conducted assessments — Sept. 19 and 22 — in two collective shelters in Deir al Balah and Khan Younis.

    “At both sites, displaced communities live in overcrowded shelters and lack cleaning supplies, hygiene kits, sanitary pads and diapers, as well as clothes and infant formula for babies,” OCHA said.

    The office said the first site was a school turned into a shelter by the UN relief agency known as UNRWA in the Al Bureij refugee camp in Deir al Balah. It was hosting more than 3,500 Gazans.

    “Our teams found people were crammed into classrooms and worn-out tents, with an average of 80 to 100 people per classroom and 40 people per tent,” OCHA said. “Access to clean water and health care is extremely limited. Most residents are eating only one meal per day, with some people going the entire day without eating.”

    The office said the second site was a makeshift camp in Abasan in eastern Khan Younis, hosting 2,500 people, including nearly 1,000 school-aged children.

    “The site is in a flood-prone area, adjacent to a site where garbage is being dumped,” OCHA said. “There are no medical facilities and there is no food support at this site, except for occasional hot meals provided by a charity organization.”

    The office said humanitarian aid movements in Gaza face significant access constraints.

    “Nearly 90 percent of coordinated humanitarian movements between northern and southern Gaza so far in September have been either denied or impeded,” OCHA said.

    In the West Bank, the office said the number of internal movement obstacles deployed by Israeli forces increased by more than 20 percent since June 2023.

    Since the Oct. 7 attacks on Israel, OCHA said Israeli authorities in the West Bank also imposed movement restrictions, marked by the deployment or maintenance of hundreds of movement obstacles and a general closure that affects Palestinian permit-holders and bars them from accessing East Jerusalem and Israel.

    “The cumulative impact of movement obstacles has been devastating, further entrenching the fragmentation of the West Bank, disrupting access to livelihoods and services for thousands of Palestinians and aggravating the already difficult living conditions there,” the office said.

    OCHA said that health facilities in the West Bank also suffered in the conflict.

    The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that from the Oct. 7 to July 30, there were 527 attacks on health care in the region, including obstruction of access, use of force, detention and militarized searches.

    WHO said the attacks affected 54 health facilities, including 20 mobile clinics and 365 ambulances.

    “These incidents not only hinder access to health care, but also jeopardize the safety of medical personnel and patients,” OCHA said. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Shanghai showcases works of over 15 global graffiti artists

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Shanghai A.F.A collaborates with the globally renowned Museum of Graffiti from the United States to present its first Chinese exhibition at ROJO Art Space: “Street Echoes – Global Graffiti Art Exhibition.” The exhibition will run from October 1 to December.

    After nearly a year of preparation, the exhibition features over 15 graffiti artists from around the world, including Museum of Graffiti Founder Alan Ket and the legendary figure John Andrew Perello, also known as Jon One. These artists come from various countries, including the United States, Switzerland, France, South Korea, and China.

    Joy Chang, the exhibition director, said that graffiti art, like any other art form, has now become one of the mainstream art forms and has undergone significant changes over the years.

    “From the late 20th century to the present, graffiti art has transitioned from underground to mainstream. In the past, graffiti artists used public spaces to express their ideas and will through words and images. Now, graffiti is gradually influencing young trends, spreading this art form to younger demographics through collaborations across fashion brands, music, and sports,” Chang explained.

    “We aim to enhance people’s understanding of graffiti art through the exhibition and offer Chinese consumers and the public the opportunity to acquaint themselves with top graffiti artists from around the world and their esteemed works,” she added.

    She said that at the exhibition venue visitors can witness the scenes such as New York subway cars, skate parks, rooftop billboards, public restrooms, and phone booths — locales where graffiti artists originally brought their creations to life in urban settings.

    In addition to showcasing hundreds of influential graffiti artworks from around the globe to the audience, the exhibition also features live painting.

    During the live painting session, Jon One expressed, “I really appreciate the creative approach of Chinese artists. I have incorporated elements from the East and Asia into my artworks, adding a fresh perspective to graffiti while maintaining the tradition of street art. I believe this is what makes it unique.”

    Alan Ket, who founded the world’s first graffiti art museum in 2018, remarked, “Bringing the Museum of Graffiti to China is a very big deal for the museum because our mission is to present, to exhibit, to preserve, and to educate about this art form. And coming here gives us an opportunity to share all the history all the things that we’ve learned, all about the people and the development over 50 years.”

    Dedicated to promoting graffiti, Ket said, “It is my hope that many people come here to see this exhibition to learn what we believe is a very important art form.”

    As a veteran in the graffiti scene, Ket encourages aspiring artists who are just beginning to explore graffiti to courageously pick up their brushes and delve into the history.

    “There is a long history before today. The more that you have an understanding of the past, the better it will be to make new works. Then the biggest thing is you have to practice, pick up paint, learn from fail and start again,” he emphasized.

    To offer more opportunities for Chinese graffiti enthusiasts and those unfamiliar with graffiti to learn more about this art form, Ket intends to publish more related books in the future.

    “I believe we are open to moving around the world and presenting wherever the opportunities come anywhere in China, anywhere in Asia, really anywhere in the world, but our focus is on education,” Ket affirmed.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: ‘Chinese culture night’ in Malta celebrates tradition, friendship

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Pembroke Mayor Kaylon Zammit (C) writes Chinese calligraphy in Pembroke, Malta, Sept. 27, 2024. A “Chinese culture night” event was held on Friday evening in Pembroke, eastern Malta, drawing significant participation from the local community. The event showcased various aspects of Chinese culture, including traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Chinese calligraphy and painting, traditional music, and cuisine, alongside displays of exquisite Chinese handicrafts. (Xinhua/Chen Wenxian)

    A “Chinese culture night” event was held on Friday evening in Pembroke, eastern Malta, drawing significant participation from the local community.

    The event showcased various aspects of Chinese culture, including traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Chinese calligraphy and painting, traditional music, and cuisine, alongside displays of exquisite Chinese handicrafts.

    Co-hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Malta and the China-Malta Culture and Sports Exchange Promotion Association, the event aims to foster cultural exchange between China and Malta.

    “We gather not only to experience Chinese culture but also to strengthen the bonds of friendship and understanding between the residents of Pembroke and the Chinese community,” said Peng Yijun, charge d’affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Malta.

    He noted that China-Malta relations are at a “new historical starting point.”

    The 20th Chinese medical team for Malta from the Mediterranean Regional Centre for Traditional Chinese Medicine, was present, offering the TCM treatment and performing Tai Chi.

    Gerard Lom, a local attendee, tried a massage treatment for the first time and was surprised by the effectiveness in relieving stress and pain in his neck and back. “I feel very relaxed,” he told Xinhua and said he would consider TCM again.

    Pembroke Mayor Kaylon Zammit praised the event for bringing the Maltese and Chinese communities together, noting that such events can help both communities grow more accustomed to and understand each other.

    Zammit was also excited to experience TCM and calligraphy. Praising the long-standing relationship between Malta and China, the mayor told Xinhua that he looks forward to visiting the beautiful country in the future.

