Category: Military Intelligence

  • MIL-OSI Security: Another Member of the Marion Gardens Street Gang Sentenced to Multiple Life Sentences without the Possibility of Parole

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    NEWARK, N.J. – Five more members of the Marion Gardens street gang were sentenced by the Honorable Michael E. Farbiarz for their roles in the racketeering enterprise, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced.

    On July 2, 2025, Roger Pickett, a/k/a “Zy G,” 24, was sentenced to four consecutive terms of life imprisonment for racketeering conspiracy and three counts of murder in aid of racketeering, each stemming from a separate gang-related murder.  He was also sentenced to an additional consecutive sentence of 50 years’ imprisonment, consisting of 20 years’ imprisonment for Hobbs Act robbery, and three ten-year terms of imprisonment for discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.

    Also on July 2, 2025, Javon Williams, a/k/a “J45,” 28, was sentenced to 57 months’ imprisonment for racketeering conspiracy and Keith Anderson, a/k/a “Beef3,” 23, was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment for racketeering conspiracy.

    On July 1, 2025, Quaseame Wilson, a/k/a “Qua Gz,” 28, was sentenced to 195 months’ imprisonment for racketeering conspiracy, Hobbs Act robbery, and aiding and abetting the discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence.  On June 26, 2025, Anthony Rogers, a/k/a “MG,” 25, was sentenced to 54 months’ imprisonment for racketeering conspiracy.

    Earlier in June, three other members of the Marion Gardens street gang were sentenced for their roles in the racketeering conspiracy.  On June 17, 2025, Myron Williams, a/k/a “Money,” a/k/a “Tunchi,” 31, of Newark was sentenced to two terms of life imprisonment for racketeering conspiracy and murder in aid of racketeering, plus 240 months’ imprisonment for possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, and 120 months’ imprisonment for discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, with all sentences to run consecutively.  Also on June 17, 2025, Jawaad Davis, 23, of Jersey City, was sentenced to 170 months’ imprisonment for his role in the Marion Gardens street gang, which included orchestrating a robbery that resulted in murder.  Additionally, on June 5, 2025, Khalil Kelley, a/k/a “Billski,” 26, of Jersey City, was sentenced, to life imprisonment, plus a consecutive ten-year term of imprisonment for racketeering conspiracy, for his role in the Marion Gardens street gang and a gang-related murder.

    Three other individuals who previously pled guilty before trial are pending sentencing.  Each defendant will be sentenced before Judge Farbiarz in Newark as follows:

    Naim Richardson, a/k/a “Ninicks” July 16, 2025, at 11:00 a.m.
    Andre Alomar, a/k/a “Dre8” July 24, 2025, at 10:00 a.m.
    Herbert Thomas October 1, 2025, at 2:00 p.m.

    According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

    Myron Williams, Khalil Kelley, Roger Pickett, Jawaad Davis, Anthony Rogers, Quaseame Wilson, Andre Alomar, Keith Anderson, Javon Williams, and Naim Richardson are all members and associates of the neighborhood street gang associated with the Marion Gardens Housing Complex. Since 2013, they and their fellow gang members have committed numerous acts of violence, including three separate murders, on March 29, 2021, Nov. 20, 2021, and Nov. 1, 2022.

    On March 29, 2021, Kelley and other gang members lured a rival gang member outside by sending him Instagram messages pretending to be the victim’s fellow gang member. When the victim opened the door to his residence, Kelley and another gang member brandished firearms, and the victim was shot multiple times in the chest, killing him. Pickett and Myron Williams then picked up Kelley and other gang members after they abandoned the murder vehicle in Newark.

    On Nov. 20, 2021, Myron Williams, Pickett, and Richardson lured a rival gang member outside by sending him Instagram messages pretending to be the second victim’s fellow gang member. Williams and another gang member shot the victim when he opened the door to his residence.

    On Nov. 1, 2022, Davis facilitated the murder of the third victim by coordinating a narcotics transaction with the victim and the victim’s associate. When the victim and his associate arrived at the Marion Gardens Housing Complex to complete the narcotics transaction, they were robbed of their narcotics supply. During the robbery, Pickett and Wilson held the victim and his associate at gunpoint. After a struggle ensued, Pickett shot and killed the victim while his associate fled. Pickett then fled the Marion Gardens Housing Complex with Wilson.

    For months, investigators observed and documented hundreds of narcotics transactions in and around the Marion Gardens Housing Complex.  The investigation likewise revealed that Herbert Thomas was a primary supplier of narcotics to the Marion Gardens street gang.

    When each defendant was arrested on March 17, 2023, law enforcement seized contraband at several different locations, including heroin, fentanyl, crack cocaine, narcotics packaging materials, ammunition, bulletproof vests, and a loaded handgun.

    U.S. Attorney Habba credited investigators of the Gang Intelligence Unit and the Homicide Unit of the Major Case Division of Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Esther Suarez, and special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), under the direction of Special Agent in Charge L.C. Cheeks Jr., and investigators of the Jersey City Police Department, under the direction of Director James Shea, with the investigation leading to the convictions. She also thanked the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy, and the U.S. Marshals, under the direction of U.S. Marshal Juan Mattos, for their assistance.

    This investigation was conducted as part of the Jersey City Violent Crime Initiative (VCI). The VCI was formed in 2018 by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Jersey City Police Department, for the sole purpose of combatting violent crime in and around Jersey City. As part of this partnership, federal, state, county, and city agencies collaborate to strategize and prioritize the prosecution of violent offenders who endanger the safety of the community. The VCI is composed of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the FBI, the ATF, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) New Jersey Division, the U.S. Marshals, the Department of Homeland Security – Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Jersey City Police Department, the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office, New Jersey State Parole, the Hudson County Jail, and the New Jersey State Police Regional Operations and Intelligence Center/Real Time Crime Center.

    The government is represented by First Assistant U.S. Attorney Desiree Grace, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Maloy and Javon Henry, of the Organized Crime and Gangs Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division in Newark.

                                                                           ###

    Defense counsel:

    Roger Pickett – Brandon Minde, Esq.
    Keith Anderson – Eric Jaso, Esq. and Francesca Simone, Esq.

    Javon Williams – Joseph Rubino, Esq.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News in Brief: Delaware Returns Home from Deployment

    Source: United States Navy

    GROTON, Connecticut – The Virginia-class fast-attack submarine USS Delaware (SSN 791), under the command of Cmdr. Jason Patton, returned to Naval Submarine Base New London Saturday, July 5, completing a six-month deployment to U.S. European Command area of responsibility.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News in Brief: Delaware Returns Home from Deployment

    Source: United States Navy

    GROTON, Connecticut – The Virginia-class fast-attack submarine USS Delaware (SSN 791), under the command of Cmdr. Jason Patton, returned to Naval Submarine Base New London Saturday, July 5, completing a six-month deployment to U.S. European Command area of responsibility.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI: Topnotch Crypto Launches Smart Cloud Mining Platform and Disruptive Features

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Los Angeles, California, July 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Topnotch Crypto announced the launch of an innovative cloud mining platform dedicated to lowering the barrier to entry for users in the crypto mining field. The new system is fast, automated, environmentally friendly and easy for novices to operate, allowing users to easily control and optimize the efficiency of digital assets.

    What are the upgrade highlights of Topnotch Crypto’s new system?

    A series of new generation features designed to enhance the mining experience:

    • Fully automatic smart cloud mining platform
    • AI-driven computing power scheduling, optimizing system operation and resource allocation.
    • All new users can enjoy free welcome bonus
    • Military-grade security system
    • Energy-saving infrastructure to support sustainable mining
    • Mobile dashboard for easy mining anytime, anywhere

    These tools combine to provide you with a truly modern mining solution with zero technical barriers.

    Smart cloud mining: no equipment required

    Say goodbye to expensive mining machines or noisy fans. With Topnotch Crypto’s cloud platform, all operations are run in a secure data center. No software to download, no hardware to maintain, and no electricity bills to pay. Once your account is activated, you can automatically start mining in the cloud. This is the fastest and easiest way to get cryptocurrency in 2025.

    AI-driven: automatic scheduling, improved operational efficiency

    At the heart of this update is AI-based mining intelligence. This proprietary engine analyzes blockchain data in real time and automatically adjusts mining strategies based on factors such as:

    • Market profitability
    • Energy consumption
    • Network difficulty

    This means that your mining output is always optimized without manual input.

    Multiple protection mechanisms to build a stable digital asset environment

    Security is a highlight of the latest version of the platform. Upgraded protection features ensure that your account and digital assets are always safe. The security suite includes:

    • End-to-end encryption protection throughout the process
    • Real-time monitoring and early warning of logins and operations
    • Intelligent abnormality identification and risk prevention and control system

    The system protects your account and operation security around the clock, no matter where you are.

    Born for the Earth: A new era of energy-saving mining

    Topnotch Crypto leads the way in sustainable development, fully adopting green energy infrastructure to significantly reduce its carbon footprint. This innovative eco-first model proves that cryptocurrencies can grow without harming the planet. This is not only a responsible way to mine, but also a best practice for performance and environmental protection.

    Smart dashboard built for mobile experience

    Whether you use a smartphone, tablet or desktop, the responsive design ensures that you can easily control the entire mining process anytime, anywhere. The intuitive interface allows you to view real-time data and manage account settings, which is simple to operate without any technical background.

    Key features at a glance

    • Free registration bonus – open your exclusive gift package immediately
    • Real-time account status – start using as soon as your account is activated
    • User dashboard – conveniently track account activity and data

    Everything is designed to bring convenience and efficiency to users from day one. Just one step: visit the official website to create a free account. Once your account is activated, you will immediately get platform tools and rewards without repeated settings.

    Conclusion: The future of mining is here

    Topnotch Crypto has successfully redefined cloud mining in 2025. By combining automation, artificial intelligence, green energy and unparalleled security, it brings a seamless experience to all users. If you’re ready to explore crypto mining the smart way, Topnotch is the platform you can trust.

    Get started now: https://topnotchcrypto.com
    Contact customer service: info@topnotchcrypto.com

    Mine smarter, profit faster. Join Topnotch!

    Attachment

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Topnotch Crypto Launches Smart Cloud Mining Platform and Disruptive Features

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Los Angeles, California, July 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Topnotch Crypto announced the launch of an innovative cloud mining platform dedicated to lowering the barrier to entry for users in the crypto mining field. The new system is fast, automated, environmentally friendly and easy for novices to operate, allowing users to easily control and optimize the efficiency of digital assets.

    What are the upgrade highlights of Topnotch Crypto’s new system?

    A series of new generation features designed to enhance the mining experience:

    • Fully automatic smart cloud mining platform
    • AI-driven computing power scheduling, optimizing system operation and resource allocation.
    • All new users can enjoy free welcome bonus
    • Military-grade security system
    • Energy-saving infrastructure to support sustainable mining
    • Mobile dashboard for easy mining anytime, anywhere

    These tools combine to provide you with a truly modern mining solution with zero technical barriers.

    Smart cloud mining: no equipment required

    Say goodbye to expensive mining machines or noisy fans. With Topnotch Crypto’s cloud platform, all operations are run in a secure data center. No software to download, no hardware to maintain, and no electricity bills to pay. Once your account is activated, you can automatically start mining in the cloud. This is the fastest and easiest way to get cryptocurrency in 2025.

    AI-driven: automatic scheduling, improved operational efficiency

    At the heart of this update is AI-based mining intelligence. This proprietary engine analyzes blockchain data in real time and automatically adjusts mining strategies based on factors such as:

    • Market profitability
    • Energy consumption
    • Network difficulty

    This means that your mining output is always optimized without manual input.

    Multiple protection mechanisms to build a stable digital asset environment

    Security is a highlight of the latest version of the platform. Upgraded protection features ensure that your account and digital assets are always safe. The security suite includes:

    • End-to-end encryption protection throughout the process
    • Real-time monitoring and early warning of logins and operations
    • Intelligent abnormality identification and risk prevention and control system

    The system protects your account and operation security around the clock, no matter where you are.

    Born for the Earth: A new era of energy-saving mining

    Topnotch Crypto leads the way in sustainable development, fully adopting green energy infrastructure to significantly reduce its carbon footprint. This innovative eco-first model proves that cryptocurrencies can grow without harming the planet. This is not only a responsible way to mine, but also a best practice for performance and environmental protection.

