NewzIntel.com

Category: Middle East

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ3: Leveraging technology to promote tourism

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    LCQ3: Leveraging technology to promote tourism 
    Question:
     
        There are views pointing out that Hong Kong’s efforts to digitalise tourism services have failed to keep pace with development. It is learnt that the Mainland, Macao, Korea and Singapore have all leveraged technology to promote their tourism industries. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
     
    (1) given that the Government earlier on announced the deployment of augmented reality (AR) technology for the City in Time tourism project in the Kowloon City District, what further plans the Government has in place to apply AR and virtual reality (VR) technologies to tourist attractions, particularly sites commemorating the War of Resistance and historical attractions, and set out in a table the attractions where these technologies have been introduced and the number of users to date;
     
    (2) whether it will draw on the experiences of cities in Asia and the Mainland and make better use of the information available on the Hong Kong Tourism Board website to launch an all-in-one mobile travel application providing services such as travel guides, attraction recommendations, real-time traffic information, and discounts on accommodation and dining, while also analysing visitors’ behavioural patterns; if so, which government department or organisation will be responsible for designing, updating and maintaining the application, and of the implementation timetable; and
     
    (3) as it is learnt that the Immigration Department (ImmD) currently does not collect data on travellers’ arrival and departure patterns, their length of stay in Hong Kong, the provinces from which Mainland visitors came and the types of endorsement they held, etc, whether the Government will consider enhancing ImmD’s systems to obtain more traveller information for analytical purposes?
     
    Reply:

    President,
     
         With the advancement of information technology, smart tourism has become a new trend for visitors to plan their itineraries and to enhance visitors’ experience. “The Chief Executive’s 2023 Policy Address” proposed the establishment of an inter-departmental Working Group on Smart Tourism (the Working Group) to formulate and implement measures to promote smart tourism. The Working Group has completed the formulation of relevant strategies and measures, with details covering two strategic directions and 19 specific short, medium and long-term measures incorporated into the Development Blueprint for Hong Kong’s Tourism Industry 2.0 promulgated by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau in December 2024.
     
         In consultation with the Security Bureau, our reply to the question raised by the Hon Ma Fung-kwok is as follows:
     
    (1) The Government has kept promoting the use of technology by tourist attractions to enhance facilities and transmission of information with a view to providing visitors with a more diverse and enriching experience. Currently, many major attractions in Hong Kong have already adopted technologies such as augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), artificial intelligence (AI), interactive experiences and QR codes to facilitate visitors and enrich their experience. For example, Hong Kong Ocean Park has launched a new giant panda-themed attraction “Panda Wonders: An Illuminated Journey”, where giant pandas make appearances as cartoon characters through 3D projection technology and visitors may interact and take photos with AR giant pandas; the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort makes use of AR technology to blend physical scenes with digital storytelling experiences to enhance visitors’ interaction with Disney characters and immersive participation; the two museums in the West Kowloon Cultural District also incorporate AR and VR technologies into cultural and artistic activities, for instance, M+ interactive media room offers innovative VR and digital artworks, which are well received by visitors. Many exhibitions flexibly utilise elements such as VR, projection and interactive devices, such as the “FLASH! The Palace Museum – A Pop-Up Digital Experience” held at Tai Kwun in January 2025 which made use of these elements to vividly recreate the essence of the Palace Museum’s cultural treasures.
     
    Besides, the “City in Time” project taken forward by the Tourism Commission and many museums under the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, including the Hong Kong Museum of History (HKMH) and the Hong Kong Museum of the War of Resistance and Coastal Defence (MWRCD), have adopted the AR or VR technologies. Further details are as follows:
     
    The “City in Time” project makes use of AR and creative media art through mobile application to bring back to life the history of individual landmarks. Phase I of the project was completed in 2021 at 28 locations around Central, Jordan, the Peak, Sham Shui Po, Tsim Sha Tsui and Yau Ma Tei. Phase II of the project has been launched in stages from 2024 onwards and the project has now been extended to Lei Yue Mun and Tai Hang. Preparations are underway for expanding the project to Kowloon City in 2025. As at April 2025, the cumulative number of page views on the project website exceeded 152 000, while the cumulative number of downloads of the project’s mobile application exceeded 31 000.
     
    The HKMH is hosting “The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: The Great Unity – Civilisation of the Qin and Han Dynasties in Shaanxi Province” exhibition, which features an interactive zone with AR exhibits to enhance visitors’ understanding of the history and cultures of the Qin and Han dynasties. The HKMH recorded over 940 000 visitors in 2024-25.
     
    The permanent and thematic exhibitions currently presented at the MWRCD give an account of the history of Japan’s aggression against China and Hong Kong’s participation in the War of Resistance, as well as the missions and contributions of guerrillas after the fall of Hong Kong. The MWRCD complements the exhibitions with interactive installations, videos and oral history from veterans, and employs technologies such as VR in events from time to time, allowing visitors to engage with history through various media. The MWRCD recorded over 160 000 visitors in 2024-25.
     
    (2) The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) has been striving to advance Hong Kong to be a smart tourism destination. In terms of information dissemination, the Discover Hong Kong platform of the HKTB currently adopts a web application (Web App). In fact, Web Apps have developed into a new trend in recent years. Compared to mobile applications (Mobile App), which require downloading, updating, and occupy storage space, Web Apps are more convenient to users as visitors can simply access them through the web browser of their mobile phones. In addition, the HKTB constantly enhances and enriches the content of the Discover Hong Kong, providing visitors with comprehensive, reliable and up-to-date travel information. For example, riding on the recent Tuen Ng Festival long weekend of the Mainland, the HKTB featured dedicated pages on the Discover Hong Kong, consolidating useful travel information such as citywide events, exclusive offers, transportation updates and operating hours of attractions to attract and help visitors travel to Hong Kong.
     
    The HKTB is currently developing a “Live Travel Map” and kick-starting the preliminary development of “Smart Itinerary Planner” on the Discover Hong Kong, to assist visitors in obtaining real-time travel information in different parts of Hong Kong and provide them with personalised itinerary suggestions.
     
    (3) The Immigration Department (ImmD) controls all entries into and exits from Hong Kong, examining passengers arriving and departing by land, sea and air. The visitor statistics collected and maintained by the ImmD during daily immigration control operations are also provided to relevant Government departments and organisations in support of their statistical and research work. For instance, the visitor statistics that the ImmD currently provides to the HKTB on a regular basis include: foreign visitor statistics by nationality, mode of entry/exit, gender, age, and length of stay, arrival statistics of Mainland visitors by type of endorsement/travel document and mode of entry/exit etc. In addition, during specific festive periods, the ImmD also provides, at the HKTB’s request, relevant information on departing visitors’ age, gender, nationality and arrival time on a daily basis.
     
    The ImmD does not maintain statistics on provinces that Mainland visitors were from as mentioned in the question.
     
         Thank you, President.
    Issued at HKT 13:27

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Syria Condemns Israeli Shelling

    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

    DAMASCUS, June 4 (Xinhua) — The Syrian interim government’s Foreign Ministry on Tuesday condemned Israel for shelling the southern province of Daraa, calling it a flagrant violation of sovereignty, and called on the international community to stop the “growing aggression.”

    In a statement distributed by state media, the Syrian authorities formed after the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government said they could not yet confirm the information about the missile being launched from Syrian territory towards the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. At the same time, they stressed that “many forces may seek to destabilize the region in their own interests.”

    “Our top priority in the south remains expanding state authority and ending the illegal circulation of weapons outside official structures,” the statement said.

    The Foreign Ministry also called on the international community to “take responsibility for ending Israel’s regular attacks” and support efforts to strengthen stability.

    Earlier on Tuesday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said two rockets were fired from Syrian territory at Israeli settlements in the southern Golan Heights. Air raid sirens were sounded in Ramat Magshimim and Haspine. The rockets landed in open areas, causing no casualties. “In response, IDF artillery struck the sources of fire in southern Syria,” the military said.

    Israeli media noted that shelling from the Syrian side occurred for the first time since the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024.

    “We hold the Syrian leader directly responsible for any threat and shelling of Israel, and a full response will follow,” said Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz.

    Israel captured the Syrian Golan Heights in the 1967 war and later annexed it, a move not recognized by most countries. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI: North America high-net-worth individual population surges, while Europe and Middle East shrink

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Press contact:
    Fahd Pasha
    Tel.: +1 647 860 3777
    E-mail: Fahd.Pasha@capgemini.com

    North America high-net-worth individual population surges, while Europe and Middle East shrink

    • U.S. led the world in growth in its millionaire population, adding 562,000 to reach 7.9 million
    • Ultra-high net worth individual population rises by 6.2% worldwide
    • High-net-worth individuals now allocate 15% of their portfolios to alternative investments, including cryptocurrencies

    Paris, June 4, 2025 – The Capgemini Research Institute’s World Wealth Report 2025, published today, reveals the global high-net-worth individuals1(HNWIs) population rose by 2.6% in 2024. Now in its 29thedition, the report finds this increase was driven by the growth in the population of ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs), which grew by 6.2%, as strong stock markets and AI optimism boosted portfolio returns. The data indicates that alternative investments2, such as private equity and cryptocurrencies, are now an established presence in HNWI holdings, representing 15% of their portfolios.

    Bullish stock market performance in the U.S. fuels wealth increase
    A favorable interest rate environment and strong U.S. equity market returns helped boost wealth creation in 2024. North America saw the biggest gains, with the HNWI population rising by 7.3%. In contrast, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East saw declines in their HNWI populations, as macroeconomic challenges weighed.

    At the end of 2024, according to Capgemini’s research: 

    • Europe’s HNWI population declined 2.1% due to economic stagnation in major countries, with United Kingdom, France and Germany losing 14,000, 21,000 and 41,000 millionaires, respectively. In contrast, Europe’s UHNWI population rose 3.5%, reflecting increased wealth concentration.
    • Asia-Pacific’s HNWI population increased 2.7%, with notable variability across the region.
    • Latin America’s HNWI population declined 8.5%, due to currency depreciation and fiscal instability. Brazil (-13.3%) and Mexico (-13.5%) witnessed the biggest population declines.
    • The Middle East’s HNWI population declined 2.1%, driven by lower oil prices.

    Within the largest individual markets, the U.S. was the clear leader, adding 562,000 millionaires as the country’s HNWI population grew by 7.6% to 7.9 million. India and Japan were standouts in the Asia-Pacific region, with both countries registering 5.6% growth, adding 20,000 and 210,000 millionaires, respectively. In contrast, growth in China was negative, with HNWI population declining by 1.0%.

    Next-gen HNWIs seek wealth management firms that align with investment priorities
    Wealth management firms are actively preparing for a new era of wealth transfer in which 83.5 trillion USD3 will change hands over the next two decades, creating the next generation of HNWIs4. According to the report, this handover will unfold in three phases: 30% of HNWIs will receive an inheritance by the end of 2030, 63% will inherit wealth by the end of 2035, and 84% by 2040.