    Cultural exchanges serve as one of the best bridges to strengthen the friendship between China and Malta, Zhang Da, president of China-Malta Culture and Sports Exchange Promotion Association, said in his speech, describing this event as a great opportunity for Maltese residents to deepen their understanding of Chinese culture and make Chinese friends. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Concert pays tribute to a brilliant composer

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    A concert featuring the works of Russia-born Jewish composer Aaron Avshalomov (1894-1964), commemorating his 130th birthday, took place on Sept 12 at the Shanghai Symphony Hall. Conducted by the composer’s grandson, David Avshalomov, the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra opened the evening with his best-known piece, Peiping Hutongs.

    The audience was treated to a unique audio feast including familiar Peking Opera tunes, a bustle at a marketplace, and even a solemn funeral procession, giving them a vibe of life in Beijing’s byways and broadways from dawn to dusk.

    Peiping Hutongs is widely recognized as one of Aaron Avshalomov’s most iconic works. Previously, the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra took this piece in 2017 to Switzerland, playing at the Lucerne Festival, one of the leading international classical music festivals.

    Aaron Avshalomov was born in Siberia, Russia, and came to China in 1918. He lived in Beijing for several years, and settled in Shanghai in 1929, where he kicked off a prolific music career before leaving for the United States to join his family in 1947.

    He created a synthesis of Chinese musical elements and Western techniques of orchestra composition, including several operas based on Chinese folklore and historical figures, such as Kuan Yin, The Twilight Hour of Yan Kuei Fei, and The Great Wall.

    Many of his important works were premiered in Shanghai, receiving widespread critical acclaim.

    The Great Wall, for example, was sponsored by Soong Ching Ling, the wife of Sun Yat-sen, a pioneering Chinese revolutionary leader, and her younger sister Soong Mei-ling, and was highly praised and recommended by leading figures in the literary and art scene, such as Peking Opera master Mei Lanfang, playwright Xia Yan and director Fei Mu.

    In 1935, Aaron Avshalomov was requested by renowned Chinese musician He Lyuting to orchestrate the theme song composer Nie Er produced for a movie about Chinese fighting against the Japanese aggression in 1935. This made him the first to orchestrate what would become the national anthem of the People’s Republic of China — March of the Volunteers.

    Aaron Avshalomov and his son Jacob Avshalomov in Portland in 1961.

    Aaron Avshalomov’s son, Jacob, was born in Qingdao, Shandong province, in 1919, but spent most of his childhood in Shanghai. He returned to the US with his mother in December 1937. Jacob Avshalomov studied composition and became a composer in the US.

    However, his most important work was with the Portland Youth Philharmonic, which he conducted for 44 years, teaching youngsters to play like professionals. The orchestra was “for a long time the best youth orchestra in the US, maybe in the world”, David Avshalomov said about his late father, who died in 2013.

    Jacob Avshalomov compiled the correspondence with his father while he was in China, and wrote a family biography, Avshalomovs’ Winding Way: Composers out of China — A Chronicle, published in 2008.

    Friends familiar with Jacob Avshalomov’s career described him as a person “speaking Chinese with standard Beijing accent” and “a pillar of the city’s cultural life”. The city here refers to Portland, Oregon.

    “This double autobiography assembles the letters of Aaron with a narrative by Jacob to tell in their own words how two very different people overcame daunting obstacles and brought great music to appreciative audiences in China and America,” reads a review by George Alderson, who used to perform in the Portland Youth Philharmonic, on Amazon.

    Through music, now the family linage with China has extended to David Avshalomov, an American classical composer and conductor. This is his second visit to China. The last time was in 1982, when he visited Beijing, Xi’an, Nanjing, Hangzhou and Shanghai.

    David Avshalomov’s interpretation on Sept 12 was praised by Tao Xin, professor of the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, as “filled with longing and strong emotions”. Tao also praised the second piece, Violin Concerto in D Major, featuring soloist Liu Ming, concertmaster of the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra. He wrote in his review the next day, saying “with her superb techniques and delicate musicality, Liu Ming and the orchestra presented the glory, joy and peacefulness of traditional Chinese culture”.

    Prior to the concert, David Avshalomov visited the former Pathe Villa, the old venue of Pathe Recordings in Shanghai, where his grandfather Aaron Avshalomov used to work, and where the first recording of March of the Volunteers was made.

    To prepare the concert, David Avshalomov said he spent hundreds of hours to renew his memories by reading history books and listening to old soundtracks, in particular, the version recorded in 1937 in Shanghai which his grandfather might be on the recording site.

    He also said he was moved by, and appreciated, the people who knew his grandfather and described him as a kind and generous person.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Xi awards national medals, honorary titles

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday presented medals to recipients of the national medals and honorary titles, the highest state honors, ahead of the 75th founding anniversary of the People’s Republic of China.
    Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, conferred the highest state honors at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Public urged to stay vigilant against cardiovascular diseases in support of World Heart Day

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Department of Health (DH) today (September 29) urged members of the public to take positive steps to care for their hearts and prevent cardiovascular diseases. This appeal was made in support of World Heart Day held on September 29 annually.      Cardiovascular diseases, including heart disease and stroke, are the leading cause of death globally. However, 80 per cent of premature deaths from cardiovascular diseases are preventable by limiting risk factors and practising heart-healthy behaviours. The most important behavioural risk factors of heart disease and stroke are unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, use of tobacco and alcohol. The effects of behavioural risk factors may show up in individuals as overweight and obesity, raised blood pressure, raised blood glucose, and raised blood lipids. These “intermediate risks factors” can be measured in primary care facilities and indicate an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, heart failure and other complications. Identifying those at a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases and ensuring they receive appropriate treatment can prevent premature deaths.     In Hong Kong, cardiovascular diseases are a major cause of mortality and morbidity. In 2023, there were 11 138 registered deaths* attributed to cardiovascular diseases, including 7 258 deaths* due to heart diseases. The Population Health Survey (PHS) 2020-22 adopted the Framingham Risk Model to predict the risk of cardiovascular outcomes including coronary heart diseases, strokes, peripheral artery diseases and heart failure. Among asymptomatic persons aged 40 to 74 living in the community, 18.4 per cent were classified as high risk for cardiovascular issues, with a likelihood of 20 per cent or more over the next 10 years. The proportion of persons classified as high risk was much higher in males (34.0 per cent) than females (4.9 per cent) and increased with age (from 1.1 per cent among persons aged 40 to 44 to 44.5 per cent among persons aged 65 to 74).     More importantly, local surveys revealed that risk factors of cardiovascular diseases were prevalent among the general population. Among persons aged 15 or above, 97.9 per cent reported consuming an average of less than five servings of fruit and vegetables per day, which is the amount recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), 9.1 per cent were daily conventional cigarette smokers, and 8.7 per cent consumed alcohol regularly (i.e. at least once a week). In addition, the PHS 2020-22 revealed that 24.8 per cent of persons aged 18 or above did not meet the WHO’s recommended levels of aerobic physical activity for optimal health. The prevalence of overweight and obesity, raised blood pressure, raised blood glucose and raised total blood cholesterol among persons aged between 15 and 84 was 54.6 per cent, 29.5 per cent, 8.5 per cent and 51.9 per cent, respectively.      To guard against cardiovascular diseases, members of the public are urged to lead a healthy lifestyle that includes eating a balanced diet with at least five daily servings of fruit and vegetables, reducing fat, salt and sugar intake, being physically active, avoiding smoking, and refraining from alcohol consumption.     Apart from healthy living, early identification and proper management of risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, including diabetes mellitus (DM) and hypertension (HT), is another key strategy for lowering the risk of cardiovascular diseases. The Government launched the three-year Chronic Disease Co-Care Pilot Scheme (CDCC Pilot Scheme) on November 13, 2023, to subsidise Hong Kong residents aged 45 or above with no known medical history of DM or HT to undergo DM and HT screening services in the private healthcare sector. As at August 7, 2024, around 40 per cent* of participants who have completed the screening have been diagnosed with prediabetes, DM or HT. They can then receive long-term follow-up care in the community provided by Family Doctors, District Health Centre (DHC)/DHC Express, and other healthcare service providers according to clinical conditions. For more details, members of the public may browse the dedicated website of the CDCC Pilot Scheme (www.primaryhealthcare.gov.hk/cdcc/en).     To help members of the public maintain heart health, the Government will continue organising health promotional campaigns and work in close partnership with community partners to increase public awareness about the importance of healthy living in preventing cardiovascular diseases and to foster a heart-healthy environment.     For more information about healthy living, please visit the Change4Health website of the DH. *Provisional figures