    Smart dashboard built for mobile experience

    Whether you use a smartphone, tablet or desktop, the responsive design ensures that you can easily control the entire mining process anytime, anywhere. The intuitive interface allows you to view real-time data and manage account settings, which is simple to operate without any technical background.

    Key features at a glance

    • Free registration bonus – open your exclusive gift package immediately
    • Real-time account status – start using as soon as your account is activated
    • User dashboard – conveniently track account activity and data

    Everything is designed to bring convenience and efficiency to users from day one. Just one step: visit the official website to create a free account. Once your account is activated, you will immediately get platform tools and rewards without repeated settings.

    Conclusion: The future of mining is here

    Topnotch Crypto has successfully redefined cloud mining in 2025. By combining automation, artificial intelligence, green energy and unparalleled security, it brings a seamless experience to all users. If you’re ready to explore crypto mining the smart way, Topnotch is the platform you can trust.

    Get started now: https://topnotchcrypto.com
    Contact customer service: info@topnotchcrypto.com

    Mine smarter, profit faster. Join Topnotch!

    Attachment

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: West Africa terror: why attacks on military bases are rising – and four ways to respond

    Source: The Conversation – Africa (2) – By Olayinka Ajala, Associate professor in Politics and International Relations, Leeds Beckett University

    More than 40 Malian soldiers were killed and one of the country’s military bases was taken over in early June 2025 in a major attack by an al-Qaeda linked group, Jama’a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM), on the town of Boulikessi.

    The same group launched an attack on the historic city of Timbuktu. The Malian army claimed it repelled the Timbuktu attack and killed 14 terrorists.

    Terrorist groups have attacked Boulikessi in large numbers before. In October 2019, 25 Malian soldiers were killed. The target was a G5 Sahel force military camp.

    Timbuktu has been in the sights of terrorist groups since 2012. JNIM laid siege to the city for several months in 2023. Timbuktu has a major airport and a key military base.

    In neighbouring Burkina Faso, there have been running battles in recent months between the military and terrorist groups. About 40% of the country is under the control of groups linked to al-Qaeda and Islamic State. Military bases in the country have also been targeted.

    Mali and Burkina Faso are under military rule. Insecurity, especially increasing terrorist attacks, were key reasons the military juntas gave for seizing power in both countries.

    I have been researching terrorism and the formation of insurgent groups in west Africa and the Sahel for over a decade. What I am observing is that the terrorist groups are becoming more daring and constantly changing tactics, with increased attacks on military camps across the region.

    Military camps are attacked to lower the morale of the soldiers and steal ammunition. It also sends a message to locals that military forces are incapable of protecting civilians.

    I believe there are four main reasons for an increase in large scale attacks on military bases in the region:

    • the loss of the US drone base in Niger, which has made surveillance difficult

    • an increase in human rights abuses carried out in the name of counter terrorism

    • a lack of a coordinated approach to counter terrorism

    • constant changes of tactics by the terrorists.

    Identifying and addressing these issues are important to counter the trend.

    Why are the attacks increasing?

    First is the loss of the US drone base in Agadez, Republic of Niger, in 2024 after the military seized power in the country.

    I was initially sceptical when the drone base was commissioned in 2019. But it has in fact acted as a deterrent to terrorist groups.

    Terrorist organisations operating in the Sahel knew they were being watched by drones operating from the base. They were aware surveillance information was shared with member states. The loss of the base has reduced reconnaissance and surveillance activities in the region.

    Second, an increase in human rights abuse in the fight against terrorism in the region is dividing communities and increasing recruitment into terrorist groups. A report by Human Rights Watch in May 2025 accused the Burkina Faso military and allied militias of killing more than 130 civilians during counter-terrorism operations.

    The report argued that members of the Fulani ethnic group were targeted in the operations because they were perceived to have relationships with terrorist groups. Terrorist groups are known to use such incidents to win the hearts and minds of local populations.

    Third, the lack of a coordinated approach to counter terrorism in the region is reversing the gains made in the last decade. Major developments have included the dissolving of the G5 Sahel. This grouping was created in 2014 to enhance security coordination between members. The members were Mauritania, Burkina Faso, Mali, Chad and Niger. The organisation launched joint counter-terrorism missions across member states but was dissolved in December 2023 after Niger and Burkina Faso withdrew.

    The weakening of the Multinational Joint Task Force due to the military coup in Niger and the countries’ strategic repositioning is undermining counter-terrorism initiatives. Task force members were Cameroon, Chad, Niger, Nigeria and Benin.

    The mandate of the task force is to combat Boko Haram and other terrorist groups operating around the Lake Chad basin. After its establishment in 2015 the task force achieved significant progress. In January 2025, Niger suspended its membership, putting the fight against terrorism in the region in jeopardy.

    Fourth, terrorist groups in the region are becoming more sophisticated in their approach. In April 2025, JNIM terrorists were suspected of launching a suicide drone attack on Togolese military positions.

    For its part, the military in the Sahelian countries are struggling to adapt to the terrorists’ new tactics. In the last few years, there has been a proliferation of drones in Africa by states and non-state actors.

    Halting the trend

    To combat the increasing attacks by terrorist groups, especially large-scale attacks on military positions, four immediate steps are necessary.

    First, nation states need to invest in surveillance capabilities. The loss of the drone base in Niger means Sahelian states must urgently find new ways of gathering and sharing intelligence. The topography of the region, which is mainly flat, with scattered vegetation, is an advantage as reconnaissance drones can easily detect suspicious movements, terrorist camps and travel routes.

    There is also a need to regulate the use of drones in the region to prevent use by non-state actors.

    In addition, countries fighting terrorism must find a way to improve the relationship between the military (and allied militias) and people affected by terrorism. My latest publication on the issue shows that vigilante groups engaged by the military forces are sometimes complicit in human rights abuse.

    Training on human rights is essential for military forces and allied militias.

    Terrorism funding avenues must be identified and blocked. Large scale terrorist attacks involve planning, training and resources. Funding from illegal mining, trafficking and kidnapping must be identified and eradicated. This will also include intelligence sharing between nation states.

    Finally, the Sahelian countries must find a mechanism to work with the Economic Community of West African States.

    As the numbers and intensity of terrorist activities are increasing across the Sahel, immediate action is necessary to combat this trend.

    Olayinka Ajala 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. West Africa terror: why attacks on military bases are rising – and four ways to respond – https://theconversation.com/west-africa-terror-why-attacks-on-military-bases-are-rising-and-four-ways-to-respond-258622

    MIL OSI

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Jobs boost as new fighter jet HQ opens in Reading in key programme milestone

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    News story

    Jobs boost as new fighter jet HQ opens in Reading in key programme milestone

    A flagship headquarters that will support delivery of a supersonic stealth fighter jet has opened in Reading, where hundreds of skilled personnel will be based.

    • Opening of Global Combat Air Programme flagship headquarters to support the delivery of a supersonic stealth fighter jet, equipped with cutting-edge technologies.
    • The programme already supports over 3,500 UK jobs, 1,000 additional apprenticeships, delivering on the government’s Plan for Change, with more to follow as the programme develops.
    • New figures show defence industry jobs in the South East have increased by 4,500 in just 12 months.

    The new global HQ has been opened today (7 July) in a significant milestone for the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) – a joint initiative between the UK, Japan and Italy to develop a next-generation fighter jet. 

    The facility will host the GCAP International Government Organisation (GIGO) and a joint venture company, called Edgewing, bringing together three industry partners – BAE Systems (UK), Leonardo (Italy), and Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co. Ltd. (Japan) – responsible for the design and development of the aircraft.

    Opened by Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry Rt Hon Maria Eagle MP today, the new multinational headquarters will help deliver the GCAP programme, bringing together the best minds from across three governments and industry to drive innovation and strengthen each country’s combat air industrial capability, supporting the vision of the Strategic Defence Review.  

    The opening comes on the same day as the Defence Secretary met virtually with Italy’s Defence Minister Guido Crosetto and Japan’s Defence Minister Gen Nakatani to discuss the latest progress on GCAP. The programme is already creating thousands of highly skilled jobs across the UK, Japan, and Italy, including new apprentice and graduate roles, and supporting the strong relationship between industry and the Armed Forces of the three nations.

    There are currently more than 3,500 people, including engineers and programmers, working on GCAP in the UK. A further 1,000 have undertaken GCAP-related apprenticeships or training schemes, supporting the Government’s Plan for Change by driving defence as an engine for economic growth. Many more will follow as the GCAP programme develops in the years ahead.

    Defence Secretary, John Healey MP said:

    Opening of this global HQ in Reading underlines the UK’s full commitment to GCAP and demonstrates the steps we are taking with our partners to deliver for defence.

    The Strategic Defence Review captured that GCAP will deliver more than cutting-edge military capabilities. It already supports over 3,500 UK jobs, with many more to follow as the programme develops. It is also sustaining a world-leading skilled workforce for the UK’s combat air industry and delivering on the government’s Plan for Change. 

    Through this work we are helping to ensure the UK remains at the forefront of combat air power innovation for decades to come and that defence is engine for growth across the country.

    Newly published figures show 151,000 UK jobs are directly supported by the MOD’s spend with industry, an increase of 14,000 on the previous year. 4,500 of the additional jobs are in the South East, including Reading, as roles in the region jumped to a total of 38,700.

    The opening of the HQ comes after the government announced a historic commitment to increase defence spending to 2.6% of GDP by 2027, demonstrating the Government’s commitment to keep the UK secure at home and strong abroad.

    Updates to this page

    Published 7 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Exercise to test plans to protect the public in the event of an incident at Devonport

    Source: City of Plymouth

    A routine exercise is to be held to test how multiple agencies would work together to protect the public in the unlikely event of a radiation emergency at Babcock’s Devonport facility.

    Plans for dealing with a radiation incident at the co-located site, which supports nuclear powered submarines for the Royal Navy, are set out in the Devonport Off-site Emergency Plan. This outlines how the Ministry of Defence, Babcock International Group (Babcock), emergency services, Plymouth City Council, UK Health Security Agency and other responding agencies, would work together to protect the public.

    The Devonport Off-site Emergency Plan is tested regularly through ‘Short Sermon’ exercises which involve the full range of agencies that would be involved in an emergency response.

    The latest exercise, which will be held over three days, will assess how multiple organisations would be notified of an incident, how the public would be informed and kept up-to-date, decision making and communication around public health and how radiation monitoring would be managed.

    Many Plymouth residents are already familiar with the plans for managing an emergency. The Devonport Off-site Emergency Plan includes a Detailed Emergency Planning Zone, which extends 1.5km from the submarine berths at the Dockyard.

    Residents living in the zone – which also includes a small area of Torpoint and Wilcove in South East Cornwall – receive a booklet about what to do in the event of a radiation emergency. This is updated and reissued every three years. The booklet is also available on the City Council’s website.

    Residents living near the site will also be familiar with the emergency siren, which is tested at 11.30am every Monday morning and used to alert personnel on the Devonport site of an incident.

    Part of the public protection measures outlined in the plan – and referenced in the leaflet – is the distribution of stable iodine tablets to residents living in areas that might be impacted in the unlikely event of a release of radioactive material into the atmosphere. The tablets help protect the thyroid from harmful effects of radioactive iodine.

    The exercise will involve personnel from the Devonport site simulating the distribution of tablets to some nearby households by posting a leaflet through doors. This part of the exercise is scheduled to take place on Thursday 10 July. Residents receiving the leaflet will not need to take any action.

    A Devonport emergency text and phone alert system will also be tested on 10 July. Plymouth City Council, which manages the alerts, will send a test message to everyone who has signed up to receive the emergency notifications for Devonport. Recipients will not need to take any action.

    The alerts are just one of the methods for warning and informing the public in the event of a major incident at the Devonport Site, which is regulated by statute. The Radiation (Emergency Preparedness and Public Information) Regulations 2019 (REPPIR 2019) requires local authorities to have a plan to safeguard the public.

    Councillor Sally Haydon, Plymouth City Council’s Cabinet member with responsibility for community safety, said: “Many Plymouth residents are familiar with the weekly test of the dockyard siren at 11.30am on Monday mornings but there are also extensive plans in place for protecting the public in the unlikely event of a radiation emergency at the Devonport Site.

    “The Council has a duty to ensure the plans are tested regularly so both the site regulators and the public can be assured that everything is in place in the event it is ever needed.

    “The exercise is also a useful opportunity to remind residents that they can sign up to receive text or phone alerts in the event of an emergency. We will be testing the emergency notification system and anyone who is not yet signed up for the free alerts still has time to do so before we test it. There’s information about how to do this on the Council’s website, where you can also find the off-site emergency plan and the public information booklet explaining what to do in the event of an emergency.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Let’s talk about Russia: Polytechnic’s study guides for Mariupol students

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    From September 1, students of the Priazovsky State Technical University (PSTU) will begin studying the key course “Fundamentals of Russian Statehood” using the unique practical manual “Let’s Talk About Russia”. It was developed by employees of the Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University.

    In recent years, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation has been actively working to reform the humanitarian block of disciplines in the country’s universities. One of the main innovations of the 2023-2024 academic year was the introduction of a patriotic-focused academic subject, “Fundamentals of Russian Statehood”. The need to develop the discipline was especially emphasized by Russian President V.V. Putin at a meeting of the State Council “On the implementation of youth policy in modern conditions”. The head of state pointed out the critical importance of this step in the context of escalating information confrontation, noting the increased vulnerability of the younger generation to targeted attacks from outside. The task has been set to give young people reliable guidelines and reliable knowledge through a fundamental academic course on the “History of Russia” and “Fundamentals of Russian Statehood”.

    In response to the appeal of the teachers of the Priazovsky State Technical University to the Vice-Rector for Educational Activities of SPbPU Lyudmila Pankova, an additional print run of the textbook “Let’s Talk About Russia” was promptly printed and sent to Mariupol. The presentation ceremony took place at the A. A. Zhdanov Memorial House-Museum in Mariupol – a branch of the State Memorial Museum of the Defense and Siege of Leningrad.

    The practical manual was prepared by a team of authors — teachers of the Higher School of Social Sciences of the Humanitarian Institute. The main feature of the publication is its innovative structure, which allows for an organic combination of theoretical training in the course “Fundamentals of Russian Statehood” with various analytical, project and creative tasks.

    By studying the fundamental principles of statehood, value and ideological attitudes of a citizen of the Russian Federation, students will not only learn the information, but also comprehend it through dialogues, discussions, project work and the completion of creative tasks.

    For example, when studying the topic “Diversity of Russian Regions”, students are offered tasks in the form of fillwords and anagrams. The game approach turns the acquisition of material into a fascinating search, developing attentiveness and analytical thinking. Working on the topic “Victories and Trials of Russia”, students create a virtual art gallery of works dedicated to the trials or victories of Russia. Reflecting on the traditional values of Russian society, students analyze how values and moral ideals are reflected in language, works of art, and are fixed in the form of quotes, images, and characters. The children select quotes and suitable images from works of literature and popular culture that most vividly demonstrate the manifestation of a specific value. It is the synthesis of theory and interactive tasks that allows us to form a meaningful personal attitude to the principles and values of Russian statehood, making the learning process as productive and engaging as possible.

    At the present time, the Higher School of Social Sciences of the Humanitarian Institute is completing work on a collective monograph, “Russia’s Civilization Path,” within the framework of a single educational and methodological complex on “Fundamentals of Russian Statehood.” The monograph will become an additional resource for integration processes aimed at forming the socio-cultural sovereignty of our country.

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI China: Naval fleet led by aircraft carrier Shandong concludes Hong Kong visit 2025-07-07 20:16:59 A fleet of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, led by the aircraft carrier Shandong, departed south China’s Hong Kong on Monday morning, wrapping up a five-day visit.

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

    The Yuncheng missile frigate leaves the dock of the PLA Hong Kong Garrison’s naval base in Stonecutters Island, Hong Kong, south China, July 7, 2025. A fleet of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, led by the aircraft carrier Shandong, departed south China’s Hong Kong on Monday morning, wrapping up a five-day visit. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government organized a farewell ceremony at the Stonecutters Island Naval Base. (Photo by Jia Xiaopeng/Xinhua)

    HONG KONG, July 7 (Xinhua) — A fleet of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, led by the aircraft carrier Shandong, departed south China’s Hong Kong on Monday morning, wrapping up a five-day visit.

    The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government organized a farewell ceremony at the Stonecutters Island Naval Base.

    Early that morning, locals and student representatives gathered at the dock of the PLA Hong Kong Garrison’s naval base in Stonecutters Island, where the Zhanjiang missile destroyer and the Yuncheng missile frigate were prepared for departure. In the vibrant waters of Victoria Harbor, the aircraft carrier Shandong and the Yan’an missile destroyer displayed signal flags stating “Thanks for your support” and “Serving the people.”

    Around 10 a.m., the farewell ceremony began, during which the fleet’s commander expressed sincere gratitude to the HKSAR government and the public for their warm welcome. Guests of honor took part in a memorable photo session, capturing the moment.

    After the ceremony, the Zhanjiang and Yuncheng sounded their naval whistles, and the crew lined the sides to wave goodbye to the crowd on the dock. The two vessels then departed to join the Shandong and Yan’an in a designated sea area, escorted by HKSAR helicopters and vessels.

    Throughout their visit, the naval fleet engaged in a variety of activities, including a deck reception, ship tours, training demonstrations, national defense lectures, and cultural exchanges. These events ignited enthusiasm and patriotism among Hong Kong residents.

    Young students proudly unfurled a large national flag on the deck of Shandong, while the elderly moved to tears stood aboard the ships. Residents joined the officers in singing songs, and the dock’s message wall was filled with blessings for the nation and expressions of gratitude for the PLA.

    Statistics indicate that over 30,000 people visited the naval vessels during the fleet’s stay, creating cherished memories for both the naval personnel and their Hong Kong compatriots.

    The aircraft carrier Shandong departs from Victoria Harbor in Hong Kong, south China, July 7, 2025. A fleet of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, led by the aircraft carrier Shandong, departed south China’s Hong Kong on Monday morning, wrapping up a five-day visit.

    The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government organized a farewell ceremony at the Stonecutters Island Naval Base. (Photo by Li Gang/Xinhua)

    Local people take ferries to see off the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy fleet in Hong Kong, south China, July 7, 2025. A fleet of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, led by the aircraft carrier Shandong, departed south China’s Hong Kong on Monday morning, wrapping up a five-day visit.

    The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government organized a farewell ceremony at the Stonecutters Island Naval Base. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)

    Citizens taking a ferry see off the aircraft carrier Shandong in Hong Kong, south China, July 7, 2025. A fleet of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, led by the aircraft carrier Shandong, departed south China’s Hong Kong on Monday morning, wrapping up a five-day visit.

    The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government organized a farewell ceremony at the Stonecutters Island Naval Base. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)

    The Yuncheng missile frigate leaves Victoria Harbor in Hong Kong, south China, July 7, 2025. A fleet of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, led by the aircraft carrier Shandong, departed south China’s Hong Kong on Monday morning, wrapping up a five-day visit.

    The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government organized a farewell ceremony at the Stonecutters Island Naval Base. (Xinhua/Wang Shen)

    The Zhanjiang missile destroyer leaves Victoria Harbor in Hong Kong, south China, July 7, 2025. A fleet of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, led by the aircraft carrier Shandong, departed south China’s Hong Kong on Monday morning, wrapping up a five-day visit.

    The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government organized a farewell ceremony at the Stonecutters Island Naval Base. (Xinhua/Wang Shen)

    Local people in Hong Kong watch the departure of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy fleet in Hong Kong, south China, July 7, 2025. A fleet of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, led by the aircraft carrier Shandong, departed south China’s Hong Kong on Monday morning, wrapping up a five-day visit.

    The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government organized a farewell ceremony at the Stonecutters Island Naval Base. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)

    The Zhanjiang missile destroyer leaves Victoria Harbor in Hong Kong, south China, July 7, 2025. A fleet of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, led by the aircraft carrier Shandong, departed south China’s Hong Kong on Monday morning, wrapping up a five-day visit.

    The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government organized a farewell ceremony at the Stonecutters Island Naval Base. (Photo by Li Tang/Xinhua)

    The aircraft carrier Shandong departs from Victoria Harbor in Hong Kong, south China, July 7, 2025. A fleet of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, led by the aircraft carrier Shandong, departed south China’s Hong Kong on Monday morning, wrapping up a five-day visit.

    The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government organized a farewell ceremony at the Stonecutters Island Naval Base. (Photo by Cheng Zijian/Xinhua)

    The Zhanjiang missile destroyer leaves Victoria Harbor in Hong Kong, south China, July 7, 2025. A fleet of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, led by the aircraft carrier Shandong, departed south China’s Hong Kong on Monday morning, wrapping up a five-day visit.

    The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government organized a farewell ceremony at the Stonecutters Island Naval Base. (Xinhua/Wang Shen)

    The Zhanjiang missile destroyer leaves Victoria Harbor in Hong Kong, south China, July 7, 2025. A fleet of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, led by the aircraft carrier Shandong, departed south China’s Hong Kong on Monday morning, wrapping up a five-day visit.

    The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government organized a farewell ceremony at the Stonecutters Island Naval Base. (Xinhua/Wang Shen)

    Local people in Hong Kong watch the departure of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy fleet in Hong Kong, south China, July 7, 2025. A fleet of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, led by the aircraft carrier Shandong, departed south China’s Hong Kong on Monday morning, wrapping up a five-day visit.

    The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government organized a farewell ceremony at the Stonecutters Island Naval Base. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)

    The aircraft carrier Shandong departs from Victoria Harbor in Hong Kong, south China, July 7, 2025. A fleet of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, led by the aircraft carrier Shandong, departed south China’s Hong Kong on Monday morning, wrapping up a five-day visit.

    The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government organized a farewell ceremony at the Stonecutters Island Naval Base. (Photo by Cheng Zijian/Xinhua)

    Local people in Hong Kong watch the departure of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy fleet in Hong Kong, south China, July 7, 2025. A fleet of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, led by the aircraft carrier Shandong, departed south China’s Hong Kong on Monday morning, wrapping up a five-day visit.

    The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government organized a farewell ceremony at the Stonecutters Island Naval Base. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)

    The aircraft carrier Shandong departs from Victoria Harbor in Hong Kong, south China, July 7, 2025. A fleet of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, led by the aircraft carrier Shandong, departed south China’s Hong Kong on Monday morning, wrapping up a five-day visit.

    The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government organized a farewell ceremony at the Stonecutters Island Naval Base. (Photo by Cheng Zijian/Xinhua)

    The aircraft carrier Shandong departs from Victoria Harbor in Hong Kong, south China, July 7, 2025. A fleet of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, led by the aircraft carrier Shandong, departed south China’s Hong Kong on Monday morning, wrapping up a five-day visit.

    The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government organized a farewell ceremony at the Stonecutters Island Naval Base. (Photo by Cheng Zijian/Xinhua)

    The aircraft carrier Shandong departs from Victoria Harbor in Hong Kong, south China, July 7, 2025. A fleet of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, led by the aircraft carrier Shandong, departed south China’s Hong Kong on Monday morning, wrapping up a five-day visit.

    The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government organized a farewell ceremony at the Stonecutters Island Naval Base. (Photo by Cheng Zijian/Xinhua)

    The Yuncheng missile frigate leaves the dock of the PLA Hong Kong Garrison’s naval base in Stonecutters Island, Hong Kong, south China, July 7, 2025. A fleet of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, led by the aircraft carrier Shandong, departed south China’s Hong Kong on Monday morning, wrapping up a five-day visit.

    The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government organized a farewell ceremony at the Stonecutters Island Naval Base. (Photo by Feng Li/Xinhua)

    A Hong Kong citizen holding the Chinese national flag sees off the aircraft carrier Shandong under a light tower in Hong Kong, south China, July 7, 2025. A fleet of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, led by the aircraft carrier Shandong, departed south China’s Hong Kong on Monday morning, wrapping up a five-day visit.

    The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government organized a farewell ceremony at the Stonecutters Island Naval Base. (Photo by Li Gang/Xinhua)

    Local people taking ferries see off the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy fleet in Hong Kong, south China, July 7, 2025. A fleet of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, led by the aircraft carrier Shandong, departed south China’s Hong Kong on Monday morning, wrapping up a five-day visit.

    The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government organized a farewell ceremony at the Stonecutters Island Naval Base. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)

    The aircraft carrier Shandong departs from Victoria Harbor in Hong Kong, south China, July 7, 2025. A fleet of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, led by the aircraft carrier Shandong, departed south China’s Hong Kong on Monday morning, wrapping up a five-day visit.

    The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government organized a farewell ceremony at the Stonecutters Island Naval Base. (Xinhua/Li Yun)

    The Zhanjiang missile destroyer leaves Victoria Harbor in Hong Kong, south China, July 7, 2025. A fleet of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, led by the aircraft carrier Shandong, departed south China’s Hong Kong on Monday morning, wrapping up a five-day visit.

    The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government organized a farewell ceremony at the Stonecutters Island Naval Base. (Photo by Li Tang/Xinhua)

    Citizens aboard a boat see off the aircraft carrier Shandong in Hong Kong, south China, July 7, 2025. A fleet of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, led by the aircraft carrier Shandong, departed south China’s Hong Kong on Monday morning, wrapping up a five-day visit.

    The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government organized a farewell ceremony at the Stonecutters Island Naval Base. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)

    MIL OSI China News

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Global Combat Air Programme Joint Statement: 7 July 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Global Combat Air Programme Joint Statement: 7 July 2025

    Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto, Japanese Defense Minister NAKATANI Gen and UK Secretary of State for Defence John Healey took part in a virtual meeting.

    On 7 July 2025, Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto, Japanese Defense Minister NAKATANI Gen and UK Secretary of State for Defence John Healey took part in a virtual meeting and confirmed the following points:

    1. The three Ministers welcomed the announcement on 20 June by industry to officially launch Edgewing, a Joint Venture that brings together international aerospace leaders BAE Systems (UK), Leonardo (Italy) and Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co. Ltd. (Japan).

    2. The three Ministers also welcomed the opening of the new headquarters in Reading for the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) International Government Organisation (GIGO) and Edgewing. The GIGO and Edgewing will work together from the HQ, under the streamlined governance structure, delivering the programme at pace alongside teams from across the three nations.

    3. The three Ministers reaffirmed their strong and personal commitment to the programme, and confirmed to accelerate all the necessary work to conclude the first international contract between the GIGO and Edgewing by the end of this year. They also spoke of deepening trilateral cooperation for the shared objectives of GCAP and ensuring its continued success.

    Updates to this page

    Published 7 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI USA: War-Torn Central America in the 1980s Comes to Life in New Historical Memoir

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    Some six decades ago, when Scott Wallace’s parents gifted him a Polaroid Swinger camera and leather-bound diary as a child, the seeds of journalism were planted.

    No one knew back then that Wallace, now an associate professor in the UConn journalism department, would go on to become an award-winning writer, television producer, and photojournalist who’s reported from places including the front lines of war-torn Central America, jungles of South America, and post-Soviet Russia.

    Similarly, no one could have foreseen the foreign policy decisions made by the U.S. during the Vietnam War, from around the same time Wallace opened that gift of a camera and journal, would have an influence on some of today’s most divisive issues.

    That’s the thread woven through Wallace’s new historical memoir, “Central America in the Crosshairs of War: On the Road from Vietnam to Iraq,” which has won Gold in the Foreward INDIES Awards in the category of political and social sciences, along with a Gold IPPY from the Independent Book Publishers Association as best history book (oversized/coffee table).

    He maintains the U.S. government’s decisions, denials, and deceit during Vietnam inevitably led to disasters in Iraq and Afghanistan many decades later, coming through the conflicts, civil wars, and revolutions in Central America in the 1980s.

    “Our country would be less polarized,” he says of what would have happened if the U.S. behaved differently in places like El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Guatemala during those years.

    “We would be dealing with a diminished immigration crisis if we had encouraged democracy in Central America and redirected the resources that we gave them for training armies and waging war,” he says. “If we instead used those same resources to build up their economies, there would have been far fewer reasons for them to leave. They’d still be there. We seriously contributed to the tearing apart of the social fabric there, and I think a lot of the people who’ve come here in the last 40 years never would have left their homes.”

    Wallace sat with UConn Today recently to talk about how he got started as a journalist, his unique perspective as a firsthand witness to war, and his advice to others who want to report from the front lines.

    Why have you decided to share your story now?

     
    I was in the middle of a project in Brazil involving the struggles of Indigenous peoples in the Amazon and their efforts to defend their territories and the rainforest from predatory logging and other forms of what passes for development down there. Then, the pandemic hit, and I realized I had to move in another direction if I was to work on a monograph during that time. Even after the pandemic passed, it was near-impossible to gain entry to Indigenous communities. Even into 2021 and 2022, it was still too difficult to get into the territories where I’d been conducting my research. Part of the reason I chose the Central America project was to pivot away from Brazil, at least until it was possible to return to those sensitive Indigenous territories. Secondly, there was a lot I’d been wanting to say for a long time about my experiences as a young journalist in Central America and the abiding relevance of so many issues that have come to the fore today, including immigration and the crisis at the border. Very few people understand how much the issue of immigration from Central America has been driven by our policies from 40 years ago, when we were actively involved in supporting and fueling the military conflicts that were going on down there. It drove a lot of the immigration into the U.S. and made the conditions in those countries so difficult that people left en masse. It’s a story of unintended consequences. The third impetus for the project was the very rich trove of images I’d taken while covering those conflicts, most of which had not previously been published, along with detailed notes and compelling stories that have withstood the test of time. Those experiences formed the foundation of my career and what I’ve ended up doing as a journalist over the last 40 years.

    What’s one of your ‘I-can’t-believe-I did-that’ experiences from the front lines?

    We managed to get ourselves into this rural area of El Salvador in the rebel stronghold of Chalatenango Department, where there had been allegations of a massacre perpetrated by the army that the United States was arming and supporting. We managed to bluff our way past a series of roadblocks, got into rebel-controlled territory, and then got permission from the guerrillas to undertake a journey on foot down into the scene of this atrocity.  After most of the day walking, we came upon a dilapidated footbridge stretching across this yawning chasm with a rushing river beneath us. The bridge was such a wreck that, out in the middle, the boards were sagging vertically to the surface of the water, and the wires on one side were basically useless. You had to pick your way across, hand over hand, with your feet on the tops of the boards. The water below was rushing at such a furious speed that the rebels advised us not to look down as we crossed because the rush of the water would make us dizzy, and we’d lose our balance and fall. Had we known what we were getting into, I’m not sure we would have gone there. But by then, we were already so far into the journey there was no going back. When we got to the scene, a horrific stench came from a good way off. It looked like a scene from a plane crash, with clothing and belongings strewn across the brush and hanging from the trees and bodies lying on the ground. It was horrific. I did my best to piece together what had happened from interviews with survivors and what we could see on the ground.

    Something like that must stick with you.

     
    I think you develop a little bit of a thick skin, and you just have to move through it. You’re there to find out what happened, and your own personal feelings are kind of secondary.

    Sandinista Popular Army soldiers forcibly remove peasants to create a free-fire zone to battle Contra rebels in El Ventarrón, Nicaragua, in 1985. (Photo courtesy of Scott Wallace)

    How did you get your start as a journalist?

     
    I was thirsty for adventure and for finding out about the bigger world. I took a year off from college as an undergraduate, and, with advice from some students who were a little older than me and who had done something similar, I lined up a volunteer position in the Peruvian jungle. I went first to Mexico, studied intensive Spanish for the summer, then traveled overland through Central America, down the spine of the Andes, and out into the jungle, where I worked as a literacy instructor in an Indigenous community. During that year I discovered something new about myself. I didn’t know Spanish at all before I left, and through the process of having to put myself out there, I kind of developed a new persona as I interacted with Latin Americans and mastered the language and the culture. I loved the music, the people, and the literature. I returned to college after that, doubled up on Spanish classes, and learned how to write it and read it. I also became fascinated with what was going on in Latin America in the news. I was already a few years out of college when it dawned on me that maybe I could make a career as a journalist covering events in Latin America, since I loved writing, taking pictures, and travel. I decided to go back to school to get a master’s in journalism with the objective of going to Central America when I graduated. By this time, the early 1980s, Central America was in turmoil. The Sandinistas had taken power in Nicaragua, a civil war had erupted in El Salvador, and the Reagan Administration vowed to ‘draw the line’ against what it perceived to be communist aggression in Central America. The region was a tinderbox that seemed poised to become a new Vietnam. I knew that no news organization would send a new graduate straight into a big story. I would have to go as a freelancer, so I decided to learn as many skills as I could, because as a freelancer I knew I would have to have as many skills as possible to earn a living: write news stories, take photographs for my stories, sell my photographs to other news outlets. I also got a tip that doing radio for one of the networks was a really good way to establish yourself and bring in a steady stream of work. Just as I was about to graduate, one of my professors, who had previously been a CBS Radio correspondent, introduced me to network executives when they came to campus, and one thing led to another. They didn’t have anyone in El Salvador at that time, so I was able to land a gig as their freelance ‘stringer’ there.

    What would your advice be for a journalism student or working journalist who’s hungry to do this kind of work today?

     
    It takes a certain kind of person. You have to be passionate about the world, curious about the way the world works. You need to be an avid reader of literature as well as nonfiction, be up on current events, and follow the news closely. In all the writing classes that I teach, I require my students to accompany their stories with images, because everyone should know how to take decent pictures and how to do solid interviews. They should learn how to shoot video and record audio. Of course, now you must have a social media presence and put your stuff out there. It’s also very important to make contacts. Ply your professors or the people you meet, go to places where you’re going to meet the professionals you admire. Follow them on Instagram. See who’s excelling at the kind of work you’re interested in and reach out to them. You also should build a portfolio of writing, images, and multimedia. Persistence and patience are also important.

    Compared to historians and others who’ve studied Central America and the conflicts there, do you think you have a unique perspective seeing it all firsthand?

     
    It’s definitely a unique perspective, but sometimes I’m a little bit daunted by the intellectual capabilities and rigor of my colleagues in other departments at the University. I think my strength lies in bringing personal experiences and storytelling acumen to the narrative. In June, I was asked to do a presentation at a seminar of academics on genocide and its relationship to ‘ecocide’ – the criminal destruction of the environment – based on my work covering Indigenous struggles in jungles of the Amazon. I was pleasantly surprised by the positive reception to my presentation, in which I showed my photographs and told stories of people whose lives are impacted and threatened by deforestation, land grabbing, and the violent destruction of habitats and biodiversity. It was a way of bringing abstract concepts down to ground level. I’m not the only one who does that. All my colleagues in the journalism department similarly bring that kind of ground-truthing and storytelling to the subjects they report on.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: US backs Nato’s latest pledge of support for Ukraine, but in reality seems to have abandoned its European partners

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

    Recent news from Ukraine has generally been bad. Since the end of May, ever larger Russian air strikes have been documented against Ukrainian cities with devastating consequences for civilians, including in the country’s capital, Kyiv.

    Amid small and costly but steady gains along the almost 1,000km long frontline, Russia reportedly took full control of the Ukrainian region of Luhansk, part of which it had already occupied before the beginning of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

    And according to Dutch and German intelligence reports, some of Russia’s gains on the battlefield are enabled by the widespread use of chemical weapons.


    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.


    It was therefore something of a relief that Nato’s summit in The Hague produced a short joint declaration on June 25 in which Russia was clearly named as a “long-term threat … to Euro-Atlantic security”. Member states restated “their enduring sovereign commitments to provide support to Ukraine”. While the summit declaration made no mention of future Nato membership for Ukraine, the fact that US president Donald Trump agreed to these two statements was widely seen as a success.

    Yet, within a week of the summit, Washington paused the delivery of critical weapons to Ukraine, including Patriot air defence missiles and long-range precision-strike rockets. The move was ostensibly in response to depleting US stockpiles.

    This despite the Pentagon’s own analysis, which suggested that the shipment – authorised by the former US president Joe Biden last year – posed no risk to US ammunition supplies.

    This was bad news for Ukraine. The halt in supplies weakens Kyiv’s ability to protect its large population centres and critical infrastructure against intensifying Russian airstrikes. It also puts limits on Ukraine’s ability to target Russian supply lines and logistics hubs behind the frontlines that have been enabling ground advances.

    Despite protests from Ukraine and an offer from Germany to buy Patriot missiles from the US for Ukraine, Trump has been in no rush to reverse the decision by the Pentagon.

    Russia is now claiming to have completed its occupation of the province of Luhansk in eastern Ukraine.
    Institute for the Study of War

    Another phone call with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, on July 3, failed to change Trump’s mind, even though he acknowledged his disappointment with the clear lack of willingness by the Kremlin to stop the fighting. What’s more, within hours of the call between the two presidents, Moscow launched the largest drone attack of the war against Kyiv.

    A day later, Trump spoke with Zelensky. And while the call between them was apparently productive, neither side gave any indication that US weapons shipments to Ukraine would resume quickly.

    Trump previously paused arms shipments and intelligence sharing with Ukraine in March, 2025 after his acrimonious encounter with Zelensky in the Oval Office. But the US president reversed course after certain concessions had been agreed – whether that was an agreement by Ukraine to an unconditional ceasefire or a deal on the country’s minerals.

    It is not clear with the current disruption whether Trump is after yet more concessions from Ukraine. The timing is ominous, coming after what had appeared to be a productive Nato summit with a unified stance on Russia’s war of aggression. And it preceded Trump’s call with Putin.

    This could be read as a signal that Trump was still keen to accommodate at least some of the Russian president’s demands in exchange for the necessary concessions from the Kremlin to agree, finally, the ceasefire that Trump had once envisaged he could achieve in 24 hours.

    If this is indeed the case, the fact that Trump continues to misread the Russian position is deeply worrying. The Kremlin has clearly drawn its red lines on what it is after in any peace deal with Ukraine.

    These demands – virtually unchanged since the beginning of the war – include a lifting of sanctions against Russia and no Nato membership for Ukraine, while also insisting that Kyiv must accept limits on its future military forces and recognise Russia’s annexation of Crimea and four regions on the Ukrainian mainland.

    This will not change as a result of US concessions to Russia but only through pressure on Putin. And Trump has so far been unwilling to apply pressure in a concrete and meaningful way beyond the occasional hints to the press or on social media.

    Coalition of the willing

    It is equally clear that Russia’s maximalist demands are unacceptable to Ukraine and its European allies. With little doubt that the US can no longer be relied upon to back the European and Ukrainian position, Kyiv and Europe need to accelerate their own defence efforts.

    A European coalition of the willing to do just that is slowly taking shape. It straddles the once more rigid boundaries of EU and Nato membership and non-membership, involving countries such as Moldova, Norway and the UK.
    and including non-European allies including Canada, Japan and South Korea.

    The European commission’s white paper on European defence is an obvious indication that the threat from Russia and the needs of Ukraine are being taken seriously and, crucially, acted upon. It mobilises some €800 billion (£690 billion) in defence spending and will enable deeper integration of the Ukrainian defence sector with that of the European Union.

    At the national level, key European allies, in particular Germany, have also committed to increased defence spending and stepped up their forward deployment of forces closer to the borders with Russia.

    US equivocation will not mean that Ukraine is now on the brink of losing the war against Russia. Nor will Europe discovering its spine on defence put Kyiv immediately in a position to defeat Moscow’s aggression.

    After decades of relying on the US and neglecting their own defence capabilities, these recent European efforts are a first step in the right direction. They will not turn Europe into a military heavyweight overnight. But they will buy time to do so.

    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.

    ref. US backs Nato’s latest pledge of support for Ukraine, but in reality seems to have abandoned its European partners – https://theconversation.com/us-backs-natos-latest-pledge-of-support-for-ukraine-but-in-reality-seems-to-have-abandoned-its-european-partners-260334

    MIL OSI

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: RAF personnel to benefit from new SLA accommodation at Cosford

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    RAF personnel to benefit from new SLA accommodation at Cosford

    50 new SLA bedspaces will be created at RAF Cosford as part of a £12 million contract.

    RAF Cosford Station Commander Penny Brady with representatives from DIO, Reds10 and Arcadis. MOD Crown Copyright.

    Construction has started on a new 50-bedroom Single Living Accommodation (SLA) block at RAF Cosford in Shropshire.  

    The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) awarded a £12 million contract to modular construction specialist Reds10 and the start of work was marked at a recent groundbreaking ceremony. The contract was awarded through the £1 billion Single Living Accommodation – Programmatic Approach framework alliance, which will see thousands of new bedspaces created for Armed Forces personnel. 

    The accommodation will provide 50 en-suite bedrooms, as well as kitchenettes, communal space, equipment storage and laundry facilities. Sustainability has been central in the design of the block, featuring air source heat pumps for heating and hot water, photovoltaic panels and a SMART building management system to ensure optimal efficiency. While the project will not be the new SLA common design, lessons will continue to be learned from this and other projects to ensure the needs of service personnel are met, while also aiming to achieve the requirements of the Government’s Net Zero Strategy.  

    This project will not only improve service life for personnel but will also benefit local businesses. Over £120,000 has already been spent with local suppliers and the project team will continue to maximise opportunities to support the local community as the project progresses.   

    The project is one of the first to be delivered under the £1 billion SLA Alliance, which will run for six years and will see 16,000 new bedspaces built. It forms part of wider plans to build or refurbish 40,000 SLA bedspaces over the next 10 years, improving living conditions for service personnel.

    Peter Shaw, Project Manager for DIO Major Programmes and Projects, said: 

    I am very excited to see spades in the ground and construction officially starting on this project to improve accommodation for personnel based at RAF Cosford. We are looking forward to delivering this project as part of the SLA Programmatic Approach, which will ensure we can safely build consistent accommodation blocks faster, while also driving greater value for money.

    Wing Commander Penny Brade, Station Commander at RAF Cosford, said:  

    RAF Cosford has continued to grow in recent years. When complete, the new Officers’ Mess annex will have a hugely positive impact on those commissioned personnel living on the Station, and those who visit for courses and conferences.

    Phil Cook, Managing Director – Defence for Reds10, said: 

    We’re proud to be delivering the first project to complete under the SLA Alliance at RAF Cosford; a significant milestone in transforming how accommodation for service personnel is delivered across the MOD estate. By combining our expertise in industrialised construction with a strong, collaborative relationship with DIO, we’re helping to set a new benchmark for quality, sustainability and speed of delivery, ensuring those serving our country have the high-quality living environments they deserve. 

    Construction is now underway at the site and is expected to be completed by July 2026. 

    Updates to this page

    Published 7 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI: SAIC Announces Government Risk Reduction Effort Offering for No-Fail Mission Environments with ServiceNow

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    RESTON, Va., July 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Science Applications International Corp. (NASDAQ: SAIC) announced a strategic collaboration with ServiceNow for a new government risk reduction effort (RRE) offering for mission operations. The new offering will integrate into SAIC’s mission labs to help U.S. armed forces, intelligence and civilian agencies shift their IT risk efforts from a reactive function to autonomous resilience and no-fail mission environments.

    By leveraging the innovation of the ServiceNow AI Platform and integrating it directly into SAIC’s mission labs – collaborative, hands-on environments to design, test and validate solutions against real-world mission scenarios – the two companies are delivering real-time intelligence for decision-making, issue prediction and process automation to drive a critical future of zero outages, downtime or incidents. A pillar of the partnership is enabling customers to directly work with both companies to rapidly develop, test and seamlessly deploy secure, outcome-based IT services – ensuring a faster delivery of capabilities and tools that are scalable to meet today’s demands while anticipating tomorrow’s challenges. 

    “Our collaboration with ServiceNow is focused on bringing commercial grade technology, including agentic AI, that unlock efficiencies to the government,” said Josh Jackson, SAIC executive vice president of Army Business Group. “By combining our mission integration approach with ServiceNow’s innovative AI platform, we’re equipping agencies with the tools they need to accelerate modernization and provide positive user experiences.”

    “By working with SAIC we can deliver transformative solutions to the Army and broader defense and government community by accelerating mission success through innovation, automation and a focused effort to reduce technical debt. Together, with ServiceNow’s AI Platform for business transformation and SAIC’s defense expertise, we’re enabling a more agile, efficient and forward-looking digital future in meeting the government’s mission,” said Mark Jones, Director, Army & Mission Commands at ServiceNow.

    As an Elite partner of ServiceNow, SAIC brings proven capability across multiple product lines and mission environments to deliver transformative solutions at an enterprise scale for exceptional customer success within defense, civilian and intelligence markets. SAIC currently leads the largest federal implementation of ServiceNow through its work on the Army Enterprise Service Management Platform (AESMP) to improve Army operations and processes through enhanced Virtual Agent capabilities and demonstrating the company’s ability to operationalize complex, enterprise-scale solutions at the highest levels of government. The company’s collaboration with ServiceNow also offers the U.S. Navy, civilian agencies and state and local governments access to cutting-edge solutions to meet their mission-critical objectives more effectively.

    For more information about this collaboration and how it supports government digital transformation, visit SAIC.com.

    About SAIC 
    SAIC® is a premier Fortune 500 mission integrator focused on advancing the power of technology and innovation to serve and protect our world. Our robust portfolio of offerings across the defense, space, civilian and intelligence markets includes secure high-end solutions in mission IT, enterprise IT, engineering services and professional services. We integrate emerging technology, rapidly and securely, into mission critical operations that modernize and enable critical national imperatives.

    We are approximately 24,000 strong; driven by mission, united by purpose, and inspired by opportunities. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, SAIC has annual revenues of approximately $7.5 billion. For more information, visit saic.com. For ongoing news, please visit our newsroom.

    Media Contact: 
    Caralyn Duke
    Caralyn.duke@saic.com

    Forward-Looking Statements
    Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this release contain or are based on “forward-looking” information within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by words such as “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “guidance,” and similar words or phrases. Forward-looking statements in this release may include, among others, estimates of future revenues, operating income, earnings, earnings per share, charges, total contract value, backlog, outstanding shares and cash flows, as well as statements about future dividends, share repurchases and other capital deployment plans. Such statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risk, uncertainties and assumptions, and actual results may differ materially from the guidance and other forward-looking statements made in this release as a result of various factors. Risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause or contribute to these material differences include those discussed in the “Risk Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Legal Proceedings” sections of our Annual Report on Form 10-K, as updated in any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other filings with the SEC, which may be viewed or obtained through the Investor Relations section of our website at saic.com or on the SEC’s website at sec.gov. Due to such risks, uncertainties and assumptions you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. SAIC expressly disclaims any duty to update any forward-looking statement provided in this release to reflect subsequent events, actual results or changes in SAIC’s expectations. SAIC also disclaims any duty to comment upon or correct information that may be contained in reports published by investment analysts or others.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: SAIC Announces Government Risk Reduction Effort Offering for No-Fail Mission Environments with ServiceNow

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    RESTON, Va., July 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Science Applications International Corp. (NASDAQ: SAIC) announced a strategic collaboration with ServiceNow for a new government risk reduction effort (RRE) offering for mission operations. The new offering will integrate into SAIC’s mission labs to help U.S. armed forces, intelligence and civilian agencies shift their IT risk efforts from a reactive function to autonomous resilience and no-fail mission environments.

    By leveraging the innovation of the ServiceNow AI Platform and integrating it directly into SAIC’s mission labs – collaborative, hands-on environments to design, test and validate solutions against real-world mission scenarios – the two companies are delivering real-time intelligence for decision-making, issue prediction and process automation to drive a critical future of zero outages, downtime or incidents. A pillar of the partnership is enabling customers to directly work with both companies to rapidly develop, test and seamlessly deploy secure, outcome-based IT services – ensuring a faster delivery of capabilities and tools that are scalable to meet today’s demands while anticipating tomorrow’s challenges. 

    “Our collaboration with ServiceNow is focused on bringing commercial grade technology, including agentic AI, that unlock efficiencies to the government,” said Josh Jackson, SAIC executive vice president of Army Business Group. “By combining our mission integration approach with ServiceNow’s innovative AI platform, we’re equipping agencies with the tools they need to accelerate modernization and provide positive user experiences.”

    “By working with SAIC we can deliver transformative solutions to the Army and broader defense and government community by accelerating mission success through innovation, automation and a focused effort to reduce technical debt. Together, with ServiceNow’s AI Platform for business transformation and SAIC’s defense expertise, we’re enabling a more agile, efficient and forward-looking digital future in meeting the government’s mission,” said Mark Jones, Director, Army & Mission Commands at ServiceNow.

    As an Elite partner of ServiceNow, SAIC brings proven capability across multiple product lines and mission environments to deliver transformative solutions at an enterprise scale for exceptional customer success within defense, civilian and intelligence markets. SAIC currently leads the largest federal implementation of ServiceNow through its work on the Army Enterprise Service Management Platform (AESMP) to improve Army operations and processes through enhanced Virtual Agent capabilities and demonstrating the company’s ability to operationalize complex, enterprise-scale solutions at the highest levels of government. The company’s collaboration with ServiceNow also offers the U.S. Navy, civilian agencies and state and local governments access to cutting-edge solutions to meet their mission-critical objectives more effectively.

    For more information about this collaboration and how it supports government digital transformation, visit SAIC.com.

    About SAIC 
    SAIC® is a premier Fortune 500 mission integrator focused on advancing the power of technology and innovation to serve and protect our world. Our robust portfolio of offerings across the defense, space, civilian and intelligence markets includes secure high-end solutions in mission IT, enterprise IT, engineering services and professional services. We integrate emerging technology, rapidly and securely, into mission critical operations that modernize and enable critical national imperatives.

    We are approximately 24,000 strong; driven by mission, united by purpose, and inspired by opportunities. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, SAIC has annual revenues of approximately $7.5 billion. For more information, visit saic.com. For ongoing news, please visit our newsroom.

    Media Contact: 
    Caralyn Duke
    Caralyn.duke@saic.com

    Forward-Looking Statements
    Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this release contain or are based on “forward-looking” information within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by words such as “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “guidance,” and similar words or phrases. Forward-looking statements in this release may include, among others, estimates of future revenues, operating income, earnings, earnings per share, charges, total contract value, backlog, outstanding shares and cash flows, as well as statements about future dividends, share repurchases and other capital deployment plans. Such statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risk, uncertainties and assumptions, and actual results may differ materially from the guidance and other forward-looking statements made in this release as a result of various factors. Risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause or contribute to these material differences include those discussed in the “Risk Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Legal Proceedings” sections of our Annual Report on Form 10-K, as updated in any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other filings with the SEC, which may be viewed or obtained through the Investor Relations section of our website at saic.com or on the SEC’s website at sec.gov. Due to such risks, uncertainties and assumptions you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. SAIC expressly disclaims any duty to update any forward-looking statement provided in this release to reflect subsequent events, actual results or changes in SAIC’s expectations. SAIC also disclaims any duty to comment upon or correct information that may be contained in reports published by investment analysts or others.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI China: Xi pays tribute to martyrs in resistance war against Japanese aggression 2025-07-07 20:12:07 Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, paid tribute to martyrs who died in a major campaign in the war of resistance against Japanese aggression, in Yangquan of north China’s Shanxi Province on Monday.

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

      YANGQUAN, Shanxi, July 7 (Xinhua) — Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, paid tribute to martyrs who died in a major campaign in the war of resistance against Japanese aggression, in Yangquan of north China’s Shanxi Province on Monday.

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    MIL OSI China News

  • MIL-OSI China: PLA Support Base in Djibouti participates in 50th anniversary of Comoros’ independence 2025-07-07 17:47:54 At the invitation of the Comorian government, a detachment of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Support Base in Djibouti participated in the military parade marking the 50th anniversary of the independence of the Comoros on July 6, local time.

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

      Honor guards of the Chinese PLA Support Base in Djibouti march in the military parade.

      MORONI, July 7 — At the invitation of the Comorian government, a detachment of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Support Base in Djibouti participated in the military parade marking the 50th anniversary of the independence of the Comoros on July 6, local time. This marks the first time the Chinese PLA has taken part in a military parade in the Comoros.

      The military parade was held in Moroni, the capital city of the Comoros. After the ceremony began, formations from the Comorian National Development Army, the Comorian Coast Guard, and other units of the country marched past the reviewing stand. They were followed by international contingents from China, Morocco, and Tanzania.

      According to Brigade General Youssouf Idjihadi, Chief of the Defence Staff of the Comorian National Development Army, they are deeply grateful to Chinese President Xi Jinping for sending Chinese troops to join them in celebrating such a significant occasion. They look forward to further developing their relations with China and strengthening the friendship between the two countries and militaries, thereby becoming exemplary partners across Africa and the Indian Ocean region. He also said that China is a great friend.

      China was the first country to establish diplomatic relations with the Comoros. Over the past 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, China has always adhered to the concept of peaceful development in developing bilateral relations. The friendship between the two countries is profound and everlasting. The two sides have always supported each other, worked hand in hand, and actively promoted the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. In September 2024, the two heads of state jointly announced the elevation of China-Comoros relations to a strategic partnership.

      The Comorian army formation marches in the military parade.

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    MIL OSI China News

  • Operation Sindoor boosted global demand for Indian defence products: Rajnath Singh

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday underscored the role of Defence Accounts Department (DAD) in enhancing the operational readiness and financial agility of the Armed Forces at the Controllers’ Conference 2025 in New Delhi.

    Citing the success of Operation Sindoor, he said India’s growing defence capabilities, particularly indigenous equipment, have boosted global demand and respect for the country’s defence sector.

    He urged the DAD to evolve from being mere financial controllers to facilitators, especially as private sector participation in defence expands. Stressing the importance of timely financial decisions, Singh warned that even minor delays or errors could impact operational preparedness.

    The Minister credited the defence sector’s ongoing transformation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, underlining significant progress towards self-reliance and domestic manufacturing. He said “Most of the equipment we once imported is now being made in India. Our reforms are succeeding because of the clarity of vision and commitment at the highest level.” He noted that rising global military expenditure – now at $2.7 trillion – presents major export opportunities for Indian defence industries.

    Singh emphasized the economic impact of defence investments, describing them as key drivers of growth. He called for the incorporation of Defence Economics into departmental planning, including assessments of R&D and dual-use technologies.

    “Our effort is to ensure that decisions are taken swiftly so that we can begin manufacturing larger engines right here in India and that this journey begins with the hands of Indians,” he added.

    Highlighting the Rs 1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme, Singh encouraged DAD to actively support funding for start-ups, MSMEs, and private firms. He also praised recent reforms, including the Defence Acquisition Council’s approval of weapon purchases through the capital route.

    “Until recently, defence budgets were not seen as part of the national economy. Today, they are growth drivers,” he said.

    Commending DAD’s new motto – “Alert, Agile, Adaptive” – Singh urged officials to pursue internal reforms through self-assessment. He stressed the need for financial systems that can adapt quickly during periods of uncertainty, ensuring that both equipment production and budget allocations remain responsive.

    “Peace time is nothing but an illusion. Even during periods of relative calm, we must prepare for uncertainty. Sudden developments can force a complete shift in our financial and operational posture. Whether it’s stepping up equipment production or adapting financial processes, we must be ready with innovative techniques and responsive systems at all times,” he said.

    The Minister lauded digital platforms like GeM and SPARSH for promoting transparency and efficiency. Notably, over Rs 2 lakh crore worth of procurements have been made via GeM, while SPARSH has brought pension services to over 32 lakh defence pensioners.

    Singh also welcomed upcoming initiatives like the Comprehensive Pay System and Centralised Database Management System, and praised the department’s Vision Document and revised Defence Accounts Code released during the event.

    Congratulating the department for full capital budget utilisation in the previous fiscal year, he urged continued fiscal discipline with a focus on efficiency-led growth. “Let us all pledge to remain alert, agile, and adaptive so that our work remains relevant and impactful. Our responsibility is immense, and every decision we make contributes to the larger vision of national security and self-reliance,” he concluded.

    The conference was attended by top defence officials including Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, service chiefs, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Chairman and Defence Secretary R&D Dr. Samir V Kamat, Financial Adviser (Defence Services) S G Dastidar and Controller General of Defence Accounts Dr. Mayank Sharma.

  • Operation Sindoor boosted global demand for Indian defence products: Rajnath Singh

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday underscored the role of Defence Accounts Department (DAD) in enhancing the operational readiness and financial agility of the Armed Forces at the Controllers’ Conference 2025 in New Delhi.

    Citing the success of Operation Sindoor, he said India’s growing defence capabilities, particularly indigenous equipment, have boosted global demand and respect for the country’s defence sector.

    He urged the DAD to evolve from being mere financial controllers to facilitators, especially as private sector participation in defence expands. Stressing the importance of timely financial decisions, Singh warned that even minor delays or errors could impact operational preparedness.

    The Minister credited the defence sector’s ongoing transformation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, underlining significant progress towards self-reliance and domestic manufacturing. He said “Most of the equipment we once imported is now being made in India. Our reforms are succeeding because of the clarity of vision and commitment at the highest level.” He noted that rising global military expenditure – now at $2.7 trillion – presents major export opportunities for Indian defence industries.

    Singh emphasized the economic impact of defence investments, describing them as key drivers of growth. He called for the incorporation of Defence Economics into departmental planning, including assessments of R&D and dual-use technologies.

    “Our effort is to ensure that decisions are taken swiftly so that we can begin manufacturing larger engines right here in India and that this journey begins with the hands of Indians,” he added.

    Highlighting the Rs 1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme, Singh encouraged DAD to actively support funding for start-ups, MSMEs, and private firms. He also praised recent reforms, including the Defence Acquisition Council’s approval of weapon purchases through the capital route.

    “Until recently, defence budgets were not seen as part of the national economy. Today, they are growth drivers,” he said.

    Commending DAD’s new motto – “Alert, Agile, Adaptive” – Singh urged officials to pursue internal reforms through self-assessment. He stressed the need for financial systems that can adapt quickly during periods of uncertainty, ensuring that both equipment production and budget allocations remain responsive.

    “Peace time is nothing but an illusion. Even during periods of relative calm, we must prepare for uncertainty. Sudden developments can force a complete shift in our financial and operational posture. Whether it’s stepping up equipment production or adapting financial processes, we must be ready with innovative techniques and responsive systems at all times,” he said.

    The Minister lauded digital platforms like GeM and SPARSH for promoting transparency and efficiency. Notably, over Rs 2 lakh crore worth of procurements have been made via GeM, while SPARSH has brought pension services to over 32 lakh defence pensioners.

    Singh also welcomed upcoming initiatives like the Comprehensive Pay System and Centralised Database Management System, and praised the department’s Vision Document and revised Defence Accounts Code released during the event.

    Congratulating the department for full capital budget utilisation in the previous fiscal year, he urged continued fiscal discipline with a focus on efficiency-led growth. “Let us all pledge to remain alert, agile, and adaptive so that our work remains relevant and impactful. Our responsibility is immense, and every decision we make contributes to the larger vision of national security and self-reliance,” he concluded.

    The conference was attended by top defence officials including Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, service chiefs, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Chairman and Defence Secretary R&D Dr. Samir V Kamat, Financial Adviser (Defence Services) S G Dastidar and Controller General of Defence Accounts Dr. Mayank Sharma.

  • Operation Sindoor boosted global demand for Indian defence products: Rajnath Singh

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday underscored the role of Defence Accounts Department (DAD) in enhancing the operational readiness and financial agility of the Armed Forces at the Controllers’ Conference 2025 in New Delhi.

    Citing the success of Operation Sindoor, he said India’s growing defence capabilities, particularly indigenous equipment, have boosted global demand and respect for the country’s defence sector.

    He urged the DAD to evolve from being mere financial controllers to facilitators, especially as private sector participation in defence expands. Stressing the importance of timely financial decisions, Singh warned that even minor delays or errors could impact operational preparedness.

    The Minister credited the defence sector’s ongoing transformation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, underlining significant progress towards self-reliance and domestic manufacturing. He said “Most of the equipment we once imported is now being made in India. Our reforms are succeeding because of the clarity of vision and commitment at the highest level.” He noted that rising global military expenditure – now at $2.7 trillion – presents major export opportunities for Indian defence industries.

    Singh emphasized the economic impact of defence investments, describing them as key drivers of growth. He called for the incorporation of Defence Economics into departmental planning, including assessments of R&D and dual-use technologies.

    “Our effort is to ensure that decisions are taken swiftly so that we can begin manufacturing larger engines right here in India and that this journey begins with the hands of Indians,” he added.

    Highlighting the Rs 1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme, Singh encouraged DAD to actively support funding for start-ups, MSMEs, and private firms. He also praised recent reforms, including the Defence Acquisition Council’s approval of weapon purchases through the capital route.

    “Until recently, defence budgets were not seen as part of the national economy. Today, they are growth drivers,” he said.

    Commending DAD’s new motto – “Alert, Agile, Adaptive” – Singh urged officials to pursue internal reforms through self-assessment. He stressed the need for financial systems that can adapt quickly during periods of uncertainty, ensuring that both equipment production and budget allocations remain responsive.

    “Peace time is nothing but an illusion. Even during periods of relative calm, we must prepare for uncertainty. Sudden developments can force a complete shift in our financial and operational posture. Whether it’s stepping up equipment production or adapting financial processes, we must be ready with innovative techniques and responsive systems at all times,” he said.

    The Minister lauded digital platforms like GeM and SPARSH for promoting transparency and efficiency. Notably, over Rs 2 lakh crore worth of procurements have been made via GeM, while SPARSH has brought pension services to over 32 lakh defence pensioners.

    Singh also welcomed upcoming initiatives like the Comprehensive Pay System and Centralised Database Management System, and praised the department’s Vision Document and revised Defence Accounts Code released during the event.

    Congratulating the department for full capital budget utilisation in the previous fiscal year, he urged continued fiscal discipline with a focus on efficiency-led growth. “Let us all pledge to remain alert, agile, and adaptive so that our work remains relevant and impactful. Our responsibility is immense, and every decision we make contributes to the larger vision of national security and self-reliance,” he concluded.

    The conference was attended by top defence officials including Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, service chiefs, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Chairman and Defence Secretary R&D Dr. Samir V Kamat, Financial Adviser (Defence Services) S G Dastidar and Controller General of Defence Accounts Dr. Mayank Sharma.

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Thales contributes to strengthening Malaysian air sovereignty with two additional Ground Master 400 alpha long-range air surveillance radars

    Source: Thales Group

    Headline: Thales contributes to strengthening Malaysian air sovereignty with two additional Ground Master 400 alpha long-range air surveillance radars

    Aligned with its strategy to strengthen local industrial capabilities, Thales will partner with Malaysian enterprise Weststar Group to install and deploy the radars in line with the terrain and operational requirements of the RMAF (Royal Malaysian Air Force), in Peninsular and Eastern Malaysia. Through Industrial Cooperation Programmes (ICPs), Thales will provide maintenance and support of GM400α radars throughout their lifecycle, in close proximity to the RMAF. Thales will also embark on knowledge transfer and on-ground training to build Malaysia’s future generations of radar experts.

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Thales contributes to strengthening Malaysian air sovereignty with two additional Ground Master 400 alpha long-range air surveillance radars

    Source: Thales Group

    Headline: Thales contributes to strengthening Malaysian air sovereignty with two additional Ground Master 400 alpha long-range air surveillance radars

    Aligned with its strategy to strengthen local industrial capabilities, Thales will partner with Malaysian enterprise Weststar Group to install and deploy the radars in line with the terrain and operational requirements of the RMAF (Royal Malaysian Air Force), in Peninsular and Eastern Malaysia. Through Industrial Cooperation Programmes (ICPs), Thales will provide maintenance and support of GM400α radars throughout their lifecycle, in close proximity to the RMAF. Thales will also embark on knowledge transfer and on-ground training to build Malaysia’s future generations of radar experts.

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-Evening Report: Kumanjayi Walker inquest: racism and violence, but findings too little and too late

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Thalia Anthony, Professor of Law, University of Technology Sydney

    First Nations people please be advised this article speaks of racially discriminating moments in history, including the distress and death of First Nations people.


    The inquest findings into the death of 19-year-old Kumanjayi Walker are among the most anticipated in the history of deaths in custody.

    It is almost six years since Walker was shot point blank three times by former Northern Territory (NT) Police constable Zachary Rolfe. These events occurred on the evening of November 9 2019 in a family home of Walker, as Warlpiri people of the remote Central Australian community of Yuendumu listened in fear.

    In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, Chief Minister Michael Gunner promised “consequences would flow”.

    In 2022, Rolfe was tried for murder and the alternate charges of manslaughter and violent act causing death. The first, non-lethal, shot was conceded by the prosecution to be in self-defence. The fatal second and third shots were the basis for the prosecution.

    The jury, with no Aboriginal representation, decided in March 2022 that self-defence also applied to the subsequent shots, and Rolfe was found not guilty.

    Legal experts have since contended that the first shot was not an act of self-defence, given Rolfe unlawfully ambushed Walker without permission to enter the home. They also maintain Rolfe’s history of racial violence and slurs against Aboriginal people should have been admissible evidence given their relevance to Rolfe’s conduct on the night of November 9.

    Following the trial, in September 2022 the inquest into Kumanjayi Walker’s death commenced. The coroner’s role is to determine the causes of Walker’s death.

    The issue of police racism, generally in the NT Police and specifically on the part of Rolfe, came within the scope of the inquest, along with Rolfe’s allegedly violent practices towards Aboriginal people, police relations with Aboriginal people in remote communities, and the use of police weapons, especially firearms.

    The inquest has been a litmus test for racism in police forces. The Yuendumu community has sought findings of racism and recommendations to redress this wicked problem, including disciplinary action for racist and violent police officers.

    Walker’s family has called for

    • funding from prisons and police to be reinvested in Aboriginal community-led supports
    • the disarming of police in remote communities
    • the banning of police force and discriminatory practices
    • respect for self-determination in Yuendumu.

    The North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency (NAAJA) also argued for independent and robust police accountability mechanisms.

    The inquest was originally due to conclude in December 2022, but was substantially delayed based on a number of applications and appeals from Rolfe.

    Rolfe requested for Coroner Armitage to remove herself from the inquest based on perceived bias against him. He also refused to give evidence to the inquest, on the basis that his evidence would implicate him. Multiple appeals to higher courts were unsuccessful but time-consuming.

    Walker’s family expressed concerns that the significant delays in the inquest have been detrimental to their plight.

    A fortnight before the inquest findings were due to be delivered, another young Warlpiri man, 24-year-old Kumanjayi White from Yuendumu, was killed by police in May 2024. This set back the findings and reopened wounds endured by the Yuendumu community. Once again, the community has had to remobilise to campaign for justice. It has added to the sentiment of the community, which was expressed by Kumanjayi White’s grandfather Ned Jampijinpa Hargraves: “we do not trust police”.

    What did the inquest reveal?

    This inquest, more than any other in recent history, has put into sharp relief the violence of the police force. It received evidence of text messages in which Rolfe described Aboriginal people as “neanderthals who drink too much alcohol” and referred to Aboriginal people as “coon”.

    Footage was shown of Rolfe’s use of violence towards Aboriginal people. Forty-six incidents of violence, including punching Aboriginal people and rendering them unconscious, had been recorded between 2016 and 2019. Some of these attacks were the subject of professional standards and legal complaints. The inquest heard of the failure of police and prosecutors to investigate.

    However, the racism was not confined to Rolfe. Evidence of a culture of racism disclosed that it was endemic up to the highest levels. There was “normalised” and widespread use of racist language towards Aboriginal people, including use of the “n-word”.

    Rolfe provided evidence of the police annual racist awards (“Coon of the Year”) and officers who would describe a pub that Aboriginal people attended as the “animal bar”.

    The fact a white police officer, Rolfe, disclosed the racism gave it a legitimacy and widespread coverage that the Yuendumu community was unable to garner.

    The inquest identified issues with the substantial recruitment of former Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel to the NT Police. Rolfe, who served in Afghanistan, gave evidence he was trained by the ADF to dehumanise the “enemy”.

    The inquest also heard that NT police officers who had served in the ADF were twice as likely to draw a firearm than non-ADF police officers. This use of force raised important questions around police recruitment.

    Leanne Liddle, who at the time was director of the NT government’s Aboriginal Justice Unit and conducted consultations across remote communities on criminal justice, gave evidence to the inquest that racism in the police was “systemic”.

    Findings and recommendations

    The findings of the coroner have identified acts of racism but have not delivered a crushing blow to racial violence in the NT Police. The recommendations do not seek to transform the force’s practices or dilute its powers.

    The coroner’s starting point in her findings delivered at Yuendumu was that police should be able to “defend themselves” against “serious attacks”. Coroner Armitage acknowledged the “stress” endured by Rolfe and his family along with the trauma of Walker’s family.

    While evidence before the inquest identified Rolfe’s days of planning around Walker’s forceful arrest, the coroner first considered Walker’s conduct, upbringing and circumstances that led to his death. The coroner did not give attention to the privilege of Rolfe’s background and how this may have contributed to his treatment of Aboriginal people in central Australia, including Walker.

    The coroner made some key findings:

    • Racism was “normalised” in the Alice Springs police station, including on the part of Rolfe. Racism “could have” contributed to Rolfe’s shooting of Walker. The coroner stopped short of finding systemic racism in NT Police due to the “modest amount of evidence on racism” across the police force. Arguably this inquest heard the most substantial evidence of institutional police racism in the history of inquests into deaths in custody. She determined that a separate inquiry into systemic racism was required given that the NT Police force had “significant hallmarks of institutional racism”.

    • The coroner also noted Alice Springs police officers are on the “receiving end” of racist comments from Aboriginal people.

    • Police racism, according to the coroner, existed because the officers are overwhelmingly dealing with Aboriginal people on a “negative” basis.

    • Rolfe used excessive force in his career as a police officer, and due to his dehumanisation of Aboriginal arrestees, had created a dangerous situation on November 9.

    • Ultimately, Walker’s death in custody arose from Rolfe’s “flawed decisions”.

    • Since Walker’s death in custody, NT Police have undertaken “significant changes”.

    The coroner’s recommendations are:

    • NT Police should strengthen its anti-racism strategy and publicly report on compliance
    • Mutual respect agreements should be developed between NT Police and Yuendumu
    • The NT government should enhance support for the Yuendumu community night patrol, youth services, mediators, and diversion and rehabilitation programs
    • NT Police should engage directly with Yuendumu leadership groups to discuss concerns, including when it would be appropriate for police not to carry firearms.

    Where to from here?

    The almost six years since the shooting of Kumanjayi Walker have not delivered on Chief Minister Michael Gunner’s promise that “consequences would flow”.

    The inquest findings do not bring the community any closer to consequences. There was no disciplinary action recommended for any officer involved in Walker’s death. The coroner also did not recommend consequences for police with a history of using force against Aboriginal people, or those who have expressed racist attitudes or behaved in racist ways.

    To date, Rolfe, or Adam Erbel who was restraining Walker at the time of the shooting, have not apologised for Walker’s death.

    The coroner also did not set down recommendations that had consequence for NT Police. These might have included reconstituting the force to make it community-oriented, relying less on force and not carrying firearms in remote communities, or redirecting funds to NT Aboriginal remote community-controlled law and justice groups.

    Even the modest recommendations that were made may not see the light of day in government policy or police practice. There is no legally enforceable obligation for governments and agencies to implement coronial recommendations, despite the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody recommending governments routinely adopt inquest recommendations and report on their implementation.

    The NT government has stipulated that it decides which coronial recommendations to accept. The implementation of coronial recommendations in the NT has a sordid history.

    In a climate of expanding police numbers and powers in the NT, with an additional 200 police being recruited to add to the already highest police ratio in the country, Aboriginal deaths in custody will continue to happen. This was the clarion call of the royal commission: more police and police powers will result in more deaths in custody.

    Walker’s is one of the 598 deaths since the royal commission, and the brutal circumstances of his death show little has changed. The coronial recommendations fall short of calling for the structural overhaul demanded by Aboriginal families and advocates, to eradicate police racial violence from the lives of Aboriginal people in the NT.

    Thalia Anthony receives funding from the Australian Research Council.

    Eddie Cubillo 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. Kumanjayi Walker inquest: racism and violence, but findings too little and too late – https://theconversation.com/kumanjayi-walker-inquest-racism-and-violence-but-findings-too-little-and-too-late-257636

    MIL OSI AnalysisEveningReport.nz

  • MIL-OSI Russia: 43 Palestinians killed in Israeli airstrikes in Gaza – Gaza Civil Defense

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    GAZA, July 7 (Xinhua) — At least 43 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks across the Gaza Strip, the Gaza Civil Defense said Sunday.

    According to eyewitnesses, the Israeli Air Force struck two houses in the Al-Nasr and Sheikh Radwan neighborhoods of Gaza City.

    The two airstrikes killed 25 people, including children and women, and wounded several others, the service’s spokesman Mahmoud Basal told Xinhua.

    He added that four Palestinians were killed in Israeli shelling in the At-Tuffah area of eastern Gaza City, while three others were killed in an Israeli attack on a tent sheltering displaced persons in the Sheikh Radwan area.

    Ten more people were killed in separate Israeli airstrikes on tents housing displaced Palestinians in the al-Mawasi area west of Khan Younis, the spokesman said.

    M. Basal also reported that one Palestinian was killed and several others were wounded as a result of Israeli army shelling in the Ash-Shahkush area northwest of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip.

    The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Sunday that its forces were continuing operations against “terrorist organizations” in the Gaza Strip. –0–

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese PLA Support Base in Djibouti will send detachment to participate in military parade in Comoros 2025-07-04 10:09:57 At the invitation of the Comorian government, a detachment of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Support Base in Djibouti will participate in the military parade marking the 50th anniversary of the independence of the Comoros on July 6.

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

      BEIJING, July 4 — At the invitation of the Comorian government, a detachment of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Support Base in Djibouti will participate in the military parade marking the 50th anniversary of the independence of the Comoros on July 6.

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    MIL OSI China News

  • MIL-OSI China: Naval fleet led by Shandong aircraft carrier visit wins praise in Hong Kong 2025-07-06 17:43:03 A fleet of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy led by the aircraft carrier Shandong made its first visit to Hong Kong, a move widely seen as not only a demonstration of military strength but also a step toward deepening ties between Hong Kong and the mainland.

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

    People visit the Yuncheng missile frigate in Hong Kong, south China, July 5, 2025. A fleet of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy led by the aircraft carrier Shandong arrived in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Thursday morning, kicking off a five-day visit. The aircraft carrier and the Yan’an missile destroyer were anchored near the west end of the Victoria Harbor, while the Zhanjiang missile destroyer and the Yuncheng missile frigate docked at the PLA Hong Kong Garrison’s naval base in Stonecutters Island. This is the Shandong’s first visit to Hong Kong. From Friday to Sunday, the Shandong, the Zhanjiang and the Yuncheng will host open tours, lectures, drill demonstrations and other exchange activities. (Photo by Huang Qiantian/Xinhua)

    HONG KONG, July 5 (Xinhua) — A fleet of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy led by the aircraft carrier Shandong made its first visit to Hong Kong, a move widely seen as not only a demonstration of military strength but also a step toward deepening ties between Hong Kong and the mainland.

    The naval fleet, comprising the aircraft carrier Shandong, the Yan’an missile destroyer, the Zhanjiang missile destroyer, and the Yuncheng missile frigate, arrived in Hong Kong on Thursday to begin a five-day visit.

    On the day the naval fleet arrived, hundreds — if not thousands — of Hong Kong residents gathered along the shore to watch. Local media rushed to cover the story.

    Chief executive of China’s Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) John Lee said that both the steadfast presence of the PLA garrison in Hong Kong and the cordial visit by the modernized naval fleet have made the “Pearl of the Orient” shine brighter, reflecting the country’s ability and determination in safeguarding peace, while allowing Hong Kong, under “one country, two systems,” to continue to play its part in the nation’s development.

    Chief Secretary for Administration of the HKSAR government Chan Kwok-ki attended the deck reception on the Shandong aircraft carrier. He believed the visit by the naval fleet allowed the wider public in Hong Kong to witness the strength of the country’s military and would help enhance students’ sense of national identity and pride.

    Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration of the HKSAR government Cheuk Wing-hing shared on social media that he toured the ski-jump flight deck, arresting cables, carrier-based fighter jets, and helicopters aboard the Shandong.

    “The rapid progress of our country’s national defense is truly remarkable,” Cheuk said. “I am deeply moved and feel proud of our nation.”

    The Shandong aircraft carrier was open to the public for visits. Starry Lee, a member of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee, said that this allowed people to experience firsthand the remarkable achievements of the country’s naval modernization, and held significant meaning in fostering a stronger sense of patriotism in Hong Kong society.

    Friday was the first open day of the fleet’s visit to Hong Kong, with a focus on student visitors. More than 10,000 visits were made aboard the Shandong, Zhanjiang, and Yuncheng ships.

    “My ancestral home is Shandong. When I first stepped onto the deck, I couldn’t help but cry. Our country has truly become strong!” a lecturer at Hong Kong Metropolitan University surnamed Wong said.

    Some secondary school students from Macao were organized by their schools to travel to Hong Kong for the visit. They happily toured the ships while taking photos with their smartphones to share with classmates who missed the visit. They said that boarding the warships was more than just a visit; it allowed them to witness the long history of China and the country’s remarkable progress.

    Seeing the modern carrier-based fighter jets and the spirited, high-morale crew aboard the vessels left a deep impression on Paul Chan, financial secretary of the HKSAR government.

    Chan said that the visit by the naval fleet fully reflected the country’s deep affection for Hong Kong. “A strong nation must have a strong military, and our country’s navy will only grow stronger,” he remarked.

    “Stepping aboard the domestically built aircraft carrier Shandong and standing on the deck of this steel giant filled me with excitement,” Jeffrey Lam, a member of the Executive Council of the HKSAR, said.

    Just as the Shandong sailed forward with strength and determination, Hong Kong, with the support of the country, will surely overcome all challenges and continue to enjoy prosperity and stability, Lam added.

    People visit the Zhanjiang missile destroyer in Hong Kong, south China, July 5, 2025.

    A fleet of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy led by the aircraft carrier Shandong arrived in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Thursday morning, kicking off a five-day visit.

    The aircraft carrier and the Yan’an missile destroyer were anchored near the west end of the Victoria Harbor, while the Zhanjiang missile destroyer and the Yuncheng missile frigate docked at the PLA Hong Kong Garrison’s naval base in Stonecutters Island.

    This is the Shandong’s first visit to Hong Kong. From Friday to Sunday, the Shandong, the Zhanjiang and the Yuncheng will host open tours, lectures, drill demonstrations and other exchange activities. (Photo by Huang Qiantian/Xinhua)

    MIL OSI China News

  • MIL-OSI China: China marks 88th anniversary of whole-nation resistance against Japanese aggression 2025-07-07 17:31:19 China on Monday held a ceremony in Beijing to mark the 88th anniversary of the start of the entire nation’s resistance against Japanese aggression.

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

    BEIJING, July 7 (Xinhua) — China on Monday held a ceremony in Beijing to mark the 88th anniversary of the start of the entire nation’s resistance against Japanese aggression.

    An exhibition themed “For National Liberation and World Peace” was also launched to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.

    Both the ceremony and the exhibition were held at the Museum of the War of Chinese People’s Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, located near the Lugou Bridge — also known as the Marco Polo Bridge — where Japanese troops attacked Chinese forces on July 7, 1937.

    Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and a member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, delivered a speech at the event and announced the opening of the exhibition.

    When Japanese militarists staged the Lugou Bridge Incident and launched their full-scale invasion of China 88 years ago, the Chinese military and people rose up in resistance, initiating a whole-of-nation war effort that opened the main Eastern battlefield in the global war against fascism, said Cai.

    Cai stressed that the CPC fought bravely on the front lines of the resistance and set the direction of the national effort, serving as the pillar of the entire nation throughout the war.

    United in purpose, the Chinese people fought with unwavering resolve — for the country’s survival, national rejuvenation, and the cause of justice for all humanity, Cai said, adding that they eventually won the war and made a significant contribution to the victory in the global war against fascism.

    The exhibition presents a panoramic view of the glorious course of the Chinese people’s 14-year hard war of resistance, said Cai, who emphasized the need to carry forward the spirit of the resistance war, strengthen confidence and forge ahead to build China into a strong country and rejuvenate the Chinese nation on all fronts by pursuing Chinese modernization.

    He also stressed the significance of making new and greater contributions to the noble cause of peace and development for humanity.

    Cai and other leaders joined representatives from all walks of life to present flowers to martyrs of the resistance war. They also visited the exhibition. Around 600 people attended the events.

    The exhibition, divided into eight parts with a total area of 12,200 square meters, displays 1,525 photos and 3,237 artifacts.

    The Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression was the first to break out and lasted the longest in the World Anti-Fascist War, resulting in over 35 million Chinese military and civilian casualties.

    In the main Eastern battlefield in the global fight against fascism, China’s resistance effort was decisive in defeating Japanese fascism and supporting other fronts in Europe and Asia, profoundly contributing to the final victory and world peace.

    MIL OSI China News

  • MIL-OSI China: Xi replies to U.S. youth pickleball cultural exchange delegation over China visit 2025-07-06 20:08:24 Chinese President Xi Jinping has recently replied to teachers and students of the U.S. youth pickleball cultural exchange delegation from Montgomery County, Maryland, who have visited China under the initiative of inviting 50,000 young Americans to China for exchange and study programs in a five-year span.

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

      BEIJING, July 6 (Xinhua) — Chinese President Xi Jinping has recently replied to teachers and students of the U.S. youth pickleball cultural exchange delegation from Montgomery County, Maryland, who have visited China under the initiative of inviting 50,000 young Americans to China for exchange and study programs in a five-year span.

      Xi congratulated the delegation on its successful visit to China, saying he was pleased to see that pickleball has become a new bond for youth exchanges between China and the United States.

      The future of China-U.S. relations depends on the youth, said Xi, expressing the hope that the delegation members will become a new generation of ambassadors for friendship between the two countries and make greater contributions to enhancing the friendship between the two peoples.

      Earlier, the teachers and students of the delegation sent a letter to Xi, expressing their gratitude for the “50,000 in Five Years” initiative he put forward.

      They shared their experience of visiting China and engaging in pickleball exchange activities in April, saying that they forged unforgettable friendships with Chinese youths during the trip.

      They expressed their hope to invite Chinese young people to visit the United States. 

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    MIL OSI China News

  • MIL-OSI China: Remembering Lugou Bridge Incident, uncovering true history of Japan’s long-planned invasion of China

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

    Remembering Lugou Bridge Incident, uncovering true history of Japan’s long-planned invasion of China

    Monday marks the 88th anniversary of the beginning of China’s whole-nation resistance war against Japanese aggression. However, 88 years later, the truth of the historic Lugou Bridge Incident, which marked the start of Japan’s full-scale invasion of China, still has not been recorded in Japanese textbooks.

    “In July 1937, the Japanese and Chinese armies clashed at the Lugou Bridge on the outskirts of Beijing, and the Sino-Japanese War broke out.” This is the description of the historic Lugou Bridge Incident in some school textbooks currently published in Japan.

    Another one goes: “On July 7, 1937, the Japanese army was fired upon by unknown gunmen during a night exercise near the Lugou Bridge on the outskirts of Beijing. At dawn on the 8th, the Japanese army attacked the positions of the National Revolutionary Army, and the two sides fell into battle.”

    Historical materials, nevertheless, show that it was the Japanese soldiers who, on July 7, 1937, attacked Chinese forces at the bridge. The pivotal event is recognized as the start of Japan’s full-scale invasion of China and China’s whole-nation resistance against the Japanese invaders.

    “The Lugou Bridge Incident was an event staged and directed by the invading Japanese forces. This has long been made clear by the Japanese historian community through objective research. Despite this, the Japanese right wing still fabricates lies and attempts to shift the blame for the incident to the Chinese army,” said Japanese historian Atsushi Koketsu in a recent interview with Xinhua.

    “At present, this kind of historical revisionism that fabricates, distorts and denies the true history still prevails in Japan’s education and media circles. What lies behind this is Japan’s unwillingness to admit its aggression and reluctance to accept its ‘responsibility for harm,’” Koketsu said.

    “The Lugou Bridge Incident was deliberately schemed by the invading Japanese army,” said Zhang Sheng, professor at the School of History, Nanjing University. “This has already been ‘confessed’ by Takeo Imai, a senior Japanese intelligence officer who led ‘peace work’ in China, in his memoir.”

    In his memoir, Imai wrote: “At that time, before the July 7 incident, a rumor had already been circulating among the well-informed political figures in Tokyo: ‘On the night of Tanabata, an incident similar to that at Liutiaohu will occur in North China.’”

    The so-called Liutiaohu Incident is the September 18th Incident. On Sept. 18, 1931, Japanese troops blew up a section of railway under their control near Shenyang and accused Chinese troops of sabotage as a pretext for the attack. Later that night, they bombarded barracks near Shenyang, marking the start of Japan’s 14-year invasion of China.

    “The Japanese Tanabata Festival takes place on July 7,” said Zhang, “therefore, this date had been set for a long time.”

    Luo Cunkang, curator of the Museum of the War of Chinese People’s Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, pointed out that historical files show that from February to June 1936, “the China Garrison Army” dispatched by Japan to Beijing increased from 2,003 to 5,774 people. In just four months, the number more than doubled, which clearly demonstrates their intention to deliberately provoke conflicts.

    It has been 88 years since the outbreak of Japan’s full-scale invasion of China. True history should not be concealed, let alone distorted. Remembering true history is necessary to draw lessons from it and to cherish peace. 

    MIL OSI China News