NewzIntel.com

Category: Natural Disasters

  • MIL-OSI Security: Buffalo Man Pleads Guilty to Drug Related Gun Charge

    Source: US FBI

    BUFFALO, N.Y.- U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Donta Williams, 30, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, which carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of imprisonment of life, and a fine of $250,000.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey E. Intravatola, who is handling the case, stated on November 13, 2024, investigators executed a search warrant at a Comstock Avenue residence, which Williams used for his drug trafficking activities. During the search, they seized $1,030 in cash, a receipt for a Rolex sold to “Donta Williams,” a Glock pistol and ammunition, jewelry, crack cocaine and fentanyl, and drug paraphernalia. Later that day, a second search warrant was executed on a UHAUL unit controlled by Williams. During that search, investigators seized $29,627.00 in cash, and a loaded magazine.

    The plea is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Safe Streets Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia, and the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Alfonse Wright.

    Sentencing is scheduled for September 18, 2025, before Judge Arcara.

    # # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Bronx Feva Gang Members Charged with April 2022 Murder and Racketeering Offenses

    Source: US FBI

    Jay Clayton, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York; Christopher G. Raia, the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”); and Jessica S. Tisch, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced today the unsealing of an Indictment charging NASIA CARSON, a/k/a “Nas,” ELIJAH SANTIAGO, a/k/a “Eli,” and PHILIP MOSCA, a/k/a “90,” with participating in a racketeering conspiracy involving a Bronx-based gang known as “Feva” and committing multiple violent crimes in aid of racketeering, including the murder of a 21-year-old named Jesse Bynum on April 12, 2022.  CARSON and MOSCA were previously taken into custody on related charges, and SANTIAGO was arrested earlier today.  All three defendants are expected to be presented before U.S. Magistrate Judge Valerie Figueredo.  The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Victor Marrero.

    U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton said: “As alleged, these three defendants brutally murdered 21-year-old Jesse Bynum, and left three others seriously wounded.  New York families should not have to live in fear of gang-motivated violence.  The women and men of the Southern District and our law enforcement partners are committed to holding accountable those who terrorize our communities with gang-motivated violence.  We hope that commitment and the charges brought today bring some measure of comfort to the family of Jesse Bynum and others who have suffered needless losses from gang-motivated crimes.”

    FBI Assistant Director in Charge Christopher G. Raia said: “These three Feva gang members allegedly engaged in violence to retaliate against their rivals, including firing a gun into a crowded street and killing Jesse Bynum. The defendants’ alleged relentless attempts to fuel a feud with a rival cost the life of a bystander caught in the crosshairs. With our law enforcement partners, the FBI remains committed to protecting our city from unnecessary gun violence and murders.” 

    NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch said: “These three individuals allegedly carried out a cold-blooded shooting that killed a 21-year-old New Yorker and seriously injured three others. They showed no regard for human life, and their senseless act of violence has no place in our city. We are committed to identifying and dismantling the street gangs threatening the safety of our communities. I want to thank the NYPD investigators and our partners at the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their tireless work to bring them to justice.”

    As alleged in the Indictment unsealed today in Manhattan federal court:[1]

    From at least in or about 2022, through at least in or about 2023, CARSON, SANTIAGO, and MOSCA were members and associates of a criminal organization known as Feva that operated principally in the vicinity of the Pelham Parkway Houses and 2250 Wallace Avenue in the Bronx, New York.  Members and associates of Feva engaged in, among other activities, drug trafficking, acts involving murder, attempted murder, and assault.

    On or about April 12, 2022, CARSON, SANTIAGO, and MOSCA shot into a small crowd of people gathered on a street in an attempt to retaliate against a rival gang.  The shooting resulted in the murder of 21-year-old Bynum, and serious physical injury to three others.

    If you believe that you have additional information about this murder, please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York at 1-866-874-8900 and reference this case.

    *               *                *

    A chart containing the names, ages, charges, and maximum penalties against the defendants is set forth below.

    The statutory maximum and minimum sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge. 

    Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI and the NYPD.

    This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Justice Department to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

    The case is being prosecuted by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ni Qian, Marguerite B. Colson, and Brandon D. Harper are in charge of the prosecution.

    The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

    COUNT

    CHARGE

    DEFENDANTS

    MAX. PENALTIES
    1

    Racketeering conspiracy

    18 U.S.C. § 1962(d)

    NASIA CARSON, a/k/a “Nas,” 21;

    ELIJAH SANTIAGO, a/k/a “Eli,” 22;

    PHILIP MOSACA, a/k/a “90,” 22;

    (“All Defendants”)

    		 Life in prison
    2

    Murder in aid of racketeering

    18 U.S.C. §§ 1959(a)(1) and 2

    		 All Defendants Death or mandatory sentence of life in prison
    3

    Conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering

    18 U.S.C. § 1959(a)(5)

    		 All Defendants 10 years in prison
    4

    Attempted murder and assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering

    18 U.S.C. §§ 1959(a)(3), (a)(5), and 2

    		 All Defendants 20 years in prison
    5

    Using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to, or possessing a firearm in furtherance of, a crime of violence

    18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c) and 2

    		 All Defendants

    Life in prison

    Mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison
    6

    Attempted murder and assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering

    18 U.S.C. §§ 1959(a)(3), (a)(5), and 2

    		 All Defendants 20 years in prison
    7

    Using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to, or possessing a firearm in furtherance of, a crime of violence

    18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c) and 2

    		 All Defendants

    Life in prison

    Mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison
    8

    Assault with a dangerous weapon and assault in aid of racketeering

    18 U.S.C. §§ 1959(a)(3), (a)(5), and 2

    		 All Defendants 20 years in prison
    9

    Using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to, or possessing a firearm in furtherance of, a crime of violence

    18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c) and 2

    		 All Defendants

    Life in prison

    Mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison

    [1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment and the description of the Indictment set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact descried therein should be treated as an allegation. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Global: The Salt Path taps into a long history of searching for healing on England’s south-west coast

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Lena Ferriday, Lecturer in the History of Science and the Environment, King’s College London

    Moth Winn was diagnosed with a terminal illness at the age of 53 and in the same week he and his wife, Raynor, lost their home. As the bailiffs arrived, the couple made a remarkable decision: to take a 630-mile year-long coastal walk from Somerset to Dorset, through Devon and Cornwall.

    Their journey was first told in Raynor Winn’s bestselling memoir The Salt Path, which has now been made into a film. In The Salt Path, Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs portray the hardship and hope the couple experienced as they walked through sunshine and storms with little more than a tent and a handful of cash.

    But their walk is part of a much older story. Without realising it, Raynor and Moth joined a centuries-old tradition of seeking healing and transformation along the south-west coast. In the 19th century, people travelled to the coast because doctors believed coastal air and seawater could treat illness. This idea became known as “change of air” treatment and was widely prescribed to urban patients suffering from “nervous disorders”, such as stomach pains and chest issues. These seaside visits were understood as a form of medicine.

    Looking for something good? Cut through the noise with a carefully curated selection of the latest releases, live events and exhibitions, straight to your inbox every fortnight, on Fridays. Sign up here.

    England’s westerly edge

    The South West Coast Path is the UK’s longest national trail. The route has over 115,000 feet of ascent and descent – the equivalent of scaling Mount Everest four times. It was officially protected in 1973 to preserve and improve access to the path and now attracts nearly 9 million visitors each year. But its origins lie in the working lives of local people, especially coastguards watching for smugglers and fishermen following pilchard shoals.

    In the 19th century, the region also became a destination for domestic tourists. It was made more accessible as passenger rail lines were extended to places including Plymouth and Penzance. Some visitors walked to explore unfamiliar landscapes, while others did so on medical advice.

    The seaside towns of Penzance and Torquay emerged as health resorts and by the first world war they were known as “havens for invalids”. Between 1800 and 1854, Torquay’s population grew from 800 to 14,000, mostly made up of medical residents on temporary stays.

    Healing in the elements

    Before the walk, Moth was diagnosed with corticobasal degeneration (CBD) after seeing a doctor about shoulder pain and tremors. CBD is a rare degenerative condition that affects the brain and gradually leads to difficulties with movement, speech, memory and swallowing.

    When he began the walk, Moth’s mobility had deteriorated and he was experiencing severe pain and numbness in his left leg. For the first half of the film, Jason Isaacs drags his foot along the ground to show this physical strain. The challenge of walking was made harder by the rugged terrain – steep hills, jagged rocks and harsh winds.

    As Moth and Raynor walked, something unexpected happened. Moth’s symptoms began to ease, his condition improved, and he eventually stopped taking pain relief. He believed the change was linked to the regular movement and the sense of purpose the walk gave them during a bleak period. He described walking as having a restorative power that offered him a new, unlicensed freedom.

    The idea that walking by the coast could have healing properties has deep roots. In the 19th century, walking was considered beneficial, but the emphasis was on gentle movement in clean air rather than endurance through rough landscapes. The air of Devon and Cornwall was praised for its soothing qualities and the climate for its warmth in the winter. Town planners even built flat promenades in seaside towns to make walking more accessible for people with chronic illnesses and low mobility.

    Spending time outside was considered particularly valuable for people suffering from tuberculosis. Before tuberculosis was known to be caused by bacteria, medical experts blamed it on bad-smelling air. Doctors suggested that city dwellers suffering with chest pains remove themselves from these dirty atmospheres and immerse themselves in the clean, salt air at the seaside.

    Nature plays a central role in The Salt Path. Its affect on the body is seen in Gillian Anderson’s sun-scorched cheeks and wind-tousled hair. The sounds of birds and the sea accompany panoramic drone shots of the cliffs. The sea is a key character.

    Arriving at Minehead, the Winns take a photo to begin their journey: of “the three of us”, the couple and the sea. Victorian travel writers also insisted that in the south-west, “The pedestrian must never wander more than a stone’s throw from the sea.”

    When Moth swims in the sea, he is empowered in his own body and able to move without constraint. The seaside has carried health connotations since the 1700s. In the 18th century, doctors claimed that sudden immersion in cold, salty and turbulent waters had therapeutic value for chronic illness. Today, open swimming remains a popular practice in the south-west and is praised for its mental and physical health benefits.

    As the film ends, we learn that 12 years after their walk Moth is still living with CBD and the couple still use long-distance walks to treat his symptoms. This experience of illness finds resonance in older practices, reminding us that healing can sometimes be found outside of clinical spaces. While the reasons for walking often change, the connection between place, body and wellbeing spans centuries. The Salt Path tells a deeply personal story but also continues a long cultural history of looking to the coastline for recovery and renewal.

    Lena Ferriday has received funding from the Arts and Humanities Research Council.

    – ref. The Salt Path taps into a long history of searching for healing on England’s south-west coast – https://theconversation.com/the-salt-path-taps-into-a-long-history-of-searching-for-healing-on-englands-south-west-coast-257793

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Why are the US and Israel not on the same page over how to deal with Iran? Expert Q&A

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Scott Lucas, Professor of International Politics, Clinton Institute, University College Dublin

    The US president, Donald Trump, claimed on May 28 to have personally stopped Israel from attacking Iran’s nuclear facilities. When asked if he’d intervened during a phone call with the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump replied: “Well, I’d like to be honest. Yes, I did … I said, I don’t think it’s appropriate right now”. The Trump administration is currently in talks with Iran over the future terms of its nuclear programme.

    Middle East expert Scott Lucas answered the Conversation’s questions about the disagreement over Iran and how it might affect US-Israel relations.

    The US wants a nuclear deal with Iran. Israel doesn’t. Why the disagreement?

    Israel has long been sceptical of diplomatic overtures to Tehran, saying Iran is committed to Israel’s destruction. This position has not changed.

    When Trump apparently told Netanyahu recently that he wanted a diplomatic solution with Iran and believed in his ability to “make a good deal”, the Israeli leader insisted that the only “good deal” would be one that dismantled Iran’s nuclear facilities.

    But Trump’s priority is not a “good deal”. He is more interested in a photo opportunity portraying him as a “dealmaker” even when there is no substantive agreement.

    Trump’s first term saw him embrace North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, whom he had previously threatened with “fire and fury” and denounced as “little rocket man”, to proclaim a breakthrough in stalled nuclear talks. There wasn’t anything beyond a meaningless one-page memorandum, but Trump became the first serving US president to step into North Korea and garnered international attention for doing so.

    Then, at the start of his second term, Trump claimed he could end Russia’s war in Ukraine within 24 hours. But, more than four months later, he is frustrated and embittered. He recently called Russia’s leader Vladimir Putin “absolutely crazy”.

    Trump also said he could resolve Israel’s assault on Gaza. He claimed the glory of a phase one ceasefire agreement in which Hamas freed some hostages in return for Israel releasing hundreds of Palestinians detained in its prisons. But he walked away when Netanyahu’s government refused to move to a second phase.

    So now his hope, as outlandish as it might seem, is to appear alongside Iran’s president, Masoud Pezeshkian, or even the supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, making some kind of deal.

    What do the Gulf states hope for?

    Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are rivals of Iranian regional leadership, but they want to avoid Israeli military action against Tehran as this could spark a conflagration across the region.

    They are looking to extract themselves from a decade-long war in Yemen, where their intervention has not toppled the Iran-backed Houthi insurgency. And they would like space for Syria to develop after five decades of Assad family rule came to an end in December 2024 – with possible profits for Gulf companies involved in recovery and reconstruction.

    Sign up to receive our weekly World Affairs Briefing newsletter from The Conversation UK. Every Thursday we’ll bring you expert analysis of the big stories in international relations.

    Qatar, which Trump also visited in May, as well as Oman have long burnished their reputations as peace brokers. This has included facilitating talks between the US and Iran.

    What is Iran’s position and how close is it to building a nuclear weapon?

    When Iran agreed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA) in 2015 with the UK and other world powers, it gave up any potential for a military nuclear programme. Enrichment of uranium was limited to 3.67%, and stocks of 20% grade were shipped out of the country. While uranium enriched to 20% is not weapons-grade, it shortens the time it will take to produce a nuclear weapon considerably.

    It was Trump who allowed Iran to restart its nuclear programme when he pulled the US out of the JCPoA in May 2018 and imposed comprehensive sanctions six months later. Iran not only resumed 20% enrichment but began production of 60% uranium, which can be further enriched to the 90% required for military use.

    Tehran is still stopping short of that 90% level. And it has said it will forego any potential for a military programme in a renewed agreement with the US, but is refusing US demands to end enrichment for civil purposes.

    What might Israel do to disrupt the talks?

    Netanyahu could defy Trump and order military strikes. But such action would further alienate Israel from the international community, unsettle relations with Washington, and risk regional conflicts that would overstretch the Israeli military.

    Israeli intelligence and military institutions have opposed Netanyahu’s plans to attack Iran in the past, notably in 2010 and 2011. When he tried to lay the foundations for military action, they raised political, diplomatic and logistical obstacles that put an attack on hold.

    And, despite Netanyahu’s attempts to replace intelligence heads and military commanders with his loyalists, the new appointees are still likely to take the same position.

    For more than 15 years, Israel has pursued covert operations to disrupt Iran’s nuclear programme. These include sabotage, cyber-attacks, assassinations and explosions set off by agents inside Iran. Those operations have appeared to diminish in recent months, but they might be renewed without raising Trump’s ire.

    How does the disagreement over Iran affect US-Israel relations, especially when it comes to Gaza?

    We are in a world where Trump can hold back Netanyahu over Iran, but give him a blank cheque for the assault and starvation of Gaza.

    Trump’s administration did nothing to oppose the Netanyahu government’s inevitable rejection of the phase two ceasefire in Gaza at the start of March. This subsequently saw renewed military operations and imposition of a blockade on humanitarian aid. Trump’s envoy, real estate developer Steve Witkoff, has been ineffectual in his purported mediation efforts.

    Netanyahu has not only tabled the plan for Israel’s long-term occupation of Gaza, with four military zones and Gazans penned into three areas with limited movement. He has publicly embraced Trump’s proposal for the displacement – some would call it “ethnic cleansing” – of hundreds of thousands of Gazans.

    In October 2024, Trump reportedly told Netanyahu to “do what you have to do” in the offensive against Hamas. Then, in mid-February, he said: “Bibi, you do whatever you want”.

    So, even as Trump does what he wants over Iran to Netanyahu’s chagrin, the Israeli prime minister is finding that Trump is not restricting what he does closer to home in Gaza.

    Scott Lucas 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. Why are the US and Israel not on the same page over how to deal with Iran? Expert Q&A – https://theconversation.com/why-are-the-us-and-israel-not-on-the-same-page-over-how-to-deal-with-iran-expert-qanda-257758

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: How we protected the UK and space in April 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    News story

    How we protected the UK and space in April 2025

    This report was issued in May 2025 and covers the time period 1 April 2025 to 30 April 2025 inclusive.

    The National Space Operations Centre is led by the UK Space Agency and UK Space Command in partnership with the Met Office.

    April saw continued high levels of space activity which saw both uncontrolled re-entry and collision alerts at levels above the 12-month rolling average.

    All  NSpOC warning and protection services were functioning throughout the period.

    Re-entry Analysis

    April has seen a slight increase in the number of objects re-entering Earth’s atmosphere in April when compared with the previous month.

    Of the 92 objects that re-entered, 80 were satellites and 12 were rocket bodies.

    May: 56, June: 48, July: 44, August: 89, September: 50, October: 35, November: 47, December: 83, January: 115, February: 129, March: 85, April: 92

    In-Space Collision Avoidance

    Collision risks to UK-licensed satellites remained steady in April with a 1% increase compared with March, above the rolling average of 2,494.

    May: 2,560, June: 1,881, July: 1,795, August: 2,137, September: 3,041, October: 3,181, November: 2,722, December: 2,142, January: 2,694, February: 2,567, March: 2,588, April: 2,620

    Number of Objects in Space

    There was an increase to the in-orbit population during April, with a net addition of 118 objects added to the US Satellite Catalogue.

    A total of 231 newly catalogued objects were attributed to nine SpaceX launches carrying Starlink satellites.

    May: 28,850, June: 28,868, July: 28,853, August: 29,626, September: 29,605, October: 29,642, November: 29,781, December: 29,843, January: 29,961, February: 29,989, March: 30,090, April: 30,208

    The number of Resident Space Objects (RSOs) reported may be subject to small adjustments over time as the way objects are tracked is refined. Figures in this report reflect the most current available data and may differ slightly from those published in previous months

    Fragmentation Analysis

    There have been no new fragmentation (break-up) incidents this month.

    Space weather

    April saw a rise in space weather alerts, including multiple geomagnetic storms, with activity peaking at one strong-level storm

    Comments

    The National Space Operations Centre combines and coordinates UK civil and military space domain awareness capabilities to enable operations, promote prosperity and protect UK interests in space and on Earth from space-related threats, risks and hazards

    Updates to this page

    Published 29 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese vice premier stresses workplace safety

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

    BEIJING, May 29 — Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing on Thursday stressed the need to identify potential safety hazards in workplace, reinforce accountability for workplace safety, and take concrete measures to ensure both development and security.

    It is necessary to learn from recent accidents and always stay vigilant about workplace safety, said Zhang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, when addressing a ceremony marking the launch of a monthlong campaign to improve workplace safety.

    He stressed the importance of focusing on key industries, including firefighting, hazardous chemicals, gas, mining, transportation and construction, to prevent major and serious accidents.

    It is essential to thoroughly inspect and address potential safety hazards, and improve public risk prevention awareness and self-rescue skills, Zhang said

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: The countdown is on: Canada Day 2025 will be one to remember!

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    OTTAWA, May 29, 2025

    On Canada Day, Canadians from coast to coast to coast will celebrate the best country in the world.

    Today, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages, unveiled the official program for Canada Day 2025. The July 1 festivities will allow us to celebrate our unity and express our national pride, while affirming our sovereignty, our identity and our culture.

    Celebrating our Canada, loud and proud

    More than ever, this year is the perfect opportunity to wave our flag proudly and show the world what makes us the True North strong and free. Canadians are encouraged to take part in celebrations in their communities across the country and in the heart of Canada’s Capital Region.

    National noon ceremony

    The national noon ceremony will officially kick off the celebrations live from Ottawa’s LeBreton Flats Park starting at noon (ET) and will be broadcast on CBC, CBC News Network, CBC Gem, CBC Radio, the CBC News YouTube channel and CBC News streaming channels as well as ICI RDI, ICI TÉLÉ and ICI TOU.TV. Watch performances by:

    • Amanda Marshall
    • Garou
    • Thompson Egbo-Egbo
    • Rafaëlle Roy
    • Alli Walker
    • Sonia Benezra (host)

    National evening show

    In the evening, a sea of red and white will spread across LeBreton Flats Park with a show that will ignite the crowds gathered in the capital and resonate across the country, from 8 to 10 p.m. (ET).

    Live from Ottawa, with special segments from Summerside, Prince Edward Island, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories and Vancouver, British Columbia, the following Canadian artists and special guests will take to the stage:

    • Sarah McLachlan
    • Muzion
    • Cœur de pirate
    • Billie du Page
    • Josh Ross
    • Morgan Grace
    • Tom Cochrane
    • Blue Rodeo (Summerside)
    • Mitsou
    • Alex Wells (Vancouver)
    • Amanda Marshall
    • Dear Rouge (Vancouver)
    • Roch Voisine
    • Crook the Kid (Yellowknife)
    • Randy Bachman
    • Brenda Montana (Yellowknife)
    • Édith Butler
    • Jeff Douglas (special guest)
    • TALK
    • Katherine Levac (special guest)
    • Dumas & Ivan Boivin-Flamand
    • Les Sœurs Bégin (special guests)
    • Fredz
    • Enola Bedard (special guest)
    • Aasiva

    Hosted by Isabelle Racicot, the evening show will be broadcast live on CBC, CBC News Network, CBC Gem, CBC Radio, the CBC News YouTube channel and CBC News streaming channels as well as ICI TÉLÉ, ICI TOU.TV and Radio-Canada.ca.

    To get into the festive spirit, listen to the official Canada Day playlist and discover the artists who will be taking centre stage on July 1.

    The O Canada! Station

    In honour of Canada Day, Canadians are invited to record a short video to express what makes them proud to be Canadian. To make their videos, they can visit the O Canada! Station website or go to one of the video booths set up in many of the major VIA Rail stations across the country.

    To showcase Canadian pride, some of these videos will be featured on the Canada Day National Evening Show broadcast on CBC and Radio-Canada. Each video submitted will also give eligible contestants the chance to win a trip with VIA Rail Canada.

    Experience Canada Day in Canada’s Capital Region

    Celebrating Canada Day in the heart of Canada’s capital is a one-of-a-kind experience. Once again this year, Ottawa and Gatineau will host must-see festivities: shows, activities for the whole family and of course, the spectacular Tim Hortons Canada Day Fireworks.

    Take part in free activities in several key locations: Four official sites, four different atmospheres

    • LeBreton Flats Park
      Interactive activities for all: On the Dance Floor with multiple professional dancers (including Les Sœurs Bégin), outdoor short films, an electrifying performance by DJ Miss Shelton, and much more.
    • Parliament Hill
      Iconic site featuring Canadian traditions: the Ceremonial Guard Band, bagpipes, demonstrations by the Snowbirds and a live broadcast of the national noon ceremony and evening show on a giant screen.
    • Supreme Court of Canada (NEW)
      A new family-friendly space with a host of activities, including yoga and drumming workshops, as well as live broadcasts of both national celebrations.
    • Old Hull
      A festive atmosphere with family activities during the day and captivating evening performances by famous artists.

    Visit the Canada Day website to discover all the activities.

    Follow us on social media

    Get the latest Canada Day news and share your pride year-round, especially on July 1. Join the conversation on our platforms and use the hashtag #CanadaDay in your posts.

    Facebook: @capitalexperience | @vivezlacapitale
    Twitter: @capital_exp | @VivezlaCapitale
    YouTube: @CdnHeritage | @PatrimoineCdn
    Instagram: @canadacapitalregion | @regioncapitalecanada

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: President Lai attends 2025 Europe Day Dinner

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    Details
    2025-05-28
    President Lai meets US delegation led by Senator Tammy Duckworth
    On the afternoon of May 28, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation led by United States Senator Tammy Duckworth. In remarks, President Lai thanked the US Congress and government for their longstanding and bipartisan support for Taiwan. The president stated that Taiwan will continue to strengthen cooperation with the US and jointly safeguard regional peace and stability. He pointed out that the Taiwan government has already proposed a roadmap for deepening Taiwan-US trade ties and will encourage mutual investment between Taiwanese and US businesses. He then expressed hope of deepening Taiwan-US ties and creating more niches for both sides. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: I warmly welcome this delegation led by Senator Duckworth, a dear friend of Taiwan. Senator Duckworth previously visited in May last year to convey congratulations after the inauguration of myself and Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao. Your bipartisan delegation was the first group from the US Senate that I met with as president. Today, you are visiting just after the first anniversary of my taking office, demonstrating the staunch support of the US and our deep friendship. On behalf of the people of Taiwan, I extend my sincere appreciation and greetings. And I invite you to come back and visit next year, the year after that, and every year. Taiwan and the US share the values of democracy and the rule of law and believe in free and open markets. Both sides embrace a common goal of peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. I thank the US Congress and government for their longstanding, bipartisan, and steadfast support for Taiwan. In 2021, to help Taiwan overcome the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Senator Duckworth made a special trip here to announce that the US government would be donating vaccines to Taiwan. In recent years, Senator Duckworth has also promoted the TAIWAN Security Act, STAND with Taiwan Act, and Taiwan and America Space Assistance Act in the US Congress, all of which have further deepened Taiwan-US cooperation and steadily advanced our ties. For this, I express my deepest appreciation. I want to emphasize that the people of Taiwan have an unyielding determination to protect their homeland and free and democratic way of life. Over the past year, the government and private sector have been working together to enhance Taiwan’s whole-of-society defense resilience. The government is committed to reforming national defense, and it has proposed prioritizing special budget allocations to ensure that our defense budget exceeds three percent of GDP. This will continue to bolster Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities. Moving forward, Taiwan will continue to strengthen cooperation with the US. In addition to jointly safeguarding regional peace and stability, we also aspire to deepen bilateral trade and economic ties. At the SelectUSA Investment Summit in Washington, DC, earlier this month, Taiwan’s delegation was once again the biggest delegation attending the event – proof positive of our close economic and trade cooperation. We have already proposed a roadmap for deepening Taiwan-US trade ties. We will narrow the trade imbalance through the procurement of energy and agricultural and other industrial products from the US. We will encourage mutual investment between Taiwanese and US businesses to stimulate industrial development on both sides, especially in such industries as national defense and shipbuilding. We therefore look forward to Congress passing the US-Taiwan Expedited Double-Tax Relief Act as soon as possible, as this would deepen Taiwan-US trade ties and create more niches for business. In closing, I once again thank Senator Duckworth for making the trip to Taiwan. Let us continue to work together to elevate Taiwan-US ties. I wish you a pleasant and successful visit. Senator Duckworth then delivered remarks, saying that she is happy to be back in Taiwan and that she wanted to make sure to come back just after President Lai’s one-year anniversary of taking office to show the dedication and the outstanding friendship that we have. She noted that because no matter who is in the White House, no matter which political party is in power in Washington, DC, she has always believed that if America wants to remain a leader on the global stage, it has to show up for friends like Taiwan.  Senator Duckworth mentioned that in the years that she has been coming to Taiwan since pre-COVID times, she has seen a remarkable increase in participation in its defense and the support of the Taiwanese people for defending the homeland. She then thanked Taiwan for making the commitment to its self-defense, and also for being a partner with other nations around the world.  The STAND with Taiwan Act, the senator noted, is so named because the US wants to stand side by side with Taiwan. Pointing out that Taiwan is an important leader in the Indo-Pacific and on the global stage, she reiterated that there is support on both sides of the aisle in Washington for Taiwanese democracy, and added that the people of Taiwan are showing that they are willing to shore up their own readiness. Senator Duckworth said that whether it is delivering vaccines to Taiwan or making sure that the US National Guard works with Taiwan’s reserve forces or even with its civilian emergency response teams, these are all important components to the ongoing partnership between our nations.  Senator Duckworth indicated that there are many great opportunities moving forward beyond our military cooperation with one another. Whether it is in chip manufacturing, agricultural investments, shipbuilding, or in the healthcare field, those investments in both nations will facilitate stability and development in both our nations. She said that is why she wants to continue the Taiwan-US relationship, underlining that they are in it for the long haul. The delegation was accompanied to the Presidential Office by American Institute in Taiwan Taipei Office Director Raymond Greene.

    President Lai meets delegation led by US House Natural Resources Committee Chair Bruce Westerman”>Details
    2025-05-27
    President Lai meets delegation led by US House Natural Resources Committee Chair Bruce Westerman
    On the afternoon of May 27, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation led by Chair of the Natural Resources Committee of the United States House of Representatives Bruce Westerman. In remarks, President Lai stated that Taiwan and the US enjoy close industrial exchanges and continue to explore new opportunities for investment and collaboration. The president said that Taiwan will continue to increase purchases from and together build non-red supply chains with the US, expressing hope that economic and trade relations grow even closer and that both work together to jointly safeguard peace and stability throughout the region. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: I am delighted to meet and exchange views with members of the US House Committee on Natural Resources today. Chair Westerman, the leader of this delegation, is an old friend of Taiwan. On behalf of the people of Taiwan, I extend a very warm welcome to the delegation. I also want to thank you all for your long-term close attention to Taiwan-related affairs and your strong support for Taiwan. Taiwan and the US enjoy close ties and share ideals and values. There is an excellent foundation for cooperation between us, particularly in such areas as energy, the economy and trade, agriculture and fisheries, environmental protection, and sustainable development. In recent years, Taiwan-US ties have grown closer and closer. The US has become Taiwan’s largest destination for overseas investment, accounting for over 40 percent of Taiwan’s outbound investment. Taiwan is also the seventh largest trading partner of the US and its seventh largest export market for agricultural products. The SelectUSA Investment Summit held in Washington, DC earlier this month was the largest in its history. Taiwan’s delegation, representing 138 enterprises, was once again the biggest delegation attending the event. This shows that Taiwan and the US enjoy close industrial exchanges and continue to explore new opportunities for investment and collaboration. Looking ahead, with the global landscape changing rapidly, Taiwan will continue to increase purchases from the US, including energy resources such as natural gas and petroleum, as well as agricultural products, industrial products, and even military procurement. This will not only help balance our bilateral trade, but also strengthen development for Taiwan in energy autonomy, resilience, the economy, and trade. Taiwan and the US are also well-matched in such areas as high tech and manufacturing. As the US pursues reindustrialization and aims to become a global hub for AI, Taiwan is willing to take part and play an even more important role. We will strengthen Taiwan-US industrial cooperation and together build non-red supply chains. In addition to bringing our economic and trade relations even closer, this will also allow Taiwanese industries to remain rooted in Taiwan while expanding their global presence, helping bolster the US, and marketing worldwide. As for military exchanges, we are grateful to the US government for continuing its military sales to Taiwan and backing our efforts to upgrade our self-defense capabilities. Taiwan will continue to work with the US to jointly safeguard peace and stability throughout the region. In closing, I thank our guests once again for making the long journey here, not only offering warm friendship, but also demonstrating the staunch bipartisan support for Taiwan in the US Congress. Chair Westerman then delivered remarks, saying that it is an honor for him and his colleagues to be in Taiwan to talk about the strong relationship between the US and Taiwan and how that relationship can continue to grow in the future. The chair pointed out that natural resources are foundational to any kind of economic development, whether it is energy, which is key to manufacturing, or whether it is mining, which provides rare earth elements and all the minerals and metals needed for manufacturing. He said that as for natural resources including fish, wildlife, or timber, all are foundational to any society, but this is especially so for agriculture, noting that the US produces a lot of food and fodder and is always looking for more friends to share that with. Chair Westerman indicated that they are excited about opportunities to work with Taiwan, adding that Taiwan’s investments in the US have been greatly appreciated. He said they also are excited about the talks with the Trump administration and the future going forward on how we can have a stronger trade relationship, a stronger bilateral relationship, and how we can work with each other to help both economies grow and prosper. Chair Westerman concluded his remarks by expressing thanks for the opportunity to visit, saying that they treasure Taiwan’s friendship and our long-term relationship, and are very excited to be able to discuss in more detail how our two countries can work together. The delegation also included US House Natural Resources Committee Representatives Sarah Elfreth, Harriet Hageman, Celeste Maloy, and Nick Begich. The delegation was accompanied to the Presidential Office by American Institute in Taiwan Taipei Office Director Raymond Greene.  

    Details
    2025-05-27
    President Lai meets and hosts luncheon for delegation led by Governor Lourdes A. Leon Guerrero of Guam
    On the morning of May 27, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation led by Governor Lourdes A. Leon Guerrero of Guam and her husband, and hosted a luncheon for the delegation at noon. In remarks, President Lai noted that this is the governor’s first trip to Taiwan, fully demonstrating the Guam government’s support and high regard for Taiwan. The president said that Guam, being the closest United States territory to Taiwan, is an important bridge for collaboration between Taiwan and the US. He stated that aside from promoting tourism, we can also explore even more opportunities for collaboration in other areas to further advance industrial development for both sides. He said that, as we begin a new chapter, we look forward to working together to generate even more momentum in bilateral cooperation and exchanges. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: On behalf of the people of Taiwan, I extend a warm welcome to Governor Leon Guerrero and her delegation. Last year, I transited through Guam en route for visits to Taiwan’s diplomatic allies in the Pacific. The enthusiastic reception I received from the government, legislature, people, and members of our overseas community in Guam was very touching and left me with a deep impression. During the morning tea reception hosted by Governor Leon Guerrero, we joined in singing our respective national anthems, as well as the Fanohge CHamoru. I also received at the Guam Legislature a copy of a Taiwan-friendly resolution it passed on behalf of the people of Taiwan. And I still remember to this day the striking scenery of the governor’s house and the warm reception I received there. It is therefore a great pleasure to meet with all of you today here at the Presidential Office. This is Governor Leon Guerrero’s first trip to Taiwan. Your visit fully demonstrates the Guam government’s support and high regard for Taiwan. As we begin a new chapter, we look forward to working with you to generate even more momentum in bilateral cooperation and exchanges. Taiwan and Guam are like family. We share the Austronesian spirit and culture. Our wide-ranging and mutually-beneficial collaboration is very fruitful. And now, we are facing the challenges of climate change, public health and medicine, and regional security together. The world is rapidly changing and tensions in the Indo-Pacific continue to rise. But if we combine our strengths, come together as one, and enhance cooperation, we can maintain regional peace, stability, and prosperity. Last Tuesday, I delivered an address on my first anniversary of taking office. I mentioned that for many years, Taiwan, the US, and our democratic partners have actively engaged in exchange and cooperation. Taking a market-oriented approach, we will promote an economic path of staying firmly rooted in Taiwan and expanding the global presence of our enterprises while strengthening ties with the US. Guam is the closest US territory to Taiwan. It is an important bridge for collaboration between Taiwan and the US. Last month, we were pleased to see United Airlines officially launch direct flights between Taipei and Guam. I believe this will benefit tourism and economic and trade exchanges for both sides. In the area of health care, many hospitals in Taiwan already offer referral services to patients from Guam. Both Governor Leon Guerrero and I have backgrounds in medicine. It is my hope that Taiwan and Guam can continue to work hand in hand to create even more positive outcomes from cooperation in public health and medical services. During the governor’s visit, aside from promoting tourism, we can also explore even more opportunities for collaboration in other areas. There is potential for more exchanges in aquaculture, food processing, hydroculture, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and recycling. This will further advance industrial development in Taiwan and Guam. In closing, I thank Governor Leon Guerrero and all our distinguished guests for backing Taiwan. I wish you all a smooth and successful visit.  Governor Leon Guerrero then delivered remarks, saying that she is very happy to come to Taiwan. She said that after learning during President Lai’s visit to Guam last year that he is a medical doctor, she felt more relaxed because healthcare colleagues are one in their endeavor to help enhance the health and well-being of people. She then expressed her heartfelt appreciation for the invitation to Taiwan.  Governor Leon Guerrero said that as they learn more about opportunities for collaboration with Taiwan, they are humbled by the hospitality they have experienced. In both of our islands, she said, hospitality is more than just a custom – it forms a part of our identities. She noted that despite being nearly 2,000 miles apart, we are connected by the Pacific Ocean and common roots, and our ancestors both value family, community, and tradition. That is why being here today, she said, she feels a strong sense of familiarity, like reconnecting with old friends. The governor remarked that Taiwan has evolved so quickly in all areas of essential life, sustenance, economy, and prosperity, adding that Taiwan’s resources in such areas as health, education, data, AI, advanced technology, aquaculture, agriculture, and commerce enhance our economic stability. She stated her belief that in collaboration and support, and working with each other, we can gain prosperity, maintain freedom and democracy, and live in peace.  Governor Leon Guerrero stated that their delegation is here to see how they can partner with Taiwan to help raise the quality of life for both our peoples, mentioning that one special concern of theirs is tourism. Tourism, she said, is the most influential engine and driver for the economy and quality of life in Guam, but they cannot have a vibrant economy and tourism without air connectivity. She added that they are prepared to help in any way to provide incentives and low-cost fees so that they can get more airlines from Taiwan to establish permanent flight schedules to Guam, so as to drive development in Guam’s tourism industry. Governor Leon Guerrero then proceeded to introduce each of the members of her delegation before remarking that while they have been very busy on this visit they are always reminded of the freedom and democracy that the people must protect. She said she looks forward to a great, strong relationship between Taiwan and Guam in cooperation on social and economic issues, in culture, marketing, tourism, and freedom and democracy. Among those in attendance were First Gentleman Jeffrey A. Cook, Chief of Staff Jon Junior Calvo, Director of the Department of Administration Edward Birn, General Manager of the Guam Visitors Bureau Regine Biscoe Lee, Deputy Executive Manager of the Guam International Airport Authority Artemio “Ricky” Hernandez, Board of Directors Chairman of the Guam International Airport Authority Brian J. Bamba, Deputy General Manager of the Guam Economic Development Authority Carlos Bordallo, Director of Landscape Management Systems Guam Bob Salas, Chairperson of the Guam Chamber of Commerce Tae Oh, President of the University of Guam Anita Borja Enriquez, and Director of the Guam Taiwan Office Felix Yen (嚴樹芬). After the meeting, President Lai, accompanied by Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao, hosted a luncheon for Governor Leon Guerrero, her husband, and the delegation.

    Details
    2025-05-27
    President Lai meets delegation from European Parliament
    On the morning of May 27, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation from the European Parliament. In remarks, President Lai thanked the European Parliament for continuing to pay close attention to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and voice support for Taiwan. The president expressed hope for an even closer relationship and diversified cooperation between Taiwan and the European Union. The president said that Taiwan and the EU can work together in such areas as semiconductors, AI, and green energy to create more resilient supply chains for global democracies and contribute to global prosperity and development. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: I warmly welcome our guests to the Presidential Office. After being elected last year, MEPs Reinis Pozņaks and Beatrice Timgren are making their first visits to Taiwan, demonstrating support for Taiwan through concrete action. On behalf of the people of Taiwan, I extend my sincerest welcome and appreciation. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the European Parliament for continuing to pay close attention to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. Just last month, the European Parliament adopted resolutions with regard to annual reports on the implementation of the European Union’s Common Foreign and Security Policy and Common Security and Defence Policy. These resolutions reaffirmed the EU’s steadfast commitment to maintaining the status quo across the Taiwan Strait. The European Parliament also condemned China for continuing to take provocative military actions against Taiwan and emphasized that Taiwan is a key democratic partner in the Indo-Pacific region. It called on the EU and its member states to continue working closely with Taiwan to strengthen economic, trade, and investment ties. Once again, I thank the European Parliament for voicing support for Taiwan. Just as MEPs Pozņaks and Timgren are visiting Taiwan to strengthen Taiwan-EU exchanges, our Minister of Economic Affairs Kuo Jyh-huei (郭智輝) also led a delegation to Europe last year, marking the first in-person dialogue between high-ranking economic and trade officials of Taiwan and the EU. Moving ahead, we look forward to bringing Taiwan-EU ties even closer and to diversifying our cooperation. The EU is Taiwan’s largest source of foreign investment. Both sides are highly complementary in such areas as semiconductors, AI, and green energy. Through our joint efforts, we can create more resilient supply chains for global democracies and further contribute to global prosperity and development. Looking ahead, I hope that MEPs Pozņaks and Timgren will continue to make the case in the European Parliament for the signing of a Taiwan-EU economic partnership agreement. This would not only yield mutually beneficial development, but also consolidate economic security and boost international competitiveness for both sides. In closing, I am sure that you will gain a deeper understanding of Taiwan through this visit. Please feel welcome to come back as often as possible as we continue to elevate Taiwan-EU ties.  MEP Pozņaks then delivered remarks, saying that it is a great honor to be here and thanking everybody involved in arranging this trip that allows them the opportunity to better know Taiwan. He added that it is definitely not the last time they will be here, as Taiwan is a very beautiful country. MEP Pozņaks mentioned that he comes from Latvia, and despite their being on the other side of the world, they know how the Taiwanese people feel, because they also have a big neighbor who is claiming that Latvia belongs to them. Unfortunately, he said, there is already war in Europe, but he is confident that their situation is similar to Taiwan’s, adding that they have a neighbor who uses disinformation attacks. MEP Pozņaks said that we live in very challenging times, and that our choices will define the future of the world, asking whether it will be a world where the rule of law prevails or where physical power and aggression succeeds. Coming from a small country, he said he clearly understands that for them there is no other possibility; they must protect the world where the rule of law prevails. That is why now, he emphasized, it is very crucial for all democracies around the world to stick together to protect our freedoms, values, and democracy. MEP Timgren then delivered remarks, thanking President Lai for meeting with them and saying it is a big honor. Noting that they arrived here two days ago and that while she really loves Taiwan, its food, and the good weather, she stated that the reason they are here is because of the values that we share, our good relationships, and solidarity with other democratic countries in the world, which is important for them in Europe and in Sweden. MEP Timgren, referring to MEP Pozņaks’s earlier remarks, said that they face a big threat from Russia that is discernible even in the European Parliament. Actually, she pointed out, there is a war inside Europe that shows us how important it is that we support one another. She said that the Russian people thought it would be easy to take over Ukraine, but it was not, because all European countries stepped up and provided weapons and support. And that is why, MEP Timgren said, it is important that democratic countries maintain good relationships and let China and Russia see that we have good relationships, because a part of defense is solidarity. In closing, she expressed her gratitude for having the honor to be here in this beautiful country.

    Details
    2025-05-20
    President Lai hosts state banquet for President Surangel Whipps Jr. of Republic of Palau
    On the evening of May 20, President Lai Ching-te, accompanied by Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao, hosted a state banquet at the Presidential Office in honor of President Surangel Whipps Jr. of the Republic of Palau and his wife. In remarks, President Lai said that he looks forward to working closely with President Whipps to promote tourism exchanges and sports cooperation so that Taiwan and Palau shine brightly together on the international stage. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: It is a pleasure to host this banquet tonight at the Presidential Office for President Whipps, First Lady Valerie Whipps, and the esteemed members of their delegation. Welcome to Taiwan. During my trips to Palau in 2022 and last year, President and First Lady Whipps received me with great hospitality. Wearing my island shirt, I enjoyed a very friendly reception from the people of Palau. It felt warm and friendly, just like being welcomed back home. The first time I visited Palau, President Whipps and I piloted a boat to the Milky Way lagoon. We both tried volcanic mud facial masks. We also fished together and enjoyed the breeze as we walked on the beach. Last year, on my second visit to Palau, I was honored to be invited to address the National Congress. I also observed the results of the close bilateral cooperation between our two nations. Due to its world-famous ocean scenery, Palau is sometimes referred to as “God’s aquarium.” And it is even possible to snorkel with sharks. It leaves a deep impression. Nothing compares to seeing Palau firsthand. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Taiwan and Palau launched a travel bubble that created a safe means of travel. Now, with the pandemic behind us, I hope that even more Taiwanese can tour Palau and gain a greater understanding of our diplomatic ally. In addition to tourism exchanges, I mentioned on my visit to Palau last year that I hoped Taiwan and Palau could promote sports cooperation by providing training away from home. Next month, Palau will be holding the Pacific Mini Games. And right now, Palau’s national baseball and table tennis teams are holding training sessions here in Taiwan. We will do our utmost to support Palau’s national players and we hope they stand out and achieve outstanding results in the events. I look forward to working closely with President Whipps so that Taiwan and Palau shine brightly together on the international stage. Thank you! Mesulang! President Whipps then delivered remarks, saying that it is truly an honor to be here once again one year after President Lai’s inauguration. Mentioning that this is his first state visit after being reelected to a second term, he said that it is important to be here among friends, and that we are more than friends, we are family. He thanked President Lai for the generous words and, most importantly, Taiwan’s enduring support. He remarked that our relationship continues to get stronger in each passing year. President Whipps said that President Lai’s diplomacy initiative, leadership, and vision deeply resonate with them. Diplomacy must be rooted in our shared values, he said, and an unwavering support for our allies and a commitment to a sustainable, inclusive development are all deeply appreciated by their people. President Whipps emphasized that, as we look into the future and the challenges that we face, from security to climate change, it is so important that we are united. He added that it is important for the world, and especially important for them in Palau, that they stand up for Taiwan, so that Taiwan can participate on international fora that address climate change, security, and health, because they know the world is better when Taiwan has a seat at the table. Mentioning that Palau will host the Pacific Islands Forum next year, President Whipps said that Palau remains committed to working closely with Taiwan to ensure a successful event, and that they will continue to speak up for Taiwan’s indispensable contributions as we stand together against any efforts to silence or isolate democratic partners. President Whipps said that our nations have navigated challenges and emerged stronger, bound by a partnership that is built on trust, respect, and hope for a better world. Whether it is in clean energy, education, smart medicine, or tourism, our shared journey is just beginning, he said, and we are stronger together.  Also in attendance at the banquet were Palauan Minister of State Gustav Aitaro, Minister of Public Infrastructure and Industries Charles Obichang, Minister of Human Resources, Culture, Tourism and Development Ngiraibelas Tmetuchl, Senate Floor Leader Kerai Mariur, House of Delegates Floor Leader Warren Umetaro, High Chief of Ngiwal State Elliot Udui, Governor of Peleliu State Emais Roberts, and Governor of Koror State Eyos Rudimch.

    Details
    2025-05-20
    President Lai interviewed by Nippon Television and Yomiuri TV
    In a recent interview on Nippon Television’s news zero program, President Lai Ching-te responded to questions from host Mr. Sakurai Sho and Yomiuri TV Shanghai Bureau Chief Watanabe Masayo on topics including reflections on his first year in office, cross-strait relations, China’s military threats, Taiwan-United States relations, and Taiwan-Japan relations. The interview was broadcast on the evening of May 19. During the interview, President Lai stated that China intends to change the world’s rules-based international order, and that if Taiwan were invaded, global supply chains would be disrupted. Therefore, he said, Taiwan will strengthen its national defense, prevent war by preparing for war, and achieve the goal of peace. The president also noted that Taiwan’s purpose for developing drones is based on national security and industrial needs, and that Taiwan hopes to collaborate with Japan. He then reiterated that China’s threats are an international problem, and expressed hope to work together with the US, Japan, and others in the global democratic community to prevent China from starting a war. Following is the text of the questions and the president’s responses: Q: How do you feel as you are about to round out your first year in office? President Lai: When I was young, I was determined to practice medicine and save lives. When I left medicine to go into politics, I was determined to transform Taiwan. And when I was sworn in as president on May 20 last year, I was determined to strengthen the nation. Time flies, and it has already been a year. Although the process has been very challenging, I am deeply honored to be a part of it. I am also profoundly grateful to our citizens for allowing me the opportunity to give back to our country. The future will certainly be full of more challenges, but I will do everything I can to unite the people and continue strengthening the nation. That is how I am feeling now. Q: We are now coming up on the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, and over this period, we have often heard that conflict between Taiwan and the mainland is imminent. Do you personally believe that a cross-strait conflict could happen? President Lai: The international community is very much aware that China intends to replace the US and change the world’s rules-based international order, and annexing Taiwan is just the first step. So, as China’s military power grows stronger, some members of the international community are naturally on edge about whether a cross-strait conflict will break out. The international community must certainly do everything in its power to avoid a conflict in the Taiwan Strait; there is too great a cost. Besides causing direct disasters to both Taiwan and China, the impact on the global economy would be even greater, with estimated losses of US$10 trillion from war alone – that is roughly 10 percent of the global GDP. Additionally, 20 percent of global shipping passes through the Taiwan Strait and surrounding waters, so if a conflict breaks out in the strait, other countries including Japan and Korea would suffer a grave impact. For Japan and Korea, a quarter of external transit passes through the Taiwan Strait and surrounding waters, and a third of the various energy resources and minerals shipped back from other countries pass through said areas. If Taiwan were invaded, global supply chains would be disrupted, and therefore conflict in the Taiwan Strait must be avoided. Such a conflict is indeed avoidable. I am very thankful to Prime Minister of Japan Ishiba Shigeru and former Prime Ministers Abe Shinzo, Suga Yoshihide, and Kishida Fumio, as well as US President Donald Trump and former President Joe Biden, and the other G7 leaders, for continuing to emphasize at international venues that peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait are essential components for global security and prosperity. When everyone in the global democratic community works together, stacking up enough strength to make China’s objectives unattainable or to make the cost of invading Taiwan too high for it to bear, a conflict in the strait can naturally be avoided. Q: As you said, President Lai, maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait is also very important for other countries. How can war be avoided? What sort of countermeasures is Taiwan prepared to take to prevent war? President Lai: As Mr. Sakurai mentioned earlier, we are coming up on the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII. There are many lessons we can take from that war. First is that peace is priceless, and war has no winners. From the tragedies of WWII, there are lessons that humanity should learn. We must pursue peace, and not start wars blindly, as that would be a major disaster for humanity. In other words, we must be determined to safeguard peace. The second lesson is that we cannot be complacent toward authoritarian powers. If you give them an inch, they will take a mile. They will keep growing, and eventually, not only will peace be unattainable, but war will be inevitable. The third lesson is why WWII ended: It ended because different groups joined together in solidarity. Taiwan, Japan, and the Indo-Pacific region are all directly subjected to China’s threats, so we hope to be able to join together in cooperation. This is why we proposed the Four Pillars of Peace action plan. First, we will strengthen our national defense. Second, we will strengthen economic resilience. Third is standing shoulder to shoulder with the democratic community to demonstrate the strength of deterrence. Fourth is that as long as China treats Taiwan with parity and dignity, Taiwan is willing to conduct exchanges and cooperate with China, and seek peace and mutual prosperity. These four pillars can help us avoid war and achieve peace. That is to say, Taiwan hopes to achieve peace through strength, prevent war by preparing for war, keeping war from happening and pursuing the goal of peace. Q: Regarding drones, everyone knows that recently, Taiwan has been actively researching, developing, and introducing drones. Why do you need to actively research, develop, and introduce new drones at this time? President Lai: This is for two purposes. The first is to meet national security needs. The second is to meet industrial development needs. Because Taiwan, Japan, and the Philippines are all part of the first island chain, and we are all democratic nations, we cannot be like an authoritarian country like China, which has an unlimited national defense budget. In this kind of situation, island nations such as Taiwan, Japan, and the Philippines should leverage their own technologies to develop national defense methods that are asymmetric and utilize unmanned vehicles. In particular, from the Russo-Ukrainian War, we see that Ukraine has successfully utilized unmanned vehicles to protect itself and prevent Russia from unlimited invasion. In other words, the Russo-Ukrainian War has already proven the importance of drones. Therefore, the first purpose of developing drones is based on national security needs. Second, the world has already entered the era of smart technology. Whether generative, agentic, or physical, AI will continue to develop. In the future, cars and ships will also evolve into unmanned vehicles and unmanned boats, and there will be unmanned factories. Drones will even be able to assist with postal deliveries, or services like Uber, Uber Eats, and foodpanda, or agricultural irrigation and pesticide spraying. Therefore, in the future era of comprehensive smart technology, developing unmanned vehicles is a necessity. Taiwan, based on industrial needs, is actively planning the development of drones and unmanned vehicles. I would like to take this opportunity to express Taiwan’s hope to collaborate with Japan in the unmanned vehicle industry. Just as we do in the semiconductor industry, where Japan has raw materials, equipment, and technology, and Taiwan has wafer manufacturing, our two countries can cooperate. Japan is a technological power, and Taiwan also has significant technological strengths. If Taiwan and Japan work together, we will not only be able to safeguard peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and security in the Indo-Pacific region, but it will also be very helpful for the industrial development of both countries. Q: The drones you just described probably include examples from the Russo-Ukrainian War. Taiwan and China are separated by the Taiwan Strait. Do our drones need to have cross-sea flight capabilities? President Lai: Taiwan does not intend to counterattack the mainland, and does not intend to invade any country. Taiwan’s drones are meant to protect our own nation and territory. Q: Former President Biden previously stated that US forces would assist Taiwan’s defense in the event of an attack. President Trump, however, has yet to clearly state that the US would help defend Taiwan. Do you think that in such an event, the US would help defend Taiwan? Or is Taiwan now trying to persuade the US? President Lai: Former President Biden and President Trump have answered questions from reporters. Although their responses were different, strong cooperation with Taiwan under the Biden administration has continued under the Trump administration; there has been no change. During President Trump’s first term, cooperation with Taiwan was broader and deeper compared to former President Barack Obama’s terms. After former President Biden took office, cooperation with Taiwan increased compared to President Trump’s first term. Now, during President Trump’s second term, cooperation with Taiwan is even greater than under former President Biden. Taiwan-US cooperation continues to grow stronger, and has not changed just because President Trump and former President Biden gave different responses to reporters. Furthermore, the Trump administration publicly stated that in the future, the US will shift its strategic focus from Europe to the Indo-Pacific. The US secretary of defense even publicly stated that the primary mission of the US is to prevent China from invading Taiwan, maintain stability in the Indo-Pacific, and thus maintain world peace. There is a saying in Taiwan that goes, “Help comes most to those who help themselves.” Before asking friends and allies for assistance in facing threats from China, Taiwan must first be determined and prepared to defend itself. This is Taiwan’s principle, and we are working in this direction, making all the necessary preparations to safeguard the nation. Q: I would like to ask you a question about Taiwan-Japan relations. After the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, you made an appeal to give Japan a great deal of assistance and care. In particular, you visited Sendai to offer condolences. Later, you also expressed condolences and concern after the earthquakes in Aomori and Kumamoto. What are your expectations for future Taiwan-Japan exchanges and development? President Lai: I come from Tainan, and my constituency is in Tainan. Tainan has very deep ties with Japan, and of course, Taiwan also has deep ties with Japan. However, among Taiwan’s 22 counties and cities, Tainan has the deepest relationship with Japan. I sincerely hope that both of you and your teams will have an opportunity to visit Tainan. I will introduce Tainan’s scenery, including architecture from the era of Japanese rule, Tainan’s cuisine, and unique aspects of Tainan society, and you can also see lifestyles and culture from the Showa era.  The Wushantou Reservoir in Tainan was completed by engineer Mr. Hatta Yoichi from Kanazawa, Japan and the team he led to Tainan after he graduated from then-Tokyo Imperial University. It has nearly a century of history and is still in use today. This reservoir, along with the 16,000-km-long Chianan Canal, transformed the 150,000-hectare Chianan Plain into Taiwan’s premier rice-growing area. It was that foundation in agriculture that enabled Taiwan to develop industry and the technology sector of today. The reservoir continues to supply water to Tainan Science Park. It is used by residents of Tainan, the agricultural sector, and industry, and even the technology sector in Xinshi Industrial Park, as well as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company. Because of this, the people of Tainan are deeply grateful for Mr. Hatta and very friendly toward the people of Japan. A major earthquake, the largest in 50 years, struck Tainan on February 6, 2016, resulting in significant casualties. As mayor of Tainan at the time, I was extremely grateful to then-Prime Minister Abe, who sent five Japanese officials to the disaster site in Tainan the day after the earthquake. They were very thoughtful and asked what kind of assistance we needed from the Japanese government. They offered to provide help based on what we needed. I was deeply moved, as former Prime Minister Abe showed such care, going beyond the formality of just sending supplies that we may or may not have actually needed. Instead, the officials asked what we needed and then provided assistance based on those needs, which really moved me. Similarly, when the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011 or the later Kumamoto earthquakes struck, the people of Tainan, under my leadership, naturally and dutifully expressed their support. Even earlier, when central Taiwan was hit by a major earthquake in 1999, Japan was the first country to deploy a rescue team to the disaster area. On February 6, 2018, after a major earthquake in Hualien, former Prime Minister Abe appeared in a video holding up a message of encouragement he had written in calligraphy saying “Remain strong, Taiwan.” All of Taiwan was deeply moved. Over the years, Taiwan and Japan have supported each other when earthquakes struck, and have forged bonds that are family-like, not just neighborly. This is truly valuable. In the future, I hope Taiwan and Japan can be like brothers, and that the peoples of Taiwan and Japan can treat one another like family. If Taiwan has a problem, then Japan has a problem; if Japan has a problem, then Taiwan has a problem. By caring for and helping each other, we can face various challenges and difficulties, and pursue a brighter future. Q: President Lai, you just used the phrase “If Taiwan has a problem, then Japan has a problem.” In the event that China attempts to invade Taiwan by force, what kind of response measures would you hope the US military and Japan’s Self-Defense Forces take? President Lai: As I just mentioned, annexing Taiwan is only China’s first step. Its ultimate objective is to change the rules-based international order. That being the case, China’s threats are an international problem. So, I would very much hope to work together with the US, Japan, and others in the global democratic community to prevent China from starting a war – prevention, after all, is more important than cure.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI: Micropolis to Participate in Maxim Group’s 2025 Virtual Tech Conference on June 3-5, 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, May 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Micropolis Holding Co. (“Micropolis” or the “Company”) (NYSE: MCRP), a pioneer in unmanned ground vehicles and AI-driven security solutions, today announced it will participate in a fireside chat at Maxim Group’s 2025 Virtual Tech Conference: Discover the Innovations Reshaping Tomorrow, to be held from June 3-5, 2025.

    Virtual Conference Fireside Chat
    Date & Time: Tuesday, June 3, 2025, 9:30 a.m. ET
    Speakers: Fareed Aljawhari, Founder & CEO and Dzmitry Kastahorau, CFO
    Registration Link: https://m-vest.com/events/tmt-06032025

    For more information or to schedule a meeting with Micropolis, please contact your Maxim representative or KCSA Strategic Communications at Micropolis@kcsa.com.

    About Micropolis Holding Co.
    Micropolis is a UAE-based company specializing in the design, development, and manufacturing of unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), AI systems, and smart infrastructure for urban, security, and industrial applications. The Company’s vertically integrated capabilities cover everything from mechatronics and embedded systems to AI software and high-level autonomy.

    For more information please visit www.micropolis.ai.

    Investor Contact:
    KCSA Strategic Communications
    Valter Pinto, Managing Director
    PH: (212) 896-1254
    Valter@KCSA.com

    Media Contact:
    Jessica Starman
    media@elev8newmedia.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Unbound raises $4M to help enterprises embrace AI tools on their terms

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    San Francisco, May 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Generative AI tools have become ubiquitous in the enterprise. Employees are using AI copilots to code, draft documents, brainstorm campaigns, and analyze data – often without IT’s knowledge or approval. As adoption spreads from the bottom-up, companies are losing control over how sensitive information is being handled, what models are being used, and who has access to what.

    Unbound has raised $4 million to fix this. The oversubscribed seed round was led by Race Capital, with participation from Wayfinder Ventures, Y Combinator, Massive Tech Ventures and others include notable angel investors*. 

    Unbound Security founders: Vignesh Subbiah and Rajaram Srinivasan. 

    Unbound gives IT teams the visibility and controls they need to safely introduce and manage AI tools in the enterprise. Its AI Gateway plugs into commonly used tools – like Cursor, Roo, Cline or internal document copilots – and provides real-time protection, model routing, and usage analytics. From blocking sensitive information leakage to managing model costs and performance, Unbound helps organizations roll out AI on their terms.

    The founding team brings deep experience in both enterprise security and infrastructure. CEO and co-founder Rajaram Srinivasan previously led data security products at Palo Alto Networks and Imperva, and earlier worked on SaaS security at the onset of the AI wave. He teamed up with Vignesh Subbiah, a seasoned engineer and former founding team member at Tophatter and Shogun, who scaled engineering teams and platforms from seed to growth stage. After working together at Adobe, the two reconnected to build a system that could meet the urgent security gaps emerging in the new AI stack.

    The need became clear quickly. In the early days of GPT-3.5, teams were already sending sensitive prompts into AI tools without oversight – leaking secrets, exposing PII, and consuming costly licenses with no guardrails. Existing DLP tools either blocked the tool altogether or failed to adapt to newer AI workflows.

    Unbound takes a different approach. It has already prevented the leakage of 100s of secret credentials – including passwords, API keys, and connection strings – as well as more than 500 instances of personally identifiable information such as customer names, phone numbers, and patient records. Rather than simply blocking prompts, Unbound redacts sensitive content in real time and reroutes high-risk requests to internal, open-source models hosted in the organization’s cloud. This ensures employees get their answers without ever seeing a security speed bump.

    Unbound: analytics dashboard.

    The platform also gives companies fine-grained control over model access and cost. Rather than buying a one-size-fits-all license, teams can allocate premium model access to high-stakes workflows – like engineers building core infrastructure – while routing lighter tasks, like content editing, to smaller open-source models. Mid-market customers using Unbound have already saved more than $10,000 annually on unnecessary AI seat licenses. And when new models outperform old ones – as with Gemini 2.5 recently overtaking Claude Sonnet for certain coding tasks – Unbound allows IT to roll them out incrementally, test their effectiveness, and swap them in without breaking employee workflows.

    The product is already being used by a growing base of mid-market and enterprise customers across sectors including tech and healthcare. One customer, a leading tech company, recently used Unbound to safely introduce Gemini 2.5 into production AI tools for more than 100 engineers within the same week.

    “As AI tools become mainstream, enterprises are turning to flexibility and control,” said Rajaram Srinivasan, co-founder and CEO of Unbound. “They want visibility into what’s being used, assurance that their data is protected, and the ability to swap in better models as the space evolves. Unbound is the bridge that makes that possible.”

    Reflecting on Unbound’s early days, CTO and co-founder Vignesh Subbiah said, “Defaulting to blanket bans on AI tools is like being in the times of GPT 3.5. Unbound enables surgical security controls into every AI request so teams can innovate freely without putting corporate secrets at risk.” He added, “In just a few months, our customers have prevented over 7,000 potential data leaks and cut AI tooling costs by nearly 70 percent.”

    The market is shifting fast. What started as shadow IT is quickly becoming mission-critical infrastructure. Generative AI is embedded in everything from customer support to software engineering – but the tooling around it is still stuck in early-stage chaos. CIOs and CISOs are looking for ways to support AI adoption without compromising security or governance. Unbound is building that foundation. “At THG Ingenuity, we see the security team as an enabler, not a blocker. Unbound empowers us to roll out AI tools to employees with confidence. Unbound AI Gateway’s data protection controls and intelligent routing have been instrumental in safeguarding sensitive data while helping us optimize costs.” says Abraham Ingersoll, Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) of The Hut Group. The Hut Group (THG) is a customer of Unbound.

    Unbound: usage analytics.

    “AI is projected to reach $4.8 trillion in market value for the enterprise by 2033 globally — but without proper guardrails, that value is at risk. From shadow models to data leaks, the dangers of unmanaged AI are very real.  We are excited to back Rajaram Vignesh and the Unbound Security team as they create a new category of AI infrastructure: one built for safety, observability and cost discipline from day one.” said Edith Yeung, General Partner at Race Capital. “We’re proud to back Rajaram, Vignesh, and the team building a new category of AI infrastructure – one that makes enterprise adoption safe, observable, and cost-efficient from day one.”

    Unbound is just getting started. The team plans to expand integrations across the AI ecosystem, deepen model routing capabilities, and support internal model orchestration for enterprises adopting open-source LLMs. Their mission is simple: to ensure every organization can embrace AI without losing control in the process.

    * Other investors in the round included: Alpha Square Group, Northside Ventures, Liquid2, Pioneer Fund, Scale Asia Ventures, SBXI and notable angels including Ram Shriram (founding board member at Google), Dr. Trishan Panch (CSO LuminHealth), Dr. John Brownstein (Chief Innovation Officer, Boston Children’s hospital), Taro Fukuyama (CEO, Fond), Eli Brown (CEO, Guilded, acquired by Roblox), Chris Siakos (CEO Sinefa, acquired by Palo Alto Networks), Joe Vadakkan (CISO, Ex- CRO), Zain Rizavi (Cloudflare, Ridge VC), Finbarr Taylor (CEO, Shogun) alongside other silicon valley and cybersecurity veterans.

    Ends

    Media images can be found here. 

    About Unbound
    Unbound helps enterprises adopt Generative AI tools securely and responsibly across their organizations. As companies increasingly explore the benefits of AI, Unbound ensures that IT and security teams maintain the oversight they need. Unbound provides detailed visibility into usage patterns, helps control the flow of sensitive data, and enables policy enforcement to align with organizational standards. Unbound makes enterprise AI adoption safer, more transparent, and easier to manage.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: A.I. Drone Operations Flourishing as Global Quantum Computing Market Expected to Reach $5.3 Billion By 2029

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PALM BEACH, Fla., May 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FN Media Group News Commentary – The global quantum computing market is expected to grow significantly in the coming years. A report from MarketsAndMarkets projected that the global quantum computing market size will be valued at USD 5.3 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 32.7% during the forecast period through 2029. The report said: “Quantum computing is a growing technology that has the opportunity to make computing faster. These devices can perform valuable tasks but have a high rate of error. In short-term quantum computing, use cases will have a hybrid quantum operating model, a mix of traditional and quantum computers. In the short term, also known as the NISQ era, the revenue for quantum computing will be entirely generated from end-user industries and quantum computing research investments. Mid-term quantum computing is expected to witness many advantages over conventional computers. To achieve this stage, quantum algorithms with a high error correction ability are required. Long term quantum computing requires a high tolerance for error correction and scalability. At this stage, the value will be added by the quantum hardware, quantum software, and service providers. Systems segment to account for highest CAGR of the quantum computing market during the forecast period Quantum computer systems are designed to solve complex problems that traditional computers find difficult. Constant investments and development in quantum computing systems are driving the market during the forecast period. Quantum computing hardware launches are becoming increasingly common. The shipment of quantum computing systems is increasing daily. The cloud segment is projected to account for a larger share of the quantum computing industry than the on-premises segment from 2024 to 2029.” Active Companies in the markets today include ZenaTech, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZENA), Quantum Corporation (NASDAQ: QMCO), Rigetti Computing, Inc. (NASDAQ: RGTI), D-Wave Quantum Inc. (NYSE: QBTS), Supermicro, Inc. (NASDAQ: SMCI).

    MarketsAndMarkets concluded: The demand for the quantum computing market share is expected to have the largest share in the Asia Pacific region. Companies working in the area’s quantum computing market and the government are spending money on research in quantum computing. The race to build powerful quantum computers is heating up with big money bets. The race to build powerful quantum computers is heating up with big money bets. Tech giant IBM is throwing down a cool USD 100 million to help universities in Japan and the US develop whopper machines with 10,000 qubits.”

    ZenaTech (NASDAQ:ZENA) Developing Quantum Computing and AI Drone Fleets to Prevent Wildfires in the Western US – ZenaTech, Inc. (FSE: 49Q) (BMV: ZENA) (“ZenaTech”) a technology company specializing in AI (Artificial Intelligence) drones, Drone as a Service (DaaS), enterprise SaaS, and Quantum Computing solutions, today announces its strategic initiative to utilize quantum computing and AI-powered drones to revolutionize wildfire detection, forecasting, and response in the US Western and Coastal states. This innovative solution is part of ZenaTech’s expanding Clear Sky project, an initiative which aims to mitigate the increasing threat of billion-dollar weather events using high-precision environmental monitoring powered by AI drones, drone swarms and quantum-enhanced analytics.

    “We want to harness next-generation drone technology for frontline defence against one of America’s more dangerous natural threats” said Dr. Shaun Passley, CEO of ZenaTech. “By integrating quantum computing with our AI drone systems, we can process massive volumes of atmospheric and terrain data to provide near real-time wildfire predictions and response strategies with unmatched speed and accuracy.”

    The integration of quantum computing allows ZenaTech to process complex datasets far faster than traditional methods—turning raw drone telemetry into actionable intelligence for emergency response teams, forestry services, and environmental protection agencies.

    Using the ZenaDrone 1000 drone and fleets of drones equipped with thermal sensors, multispectral imaging, and 360-degree LiDAR, autonomous flight missions over 300 square miles can be performed. These drone swarms gather environmental data which is then processed using quantum computing platforms to build predictive models that simulate wildfire spread based on terrain, vegetation density, humidity, and wind patterns.

    ZenaTech’s recently acquired Portland, Oregon-based land survey engineering company and now a Drone as a Service office, will be part of this initiative surveying large tracks of land for wildfires and fire management testing incorporating drone swarm technology in the Northwest in the Pacific Coast areas. The company will also utilize its Wyoming Native American partnership for testing fire mitigation, and autonomous monitoring of tribal lands. The Clear Sky project initial team will be expanded to 20 engineers dedicated to the company’s R&D initiatives including wildfire modelling, geospatial optimization, and AI-augmented forecasting.

    Quantum computing is an emergent field of cutting-edge computer science harnessing the unique qualities of quantum mechanics to solve problems beyond the ability of even the most powerful classical computers of today, to process massively complicated mathematical problems and data at orders of magnitude faster speeds. Quantum computers can analyse vast and complex drone data much faster and more accurately, improving weather predictions and enhancing the ability to forecast extreme events.

    Last year, there were 58 separate billion-dollar weather disasters globally, the second highest on record, which includes 27 in the US caused by extreme weather including hurricanes, wildfires, floods, and severe storms— according to Gallagher Re’s Natural Catastrophe and Climate Report.    Continued… Read this full release by visiting: https://www.financialnewsmedia.com/news-zena/

    In Additional ZENA News: ZenaTech (NASDAQ:ZENA) Provides Quantum Computing Update on ‘Clear Sky’ Weather Forecasting Project?AI Drone Swarms to Combat Steep Rise in Billion Dollar Extreme Weather Events – ZenaTech, Inc. (FSE: 49Q) (BMV: ZENA) (“ZenaTech”) provided an update on its “Clear Sky” project, an R&D initiative soon to be released in a beta application version, that uses multiple AI drones in a drone swarm, and quantum computing for weather forecasting. The goal is to better predict localized weather including extreme weather events for business and government users, saving lives and billions of dollars.

    In the coming months, ZenaTech plans to expand its quantum computing project team to 20 by adding at least ten additional specialized engineers. This will accelerate the development and upcoming beta release of Clear Sky in addition to furthering other internal quantum computing projects currently underway.

    “Last year, there were 58 separate billion-dollar weather disasters globally, the second highest on record, which includes 27 in the US. Through the Clear Sky project, we will use AI-powered drone swarms and quantum computing to better predict these disasters and fill the critical atmospheric observation gaps of traditional weather data collection and satellite methods,” said CEO of ZenaTech Shaun Passley, Ph.D. “Drones with sensors flying at high altitudes can collect data in real time enabling greater spatial and temporal resolution resulting in more precise, up-to-the-minute weather insights to better anticipate the onset of extreme weather like tornadoes.” Continued… Read this full release by visiting: https://www.zenatech.com/newsroom/

    Other recent developments in the markets include:

    Quantum Corporation (NASDAQ: QMCO) recently announced an update to its Professional Services portfolio, redefining its offerings to meet customers’ needs across the data lifecycle and provide greater flexibility in how services are consumed. Quantum uniquely delivers comprehensive data lifecycle management spanning high-speed ingest to data protection to long-term archiving. As organizations increasingly depend on data to drive AI initiatives, fuel innovation, and streamline operations, customers require tailored, efficient, and scalable services that evolve with their infrastructure and business goals.

    Structured around three core offerings—new subscription-based Value Packages, Deployment Services, and On-Demand Services—Quantum’s Professional Services are built to meet customers where they are in their data journey. Whether accelerating a new deployment, optimizing a legacy environment, or planning for future growth, these services offer scalable, expert-led support that aligns with both immediate needs and long-term strategies.

    Rigetti Computing, Inc. (NASDAQ: RGTI), a pioneer in full-stack quantum-classical computing, recently announced its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025.

    First Quarter 2025 and Recent Financial Highlights Were:

    Total revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2025 were $1.5 million

    Total operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2025 were $22.1 million

    Operating loss for the three months ended March 31, 2025 was $21.6 million

    Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2025 was $42.6 million

    Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2025 includes $62.1 million of non-cash gains from the change in fair value of derivative warrant and earn-out liabilities

    As of March 31, 2025 cash, cash equivalents and available-for-sale investments totaled $209.1 million

    As of April 30, 2025, following the previously announced closing of the share purchase by Quanta Computer, Inc., cash, cash equivalents and available-for-sale investments totaled $237.7 million

    “Rigetti is proud to be awarded important government-funded projects in the U.S. and U.K. to advance our technology, which demonstrates our continued leadership in superconducting quantum computing,” says Rigetti CEO Dr. Subodh Kulkarni. “We also are making great strides in developing innovative approaches to scaling to higher qubit count systems, which is possible due to our open and modular system architecture, in-house full-stack expertise, and world-class partners.”

    D-Wave Quantum Inc. (NYSE: QBTS) recently announced the general availability of its Advantage2TM quantum computing system, a powerful and energy-efficient annealing quantum computer capable of solving computationally complex problems beyond the reach of classical computers. Featuring D-Wave’s most advanced quantum processor to date, the Advantage2 system is commercial-grade, and built to address real-world use cases in areas such as optimization, materials simulation and artificial intelligence (AI).

    “Today marks a significant milestone not just for D-Wave, but for the quantum computing industry as a whole, as we bring to market our sixth-generation quantum computer, a system so powerful that it can solve hard problems outside the reach of one of the world’s largest exascale GPU-based classical supercomputers,” said Dr. Alan Baratz, CEO of D-Wave. “It’s an engineering marvel, with substantial technical advancements that highlight D-Wave’s progress in scaling quantum technology to meet industry demands for growing computational processing power while maintaining energy efficiency.

    Supermicro, Inc. (NASDAQ: SMCI) recently announced that it is now taking orders for enterprise AI systems with NVIDIA RTX PRO 6000 Blackwell Server Edition GPUs. Supermicro’s broad portfolio of optimized servers enables AI and visual computing to be deployed in virtually any industry or environment. Supermicro’s suite of over 20 systems with RTX PRO Blackwell GPUs will significantly enhance performance for enterprise AI factory workloads. This includes AI inference, AI development and model fine-tuning, generative AI, AI-driven graphics & rendering, video content and streaming, and game development.

    Supermicro NVIDIA-Certified Systems with RTX PRO 6000 Blackwell GPUs will serve as building blocks for NVIDIA Enterprise AI Factory validated designs, integrating with NVIDIA Spectrum-X networking, NVIDIA-Certified Storage, and NVIDIA AI Enterprise software to create full-stack solutions, accelerating the deployment of on-premises AI.

    “Supermicro continues to lead the development of enterprise AI infrastructure, empowering the deployment of AI across industries at ever-greater scale,” said Charles Liang, president and CEO of Supermicro. “Supermicro’s Data Center Building Block Solutions® is the ideal platform for collaboration with NVIDIA Enterprise AI Factory validated designs based on the Blackwell architecture. Together, we will help enterprises ramp up AI adoption by building their own Enterprise AI Factories, accelerating AI inference, AI development, simulation, and graphics workloads for faster time-to-revenue.”

    About FN Media Group:

    At FN Media Group, via our top-rated online news portal at www.financialnewsmedia.com, we are one of the very few select firms providing top tier one syndicated news distribution, targeted ticker tag press releases and stock market news coverage for today’s emerging companies. #tickertagpressreleases #pressreleases

    Follow us on Facebook to receive the latest news updates: https://www.facebook.com/financialnewsmedia

    Follow us on Twitter for real time Market News: https://twitter.com/FNMgroup

    Follow us on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/financialnewsmedia/

    DISCLAIMER: FN Media Group LLC (FNM), which owns and operates FinancialNewsMedia.com and MarketNewsUpdates.com, is a third party publisher and news dissemination service provider, which disseminates electronic information through multiple online media channels. FNM is NOT affiliated in any manner with any company mentioned herein. FNM and its affiliated companies are a news dissemination solutions provider and are NOT a registered broker/dealer/analyst/adviser, holds no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security. FNM’s market updates, news alerts and corporate profiles are NOT a solicitation or recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities. The material in this release is intended to be strictly informational and is NEVER to be construed or interpreted as research material. All readers are strongly urged to perform research and due diligence on their own and consult a licensed financial professional before considering any level of investing in stocks. All material included herein is republished content and details which were previously disseminated by the companies mentioned in this release. FNM is not liable for any investment decisions by its readers or subscribers. Investors are cautioned that they may lose all or a portion of their investment when investing in stocks. For current services performed FNM has been compensated fifty one hundred dollars for news coverage of the current press releases issued by ZenaTech, Inc. by the Company. FNM HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

    This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. “Forward-looking statements” describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as “may”, “future”, “plan” or “planned”, “will” or “should”, “expected,” “anticipates”, “draft”, “eventually” or “projected”. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company’s annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and FNM undertakes no obligation to update such statements.

    Contact Information:

    Media Contact email: editor@financialnewsmedia.com – +1(561)325-8757

    SOURCE: FN Media Group

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Quantum Computing Technology Evolving as Larger Scale of Applications & Uses Skyrockets

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PALM BEACH, Fla., May 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FN Media Group News Commentary – Recent industry article by MarketsAndMarkets reports that the cloud segment of Quantum AI Computing is projected to account for a larger share of the quantum computing industry than the on-premises segment through 2029. Cloud based quantum computing services provide access to quantum processors and other quantum computing resources. Over the past decade, the enterprises that carry out data processing within their facilities have shifted a significant portion of their IT load to specialized cloud services such as Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud. A few enterprises are using the hybrid cloud that uses private computer resources belonging to enterprises and public cloud-based services. The quantum machine learning segment will have the highest CAGR in the quantum computing market during the forecast period. The market for machine learning technology is expected to have the highest CAGR during the forecast period. Machine learning in quantum computing is used to optimize its operations by solving complex problems faster than traditional computers. The reports said that: “The enterprise quantum computing market is witnessing rapid growth as businesses across various industries recognize the transformative potential of quantum technologies. Quantum computing offers the ability to solve complex problems at speeds far beyond the capabilities of classical computers, making it highly attractive for sectors such as finance, healthcare, logistics, pharmaceuticals, and cybersecurity. Enterprises are particularly focused on leveraging quantum computing for optimization, simulation, data analysis, and cryptography. With the increasing availability of quantum-as-a-service platforms, more companies, including small and medium-sized enterprises, are gaining access to quantum computing capabilities without needing to invest heavily in infrastructure. As a result, the enterprise quantum computing market is expected to experience significant expansion, with projections indicating rapid adoption as the technology matures and becomes more commercially viable. The growing investment in research, development, and partnerships between tech giants and startups is further accelerating the pace of innovation in this market.”   Active Companies in the markets today include ZenaTech, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZENA), IonQ (NYSE: IONQ), Red Cat Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: RCAT), Quantum Computing Inc. (NASDAQ: QUBT), AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc. (NYSE: UAVS).

    MarketsAndMarkets continued: “The quantum technology market is experiencing significant advancements, particularly with respect to the development of quantum chips, which are central to the progress of quantum computing and other quantum-based applications. Quantum chips are the hardware that enable quantum computers to perform complex calculations by harnessing quantum bits (qubits), which can exist in multiple states simultaneously. These chips are crucial for increasing the computational power and efficiency of quantum systems. As demand for faster and more powerful quantum processors grows, companies are investing heavily in research and development to create more stable, scalable, and reliable quantum chips. Innovations in quantum chip fabrication, such as using superconducting qubits, trapped ions, or topological qubits, are driving the market forward.”

    ZenaTech (NASDAQ:ZENA) Developing Quantum Computing and AI Drone Fleets to Prevent Wildfires in the Western US – ZenaTech, Inc. (FSE: 49Q) (BMV: ZENA) (“ZenaTech”) a technology company specializing in AI (Artificial Intelligence) drones, Drone as a Service (DaaS), enterprise SaaS, and Quantum Computing solutions, today announces its strategic initiative to utilize quantum computing and AI-powered drones to revolutionize wildfire detection, forecasting, and response in the US Western and Coastal states. This innovative solution is part of ZenaTech’s expanding Clear Sky project, an initiative which aims to mitigate the increasing threat of billion-dollar weather events using high-precision environmental monitoring powered by AI drones, drone swarms and quantum-enhanced analytics.

    “We want to harness next-generation drone technology for frontline defence against one of America’s more dangerous natural threats” said Dr. Shaun Passley, CEO of ZenaTech. “By integrating quantum computing with our AI drone systems, we can process massive volumes of atmospheric and terrain data to provide near real-time wildfire predictions and response strategies with unmatched speed and accuracy.”

    The integration of quantum computing allows ZenaTech to process complex datasets far faster than traditional methods—turning raw drone telemetry into actionable intelligence for emergency response teams, forestry services, and environmental protection agencies.

    Using the ZenaDrone 1000 drone and fleets of drones equipped with thermal sensors, multispectral imaging, and 360-degree LiDAR, autonomous flight missions over 300 square miles can be performed. These drone swarms gather environmental data which is then processed using quantum computing platforms to build predictive models that simulate wildfire spread based on terrain, vegetation density, humidity, and wind patterns.

    ZenaTech’s recently acquired Portland, Oregon-based land survey engineering company and now a Drone as a Service office, will be part of this initiative surveying large tracks of land for wildfires and fire management testing incorporating drone swarm technology in the Northwest in the Pacific Coast areas. The company will also utilize its Wyoming Native American partnership for testing fire mitigation, and autonomous monitoring of tribal lands. The Clear Sky project initial team will be expanded to 20 engineers dedicated to the company’s R&D initiatives including wildfire modelling, geospatial optimization, and AI-augmented forecasting.

    Quantum computing is an emergent field of cutting-edge computer science harnessing the unique qualities of quantum mechanics to solve problems beyond the ability of even the most powerful classical computers of today, to process massively complicated mathematical problems and data at orders of magnitude faster speeds. Quantum computers can analyse vast and complex drone data much faster and more accurately, improving weather predictions and enhancing the ability to forecast extreme events.

    Last year, there were 58 separate billion-dollar weather disasters globally, the second highest on record, which includes 27 in the US caused by extreme weather including hurricanes, wildfires, floods, and severe storms— according to Gallagher Re’s Natural Catastrophe and Climate Report.    Continued… Read this full release by visiting: https://www.financialnewsmedia.com/news-zena/

    In Additional ZENA News: ZenaTech (NASDAQ:ZENA) Provides Quantum Computing Update on ‘Clear Sky’ Weather Forecasting Project?AI Drone Swarms to Combat Steep Rise in Billion Dollar Extreme Weather Events – ZenaTech, Inc. (FSE: 49Q) (BMV: ZENA) (“ZenaTech”) provided an update on its “Clear Sky” project, an R&D initiative soon to be released in a beta application version, that uses multiple AI drones in a drone swarm, and quantum computing for weather forecasting. The goal is to better predict localized weather including extreme weather events for business and government users, saving lives and billions of dollars.

    In the coming months, ZenaTech plans to expand its quantum computing project team to 20 by adding at least ten additional specialized engineers. This will accelerate the development and upcoming beta release of Clear Sky in addition to furthering other internal quantum computing projects currently underway.

    “Last year, there were 58 separate billion-dollar weather disasters globally, the second highest on record, which includes 27 in the US. Through the Clear Sky project, we will use AI-powered drone swarms and quantum computing to better predict these disasters and fill the critical atmospheric observation gaps of traditional weather data collection and satellite methods,” said CEO of ZenaTech Shaun Passley, Ph.D. “Drones with sensors flying at high altitudes can collect data in real time enabling greater spatial and temporal resolution resulting in more precise, up-to-the-minute weather insights to better anticipate the onset of extreme weather like tornadoes.”   Continued… Read this full release by visiting: https://www.zenatech.com/newsroom/

    Other recent developments in the markets include:

    IonQ (NYSE: IONQ), a leading commercial quantum computing and networking company, recently announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information (KISTI), a leading national science and technology research institute and supercomputing center. The memorandum marks a significant expansion of IonQ’s long standing relationship with South Korea’s government, academic and industry sectors, aligning efforts intended to accelerate the national development of quantum science and industry.

    Under the terms of the MoU, IonQ and KISTI will collaborate in four key areas: advanced infrastructure access, education, talent and knowledge exchange as well as collaboration to expand market opportunities. The two organizations will work together with the intent to introduce quantum systems into KISTI and plan to integrate these systems with KISTI’s high-performance computing (HPC) infrastructure.

    Red Cat Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: RCAT) recently announced a partnership with ESAero to provide critical AS9100 manufacturing capacity for the Black Widow sUAS and its subsystems. The AS9100 standard ensures a manufacturer has a quality management system in place to meet the stringent requirements of the aerospace industry.

    Teal Drones is a wholly owned subsidiary of Red Cat Holdings. The company’s Black Widow drone is a small unmanned aerial system (sUAS) designed for short-range reconnaissance (SRR) missions. The system, which was down selected for the U.S. Army’s SRR Program of Record contract, provides military operators with improved situational awareness, autonomous capabilities, and rugged performance in contested environments.

    Quantum Computing Inc. (NASDAQ: QUBT), an innovative, integrated photonics and quantum optics technology company, recently released financial results for the three-month period ended March 31, 2025.

    Dr. Yuping Huang, Interim Chief Executive Officer of QCi, commented, “QCi delivered solid operational and financial progress in the first quarter, strengthening our balance sheet and advancing key strategic initiatives. We completed construction during the quarter of our Quantum Photonic Chip Foundry in Tempe, Arizona, a major milestone that positions us to meet growing demand for thin film lithium niobate (TFLN) photonic chips, underscored by the announcement of a fifth purchase during the period. We’re encouraged by our early traction, which is the first step in what we believe is a significant, multi-year opportunity to serve the expanding markets in datacom, telecom, and quantum-enabled applications. In parallel, we continued to deepen engagement with both government and commercial partners, reinforcing the growing interest in our quantum and photonic machines and positioning QCi to capitalize on emerging opportunities ahead.”

    AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc. (NYSE: UAVS), a leading provider of best-in-class unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and sensors for military, public safety, and commercial use, recently said it is entering into a strategic alliance with Vyom Drones of India. Under this strategic alliance, AgEagle Aerial Systems intends to license Vyom Drones to manufacture and sell AgEagle eBee X drones to customers in India. AgEagle will also provide service and maintenance training to Vyom as part of the agreement.

    “Working with Vyom Drones through this agreement helps unlock the potential of India’s immense agricultural, civil, and commercial sectors in one of the world’s largest and most dynamic markets,” said Bill Irby, AgEagle CEO. “With more than 345 million acres of arable land and a rapidly growing demand for precision agriculture, India represents a critical opportunity for AgEagle to deploy our advanced eBee drones and multispectral sensors, empowering farmers with a surveying capability that provides real-time, actionable insights. This collaboration aligns with our mission to deliver innovative, high-value UAS solutions that enhance productivity and sustainability, while supporting India’s vision to become a global drone hub by 2030. Together with Vyom Drones, we aim to transform Indian agriculture by driving efficiency, reducing costs, and fostering sustainable growth and sound water management for farmers across the nation.”

    About FN Media Group:

    At FN Media Group, via our top-rated online news portal at www.financialnewsmedia.com, we are one of the very few select firms providing top tier one syndicated news distribution, targeted ticker tag press releases and stock market news coverage for today’s emerging companies. #tickertagpressreleases #pressreleases

    Follow us on Facebook to receive the latest news updates: https://www.facebook.com/financialnewsmedia

    Follow us on Twitter for real time Market News: https://twitter.com/FNMgroup

    Follow us on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/financialnewsmedia/

    DISCLAIMER: FN Media Group LLC (FNM), which owns and operates FinancialNewsMedia.com and MarketNewsUpdates.com, is a third party publisher and news dissemination service provider, which disseminates electronic information through multiple online media channels. FNM is NOT affiliated in any manner with any company mentioned herein. FNM and its affiliated companies are a news dissemination solutions provider and are NOT a registered broker/dealer/analyst/adviser, holds no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security. FNM’s market updates, news alerts and corporate profiles are NOT a solicitation or recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities. The material in this release is intended to be strictly informational and is NEVER to be construed or interpreted as research material. All readers are strongly urged to perform research and due diligence on their own and consult a licensed financial professional before considering any level of investing in stocks. All material included herein is republished content and details which were previously disseminated by the companies mentioned in this release. FNM is not liable for any investment decisions by its readers or subscribers. Investors are cautioned that they may lose all or a portion of their investment when investing in stocks. For current services performed FNM has been compensated fifty one hundred dollars for news coverage of the current press releases issued by ZenaTech, Inc. by the Company. FNM HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

    This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. “Forward-looking statements” describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as “may”, “future”, “plan” or “planned”, “will” or “should”, “expected”, “anticipates”, “draft”, “eventually” or “projected”. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company’s annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and FNM undertakes no obligation to update such statements.

    Contact Information:

    Media Contact email: editor@financialnewsmedia.com – +1(561)325-8757

    SOURCE: FN Media Group

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Op-Ed: UN Peacekeeping is both a lifesaving tool and a smart investment

    Source: United Nations – Peacekeeping

    U.N. Peacekeeping has a legacy of success, from Namibia to today’s volatile hotspots. But to remain effective, it needs investment and adaptation. 

    By Jean-Pierre Lacroix 

    This March, some 35 years after the United Nations closed a landmark chapter in peacekeeping, Namibia inaugurated President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, the country’s first democratically elected woman head of state. 

    In 1989, despite rising global instability and a liquidity crisis at the U.N., member states came together to launch the United Nations Transition Assistance Group, or UNTAG — a multidimensional peacekeeping mission that helped usher in Namibia’s independence. 

    UNTAG didn’t just monitor a ceasefire in Namibia. It helped organize and secure the country’s first free and fair elections, protected civilians, verified troop withdrawals, and supported democratic transition across a vast and remote territory. It pioneered approaches that are now cornerstones of modern peacekeeping, from U.N. policing and human rights monitoring to electoral support and a robust public information campaign. 

    Today, the United Nations Peacekeeping stands at a critical juncture. The global landscape is dangerous and complex. Crises erupt quickly and spread faster, magnified by international political polarization, transnational crime, terrorism, a rising sense of impunity, and the weakening of international law. 

    The globally recognized U.N. Peacekeeping blue helmets enjoy broad international support. Now more than ever, peacekeepers remain on the front lines — holding ground, protecting civilians, and creating the space necessary for diplomacy to work. But faced with increasing instability and mounting financial pressure, peacekeeping’s effectiveness depends on investment in its future. 

    Blue helmets on the front lines 

    The work of our U.N. peacekeepers — men and women serving far from their homes to help others live in peace — is demanding and complex, but it is also dangerous. Since January 2024, we have suffered 78 fatalities. Many more have been injured. Their sacrifice, and the service of more than 68,000 military, police, and civilian personnel deployed under the U.N. flag — including uniformed peacekeepers from 119 countries — represents a tangible commitment to peace and security. 

    Across 11 missions, big and small, peacekeepers operate in some of the world’s most volatile contexts. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, our peacekeeping mission MONUSCO is helping to shield civilians from violence while supporting dialogue and disarmament.  

    In Lebanon, UNIFIL remains a stabilizing presence along the Blue Line amid ongoing exchanges of fire. In South Sudan, UNMISS is working to prevent a relapse into civil war by enhancing security and promoting dialogue and negotiation at the local and national levels. In the Central African Republic, MINUSCA continues to protect the vulnerable all over the country and is supporting preparations for the country’s first local elections in decades. And in Cyprus, peacekeepers serving with UNFICYP continue to reduce tensions and maintain a buffer strip to promote security and build confidence between communities. 

    Many of these missions face challenges that reflect deeper complexities, with confusing or impractical mandates, ambiguous political support at local and international levels, a lack of a clearly defined end-state, and a widening gap between expectations and resources. 

    Investing in peacekeeping 

    2025 is a pivotal year. As we mark the U.N.’s 80th anniversary, Germany — a stalwart peacekeeping partner of long standing — hosted a U.N. Peacekeeping Ministerial meeting in Berlin earlier this month. Ministers of defense and foreign affairs from around the world united in pledging their unequivocal and tangible support for and to our blue helmets. More than half of the 130 member state delegations present made concrete pledges to make missions stronger, safer, and more effective. 

    They discussed the future of peace missions and ways to reform the instrument to ensure our operations remain adaptable, innovative, cost-effective, and resilient. As it did in Namibia in the early 90s, U.N. Peacekeeping has always adapted to and achieved results in ever-changing contexts. Going forward, we will need to build on this momentum to ensure peacekeeping is streamlined, economical, and fit for purpose. 

    And on this point, it is important to stress that peacekeeping is not only a lifesaving tool — it is a smart investment. It delivers value for money, reduces violence, and helps forge a durable peace. From Cambodia to Timor-Leste and El Salvador to Liberia, U.N. Peacekeeping has supported transitions from war to peace at a minuscule fraction of what military activities have cost worldwide. These achievements are not historical footnotes: they are the building blocks of regional stability. 

    And U.N. Peacekeeping must and will continue to evolve. Missions may be deployed jointly with or in support of regional partners, such as the African Union. They may be smaller, more technologically leveraged, and more specialized. But their core purpose will remain to support political solutions, protect the vulnerable, and pave the way for a sustainable peace. 

    If the past tells us anything, it is that peacekeeping can deliver when we invest in it and stay the course. Peacekeeping’s record is measured not only by what happens but by what doesn’t — violence that was averted, escalation that was prevented, space that was created for politics to work. 

    We ignore this hard-won truth at our peril — U.N. mission closures in Mali, Sudan, and Haiti, and the rise of violence in all of these countries, are cases in point. To avoid this trap, we must maintain readiness and the capabilities to deploy rapidly, if and when asked. 

    Thirty-five years ago, the world came together to launch UNTAG, a ground-breaking peace mission that helped Namibia chart its own course as an independent country. Today, that same spirit of unity, innovation, and determination is needed once again. If we fall short now, we risk undermining decades of progress and undermining the hopes of millions who depend on peacekeeping to help protect their future.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Sebastião Salgado: a photographer of great humanity

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Joe Miles, Subject Lead for Film & Photography, Birmingham City University

    The world has lost one of its most compassionate and visionary visual storytellers. Sebastião Salgado, the Brazilian-born photographer whose haunting black-and-white images shaped global consciousness for decades, has died at the age of 81.

    Salgado’s work often provoked a powerful conflict of emotions. Perhaps more than any other documentary photographer, he produced technically flawless, mesmerising images of some of the world’s harshest realities, from the gold mines of Brazil and famine in the Sahel, to the horror of the Rwandan genocide. His photographs were often shocking, yet stunningly beautiful. You couldn’t look away – and that was the point.

    Born in 1944 in Aimorés, Brazil, Salgado initially trained as an economist. While working for the International Coffee Organization, he travelled across Africa and Latin America, witnessing economic disparity and social injustice. Initially borrowing his wife’s camera, photography became his way to document what he saw, not as a distant observer, but as someone deeply affected by human suffering. He once said he took pictures “not only with my camera, but with my life – I cannot do it another way”.

    Looking for something good? Cut through the noise with a carefully curated selection of the latest releases, live events and exhibitions, straight to your inbox every fortnight, on Fridays. Sign up here.

    His background in economics informed the focus of his work, particularly his concern with inequality, labour, and migration. In Workers (1993), a six-year study of manual labour around the world, he wrote, “The planet remains divided, the First World in a crisis of excess, the Third World in a crisis of need.”

    However, Salgado ensured that he highlighted both the hardship and the dignity of those engaged in physically demanding jobs. In doing so, he redefined documentary photography as a tool not only for exposure, but for elevation.

    What set Salgado apart was his immersive approach. Rejecting the “parachute” style of photojournalism, he embedded himself in the communities he documented – sometimes for years – fostering deep empathy with his subjects. This emotional authenticity was at the heart of his iconic Serra Pelada series, which captured the intensity and desperation of labourers in Brazil’s largest gold mine.

    Standing at the edge of the mine, he later wrote that it felt like seeing “the history of mankind, the building of the pyramids, the Tower of Babel”. And, crucially, he successfully conveyed that same emotion through his images.

    At a time where colour documentary photography was increasingly favoured, Salgado always shot in black and white. This helped the viewer to focus on form, emotion and narrative, as well as emphasising the grim reality of the subject matter. However, documenting the world’s suffering took its toll.

    His time covering the Rwandan genocide in 1994 nearly broke him. He once described the effect of witnessing 10,000 people die from cholera in a single day in a refugee camp in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo. Like other photojournalists who have endured such trauma – Don McCullin and Kevin Carter among them – Salgado carried a deep psychological burden. He nearly gave up photography altogether.

    Instead, Salgado found solace in nature. His project Genesis (2013) celebrated the planet’s untouched regions, landscapes, traditional communities and endangered wildlife. While it marked a shift from his earlier focus, it was still deeply humanist in spirit. The work served as both a tribute to the Earth’s beauty and a reminder of what remains to be protected.

    His environmental commitment extended beyond the camera. With his wife and creative partner, Lélia Wanick Salgado, he founded Instituto Terra, a reforestation initiative on land once owned by his family. Together, they restored a devastated patch of Brazil’s Atlantic forest. It was an act of reciprocity: having documented environmental destruction, he dedicated himself to repairing it.

    Salgado’s work was not without controversy, contributing to ongoing ethical debates about the power imbalance between photographers and their subjects. While some may have felt a sense of empowerment from having their struggles recognised, others uneasy about being displayed to a global audience. Without them having a voice, we will never truly know – which further contributes to the sense of a power imbalance.

    Others accused Salgado of aestheticising suffering. In a 1991 piece in The New Yorker, Ingrid Sischy argued that the powerful beauty of his images risked turning tragedy into spectacle. Salgado countered: “Art critics have criticised me, but I am not an artist. I published these pictures in magazines, to make a debate.”

    And make a debate he did. His 2000 exhibition and book Exodus, a chronicle of global migration and displacement, challenged viewers to reckon with the human cost of political and economic upheaval. “Globalisation is presented to us as a reality, but not as a solution,” he wrote. “We have to create a new regimen of coexistence.”

    In his later years, Salgado championed the role of photography in education and social change. He became the subject of The Salt of the Earth (2014), an Oscar-nominated documentary co-directed by Wim Wenders, and his son, Juliano Ribeiro Salgado. The film offered a moving portrait of a man who saw his photography not just as art, but as testimony and witness.

    Despite international acclaim, Salgado remained grounded. He consistently shifted attention away from himself and toward those he photographed. “I hope that the person looking at my photographs will see more than just a picture,” he once said. “They will see the story. They will feel the life.”

    Sebastião Salgado’s death is a great loss, but his images remain. In a world flooded with visuals, he showed us that photography could still be a force for understanding, connection and change.

    Joe Miles 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. Sebastião Salgado: a photographer of great humanity – https://theconversation.com/sebastiao-salgado-a-photographer-of-great-humanity-257772

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: The rise and fall – and rise again – of white-tailed deer

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Elic Weitzel, Peter Buck Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Smithsonian Institution

    White-tailed deer in North America are back to their precolonial population levels. John Woodhouse Audubon/Heritage Images/Hulton Archive via Getty Images

    Given their abundance in American backyards, gardens and highway corridors these days, it may be surprising to learn that white-tailed deer were nearly extinct about a century ago. While they currently number somewhere in the range of 30 million to 35 million, at the turn of the 20th century, there were as few as 300,000 whitetails across the entire continent: just 1% of the current population.

    This near-disappearance of deer was much discussed at the time. In 1854, Henry David Thoreau had written that no deer had been hunted near Concord, Massachusetts, for a generation. In his famous “Walden,” he reported that:

    “One man still preserves the horns of the last deer that was killed in this vicinity, and another has told me the particulars of the hunt in which his uncle was engaged. The hunters were formerly a numerous and merry crew here.”

    But what happened to white-tailed deer? What drove them nearly to extinction, and then what brought them back from the brink?

    As a historical ecologist and environmental archaeologist, I have made it my job to answer these questions. Over the past decade, I’ve studied white-tailed deer bones from archaeological sites across the eastern United States, as well as historical records and ecological data, to help piece together the story of this species.

    Precolonial rise of deer populations

    White-tailed deer have been hunted from the earliest migrations of people into North America, over 15,000 years ago. The species was far from the most important food resource at that time, though.

    Archaeological evidence suggests that white-tailed deer abundance only began to increase after the extinction of megafauna species like mammoths and mastodons opened up ecological niches for deer to fill. Deer bones become very common in archaeological sites from about 6,000 years ago onward, reflecting the economic and cultural importance of the species for Indigenous peoples.

    A 16th-century engraving of Indigenous Floridians hunting deer while disguised in deerskins.
    Theodor de Bry/DEA Picture Library/De Agostini via Getty Images

    Despite being so frequently hunted, deer populations do not seem to have appreciably declined due to Indigenous hunting prior to AD 1600. Unlike elk or sturgeon, whose numbers were reduced by Indigenous hunters and fishers, white-tailed deer seem to have been resilient to human predation. While archaeologists have found some evidence for human-caused declines in certain parts of North America, other cases are more ambiguous, and deer certainly remained abundant throughout the past several millennia.

    Human use of fire could partly explain why white-tailed deer may have been resilient to hunting. Indigenous peoples across North America have long used controlled burning to promote ecosystem health, disturbing old vegetation to promote new growth. Deer love this sort of successional vegetation for food and cover, and thus thrive in previously burned habitats. Indigenous people may have therefore facilitated deer population growth, counteracting any harmful hunting pressure.

    More research is needed, but even though some hunting pressure is evident, the general picture from the precolonial era is that deer seem to have been doing just fine for thousands of years. Ecologists estimate that there were roughly 30 million white-tailed deer in North America on the eve of European colonization – about the same number as today.

    Elic Weitzel and volunteers excavate for deer bones at a 17th-century colonial site in Connecticut.
    Scott Brady

    Colonial-era fall of deer numbers

    To better understand how deer populations changed in the colonial era, I recently analyzed deer bones from two archaeological sites in what is now Connecticut. My analysis suggests that hunting pressure on white-tailed deer increased almost as soon as European colonists arrived.

    At one site dated to the 11th to 14th centuries – before European colonization – I found that only about 7% to 10% of the deer killed were juveniles.

    Hunters generally don’t take juvenile deer if they’re frequently encountering adults, since adult deer tend to be larger, offering more meat and bigger hides. Additionally, hunting increases mortality on a deer herd but doesn’t directly affect fertility, so deer populations experiencing hunting pressure end up with juvenile-skewed age structures. For these reasons, this low percentage of juvenile deer prior to European colonization indicates minimal hunting pressure on local herds.

    However, at a nearby site occupied during the 17th century – just after European colonization – between 22% and 31% of the deer hunted were juveniles, suggesting a substantial increase in hunting pressure.

    Researchers can tell from the size and development of a deer’s bones its stage of life. Here is a fawn’s mandible with teeth.
    Elic Weitzel

    This elevated hunting pressure likely resulted from the transformation of deer into a commodity for the first time. Venison, antlers and deerskins may have long been exchanged within Indigenous trade networks, but things changed drastically in the 17th century. European colonists integrated North America into a trans-Atlantic mercantile capitalist economic system with no precedent in Indigenous society. This applied new pressures to the continent’s natural resources.

    Deer – particularly their skins – were commodified and sold in markets in the colonies initially and, by the 18th century, in Europe as well. Deer were now being exploited by traders, merchants and manufacturers desiring profit, not simply hunters desiring meat or leather. It was the resulting hunting pressure that drove the species toward its extinction.

    20th-century rebound of white-tailed deer

    Thanks to the rise of the conservation movement in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, white-tailed deer survived their brush with extinction.

    Concerned citizens and outdoorsmen feared for the fate of deer and other wildlife, and pushed for new legislative protections.

    The Lacey Act of 1900, for example, banned interstate transport of poached game and – in combination with state-level protections – helped end commercial deer hunting by effectively de-commodifying the species. Aided by conservation-oriented hunting practices and reintroductions of deer from surviving populations to areas where they had been extirpated, white-tailed deer rebounded.

    The story of white-tailed deer underscores an important fact: Humans are not inherently damaging to the environment. Hunting from the 17th through 19th centuries threatened the existence of white-tailed deer, but precolonial Indigenous hunting and environmental management appear to have been relatively sustainable, and modern regulatory governance in the 20th century forestalled and reversed their looming extinction.

    Elic Weitzel received funding from the National Science Foundation (award #2128707) to support this research.

    – ref. The rise and fall – and rise again – of white-tailed deer – https://theconversation.com/the-rise-and-fall-and-rise-again-of-white-tailed-deer-257307

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Trump’s white genocide claims about South Africa have deep roots in American history

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Alex Hinton, Distinguished Professor of Anthropology; Director, Center for the Study of Genocide and Human Rights, Rutgers University – Newark

    President Donald Trump shows printed news articles during a meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa at the White House on May 21, 2025. Demetrius Freeman/The Washington Post via Getty Images

    President Donald Trump says there is a genocide of white people taking place in South Africa, meaning that Black South Africans are deliberately attempting to kill white farmers because of their race.

    Trump and his spokesperson, Karoline Leavitt, have said violence targeting white farmers in South Africa justifies admitting about 60 white Afrikaner farmers to the U.S. as refugees in May 2025.

    This comes after Trump, in January, suspended admitting people, most of whom are not white, from other countries through the United States’ refugee program. The U.S. had previously given refugee status – a legal right to remain and work in the country – to tens of thousands of people each year who were fleeing violence and persecution in their home countries.

    During a May 21 White House meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Trump highlighted white genocide in South Africa, saying, “We have thousands of stories talking about it.” Ramaphosa denied that a white genocide is happening in his country. Trump then had a staffer dim the lights and play a video that, among other inflammatory content, showed white crosses along a road.

    “These are burial sites,” Trump said. “Over a thousand white farmers.”

    Trump’s white genocide claims, which echoed assertions he made during his first term, were quickly debunked by independent fact-checkers.

    Fact-checkers pointed out that while crime rates in South Africa are high in general, there is no evidence of white genocide there. The crosses in the video Trump showed did not mark mass graves of white farmers. They were part of a 2020 tribute to two white farmers murdered by armed men who stormed their house that year.

    As someone who has studied genocide and far-right extremists for years, I think it is necessary to understand what white genocide is and how it developed into a central issue in U.S. immigration debates starting in Trump’s first term.

    A group of South Africans who were granted admission to the U.S. as refugees arrive at Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia on May 12, 2025.
    Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

    The origins of white genocide

    As I detail in my 2021 book “It Can Happen Here: White Power and the Rising Threat of Genocide in the US,” white genocide is a far-right extremist conspiracy theory claiming that allegedly bad people, often Jews, are carrying out a dangerous plot to destroy the white race. While this idea circulates worldwide, it has distinctly American roots.

    This conspiracy dates back to the 1800s and the rise of nativism, a xenophobic belief held by some white Protestant Americans that certain immigrants, especially German and Irish Catholics, were dangerous and threatened to disrupt American traditions, culture and economic security.

    Nativist fears have continued to influence U.S. politics and culture.

    The American lawyer Madison Grant, for example, made nativist arguments in his 1916 book “The Passing of the Great Race,” which warned of immigrants’ threat to Americans and “race suicide.” Adolf Hitler once called Grant’s book his bible.

    Nativism has also influenced white power extremists, who believe in white superiority and dominance. They began using the specific term “white genocide” after the 1960s Civil Rights Movement, which they perceived as eroding white people’s power.

    The growth in this term’s popularity among some right-wing extremists also coincided with Congress approving the Immigration and Nationality Act in 1965. This act significantly increased the number of immigrants the U.S. legally accepted into the country each year and also allowed more non-European – and nonwhite – immigrants to settle in America.

    In the 1970s, William Pierce, an American former physics professor turned neo-Nazi, wrote a book called “The Turner Diaries.” The book, which the FBI has called the “bible of the racist right,” is about how a fictional extremist group, “The Order,” overthrows a U.S. government that gives power to nonwhite citizens and is controlled by Jews. The order proceeds to kill nonwhite people and Jews, as well as “race traitors” who don’t support their cause.

    The book inspired a 1980s group of violent neo-Nazis who also called themselves The Order, based off the fictitious group in Pierce’s book. Timothy McVeigh’s 1995 bombing of Oklahoma City’s Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, which killed 168 people, was modeled on a scene from “The Turner Diaries,” which depicts the extremist group’s bombing of the FBI headquarters.

    In 1988, David Lane, a former member of The Order, crystallized the idea of white genocide in a short essay, “The White Genocide Manifesto.” The manifesto asserts that there is a “Zionist conspiracy to mix, overrun and exterminate the White race.”

    Jews do this, Lane claims, through “control of the media … industry, finance, law and politics” and by promoting antiwhite policies such as desegregation. To prevent white genocide, Lane calls for the establishment of a white homeland in North America – by violence, if necessary.

    White genocide’s entry into the mainstream

    Research shows that 61% of Trump voters believe “a group of people in this country are trying to replace native-born Americans with immigrants and people of color who share their political views.”

    This belief is often known as replacement theory, a variant of the idea of white genocide.

    Many of the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrectionists believed that white Americans were being replaced. So, too, did the far-right protesters who chanted, “You will not replace us!” at the extremist Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017.

    There are also instances of such white power extremist views leading to violent acts. One example is the mass shooting of 11 Jewish people at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh in 2018. Another is the El Paso Walmart shooting that resulted in 23 murdered Latino victims in 2019.

    Right-wing populists such as Tucker Carlson and Elon Musk have helped fuel replacement theories by contending that Democrats are trying to replace white voters with nonwhite immigrants.

    Neo-Nazis and white supremacists march leading up to the ‘Unite the Right’ rally in Charlottesville, Va., in August 2017.
    Zach D Roberts/NurPhoto via Getty Images

    Concern for white farmers isn’t actually about South Africa

    I believe that Trump’s recent focus on alleged white genocide in South Africa has little to do with South Africa. It is all about American politics and advancing some of Trump’s goals, such as reducing immigration into the U.S.

    First, by suggesting white genocide is taking place in South Africa, Trump amplifies his supporters’ fears that they, too, could soon be outnumbered by nonwhite people – in this case, immigrants.

    Trump has been harping on the alleged dangers of nonwhite immigration since he first ran for election in 2015, and it was central to his 2024 election victory.

    Replacement theory claims also help justify Trump’s goal of deporting immigrants living illegally in the U.S., as well as stopping refugee admissions from many countries, by highlighting the supposed dangers nonwhite immigrants pose to Americans, both in terms of potential threats to their physical safety and job prospects and security.

    This recent example is not the first time Trump has made white genocide claims to advance his agenda. Based on his track record, it is likely he will do so again.

    Alex Hinton receives receives funding from the Rutgers-Newark Sheila Y. Oliver Center for Politics and Race in America, Rutgers Research Council, and Henry Frank Guggenheim Foundation.

    – ref. Trump’s white genocide claims about South Africa have deep roots in American history – https://theconversation.com/trumps-white-genocide-claims-about-south-africa-have-deep-roots-in-american-history-257510

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Weaponized storytelling: How AI is helping researchers sniff out disinformation campaigns

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Mark Finlayson, Associate Professor of Computer Science, Florida International University

    The human proclivity for storytelling makes disinformation difficult to combat. Westend61 via Getty Images

    It is not often that cold, hard facts determine what people care most about and what they believe. Instead, it is the power and familiarity of a well-told story that reigns supreme. Whether it’s a heartfelt anecdote, a personal testimony or a meme echoing familiar cultural narratives, stories tend to stick with us, move us and shape our beliefs.

    This characteristic of storytelling is precisely what can make it so dangerous when wielded by the wrong hands. For decades, foreign adversaries have used narrative tactics in efforts to manipulate public opinion in the United States. Social media platforms have brought new complexity and amplification to these campaigns. The phenomenon garnered ample public scrutiny after evidence emerged of Russian entities exerting influence over election-related material on Facebook in the lead-up to the 2016 election.

    While artificial intelligence is exacerbating the problem, it is at the same time becoming one of the most powerful defenses against such manipulations. Researchers have been using machine learning techniques to analyze disinformation content.

    At the Cognition, Narrative and Culture Lab at Florida International University, we are building AI tools to help detect disinformation campaigns that employ tools of narrative persuasion. We are training AI to go beyond surface-level language analysis to understand narrative structures, trace personas and timelines and decode cultural references.

    Disinformation vs. misinformation

    In July 2024, the Department of Justice disrupted a Kremlin-backed operation that used nearly a thousand fake social media accounts to spread false narratives. These weren’t isolated incidents. They were part of an organized campaign, powered in part by AI.

    Disinformation differs crucially from misinformation. While misinformation is simply false or inaccurate information – getting facts wrong – disinformation is intentionally fabricated and shared specifically to mislead and manipulate. A recent illustration of this came in October 2024, when a video purporting to show a Pennsylvania election worker tearing up mail-in ballots marked for Donald Trump swept platforms such as X and Facebook.

    Within days, the FBI traced the clip to a Russian influence outfit, but not before it racked up millions of views. This example vividly demonstrates how foreign influence campaigns artificially manufacture and amplify fabricated stories to manipulate U.S. politics and stoke divisions among Americans.

    Humans are wired to process the world through stories. From childhood, we grow up hearing stories, telling them and using them to make sense of complex information. Narratives don’t just help people remember – they help us feel. They foster emotional connections and shape our interpretations of social and political events.

    Stories have profound effects on human beliefs and behavior.

    This makes them especially powerful tools for persuasion – and, consequently, for spreading disinformation. A compelling narrative can override skepticism and sway opinion more effectively than a flood of statistics. For example, a story about rescuing a sea turtle with a plastic straw in its nose often does more to raise concern about plastic pollution than volumes of environmental data.

    Usernames, cultural context and narrative time

    Using AI tools to piece together a picture of the narrator of a story, the timeline for how they tell it and cultural details specific to where the story takes place can help identify when a story doesn’t add up.

    Narratives are not confined to the content users share – they also extend to the personas users construct to tell them. Even a social media handle can carry persuasive signals. We have developed a system that analyzes usernames to infer demographic and identity traits such as name, gender, location, sentiment and even personality, when such cues are embedded in the handle. This work, presented in 2024 at the International Conference on Web and Social Media, highlights how even a brief string of characters can signal how users want to be perceived by their audience.

    For example, a user attempting to appear as a credible journalist might choose a handle like @JamesBurnsNYT rather than something more casual like @JimB_NYC. Both may suggest a male user from New York, but one carries the weight of institutional credibility. Disinformation campaigns often exploit these perceptions by crafting handles that mimic authentic voices or affiliations.

    Although a handle alone cannot confirm whether an account is genuine, it plays an important role in assessing overall authenticity. By interpreting usernames as part of the broader narrative an account presents, AI systems can better evaluate whether an identity is manufactured to gain trust, blend into a target community or amplify persuasive content. This kind of semantic interpretation contributes to a more holistic approach to disinformation detection – one that considers not just what is said but who appears to be saying it and why.

    Also, stories don’t always unfold chronologically. A social media thread might open with a shocking event, flash back to earlier moments and skip over key details in between.

    Humans handle this effortlessly – we’re used to fragmented storytelling. But for AI, determining a sequence of events based on a narrative account remains a major challenge.

    Our lab is also developing methods for timeline extraction, teaching AI to identify events, understand their sequence and map how they relate to one another, even when a story is told in nonlinear fashion.

    Objects and symbols often carry different meanings in different cultures, and without cultural awareness, AI systems risk misinterpreting the narratives they analyze. Foreign adversaries can exploit cultural nuances to craft messages that resonate more deeply with specific audiences, enhancing the persuasive power of disinformation.

    Consider the following sentence: “The woman in the white dress was filled with joy.” In a Western context, the phrase evokes a happy image. But in parts of Asia, where white symbolizes mourning or death, it could feel unsettling or even offensive.

    In order to use AI to detect disinformation that weaponizes symbols, sentiments and storytelling within targeted communities, it’s critical to give AI this sort of cultural literacy. In our research, we’ve found that training AI on diverse cultural narratives improves its sensitivity to such distinctions.

    Who benefits from narrative-aware AI?

    Narrative-aware AI tools can help intelligence analysts quickly identify orchestrated influence campaigns or emotionally charged storylines that are spreading unusually fast. They might use AI tools to process large volumes of social media posts in order to map persuasive narrative arcs, identify near-identical storylines and flag coordinated timing of social media activity. Intelligence services could then use countermeasures in real time.

    In addition, crisis-response agencies could swiftly identify harmful narratives, such as false emergency claims during natural disasters. Social media platforms could use these tools to efficiently route high-risk content for human review without unnecessary censorship. Researchers and educators could also benefit by tracking how a story evolves across communities, making narrative analysis more rigorous and shareable.

    Ordinary users can also benefit from these technologies. The AI tools could flag social media posts in real time as possible disinformation, allowing readers to be skeptical of suspect stories, thus counteracting falsehoods before they take root.

    As AI takes on a greater role in monitoring and interpreting online content, its ability to understand storytelling beyond just traditional semantic analysis has become essential. To this end, we are building systems to uncover hidden patterns, decode cultural signals and trace narrative timelines to reveal how disinformation takes hold.

    Mark Finlayson receives funding from US Department of Defense and the US National Science Foundation for his work on narrative understanding and influence operations in the military context.

    Azwad Anjum Islam receives funding from Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).

    – ref. Weaponized storytelling: How AI is helping researchers sniff out disinformation campaigns – https://theconversation.com/weaponized-storytelling-how-ai-is-helping-researchers-sniff-out-disinformation-campaigns-251349

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI: Power Saver Pro Reviews: Does Power Saver Pro X Really Work for Your Home?

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York City, May 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Introduction: Why You Need a Power Saver

    Electricity rates have climbed steadily in recent years and show no sign of slowing. Retail prices rose by more than the rate of inflation from 2022 through early 2025, and forecasts indicate continued increases into 2026. During peak summer months, Americans faced record-high bills—averaging $784 for the period, up over 6% from 2024 and marking the highest levels in 12 years.

    Slash Your Next Bill by 50%—Order Power Saver Pro Today!

    Beyond higher tariffs, unstable or “dirty” electricity can drive up consumption and accelerate wear on appliances. Fluctuations, spikes and harmonic noise force motors and electronic controls to draw excess current, inflating your meter readings and shortening equipment lifespan. A dedicated device that stabilizes voltage and filters out electromagnetic interference can restore cleaner power flow, curb wasted energy, and deliver significant savings over time.

    What Is Power Saver Pro X?

    Power Saver Pro X is a plug-in device that uses patented Electricity Stabilizing Technology (E.S.T.) and a magnetic filter to smooth out irregular current and eliminate “dirty” EMF noise. Designed in Germany and inspired by Tesla’s principles of efficient power flow, the compact unit installs in seconds—simply plug it into a standard North American (110 V) outlet near your breaker panel. Once operational, its green LED confirms active filtering.

    Inside, advanced capacitors compensate for reactive power surges while harmonic absorbers buffer sudden voltage spikes, creating a steadier supply to every appliance on the circuit. Over a stabilization period of 3–8 weeks, homes typically see 30–50% reductions on monthly bills. Alongside cost savings, Power Saver Pro X extends appliance life and mitigates EMF exposure, making it a low-maintenance solution for homeowners, renters, and small businesses seeking energy efficiency and lower utility costs.

    Unlock Major Savings: Try the #1 Power Saver Pro—Risk‑Free!

    The Science Behind It: Electricity Stabilizing Technology (E.S.T.)

    At its core, Power Saver Pro X employs patented Electricity Stabilizing Technology (E.S.T.) to “straighten” irregular voltage and eliminate harmful harmonic noise on your home’s wiring. Inside the device, high-grade capacitors instantly compensate for reactive power surges, while a magnetic filter absorbs and neutralizes spikes and electromagnetic interference (EMF) that would otherwise force motors and electronics to draw excess current. Over time, this cleaner, smoother power flow reduces energy waste and eases stress on your appliances.

    Key Features & Benefits

    • Whole-Home Stabilization: One plug-in unit can condition power for an entire circuit, smoothing voltage to every appliance on that line.
    • EMF Noise Reduction: The patent-pending magnetic filter removes high-frequency pollution (4–150 kHz) from your wiring, cutting household EMF exposure.
    • Surge & Spike Protection: Advanced reactive power compensation and harmonic absorption buffer sudden voltage swings, safeguarding sensitive electronics.
    • Significant Bill Reductions: Users report monthly savings ranging from 30% up to 50% on their electric bills after full stabilization (3–8 weeks).
    • Extended Appliance Life: By reducing current stress and heat, the device helps prolong the lifespan of HVAC systems, refrigerators, washers, and more.
    • Plug-and-Play Installation: No wiring or professional electrician needed—just plug into any standard 110 V outlet near your breaker panel.
    • Safety & Compliance: UL approved and RoHS compliant for guaranteed electrical safety.

    Step-by-Step Installation & Operation

    1. Select an Outlet Near the Breaker Panel
      For optimal results, choose an outlet on the same circuit as your main breaker. In larger homes, consider multiple units—one near the breaker and another at the far end of the house.
    2. Plug In & Verify Operation
      Insert Power Saver Pro X into the outlet. The green LED will illuminate when the device is filtering and stabilizing power.
    3. Allow for Full Stabilization
      Over the next 3–8 weeks, the device will progressively filter out dirty electricity and harmonics. Expect to see gradual meter-reading reductions throughout this period.
    4. Monitor Your Usage
      Track your monthly bills to verify savings. Many households report noticeable drops within the first month, with peak benefits by week eight.

    Limited‑Time Deal: Get Power Saver Pro X at 70% Off Now

    How It Works?
    Power Saver Pro X leverages patented Electricity Stabilizing Technology (E.S.T.) and a magnetic filtering system to deliver cleaner, more efficient power throughout your home. At its core, the device straightens out unstable voltage, buffering against harmful spikes and smoothing fluctuations to create a constant, even current flow. This process reduces the amount of wasted energy that would otherwise be lost as heat or noise in your wiring.
    Inside the compact unit, high-grade capacitors act instantly to absorb and dissipate sudden surges, protecting sensitive electronics and motors from stress-related damage. Simultaneously, a patent-pending magnetic filter removes high-frequency “dirty” EMF components—those invisible pulses and harmonic waves that force appliances to draw extra power and accelerate wear. By filtering out frequencies between approximately 4 kHz and 150 kHz, Power Saver Pro X cuts down on electromagnetic interference and keeps your circuits running at peak efficiency.
    Getting started is straightforward:

    1. Plug In Near Your Breaker Panel. For best results, place the unit on a circuit that feeds your main breaker. In larger homes, deploy additional devices on separate breakers to cover multiple zones.
    2. Verify Operation. A green LED light confirms active stabilization; once illuminated, the device begins filtering in real time.
    3. Filter & Stabilize. Over the first 3–8 weeks, Power Saver Pro X progressively removes dirty electricity while smoothing voltage swings. During this period, most users observe gradual meter-reading reductions as the system reaches full performance.

    By combining reactive power compensation with harmonic absorption and EMF filtration, Power Saver Pro X works silently in the background to lower your monthly electric bills, protect appliances, and create a more stable power environment for every device on your home’s circuits.

    Pricing, Bundles & Special Offers

    Power Saver Pro X is available only at its official website and in graduated bundles, with deeper discounts on multi-unit orders:

    • 1× Unit: Save 50% — $49.99 (was $99.98)
    • 2× Units (Recommended): Save 55% — $99.98 (was $222.18)
    • 3× Units: Save 60% — $119.97 (was $299.93)
    • 4× Units: Save 65% — $139.96 (was $399.89)
    • 5× Units: Save 70% — $149.95 (was $499.83)

    All orders qualify for free U.S. shipping. Many homeowners see peak ROI when placing units at both ends of a 1,500–3,000 sq ft home.

    Money-Back Guarantee & Warranty

    Your purchase is protected by a 90-day Money-Back Guarantee: if you don’t see measurable savings within three months, return the device in its original packaging for a full refund (minus shipping & handling).

    Disclaimer: Prices & return policy are subject to change. Always check the official website for the most accurate and up-to-date pricing before purchasing. A 10% restocking fee may be made on all goods returned, as well as reconditioning charge if required, as determined by Production Products, Inc. Any goods returned without our permission may be refused.

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

    Will Power Saver Pro X work in my state?
    Yes—it’s certified for use in all 50 states, including Hawaii and Alaska.

    How many units do I need?
    One unit per 1,500 sq ft is recommended. For larger homes, spacing units at opposite ends maximizes coverage.

    Is it safe to leave plugged in?
    Absolutely. It’s UL approved and RoHS compliant; continual use only enhances filtration.

    Can I use it with solar power?
    The device is safe on solar systems but may yield variable results. The 90-day guarantee covers any dissatisfaction.

    Does it work on 220 V systems?
    Not yet. It currently supports 110 V North American circuits; a 220 V version is slated for release within 6–12 months.

    Where should I place it?
    Plug one unit near your breaker panel; additional units belong at distant circuit endpoints for optimal filtering.

    Can environmental factors affect performance?
    Yes—older wiring, extreme humidity, or ungrounded outlets can reduce E.S.T. efficiency. Ensure your home’s electrical system is up to code and outlets are properly grounded. In areas with frequent surges (e.g., thunderstorms), consider adding whole-home surge protection for optimal results 

    The LED isn’t lighting—what do I check?
    Ensure Power Saver Pro X is fully seated in a live outlet on the same circuit as your breaker panel. Try plugging it into another nearby receptacle. If the green LED still fails to illuminate, test the outlet with another device to confirm power. For persistent issues, contact support

    I’ve seen no savings after 8 weeks—now what?
    First, verify placement: one unit per 1,500 sq ft, ideally at opposite ends of your home. If you’re below that threshold, add a second unit to cover multiple circuits. Next, perform a breaker test: switch off the breaker feeding the outlet with Power Saver Pro X for one full billing cycle. If your bill rises significantly, the device was working; switch it back on for continued savings. If not, reach out for a refund—your 90-day guarantee covers unsatisfied customers

    How do I verify voltage stabilization?
    Use a digital multimeter to measure RMS voltage before and after installation over several weeks. Look for reduced peak-to-peak voltage swings. Advanced users can log readings with a power quality analyzer to track harmonic distortion levels between 4 kHz–150 kHz.

    Stop Overpaying for Power—Click to Save Instantly!

    Pros & Cons

    Pros:

    • True whole-home stabilization with patented E.S.T.
    • Tangible savings of 30–50% on electric bills
    • EMF noise reduction for healthier indoor environments
    • Plug-and-play; no electrician required
    • Strong 90-day refund and 5-year warranty

    Cons:

    • Only compatible with 110 V North American systems
    • Requires up to 8 weeks for full savings impact
    • Optimal performance may need multiple units in larger homes

    Real-World Performance & Case Studies

    Independent field tests and consumer trials demonstrate substantial year-one savings:

    • Household #1 (Midwest family of four): Achieved over $3,000 in annual savings on a $3,500 baseline bill—an 86% reduction—without altering any usage habits.
    • Households #2 & #3 (Urban and suburban homes): Each saw nearly $1,000 back in the first year, translating to 25–30% lower bills simply by plugging in the device.
    • Technician Field Reports: Independent electricians measured 30–50% lower reactive draw on circuits protected by Power Saver Pro X, confirming its claimed efficiency gains.

    These case studies underscore how a modest investment in E.S.T. technology can deliver outsized returns on your electric bill.

    Join Thousands Who Cut Bills 30–50%—Buy the Best Power Saver!

    Customer Reviews & Testimonials

    “I installed Power Saver Pro X in my Chicago townhouse and saw a 40% drop in my first electric bill—saved $120 in month one!”
    — Maria Delgado, Chicago, IL

    “After three months, our family of five in Austin recouped the full cost. Now it’s just pure savings every billing cycle.”
    — Thomas Nguyen, Austin, TX

    “This little device paid for itself within two billing cycles. My AC and fridge seem to run more smoothly, too.”
    — Jenna Patel, Orlando, FL

    “I was skeptical, but Power Saver Pro X really works. We knocked $95 off our first bill and our UPS man was shocked!”
    — Carlos Rivera, Phoenix, AZ

    “Plug-and-play was literally true. No electrician needed, and our bills dropped nearly 30% within two months.”
    — Linda Brooks, Seattle, WA

    These testimonials reflect across-the-board savings of 30–50% after the full stabilization period.

    Hurry—Free U.S. Shipping on Power Saver Pro X Expires Soon!

    Who Should Consider Power Saver Pro X?

    • Homeowners and renters facing high electricity costs
    • Small-business owners with energy-heavy equipment
    • Anyone running HVAC, refrigeration, pool pumps, or workshop tools
    • Consumers seeking EMF reduction alongside cost savings
    • Users who prefer a non-invasive, maintenance-free solution

    Tips to Maximize Your Savings

    • Centralize Placement: Install near your breaker panel for best flow.
    • Multi-Unit Strategy: For homes over 3,000 sq ft, space units at opposite ends.
    • Combine Technologies: Pair with time-of-use billing and smart thermostats.
    • Track Usage: Compare monthly bills and meter readings to quantify improvements.
    • Maintain Devices: Keep outlets dust-free and ensure units stay plugged in continuously.

    90‑Day Money‑Back Guarantee: See Real Savings or Pay Nothing!

    Commercial & Small-Business Applications

    Power Saver Pro X isn’t just a homeowner’s ally—it delivers tangible benefits for a wide range of commercial and small-business environments. Offices, retail outlets, restaurants, and light-industrial workshops all contend with fluctuating energy costs, often driven higher by reactive power surges, harmonic distortion, and “dirty” electricity. By smoothing voltage irregularities and filtering out high-frequency EMF noise, Power Saver Pro X tackles these inefficiencies head-on, unlocking cost reductions and operational improvements that directly bolster your bottom line.
    1. Office Spaces & Professional Suites
    In modern offices, computers, printers, copiers, and HVAC systems draw significant power—and are particularly sensitive to voltage spikes. Installing a single Power Saver Pro X unit near the main electrical panel can stabilize an entire floor’s power supply. Firms have reported cutting monthly energy bills by up to 35%, freeing budget for equipment upgrades or talent acquisition. With fewer sudden surges, sensitive electronics run more reliably, minimizing downtime and IT repair costs.
    2. Retail & Hospitality
    Restaurants, cafés, and small boutiques rely on refrigeration units, point-of-sale systems, display lighting, and HVAC to create comfortable, inviting spaces. Harmonic interference and voltage fluctuations force refrigeration compressors and lighting ballasts to work harder, raising both energy consumption and maintenance expenses. Power Saver Pro X reduces these stressors by ensuring a steady voltage flow, which can translate to a 25–40% decrease in utility outlays. Over a year, that can mean thousands of dollars saved—money that can be reinvested into menu innovation, seasonal inventory, or staff training.
    3. Workshops & Light Manufacturing
    Small-scale manufacturers and artisans use tools such as welding machines, CNC routers, and air compressors, all of which draw reactive power surges during startup. These surges not only spike your meter readings but also accelerate wear on expensive equipment. Power Saver Pro X’s reactive power compensation evens out current draw, helping reduce peak demand charges and extend tool life. Businesses report payback periods as short as four months, thanks to reduced utility bills and fewer repair visits.
    4. Multi-Unit Coverage & Scalability
    For larger operations or multi-suite buildings, deploying multiple Power Saver Pro X devices on separate circuits ensures comprehensive coverage. Bundled pricing makes scaling affordable, while the same 90-day savings guarantee applies across every unit. This modular approach allows businesses to target energy-hungry zones—like kitchens, server rooms, or manufacturing floors—maximizing ROI as they expand.
    Whether you run a startup, franchise, or family-owned store, Power Saver Pro X offers a low-maintenance, non-invasive way to cut energy costs, protect critical equipment, and stabilize your power environment—so you can focus on growth and customer satisfaction.
    Only 100 Units Left—Grab Your Power Saver Pro X Before They’re Gone!
    Long-Term Reliability & Maintenance
    Power Saver Pro X is engineered for durability and minimal upkeep, ensuring you continue to reap savings and protection year after year. At its heart, the device uses solid-state capacitors and magnetic filters—components chosen for their long service life and resistance to wear. Unlike mechanical surge protectors, there are no moving parts to degrade, and the sealed enclosure shields sensitive circuitry from dust and humidity.
    Durable Components:

    • High-Grade Capacitors: Rated for tens of thousands of charge-discharge cycles, these capacitors maintain consistent reactive power compensation without significant capacitance loss over time.
    • Magnetic Filter Assembly: Built from corrosion-resistant alloys, the filter’s design ensures stable EMF absorption with no degradation of magnetic properties under normal temperature and humidity ranges.

    Protective Enclosure & Safety Certifications:
    The rugged ABS housing is UL approved and RoHS compliant, providing impact resistance and flame retardancy. IP20-rated, it resists dust ingress in typical indoor environments. These safety certifications mean you can trust the unit to operate continuously without risk of shorting or component failure due to environmental factors .
    Maintenance Requirements:

    • Visual Inspection: Every 12 months, check that the LED indicator remains illuminated and that the outlet remains free of dust buildup. A soft brush or compressed air can remove any debris around the vents.
    • Electrical Check: For peace of mind, perform a quick multimeter check annually to confirm consistent voltage stabilization. Look for RMS voltage swing reductions compared to baseline readings.
    • No Replacements Needed: Under normal use, the internal components do not require replacement. The five-year warranty covers any premature failures, and most units continue performing reliably well beyond this period .

    Clock’s Ticking: Secure 70% Off Power Saver Pro X—Sale Ends at Midnight!
    Lifecycle & End-of-Life Disposal:
    When the unit finally reaches end of life—typically after a decade of continuous operation—the enclosure and electronic components are fully recyclable under e-waste guidelines. Simply follow local electronic recycling protocols to dispose of the device responsibly.
    With its maintenance-free architecture and robust design, Power Saver Pro X offers enduring performance, letting you focus on energy savings rather than upkeep.

    Environmental Impact & Energy Conservation

    By smoothing power flow and cutting waste heat, Power Saver Pro X reduces your home’s overall energy draw. Lower consumption helps flatten peak demand curves on the grid, potentially reducing reliance on fossil-fuel–driven peaker plants and lowering carbon emissions—making it an eco-friendly upgrade as well as a cost-saver.

    Final Verdict: Is This the Best Power Saver of 2025?

    Power Saver Pro delivers on its promises: patented Electricity Stabilizing Technology, verified 30–50% savings, EMF noise reduction, simple plug-and-play setup, and industry-leading guarantees. Compared to generic power factor devices, its comprehensive feature set and strong customer feedback make it our top pick for whole-home energy optimization in 2025.

    Company: Power Saver Pro
    Address: 6413 Bandini Blvd, Commerce, CA 90040, USA
    Phone: 18888319238
    Phone Hours: 7AM – 5PM PST
    Email: cs@toppowersavers.com
    Disclaimers
    Legal Disclaimer
    The information presented in this article is provided for general informational purposes only. While efforts are made to ensure accuracy and completeness, no content herein should be interpreted as a substitute for professional advice, product instructions, or manufacturer guidance. Product performance may vary depending on usage, environmental conditions, or maintenance habits. The Power Saver Pro is intended solely for non-medical, personal comfort use and is not designed to diagnose, treat, or prevent any medical condition. Readers with specific health concerns should consult a licensed healthcare provider before using any device. 

    Results may vary based on your home’s electrical system, usage habits, and local utility rates. The figures and testimonials in this article are for illustrative purposes and reflect individual user experiences—not guaranteed savings for every household. Always follow local electrical codes and consult a licensed electrician if you have questions about installation or system compatibility.
    The content in this article may include subjective assessments, third-party testimonials, or editorial opinion based on publicly available information. All users are responsible for their own due diligence prior to purchase.
    Product specifications, pricing, and promotions mentioned are accurate at the time of publication but may change without notice. Readers are strongly encouraged to consult the official product website for the most current and accurate information before making any purchasing decision. This article is not authored by or affiliated with the product manufacturer, and all trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
    Content Accuracy Disclaimer

    Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information presented in this article. However, due to the dynamic nature of product formulations, promotions, and availability, details may change without notice. The publisher makes no warranties or representations as to the current completeness or accuracy of any content, including product claims, pricing, or ingredient lists.
    It is the responsibility of the reader to verify product information directly through the official website or manufacturer prior to making a purchasing decision. Any reliance placed on the information in this article is done strictly at your own risk.

    Affiliate Disclosure
    This content may include affiliate links. If a purchase is made through such links, the publisher may receive a commission at no additional cost to the reader. These commissions help support editorial and content development but do not influence the opinions or recommendations shared.
    The publisher of this article is not responsible for pricing discrepancies, product availability, incorrect claims, or typographical errors. All liability rests solely with the manufacturer and retail provider of the product. Syndication partners, editorial distributors, and third-party platforms sharing this content are likewise held harmless from any consequence resulting from use, misuse, or misunderstanding of the information contained herein.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • Deep depression over Bay of Bengal to bring heavy rainfall; monsoon advances further into eastern India

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    A deep depression over the northwest Bay of Bengal is set to cross the coasts of West Bengal and Bangladesh between Sagar Island and Khepupara (Bangladesh) by Thursday afternoon, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. Under its influence, heavy to extremely heavy rainfall is expected across the Northeastern states, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, and Sikkim until May 31.

    The IMD has also warned of isolated exceptionally heavy rainfall exceeding 30 cm over parts of Meghalaya on May 29 and 30, as the system moves inland.

    In southern India, heavy to extremely heavy rainfall is likely to continue over Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, and the ghat areas of Tamil Nadu on May 29 and 30, with a gradual reduction expected thereafter.

    Meanwhile, rainfall activity accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds is also expected over northwest India over the next four to five days, driven by the influence of multiple western disturbances currently affecting the region.

    Monsoon Advances Further

    The southwest monsoon made significant progress on Thursday, advancing into more parts of Chhattisgarh, Odisha, the North Bay of Bengal, the remaining Northeastern states, and parts of Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim, the IMD confirmed.

    Conditions remain favourable for the monsoon to further advance into additional parts of West Bengal and Bihar over the next 1–2 days.

    Rainfall and Weather Observed in Last 24 Hours

    During the past 24 hours, heavy to very heavy rainfall was reported at isolated places over Konkan & Goa, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry & Karaikal, Kerala & Mahe, and Coastal and South Interior Karnataka.

    Heavy rainfall was also recorded over parts of Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal & Sikkim, Odisha, Madhya Maharashtra, Marathwada, Telangana, and eastern parts of Madhya Pradesh and Vidarbha.

    Thunderstorms accompanied by squally to gusty winds (ranging between 40–80 kmph) were observed in parts of Tamil Nadu, Assam, Meghalaya, East Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Uttarakhand, Gangetic West Bengal, Haryana, West Uttar Pradesh, Mizoram, Odisha, Jharkhand, Punjab, and other adjoining regions.

    In addition, hailstorms were reported from isolated parts of Himachal Pradesh, while dust storms occurred in parts of West Rajasthan.

    The IMD has advised citizens, especially in vulnerable regions, to stay alert and follow local advisories as intense rainfall and gusty winds may lead to localised flooding, landslides, and travel disruptions.

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: expert reaction to drought declared in North-west England by the Environment Agency

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Scientists comment on a drought being declared in North-West England. 

    Prof Richard Allan, Professor of Climate Science, University of Reading, said:

    “The lack of rainfall across the UK in spring 2025 constituted a meteorological drought and this quickly depleted the soil’s moisture leading to concerns over agricultural drought. Lowering river and reservoir levels are a concern for the northwest of the UK as further dry spells could threaten the supply of water as part of a hydrological drought. Of less concern are regions of copious ground water like the chalky catchments in the southeast of England which enter but also leave drought conditions more slowly than other regions of the UK.

    “Droughts are expected to onset more rapidly and become more intense as the planet warms since the atmosphere’s thirst for water grows. A warming climate means moisture is more readily sapped from one region and blown into storm systems elsewhere, intensifying both wet and dry weather extremes with wilder swings between them. The only way to limit the increasing severity of wet and dry extremes is to rapidly cut greenhouse gas emissions across all de tors of society.”

    Mr Alastair Chisholm, Director of Policy & External Affairs, CIWEM (Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management), said:

    “The drought in the north-west is not surprising given the dry weather seen across the spring. Drought can come on particularly quickly in areas which rely on water supplies fed by surface water storage reservoirs as are common in this area, rather than large rivers or groundwater sources. Prolonged dry weather is more unusual in such parts of the country, but when it does happen the effects are more pronounced. Conversely, with some rain, given more mountainous topography and higher average annual rainfall in these areas, reservoirs can quickly recover.

    “Official declarations of drought signal that water companies and the Environment Agency will progress to more advanced stages in their drought plans, such as temporary use bans (colloquially known as hosepipe bans).”

    References:

    https://www.ciwem.org/policy-reports/drought-management

    https://www.ciwem.org/news/managing-drought-ciwems-position

    Declared interests

    Mr Alastair Chisholm “None”

    Prof Richard Allan “None”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Grattan on Friday: Trump, tariffs and the Middle East are looming challenges for Albanese

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra

    Australia these days receives invitations to big-league international conferences. And so Anthony Albanese will be off soon to the G7 meeting in Alberta, Canada, on June 15-17.

    For the prime minister, what’s most important about this trip is not so much the conference itself, but his expected first meeting with US President Donald Trump, either on the sidelines of the G7 or in a visit to Washington while he’s in North America.

    Nothing is locked in. But it’s impossible to think such a meeting won’t take place. The Australian PM certainly needs to have his first face-to-face talks with the US president sooner rather than later.

    During the election, there was much argument over whether Albanese or Peter Dutton would be better at dealing with the difficult and unpredictable Trump, in particular, in trying to extract some concessions on his tariffs

    Australia has been hit by Trump’s 25% tariff on aluminium and steel, as well as by his general 10% tariff.

    The Trump tariff regime has been a chaotic story of decisions, pauses and changes of mind. In the latest drama, the United States Court of International Trade on Wednesday blocked Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs (as far as Australia goes, this relates to the 10% general tariff but not that on aluminium and steel). The court found the president had exceeded his powers. The administration immediately appealed the decision.

    We can’t know how this imbroglio will play out. But assuming Australia will still be confronting some tariffs, Albanese’s pitch for special treatment will be made around what we can do for the Americans with our large deposits of critical minerals and rare earths. These are vital for the production of a huge range of items, including for defence purposes.

    Australia’s ambassador to the US, Kevin Rudd, speaking at a conference in Detroit this week, pointed out that the two countries already had a draft accord on these minerals.

    “What we need to work out […] is how do we collaborate both on the mining, the extraction, the transportation and the processing and the stockpiling to make our economies resilient, including what you’ll need for future battery manufacture,” Rudd said.

    When Albanese does get together with Trump, he will have the advantage of meeting him as the big winner of the recent election. Trump said of him post-election, “He’s been very, very nice to me, very respectful to me”.

    But that’s no iron-clad guarantee of success. With the US president, there are always multiple “known unknowns”.

    For Albanese, success on the tariff front would be important, but not, of course, as important politically as it would have been pre-election.

    A range of other issues will also be on the agenda when the two meet: including progress on AUKUS.

    The president would no doubt be pleased the government is in the process of booting the Chinese lessee out of the Port of Darwin (with American investment firm Cerberus expressing an interest in taking over, although the government’s preference is for the port to be in Australian hands).

    Trump might not think, however, that the government’s commitment to defence spending, due to reach 2.3% of gross domestic product by 2033-34, is enough. The Americans would prefer a level of 3% of GDP.

    No doubt the Middle East would also be canvassed in such talks. While Middle East policy is not a frontline issue in the Australian-American relationship, the Albanese government struggles at home to strike the right stance.

    Since the October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, Australia has seen a deterioration in local social cohesion. Antisemitism spiked to a degree not anticipated; pro-Palestinian demonstrations became a regular and controversial feature. The government found itself under political fire from the Jewish community and pro-Palestinian critics alike.

    With the Israeli government disregarding international criticism, and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza growing more dire, Albanese this week toughened his rhetoric.

    On Monday he said: “It is outrageous that there be a blockade of food and supplies to people who are in need in Gaza. We have made that very clear by signing up to international statements”. He described Israel’s actions as “completely unacceptable”.

    Within Labor, the pressure to go further has been mounting. It is on two fronts. Some want sanctions against Israel (beyond the existing sanctions in relation to settlers on the West Bank). There is also the issue of whether Australia should recognise a Palestinian state ahead of a two-state solution.

    Ed Husic, a Muslim, was relatively outspoken even while he was in cabinet. Since being dumped from the ministry, he is much freer to put forth his view.

    This week, he was calling for imposing sanctions if other nations were to do so. “I think we should be actively considering […] drawing up a list of targeted sanctions where we can join with others”.

    Significantly, former Labor Foreign Minister Gareth Evans was another advocate, saying sanctions “would send a powerful message”.



    Read more:
    Gareth Evans: the case for recognising Palestine

    But when the question of sanctions was put to Albanese, he was dismissive, raising the issue of substantive outcomes.

    At the Labor party’s grassroots level, there is strong pressure for a more pro-Palestinian approach.

    It is not unreasonable to think that would strike a sympathetic chord with both Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong, but they are very cognisant of the politics – both international and local.

    Wong a year ago raised the possibility of recognising Palestine statehood as a step along a peace process, ahead of a two-state solution.

    Australia’s ambassador to the United Nations, James Larson, last week delivered an Australian statement to a preparatory meeting for a June conference in New York on “the question of Palestine and the implementation of the two-state solution”.

    Echoing Wong’s earlier position, he said: “A two-state solution – a Palestinian state alongside the state of Israel – is the only hope of breaking the endless cycle of violence, and the only hope of a just and enduring peace, for Israelis and Palestinians alike.”

    “Like other partners, Australia no longer sees recognition of a Palestinian state as only occurring at the end of negotiations, but rather as a way of building momentum towards a two-state solution.”

    Evans, in an article for Pearls and Irritations this week, says the “strongest and most constructive contribution” Australia could make on the issue would be to announce at the conference “that we are immediately recognising Palestinian statehood: not just as the final outcome of a political settlement but as a way of kickstarting it”.

    The government is tight-lipped about what stand it will take for the June 17-20 conference, saying it doesn’t have details yet and is unable to say who will attend for Australia. It says it is not being framed as a conference where countries are expected to make pledges.

    Nevertheless, many within Labor will be watching closely whether the coming weeks will see any change in Australia’s Middle East policy. But that, in turn, would depend on whether others make any moves, because Australia wants to have company from like-minded countries.

    Michelle Grattan 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. Grattan on Friday: Trump, tariffs and the Middle East are looming challenges for Albanese – https://theconversation.com/grattan-on-friday-trump-tariffs-and-the-middle-east-are-looming-challenges-for-albanese-257333

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Retailers reminded about upcoming June 1 ban on disposable vapes

    Source: City of Leeds

    Shopkeepers across Leeds have been advised to act now in preparation for the disposable vapes ban which comes into force on June 1.

    The new legislation, from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), will make it illegal for businesses, including those online, to sell or supply all single-use vapes.

    The ban will apply to England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland and covers both nicotine and non-nicotine containing vaping products, which are not refillable or rechargeable. 

    In line with national policy, Leeds City Council has been writing to retailers across the city ahead of the ban, advising them to stop buying new stock of single-use vapes and sell all existing stock before June 1.

    Businesses are also being reminded of their legal duty to provide collection points for waste vapes to their customers.

    Anyone caught selling or supplying single-use vapes on or after June 1 could face fines or other sanctions.

    The ban has been brought into place to help curb the rise in youth vaping, with national figures from Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) estimating over half of children who use vapes report using disposable models, which often have colourful packaging and sweet flavours.

    Councillor Fiona Venner, Leeds City Council’s executive member for equality, health and wellbeing, said:

    “The incoming ban on disposable vapes is a vital measure towards improving the health of Leeds residents, particularly for our young people, as well as tackling the environmental damage that they cause. I would urge all our retailers to take action now to prepare for the new legislation coming into force.”

    The ban also aims to reduce the damage caused to the environment and wildlife from vapes disposed of in domestic waste and littered across the city, causing the release of harmful substances such as lead and mercury into soil, rivers and streams.

    Used e-cigarettes and disposable vapes should be returned to the shops they were bought from for recycling or taken to the nearest electrical recycling point, which can be found at www.recycleyourelectricals.org.uk. They can also be deposited in the special vape bins at one of the eight waste recycling points in Leeds.

    Councillor Mohammed Rafique, executive member for climate, energy, environment and green space, said:

    “Please do not throw vapes in household green recycling or black wheelie bins due to the risk of fire from the lithium-ion batteries. Recycling your old vapes also helps protect the environment, as they contain valuable materials like metal, plastic and lithium batteries that can be made into new items.”

    Further information for retailers can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/single-use-vapes-ban

     

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: More than blue helmets: What you might not know about UN peacekeepers

    Source: United Nations – Peacekeeping

     

     

    Written by Lesley Myers, Digital Editor for UN Peacekeeping’s Strategic Communications Section. She specializes in political analysis, strategic planning and peacekeeping impact.

     

     

    They work in some of the world’s toughest environments to protect people and prevent conflict. But how much do you really know about UN “Blue Helmets”? As we celebrate the International Day of UN Peacekeepers, discover seven surprising facts about the people working for peace.

     

    1. UN Peacekeepers have won a Nobel Peace Prize.

    UN peacekeepers were awarded the prize in 1988 for peacekeepers’ role in promoting global peace and security. During the ceremony, the Nobel Committee honoured peacekeepers that have given their lives for peace: “They volunteered to the service, knowing that it could involve risk. It became their lot to pay the highest price a human being can pay.”

    2. UN Peacekeeping does not have its own army or police force.

    Instead, UN Member States voluntarily contribute their own troops and police officers to peacekeeping missions. To date, over 2 million peacekeepers have served from over 120 countries, making us a truly global force for peace. The top contributors of these personnel include Nepal, Rwanda, Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan as of February 2025, as well as Security Council members like China and France. Countries like Côte d’Ivoire, Timor-Leste and Liberia — where peacekeeping missions used to be deployed — are now sending peacekeepers of their own to help others.

    3. Peacekeepers are not only soldiers.

    Peacekeepers include military, police and civilian staff taking on a wide range of roles to help us advance peace. Peacekeepers include a wide range of experts including in logistics, engineering, mediation, politics, civics, human rights, gender, strategic communications and rule of law. They provide advice and support on important issues from how build strong justice institutions to protecting civilians to holding free and fair elections. This cross-disciplinary mix is what lets us navigate the complex socioeconomic, political, environmental and security dynamics that drive conflict.

    4. Peacekeepers do more than patrol.

    We protect civilians, monitor ceasefires, support peace negotiations and help prevent relapses into civil war. We also assist in long-term peacebuilding by building trust between communities, strengthening national institutions, promoting justice, and supporting free and fair elections, laying the critical foundations that help peace take root. Our work is tailored to the conflict environments we work in so we can best meet the needs of the communities we serve.

    chinese_peacekeepers_build_up_infrastructure_in_south_sudan.jpg

    5. Peacekeepers are cost-effective.

    Missions cost significantly less than comparable operations led by individual countries. Peacekeeping’s current budget represents less than 0.5% of global military spending but supports 11 peacekeeping operations in places like South Sudan, Cyprus, and south Lebanon. It delivers value for money, reducing violence, preventing the escalation of conflicts that can destabilize countries and regions, and advancing the global community’s peace and security goals at a fraction of the cost of what military activities cost worldwide.

    6. Peacekeepers serve impartially on behalf of UN Member States.

    UN peacekeeping missions are established, tasked, and ended by the UN Security Council. We serve on behalf of all UN Member States and remain impartial, giving us credibility that can be difficult to achieve when a Member State acts alone.

    7. Peacekeepers are effective at advancing peace.

    Peacekeeping remains one of the global community’s most effective tools for advancing peace. The majority of missions succeed, stabilizing societies, ending war, and saving millions of lives. We are proven to help stop violence before it starts, reduce its impact during conflict, and prevent its return once peace is restored. We increase the likelihood that peace agreements will last once established and have helped countries like Cambodia, El Salvador and Sierra Leone transition from conflict to peace. UN Member States play a critical role in these efforts: we are most successful when we are backed by their are backed by the political will of UN Member States.

    Today, an increasingly divided global community is facing the highest number of conflicts since the second world war, and peacekeeping itself is becoming an increasingly dangerous endeavour. Peacekeeping continues to evolve in the face of these growing challenges, but our commitment remains constant: each day, peacekeepers step up to give peace a fighting chance.

     

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Disaster Recovery Center Opens in Russell County

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: Disaster Recovery Center Opens in Russell County

    Disaster Recovery Center Opens in Russell County

    FRANKFORT, Ky

    – A Disaster Recovery Center has opened in Russell County to offer in-person support to Kentucky survivors who experienced loss as the result of the severe storms, straight-line winds and tornadoes from May 16-17, 2025

    The new Disaster Recovery Center in Russell County is located at: Russell County Courthouse, 410 Monument Square, Jamestown, KY 42629 Working hours are 9 a

    m

    to 7 p

    m

    Central Time, Monday through Saturday and 1 – 7 p

    m

    Central Time, Sunday

    Disaster Recovery Centers are one-stop shops where you can get information and advice on available assistance from state, federal and community organizations

     You can get help to apply for FEMA assistance, learn the status of your FEMA application, understand the letters you get from FEMA and get referrals to agencies that may offer other assistance

    The U

    S

    Small Business Administration representatives and resources from the Commonwealth are also available at the Disaster Recovery Centers to assist you

    FEMA is encouraging Kentuckians affected by the May tornadoes to apply for federal disaster assistance as soon as possible

    You can visit any Disaster Recovery Center to get in-person assistance

    No appointment is needed

     To find all other center locations, including those in other states, go to fema

    gov/drc or text “DRC” and a Zip Code to 43362

    You don’t have to visit a center to apply for FEMA assistance

     There are other ways to apply: online at DisasterAssistance

    gov, use the FEMA App for mobile devices or call 800-621-3362

    If you use a relay service, such as Video Relay Service (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA the number for that service

    When you apply, you will need to provide:A current phone number where you can be contacted

    Your address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are now staying

    Your Social Security Number

    A general list of damage and losses

    Banking information if you choose direct deposit

    If insured, the policy number or the agent and/or the company name

    For more information about Kentucky tornado recovery, visit www

    fema

    gov/disaster/4875

    Follow the FEMA Region 4 X account at x

    com/femaregion4

    martyce

    allenjr
    Wed, 05/28/2025 – 20:05

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Disaster Recovery Center Opens in Trigg County

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency 2

    strong>FRANKFORT, Ky. – A Disaster Recovery Center has opened in Trigg County to offer in-person support to Kentucky survivors who experienced loss as the result of the severe storms, straight-line winds and tornadoes from May 16-17, 2025. The new Disaster Recovery Center in Trigg County is located at:
     
    Trigg County Emergency Operations Center, 39 Jefferson St, Cadiz, KY 42211
    Working hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Central Time, Monday through Saturday and 1 – 7 p.m. Central Time, Sunday.
    Disaster Recovery Centers are one-stop shops where you can get information and advice on available assistance from state, federal and community organizations. You can get help to apply for FEMA assistance, learn the status of your FEMA application, understand the letters you get from FEMA and get referrals to agencies that may offer other assistance. The U.S. Small Business Administration representatives and resources from the Commonwealth are also available at the Disaster Recovery Centers to assist you.
    FEMA is encouraging Kentuckians affected by the May tornadoes to apply for federal disaster assistance as soon as possible. The deadline to apply is July 23.
    You can visit any Disaster Recovery Center to get in-person assistance. No appointment is needed. To find all other center locations, including those in other states, go to fema.gov/drc or text “DRC” and a Zip Code to 43362. 
    You don’t have to visit a center to apply for FEMA assistance. There are other ways to apply: online at DisasterAssistance.gov, use the FEMA App for mobile devices or call 800-621-3362. If you use a relay service, such as Video Relay Service (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA the number for that service.
    When you apply, you will need to provide:

    A current phone number where you can be contacted.
    Your address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are now staying.
    Your Social Security Number.
    A general list of damage and losses.
    Banking information if you choose direct deposit.
    If insured, the policy number or the agent and/or the company name.

    For more information about Kentucky tornado recovery, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4875. Follow the FEMA Region 4 X account at x.com/femaregion4. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Germany steps up to replace ‘unreliable’ US as guarantor of European security

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

    Two statements from world leaders this week bear closer examination. On May 27, the US president Donald Trump took to his Truth Social social media channel to proclaim that if it wasn’t for him, “lots of really bad things would have already happened to Russia”. The following day the German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, announced that his country would assist Ukraine in developing long-range missiles to deploy against targets inside Russia. Both statements are quite extraordinary.

    Even by Trump’s own standards, the public declaration by a sitting US president that he is protecting the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, is unprecedented. Putin is under indictment for war crimes and has been waging a war of aggression against Ukraine for more than three years after having illegally annexed Crimea over a decade ago. There can now be no doubt left that the US has become an unreliable ally for Ukraine and its European partners.

    This is the context in which Merz’s announcement of increasing defence cooperation with Ukraine becomes significant. While Trump continues to chase an impossible deal with Putin – even after threatening to abandon his mediation efforts less than ten days ago – Germany has doubled down on Ukraine’s defence.

    Not only that, but as the EU’s largest and Nato’s second-largest economy, Germany is now also aiming to turn its Bundeswehr (the German army, navy and air force) into the “strongest conventional army in Europe”. Its most senior military officer and chief of defence, Carsten Breuer, has published plans for a rapid and wide-ranging expansion of defence capabilities.

    Sign up to receive our weekly World Affairs Briefing newsletter from The Conversation UK. Every Thursday we’ll bring you expert analysis of the big stories in international relations.

    Germany is finally beginning to pull its weight in European defence and security policy. This is absolutely critical to the credibility of the EU in the face of the threat from Russia. Berlin has the financial muscle and the technological and industrial potential to make Europe more of a peer to the US when it comes to defence spending and burden sharing. This will be important to salvage what remains of Nato in light of a highly probable American down-scaling – if not complete abandonment – of its past security commitments to the alliance.

    After decades of failing to develop either a grand strategy to deal with Russia or the hard power capabilities that need to underpin it, achieving either will take some time. But it is important to acknowledge that some critical first steps have been taken by the new German government.

    Facing a growing threat

    For Germany, and much of the rest of Europe, the investment in more defence capabilities does not simply require producing more ammunition or procuring more advanced defence systems. These are important – but what is also needed is a significant investment in developing manpower. This means either finding more volunteers or reintroducing conscription, which is now no longer a taboo in Germany.

    Sending a whole new brigade to Lithuania, in its first international deployment since the second world war, is an important signal to Nato allies about Germany’s commitment to the alliance. It is also a clear signal to Russia that Germany finally is putting its money where its mouth is when it comes to containing the threat from Russia. It’s a threat which has grown significantly since the beginning of the Kremlin’s full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

    The three years of Russia’s war against its neighbour have also highlighted the threat that Russia poses beyond Ukraine’s borders. The war against Ukraine has exposed European vulnerabilities and its dependence on the US. And it has taught military planners important lessons about what a future confrontation with Russia might look like. This is why Germany’s military planners have identified air defence systems, precision strike capabilities, drones, and electronic and cyber warfare assets as procurement priorities.

    Beyond Germany, the signs have have been that Europe more broadly is beginning to learn to stand on its own feet when it comes to its security. For the continent, the challenge is threefold. It needs to beef up its defence spending in light of the ongoing war against Ukraine and Russian threats to expand it further. Europe also needs to come to terms with the dismantling of the transatlantic alliance by Trump. And, finally, there is a populist surge that threatens the very foundations of European democracy and risks undermining efforts to stand up to both Trump and Putin. This has been given extra fuel by the alignment of Trump’s “America-first” Maga movement with Putin’s Russia.

    Major challenges ahead

    These are enduring challenges with no quick fixes. The first test of this apparent new-found European mettle will be the war in Ukraine. Giving Ukraine permission to use long-range missiles against targets in Russia is not a new development. Such a move was first taken by the then US president, Joe Biden, in November 2024 when he authorised Ukraine to launch limited strikes into Russia using US-made long-range missiles, followed by similar authorisations from London and Paris at the time, but not Berlin.

    Now, as then, how effective this will be depends not only on how many actual missiles Ukraine has but also on whether US intelligence sharing will continue. This is crucial for targeting. What’s more, effectiveness will also be difficult to measure. In a best-case scenario, Ukraine will now be able to stave off Russia’s reportedly impending summer offensive.

    The Kremlin has already indicated its displeasure and ratcheted up its nuclear sabre rattling.

    Trump, meanwhile, remains all talk when it comes to putting any pressure on Russia. By contrast, the Europeans, for once, are much more action orientated, which is another indication of the increasing rift across the Atlantic.

    This does not mean an end to transatlantic relations and pragmatic cooperation, as demonstrated by the meeting between the US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, with his German counterpart, Johann Wadephul, which happened almost simultaneously with Trump’s and Merz’s statements.

    What it does mean, however, is that Europe’s security now entirely depends on whether key players on the continent can muster the will to mobilise the resources required to defend the continent against an aggressive foe to the east. Berlin and other European capitals seem to have recognised at long last that this needs to happen. Now they need to demonstrate that they can follow through with swift and decisive action.

    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. Germany steps up to replace ‘unreliable’ US as guarantor of European security – https://theconversation.com/germany-steps-up-to-replace-unreliable-us-as-guarantor-of-european-security-257735

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Save Loch Lomond: Rally is a critical moment in blocking Flamingo Land

    Source: Scottish Greens

    29 May 2025 Nature Save Loch Lomond

    We must protect Scotland’s national park from destruction.

    More in Nature

    The Scottish Greens are urging campaigners to make their voice heard outside the Scottish Parliament today at 11am for a major rally opposing Flamingo Land’s destructive mega-resort plan on the banks of Loch Lomond.

    Despite the National Park’s board  unanimously rejecting the development after receiving objections from expert groups including environment watchdog SEPA as well as 155,000 individuals, the Scottish Government has approved an appeal by Flamingo Land, overturning the local decision and green-lighting their project.

    The planned development is set to include 127 woodland lodges, two hotels, over 370 parking spaces, a water park, monorail and much more on a sensitive site by the loch shore at Balloch.

    The campaign against Flamingo Land was spear-headed by Mr Greer, becoming the most objected to planning application in Scottish history, with over 155,000 individual objections, as well as those from groups including the Woodland Trust and National Trust for Scotland.

    Since the Scottish Government’s decision, close to 45,000 people have emailed Scottish Government Ministers, calling on the decision to be recalled and reversed.,

    Mr Greer said:  

    “The Scottish Government have thrown their backing behind Flamingo Land at the expense of the community and Scotland’s world famous natural environment. These plans would be tantamount to environmental and cultural vandalism and it is staggering that Government Ministers appear hell-bent on forcing this through. They are well aware of the flood risks, the massive increase in traffic and congestion, the contaminated land threat and loss of nature including ancient woodland, but don’t seem to care.

    “Opposition to Flamingo Land’s proposal comes from expert organisations including the National Trust for Scotland, Woodland Trust, Scottish Environment Protection Agency, the local community council and even the National Park’s own expert planning officers, alongside a record 155,00 of public complaints.

    “The campaign to save Loch Lomond is at a critical stage. This rally at Parliament is an important opportunity to show the SNP the depth of public feeling on this. I urge everyone to come and make a stand against these outrageous plans. Campaigners can also continue to contact the Scottish Government directly using my e-action at greens.scot/LochLomond, which has close to 50,000 supporters already.

    “Ministers have a choice: protect Scotland’s natural heritage or cave to developers looking to exploit it for a quick profit. We’re calling on everyone who loves Loch Lomond to stand with us.”

    Want to support the Save Loch Lomond campaign? Sign this letter to Scottish Ministers here.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: 15 incorporated owners fined total of $63,000 for failing to conduct annual inspections of fire service installations or equipment on their premises

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    15 incorporated owners fined total of $63,000 for failing to conduct annual inspections of fire service installations or equipment on their premises 
    15 incorporated owners involving 18 buildings in Eastern District (listed in the Annex) were prosecuted by the FSD for failing to conduct annual inspections of fire service installations or equipment on their premises. They were convicted and fined a total of $63,000 at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts today (May 29). 
     
    According to the Fire Service (Installations and Equipment) Regulations, any person who owns any fire service installation or equipment installed in any premises commits an offence if they fail to have such fire service installation or equipment inspected by a registered contractor at least once every 12 months. Upon conviction, the maximum penalty is a fine of $50,000. 
     
    The FSD will continue to conduct territory-wide special enforcement actions in various districts and remind owners of fire service installations or equipment on the premises to have such fire service installations or equipment inspected by a registered contractor at least once every 12 months.
    Issued at HKT 18:18

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China’s UN envoy calls for long-term ceasefire in Gaza

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    UNITED NATIONS, May 29 (Xinhua) — China’s permanent representative to the United Nations Fu Cong on Wednesday called for a long-term ceasefire and an end to the humanitarian disaster in the Gaza Strip.

    According to him, since May 16, Israel has continued to intensify its military operation in Gaza, which in the last two weeks alone has resulted in the complete destruction of densely populated areas and the death of more than 1,000 people.

    Questions have been repeatedly asked about when this conflict will end, whether any means are allowed in it, and whether Palestinians will have to lose their homes again, Fu Cong noted. “In the face of such questions, China firmly states that a long-term ceasefire in Gaza is urgent, and Israel must immediately stop all military operations,” the diplomat emphasized.

    “Alleviating the humanitarian catastrophe is a top priority. Israel must lift the blockade, fully restore humanitarian access, and support the UN and other international humanitarian organizations in their relief efforts,” the Permanent Representative said.

    The Gaza Strip and the West Bank are integral parts of the State of Palestine, he stressed, adding that the international community must resolutely oppose any attempts to annex these territories and forcibly displace the population of Gaza.

    The United States, as a country with significant influence on the parties involved, should act fairly and responsibly and take effective and decisive steps, Fu Cong said. The UN Security Council has the primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security, he noted, stressing that China supports the Security Council in taking effective measures to promote a lasting ceasefire and alleviate the humanitarian disaster.

    The implementation of the “two states for two peoples” plan is the only viable way to resolve the Palestinian issue, the diplomat said. The international community should step up efforts to advance the political settlement process based on the principle of coexistence of two states, he noted.

    Fu Cong said China will continue to work with the international community to end the fighting in Gaza, alleviate the humanitarian disaster, achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting solution to the Palestinian issue, and restore peace and stability in the Middle East. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Newsom announces appointments 5.28.25

    Source: US State of California 2

    May 28, 2025

    SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the following appointments:

    LaCandice Ochoa, of Sacramento, has been appointed Deputy Director of the Independent Living and Community Access Division at the Department of Rehabilitation. Ochoa has been Dean of Workforce and Economic Development in the Office of the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges since 2020, where she was previously Operations Manager of Workforce and Economic Development from 2020 to 2022. She was the Operations Manager for the Commission on Disability Access at the Department of General Services from 2018 to 2020. Ochoa was a Program Manager at the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services from 2015 to 2018. She was a Program Analyst for the Health Professions Education Foundation at the Department of Healthcare Access and Information from 2014 to 2015. Ochoa was an Associate Governmental Program Analyst at the California Department of Rehabilitation from 2012 to 2014. She was an Executive Assistant at Disability Rights California from 2011 to 2012. Ochoa was an Outreach and Training Advocate at the California Foundation for Independent Living Centers from 2009 to 2011. She was a Support Staff Assistant for Bob Segalman, Ph.D. from 2008 to 2009. Ochoa is a member of the California Community College Association of Occupational Educators, Association of California Community College Administrators, and Association of California State Employees with Disabilities. She earned a Master of Science degree in Assistive Technology and Human Services from California State University, Northridge and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Ethnic Studies from University of California, San Diego. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $137,616. Ochoa is a Democrat.

    Aaron Christian, of Chino, has been appointed Chief of Population Risk, Quality Assurance, and Data Operations at the Department of Developmental Services. Christian has been Deputy Director of the Division of Community Assistance and Resolutions at the California Department of Developmental Services since 2024, where he has held several roles since 2020, including Assistant Deputy Director and Southern Region Manager. He held several roles at the San Gabriel/Pomona Regional Center from 2010 to 2020, including Director of Client Services, Director of Community Services, Assistant Director of Community Services, Resource Developer, and Service Coordinator. Christian was a Youth Counselor at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation from 2007 to 2009. He was a Program Manager at Esperanza Services from 2003 to 2007. Christian earned a Master of Public Administration degree in Public Sector Leadership from California State University, Northridge and a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Services from University of Phoenix. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $187,104. Christian is registered with no party preference. 

    Sherri Miller, of Sacramento, has been appointed Special Assistant to the Secretary at the California Environmental Protection Agency. Miller has been Executive Office Manager at California High-Speed Rail Authority since 2023, where she was previously Staff Services Manager II from 2021 to 2023. She held several roles at the California Department of Motor Vehicles from 2012 to 2019, including Administrative Assistant II to the Department of Motor Vehicles Director and Executive Secretary. Miller is a participant of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Program at California High-Speed Rail Authority. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and compensation is $108,000. Miller is a Democrat.

    Jason Paguio, of Coronado, has been reappointed to the Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs, where he has served since 2022. Paguio has been President and Chief Executive Officer of the Asian Business Association San Diego and the Asian Business Association Foundation since 2019 and a Member of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary since 2017. He was Director for North America at Dalman & Narborough from 2006 to 2025. Paguio was Director of Strategic Partnerships and Political Director for the California Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce from 2020 to 2022. He was a Land Use Advisor for the San Diego County Board of Supervisors from 2017 to 2019. Paguio was Chief of Staff for the Office of the Deputy Mayor of the City of Chula Vista from 2015 to 2017. He is Chair of the Board of Directors of the San Diego Community Housing Corporation, Immediate Past Chair of the Board of Directors of LEAD San Diego, Member of the Board of Directors of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, NTC Foundation, and San Diego Opera and a member of the California Entrepreneurship and Economic Mobility Task Force in the Office of the Small Business Advocate. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and there is no compensation. Paguio is a Democrat.

    Rajan Gill, of Yuba City, has been reappointed to the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs, where he has served since 2013. Gill has been a Filmmaker at Neena Filmhouse since 2024, Professor of History at Yuba College since 2019, and Managing Partner at Gill Ranches since 2010. He was Professor of History at Las Positas College from 2018 to 2019. Gill was an Adjunct Professor at Yuba College from 2015 to 2018. He earned a Master of Arts degree in History from the University of California, Santa Cruz and a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Middle Eastern and South Asian studies from the University of California, Davis. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and there is no compensation. Gill is a Democrat.

    Press releases, Recent news

    Recent news

    May 28, 2025

    News SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom issued the following statement after a federal court ruled today that President Trump exceeded his use of emergency powers to enact broad-sweeping tariffs that hurt states, consumers, and businesses: “Like we said when we filed…

    May 28, 2025

    News SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced that he has signed the following bill:SB 49 by Senator Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield) – Tribal gaming: compact and amendment ratification.For full text of the bill, visit: leginfo.legislature.ca.gov.  Recent…

    May 28, 2025

    News SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today issued an emergency proclamation for Trinity County to assist in recovery from the December 2024 winter storms that caused significant damage to the local area. The emergency proclamation authorizes the Governor’s Office…

    MIL OSI USA News –