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: TV interview with Andrew Clennell, Sky News Sunday Agenda

    Source: Australian Government – Minister of Foreign Affairs

    Andrew Clennell, Host: Foreign Minister Penny Wong has been at the UN General Assembly this week calling for an immediate ceasefire in Lebanon and a deadline for the UN to declare Palestinian statehood.

    Yesterday I spoke to the Foreign Minister after her big address to the UN in New York.

    Penny Wong, thank you for your time. You’ve given a speech there in New York where you say Lebanon cannot become the next Gaza, but Benjamin Netanyahu’s arrived in New York and said there’s no ceasefire coming. He says we won’t rest until our citizens return safely to our homes in northern Israel. He says we’ll continue degrading Hizballah until all our objectives are attained. Are you shouting into the void here?

    Penny Wong, Foreign Minister: We’ve joined with the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union and many other countries to call for a ceasefire in Lebanon, and I would say to Israel, you know, we want you to listen to the international community.

    It is true that Hizballah is a terrorist organisation, it is true that they have not been complying with UN Security Council Resolutions, but we see the horrific loss of life in Gaza, we see 11,000 children killed, you know, the world does not want to see more civilian deaths; we have to find a different way to deal with the legitimate issues of concern in relation to the border.

    Clennell: He’s not listening though, is he, no matter how many times you and even the US says it?

    Foreign Minister: I can’t speak for the government of Israel. What I can say to you is when you have a coalition of countries, which includes many historic friends and allies of Israel, making the same point, then that is a very clear demonstration of the will of the international community.

    Clennell: Did you expect Israel to attack Hizballah in the manner it has? What is the end game to this conflict, including in Gaza, to the Israeli Government, do you think?

    Foreign Minister: Well, this is a – that’s a very good question, and what is the end game, and one of the points that we have made, and many others have made, that ultimately the end game should be peace and security in the region, peace and security for Israelis, peace and security for the people of Israel, and that will require a two‑state solution, that is the only pathway to long‑term peace and security for both Israelis and for Palestinians.

    Clennell: Many, many leaders before you have attempted this, as you well know. It just doesn’t look possible; I hate to say and ask you. So is there a way out of this without a two‑state solution because perhaps there has to be?

    Foreign Minister: If there is, I don’t think the international community is seeing it. We have 11,000 children who’ve been killed in Gaza, we have hostages who were taken by Hamas in the terrorist attack on Israel who are still being held, so you know, we have to work together as an international community, and that is what, you know, we have been trying to do this week saying that, you know, we have to come together, because ultimately the international community has to find a way to get on that pathway to peace, and it really comes down to the very simple proposition, Andrew, where is the long‑term security and peace for Israelis without a two‑state solution?

    Clennell: What did you make of the coordinated pager attack that took place? Do you support Israel doing that to target the Hizballah leadership, or do you condemn it?

    Foreign Minister: Well, I was asked about this, and obviously Hizballah is a terrorist organisation, and we understand the security position Israel is in.

    Having said that, we’ve seen so much violence in the Middle East, and I talked tonight about that cycle of violence, the continued escalation, the continued retribution, that continued cycle of violence, and ultimately that will not bring peace and it will not bring security, which is why Australia and others, including the United States and the United Kingdom have called for a ceasefire in Lebanon and diplomacy to try and resolve this, because we have seen so many people, so many people die.

    Clennell: You say retribution, Israel would say they’re acting in self-defence. Would you accept that they’re acting in self-defence at all?

    Foreign Minister: One of the points I made in the speech tonight is that the international community has agreed rules, even in war there are rules, even when attacking terrorists there are rules, even when defending your borders there are rules, and we agreed them as an international community 75 years ago in the Geneva Conventions because we understood what it means when humanity goes into conflict with no rules. So Australia –

    Clennell: So what rules do you think are implicit in that?

    Foreign Minister: Well –

    Clennell: Is it that you think Israel are breaking rules, isn’t it; isn’t that implicit in that statement? So what rules are being broken?

    Foreign Minister: Ultimately the decision about whether international law is breached or not is a decision for international courts. But what I am saying and what the international community is saying is that civilians must be protected, aid workers must be protected, and you know, we are months, eleven months into this conflict. We’ve seen so many people killed, we’ve seen so many civilians have been lost, we’ve seen so many children who have been killed, and this is really a cycle of violence that we have to find a way out of.

    Clennell: The government’s spoken a lot about fears of a broader regional conflict, you’ve spoken of that. Is the big fear of a war between Iran and Israel?

    Foreign Minister: I think there’s a lot of points of regional escalation people have been worried about, obviously Lebanon is one, as you said, you know, Hizballah, which is a terrorist organisation and is an Iranian proxy, you know, there is always the risk of even further escalation.

    We’ve been concerned about that for a long time, as have others in the international community, and we’ve been engaging with all the parties we can to urge de-escalation and restraint, and I know that sometimes it isn’t popular in Australia, certainly with some of the Coalition to talk about restraint, but sometimes that is the only pathway to ensure you don’t see more lives lost.

    Clennell: Have you had an opportunity there to speak to Israeli and Lebanese, or indeed Iranian representatives, and if so what have been the nature of those conversations?

    Foreign Minister: Yes, well, I haven’t seen – I’ve engaged with the Foreign Minister of Israel, but he, I don’t think he’s been here. I have had a conversation with the Foreign Minister of Lebanon today. Obviously with the attacks on Beirut, they’re very concerned, very worried, hoping that there can be – that conflict can be averted, very concerned about the situation, and you know, I expressed to him, you know, our desire to – for all parties to de-escalate, you know, we obviously know that it’s important that the Lebanese Government urge Hizballah to de-escalate, to not engage in further violence and aggression.