    “The great wealth transfer will be a defining moment for the industry. Despite global wealth on the rise, 81% of inheritors plan to switch firms within one to two years of inheritance. Potentially losing these unsatisfied clients is going to create significant risk for the global wealth management sector,” said Kartik Ramakrishnan, CEO of Capgemini’s Financial Services Strategic Business Unit and Group Executive Board Member. “The next-generation of high-net-worth individuals arrive with vastly different expectations to their parents. This necessitates an urgent shift away from traditional strategies to effectively cater to their evolving needs on this wealth journey. Firms must also prepare to equip advisors with the digital capabilities, potentially augmented with agentic or generative AI, to mitigate the risk of losing both clients and key employees.”

    As of January 2025, HNWI investors parked 15% of their portfolios in alternative investments, including private equity and cryptocurrencies. They are willing to take more risks to expand their wealth – allocating capital to higher growth asset classes and niche product offerings, notably by 61% of millennial and Gen Z HNWIs.

    To attract next-gen HNWIs, wealth management firms must rethink
    The report highlights that wealth management firms need to refresh and revamp their services and offerings to resonate with the next-gen HNWI customer base. Including:

    • Private equity and cryptocurrencies: 88% of advisors observe a greater interest in alternative assets amongst this group of investors over baby boomers
    • New offshore booking centers: 50% of advisors indicate their lack of capabilities in emerging wealth hubs – Singapore, Hong Kong, UAE and Saudi Arabia – will drive these clients to alternate firms, as they seek diversification, better returns and a favorable regulatory environment
    • Tailored services: concierge services such as luxury travel, medical care, and safeguarding against cyber threats, rank as the top non-financial value-added service most sought after
    • Digital interactions: advisors rank a digital platform providing a holistic client view and actionable insights as the most important capability to effectively serve next-gen HNWIs, followed by intelligent automation of operational tasks like meeting summaries and emails

    Insufficient support from wealth management firms makes advisors a flight risk
    According to the report, one-in-three advisors express dissatisfaction with their firms’ lack of digital capabilities, negatively impacting their productivity, and creating a technological divide. In addition, 62% of next-gen HNWIs say they would follow their advisor if they moved to a different firm. Altogether, this directly impacts retention, as advisors struggle to engage these digital-native clients.

    Beyond digital resources, the industry is on the cusp of a talent shortage amid an unprecedented transfer of wealth to Gen X, millennial, and Gen Z inheritors. In the next 12 months, one in four advisors plan to be on the move, with a majority transitioning to a competitor firm and a few starting their own ventures. Additionally, 20% of advisors say they will retire by 2035, with 48% planning to retire by 2040.

    As the great wealth transfer unfolds, the wealth management industry will need to reimagine product offerings through tailored investment options for next-gen HNWIs. Firms must empower and engage advisors with an intuitive digital experience across all channels to secure their loyalty, the report concludes.

    Read the full report: Sailing through the Great Wealth Transfer

    Report Methodology
    The World Wealth Report 2025 market-sizing model covers 71 countries, accounting for more than 98% of global gross national income and 99% of world stock market capitalization. The Capgemini 2025 Global HNW Insights Survey questioned 6,472 HNWIs including 5,473 Next-gen HNWIs across four regions: Americas, Europe, and Asia-Pacific and Middle East. The 2025 Wealth Management Executive Survey includes 141 responses across 10 markets, with representation from pure WM firms, universal banks, independent broker/dealer firms, and family offices. The 2025 Relationship Manager Survey, executed by Phronesis Partners, includes 1,306 responses across twelve markets.

    About Capgemini
    Capgemini is a global business and technology transformation partner, helping organizations to accelerate their dual transition to a digital and sustainable world, while creating tangible impact for enterprises and society. It is a responsible and diverse group of 340,000 team members in more than 50 countries. With its strong over 55-year heritage, Capgemini is trusted by its clients to unlock the value of technology to address the entire breadth of their business needs. It delivers end-to-end services and solutions leveraging strengths from strategy and design to engineering, all fueled by its market leading capabilities in AI, generative AI, cloud and data, combined with its deep industry expertise and partner ecosystem. The Group reported 2024 global revenues of €22.1 billion.

    Get The Future You Want | www.capgemini.com

    About the Capgemini Research Institute
    The Capgemini Research Institute is Capgemini’s in-house think-tank on all things digital. The Institute publishes research on the impact of digital technologies on large traditional businesses. The team draws on the worldwide network of Capgemini experts and works closely with academic and technology partners. The Institute has dedicated research centers in India, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the United States. It was ranked #1 in the world for the quality of its research by independent analysts for six consecutive times – an industry first.
    Visit us at www.capgemini.com/researchinstitute

    1 HNWIs are high-net-worth individuals with investable assets of USD1 million or more, excluding their primary residence, collectibles, consumables, and consumer durables. HNWIs are segmented into three categories based on wealth bands: Ultra-HNWIs (USD30 million or more), Mid-Tier Millionaires (USD5-30M) and Millionaires Next Door (USD1-5M).
    2 Alternative investments include commodities, currencies, private equity, hedge funds, structured products, and digital assets
    3 UBS, “Global Wealth Report 2024”
    4 Gen X (aged 44 to 59 years as of 2025), millennial (aged 28-43 years as of 2025), and Gen Z (12 to 27 years as of 2025) inheritors are referenced as “next-gen HNWIs” to signify the generational shift in HNWI wealth

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    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-Evening Report: How physicists used antimatter, supercomputers and giant magnets to solve a 20-year-old mystery

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Finn Stokes, Ramsay Fellow in Physics, University of Adelaide

    Cindy Arnold, Fermilab

    Physicists are always searching for new theories to improve our understanding of the universe and resolve big unanswered questions.

    But there’s a problem. How do you search for undiscovered forces or particles when you don’t know what they look like?

    Take dark matter. We see signs of this mysterious cosmic phenomenon throughout the universe, but what could it possibly be made of? Whatever it is, we’re going to need new physics to understand what’s going on.

    Thanks to a new experimental result published today, and the new theoretical calculations that accompany it, we may now have an idea what this new physics should look like – and maybe even some clues about dark matter.

    Meet the muon

    For 20 years, one of the most promising signs of new physics has been
    a tiny inconsistency in the magnetism of a particle called the muon. The muon is a lot like an electron but is much heavier.

    Muons are produced when cosmic rays – high-energy particles from space – hit Earth’s atmosphere. Roughly 50 of these muons pass through your body every second.

    Muons travel through solid objects much better than x-rays, so they are useful for finding out what is inside large structures. For example, they have been used to look for hidden chambers in Egyptian and Mexican pyramids; to study magma chambers inside volcanoes to predict volcanic eruptions; and to safely see inside the Fukushima nuclear reactor after it melted down.

    A tiny crack in physics?

    In 2006, researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory in the United States measured the strength of the muon’s magnetism incredibly precisely.

    Their measurement was accurate to roughly six parts in ten billion. This is equivalent to measuring the mass of a loaded freight train to ten grams. This was compared to a similarly impressive theoretical calculation.

    When researchers compared the two numbers, they found a tiny but significant difference, indicating a mismatch between theory and experiment. Had they finally found the new physics they’d been looking for?

    A better experiment

    To find a definitive answer, the international scientific community started a 20-year program to increase the precision of both results.

    The huge electromagnet from the original experiment was loaded onto a barge and shipped down the east coast of the US and then up the Mississippi River to Chicago. There, it was installed at Fermilab for a completely overhauled experiment.

    The giant ring of magnets used to study the muon’s magnetism was shipped from New York to Chicago in 2013.
    Reidar Hahn/ Fermilab

    Just this morning, researchers announced they had finished that experiment. Their final result for the strength of the muon’s magnetism is 4.4 times more precise, at one-and-a-half parts in ten billion.

    And better calculations

    To keep up, theorists had to make sweeping improvements too. They formed the Muon g-2 Theory Initiative, an international collaboration of more than 100 scientists, dedicated to making an accurate theoretical prediction.

    They computed the contributions to the muon’s magnetism from more than 10,000 factors. They even included a particle called the Higgs boson, which was only discovered in 2012.

    But there was one last sticking point: the strong nuclear force, one of the universe’s four fundamental forces. In particular, computing the largest contribution to the result from the strong nuclear force was no easy feat.

    Antimatter vs supercomputers

    It was not possible to compute this contribution in the same way as the others, so we needed a different approach.

    In 2020, the Theory Initiative turned to collisions between electrons and their antimatter counterparts: positrons. Measurements of these electron–positron collisions provided the missing values we needed.

    Put together with all the other parts, this gave a result that strongly disagreed with the latest experimental measurement. The disagreement was almost strong enough to announce the discovery of new physics.

    Simulations carried out with the Hawk supercomputer at the High-Performance Computing Center Stuttgart resolved the discrepancy between calculations and experiment.
    Marijan Murat/picture alliance via Getty Images

    At the same time, I was exploring a different approach. Along with my colleagues in the Budapest-Marseille-Wuppertal collaboration, we performed a supercomputer simulation of this strong contribution.

    Our result eliminated the tension between theory and experiment. However, now we had a new tension: between our simulation and the electron–positron results which had withstood 20 years of scrutiny. How could those 20-year-old results be wrong?

    Hints of new physics disappear

    Since then, two other groups have produced full simulations that agree with ours, and many more have validated parts of our result. We have also produced a new, overhauled simulation that almost doubles our precision (released as a preprint, which has not yet been peer-reviewed or published in a scientific journal).

    To ensure these new simulations weren’t affected by any preconceptions, they were performed “blind”. The simulation data was multiplied by an unknown number before being analysed, so we didn’t know what a “good” or “bad” result would be.

    We then held a nerve-wracking and exciting meeting. The blinding factor was revealed, and we found out the results of years of work all at once. After all this, our latest result agrees even better with the experimental measurement of the muon’s magnetism.

    But others emerge

    The Muon g-2 Theory Initiative has moved to using the simulation results instead of the electron-positron data in its official prediction, and the hint of new physics seems to be gone.

    Except … why does the electron–positron data disagree? Physicists around the globe have studied this question extensively, and one exciting suggestion is a hypothetical particle called a “dark photon”.

    Not only could the dark photon explain the difference between the latest muon results and the electron–positron experiments, but (if it exists) it could also explain how dark matter relates to ordinary matter.

    Finn Stokes receives in-kind funding from the National Computational Infrastructure through the National Computational Merit Allocation Scheme. They are supported by a Ramsay Fellowship from the University of Adelaide.

    – ref. How physicists used antimatter, supercomputers and giant magnets to solve a 20-year-old mystery – https://theconversation.com/how-physicists-used-antimatter-supercomputers-and-giant-magnets-to-solve-a-20-year-old-mystery-257891

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • FIFA’s inaugural Club World Cup set to kick off in the US amid challenges

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    FIFA’s billion-dollar gamble to revolutionise club football begins a week on Sunday with plenty of cash up for grabs but questionable enthusiasm as 32 teams prepare to contest the expanded Club World Cup in 12 stadiums across the United States.

    The tournament – designed as a glittering curtain-raiserfor the 2026 World Cup – has had to contend with the prospect of empty seats along with controversial qualification rules and player welfare concerns after an exhausting European season.

    Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami face Egypt’s Al Ahly in the opening fixture on June 14 in Miami, with tickets still widely available, while FIFA’s website shows seats can still be bought for the July 13 final at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium.

    FIFA said it was normal policy not to reveal details of ticket sales ahead of a tournament but pointed to the fact that tickets have been sold to fans in more than 130 countries as evidence of the CWC’s broad appeal.