    I also expressed to him that, you know, we understood the humanitarian situation, and I have just authorised another couple of – $2 million in humanitarian relief to Lebanon.

    Clennell: Do you think there’s any aspect of the approach of Benjamin Netanyahu which is affected by the fact the US are about to go to an election and he thinks he may have a different administration to deal with?

    Foreign Minister: You’ll have to ask Prime Minister Netanyahu that.

    Clennell: What’s your belief?

    Foreign Minister: Well, that’s not a – that’s an opinion that I think I’ll leave to you and other commentators. I’m the Foreign Minister of Australia, and my job is to articulate our foreign policy and our position. That’s what I’ve done tonight, and that’s what I’ve done to Israel. I’ve said very clearly, no, we understand the circumstances of October 7, it was horrific, but from day one, we have said international humanitarian law matters, civilian lives matter, all lives have value.

    Clennell: You’ve made comments once again supporting a Palestinian state just now. What’s the government’s position on the requirements for that? Would you have a requirement after the October 7 attacks that there would have to be a ban of Hamas membership of any government before that could occur, or do you think some remnants of that leadership could remain?

    Foreign Minister: I’ve said that – well, I’ve said there is no place for terrorists in the future Palestinian government, and Hamas is a terrorist organisation. I’ve said that there has to be reform of the Palestinian Authority, but fundamentally, you’d have to ensure that any Palestinian state did not threaten the security and viability of Israel. The whole logic of two states, of a Palestinian state and an Israeli state is that there are sufficient security guarantees that both states can live, can exist side by side securely. That is the whole logic of two states.

    Clennell: What’s the status of a potential evacuation of Australians from Lebanon?

    Foreign Minister: I’m very worried about Lebanon, as you know, Andrew. As you probably know I’ve been calling, advising Australians to leave I think since October. I have said very clearly this is – sorry, for some months, I should say. I’ve said very clearly, you know, we are worried about regional escalation, we have had do not travel for some time, for months now we have been saying please come home, we’ve done that over and over again, and the reason is we have so many Australians in Lebanon, and we are concerned about regional escalation, so I would again say to any Australian in Lebanon, please leave, please leave by whatever means are available whilst Beirut airport is still open.

    Clennell: Peter Dutton has essentially said there’s only one good side on this war and that’s Israel, and we should be giving Israel all our support as a country. When he went to Israel he was left with the impression the administration was bemused Australia had not provided more support to it. What do you make of that view of Mr Dutton, because it creates a clear partisan difference on Foreign Affairs, doesn’t it?

    Foreign Minister: Well, I think our support for the existence of the state of Israel, which is bipartisan, does not mean we walk away from supporting international humanitarian law. It does not mean we don’t say each civilian should be protected. I mean Mr Dutton should remember Australia is, you know, we’re a country that prides ourself on our respect for the rule of law, and that has to apply internationally as well, and that is why it is appropriate for Australia to talk about the need to protect civilians.

    Clennell: The US this week said they were banning certain Chinese electric vehicles from their country because they could be remotely operated in a war situation. Chris Bowen said at the moment we’re not going to do the same. Have you had any advice in relation to this, what’s behind our stance on this?

    Foreign Minister: Well, look, we will continue to discuss this with the United States, we will continue to take advice from our security agencies about this and about all other matters.

    Clennell: You called Vladimir Putin a coward in your speech for using the veto of the Security Council to protect his illegal actions in Ukraine. You want reform of the UN Security Council, is that maybe too ambitious?

    Foreign Minister: Well, I do think it’s an act of a coward to use a veto to avoid, you know, your responsibility, and you know, the extraordinary thing, the really immoral thing about what Russia is doing, apart from their illegal and immoral invasion of Ukraine, is the use of a veto that the international community gave them in order to protect the UN Charter, in order to protect international law and the sovereignty of all nations is being used by this man to protect himself as he breaches that law, right, and I think that is cowardly.

    You know, we continue to stand with Ukraine in the defence of their sovereignty.

    Clennell: So Donald Trump just met President Zelenskyy and said that if he’s elected there will be a peace deal soon, and he has good relations with both Putin and Zelenskyy. What do you make of that?

    Foreign Minister: Well, you know, we all would hope for peace on terms that are satisfactory to Ukraine.

    Clennell: Just finally, you’re on the Expenditure Review Committee of Cabinet, one of the key leaders of the government. Has there been in recent months any discussions that the government could take a policy to alter negative gearing to an election; is this something the Treasurer and or Housing Minister are interested in?

    Foreign Minister: That’s a good try, Andrew, but you know, you know, we don’t discuss what happens in Cabinet, and what I would say is what I’ve said publicly, we don’t have any plans in relation to negative gearing. What we do want to do though is increase the supply of housing, and that’s what we’re trying to do.

    Clennell: Foreign Minister Penny Wong in New York. Thanks so much for your time.

    Foreign Minister: Good to speak with you, Andrew.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI China: 6 killed, 10 injured in Pakistan’s helicopter crash

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    A chartered helicopter crashed in Pakistan’s northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Saturday afternoon, killing six people on board while injuring ten others, police officials said.

    The incident happened at about 1:00 p.m. local time when a helicopter chartered by a private oil exploration and production company Mari Petroleum crashed in the Shewa area of North Waziristan district of the province, District Police Officer Rokhanzeb Khan told Xinhua.

    Six people, including two Russian pilots of the aircraft, were killed in the unfortunate incident, said the official, adding that ten others sustained injuries, including staff of the private company.

    The incident occurred due to a technical fault in the aircraft immediately after it took off, according to local government officials. The engine of the helicopter caught fire before it hit the ground and crashed, officials added.

    The cause of the technical fault is still unknown and is being investigated by the relevant authorities.

    Following the incident, rescue teams and security personnel reached the area and cordoned it off.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Xi to award national medals, honorary titles

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

    BEIJING, Sept. 29 — Chinese President Xi Jinping will award national medals and honorary titles at a ceremony held on Sunday ahead of the 75th founding anniversary of the People’s Republic of China.

    Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, will confer the highest state honors at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

    As the ceremony started, senior official Cai Qi read out a presidential order signed by Xi on the awards.

    Four people will be awarded the Medal of the Republic.

    Dilma Rousseff, president of the New Development Bank and former Brazilian president, will receive the Friendship Medal.

    Ten people will be awarded medals of national honorary titles.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese, European EV professionals call for cooperation, oppose trade protectionism

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    This photo taken on Sept. 27, 2024 shows a scene at the 2024 World New Energy Vehicle Congress (WNEVC) in Haikou, south China’s Hainan Province. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Both Chinese and European electric vehicle (EV) makers and experts are calling for global cooperation and opposing trade protectionism at the ongoing 2024 World New Energy Vehicle Congress (WNEVC).

    With the deep development of advanced technologies, collaborative research and global industrial chain cooperation have become more important to the automotive industry, Hildegard Mueller, president of the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA), said Saturday on the congress.

    “However, in 2024, we observe a rise in protectionist sentiments globally. An example is the EU’s anti-subsidy investigation into EVs imported from China,” Mueller said.

    “For EU, imposing anti-subsidy tariffs is not yet an answer to the challenges facing the European automotive industry. Rather, it could easily escalate into a new trade conflict, sparking a spiral of protectionism,” Mueller said.

    She believed that for any country and region, any market, any industry, what’s needed is simply an active industrial strategy, adding that Europe in particular must ensure that the conditions for business are improved.

    She noted that the German automotive industry stands firm on the principles of free and fair trade. “We at the VDA will continue to advocate for open markets, globalization, international trade and investment and, above all, cooperation and continued dialogue,” she added.

    Gan Jiayue, CEO of Geely Auto Group, also called on the new energy vehicle (NEV) industry to strengthen its collaboration to achieve mutual benefits.

    Some countries and regions are trying to restrict the application of China’s NEVs by imposing additional tariffs and setting technical standards, Gan said on Saturday’s congress, adding that if imposing additional tariffs, the EU will not only hamper China’s economic development but also harm its own interests.

    The automobile industry is an industry of global cooperation, and Geely always adheres to free trade and fair competition, Gan said.

    Jochen Goller, member of the board of management of BMW AG, also addressed the conference, sharing insights on low-carbon transition and global cooperation, and expressing optimism about China’s NEV market.

    “BMW Group strongly believes technology openness is the only sustainable path towards a carbon-neutral future, as we need to cater to the diverse needs of customers worldwide, and to advance individual mobility towards a green future,” Goller said in his speech.

    BMW firmly believes that cooperation fosters prosperity and growth, he said, adding that to continue the unique automotive success story, key challenges have to be tackled and resolved jointly.

    Themed with “Low Carbon Evolution and Global Cooperation,” the 2024 WNEVC is taking place in Haikou, capital of south China’s Hainan Province, running from Sept. 27 to 29.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Alibaba’s Taobao introduces Tencent’s WeChat Pay

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Photo taken on July 3, 2020 shows the research center of the Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba on the “AIsland” of Zhangjiang Science City in Pudong New Area, east China’s Shanghai. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Starting Friday, consumers shopping on Alibaba’s Taobao platform can now use Tencent’s WeChat Pay for transactions, according to an official statement from Taobao.

    The new payment option allows users to complete purchases with WeChat Pay, and subsequent updates will enable users to access transaction records and bills directly within the WeChat app, WeChat Pay said.

    Additionally, Taobao and Tmall are set to officially integrate JD Logistics, with the service expected to be available by mid-October. Once live, sellers on Taobao and Tmall will have the option of selecting JD Logistics for shipments.

    JD.com will also introduce services from Cainiao’s delivery network, including Cainiao Express and Cainiao Post, which offers parcel pickup points.

    JD.com is also preparing to add Alipay as a payment option, expected to launch ahead of the Nov. 11 shopping festival. Both companies have confirmed that their logistics and payment cooperation agreements are now in place. 

    The collaboration indicates that Chinese tech companies are moving toward more efficient resource integration and enhanced user experiences, said Liang Qiang, dean of Shantou University’s School of Business.

    The partnership is also aligned with China’s macro policies to advance digital infrastructure and facilitate the dual circulation of domestic and international markets while enhancing the competitiveness of Chinese e-commerce platforms in the global supply chain, he added.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: NFRA creates special science, tech insurance system

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

    The National Financial Regulatory Administration is working to support the growth of the insurance industry by creating a special system for science and technology insurance. This was shared by Yin Jiang’ao, an NFRA official, during a media conference in Beijing on Friday.

    The goal is to improve insurance services for technology-based businesses throughout their entire lifecycle. The NFRA plans to introduce new products, refine policies and support pilot projects in areas like cybersecurity insurance and research and development loss insurance. Yin emphasized that the insurance products will cover all stages of innovation, including the first batch of equipment and intellectual property protection.

    The NFRA, along with other government departments, will also increase policy support for this type of insurance. They aim to build a system that offers broad coverage, while also providing rewards, subsidies and tax incentives for companies involved in technological innovation. This support is designed to reduce risk and encourage the development of new ideas and industries.

    Several regions, such as Ningbo in Zhejiang province, Lingang in Shanghai and Hudong in Hubei province, have already experimented with science and technology insurance. These areas are being used as examples for other regions to follow. According to Yin, this type of insurance is more specialized than regular insurance, with unique risks that require cooperation across industries to manage.

    Luo Yanjun, another official from the NFRA, added that the administration will continue guiding insurance companies to invest more in emerging industries and advanced manufacturing. By the end of August, the balance of insurance fund usage reached 31.8 trillion yuan ($4.5 trillion), with 28.8 trillion yuan supporting the real economy through investments in debt, equity and other areas.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Benjamin Netanyahu is triumphant after Hassan Nasrallah’s assassination. But will it change anything?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ian Parmeter, Research Scholar, Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies, Australian National University

    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has claimed a major victory following the assassination of longtime Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, saying it would change “the balance of power in the region for years to come”.

    This may be going further than the circumstances warrant, however. Certainly, the killing of Nasrallah is a remarkable personal victory for Netanyahu, who ordered the strike so he could claim direct responsibility for the action. And it goes a long way towards restoring the Israeli public’s faith in Netanyahu as a security guarantor for Israel.

    But there are many questions that now follow this action. Will Israel, for example, launch a ground invasion against Hezbollah in Lebanon?

    If it does, it would certainly find Hezbollah at its weakest point because of the destruction of its communications network in the Israeli attack on its pagers and walkie-talkies earlier this month.

    Israel has also killed eight of Hezbollah’s nine most senior military commanders and about half of its leadership council.

    To ensure this is a lasting victory, Israel really needs to follow up somehow. It needs to take the opportunity of Hezbollah’s disarray to destroy as much of the organisation and its arsenal of 150,000 missiles, rockets and drones as it can.

    By the same token, Hezbollah would certainly be able to inflict serious losses on Israeli ground forces if they go into southern Lebanon, not least because Hezbollah is reported to have an extensive tunnel network in the border area.

    And Hezbollah is a large organisation that claims to have as many as 100,000 fighters, though US intelligence believes it’s probably somewhere closer to 40,000–50,000. Even so, that is a formidable number of militants.

    Hezbollah, however, does not want to get involved in further fighting with Israel at this stage, if it can avoid it. It’s significant that, even after Israel’s most recent attacks, Hezbollah has not been firing thousands of missiles, rockets and drones daily into Israel, which it is believed to be capable of doing.

    Can Hezbollah regroup?

    There is no doubt this is an unprecedented blow to Hezbollah’s leadership and to the organisation itself.

    The first thing the group needs to do is re-establish its leadership. There are two names that have already been suggested: Hashem Safieddine, Nasrallah’s cousin, and Naim Qassem, Hezbollah’s deputy secretary-general.

    Then, the new leadership needs to investigate how deeply Hezbollah has been penetrated by Israeli intelligence. The killing of Nasrallah and the explosion of the pagers and walkie-talkies illustrate that Israel has extraordinarily good intelligence on the internal workings of Hezbollah.