    Inter Miami controversially gained their slot by topping Major League Soccer’s regular season standings, despite then losing in the first round of the playoffs, in a decision critics say showed FIFA’s desperation to have the Argentina great at the showpiece.

    Inter Miami were thus included as the host nation representative – instead of MLS champions LA Galaxy – with Los Angeles FC and Seattle Sounders making it three U.S. teams after qualifying through their Concacaf performances.

    As well as the winners of each confederation’s premier club competition, teams qualified according to a ranking based on their performances over a four-year period.

    In another twist that went all the way to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, Club Leon, the 2023 CONCACAF Champions Cup winners, were eventually excluded from the tournament due to having shared ownership with another qualifier.

    RIGHTS DEAL

    Nailing down a last-gasp $1 billion TV rights deal with sports streaming platform DAZN six months before the tournament means a total of $2 billion in expected revenues.

    That led FIFA to announce a total prize pot of $1 billion, with the winning club to receive up to $125 million.

    FIFA said there is also an unprecedented solidarity investment programme with a target of an extra $250 million provided to club football across the world and that all revenues from the tournament will be distributed to club football.

    That prize pot might look mouth-watering for club owners but for many players it will feel like a step too far after a long season and the European arm of players’ union FIFPro and the European Leagues took legal action against FIFA over the issue.

    In response, FIFA said it has “dozens of testimonies from players and coaches positively discussing the tournament” and said it was unfair to blame the CWC for calendar congestion.

    “It is a competitive tournament that takes place once every four years with a maximum of seven matches only for the two teams who reach the final,” a FIFA spokesman said.

    FIFA has also given assurances that NFL stadiums hosting matches will meet their specifications, confirming all venues will feature natural grass and adhere to standard regulation dimensions following sub-par pitches at last season’s Copa America.

    TOP CONTENDERS

    Divided into eight groups of four teams, top contenders include Real Madrid, winners of six of the last 12 Champions League titles, plus German champions Bayern Munich and 2023 Premier League and Champions League winners Manchester City.

    European champions Paris St Germain are the in-form team heading into the tournament after their historic 5-0 thrashing of Inter Milan in the Champions League final on Saturday.

    But they must survive a tough Group B featuring South American and Brazilian champions Botafogo and 2024 CONCACAF winners Seattle Sounders plus Spanish giants Atletico Madrid.

    Whether you call it soccer or football, for FIFA the tournament represents a dress rehearsal and a referendum on America’s appetite for the sport and on the world governing body’s vision for its commercial future ahead of the 2026 World Cup being co-hosted by the U.S., Mexico and Canada.

    “It will usher in a new era for club football worldwide,” FIFA said in a statement. “It will be the greatest, most inclusive and merit-based global club competition in history, bringing together the most successful club sides from every continent to decide the true world champion at club level.”

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Israel launches airstrikes in southern Syria amid rising border tensions

    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

    DAMASCUS, June 4 (Xinhua) — Israeli warplanes launched airstrikes in southern Syria on Wednesday night, hitting military targets in Quneitra and Daraa provinces. Earlier, it was reported that a projectile was launched from western Daraa toward the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.

    According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, powerful explosions rocked the city of Quneitra and rural areas of Daraa. Loud bangs were heard in the settlements of Izraa, Tel al-Mal and Tel al-Shaar.

    According to the organization, the airstrikes hit, in particular, the base of the 175th regiment, as well as other strategic facilities.

    The monitoring center reported that the strikes were a response to a projectile being fired at Israeli territory. “We cannot verify the source of the alleged fire on the Israeli side,” the Syrian Foreign Ministry said, emphasizing that “there are forces interested in destabilizing the region in their own interests.”

    “Syria has not posed and does not pose a threat to any of the parties in the region,” the country’s authorities once again noted, adding that the priority in the southern provinces remains the restoration of state control and the disarmament of illegal formations.

    Earlier that night, Israeli drone activity was detected in the Yarmouk Basin, long considered a stronghold for extremist groups. This week marked the first artillery fire from southern Syria toward Israel since the fall of Bashar al-Assad in December, according to the monitoring center.

    The escalation has raised renewed concerns about a possible widening of the conflict. Since January, Israel has carried out at least 56 air and ground strikes in Syria, according to the monitoring center. The main targets have been weapons depots, militia bases and command posts.

    On Tuesday evening, the Syrian Foreign Ministry condemned the latest Israeli strikes, calling them a “flagrant violation of Syria’s sovereignty” and warning that such actions only “exacerbate instability in the region at a time when it is especially important to reduce tensions.”

    The Foreign Ministry called on the international community to hold Israel accountable and support efforts to restore security and stability in Syria and the Middle East as a whole. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Global gene banks add over 11,000 seed samples to Svalbard Vault

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

    Staff members transport seed samples into the Svalbard Global Seed Vault in Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Norway, on June 3, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Fourteen gene banks from around the world are depositing more than 11,200 seed samples this week at the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, underscoring the critical role of crop diversity in future food security.

    Nestled in the Arctic permafrost on Norway’s Svalbard archipelago, the Seed Vault is the world’s largest secure backup facility for crop diversity. To date, it safeguards over 1.3 million seed samples from across the globe.

    This 67th deposit includes vegetables and traditional crops that are not only vital for nutrition and climate resilience, but also for maintaining cultural identities, the Crop Trust, a managing partner of the facility, said in a press release on Tuesday.

    Among the new deposits are South Korea’s perilla and adzuki bean, Dutch heritage cabbage and spinach varieties, and Benin’s ancient cereal fonio and melon — examples of the profound link between seeds and cultural traditions worldwide.

    “These additions offer another snapshot of the rich diversity now held in the Seed Vault,” said Stefan Schmitz, executive director of the Crop Trust. They reflect how cultural heritage is intertwined with the survival of often-overlooked plant varieties — varieties that are vital to the future of food, he added.

    In total, 31 boxes of seeds are being deposited this week by gene banks from Austria, Benin, Kenya, Lebanon, the Netherlands, the Philippines, Poland, Slovakia, South Korea, Sweden, the United Kingdom, the United States, Vietnam, and Zambia.

    “The value of these seeds is immense,” said Hanne-Berit Brekken, Norway’s state secretary at Ministry of Agriculture and Food. “They will support scientists, breeders, and farmers in preparing our food systems to face both natural and human-made challenges.”

    Established in 2008, the Svalbard Global Seed Vault aims to protect the genetic diversity of the world’s food crops from threats such as war, climate change, and natural disasters. With a capacity to store up to 4.5 million distinct seed varieties, it serves as a global insurance policy for agriculture, housing duplicates from gene banks worldwide — as well as new varieties yet to be collected. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Israel launches airstrikes in S. Syria amid rising border tensions

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

    Israeli warplanes carried out airstrikes overnight on southern Syria, targeting military positions in Quneitra and Daraa provinces, following reports of a projectile launched from western Daraa toward the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.

    According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, explosions rocked the city of Quneitra and the countryside around Daraa, with loud blasts heard across Izraa, Tel al-Mal, and Tel al-Sha’ar.

    The observatory said the strikes reportedly hit the 175th Regiment base and other strategic locations.

    The strikes mark a significant escalation in an already fragile region, representing one of several incidents this week following months of relative quiet.

    The observatory said the Israeli response followed the firing of a single projectile toward Israeli territory, a claim the foreign affairs authorities said in a statement it could not confirm.

    “We have not verified the origin of the reported fire toward the Israeli side,” the Syrian statement said, adding that “there are parties who seek to destabilize the region for their own benefit.”

    The statement reiterated that Syria “did not and will not pose a threat to any side in the region,” affirming that its priority in the south is to reassert state authority and disarm non-state actors.

    Earlier in the night, Israeli drone activity was reported over the Yarmouk Basin, a rugged area long considered a stronghold for militant groups. The observatory noted that this week’s strikes mark the first artillery fire from southern Syria toward Israel since the collapse of the former regime in December.

    The escalation has renewed concerns of a broader conflict. Since January, Israel has launched at least 56 strikes on Syrian territory, according to the observatory, including airstrikes and ground assaults, primarily targeting weapons depots, militia outposts, and command centers.

    In its statement on Tuesday night, Syria’s foreign affairs authorities condemned the latest Israeli bombardment, calling it a “blatant violation of Syrian sovereignty” and warning that the attacks would only “deepen regional instability at a time when de-escalation is urgently needed.”

    It called on the international community to hold Israel accountable and support efforts to restore calm and security to Syria and the wider region. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: World Aquatics adopts bylaw against doping enablers

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

    World Aquatics has adopted a new bylaw aimed at protecting sport from doping, swimming’s global governing body announced Tuesday following a meeting in Lausanne, Switzerland.

    Nic Fink (C) of Team the United States competes during the mixed 4X100m medley relay final of swimming event at the World Aquatics Championships 2024 in Doha, Qatar, Feb. 14, 2024. (Xinhua/Xia Yifang)

    “Under the new Bylaw, individuals who support, endorse, or participate in sporting events that embrace the use of scientific advancements or other practices that may include prohibited substances and/or prohibited methods will not be eligible to hold positions with World Aquatics or to participate in any World Aquatics competitions, events, or other activities,” World Aquatics said in a statement.

    The bylaw is widely seen as a direct response to the Enhanced Games, which is scheduled to take place in Las Vegas, United States, in May 2026.

    The event allows athletes to use performance-enhancing substances without testing, and World Aquatics confirmed that athletes who participate will face bans. “People, organizations and competitions that promote or enable doping have no place in aquatics,” the organization stated.

    “Those who enable doped sport are not welcome at World Aquatics or our events,” said World Aquatics President Husain Al Musallam in the statement. “This new Bylaw ensures that we can continue to protect the integrity of our competitions, the health and safety of our athletes, and the credibility of the global aquatics community.”

    World Aquatics added that its Bureau will make decisions regarding ineligibility on a case-by-case basis.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for June 4, 2025

    ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on June 4, 2025.

    Artist Janenne Eaton’s retrospective is a compelling account of our troubled times
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Julie Shiels, Senior Industry Fellow, RMIT University Janenne Eaton R E E F 2015 enamel paint, vinyl decals, mirror and polymer clay on canvas Geelong Gallery Gift of the artist, 2019. Photographer: Mark Ashkanasy © the artist. With bad news-overload it is easy to conclude it is

    ‘Not available in your region’: what is a VPN and how can I use one safely?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Meena Jha, Head Technology and Pedagogy Cluster CML-NET, CQUniversity Australia Linaimages/Shutterstock “This video is not available in your location”. It’s a message familiar to many people trying to watch global content online. But beneath this frustration lies a deeper question – how do we navigate digital borders

    Just the ticket? The problem with local body candidates aligning with national political parties
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Julienne Molineaux, Senior Lecturer, School of Social Sciences and Humanities, Auckland University of Technology Getty Images With accusations flying thick and fast last year about supposed “dysfunction” and a “shambles” at Wellington City Council, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown stepped in and appointed a Crown Observer. Announcing

    The chicks are alright: what songbirds can teach us about divorce and moving on
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Frigg Janne Daan Speelman, PhD Candidate in Behavioural Ecology, Macquarie University Charli Davies, CC BY-NC-ND In humans, it’s very common for the traditional family structure of two parents raising children to change abruptly. Usually, this happens when the parents decide to separate. Many separated couples are able

    Former Congress staffer allowed to return to New Caledonia
    By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk One of seven people transferred to mainland France almost a year ago, following the May 2024 riots in New Caledonia, has been allowed to return home, a French court has ruled. Frédérique Muliava, a former Congress staffer, was part of a group of six who were

    Ship runs aground in Fiji – then its rescue vessel capsizes
    RNZ Pacific Fiji’s Maritime Safety Authority has launched an investigation into Goundar Shipping Limited following two incidents involving its vessels. Late last month, one vessel ran aground on the reef of Ono-i-Lau, and villagers had to step in to ferry stranded passengers to nearby islands using small boats. On Monday, the Lomaiviti Princess II was

    Curious Kids: can spiders swim?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Leanda Denise Mason, Vice Chancellor Research Fellow in Conservation Ecology, Edith Cowan University A great raft spider (_Dolomedes plantarius_). Salparadis/Shutterstock Can spiders swim? Waubra Preschool students, Victoria, Australia What a great question! Most spiders don’t swim by choice. But they sure can survive in water when they

    A two-state solution is gaining momentum again. Does it have a chance of success?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew Thomas, Lecturer in Middle East Studies, Deakin University As Israel’s devastating war in Gaza has ground on, the two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was thought to be “dead”. Now, it is showing signs of life again. French President Emmanuel Macron is reportedly pressing other European

    Senior public servants think GenAI will boost productivity – but are worried about the risks
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Helen Dickinson, Professor, Public Service Research, UNSW Sydney Many bold claims have been made about Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) and its capacity to improve productivity and generate workplace efficiencies. A recent Microsoft survey found 24% of private sector leaders have already deployed GenAI across their organisations. Many

    People with severe mental illness are waiting for days in hospital EDs. Here’s how we can do better
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sebastian Rosenberg, Associate Professor, Health Research Institute, University of Canberra, and Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney Matthew Ashmore/Shutterstock On ABC’s 4 Corners this week, psychiatrists and nurses have warned New South Wales’ mental health system is in crisis. They report some patients with severe mental

    With a government review underway, we have to ask why children bully other kids
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Marilyn Campbell, Professor, School of Early Childhood & Inclusive Education, Queensland University of Technology Rawpixel.com/Shutterstock The federal government has launched a “rapid review” to look at what works to prevent bullying in schools. Led by mental health experts, the review will underpin a new national standard to

    In the trade wars, there are lessons for the US from Brexit. Australia and our trading partners should take note
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Draper, Professor, and Executive Director: Institute for International Trade, and Director of the Jean Monnet Centre of Trade and Environment, University of Adelaide General_4530/Getty While the Trump administration’s on-again, off-again trade wars wreak havoc on the business plans of the world’s exporters, the risks to the

    ‘That was rude’: why the new Broadway musical Death Becomes Her was ripe for TikTok memes
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gregory Camp, Senior Lecturer, School of Music, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau A few snippets of musicalised dialogue from the cast album of the new Broadway musical Death Becomes Her – with music and lyrics by Julia Mattison and Noel Carey, and a book by Marco

    Motarilavoa Hilda Lini, ‘a trailblazer’ for Vanuatu women in politics, dies
    RNZ Pacific Motarilavoa Hilda Lini, a pioneering Ni-Vanuatu politician, has died. Lini passed away at the Port Vila General Hospital on Sunday, according to local news media. Lini was the first woman to be elected to the Vanuatu Parliament in 1987 as a member of the National United Party. Motarilavoa Hilda Lini in 1989 .

    Fiji coup culture and political meddling in media education gets airing
    Pacific Media Watch Taieri MP Ingrid Leary reflected on her years in Fiji as a television journalist and media educator at a Fiji Centre function in Auckland celebrating Fourth Estate values and independence at the weekend. It was a reunion with former journalism professor David Robie — they had worked together as a team at

    Australia’s lowest paid workers just got a 3.5% wage increase. Their next boost could be even better
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Buchanan, Professor, Discipline of Business Information Systems, University of Sydney Business School, University of Sydney Carlos Castilla/Shutterstock A week ago, the Australian Financial Review released this year’s “Rich List”. It reported the number of billionaires in Australia increased from 150 to 166 between 2024 and 2025.

    What’s a ‘Strombolian eruption?’ A volcanologist explains what happened at Mount Etna
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Teresa Ubide, ARC Future Fellow and Associate Professor in Igneous Petrology/Volcanology, The University of Queensland Fabrizio Villa / Getty Images On Monday morning local time, a huge cloud of ash, hot gas and rock fragments began spewing from Italy’s Mount Etna. An enormous plume was seen stretching

    The Queensland government is cancelling renewable energy projects. Can the state still reach net zero?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tony Wood, Program Director, Energy, Grattan Institute Johan Larson/Shutterstock On the surface, Queensland’s new government is doing exactly what it pledged before winning office in October – repealing the state’s ambitious renewable energy targets and cancelling a huge pumped hydro project near Mackay. But since the start

    PNG’s Namah calls for tighter bio controls, patrols on Indonesian border
    By Scholar Kassas in Port Moresby A Papua New Guinea minister has raised concerns about “serious issues” at the PNG-Indonesia border due to a lack of proper security checkpoints. Culture and Tourism Minister Belden Namah, who is also the member for the border electorate Vanimo-Green, voiced these concerns while supporting a new Biosecurity for Plants

    Samoa parliament formally dissolved after months of uncertainty
    RNZ Pacific Samoa’s Parliament has been formally dissolved, and an early election is set to take place within three months. After months of political instability and two motions of no confidence, Prime Minister Fiāme Naomi Mata’afa said she would call for the dissolution of Parliament if cabinet did not support her government’s budget. MPs from

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese carmakers lead Israel’s imported vehicle market in Jan.-May

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

    Chinese car manufacturers accounted for the largest share of Israel’s imported passenger car sales in the first five months, selling 39,582 gasoline and electric vehicles, according to figures issued by the Israel Vehicle Importers Association on Tuesday.

    BYD Auto led electric vehicle (EV) sales in Israel, selling 3,813 units between January and May, driven by its subcompact crossover Atto 3 and the mid-size Seal U SUV.

    Chinese automaker Xpeng Motor secured the second place with 3,650 EVs sold across three models. MG Motor, a Chinese-owned British brand, ranked third with 1,694 EVs sold, followed by China’s Chery, 1,675.

    Chinese automakers also dominated Israel’s EV market during the five months, accounting for 82.4 percent of total EV sales with 19,193 units delivered.

    South Korea and Japan were positioned as Israel’s second- and third-largest suppliers of imported cars in January-May, with 27,210 and 22,438 units sold, respectively, the data indicated. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI: Hong Kong and New Zealand, the easiest jurisdictions for doing business in APAC, says GBCI 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LONDON, June 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Global Business Complexity Index (GBCI), recently launched by TMF Group, analyses the business environment of 79 jurisdictions, accounting for 94% of the world’s GDP. It also ranks them based on over 250 indicators of business complexity, with the jurisdiction ranked 1st as the most complex and the jurisdiction ranked 79th, the least.

    Among the world’s 10 least complex jurisdictions for doing business, Hong Kong, SAR remains the 4rth easiest jurisdiction for the second year in a row. The jurisdiction offers a favourable business environment, characterised by a straightforward and low tax regime that appeals to international businesses.

    New Zealand, also included in the 10 easiest jurisdictions worldwide, maintains its reputation as a straightforward place for business operations. This is largely due to the government’s proactive approach in welcoming foreign investments and streamlined administrative processes.

    Meanwhile, business complexity in India (18th) is mainly driven by recent regulatory changes, according to this year’s GBCI report. Over the past year, India has introduced numerous regulatory amendments aimed at boosting transparency and accountability. Although these are expected to bring benefits in the long term, they have added layers of complexity for businesses operating in the country, requiring constant adaptation to new compliance needs.

    Japan is ranked 43rd in this year’s GBCI, showing a decrease in complexity from last year’s position (38th). This decrease in complexity is partly due to recent simplifications and governmental initiatives to provide English-language support to international financial service companies. These measures facilitate easier operations and reduce barriers for foreign businesses, improving investment attractiveness.

    Singapore, ranking 48th, continues to demonstrate resilience and adaptability in its trade corridors. This jurisdiction invests heavily in technology and infrastructure upgrades, reinforcing its status as a regional hub.

    China’s Mainland (10th) enters the top 10 most complex jurisdictions for businesses in 2025. According to the report, the complexity is driven by its frequent regulatory changes and regional disparities. Despite these challenges, the government continues to offer incentives to attract investment and to promote infrastructure development to enhance trade logistics.

    TMF Group’s Head of APAC, Shagun Kumar, commented: “We’re seeing a growing effort by decision-makers and businesses across APAC to reduce unnecessary burdens for doing business in the region — these have in the past delayed development, leading to complex evaluations for investment. Such efforts contribute to unlocking the region’s drive towards economic growth, and we expect businesses to adapt and continue to leverage the potential of APAC as a key contributor for their global strategies.”

    Top and bottom ten (1= most complex, 79= least complex) 
    1. Greece  79. Cayman Islands 
    2. France  78. Denmark 
    3. Mexico  77. New Zealand 
    4. Turkey  76. Hong Kong, SAR 
    5. Colombia  75. Jersey 
    6. Brazil  74. Netherlands 
    7. Italy  73. Jamaica 
    8. Bolivia  72. British Virgin Islands 
    9. Kazakhstan  71. Curaçao 
    10. China’s Mainland  70. Czech Republic 
       

    Media Contacts
    Marina Llibre Martin
    marina.llibremartin@tmf-group.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Pacific Partnership 2025 Conducts Mission Stop in Philippines, June 2025 [Image 1 of 9]

    Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

    Issued by: on

    VIRAC, Philippines (June 1, 2025) – Hawaii National Guardsmen and personnel from the Armed Forces of the Philippines construct a platform used to conduct urban rescue training with local emergency responders and civilian authorities in Virac, Philippines, June 1, 2025. This effort is part of a two-week urban rescue training exercise supporting the humanitarian assistance and disaster response objectives of Pacific Partnership 2025. Now in its 21st iteration, Pacific Partnership series is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster management preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. Pacific Partnership works collaboratively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security and stability in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jordan Jennings)

    Date Taken: 06.01.2025
    Date Posted: 06.03.2025 20:23
    Photo ID: 9081875
    VIRIN: 250601-N-YV347-1009
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  • MIL-OSI Security: Pacific Partnership 2025 Kicks off with urban rescue training in Virac, Philippines, June 2, 2025 [Image 6 of 9]

    Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

    Issued by: on

    VIRAC, Philippines (June 2, 2025) – Hawaii National Guard Spc. Jayeson Laga, instructs Armed Forces of the Philippines personnel, local emergency responders, and civilian authorities how to tie different knots to perform urban rescue operations in Virac, Philippines, June 2, 2025. This effort is part of a two-week urban rescue training exercise supporting the humanitarian assistance and disaster response objectives of Pacific Partnership 2025. Now in its 21st iteration, Pacific Partnership series is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster management preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. Pacific Partnership works collaboratively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security and stability in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jordan Jennings)

    Date Taken: 06.02.2025
    Date Posted: 06.03.2025 20:23
    Photo ID: 9081880
    VIRIN: 250602-N-YV347-2108
    Resolution: 8256×5504
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  • MIL-OSI USA: Arkansas Ranks #1 for Election Integrity 

    Source: US State of Arkansas

     Up from #8 in the Heritage Foundation’s nationwide ranking

    LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Arkansas now ranks #1 in the nation for election integrity according to the Heritage Foundation’s Election Integrity Scorecard. The State ranked #8 at the beginning of the year and rose in the ranks after a successful session in which Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders prioritized safe and secure elections for Arkansas voters.
     
    “My goal this session was simple: make it easy to vote and hard to cheat,” said Governor Sanders. “I was proud to work with my friend, Secretary of State Cole Jester, to make Arkansas ballot boxes the safest and most secure in America and end petition fraud to protect our Constitution. Today’s announcement shows that all our hard work paid off.” 
     
    “As Secretary of State, I have said from day one we would have the most secure elections in the country. I’m proud of the work my team has completed implementing new procedures and technology. None of this would be possible without the great work of Governor Sanders and the men and women of the Arkansas legislature,” said Secretary of State Cole Jester.
     
    “Heritage has long been the gold standard for ranking states for election integrity and security,” said Senator Kim Hammer (District 16). “Legislators, Governor Sanders, and Secretary of State Cole Jester have worked together as a team, on behalf of Arkansans, to help achieve the number one ranking in election integrity and security in the nation! We must continue our work to protect our number one ranking from those who want to take us backwards. Arkansans can feel confident that our elections are secure. Let’s work together to maintain this ranking.”
     
    “Arkansas should never sacrifice election integrity for convenience,” said Senator John Payton (District 22). “We must fulfill our responsibility to get it right. I believe the commonsense changes made this year are true to these principles.”
     
    “Arkansas’ rise to #1 in the nation for election security is a significant achievement and a clear reflection of the strong conservative leadership and very intentional work done by the legislature,” said Senator Matt McKee (District 6). “The foundation of America’s constitutional republic relies on our ability to hold free and fair elections. While others work to undermine our republic, Arkansas has fought back to set a national example for how states can secure the electoral process and hold elections the people can trust.” 
     
    “There can be no doubt — we take election integrity seriously in Arkansas,” said Rep. David Ray (District 69). “It should be easy to vote and hard to cheat, and this new ranking is a testament to the hard work that we’ve done the past few years to fortify our election laws.” 
      
    “The Presidential elections of 2016 and 2020 showed both parties can challenge results,” said Rep. Carlton Wing (District 38). “The Legislature and Secretary of State’s office worked hard to pass laws to restore confidence in the electoral process. Arkansas now leads the nation in assuring our citizens that all legal votes must be counted and only legal votes should count. Today’s announcement demonstrates our efforts are setting a national standard in election integrity.”
     
    “In recognizing the dedication of the Republican-led legislature, the Heritage Foundation has propelled Arkansas to the pinnacle of election security rankings, from #8 to #1 in the nation,” said Rep. Howard Beaty (District 95). “As Arkansas House Majority Leader, I take pride in these outstanding results, reflecting our unwavering commitment to safeguarding the democratic process.”
     
    “Protecting the integrity of our elections starts long before ballots are cast,” said Rep. Kendon Underwood (District 16). “By strengthening safeguards in the petition process and cracking down on fraud and abuse, we’ve sent a clear message: every step in our democratic process must be uncompromised and trustworthy. Arkansas now stands as the national leader in election integrity because the security of our elections is a responsibility we take seriously every day.”
     
    Governor Sanders’ accomplishments in this legislative session include Act 240, Act 241, and Act 218, which strengthened protections on Arkansas’ ballot amendment process so that bad actors cannot influence and change the Natural State’s Constitution. The Governor also signed Act 998 and Act 999 to protect Arkansas elections from hostile foreign adversaries like China, Russia, Iran, or North Korea and ban foreign entities from funding state and local ballot measures.
     
    Additionally, Governor Sanders is fully in support of the Citizens Only Voting Amendment, which will appear in front of voters next election and mandate that only U.S. citizens can vote in Arkansas elections.
     
    The Natural State received perfect scores on Voter ID Implementation, Access of Election Observers, Verification of Citizenship, Identification for Voter Assistance, Vote County Practices, Restrictions on Same-day Registration, Restrictions on Automatic Registration, Restrictions on Private Funding of Election Officials or Government Agencies, and Restrictions on Ranked Choice Voting.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: A two-state solution is gaining momentum again. Does it have a chance of success?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew Thomas, Lecturer in Middle East Studies, Deakin University

    As Israel’s devastating war in Gaza has ground on, the two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was thought to be “dead”. Now, it is showing signs of life again.

    French President Emmanuel Macron is reportedly pressing other European nations to jointly recognise a Palestinian state at a UN conference in mid-June, focused on achieving a two-state solution. Macron called such recognition a “political necessity”.

    Countries outside Europe are feeling the pressure, too. Australia has reaffirmed its view that recognition of Palestine should be a “way of building momentum towards a two-state solution”.

    During Macron’s visit to Indonesia in late May, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto made a surprising pledge to recognise Israel if it allowed for a Palestinian state.

    Indonesia is one of about 28 nations that don’t currently recognise Israel. France, Australia, the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan and South Korea are among the approximately 46 nations that don’t recognise a Palestinian state.

    The UN conference on June 17–20, co-sponsored by France and Saudi Arabia, wants to go “beyond reaffirming principles” and “achieve concrete results” towards a two-state solution.

    Most countries, including the US, have supported the two-state solution in principle for decades. However, the political will from all parties has faded in recent years.

    So, why is the policy gaining traction again now? And does it have a greater chance of success?

    What is the two-state solution?

    Put simply, the two-state solution is a proposed peace plan that would create a sovereign Palestinian state alongside the Israeli state. There have been several failed attempts to enact the policy over recent decades, the most famous of which was the Oslo Accords in the early 1990s.

    In recent years, the two-state solution was looking less likely by the day.

    The Trump administration’s decision in 2017 to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and move the US embassy there signalled the US was moving away from its role as mediator. Then, several Arab states agreed to normalise relations with Israel in the the Abraham Accords, without Israeli promises to move towards a two-state solution.

    The Hamas attacks on Israel – and subsequent Israeli war on Gaza – have had a somewhat contradictory effect on the overarching debate.

    On the one hand, the brutality of Hamas’ actions substantially set back the legitimacy of the Palestinian self-determination movement in some quarters on the world stage.

    On the other, it’s also become clear the status quo – the continued Israeli occupation of Gaza and the West Bank following the end of a brutal war – is not tenable for either Israeli security or Palestinian human rights.

    And the breakdown of the most recent ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, the return of heavy Israeli ground operations in May and reports of mass Palestinian starvation have only served to further isolate the Israeli government in the eyes of its peers.

    Once-steadfast supporters of Israel’s actions have become increasingly frustrated by a lack of clear strategic goals in Gaza. And many now seem prepared to ignore Israeli wishes and pursue Palestinian recognition.

    For these governments, the hope is recognition of a Palestinian state would rebuild political will – both globally and in the Middle East – towards a two-state solution.

    Huge obstacles remain

    But how likely is this in reality? There is certainly more political will than there was before, but also several important roadblocks.

    First and foremost is the war in Gaza. It’s obvious this will need to end, with both sides agreeing to an enduring ceasefire.

    Beyond that, the political authority in both Gaza and Israel remains an issue.

    The countries now considering Palestinian recognition, such France and Australia, have expressly said Hamas cannot play any role in governing a future Palestinian state.

    Though anti-Hamas sentiment is becoming more vocal among residents in Gaza, Hamas has been violently cracking down on this dissent and is attempting to consolidate its power.

    However, polling shows the popularity of Fatah – the party leading the Palestinian National Authority – is even lower than Hamas at an average of 21%. Less than half of Gazans support the enclave returning to Palestinian Authority control. This means a future Palestinian state would likely require new leadership.

    There is almost no political will in Israel for a two-state solution, either. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not been shy about his opposition to a Palestinian state. His cabinet members have mostly been on the same page.

    This has also been reflected in policy action. In early May, the Israeli Security Cabinet approved a plan for Israel to indefinitely occupy parts of Gaza. The government also just approved its largest expansion of settlements in the West Bank in decades.

    These settlements remain a major problem for a two-state solution. The total population of Israeli settlers is more than 700,000 in both East Jerusalem and the West Bank. And it’s been increasing at a faster rate since the election of the right-wing, pro-settler Netanyahu government in 2022.

    Settlement is enshrined in Israeli Basic Law, with the state defining it as “national value” and actively encouraging its “establishment and consolidation”.

    The more settlement that occurs, the more complicated the boundaries of a future Palestinian state become.

    Then there’s the problem of public support. Recent polling shows neither Israelis nor Palestinians view the two-state solution favourably. Just 40% of Palestinians support it, while only 26% of Israelis believe a Palestinian state can “coexist peacefully” alongside Israel.

    However, none of these challenges makes the policy impossible. The unpopularity of the two-state solution locally is more a reflection of previous failures than it is of future negotiations.

    A power-sharing agreement in Northern Ireland was similarly unpopular in the 1990s, but peace was achieved through bold political leadership involving the US and European Union.

    In other words, we won’t know what’s possible until negotiations begin. Red lines will need to be drawn and compromises made.

    It’s not clear what effect growing external pressure will have, but the international community does appear to be reaching a political tipping point on the two-state solution. Momentum could start building again.

    Andrew Thomas 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. A two-state solution is gaining momentum again. Does it have a chance of success? – https://theconversation.com/a-two-state-solution-is-gaining-momentum-again-does-it-have-a-chance-of-success-257890

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Security: IAEA Kicks Off International Radiation Oncology Conference

    Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

    IAEA Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications Najat Mohktar and IAEA Director of the Division of Human Health May Abdel-Wahab together with Lebanon’s Minister of Labour Mohammad Haidar during the opening ceremony of ICARO-4. (Photo : D. Calma/IAEA)

    The fourth International Conference on Advances in Radiation Oncology (ICARO-4) is underway this week at the IAEA headquarters in Vienna, bringing together participants from around the world to examine the latest advances in treating cancer with radiation.

    Opening the conference, IAEA Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications Najat Mokhtar urged attendees to remember inclusivity as they discuss recent innovations ranging from new techniques to the use of artificial intelligence, robotics and automation. “The future of radiotherapy, and of cancer care more broadly, must be equitable. For this, patients [and practitioners] must be at the centre of all we do.”

    Although more than half of all cancer patients need radiotherapy at some point, access to this life-saving treatment remains out of reach for far too many. To meet the target of one machine per 500 patients, low-income countries on average need eight times more machines than currently available, the IAEA-led Lancet Oncology Commission on Radiotherapy and Theranostics found. In terms of human resources, the global radiation medicine workforce of 2022 must expand by more than 60 percent to respond to the 35.3 million new cancer cases and limit the potential 18.5 million deaths anticipated by 2050.

    “Through shared commitment, we can ensure that radiation medicine continues to serve as a force for healing, resilience and sustainable growth in every corner of the world,” said Mohammad Haidar, Lebanon’s Minister of Labor, during the opening ceremony. He noted that Lebanon is strengthening education and training, creating sustainable job opportunities through investments in medical infrastructure and ensuring the well-being and dignity of its workers. These combined efforts, he added, will help improve healthcare outcomes, support the country’s broader economic recovery and contribute to its national development goals.

    “The IAEA’s commitment to science, education and international cooperation has helped shape a new future for Lebanon — one in which human capital is at the centre of this progress,” he said. “Let us continue working together; let us turn dialogue into action and challenges into opportunity.” 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: WATCH: Hickenlooper Condemns Antisemitic Attack in Boulder on Senate floor

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Colorado John Hickenlooper

    Hickenlooper: “Our Colorado community is reeling from a heinous hate crime against the Jewish community in Boulder, Colorado”

    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper spoke on the Senate floor to condemn the senseless antisemitic attack that occurred in Boulder on Sunday during a peaceful march in support of Israeli hostages. He also denounced the broader rise in antisemitic violence across the United States.

    “This attack was not random. It was a deliberate hate crime against the Jewish community that was planned for months,” said Hickenlooper. “The scope of that hatred is unconscionable.” 

    “…We need to do more to protect the Jewish community in Colorado, and across the country – and make sure that they feel safe in the aftermath of this horrific attack,” he continued. 

    On Sunday, 12 Coloradans were badly injured after a suspect threw incendiary devices and Molotov cocktails into a crowd in a targeted antisemitic attack. The twelve individuals were part of a peaceful march in Boulder, called Run for Their Lives, that happens every week to call for the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza.

    Immediately following reports of the attack, Hickenlooper issued public statements condemning the violence and supporting the victims.

    To download a full video of Hickenlooper’s remarks, click HERE. A full transcript of his remarks is available below:

    “Mr. President,

    “Our Colorado community is reeling from a heinous hate crime against the Jewish community in Boulder, Colorado.

    “On Sunday, 12 Coloradans were badly injured after a suspect threw Molotov cocktails and incendiary devices into a crowd specifically targeting the Jewish people there – a targeted antisemitic attack.

    “The twelve individuals were part of a peaceful march in Boulder that happens every week to call for the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza.

    “The suspect has since told investigators that he planned the targeted terrorist attack for over a year – that he specifically wanted to target the Run for Their Lives group. This group that had been meeting every week lobbying for the release of hostages.   

    “The bottom line: this attack was not random. It was a deliberate hate crime against the Jewish community that was planned for months. 

    “The scope of that hatred is unconscionable.  

    “These were men and women who dedicated their time to advocating for innocent hostages who have been now held in captivity for over 600 days. Most importantly, the demonstrators were motivated by a desire for peace. And were operating in a peaceful fashion.

    “Let me repeat that – that these men and women wanted peace.  

    “Instead, they were met with horrifying and senseless violence.

    “The upswing in violence targeting the Jewish community needs to be condemned at every level.

    “And now, antisemitism, and the hate that comes with it, has taken root at home in Colorado.

    “But Colorado is not alone.

    “Our country is still mourning the recent assassination of two Israeli Embassy staff members who were shot as they exited an event at the Capital Jewish Museum just a little over a week ago. 

    “And just this past April, the Pennsylvania Governor’s mansion was firebombed as Governor Josh Shapiro and his family celebrated Passover inside.

    “And these are just a few of the recent, and most visible antisemitic attacks.

    “According to the Anti-Defamation League, antisemitic incidents have reached a record high since the October 7th, 2023 attack.

    “It is absolutely unacceptable for antisemitism to exist in our country. And yet, the Jewish community in Colorado, and the Jewish community across the United States, has to live with the daily fear of targeted terrorist attacks and escalating calls for violence against the Jewish people. 

    “We need to do more to protect the Jewish community in Colorado – and across the country – and make sure that they feel safe in the aftermath of this horrific attack.

    “Across the country, Jewish people are angry, they’re terrified. Jewish Coloradans woke up this morning feeling unsafe – unsafe to go to school, unsafe to go to work, wondering if what and if there is a path forward.

    “In 1967, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. wrote, and I quote: ‘The ultimate weakness of violence is that it is a descending spiral, begetting the very thing it seeks to destroy. Instead of diminishing evil, it multiplies it.’

    “Colorado has always been a state that embraces difference – and always will be. 

    “The answer to this violence is not to turn to the comfort of simple, or black and white answers – backing into our corners and spreading more fear and more hatred.

    “Now is the time to double-down on a commitment to unity in the face of our differences. It is the only way we can guarantee safety and peace for our Jewish community and for every community.

    “Now what does that mean in real terms? 

    “It means fully investigating this hate crime and making sure the suspect is fully prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

    “It means zero tolerance for antisemitism in Colorado’s schools, our workplaces, in our public spaces.

    “It means taking a lesson from the twelve demonstrators who were victims in Sunday’s attack. 

    “Through peaceful action they stood up [for] their beliefs, they supported one another, and helped our country take small, but meaningful steps forward.

    “They wanted to end this descending spiral of violence… The rest of us should do as well.

    “Thank you, Mr. President, I yield the floor.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Election of non-permanent members of the Security Council | United Nations

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    The UN elected Bahrain, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Latvia, and Liberia to serve two-year terms as non-permanent members of the Security Council, starting in January 2026.
    https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/06/1163971

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nSli5tIwDY

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Bahrain following the elections of the incoming five UNSC member states 2026-2027 | United Nations

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    Comments to the media by Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain, following the elections of the incoming five UNSC member states for 2026-2027.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDlTb-LanBk

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: (EN/AR) Palestine on Two-State Solution Conference ( June 17 – 20) – Media Stakeout | United Nations

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    Informal comments to the media by H.E. Mr. Riyad Mansour, Permanent Observer of the State of Palestine to the United Nations, on the High-level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution scheduled to be held at UN Headquarters in New York from June 17 to 20.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U19_zasy4JE

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Press release – Need for strong Europe highlighted as EP leaders visit Copenhagen

    Source: European Parliament

    EP President Roberta Metsola highlighted Denmark’s ability to build consensus and produce results in uncertain times, ahead of the upcoming Danish Presidency of the Council of the EU.

    The Conference of Presidents, political group leaders as well as President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola, were in Copenhagen on Tuesday to discuss priorities ahead of the Danish Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

    Together with representatives of the Danish government, the Conference of Presidents discussed the importance of a safe and competitive Europe.

    The EP leaders also had a fruitful exchange with the speaker and prominent members of the Folketing on the support for Ukraine and competitiveness.

    At a joint press conference, EP President Roberta Metsola and the Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen both highlighted the need for a secure and strong Europe in these uncertain times:

    ”The time for geopolitical outsourcing is over. We must take responsibility for our own security, and that starts with Ukraine, as Ukraine’s security is Europe’s security,” Roberta Metsola said.

    The Prime Minister delivered a similar message, highlighting points from the previous meeting with the Conference of Presidents:

    ”We have to focus on our priorities, find solutions to our common challenges including on migration, high energy prices, and most importantly, we have to strengthen our support to Ukraine. All of this has the same common goal. We have to make a strong and safe Europe,” Mette Frederiksen said.

    With these challenges in mind, it is comforting to have experienced hands at the wheel, according to the EP President:

    “We have always looked to Denmark as being the pragmatic consensus builder around the room. Having worked alongside Mette Frederiksen in many meetings over the years, that is what I am sure we will get,” Roberta Metsola said.

    During the visit, the Conference of Presidents also had an audience with Their Majesties King Frederik X and Queen Mary of Denmark.

    Denmark will hold the rotating Presidency of the Council of the EU from 1 July to 31 December 2025, after which Cyprus will assume the presidency.

    What is the Conference of Presidents?

    The Conference of Presidents in the European Parliament is the political body responsible for organising and coordinating the Parliament’s work.

    Traditionally, the Conference of Presidents travels to the country preparing to take over the rotating Presidency of the Council of the EU, in order to engage in preparatory discussions and ensure a shared understanding of, as well as joint actions on the upcoming priorities.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Nadler and Ranking Member Raskin Call on Chairman Jordan to Condemn DHS for Forcibly Entering Rep. Nadler’s District Office, Handcuffing Staffer

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jerrold Nadler (10th District of New York)

    Washington, D.C. (June 3, 2025)—Today, Rep. Jerrold Nadler and Rep. Jamie Raskin, Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, urged Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan to convene a Committee hearing with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Krisi Noem after DHS agents handcuffed and detained a member of Rep. Nadler’s staff in an attempt to enter his congressional office, without a warrant or consent.

    “These types of intimidation tactics are completely unwarranted and cannot be tolerated. The decision to enter a Congressional office and detain a congressional staff member demonstrates a deeply troubling disregard for proper legal boundaries. We call on you, as Chairman of the House Committee on the Judiciary, to condemn this aggressive affront to the separation of powers and the safety of Members of Congress, our staff, and our constituents,” wrote Rep. Nadler and Ranking Member Raskin.

    DHS agents claimed they were conducting a “security check,” on Rep. Nadler’s district office. However, a video of the May 25 incident shows agents handcuffing a congressional staffer, demanding access to non-public areas of the office, and never once asking about the safety and security of Rep. Nadler’s staff.

    Rep. Nadler and Ranking Member Raskin urged Chairman Jordan to condemn this behavior and demand Secretary Noem appear before the Committee to answer questions regarding the use of such illegitimate intimidation tactics—the latest display of the recklessness, lawlessness, and chaos that have come to define this Administration.

    “Sadly, this incident is part of a broader pattern by President Donald J. Trump and DHS of using unlawful, chaotic and reckless tactics in communities across America, as they threaten and intimidate children, members of the clergy, students, as well as Members of Congress and their staffs. We therefore urge you to bring the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, before our committee immediately to answer our questions about her agency’s irresponsible and dangerous actions,” wrote the Members.

    Click here to read the letter.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Miller-Meeks, Colleagues Launch Bill to Fight Antisemitic Hate Across the U.S.

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks’ (IA-02)

    Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), alongside Representatives Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) and Maria Salazar (R-FL), has introduced the bipartisan Commission to Study Acts of Antisemitism in the United States Act, legislation to establish a national commission tasked with investigating the rise in antisemitic violence and providing actionable recommendations to Congress and the President.

    “Whether it’s the brutal attack in Boulder, the murder of two Israeli Embassy staffers outside a Jewish museum in D.C., or the 80 percent spike in campus antisemitic incidents, the threat is real and growing,” said Rep. Miller-Meeks. “This commission will get to the root of the problem and help us take the strong, serious action needed to protect Jewish Americans and restore order and accountability.”

    “Antisemitism was already surging before October 7th, but since then, it has exploded—especially in the digital realm,” said Rep. Wasserman Schultz. “As we’ve unfortunately witnessed, hatred that starts online does not stay online. This bipartisan, bicameral commission, backed by leading voices in the Jewish community, will help shape smart, actionable policies to confront this alarming trend head-on.”

    “Since the brutal Hamas terrorist attack on innocent Israeli civilians on October 7, 2023, antisemitic incidents have skyrocketed, resulting in an overall increase of 900% over the past 10 years, including recent violent, hate-fueled attacks that have shocked communities across the country,” said Rep. Salazar. “The U.S. must identify and report these acts of hate against the Jewish community to put an end to them immediately.”

    Background:

    Antisemitic violence and harassment have surged across the United States since October 7. In Boulder, Colorado, an illegal immigrant from Egypt wielding a makeshift flamethrower attacked peaceful marchers calling for the release of hostages, hospitalizing eight people. In Washington, D.C., two young Israeli Embassy staffers were murdered outside the Capital Jewish Museum by a radical Hamas supporter shouting “Free Palestine.” Across college campuses, antisemitic incidents have spiked by more than 80 percent, with students reporting threats, vandalism, harassment, and physical assaults.

    The Commission to Study Acts of Antisemitism will bring together Jewish leaders, law enforcement, civil society experts, and impacted communities to investigate these acts, uncover root causes, and deliver a formal report to Congress and the President with concrete policy recommendations. The commission will also strengthen national data collection and improve accountability for antisemitic incidents.

    For full bill text, click HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murphy, Colleagues, Advocates Call Out Trump’s Corrupt Meme Coin Dinner, Demand The Release Of Attendees’ Names And What Favors They’re Getting

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Connecticut – Chris Murphy

    June 03, 2025

    [embedded content]
    WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) on Thursday led a press conference with U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and U.S. Representative Sam Liccardo (D-Calif.), Public Citizen, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), and End Citizens United to call out the blatant corruption behind President Trump’s meme coin dinner — a secretive, high-dollar event where anonymous crypto investors are buying direct access to Trump. The Members demanded full transparency: who’s attending, how much they paid, and what kind of influence they’re expecting in return for the millions of dollars they put in Trump’s meme coin. With no press, no disclosure, and crypto wallets tied to foreign actors, this dinner isn’t just unethical — it’s a national security risk. It’s pay-to-play politics on steroids, and Trump is cashing in. The dinner is scheduled for tonight at Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Virginia.
    “We’re here today to call on the President and the people who serve him to do something really simple: release the names of the people who are going to be there,” said Murphy. “Even if you release the names, it’s still corrupt. But at least let us see who’s going to be there. At least let the American people know who has bought access to the President. Release the names. If there’s nothing wrong, if you think that this is all above board, then what are you hiding?”
    “Americans sent us to Congress to unrig the economy — not to help the President turn the White House into a crypto cash machine with private dinners for his top meme coin buyers or legislation that supercharges his stablecoin profits,” said Banking Committee Ranking Member Warren. “The GENIUS Act should be written to prohibit the president and his family from profiting—period.”
    “President Trump has put a ‘for sale’ sign on the White House lawn with his cryptocurrency schemes,” said Merkley. “Congress needs to act fast to stop the massive corruption and national security threat that is Trump selling access and influence to the highest bidders. My End Crypto Corruption Act not only cracks down on this corruption but also prevents other federal officials, like Members of Congress, from betraying our ‘We The People’ government.”
    “Donald Trump is selling access. He is selling out America, he is selling it to a foreign power, and he is putting our national security at risk. Trump is becoming beholden to foreign powers—the Emirates that provided $2 billion to World Liberty Financial, the Qataris that have provided him with a plane, and the unknown foreign actors that have invested in his meme coin operation. It’s not just about corruption—it is about corruption that endangers our national security by putting the president in a compromised position in relation to foreign powers,” said Blumenthal. “My hope is that the Trump Administration will give us the list of individuals attending tonight’s dinner as the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigation has asked them to provide.”
    “I was not invited to dine with Donald Trump today. I’m not disappointed.  But you know who should be disappointed? The 746,000 people (probably many of them Americans) who bought small amounts of that Trump coin – maybe some of them bought a little bit more – who didn’t get invited. When I introduced the MEME Act in the House it was because, to borrow from Richard Nixon, those 764,000 Americans needed to know that their president was a crook. And hopefully, we’re going to find some Republicans who have the courage and the spine to say this is corruption regardless of which party is committing it,” said Liccardo.
    “America should not be for sale. With tonight’s prize dinner, our President is using his private golf course to cater to some of the world’s richest people, instead of working on behalf of working families and our country. He claims to be ‘America first,’ but really, he’s ‘Donald Trump first.’ Between his outrageous meme coin grift, his Tesla car show on the White House lawn, the jumbo jet gift from Qatar and his numerous candlelit dinners for tech bros and foreign billionaires, this President is the definition of corruption and personal profit over regular people,” said Lisa Gilbert, co-president of Public Citizen.
    “The President’s corrupt dinner is yet another alarming example of foreign interests opening their wallets to him. By turning the American presidency into a money-making venture, Trump is inviting an unprecedented level of corruption—and putting our national security at risk. End Citizens United proudly stands with Senator Murphy and the other lawmakers who spoke out today to demand transparency and accountability,” said Justin Unga, Vice President of Public Affairs, End Citizens United.
    Earlier this month, Murphy introduced the Modern Emoluments and Malfeasance Enforcement (MEME) Act, legislation to prevent corrupt federal officials from using their position to profit off digital assets such as meme coins. Rep. Liccardo introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Ukraine ‘spiderweb’ drone strike fails to register at peace talks as both sides dig in for the long haul

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Stefan Wolff, Professor of International Security, University of Birmingham

    News of the spectacular “spiderweb” mass drone attack on Russian air bases on June 1 will have been uppermost in the minds of delegates who assembled the following day for another round of direct talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul. The attack appears to have been a triumph of Ukrainian intelligence and planning that destroyed or damaged billions of pounds’ worth of Russian aircraft stationed at bases across the country, including at locations as far away as Siberia.

    Ukraine’s drone strikes, much like Russia’s intensifying air campaign, hardly signal either side’s sincere commitment to negotiations. As it turned out, little of any consequence was agreed at the brief meeting between negotiators, beyond a prisoner swap, confirming yet again that neither a ceasefire nor a peace agreement are likely anytime soon.

    But the broader context of developments on the battlefield and beyond can offer important clues about the trajectory of the war in the coming months.

    Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK’s latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences.

    At an earlier meeting in Istanbul in May, Moscow and Kyiv agreed to draft and exchange detailed proposals for a settlement. The Ukrainian proposal restated the longstanding position of Kyiv and its western allies that concessions on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country are unacceptable.

    In other words, a Russian-imposed neutrality ruling out Nato membership and limiting the size of Ukraine’s armed forces is a non-starter for Kyiv. So is any international recognition of Moscow’s illegal land-grabs since 2014, including the annexation of Crimea.

    The Ukrainian proposal is for an immediate ceasefire along the frontline as “the starting point for negotiations”. Any territorial issues would be discussed “after a full and unconditional ceasefire”.

    In substance, this is very similar to the peace plan presented by the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky in late 2022. This was received warmly by Ukraine’s main western allies, but failed to get traction with the broader international community.

    Russia’s proposals, meanwhile, are also mostly old news. Russia maintains its demands for full recognition of Russian territorial claims since 2014, Ukrainian neutrality.

    These stringent Russian demands in return for even a temporary ceasefire are hardly any more serious negotiation positions from Ukraine’s perspective than Kyiv’s proposals are likely to be to Moscow. In fact, what the Kremlin put on the table in Istanbul is more akin to surrender terms.

    Ukraine is in no mood to surrender. The spiderweb drone attack against Russia’s strategic bomber fleet is a significant boost for Ukrainian morale. But, like previous drone strikes against Moscow in June 2023, it means little in terms of signalling a sustainable Ukrainian capability that could even out Russia’s advantages in terms of manpower and equipment.

    The state of the conflict in Ukraine as at June 3 2025.
    Institute for the Study of War

    Closer to the frontlines inside Ukraine, Kyiv’s forces also struck the power grid inside Russian-occupied parts of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions. This may delay any Russian plans to expand its control over the two regions. But, like the latest drone strikes inside Russia, it is at best an operation that entrenches, rather than breaks the current stalemate.

    There is no doubt that Ukraine remains under severe military pressure from Russia along most of the more than 1,000 mile frontline. The country is also still very vulnerable to Russian air attacks.

    But while Russia might continue to make incremental gains on the battlefield, a game-changing Russian offensive or a collapse of Ukrainian defences does not appear to be on the cards.

    International support

    Kyiv’s position will potentially also be strengthened by a new bill in the US senate that threatens the imposition of 500% tariffs on any countries that buy Russian resources. This would primarily affect India and China.

    These are the largest consumers of Russian oil and gas, and if New Delhi and Beijing decide that trade with the US is more important to them cheap imports from Russia, the move could cut Russia off from critical revenues and imports.

    But, given how indecisive Donald Trump has been to date when it comes to putting any real, rather than just rhetorical, pressure on Vladimir Putin, it is not clear whether the proposed senate bill will have the desired effect. The bill has support of over 80 co-sponsors from both the Republican and Democratic caucuses, meaning the senate could overturn a presidential veto. But any delay in imposing tougher sanctions will ultimately play into Putin’s hands.

    By contrast, European support for Ukraine has, if anything, increased in recent months. For example, EU leaders adopted their 17th sanctions package against Russia on May 20. A week later, Germany and Ukraine announced a new military cooperation agreement worth €5 billion (£4.2 billion).

    It still falls short of what Kyiv would require for a major shift in the balance of power on the battlefield. But for now it is enough to prevent Russia from becoming militarily so dominant that Moscow’s current settlement proposals would present the only option for at least some part of Ukraine to survive as an independent state.

    The war remains in a stalemate. Neither Moscow nor Kyiv appear to have the capacity to escalate their military efforts to the degree necessary that would force the other side to make substantial concessions.

    Both sides are playing for time in the hope that their fortunes may change. For Ukraine, this would mean more US military support coupled with more sanctions pressure on Russia, while Europe follows through on building up its own and Ukraine’s defence capabilities.

    Russia’s calculations will be different. Putin will need to keep his few remaining allies – China, Iran and North Korea – on side while trying to make a deal with Trump. This may be impossible to achieve.

    In this case, the Russian dictator’s best hope might be that Trump does not impose any serious sanctions on Russia or its trade partners, let alone lean into increasing military support for Ukraine.

    For both sides, a lot still hinges on Washington. The unpredictability of the Trump White House, much like the self-imposed restraint under Biden, not only makes it unlikely that the war in Ukraine moves beyond the current stalemate, it has become a major, and perhaps the decisive road block that enables both Moscow and Kyiv to dream of victory in a war that has become unwinnable.

    Stefan Wolff is a past recipient of grant funding from the Natural Environment Research Council of the UK, the United States Institute of Peace, the Economic and Social Research Council of the UK, the British Academy, the NATO Science for Peace Programme, the EU Framework Programmes 6 and 7 and Horizon 2020, as well as the EU’s Jean Monnet Programme. He is a Trustee and Honorary Treasurer of the Political Studies Association of the UK and a Senior Research Fellow at the Foreign Policy Centre in London.

    Tetyana Malyarenko 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. Ukraine ‘spiderweb’ drone strike fails to register at peace talks as both sides dig in for the long haul – https://theconversation.com/ukraine-spiderweb-drone-strike-fails-to-register-at-peace-talks-as-both-sides-dig-in-for-the-long-haul-257927

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Bahrain, Colombia, DRC, Latvia and Liberia elected as non-permanent members of UN Security Council

    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

    UNITED NATIONS, June 3 (Xinhua) — Bahrain, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Latvia and Liberia were on Tuesday elected as non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (SC) for a two-year term from January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2027.

    Latvia will become a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the first time.

    The above-mentioned countries will replace the current non-permanent members of this body, which include Algeria, Guyana, the Republic of Korea, Sierra Leone and Slovenia.

    The UN Security Council is considered the most influential body of the world organization. Its task is to maintain international peace and security, it can make legally binding decisions, and also has the right to impose sanctions and authorize the use of force. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Lethal humanitarianism: why violence at Gaza aid centres should not come as a surprise

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Irit Katz, Associate Professor of Architecture and Urban Studies, University of Cambridge

    At least 27 Palestinians were reported to have been killed on the morning of June 3 amid chaotic scenes at an aid distribution centre in the southern Gaza Strip. This follows a similar incident on June 1 when around 30 civilians were reportedly killed as people scrambled to get food supplies at an aid centre near Rafah in southern Gaza.

    The Israeli and US governments and Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) – the private contractor backed by Israel and the US to take over aid distribution in Gaza – previously denied reports that Israeli troops had fired on civilians queuing for aid. The US ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, criticised what he called “reckless and irresponsible reporting by major US news outlets”.

    After the June 3 incident, however, the Israeli military admitted it had fired shots near a food distribution complex after noticing “a number of suspects moving towards them”. A GHF spokesperson said it was believed that the people had been fired upon “after moving beyond the designated safe corridor and into a closed military zone”.

    The violence at these privately run aid distribution points should come as no surprise, given the situation. For weeks since the Israeli government imposed its aid blockade in early March, the humanitarian crisis in the Strip has become more acute. By April the IPC (Integrated Food Security Phase Classification), a collaboration between numerous intergovernmental and non-governmental organisations, was already reporting that Gaza’s whole population was experiencing critical levels of hunger.

    The aid distribution system put in place by GHF, meanwhile has been widely criticised. On May 25, the day before GHF began operations in Gaza its American director, Jake Wood, resigned. He said he believed the organisation would not be able to fulfil the basic humanitarian principles of “humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence”.

    Divide and control

    The GHF’s aid distribution plan is similar in character to a plan published in December 2024 by an organisation of many former high-ranking Israeli military officers, Israel’s Defense and Security Forum (IDSF). The group proposed to take control of aid distribution from the UN agency Unrwa, which was the main organisation overseeing aid distribution until it was banned by Israel earlier this year.

    The IDSF plan proposes that: “Israel will oversee the aid distributed by international organizations, effectively dismantling the distribution networks of UNRWA and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, guided by the principle: ‘The hand that distributes the aid is the hand that controls it’.”

    This would be achieved with the creation of tent cities for internally displaced people (IDP), described as “humanitarian zones”. About 90% of the 2.1 million Palestinians in Gaza are IDPs. The IDSF plan, acknowledging that “extensive built-up areas have been left destroyed, or are no longer inhabitable”, says that “it is currently neither feasible nor recommended that the IDPs return at the conclusion of the war”.

    Under the plan, parts of the Gaza Strip still inhabited by Palestinian civilians, will be divided by a “system of longitudinal and transverse axes”. Each “IDP city” created within these divisions will be managed as a “separate temporary administrative territory” following the principle of “divide and rule”.

    The plan calls for responsibility for humanitarian aid in Gaza to pass “to a Humanitarian Directorate based on IDP cities and biometric certificates”. This is called the “Day After Plan” by the IDSF, designed as a way to control Gaza’s population, while driving a wedge between civilians and Hamas in order to destroy it. This despite the fact that a senior Israeli military commander has said it is impossible to eliminate Hamas.

    The reality on the ground

    The way GHF is currently organising aid distribution fulfils some of the principles of the IDSF plan. It replaces UN aid distribution with a private outfit, backed by both Israel and the US, yet it provides aid through only four sites.

    These are located unevenly in the Gaza Strip, three in a small area southwest of Rafah, and the fourth south of Gaza City, in an area dominated by the Netzarim corridor, which is controlled by the Israeli military.

    People queuing for access to aid reportedly have to walk along a narrow fenced corridor into a larger aid compound. Once inside they are subject to ID checks and eye scans to further control the distribution for aid.

    This has reportedly resulted in long hours of waiting in the heat and led to chaotic scenes were people have broken down fences in a bid to get supplies. Among the people reported to have been killed on June 3 were three children and two women.

    The GHF scheme had already been criticised before the violent incidents by both Palestinians and international aid organisations. The placement of the distribution sites means that people sometimes have to travel considerable distances to receive aid.

    The UN children’s fund spokesperson Jonathan Crick asked: “How is a mother of four children, who has lost her husband, going to carry 20kg back to her makeshift tent, sometimes several kilometres away?”

    As someone who researches urban design, conflict, and displacement, it is clear to me that designing the entire aid distribution system around only four “mega-sites” in limited areas in the Strip leads to the sort of overcrowding and chaos that have made violence all but inevitable.

    In my opinion, in concentrating these sites while extensively demolishing habitable areas in the Strip, Israel is effectively weaponising essential civilian mechanisms against Palestinians. The aid scheme appears to prioritise political and territorial issues over the humanitarian distribution of aid.

    The GHF system enables Israel to further concentrate civilians into makeshift encampments. Here they face inadequate and unhygienic conditions and shelter. These are particularly unsafe for women and children, while also being vulnerable to attacks by the Israeli military.

    Palestinians also fear that the biometric screening will be used by Israel as a weapon of coercive control, rather than as a means to provide humanitarian relief.

    Now people trying to access aid are dying. The international community must urgently put pressure on both sides to agree a ceasefire and on Israel to open Gaza up for a rapid large-scale humanitarian operation. To maintain the current GHF system is to invite further tragedy.

    Irit Katz receives funding from the AHRC.

    – ref. Lethal humanitarianism: why violence at Gaza aid centres should not come as a surprise – https://theconversation.com/lethal-humanitarianism-why-violence-at-gaza-aid-centres-should-not-come-as-a-surprise-257908

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Egypt’s renewable power capacity to reach 31.6GW in 2035, forecasts GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    Egypt’s renewable power capacity to reach 31.6GW in 2035, forecasts GlobalData

    Posted in Power

    Egypt is endeavoring to augment the proportion of renewable energy within its electricity mix to 42% by the year 2035. The nation is actively expanding its capacity through the implementation of large-scale solar and wind energy initiatives. Against this backdrop, renewable power capacity in the country is expected to reach 31.6GW in 2035, registering a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20.4% during 2024-35, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    GlobalData’s latest report, “Egypt Power Market Outlook to 2035, Update 2025 – Market Trends, Regulations, and Competitive Landscape,” reveals that annual renewable power generation in Egypt is expected to increase at a CAGR of 19.4% during 2024-35 to reach 88.9TWh.

    With its advantageous conditions to harness solar and wind power, Egypt recognizes renewable energy as a pivotal factor for its economic growth. The country possesses considerable wind energy potential, particularly in the Gulf of Suez area, where stable wind speeds average 8-10 meters per second at a height of 100 meters.  Furthermore, Egypt enjoys between 2,800 and 3,200 hours of sunshine annually, with daily sunshine ranging from 9-11 hours from north to south.

    Attaurrahman Ojindaram Saibasan, Power Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Egypt’s primary opportunity resides in the exponential growth of electricity consumption, which correlates directly with the increasing population size. This trend presents a significant investment opportunity for companies specializing in power generation equipment.”

    The adoption of renewable energy could enhance Egypt’s energy security while preserving foreign exchange income through continued gas exports. Additionally, it has the potential to reduce GHG emissions and mitigate environmental impacts.

    Saibasan concludes: “Electricity consumption is increasing across all sectors, including residential, industrial, and commercial, in Egypt. Growing demand is driving the need for new power generation projects and grid upgrades. Egypt has one of the fastest-growing populations in the region, with over 107.8 million people as of 2024. Urbanization is increasing, with new housing developments and smart cities like the New Administrative Capital requiring large-scale electricity infrastructure. The country is focusing on renewables to meet increasing demand.”

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI: Luna PR Partners with The Web3 Alliance of Saudi Arabia to Drive Web3 Growth and Collaboration In The Region

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Dubai, United Arab Emirates, June 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —    Luna PR, a global Web3-focused PR and marketing agency, announced today its strategic partnership with the Web3 Alliance of Saudi Arabia (WASA), a key player in advancing blockchain adoption and policy in the Kingdom. This collaboration marks a major step in Luna PR’s expansion into Saudi Arabia and underscores its commitment to accelerating Web3 innovation across the Middle East.

    As one of the most respected agencies in the Web3 and emerging tech sectors, Luna PR, brings a global network of regulators, founders, and investors into alignment with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. Through this partnership, Luna PR and WASA will work closely to support companies looking to establish and grow their Web3 presence in Saudi Arabia, while also helping shape the region’s policy landscape through high-level dialogue with government entities and regulators.

    “This partnership reflects our long-term commitment to supporting regions that are shaping the future of Web3, ” said Nikita Sachdev, Founder and CEO of Luna Media Corp and Luna PR. “Saudi Arabia is positioning itself as a global technology hub and taking steps to lead through innovation, regulation, and education. Through our strategic alliance with WASA marks a powerful step towards driving meaningful growth and collaboration across the region..

    Through joint initiatives, Luna PR and WASA will support both local startups and international projects by providing them with the strategic guidance, regulatory access, and communication tools needed to succeed in the Saudi market. From entity formation and policy navigation to ecosystem engagement and public narrative building, the partnership aims to make Saudi Arabia a globally competitive hub for Web3 innovation.

    “We are excited to partner with Luna PR as they enter the Saudi market.” Said Billal Yamak, Chairman of WASA. “Their deep understanding of the Web3 landscape makes them an ideal collaborator for advancing our mission to drive blockchain adoption in the Kingdom.”

    This partnership will serve as a launchpad for workshops, roundtables, and policy-aligned initiatives designed to bridge the gap between innovation and implementation, empowering founders, regulators, and institutions to co-create the future of decentralized technology in the region.

    About Luna PR
    Luna PR is a multi-award-winning public relations and communications agency headquartered in Dubai, with a global presence across the US, UK, and Asia. Since 2017, the agency has partnered with over 600 clients in Web3, fintech, and emerging technology – supporting startups, multinational corporations, and government entities alike. Luna PR positions itself as more than a service provider – it acts as a strategic partner that shapes narratives and accelerates market adoption for disruptive technologies.

    About Web3 Alliance of Saudi Arabia
    The Web3 Alliance of Saudi Arabia (WASA) unites the foremost leaders and innovators of the Web3 ecosystem in Saudi Arabia, dedicated to cultivating a vibrant environment in the Kingdom in alignment with Vision 2030. WASA promotes innovation, collaboration, education and regulation to accelerate the adoption of blockchain technology and Web3 innovations across both public and private sectors. By bringing together industry experts and promoting practical implementation projects, WASA aims to position Saudi Arabia as a hub for decentralized technology, driving technological transformation and empowering local startups and enterprises.

    Media contact:
    Yousef Al Alami
    yousef@lunapr.io

    The MIL Network –