    Lastly, Hezbollah has lost a lot of face in the eyes of the Lebanese public. Those in Lebanon who are against Hezbollah’s standing as a state within a state will oppose it even more now because they’ll say it’s simply not doing what it claims to do, which is protecting Lebanon from Israel.

    Hezbollah has never faced a critical situation like this before. That’s why whoever takes over is going to have a massive job to re-establish its credibility as a fighting force.

    But that said, it does have the capacity to re-establish itself because Hezbollah is a major organisation and very much a part of the Lebanese political scene. The Hezbollah-led coalition has a bloc of more than 60 seats in the Lebanese parliament – not a majority but significant nonetheless. It also provides social services for poor Shi’a residents in southern Beirut and southern Lebanon.

    The other major question is whether Iran, Hezbollah’s military backer, will react to the killing of Nasrallah.

    When Israel assassinated Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in July, Iran promised retaliation, but has not taken it yet.

    After the US assassination of Qassem Soleimani, the commander of the Quds Force in the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, in Baghdad in 2020, Iran fired more than a dozen missiles at two bases in Iraq housing US troops, and that was it.

    In April, its reaction to the Israeli killing of some Islamic Revolutionary Guard personnel in the Iranian consulate in Damascus, Syria, was more intense. Tehran launched about 300 missiles, drones and rockets at Israel. But it also telegraphed its retaliation well in advance, and Israel’s Iron Dome, with the help of US defensive support, was able to prevent any significant damage.

    These recent reactions show it is clearly not in Iran’s interest to have a wider war take place at this time.



    Read more:
    Is Iran’s anti-Israel and American rhetoric all bark and no bite?

    Where does the region go from here?

    Hezbollah doesn’t have many friends in the Middle East, mainly because it is a militant group from the minority Shi’a sect of Islam, which has been seen as opposed to the interests of more moderate Sunni Arab states, including Egypt, Jordan and the Gulf states.

    Essentially, there will be some quiet satisfaction among Sunni Arab leaders that Nasrallah has gone because he was seen as someone who could cause a great deal of trouble for the region.

    Briefly, following the 2006 war between Hezbollah and Israel, Nasrallah was the most popular leader in the Arab world, according to opinion polls. That didn’t last very long, but he remained influential across the region.

    The other aspect that would make Sunni Arab states and leaders quietly comfortable with the removal of Nasrallah and the disarray (if only temporary) of Hezbollah is that all the fighting in the Middle East – the war in Gaza and now the conflict in Lebanon – is causing anger at street level in countries such as Egypt, Jordan and others in the region. This makes the region more unstable – and Sunni leaders nervous.

    At this stage, the elements that would be prepared to support Hezbollah are limited to the Houthi rebels in Yemen and Shi’a militia groups based in Iraq. But they’re both some distance away and aren’t able to materially affect the conflict in the region.

    With Iran not wanting an all-out war in the region, it’s not likely its leaders will be encouraging these proxy groups to get involved in a situation that could get further out of hand.

    So there are a lot of players who want to restore some sort of normality to the region. That includes the Biden administration, which fears the ongoing conflicts will divide the Democratic vote in the November US presidential election.

    This plays into Netanyahyu’s hands, as he is able to act independently of US attempts to rein him in. Whatever he does, he will continue to receive US military support.



    Read more:
    Does Hezbollah represent Lebanon? And what impact will the death of longtime leader Hassan Nasrallah have?

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

    – ref. Benjamin Netanyahu is triumphant after Hassan Nasrallah’s assassination. But will it change anything? – https://theconversation.com/benjamin-netanyahu-is-triumphant-after-hassan-nasrallahs-assassination-but-will-it-change-anything-240090

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI China: Xi reiterates China’s commitment to safeguarding world peace, boosting common development

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

    Xi reiterates China’s commitment to safeguarding world peace, boosting common development

    BEIJING, Sept. 29 — President Xi Jinping on Sunday said Chinese people stand ready to work together with people of various countries to safeguard world peace and boost common development.

    Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks at a ceremony conferring the country’s highest state honors ahead of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

    Xi called for joint efforts to build a human community with a shared future and create an even brighter future for humanity.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Xi calls for forming mighty force to build strong China

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

    BEIJING, Sept. 29 — President Xi Jinping on Sunday called on the Chinese people to learn from heroes and role models to form a mighty force to build a strong China.

    Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks at a ceremony awarding the country’s highest state honors ahead of the 75th founding anniversary of the People’s Republic of China.

    China is in a crucial period for building a great modern socialist country in all respects and achieving national rejuvenation through Chinese modernization, Xi said.

    Xi emphasized the need to bear in mind the aspirations, hone the skills, and make contributions to building a strong China.

    He encouraged the Chinese people to strive for extraordinary achievements at ordinary job posts.

    He also urged them to make contributions to resolving challenges to development and reform, and safeguarding social harmony and stability.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Xi extends congratulations to recipients of China’s highest state honors

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

    BEIJING, Sept. 29 — Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday extended warm congratulations and high respects to recipients of China’s highest state honors ahead of the 75th founding anniversary of the People’s Republic of China.

    Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks at a ceremony held to award the Medal of the Republic, the Friendship Medal, and medals of national honorary titles at the Great Hall of the People.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Xi addresses ceremony awarding China’s highest state honors

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

    BEIJING, Sept. 29 — Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday addressed a ceremony held to award the highest state honors ahead of the 75th founding anniversary of the People’s Republic of China.

    Before his speech, Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, presented the Medal of the Republic, the Friendship Medal, and medals of national honorary titles at the Great Hall of the People.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: News 09/28/2024 Sen. Blackburn, Gov. Lee, Rep. Harshbarger Survey Storm Damage in East Tennessee

    US Senate News:

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

    BLOUNTVILLE, Tenn. – Today, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), along with Governor Bill Lee, Representative Diana Harshbarger (R-Tenn.), Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton (R-Tenn.), and Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) Director Patrick Sheehan surveyed storm damage and met with local officials in East Tennessee.

    “I am heartbroken by the devastating damage in East Tennessee caused by the horrific storm. Thank you to our first responders, Tennessee National Guard, TEMA, and the countless other agencies that have been working around the clock to rescue Tennesseans.” – Senator Blackburn

    Click here to view Senator Blackburn’s remarks following tour of storm damage. 

    Following the devastating damage, Senator Blackburn led the entire Tennessee Congressional delegation in swiftly securing federal assistance. 

    RELATED 

    • The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) has established a hotline for the public needing to report a missing person in the ongoing East Tennessee flood emergency: 1-800-TBI-FIND.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Murder charge laid following Dargaville homicide

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    Police have today charged a man with murder following the discovery of a body in a vehicle on Ripiro Beach, Dargaville earlier this month.

    Jasmaine Corin Reihana, 35, was found dead inside a burnt out vehicle on 9 September.

    Since then, Police have been working to piece together the events leading up to her death and who was responsible.

    Detective Inspector Al Symonds, of Northland CIB, says today, Police have charged a 34-year-old man with murder.

    “Police have conducted an extensive investigation to ensure the person responsible for her murder can be held to account.

    “I would like to acknowledge the investigation team, who have worked tirelessly to get this result, and also those members of our community who have assisted our enquiries.

    “Thank you to everyone who has come forward with information during the course of this investigation.”

    Detective Inspector Symonds says Police are not looking for anyone else.

    “It has been our team’s focus to hold to account the person we will allege is responsible for Jasmine’s murder, and we hope this brings some relief to her whānau.”

    The murder accused will appear in Whangārei District Court on Monday 30 September.

    As this matter is before the Court, Police are unable to make any further comment.

    ENDS.

    Holly McKay/NZ Police

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Rachmaninov, Glinka and Mozart: VDNKh to host concerts and lectures in honor of International Music Day

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    A thematic creative program was prepared at VDNKh in honor of International Music Day, which is celebrated annually on October 1. The events will last the entire month. This was reported by Natalia Sergunina, Deputy Mayor of Moscow.

    “The Worker and Kolkhoz Woman pavilion will host concerts, lectures and performances for Muscovites and tourists. For example, visitors will hear works by classics – Rachmaninov, Glinka, Bizet and Mozart,” said Natalia Sergunina.

    Entry to events is free, with prior registration required. on the VDNKh lecture hall page.

    The play “The Sign of the Opera” staged by the Moscow Puppet Theatre will be presented on October 2 at 19:00. The audience will travel through four famous stories – “The Magic Flute” by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, “Ivan Susanin” by Mikhail Glinka, “Orpheus and Eurydice” by Christoph Gluck and “Carmen” by Georges Bizet.

    On October 3 at 19:00 there will be a musical program “Russian Basses”. Arias and romances from the repertoire of the singer Fyodor Chaliapin will be performed by soloists of the State Academic Bolshoi Theater of Russia and the Moscow Academic Musical Theater named after K.S. Stanislavsky and V.I. Nemirovich-Danchenko.

    The Gnessin Baroque ensemble will perform ancient compositions from the 17th century on October 5 at 19:00.

    On October 9 at 19:00 there will be a concert “Sounding Canvases: Roerich” with sand animation inspired by the works of the famous artist. Guests will hear Armenian folk and liturgical melodies, as well as music performed on the duduk.

    On October 12 at 6:00 p.m. guests will be invited to the lecture “The Unearthly Beauty of the Soprano: From Ariadne to the Queen of Shemakha” from the series “The Opera Voice in History: Changing and Unchanging”.

    Listeners will get acquainted with the late works of the famous Russian composer Sergei Rachmaninoff and his last work, “Symphonic Dances,” at a lecture that will take place on October 27 at 16:00.

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

    Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    https://vvv.mos.ru/nevs/item/144532073/

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The Moscow Longevity Project invites city residents to events in honor of the Day of the Older Generation

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    For the Day of the Older Generation, which is traditionally celebrated on October 1, master classes, intellectual games and creative meetings will be held at venues throughout the city.

    “The Day of the Older Generation is the best reason to visit the Moscow Longevity Centers and become part of a large community of active Muscovites of the “silver” age. The city has created unique opportunities for self-realization, creativity, communication and health improvement, and more than 580 thousand people have already taken advantage of them, changing their lives. On the Day of the Older Generation, the centers will host events that can be attended by the whole family, because it is fundamentally important for us that Muscovites begin to think about their longevity as early as possible,” said the deputy head of the capital’s Department of Labor and Social Protection of the Population.

    Vladimir Filippov.

    On September 29, guests are invited to attend the autumn festival for the whole family “Harvest Fest – 2024”, where an exhibition and fair of products from the project participants will be open all day “Moscow Longevity”. Visitors will be able to purchase unique handmade items: jewelry, household items, T-shirts with designer prints, as well as homemade preserves and seasonal vegetables. Guests will be treated to the art exhibition “Harvest” with designer installations and art objects with vegetables and fruits grown by participants in the “Moscow Longevity” project. The food court will feature dishes made from seasonal products. The festival will also feature concerts, master classes, and a carving lab (cutting out figures from fruits and vegetables). Find out the detailed schedule and You can register using the link.

    The festival will take place from 12:00 to 20:00 in the courtyard of the Moscow Longevity Center “Presnensky” (Presnensky Val Street, Building 14, Building 5).

    A photo exhibition will open on Tverskoy Boulevard and in Yekaterininsky Park on September 30 “Territory of the Future. Moscow 2030”. The stand of the Moscow Longevity project became one of the brightest and most creative at the site in Gostiny Dvor. The participants of the photo shoot, in the lens of photographer Dmitry Iskhakov, tried on the images of the younger generation and fantasized about what the long-livers of the future might be like.

    On October 1, the Day of the Older Generation, several events await city residents at once. Muscovites and their families are invited to the “Guest Day”, which will be held in all 134 centers Moscow longevityFrom 10:30 to 20:30 a unified festive program will be organized there.

    The morning will begin with energetic exercises and a culinary master class on baking charlotte. During the day, guests will be able to participate in creative activities: create souvenirs with their own hands, learn dance moves, learn about personal style, and study information technology.

    At 18:00, everyone is invited to the game “Longevity Quiz”. For the first time, 134 teams from Moscow longevity centers will play a quiz at the same time. Cinema, music, travel, sports, cooking – these are just some of the topics in which participants will test their knowledge. To play, you need to choose the nearest center, form a team of up to 10 people and register via the link. 

    At 19:30 the premiere of the series “I’m not OLD” will begin, the main characters of which are not professional actors, but participants of “Moscow Longevity”.

    The center’s specialists will tell guests about the project’s possibilities, help them choose classes, and enroll them in suitable groups.

    On October 2, from 09:00 to 18:00, the Sber office at 41 Oruzheyny Pereulok will host the Dobry Market, where they will present about a thousand products created by the hands of Moscow Longevity participants: toys, decorative items, jewelry, candles, bags, paintings, and more. Admission is free.

    New directions, “Longevity exercises” and star guests: how the summer season of the “Moscow Longevity” project wentFamily recipes and national cuisine: about 100 culinary clubs opened by participants of Moscow LongevityThe number of Moscow longevity centers has increased to 134 — Sergei Sobyanin

    All interested senior citizens are invited to join the classes of the Moscow Longevity project. You can choose a group and sign up for the project on the mos.ru portal or by contacting any center Moscow longevity.

    Moscow Longevity Projectis being implemented within the framework of the regional project “Older Generation” of the national project “Demography”. More information about this and other national projects implemented in Moscow, you can find out here.

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

    Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    https://vvv.mos.ru/nevs/item/144530073/

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The area near the Kashirskaya metro station is being reorganized by the owner under the KRT program

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    In the Nagatino-Sadovniki district, a site near the Kashirskaya station of the Big Circle Line of the metro will be reorganized. The owner of the site has given consent to the implementation of the project under the program of integrated development of territories (KRT). This was reported by the Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Urban Development Policy and Construction Vladimir Efimov.

    “The city plans to conclude a KRT agreement with the land owner. The area of 0.88 hectares is planned to be used for the construction of 53.6 thousand square meters of public and business real estate. Investments in the project implementation will exceed 16 billion rubles, and the annual budget effect will amount to almost 500 million rubles. As a result of the redevelopment of the site in Nagatino-Sadovniki, over 1.2 thousand jobs will appear,” said Vladimir Efimov.

    The site is located between Kashirskoe Shosse and Marshal Shestopalov Street. The rights to it belong to Avest LLC.

    “Over the course of four years, the construction of public and business facilities is planned on the site, including a 250-room hotel. A non-permanent shopping center with an area of 980 square meters will also be built on the territory,” noted the Minister of the Moscow Government, head of the capital’s Department of City Property

    Maxim Gaman.

    Earlier Sergei Sobyanin approved the plans for the integrated development of territories in the North-Eastern and Southern Administrative Districts.

    Sobyanin: KRT helps make city blocks modern and attractiveThe city has published 32 integrated territorial development projects since the beginning of the yearBy the end of the year, the number of implemented KRT projects will almost double

    According to the program of integrated development of territories, multifunctional city quarters are being created, where roads, comfortable housing and all necessary infrastructure are being designed on the site of former industrial zones and inefficiently used areas. Currently, 236 KRT projects with a total area of more than 3.1 thousand hectares are at various stages of implementation in Moscow. The projects are being developed on behalf of Sergei Sobyanin.

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

    Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    http://vvv.mos.ru/nevs/item/144529073/

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: New Australian opera Gilgamesh captures the power of one of the world’s most ancient masterpieces

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Louise Pryke, Honorary Research Associate, University of Sydney

    Daniel Boud/Opera Australia, Sydney Chamber Opera, Carriageworks

    Gilgamesh, a new opera from Opera Australia, Sydney Chamber Orchestra and Carriageworks, gives a visceral retelling of a story from a forgotten age, exploring ideas of love, tyranny and what it means to be human.

    This new production reimagines the legend for 21st century audiences, while engaging cleverly with the epic’s timeless themes.

    The young king, Gilgamesh (Jeremy Kleeman), starts out as a tyrant and goes on a journey to find the wisdom needed to become a just ruler.

    Along the way, he meets his companion, Enkidu (a remarkable Mitchell Riley), a man born in the wilderness and civilised through two weeks of sex with the wise priestess Shamhat (Jessica O’Donoghue).

    Together, Gilgamesh and Enkidu fight the monstrous forest guardian Humbaba (Daniel Szeisong Todd) and the mighty Bull of Heaven. They also unwisely provoke the beauteous goddess of love and war Ishtar (Jane Sheldon).

    The heroes’ rash actions anger the gods, leading to Enkidu’s untimely death. Gilgamesh seeks eternal life and renewed youth, before finally returning home.



    Read more:
    Guide to the classics: the Epic of Gilgamesh

    A rediscovered story

    This production is the first English language opera of the Epic of Gilgamesh, a literary masterpiece from ancient Mesopotamia.

    The story was first written down on clay tablets in the cuneiform script more than 4,000 years ago. Although Gilgamesh was famous in the ancient world, his story disappeared from cultural awareness along with the ability to read cuneiform around the 1st century CE.

    The story was first written down in cuneiform script over 4,000 years ago.
    Daniel Boud/Opera Australia, Sydney Chamber Opera, Carriageworks

    In a feat of scholarly virtuosity, 19th century scholars deciphered the rediscovered cuneiform script, using a kind of Persian Rosetta Stone known as the Behistun monument.

    In 1857, the Royal Asiatic Society held a kind of “cuneiform competition”, where scholars completed secret translations of a previously unseen inscription.

    When their translations were found to be very similar, it was clear the secrets of the complex script had finally been unlocked.

    Music and myth

    In the 150 years since the Epic of Gilgamesh was rediscovered, the legend has inspired music spanning numerous genres, from hip hop, to Australian indie pop, to metal.

    As with this new opera, many of these modern adaptations have focused on the loving relationship between the story’s two heroes, Gilgamesh and Enkidu. Their connection has been viewed as the world’s first bromance, or one of the oldest known love stories.

    The opera leans into the transformative nature of heroes’ epic love: Enkidu’s wildman innocence is corrupted by Gilgamesh; Gilgamesh is emboldened by the presence of his lover.

    There is much to admire in the approach to the text taken by composer Jack Symonds and librettist Louis Garrick.

    At times, excerpts of text from an English translation of the epic are incorporated into the score. This use of ancient prose is particularly effective in the scene where Gilgamesh rudely rejects Ishtar’s marriage proposal; it would be difficult to create a more brutal polemic than that employed by Gilgamesh against the goddess in the ancient narrative.

    At other times, new scenes and dialogue are crafted to draw deeper from the rich well of narrative ideas. This can be seen where Ishtar and Shamhat plan to civilise Enkidu (engineered by Gilgamesh in the original story), and a scene where Gilgamesh and Enkidu become lovers in the Cedar Forest.

    The production

    Kleeman gives a heroic turn as a man struggling to comprehend his mortality and his growing love for Enkidu.

    Sheldon is divine as Ishtar the vengeful goddess of love, seamlessly blending the deity’s power and unpredictability.

    As Utanapishti, the legendary flood survivor often compared with biblical Noah, Jessica O’Donoghue gives a haunting performance suited to one who has witnessed the destruction of most of humanity.

    The set design mirrors the combination of scale and simplicity seen in the narrative.
    Daniel Boud/Opera Australia, Sydney Chamber Opera, Carriageworks

    The set (design by Elizabeth Gadsby) uses as its centrepiece a Chinese elm tree with 1,000 gold fabric leaves, mirroring the combination of scale and simplicity seen in the narrative.

    This reflects the creative team’s engagement with the epic’s ecological themes. The Cedar Forest is recognised in the original epic for its aesthetic and commercial value. Its destruction by the heroes is an act of sacrilege.

    Directed by Kip Williams, Gilgamesh emphasises the violence of environmental destruction through the bloody death of the forest guardian Humbaba in a stomach-turning scene slippery with gore.

    At times, the production is stomach-turning and slippery with gore.
    Daniel Boud/Opera Australia, Sydney Chamber Opera, Carriageworks

    The love story between Gilgamesh and Enkidu is at the opera’s heart. Building on the intimate connection between the heroes in the ancient story, the two heroes sing songs of love together. Their vocal performances are matched with a dynamic physicality as they wrestle, embrace and cradle one another.

    Those familiar with Gilgamesh will enjoy discovering where new creative directions have been taken in the opera. For those new to the story, the opera gives a vibrant introduction into the power and drama of one of the world’s most ancient masterpieces.

    In the Babylonian legend, Gilgamesh finally abandons his quest for immortality. With this exciting new production of the epic, his ancient song of love and loss will continue to live on long into the future.

    Gilgamesh,by Opera Australia, Sydney Chamber Orchestra and Carriageworks, is at Carriageworks, Sydney, until October 5.

    Louise Pryke was a guest of the Gilgamesh production.

    – ref. New Australian opera Gilgamesh captures the power of one of the world’s most ancient masterpieces – https://theconversation.com/new-australian-opera-gilgamesh-captures-the-power-of-one-of-the-worlds-most-ancient-masterpieces-237765

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –