NewzIntel.com

Category: Politics

  • MIL-Evening Report: In Trump’s America, the shooting of a journalist is not a one-off. Press freedom itself is under attack

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Greste, Professor of Journalism and Communications, Macquarie University

    The video of a Los Angeles police officer shooting a rubber bullet at Channel Nine reporter Lauren Tomasi is as shocking as it is revealing.

    In her live broadcast, Tomasi is standing to the side of a rank of police in riot gear. She describes the way they have begun firing rubber bullets to disperse protesters angry with US President Donald Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigrants.

    As Tomasi finishes her sentence, the camera pans to the left, just in time to catch the officer raising his gun and firing a non-lethal round into her leg. She said a day later she is sore, but otherwise OK.

    Although a more thorough investigation might find mitigating circumstances, from the video evidence, it is hard to dismiss the shot as “crossfire”. The reporter and cameraman were off to one side of the police, clearly identified and working legitimately.

    The shooting is also not a one-off. Since the protests against Trump’s mass deportations policy began three days ago, a reporter with the LA Daily News and a freelance journalist have been hit with pepper balls and tear gas.

    British freelance photojournalist Nick Stern also had emergency surgery to remove a three-inch plastic bullet from his leg.

    In all, the Los Angeles Press Club has documented more than 30 incidents of obstruction and attacks on journalists during the protests.

    Trump’s assault on the media

    It now seems assaults on the media are no longer confined to warzones or despotic regimes. They are happening in American cities, in broad daylight, often at the hands of those tasked with upholding the law.

    But violence is only one piece of the picture. In the nearly five months since taking office, the Trump administration has moved to defund public broadcasters, curtail access to information and undermine the credibility of independent media.

    International services once used to project democratic values and American soft power around the world, such as Voice of America, Radio Free Europe and Radio Free Asia, have all had their funding cut and been threatened with closure. (The Voice of America website is still operational but hasn’t been updated since mid-March, with one headline on the front page reading “Vatican: Francis stable, out of ‘imminent danger’ of death”).

    The Associated Press, one of the most respected and important news agencies in the world, has been restricted from its access to the White House and covering Trump. The reason? It decided to defy Trump’s directive to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America.

    Even broadcast licenses for major US networks, such as ABC, NBC and CBS, have been publicly threatened — a signal to editors and executives that political loyalty might soon outweigh journalistic integrity.

    The Committee to Protect Journalists is more used to condemning attacks on the media in places like Russia. However, in April, it issued a report headlined: “Alarm bells: Trump’s first 100 days ramp up fear for the press, democracy”.

    A requirement for peace

    Why does this matter? The success of American democracy has never depended on unity or even civility. It has depended on scrutiny. A system where power is challenged, not flattered.

    The First Amendment to the US Constitution – which protects freedom of speech – has long been considered the gold standard for building the institutions of free press and free expression. That only works when journalism is protected — not in theory but in practice.

    Now, strikingly, the language once reserved for autocracies and failed states has begun to appear in assessments of the US. Civicus, which tracks declining democracies around the world, recently put the US on its watchlist, alongside the Democratic Republic of Congo, Italy, Serbia and Pakistan.

    The attacks on the journalists in LA are troubling not only for their sake, but for ours. This is about civic architecture. The kind of framework that makes space for disagreement without descending into disorder.

    Press freedom is not a luxury for peacetime. It is a requirement for peace.

    Peter Greste is Professor of Journalism at Macquarie University and the Executive Director for the advocacy group, the Alliance for Journalists’ Freedom.

    – ref. In Trump’s America, the shooting of a journalist is not a one-off. Press freedom itself is under attack – https://theconversation.com/in-trumps-america-the-shooting-of-a-journalist-is-not-a-one-off-press-freedom-itself-is-under-attack-258578

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI China: Xi urges China, S. Korea to lift strategic cooperative partnership to higher level

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Xi urges China, S. Korea to lift strategic cooperative partnership to higher level

    Chinese President Xi Jinping said Tuesday that China and South Korea should lift their strategic cooperative partnership to a higher level, so as to deliver more benefits to the two peoples and bring greater certainty to the turbulent regional and international landscapes.

    Xi made the remarks during a telephone conversation with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung.

    Extending congratulations once again to Lee on his election as South Korean president, Xi said that China and South Korea are close neighbors that cannot be moved away from each other.

    Over the past 33 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the two countries have transcended differences in ideology and social systems, and actively advanced exchanges and cooperation across various fields, thus contributing to each other’s success and achieving common development, he said.

    A sound, stable and ever-deepening China-South Korea relationship, Xi said, conforms to the trend of the times, serves the fundamental interests of the two peoples, and contributes to regional and global peace, stability, development and prosperity.

    China and South Korea should stay committed to the original aspiration of establishing their diplomatic ties, uphold good-neighborliness and friendship, and strive for mutual benefit and win-win outcomes, Xi said.

    The two sides, he said, should enhance exchanges at various levels and across various areas to increase strategic mutual trust, strengthen bilateral cooperation and multilateral coordination to jointly safeguard multilateralism and free trade, and ensure stable and smooth global and regional industrial and supply chains.

    China and South Korea should deepen people-to-people and cultural exchanges to enhance mutual understanding and cement public support, so as to plant the seeds of China-South Korea friendship deep in the hearts of the two peoples, Xi said.

    They should respect each other’s core interests and major concerns and keep bilateral relations on the right track to ensure the sound and steady growth of China-South Korea relations, he added.

    Lee, for his part, said he agrees with Xi’s remarks, stressing the close geographical proximity, longstanding exchanges, and close economic, trade, and cultural connections between South Korea and China.

    While expressing admiration for China’s impressive development achievements under Xi’s outstanding leadership, Lee said that he attaches great importance to South Korea-China relations, and is ready to work with China to deepen their good-neighborly and friendly relations, enhance mutual goodwill between the two peoples and achieve more results in bilateral cooperation. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • Air Chief Marshal AP Singh wishes Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla ahead of Axiom-4 space mission

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, on Tuesday interacted via video conference with Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who is set to embark on the Axiom-4 space mission, an official statement from the Indian Air Force said.

    Air Chief Marshal Singh extended best wishes to Group Captain Shukla, who will be India’s second astronaut to travel to space since 1984.

    In a post on X, IAF said, “As Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla prepares to embark on the Axiom-4 space mission tomorrow, Chief of the Air Staff and all Air Warriors of IAF wish him and the entire crew of Axiom-4 all the best for a safe and successful trip to the International Space Station. This will add a new chapter to the Indian Space Odyssey”.

    The Axiom-4 mission, originally scheduled for launch on June 10, was postponed due to unfavorable weather and is now set for 5:30 PM IST on June 11. The mission will carry Shukla to the International Space Station (ISS). The crew includes members from India, Poland, and Hungary, marking each nation’s first mission to the ISS. According to Axiom Space, this will be India’s second government-sponsored human spaceflight since Rakesh Sharma’s historic flight in 1984.

    In a video message shared by Axiom Space, Shukla expressed his excitement about the opportunity, recalling how he was inspired by India’s first astronaut, Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma. He also revealed that he learned about his selection just a week before reporting for training.

    Earlier, SpaceX Vice President of Build and Flight Reliability, William Gerstenmaier, emphasized safety improvements in the Dragon capsule used for this mission, noting design changes to propulsion components to enhance reliability for human spaceflight.

    Notably, SpaceX is on track for a record-breaking year, with around 100 launches remaining to reach its ambitious target of 170 orbital missions in 2025.

    -ANI

  • MIL-OSI China: Sinologist calls for ‘new golden age’ in China-EU relations at CEIBS speech

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

    David Gosset, founder of the China-Europe-America Global Initiative, delivers a keynote speech at China Europe International Business School (CEIBS) in Shanghai on EU-China relations on June 8, 2025. [Photo courtesy of China-Europe-America Global Initiative]

    David Gosset, founder of the China-Europe-America Global Initiative, delivered a keynote speech at the China Europe International Business School (CEIBS) in Shanghai on June 8, urging China and Europe to join forces in creating a “new golden age for humanity.” His address came at a crucial time, ahead of a high-level EU-China summit to be held in Beijing next month.

    During his speech, Gosset emphasized that the long-standing relationship between the European Union and China has global significance and untapped potential. “Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1975, the European Union and China have made remarkable progress,” he noted, highlighting achievements in trade, education and cultural exchange. “But today, we find ourselves at a crossroads.”

    Against a backdrop of rising geopolitical tensions and global uncertainty, Gosset rejected narratives of deglobalization and confrontation. Instead, he advocated for a renewed ambition grounded in cooperation, mutual respect and shared responsibility. China and Europe must present a compelling alternative to the zero-sum mindset that is fragmenting the world, he said, criticizing unilateralism and hegemonic instincts in global affairs — particularly from the United States.

    Citing remarks by U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at the 2025 Shangri-La Dialogue, Gosset warned of the risks posed by misrepresenting China as a military threat. He called for China and Europe to exercise “genuine leadership,” including in reforming multilateral institutions and advancing ecological civilization.

    Gosset proposed strengthening ties through deeper economic, technological and cultural cooperation. He also called for a more ambitious version of the Erasmus student exchange program between China and Europe, enhanced collaboration in quantum technologies and space, and joint efforts to support the Global South. “True security,” he argued, “comes from social cohesion, economic opportunity and environmental sustainability — not military power.”

    As the China-EU Summit approaches, Gosset urged both sides to move beyond managing differences and toward crafting a strategic partnership fit for the 21st century. “Let this be the dawn of a new golden age — for Europe, for China and for all of humanity,” he concluded.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: OSCE organizes study trip to Finland for representatives of the Graduate School of Business and Entrepreneurship

    Source: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe – OSCE

    Headline: OSCE organizes study trip to Finland for representatives of the Graduate School of Business and Entrepreneurship

    Meeting at the Helsinki Region Chamber of Commerce (OSCE) Photo details

    From 2 to 6 June, the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan (PCUz) organized a study visit to Finland for a delegation from the Graduate School of Business and Entrepreneurship under the Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan. The visit aimed at deepening institutional knowledge on sustainable development, green economy policies and educational innovation.
    The programme included a series of meetings with Finnish governmental bodies, educational institutions and business associations to explore Finland’s successful integration of sustainability into governance, education and entrepreneurship.
    During the visit, the Uzbek delegation met with key Finnish institutions including the Finnish Institute of Public Management (HAUS), the Finnish Association of Entrepreneurs, Aalto and Metropolia universities and the Helsinki Region Chamber of Commerce, amongst other partners.
    Discussions focused on integrating sustainability into public administration, supporting green entrepreneurship and embedding green economy principles into education and training.
    The programme also featured site visits to the city of Lahti, highlighting Finland’s circular economy and waste management practices, offering practical insights into how government, academia and the private sector collaborate to promote sustainable development.
    The study trip is a continuation of the PCUz’s support of Uzbekistan’s green transition and ongoing collaboration with the Graduate School of Business and Entrepreneurship in improving its curriculum and best practices.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • Indian corporates to double capital spending to $800-$850 billion over next 5 years

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Indian corporates are projected to double their capital spending to $800 billion-$850 billion over the next five years, which will be largely financed by operating cash flows and facilitated by ample domestic funding options, said an S&P Global Ratings report on Tuesday.

    Barring execution mistakes or negative macro changes, these investments should boost business scale without driving up leverage, the report noted.

    “Corporate India is chasing growth opportunities. In our view, Indian companies are well positioned for a growth run. Balance sheets are the leanest they’ve been in years. Companies are investing to meet demand underpinned by favourable government policies and a positive economic outlook,” according to the credit rating agency.

    Successful execution of plans would enlarge their operational scale, providing lasting cost benefits and business efficiencies.

    Higher investments in power, particularly renewables, will be a major spending area. Power, including transmission, combined with airlines, and emerging areas like green hydrogen, will (by estimates) account for about three-quarters of the increase in capex over the next five years.

    “In absolute terms, investments in airports could double, or even triple during this period. Conventional sectors such as steel, cement, oil and gas, telecom and autos will grow at a more steady pace of 30-40 per cent,” said the report.

    Healthy starting points and strong operating cash flows will keep credit strains in check. Companies across sectors have deleveraged meaningfully over the past three to four years including utilities (except renewables).

    Earnings and operating cash flow across sectors are about 60 per cent higher or double the levels from five years back, and will grow further, the report noted.

    In the airlines sector, total investment in new aircrafts will likely exceed $100 billion.

    New areas such as green hydrogen, semiconductors and battery plants should see significant debt funding. However, these projects are undertaken predominantly by large companies, including conglomerates, the report noted.

    (IANS)

  • Frederick Forsyth, ‘Day of the Jackal’ author, dies at 86

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    British novelist Frederick Forsyth, who authored best-selling thrillers such as “The Day of the Jackal” and “The Dogs of War,” has died aged 86, his publisher said.

    A former correspondent for Reuters and the BBC, and an informant for Britain’s MI6 foreign spy agency, Forsyth made his name by using his experiences as a reporter in Paris to pen the story of a failed assassination plot on Charles de Gaulle.

    “The Day of the Jackal”, in which an English assassin, played in the film by Edward Fox, is hired by French paramilitaries angry at de Gaulle’s withdrawal from Algeria, was published in 1971 after Forsyth found himself penniless in London.

    Written in just 35 days, the book was rejected by a host of publishers who worried that the story was flawed and would not sell as de Gaulle had not been assassinated. De Gaulle died in 1970 from a ruptured aorta while playing Solitaire.

    But Forsyth’s hurricane-paced thriller complete with journalistic-style detail and brutal sub-plots of lust, betrayal and murder was an instant hit. The once poor journalist became a wealthy writer of fiction.

    “I never intended to be a writer at all,” Forsyth later wrote in his memoire, “The Outsider – My Life in Intrigue”. “After all, writers are odd creatures, and if they try to make a living at it, even more so.”

    So influential was the novel that Venezuelan militant revolutionary Illich Ramirez Sanchez, was dubbed “Carlos the Jackal”.

    Forsyth presented himself as a cross between Ernest Hemingway and John le Carre – both action man and Cold War spy – but delighted in turning around the insult that he was a literary lightweight.

    “I am lightweight but popular. My books sell,” he once said.

    His books, fantastical plots that almost rejoiced in the cynicism of an underworld of spies, criminals, hackers and killers, sold more than 75 million copies.

    Behind the swashbuckling bravado, though, there were hints of sadness. He later spoke of turning inwards to his imagination as a lonely only child during and after World War Two.

    The isolated Forsyth discovered a talent for languages: he claimed to be a native French speaker by the age of 12 and a native German speaker by the age of 16, largely due to exchanges.

    He went to Tonbridge School, one of England’s ancient fee-paying schools, and learned Russian from two emigre Georgian princesses in Paris. He added Spanish by the age of 18.

    He also learned to fly and did his national service in the Royal Air Force where he flew fighters such as a single seater version of the de Havilland Vampire.

    THE REPORTER

    Impressing Reuters’ editors with his languages and knowledge that Bujumbura was a city in Burundi, he was offered a job at the news agency in 1961 and sent to Paris and then East Berlin where the Stasi secret police kept close tabs on him.

    He left Reuters for the BBC but soon became disillusioned by its bureaucracy and what he saw as the corporation’s failure to cover Nigeria properly due to the government’s incompetent post-colonial views on Africa.

    It was in 1968 that Forsyth was approached by the Secret Intelligence Service, known as MI6, and asked by an officer named “Ronnie” to inform on what was really going on in Biafra.

    By his own account, he would keep contacts with the MI6, which he called “the Firm”, for many years. His novels showed extensive knowledge of the world of spies and he even edited out bits of The Fourth Protocol (1984), he said, so that militants would not know how to detonate an atomic bomb.

    His writing was sometimes cruel, such as when the Jackal kills his lover after she discovers he is an assassin.

    “He looked down at her, and for the first time she noticed that the grey flecks in his eyes had spread and clouded over the whole expression, which had become dead and lifeless like a machine staring down at her.”

    THE WRITER

    After finally finding a publisher for “The Day of the Jackal,” he was offered a three-novel contract by Harold Harris of Hutchinson.

    Next came “The Odessa File” in 1972, the story of a young German freelance journalist who tries to track down SS man Eduard Roschmann, or “The Butcher of Riga”.

    After that, “The Dogs of War” in 1974 is about a group of white mercenaries hired by a British mining magnate to kill the mad dictator of an African republic – based on Equatorial Guinea’s Francisco Macias Nguema – and replace him with a puppet.

    The New York Times said at the time that the novel was “pitched at the level of a suburban Saturday night movie audience” and that it was “informed with a kind of post‐imperial condescension toward the black man”.

    Divorced from Carole Cunningham in 1988, he married Sandy Molloy in 1994. But he lost a fortune in an investment scam and had to write more novels to support himself. He had two sons – Stuart and Shane – with his first wife.

    His later novels variously cast hackers, Russians, al Qaeda militants and cocaine smugglers against the forces of good – broadly Britain and the West. But the novels never quite reached the level of the Jackal.

    A supporter of the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union, Forsyth scolded Britain’s elites for what he cast as their treachery and naivety.

    In columns for The Daily Express, he gave a host of withering assessments of the modern world from an intellectual right-wing perspective.

    The world, he said, worried too much about “the oriental pandemic” (known to most as COVID-19), Donald Trump was “deranged”, Vladimir Putin “a tyrant” and “liberal luvvies of the West” were wrong on most things.

    He was, to the end, a reporter who wrote novels.

    “In a world that increasingly obsesses over the gods of power, money and fame, a journalist and a writer must remain detached,” he wrote. “It is our job to hold power to account.”

    (Reuters)

  • Air Chief Marshal AP Singh wishes Group Captain Shubahanshu Shukla ahead of Axiom-4 space mission

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, on Tuesday interacted via video conference with Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who is set to embark on the Axiom-4 space mission, an official statement from the Indian Air Force said.

    Air Chief Marshal Singh extended best wishes to Group Captain Shukla, who will be India’s second astronaut to travel to space since 1984.

    In a post on X, IAF said, “As Group Captain Shubahanshu Shukla prepares to embark on the Axiom-4 space mission tomorrow, Chief of the Air Staff and all Air Warriors of IAF wish him and the entire crew of Axiom-4 all the best for a safe and successful trip to the International Space Station. This will add a new chapter to the Indian Space Odyssey”.

    The Axiom-4 mission, originally scheduled for launch on June 10, was postponed due to unfavorable weather and is now set for 5:30 PM IST on June 11. The mission will carry Shukla to the International Space Station (ISS). The crew includes members from India, Poland, and Hungary, marking each nation’s first mission to the ISS. According to Axiom Space, this will be India’s second government-sponsored human spaceflight since Rakesh Sharma’s historic flight in 1984.

    In a video message shared by Axiom Space, Shukla expressed his excitement about the opportunity, recalling how he was inspired by India’s first astronaut, Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma. He also revealed that he learned about his selection just a week before reporting for training.

    Earlier, SpaceX Vice President of Build and Flight Reliability, William Gerstenmaier, emphasized safety improvements in the Dragon capsule used for this mission, noting design changes to propulsion components to enhance reliability for human spaceflight.

    Notably, SpaceX is on track for a record-breaking year, with around 100 launches remaining to reach its ambitious target of 170 orbital missions in 2025.

    -ANI

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: PM call with Chancellor Merz of Germany: 9 June 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    PM call with Chancellor Merz of Germany: 9 June 2025

    The Prime Minister spoke to the German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz ahead of the G7 and NATO summits later this month.

    The Prime Minister spoke to the German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz ahead of the G7 and NATO summits later this month.

    The leaders began reflecting on the Chancellor’s visit to Washington D.C. last week and welcomed President Trump’s efforts to secure a sustainable peace for Ukraine.

    Both leaders also welcomed efforts by NATO Allies to step up defence spending and agreed on the importance of a NATO that was fair, resilient and had the capabilities it needed to face the threats of today.

    Discussing proposals to increase focus and funding for national resilience and protecting critical national infrastructure, the leaders welcomed NATO’s suggestions in this space.

    Turning to the challenge of tackling illegal migration, the leaders agreed on the importance of working together to intercept migrant routes upstream, and the need to go further together to break the business model of smuggling gangs.

    Both looked forward to seeing one another again soon.

    Updates to this page

    Published 10 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Rolls-Royce SMR selected to build small modular nuclear reactors

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    Rolls-Royce SMR selected to build small modular nuclear reactors

    Rolls-Royce SMR selected as preferred bidder to build country’s first small modular reactors

    • New era for nuclear power as Rolls-Royce SMR selected as preferred bidder to build country’s first small modular reactors 

    • Follows rigorous two-year competition to select nuclear technology for UK deployment, building clean power for the country through publicly-owned company

    • Project could support up to 3,000 jobs at peak construction and power the equivalent of around 3 million of today’s homes as part of government’s Plan for Change to make the UK a clean energy superpower

    Rolls-Royce SMR has been selected as the preferred bidder to partner with Great British Energy – Nuclear to develop small modular reactors, subject to final government approvals and contract signature – marking a new golden age of nuclear in the UK. 

    Today (Tuesday 10 June) Great British Energy – Nuclear is taking on a new name from Great British Nuclear, reflecting its joint mission with Great British Energy to rollout clean homegrown power as two publicly-owned energy companies.

    As part of the government’s modern Industrial Strategy to revive Britain’s industrial heartlands, the government is pledging over £2.5 billion for the overall small modular reactor programme in this Spending Review period – with this project potentially supporting up to 3,000 new skilled jobs and powering the equivalent of around 3 million homes with clean, secure homegrown energy.

    The biggest nuclear rollout for a generation will support the clean power mission – boosting energy security and protecting families’ finances. Great British Energy – Nuclear is aiming to sign contracts with Rolls-Royce SMR later this year and will form a development company.

    Great British Energy – Nuclear will also aim to allocate a site later this year and connect projects to the grid in the mid-2030s. Once small modular reactors and Sizewell C come online in the 2030s, combined with the new station at Hinkley Point C, this will deliver more nuclear to the grid than over the previous half century.

    “SMRs” are smaller and quicker to build than traditional nuclear plants, with costs likely to come down as units are rolled out. The outcome of this competition is the first step towards reducing costs and unlocking private finance, enabling the UK to realise its long-term ambition of delivering one of Europe’s first small modular reactor fleets. It comes after the government announced plans to shake up the planning rules to make it easier to build nuclear, including small modular reactors across the country.

    Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: 

    We are ending the no-nuclear status quo as part of our Plan for Change and are entering a golden age of nuclear with the biggest building programme in a generation. 

    Great British Energy – Nuclear has run a rigorous competition and will now work with the preferred bidder Rolls-Royce SMR to build the country’s first ever small modular reactors – creating thousands of jobs and growing our regional economies while strengthening our energy security.

    Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, said:

    The UK is back where it belongs, taking the lead in the technologies of tomorrow with Rolls-Royce SMR as the preferred partner for this journey.

    We’re backing Britain with Great British Energy – Nuclear’s ambition to ensure 70% of supply chain products are British built, delivering our Plan for Change through more jobs and putting more money in people’s pockets.

    Simon Bowen, Chairman of Great British Energy – Nuclear said: 

    This announcement is a defining moment for the UK’s energy and industrial future. 

    By selecting a preferred bidder, we are taking a decisive step toward delivering clean, secure, and sovereign power. This is about more than energy—it’s about revitalising British industry, creating thousands of skilled jobs, and building a platform for long-term economic growth.

    Gwen Parry-Jones, CEO of Great British Energy – Nuclear, said:  

    We are proud to lead this national mission. Nuclear is the cornerstone of the UK’s energy strategy, and today’s announcement will accelerate deployment.  

    Together with Rolls-Royce SMR, our selected preferred bidder, and subject to government approvals and contract signature, we will deliver a programme that is technically world-class and delivers real value to the British people—through energy security, economic opportunity, and environmental leadership.

    The global SMR market is, according to the International Energy Agency, projected to reach up to nearly £500 billion by 2050, and today’s announcement puts Britain at a competitive advantage as a frontrunner in the global race to build new nuclear technology. 

    The selection follows a rigorous and transparent procurement process over two years, with the competition having launched in July 2023. Subject to final approvals and contract signature, Rolls-Royce SMR Ltd will enter a strategic technology development partnership with Great British Energy – Nuclear – a fully publicly-owned company. 

    Rolls-Royce SMR is progressing through the final stage of the assessment by the UK nuclear industry’s independent regulators.

    ENDS

    Updates to this page

    Published 10 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: President of Uzbekistan held a meeting with the Prime Minister of Slovakia

    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

    Tashkent, June 10 (Xinhua) — Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico held a meeting, the press service of the Uzbek leader reported on Monday.

    “On June 9, negotiations were held at the Kuksaroy residence between the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and the Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic Robert Fico,” the statement said.

    As reported, current issues of further development of practical cooperation between Uzbekistan and Slovakia were discussed. At the beginning of the meeting, the leader of Uzbekistan particularly emphasized that the current visit opens a qualitatively new stage in the history of Uzbek-Slovak multifaceted relations.

    It is noted that special attention was paid to issues of increasing trade turnover, primarily by expanding the range of mutual deliveries. “We are talking about deliveries from Uzbekistan of textile, agricultural, electrical, chemical products, polymers, and from Slovakia – rubber, auto components, pharmaceuticals, and other industrial goods,” the report says.

    In conclusion, an agreement was reached that, in order to ensure timely and high-quality implementation of the decisions and agreements made, the governments of the two countries will adopt a comprehensive “road map.” –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Pakistan sees gradual economic recovery, GDP grows 2.7 percent – Economic Review

    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

    ISLAMABAD, June 10 (Xinhua) — Pakistan’s economy registered a 2.7 percent growth in its gross domestic product (GDP) in the outgoing fiscal year, according to the Economic Survey 2024-25 released by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on Monday.

    Although the figure remained below the government’s initial target of 3.6 percent, the growth was achieved despite the difficult global economic situation, the minister said.

    “I think this is the right way forward in terms of sustainable growth,” Aurangzeb said, describing the 2.7 percent figure as a sign of gradual economic recovery.

    Pakistan’s GDP contracted by 0.2 percent in the previous fiscal year, but has grown to 2.5 percent this year. The minister stressed that the government is keen to avoid a return to cyclical fluctuations. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Local News – ELECTRIFY QUEENSTOWN TO RETURN IN 2026

    Source: Destination Queenstown

    Queenstown, New Zealand (10 June 2025) – Electrify Queenstown will return for a third year, following the huge success of the 2025 event which built strong momentum across the region.

    Now a cornerstone event in Queenstown’s calendar, Electrify Queenstown will take place from 17 – 19 May 2026, bringing together industry leaders, innovators, politicians and policymakers to share practical, cost-effective ways for businesses and households to electrify.

    Mat Woods, Chief Executive of Destination Queenstown and Lake Wānaka Tourism, says Electrify Queenstown is an event designed to turn ideas into action.

    “The energy this year was incredible with hundreds of people turning up to explore new and emerging technologies and future-focused solutions that not only save you money, but are good for the environment too.” he said.

    Attendees this year included local residents, visitors from around New Zealand, business owners, and change makers all eager to share the opportunities and challenges involved in a low-emissions future.

    The event featured bold announcements including plans for a low-emissions urban cable car network in Queenstown, the debut of new electric marine propulsion technology on Lake Whakatipu, and the release of Rewiring Aotearoa’s policy manifesto.

    Mike Casey, CEO of Rewiring Aotearoa, says there’s an exciting opportunity for New Zealand to lead the global energy transition, and events like Electrify Queenstown are helping educate kiwis about what’s possible.  

    “Aotearoa New Zealand is one of the few countries that has reached the electrification tipping point where it’s cheaper to electrify than use the fossil fuel alternative.

    “Whether you’re in it for the cost savings, lowering emissions, or energy security, we all win by going electric.” Mike said.

    Electrify Queenstown is proving to be a valuable platform for businesses and innovators to showcase energy-efficient solutions for homes and enterprises.  

    Sharon Fifield, CEO of Queenstown Business Chamber of Commerce, says it’s inspiring to see the momentum that’s been built since the inaugural one-day event in 2024.

    “Businesses are seeing the economic value of electrification alongside the environmental benefits, and there’s genuine enthusiasm to get involved and make a difference.” Sharon said.

    With strong interest from locals eager to lower their bills, become more energy efficient and resilient, organisers say Electrify Queenstown 2026 will again cater to everyone with even more opportunities for collaboration and innovation.

    “Each year, more people are seeing what’s possible through electrification and it’s exciting to think about what 2026 will bring.” Mat added.

    Electrify Queenstown 2026 will take place at the Queenstown Events Centre, Sunday 17 May – Tuesday 19 May 2026.

    The event supports Queenstown Lakes’ destination management plan and the broader goal of regenerative tourism and a carbon-zero visitor economy by 2030.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • Making India stronger: PM Modi highlights 11 years of defence reforms, self-reliance

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday hailed the remarkable strides made by India’s defence sector over the past 11 years, underlining the twin focus on modernisation and self-reliance.

    In a post on X, the Prime Minister said, “The last 11 years have marked significant changes in our defence sector, with a clear focus on both modernisation and becoming self reliant when it comes to defence production. It is gladdening to see how the people of India have come together with the resolve of making India stronger! #11YearsOfRakshaShakti”.

    The post was part of a broader national campaign highlighting the transformation of India’s defence capabilities since 2014, coinciding with the beginning of PM Modi’s first term as the Prime Minister.

    From being heavily import-dependent to becoming a notable arms exporter, India’s defence journey has seen a fundamental shift.

    The Ministry of Defence and senior officials echoed the Prime Minister’s sentiment, praising the nation’s move towards indigenisation and innovation.

    The Ministry of Defence elaborated on this transformation in a post on X: “Over the past 11 years, under PM Narendra Modi’s visionary leadership, India’s defence sector has transformed from import-dependent to a global exporter, powered by Aatmanirbhar Bharat & Make In India. Indigenous innovations like Brahmos missile & advanced submarines have fortified our security and global standing. Defence exports now reach 100+ countries, marking a historic rise in self-reliance. As we celebrate 11 Years Of Raksha Shakti, we salute the strides toward a safer, stronger India.”

    Key milestones during this period include the record growth in defence exports, which have surpassed Rs 21,000 crore in recent years, the successful deployment of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, the commissioning of indigenous aircraft carriers like INS Vikrant, and the development of homegrown fighter jets like the HAL Tejas.

    The celebration of ’11 Years of Raksha Shakti’ underscores the government’s emphasis on reducing dependency on foreign suppliers and promoting indigenous defence production under flagship initiatives like Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India.

    (With inputs from IANS)

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Greens denounce Labour’s Spending Review as ‘spreadsheet Britain’ and call for a ‘hopeful vision for a better future’  

    Source: Green Party of England and Wales

    Ahead of Wednesday’s Spending Review, Adrian Ramsay MP, co-leader of the Green Party, accused the government of lacking a vision for a better future. He said: “This Spending Review shows that the government knows the cost of everything but the value of nothing.” 

    He went on to say: 

    “This looks like a spreadsheet Britain approach, leading the country into deliberate decline, when we need a hopeful vision for a better future.  

    “Austerity has meant our hospitals, schools and transport services have sustained real terms budget cuts, and long-term capital investment will not deliver fast enough to impact people’s lives. Millions of people are facing financial, health and housing insecurity right now. The Spending Review will fail those children stuck in poverty today – children who need warm homes and enough to eat.” 

    “We need to invest in a more secure future for everyone. Real security comes from people feeling warm and comfortable in their homes, valued in their communities and secure in the knowledge that climate action will safeguard the future for their children and grandchildren.” 

    Ramsay said there should be a much stronger focus on building, providing and retrofitting social homes. He said: 

    “Rather than turning the screw further on councils which are already on their knees, the Chancellor must commit the billions that councils need to buy, build and design social housing instead of offering a blank cheque to developers to build executive homes that few can afford.  

    “We know this is what people want. A new YouGov survey commissioned by the Greens has found that people are three times more likely to want the Government to build more social housing than encouraging developers to build more private homes.” 

    Ramsay also repeated calls for a fairer tax system to raise money and reverse chronic underspending in public services.    

    “A wealth tax of 1% on assets over £10 million and 2% on assets above £1 billion could raise £24 billion a year. Cutting support to disabled people while billionaires are gaining £35 million a day in wealth is indefensible. We are one of the wealthiest countries in the world – it’s time the super-rich paid up and for Labour to start taxing wealth fairly. 

    Adrian Ramsay MP concluded: 

    “From child poverty to climate breakdown, the challenges we face are not small – and neither should be our response. People want a government that invests in them, in their homes, in their services, in building a resilient future. Cuts don’t create hope. Investment does. We need public services that are fit for purpose, homes that are warm and affordable, and a tax system that serves the many, not the wealthy few.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Australia should stand up for our feta and prosecco in trade talks with the EU

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Hazel Moir, Honarary Associate Professor; economics of patents, geographical indications and other “IP”; trade treaties, Australian National University

    TY Lim/Shutterstock

    Trade Minister Don Farrell has confirmed Australia and the European Union will restart negotiations for a free trade agreement immediately. Two years ago, Australia walked away over a disappointing market access offer for our beef, sheep, dairy and sugar exporters.

    But with US President Donald Trump’s unilateral tariff increases, the world has changed. The chances of successfully completing the negotiations with the EU on increasing access for some agricultural products and cutting red tape now seem good.

    Australia wants improved access for its beef and lamb exports to Europe, but European farmers have significant political influence. The 2023 offer from the EU would have accounted for just 0.3% of its agricultural imports. It was also less than that offered to other trading partners.

    Another major stumbling block was the EU’s demand that Australia give up naming rights for hundreds of food and drink products.

    The EU wants Australia to adopt its system of regulating names for regional food and spirit specialties. If accepted, this could negatively impact on consumers, Australian dairies and boutique spirit makers.

    What is the EU asking for?

    The EU wants Australia to adopt its so-called “geographical indications” approach to protect the names of European products. It has listed 170 food names and 236 spirit names for Australia to give up.

    The EU argues Australia should allow only Greek feta to be sold here; currently Australian, Greek, Danish and Bulgarian feta are all sold in our shops. It also wants the names prosecco and parmesan reserved for European producers.

    Australia approaches food product labels differently, mainly through consumer protection laws. Further, there is little culture of fraud here, while the European system was originally introduced for wines because of widespread fraud, before it spread to food products.

    Problems arise with the specific food and spirit names the EU wants reserved for their producers. Australia argues these are common names for the food items and we shouldn’t lose access to them.

    Intellectual property privileges limit what other producers can do. So there is always a process to allow other parties to object. Our trade agreements also provide for objections processes.

    In 2019, the Australian government called for producers to raise any objections, but provided no follow-up and no process for the resolution of objections. Producers have received no feedback. This denies those affected by the European naming demands access to due process of law.

    The problem with parmesan

    The worst problems are with the common names that, in Australia, are recognised as generic product names.

    Prosecco grapes growing in the Veneto region of Italy. The EU wants to restrict use of the name prosecco.
    StevanZZ/Shutterstock

    The EU does recognise many food names as common names, such as gouda, brie, edam and camembert cheese. But they want Australia to declare that feta, parmesan and prosecco are not common names in Australia. Australian producers, retailers and consumers would disagree.

    The Europeans argue parmesan is a translation of its geographical indication, Parmigiano Reggiano. It refuses to accept that in Australia consumers recognise parmesan as the common name for a hard cheese while Parmigiano Reggiano is an Italian cheese.

    In 2024, the Singapore Court of Appeal ruled parmesan is not a translation of Parmigiano Reggiano in Singapore and is available for use in Singapore as a common name. It is also clearly recognised as a common name in the EU-Korea trade agreement.

    Carve-outs for feta producers

    Feta is not a place name (it means slice). Canada solved the feta problem in its trade deal with Europe by accepting feta as a geographical indication, but grandfathered the right of all existing Canadian producers to continue to produce and sell feta. Vietnam achieved similar safeguards.

    Australia could ask for the same deal as provided to Canada, and this would ensure no negative impacts on producers or Australian consumers. To protect Australian consumers, who are currently also able to buy Danish and Bulgarian feta, Australia should ensure this exception includes companies exporting into Australia.

    Who can make prosecco?

    Prosecco is specified as a grape variety in the 1994 Australia-Europe bilateral wine treaty, and in Italy until 2009.

    Since then the Italian government took action to privatise the name prosecco and the EU endorsed prosecco as a proprietary name.

    However, all treaties with geographical indications provisions recognise that animal breed and plant variety names should remain free for common use. Our prosecco producers make wine with the prosecco grape, and should be allowed to label it as such. Just like pinot noir is labelled as pinot noir, the grape variety, and not Burgundy, the region.

    If the EU does not provide better access to its agricultural markets, and demands naming provisions which hurt Australian dairies and consumers, and our boutique spirits industry, we would be better to walk away from the proposed treaty.

    Hazel Moir is affiliated with the Centre for European Studies in the Research School of Social Sciences at the Australian National University. From 2017-2019 she was lead researcher in a co-funded ANU and EU’s Erasmus+ Programme study which involved a meta-analysis of the available empirical evidence on the impact of GIs on farmers and regional development. The project funding was purely for research costs and involved no personal remuneration.

    John Power worked for the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry from 2003 to 2019. He contributed to negotiations of the 2010 Australia-EU Trade in Wine Agreement and Australia’s FTAs. John led the amendments of the Wine Australia Act 2013 that introduced an objections process for wine GIs. In 2020 he joined the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade as a GI specialist negotiator.

    – ref. Australia should stand up for our feta and prosecco in trade talks with the EU – https://theconversation.com/australia-should-stand-up-for-our-feta-and-prosecco-in-trade-talks-with-the-eu-258392

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: New Secretary to the Treasury

    Source: Australian Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry

    I welcome the Prime Minister’s announcement today that Jenny Wilkinson will serve as the next Secretary to the Treasury and I thank him for the way he has involved and included Katy Gallagher and me in his decision.

    I am really excited by this opportunity to work even more closely with Jenny, whose contribution as the Secretary of the Department of Finance has been instrumental to our first four budgets and so much of the broader work of our government.

    I’m so grateful to Steven Kennedy for our very close and effective partnership over the past three years, for his friendship over a much longer period, for his service to my predecessor as well, and for the chance to work with him now in his new role.

    It was such a valued opportunity to work with him at Treasury.

    Steven and Jenny are the best of the best. Outstanding public servants and even better people. I’m really happy for them both and they should be very proud.

    Australia was incredibly fortunate to have someone of Steven’s calibre leading the Treasury, and is just as fortunate having him now lead the Australian Public Service.

    I pay tribute again to outgoing Prime Minister and Cabinet Secretary Glyn Davis, another friend, and thank him for his friendship and service.

    Jenny will make history as the first woman to lead the Treasury. Under our government women now lead the Treasury, Reserve Bank and Productivity Commission all for the first time.

    Jenny is one of Australia’s most distinguished and experienced economists and public servants and has served with distinction under governments of both political persuasions.

    I am really pleased that someone with her skills and experience will guide and lead the department, as we continue to develop and implement our economic agenda.

    Jenny holds a Masters Degree in Public Affairs from Princeton University, a Bachelors Degree in Economics (with Honours) from the Australian National University, and was awarded a Public Service Medal in 2021.

    Thank you Steven and Jenny for agreeing to serve and to the Prime Minister for appointing them to these key roles at such an important time.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Australia’s government is pledging better protection for our vulnerable seas – but will it work?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Carissa Klein, Associate Professor in Conservation Biology, The University of Queensland

    Nigel Marsh/Getty

    Ahead of this week’s crucial United Nations ocean conference, federal Environment Minister Murray Watt promised that by 2030, 30% of Australian waters would be “highly protected”.

    This is a telling pledge. After all, 52% of Australian waters are now protected following years of rapid expansion. But many are “paper parks” – lines on a map with very little real protection.

    Watt is proposing to expand the area under gold-standard protection, meaning fishing, mining and drilling would be banned inside the parks. This is welcome. But it must be done strategically, protecting ecologically representative and high biodiversity areas.

    If Watt is serious, he must ensure these upgraded marine parks cover poorly protected habitats important for biodiversity. These include shallow coastal zones, submarine canyons, seamounts and rocky reefs on the continental shelf. It’s not just about protecting 30% of the seas – marine parks must protect the full range of species and habitats in Australia.

    Bottom trawling and other fishing practices can do great damage to underwater ecosystems.
    mjstudio.lt/Shutterstock

    Impressive on paper

    Australia’s waters cover all five of the world’s climate zones, from the coral reefs of the tropics to the icy shores of Antarctica. At least 33,000 marine species are found in the nation’s marine boundaries – the most on Earth. Australia also has the most endemic marine species.

    For more than 30 years, successive federal and state governments in Australia have claimed global leadership roles in conserving ocean areas. Just last year, the Albanese government claimed the latest expansion meant Australia now protected “more ocean than any other country on earth”.

    When 196 countries committed to the goal of “30% by 2030” – the effective protection and management of at least 30% of the world’s coastal and marine areas by decade’s end – Australia was already well past that in terms of the size of areas considered marine protected areas.

    About 45% of marine waters were protected in 2022, up from 7% in 2002. Now that figure is 52%.

    Job done? Not even close. Even as Australia’s marine protected areas have rapidly expanded, marine species populations have shrunk while entire ecosystems hover on the brink.

    More than half of Australia’s marine parks allow commercial fishing and mining. The latest large protection around the sub-Antarctic Heard and McDonald Islands doesn’t give strong protection to species-rich areas such as seamounts and undersea canyons.

    Losses everywhere

    Tasmania’s giant kelp forests once ringed the island state. At least 95% have vanished since the 1990s, wiped out by warmer waters and voracious sea urchins.

    Before European settlement, oyster reefs carpeted shallow sea floors in temperate east coast waters. But 99% of these have gone.

    Half the Great Barrier Reef’s coral cover died between 1995 and 2017 – a period with only two mass bleaching events. Bleaching has become more regular and more severe since then.

    Many marine species are in serious trouble. The most comprehensive assessment to date found populations of 57% of species living on coral, rocky and kelp reefs had fallen between 2011 and 2021. In 2020, a Tasmanian endemic species, the smooth handfish, became the first marine fish officially listed as extinct on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

    As the oceans get hotter, coral reefs are forecast to be wiped out. Poor marine water quality is drowning coastal species and ecosystems in sediments, nutrients, chemicals, and pathogens, including in The Great Barrier Reef.

    That’s not to say marine park expansion and other government efforts have been worthless. Far from it.

    Some whales have rebounded strongly due to the moratorium on commercial whaling. Good management of the southern bluefin tuna led to its removal from the threatened species list last year.

    Efforts to phase out gill net fishing are bearing fruit, while water quality has improved a little in the Great Barrier Reef.

    But these wins don’t offset an overall rapid decline.

    Action needed on climate and improving marine parks

    Giving Australia’s marine parks better protection won’t solve the problem of hotter, more acidic oceans due to climate change.

    Australia’s current emission target is consistent with a 2°C warming pathway. That level of warming would mean the loss of 99% of the world’s coral reefs.

    Australia is one of the world’s biggest producers of coal and liquefied natural gas and still has one of the world’s highest rates of land clearing, accounting for up to 12% of the country’s total emissions in some years.

    Protecting life in the seas means Australia must dramatically reduce emissions, end widespread land clearing and halt the approval of new coal and gas projects.

    Better protection inside marine parks will stop other major threats, such as seabed mining, gas and oil exploration and fishing.

    To date, Australia’s marine parks with high levels of protection are typically in remote areas with minimal human activity threatening biodiversity.

    From paper parks to real conservation leadership

    For decades, Australian leaders have touted their efforts to protect the seas. It’s now abundantly clear that paper protection isn’t enough.

    To arrest the steep decline in marine life, Australia must properly protect its marine areas by preventing fishing and mining in areas important for all marine species, while expanding its highly protected marine parks to save unprotected ecosystems.

    Minister Watt’s pledge is welcome. But it must actually prevent damaging human activities such as fishing and oil and gas extraction which are major contributors to the extinction crisis.

    Leaders must also focus on sustainable production and consumption of seafood and ramp up their ambition to tackle climate change and marine pollution.

    If Australia continues to expand paper parks without doing the hard work of genuine protection, it will set a dangerous precedent.

    Carissa Klein receives funding from the Australian Research Council

    James Watson has received funding from the Australian Research Council, National Environmental Science Program, South Australia’s Department of Environment and Water, Queensland’s Department of Environment, Science and Innovation as well as from Bush Heritage Australia, Queensland Conservation Council, Australian Conservation Foundation, The Wilderness Society and Birdlife Australia. He serves on the scientific committee of BirdLife Australia and has a long-term scientific relationship with Bush Heritage Australia and Wildlife Conservation Society. He serves on the Queensland government’s Land Restoration Fund’s Investment Panel as the Deputy Chair.

    Amelia Wenger 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. Australia’s government is pledging better protection for our vulnerable seas – but will it work? – https://theconversation.com/australias-government-is-pledging-better-protection-for-our-vulnerable-seas-but-will-it-work-258286

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: UNFPA report links falling birth rates to cost of living, sexist norms, fear of the future

    Source: United Nations Population Fund

    NEW YORK, 10 June, 2025 – Millions of people are unable to have the number of children they want, but not because they are rejecting parenthood; economic and social barriers are stopping them. This is the central finding of UNFPA’s 2025 State of World Population report, “The real fertility crisis: The pursuit of reproductive agency in a changing world”.* 

    Drawing on academic research and new data from a UNFPA/YouGov survey spanning 14 countries – together home to over a third of the global population – the report finds that one in five people globally expect to not have the number of children they desire. Key drivers include the prohibitive cost of parenthood, job insecurity, housing, concerns over the state of the world, and the lack of a suitable partner. A toxic blend of economic precarity and sexism play a role in many of these issues, the report shows.

    “Vast numbers of people are unable to create the families they want,” said Dr. Natalia Kanem, Executive Director of UNFPA. “The issue is lack of choice, not desire, with major consequences for individuals and societies. That is the real fertility crisis, and the answer lies in responding to what people say they need: paid family leave, affordable fertility care, and supportive partners.”

    The data paints a stark picture:

    • More than half of people said economic issues were a barrier to having as many children as they wanted.
    • 1 in 5 people report having been pressured to have children when they didn’t want to.
    • 1 in 3 adults have experienced an unintended pregnancy.
    • 11% say that unequal caregiving burdens would undermine their ability to have children.
    • 40% of respondents over 50 say they failed to have the number of children they wanted.

    The report warns against simplistic or coercive responses to declining birth rates – such as baby bonuses or fertility targets – noting that these policies are largely ineffective and can violate human rights.

    Instead, UNFPA urges governments to empower people to make reproductive decisions freely, including by investing in affordable housing, decent work, parental leave, and the full range of reproductive health services and reliable information. Other solutions include expanding access to parenthood to LGBTQI+ and single people. 

    UNFPA also calls on societies to address all the ways that gender inequality undermines people’s family choices, including:

    • Workplace norms that push women out of paid work
    • Lack of paid flexible leave for men and stigma against engaged fathers
    • Lack of affordable childcare
    • Restrictions in reproductive rights, including contraception, abortion and fertility care
    • Diverging gender attitudes held by young men and women, contributing to singlehood

    A tailored mix of economic, social, and political measures will be needed in each country to help people form the families they want. As policy makers consider how to navigate shifting population dynamics, UNFPA stands ready to support them in understanding the challenges they face, and designing solutions that will ensure rights and choices for all.

    • You can access the UNFPA report “The real fertility crisis: The pursuit  of reproductive agency in a changing world” here: www.unfpa.org/swp2025*
    • For more information about UNFPA, please visit: www.unfpa.org 

    *Please note the online version of the report will go live when the embargo lifts.

    Media contacts:

    About UNFPA and the State of World Population Report:

    As the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, UNFPA helps people obtain contraception and life-saving reproductive health services and information and empowers women and girls to make informed decisions about their bodies and lives. It also helps countries use population data to better understand and harness the opportunities that can come with demographic change. 

    The State of World Population report is UNFPA’s annual flagship publication. Published yearly since 1978, it shines a light on emerging issues in the field of sexual and reproductive health and rights, bringing them into the mainstream and exploring the challenges and opportunities they present for international development.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • 15 states sue over Trump move to return seized rapid-fire devices for guns

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Fifteen Democratic-led U.S. states filed a lawsuit on Monday seeking to block Republican President Donald Trump’s administration from returning thousands of previously seized devices that can be used to convert semiautomatic rifles into weapons that can shoot as quickly as machine guns.

    The states filed the lawsuit in federal court in Baltimore in the wake of the administration’s May 16 settlement that resolved litigation involving a ban on certain “forced-reset triggers” imposed by the government under Trump’s Democratic predecessor Joe Biden. The states in the lawsuit said such devices remain illegal to possess under federal law.

    The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives under Biden issued the ban after it determined that some of these devices should be classified as illegal machine guns under a federal law called the National Firearms Act.

    “We will not stand by as the Trump administration attempts to secretly legalize machine guns in an effort to once again put firearms industry profits over the safety of our residents,” New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin said in a statement.

    The lawsuit was led by New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland, and also included the states of Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington as well as the District of Columbia.

    The Trump administration’s settlement reversed course on the Biden administration’s policies.

    The settlement resolved lawsuits brought by a gun rights group challenging the ban and cases brought by Biden’s Justice Department against a manufacturer of the devices. Those cases had resulted in conflicting court rulings over the legality of classifying these devices as illegal machine guns.

    As part of the settlement, the Trump administration agreed to not apply the machine gun ban to such devices as long as they are not designed for use with handguns and agreed to return nearly 12,000 forced-reset triggers that had been seized by the government to their owners. The new lawsuit seeks to block the return of these devices to their owners.

    The states said conversion devices like forced reset triggers have been frequently used in recent years in violent crimes and mass shootings, and that at least 100,000 such devices that were distributed nationally in recent years should be considered illegal machine guns.

    The Justice Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

    (Reuters)

  • India building alternative rare earth supply chain amid curbs China curbs: Piyush Goyal

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday described China’s rare earth export restrictions as a global “wake-up call,” underscoring India’s efforts to build alternative supply chains and position itself as a reliable partner for international businesses seeking to reduce dependence on Chinese suppliers.

    Speaking to reporters during his official visit to Switzerland—where he met with Swiss government officials and business leaders—Goyal acknowledged that China’s export curbs would pose short-term challenges for India’s automotive and white goods sectors.

    However, he expressed confidence that collaborative efforts among the government, industry, and innovators would turn these challenges into long-term opportunities.

    The minister outlined a multi-pronged strategy to address the crisis. This includes diplomatic engagement through ongoing dialogue between the Indian embassy and Chinese authorities, as well as the commerce ministry’s push to identify alternative sources. The government is also strengthening Indian Rare Earths Limited by providing resources to accelerate domestic production.

    “This situation serves as a wake-up call for all those who have become over-reliant on certain geographies,” Goyal said. “It’s a wake-up call for the whole world—you need trusted partners in your supply chain.”

    India’s automotive industry has requested the government’s assistance in expediting the approval process for importing rare earth magnets from China—critical components used in passenger vehicles and various automotive applications.

    China currently controls over 90% of global magnet production capacity, creating substantial vulnerabilities across industries. These materials are essential to sectors ranging from automobiles and home appliances to clean energy systems.

    The new Chinese regulations, effective April 4, require special export licenses for seven rare earth elements and related magnetic products.

    “There are clearly issues around the suspension of permanent magnet supplies from China to India, which will particularly affect our auto sector and several white goods manufacturers,” Goyal explained. “Some companies have submitted their applications, and we hope pragmatic considerations will prevail, allowing them to receive the necessary approvals.”

    Asked about possible government support through production-linked incentive (PLI) schemes, Goyal shared that discussions with automotive manufacturers have been encouraging.

    The companies have expressed strong confidence in addressing supply chain challenges through partnerships with domestic innovators and startups.

    “They are actively engaging with our innovators and startups, indicating their willingness to provide funding or pricing adjustments to accelerate growth in this sector,” the minister said.

    Goyal also praised the evolving mindset of Indian industry, noting a shift away from reliance on government subsidies.

    “More and more Indian businesses are moving beyond the old belief that subsidies alone will sustain operations. They are becoming bigger and bolder in their approach,” he said.

    The minister highlighted emerging technologies being developed in India as potential alternatives to Chinese rare earth supplies.

    “There are some technologies that India is developing,” he noted, stressing the importance of the collaborative approach among government, industry, startups, and innovators. “We are all working as a team and remain confident that, while short-term challenges exist, we will emerge as winners in the medium to long term.”

    Goyal concluded by framing the current disruption as a strategic opportunity for India’s manufacturing ecosystem. He believes it will accelerate the push for self-reliance and the formation of trustworthy global supply chain partnerships.

    “There is opportunity even in this crisis,” he said. “More and more companies and people in India will realise the importance of being self-reliant and having trusted partners in supply chains. The world increasingly wants India to be a part of their supply chains, because we are seen as a trusted partner.”

    (ANI)

  • France, Brazil launch initiative to scale up ocean-focused climate action

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    On the first day of the third UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3), France and Brazil have launched a landmark international initiative to dramatically scale up ocean-focused climate action.

    The Blue Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) Challenge calls on all countries to place the ocean at the heart of their climate plans ahead of UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) which Brazil will host in November this year.

    Alongside Brazil and France, an inaugural group of eight countries – Australia, Fiji, Kenya, Mexico, Palau, and Seychelles – has already joined the initiative, committing to include the ocean in their updated climate plans under the Paris Agreement.

    These plans represent the centrepiece of each country’s efforts to reduce emissions and limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius and build resilience, and represent the highest level of political will under the UN Framework Convention of Climate Change (UNFCCC).

    Launched on Monday, and building on the momentum this year brings as countries prepare to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement, the Blue NDC Challenge underscores the urgent need to recognise the ocean’s central role in addressing the climate crisis as a key ally.

    The initiative is supported by Ocean Conservancy, the Ocean and Climate Platform, and the World Resources Institute through the Ocean Resilience and Climate Alliance (ORCA) and has been endorsed by WWF-Brazil.

    In addition to its forests, Brazil is also an oceanic nation, with 40 per cent of its territory located at sea and hosting marine ecosystems of global significance — including the only coral reefs in the South Atlantic and the world’s largest contiguous mangrove belt along the Amazon coast.

    These ecosystems play a vital role in both climate adaptation and mitigation, serving as natural buffers against extreme weather events and contributing to carbon storage.

    “For Brazil, the Blue NDC Challenge represents a key opportunity to strengthen ocean-related climate action and to emphasise the essential role of ocean-based solutions in achieving emission reduction targets. Through this initiative Brazil seeks to advance international cooperation on ocean climate action in the lead-up to COP30, and to underscore the need for all countries to fully integrate the ocean into their national climate strategies,” said Marina Silva, Brazil Minister for the Environment and Climate Change.

    “In its recently submitted NDC, Brazil has explicitly included, for the first time, ocean-based climate actions, recognising the ocean’s critical role in climate regulation. These include the implementation of national Marine Spatial Planning, the enhancement of coastal zone management, and the establishment of programs for the conservation and restoration of mangroves and coral reefs,” she noted.

    Governments joining the Blue NDCs Challenge commit to stepping up efforts to reduce emissions and build resilience through ocean-based solutions, while also delivering benefits for both nature and people.

    Under the leadership of the governments of Brazil and France, eight inaugural countries spanning the globe committed to include ocean action in their national climate plans.

    “Ultimately, industrial marine sectors and natural ecosystems are underused tools in addressing climate change and other development needs. As world leaders gather in Nice and prepare for the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Belem (COP30), they can take inspiration from the Seychelles in championing ocean-based climate action,” said Wavel Ramkalawan, the President of Seychelles.

    “We are pleased to join the Blue NDC Challenge and work alongside COP30 host, Brazil, as well as France, Fiji, Seychelles, Mexico, Palau to highlight the vital role of the ocean in global efforts on climate change,” said Senator Murray Watt, Australia’s Environment Minister.

    (IANS)

  • MIL-Evening Report: There are clear laws on enforcing blockades – Israel’s interception of the Madleen raises serious questions

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Shannon Bosch, Associate Professor (Law), Edith Cowan University

    On June 9, the Madleen, a UK-flagged civilian ship carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza, was stopped by Israeli forces in international waters, about 200 kilometres off the coast.

    The Freedom Flotilla Coalition had organised the voyage, setting sail from Sicily on June 1. The vessel’s 12 passengers included climate activist Greta Thunberg, European Parliament member Rima Hassan, two French journalists and several other activists from around the world.

    The Israeli military boarded the ship and diverted it to the Israeli port of Ashdod. The aid it carried — baby formula, food, medical supplies, water desalination kits — was confiscated. All passengers were detained and now face deportation.

    This interception has sparked international condemnation. Importantly, it also raises questions about whether Israel’s actions comply with international law.

    Legal conditions for naval blockades

    Naval blockades are not automatically illegal. Under the San Remo Manual on International Law Applicable to Armed Conflicts at Sea (1994), a blockade may be used in wartime, but only if five legal conditions are met:

    • it must be formally declared and publicly notified
    • it must be effectively enforced in practice
    • it must be applied impartially to all ships
    • it must not block access to neutral ports or coastlines
    • it must not stop the delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians.

    If even one of these conditions is not met, the blockade may be considered illegal under customary international humanitarian law.

    The fifth condition is especially important here. According to a comprehensive study of international humanitarian law conducted by the International Committee of the Red Cross, the parties to a conflict must allow the rapid and unimpeded delivery of humanitarian relief to civilians in need.

    A blockade that prevents this could be in breach of international law.

    Israel and Egypt have imposed a blockade of varying degrees on Gaza since 2007 when Hamas came to power. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz claims the purpose of the blockade is to “prevent the transfer of weapons to Hamas”. Critics say it amounts to collective punishment.

    The Madleen was operating in compliance with three binding International Court of Justice orders (from January 2024, March 2024 and May 2024) requiring unimpeded humanitarian access to Gaza.

    Freedom of navigation

    International law also strongly protects the freedom of navigation, particularly in international waters beyond any state’s territorial limits.

    There are only a few exceptions when a country can lawfully stop a foreign ship in international waters – if it is involved in piracy, slave trading, unauthorised broadcasting, or the vessel itself is stateless. A country can also stop a ship if it is enforcing a lawful blockade or acting in self-defence under Article 51 of the UN Charter.

    So, if Israel’s actions do not fully meet the international legal requirements for enforcing a blockade during wartime, it would not have the right to intercept the Madleen in international waters.

    Protections for humanitarian workers

    More broadly speaking, international humanitarian law, including the Fourth Geneva Convention, protects civilians during conflict. This protection extends to people delivering humanitarian aid, so long as they do not directly take part in hostilities.

    To be considered directly participating in hostilities, a person must:

    • intend to cause military harm
    • have a direct causal link to that harm, and
    • be acting in connection with one side of the conflict.

    Bringing aid to civilians, even if politically controversial, does not meet this legal threshold. As a result, the Madleen’s passengers remain protected civilians and should not be treated as combatants or detained arbitrarily.

    International law also sets out how civilians detained in conflict situations must be treated. Under the Fourth Geneva Convention, detainees must be given access to medical care, lawyers and consular representatives. They must also not be punished without fair legal processes.

    Reports that Madleen passengers have been detained and are facing deportation raise concerns about whether these standards are being upheld.

    In response to the ship’s interception, the Hind Rajab Foundation, a nonprofit advocacy group, has filed a complaint with the UK Metropolitan Police War Crimes Unit. The complaint alleges a number of breaches of international humanitarian law, including forcible detention, obstruction of humanitarian relief, and degrading treatment.

    Previous flotilla intercepted

    This is not the first time Israel has stopped an aid ship and faced accusations of violating the law of the sea and humanitarian law.

    In 2010, the Israeli military raided a flotilla of six ships organised by international activists aiming to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza and challenge the blockade.

    Violence broke out on the largest vessel, the Mavi Marmara, resulting in the deaths of nine Turkish nationals and injuries to dozens of others. The incident drew international condemnation. Israel agreed to ease its blockade after the incident.

    A fact-finding mission established by the UN Human Rights Council found that Israel violated a number of international laws and that its blockade was “inflicting disproportionate damage upon the civilian population”.

    This is not just a political or moral issue – it’s a legal one. International law lays out clear rules for when and how a country can enforce blockades, intercept vessels and treat civilians.

    Based on these rules, serious legal questions remain about Israel’s handling of the Madleen and its passengers.

    Shannon Bosch 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. There are clear laws on enforcing blockades – Israel’s interception of the Madleen raises serious questions – https://theconversation.com/there-are-clear-laws-on-enforcing-blockades-israels-interception-of-the-madleen-raises-serious-questions-258562

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI China: China extends visa-free access to 4 Gulf countries

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

    Tourists from Australia pose for photos at the Tiantan (Temple of Heaven) Park in Beijing, capital of China, May 1, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    China this week launched a trial policy that grants unilateral visa-free entry to citizens of Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain, expanding its unilateral visa-free access list to 47 countries.

    Under the policy, which will remain in effect through June 8, 2026, holders of ordinary passports from these four countries can enter China without a visa for up to 30 days for purposes such as business, tourism, family visits, cultural exchange, and transit.

    Both the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar have established reciprocal visa-free arrangements with China since 2018, which means all six member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) now enjoy visa-free access to China.

    The expansion has been warmly welcomed across the Gulf region and is expected to boost bilateral exchanges, strengthen cultural and people-to-people ties, and inject new momentum into broader China-GCC cooperation.

    In a statement posted on platform X following China’s announcement in late May, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the move would “contribute to encouraging mutual visits and deepening the bonds of friendship between the two friendly peoples.”

    Emirati travel influencer Abdulla Alblooshi praised the policy in a video on social media, calling it a major benefit for Gulf travelers. “Now, all you need is your passport to travel to China,” he said.

    Naif Awlia, director of tourism and engagement at Saudi tourism developer Diriyah Company, also hailed the policy as a positive step forward. “Friendly ties are the foundation of long-term cooperation, and we look forward to deepening our partnership with China,” he said.

    Kanoo Travel, one of the largest travel companies in the Gulf region and an early mover in promoting outbound tourism to China, has launched new travel packages since the announcement, targeting residents of the UAE, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia.

    Harvey Lines, Acting CEO of Kanoo Travel, called the new policy “a gateway to expanded China-Arab cooperation,” adding that the company is committed to facilitating closer people-to-people exchanges between China and the Gulf region — and the broader Arab world.

    China and Gulf countries already enjoy strong air travel connectivity, and the new visa-free policy is anticipated to further boost travel volume.

    Currently, about 20 direct flights operate weekly between major Chinese cities — including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen — and Saudi destinations such as Riyadh and Jeddah. The UAE is connected to 13 cities across the Chinese mainland with direct flights.

    Looking ahead, Chinese carrier Hainan Airlines plans to launch a direct Haikou-Jeddah route on June 28, while UAE carrier Emirates will begin daily nonstop service between Dubai and Shenzhen on July 1.

    Observers say the new policy reflects the growing political, economic, and cultural ties between China and the Gulf region. In 2024, trade between China and GCC countries reached 288.09 billion U.S. dollars, making the GCC China’s sixth-largest trading partner.

    Wen Shaobiao, a Middle East researcher at Shanghai International Studies University, noted that the visa-free policy will significantly reduce travel time costs and facilitate large-scale, two-way mobility.

    “It will encourage people-to-people exchanges and academic collaboration while helping to advance trade, investment, and joint projects, aligning with business sector expectations,” Wen said.

    The latest step underscores China’s continued push to open its doors wider to global visitors, in line with its commitment to high-level opening-up.

    Since late 2023, China has introduced a series of traveler-friendly policies. Starting June 1, holders of ordinary passports from Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, and Uruguay are eligible for unilateral visa-free entry — the first time such access has been extended to Latin American and Caribbean nations.

    Additionally, the visa-free transit period has been extended to 240 hours for travelers from 54 countries.

    These initiatives have already had a noticeable impact. In 2024, China recorded 3.39 million entries under its unilateral visa-free policy, a year-on-year surge of 1,200 percent. During the recent three-day Dragon Boat Festival holiday, 231,000 foreigners entered China without a visa, up 59.4 percent from a year earlier.

    Dai Bin, president of the China Tourism Academy, said foreign travelers come not only to visit China’s landscapes and cities but also to experience everyday life. “These visits offer opportunities to discover the real China,” he said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Exhibition at Capital Museum explores Beijing’s history

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

    Editor’s Note: The “Eternal Witness of Civilization: History of Beijing” exhibition, which opened on Feb. 10, 2024, at the Capital Museum, charts Beijing’s 700,000 years of human settlement, 3,000 years of urban growth, and 800 years as China’s capital. Artifacts from prehistory to the present show Beijing’s rise as a cultural and political center. The exhibition also highlights how the city’s legacy shapes its current development strategy.

    This photo, taken on June 5, 2025, shows the preface to the exhibition “Eternal Witness of Civilization: History of Beijing,” on display at the Capital Museum in Beijing. The exhibition traces the city’s evolution as a living testimony to Chinese civilization, highlighting continuity, unity, innovation and inclusiveness from prehistoric times to the present. [Photo by Liu Ziying/China.org.cn]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: PSA welcomes Wellington mayoral candidate’s commitment to pay equity

    Source: PSA

    The union representing library workers at Wellington City Council welcomes mayoral candidate Andrew Little’s commitment to pay equity, and encourages all local body candidates to make the same commitment.
    “This is just the latest example of people across the political spectrum recognising the Government’s vandalism of the Equal Pay Act as an unjust attack on women,” said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary of the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
    “We call on the Council to fix the undervaluation it knows is there, and deliver pay equity to these workers.”
    “Local body candidates around the country have the chance to do the right thing and recognise the true value library workers bring to their communities.”
    “But this is no substitution for legislation that guarantees pay equity in full, with provisions for maintaining it. We will keep fighting to reverse the Government’s changes.”
    The PSA lodged the library workers’ pay equity claim with Auckland, Tauranga, Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin councils in 2019.
    Since then, the PSA worked with the councils in good faith to reach a settlement.
    Library workers were one of the pay equity claims that was close to being settled before being cancelled by last month’s amendments to the Equal Pay Act.
    The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi is Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest trade union, representing and supporting more than 95,000 workers across central government, state-owned enterprises, local councils, health boards and community groups.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Climate legal action necessary response to Govt inaction – CTU

    Source: New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi

    The New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi welcomes the legal action taken against the Minister of Climate Change by a coalition of legal experts as an important step in ensuring that Aotearoa meets its climate action obligations.

    “We strongly support legal action to ensure that the Government is held to account for its legal obligations under the Climate Change Response Act,” said NZCTU President Richard Wagstaff.

    “The union movement is deeply concerned by the Emissions Reduction Plan 2026-2030, which contains no significant policies to reduce emissions and will fail to get New Zealand meaningfully closer to our 2050 net-zero commitment.

    “The actions – or lack of them – by this Government on climate change are the actions of climate deniers, not responsible leaders.

    “Workers and communities need real political leadership that combats global emissions and invests in creating a just transition for industries and workers. We need leadership that develops and upholds long term consensus, not more U-turns.

    “Instead, we have a government that cancelled 35 climate policies without consulting the public first, as required by law. Robust public engagement is essential.

    “Climate policy is yet another area where this Government is prioritising corporate interests over democratic accountability and the interests of working people.

    “Evidence is clear that a near-total focus on tree planting through vast pine forests is not a sufficient response – we must reduce emissions at source.

    “Alongside the weak emissions budget, in Budget 2025 we saw a total abdication of responsibility on climate change and ensuring a Just Transition for working people in an increasingly volatile world.

    “The NZCTU supports bold climate action to reduce emissions, adapt to the changing climate, and transition to a zero emissions economy that provides full employment for workers,” said Wagstaff.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • Global stocks rise, dollar tentative ahead of US-China talks outcome

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Stocks were buoyant and the dollar remained on guard on Tuesday as trade talks between the United States and China were set to extend to a second day, with tentative signs tensions between the world’s two largest economies could be easing.
     
    U.S. President Donald Trump put a positive spin on the talks at Lancaster House in London, which wrapped up for the night on Monday and were set to resume at 0900 GMT on Tuesday.
     
    “The fact that we’re still up here near record highs, does suggest that we are seeing the market accept what has been said by Trump and when you look at some of the other comments from Lutnick and Bessent, to me it seems to suggest that they are relatively happy with the progress,” said Tony Sycamore, a market analyst at IG.
     
    “But the market always likes to see some concrete announcements.”
     
    As Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer were set to meet for the second day with their Chinese counterparts, much of investors’ focus has been on the progress of the talks.
     
    Any progress in the negotiations is likely to provide relief to markets given Trump’s chaotic tariffs and swings in Sino-U.S. trade ties have undermined the world’s two biggest economies and hobbled global growth.
     
    Stocks advanced in Asia, extending their rise from the start of the week.
     
    MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan advanced 0.5%, while Nasdaq futures gained 0.62%. S&P 500 futures edged 0.43% higher.
     
    EUROSTOXX 50 futures and FTSE futures both added roughly 0.1% each.
     
    In Tokyo, attention was also on the Japanese government bond (JGB) market, following news that Japan is considering buying back some super-long government bonds issued in the past at low interest rates.
     
    The yield on the 10-year JGB fell one basis point to 1.46% in early trade, while the 30-year yield slid 5 bps to 2.86%.
     
    Yields on super-long JGBs rose to record levels last month due to dwindling demand from traditional buyers such as life insurers, and jitters over steadily rising debt levels globally.
     
    “The volatility at the super-long segment of the curve stems from a supply-demand imbalance that has been brewing since the BOJ embarked on balance sheet normalisation,” said Justin Heng, APAC rates strategist at HSBC Global Investment Research.
     
    Japanese Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato said on Tuesday the government will conduct appropriate debt management policies while communicating closely with market participants.
     
    In currencies, the dollar attempted to regain its footing after falling on Monday.
     
    Against the yen, the dollar was up 0.45% to 145.25. The euro fell 0.28% to $1.1387 while sterling slipped 0.2% to $1.3523.
     
    Trump’s erratic trade policies and worries over Washington’s growing debt pile have dented investor confidence in U.S. assets, in turn undermining the dollar, which has already fallen more than 8% for the year.
     
    The next test for the greenback will be on Wednesday, when U.S. inflation data comes due. Expectations are for core consumer prices to have picked up slightly in May, which could push back against bets of imminent Federal Reserve rate cuts.
     
    The producer price index (PPI) report will be released a day later.
     
    “May’s U.S. CPI and PPI data will be scrutinised for signs of lingering inflationary pressures,” said Convera’s FX and macro strategist Kevin Ford.
     
    “If core CPI remains elevated, expectations for rate cuts could be pushed beyond the June 18 FOMC meeting.”
     
    Traders see the Fed keeping rates on hold at its policy meeting next week, but have priced in roughly 44 bps worth of easing by December.
     
    In the oil market, prices edged up, with Brent crude futures gaining 0.24% to $67.20 a barrel. 
     
    U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude was last up 0.25% at $65.45 per barrel after hitting a more than two-month high earlier in the session.
     
    Spot gold fell 0.5% to $3,310.40 an ounce.
     
    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Kelly announces Rep. Kiggans as new Co-Chair of Bipartisan Maternity Care Caucus

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Robin Kelly IL

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02) announced Rep. Jen Kiggans (VA-02) as the new Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Maternity Care Caucus for the 119th Congress. The caucus works to advance bipartisan maternal health policy goals that save lives from pregnancy-related deaths.

    “I am honored to announce Rep. Kiggans as my partner on the Bipartisan Maternity Care Caucus. Improving maternal health outcomes is not and should not be a political issue,” said Rep. Kelly. “Mothers from every corner of the country — whether they live in urban, suburban, or rural areas — deserve the affordable and accessible healthcare they need to thrive. Black mothers in particular face health inequities that we need to address on a policy level. The Bipartisan Maternity Care Caucus will continue to lead the way in legislation that save mothers.”

    “As a nurse practitioner, Navy veteran, and mom of four, I know how critical it is to ensure women receive high-quality, compassionate care throughout pregnancy and beyond,” said Rep. Kiggans. “I’m honored to join Rep. Kelly in leading the Bipartisan Maternity Care Caucus, where we’ll work together to support mothers, strengthen families, and find commonsense solutions to the maternal health challenges facing our country. This isn’t a partisan issue — it’s a matter of life, health, and dignity for women and babies.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Pacific leads at UN Ocean Conference, Australia urged to step up commitments

    Source: Greenpeace Statement –

    SYDNEY, Tuesday 10 June 2025 — Greenpeace Australia Pacific has congratulated seven Pacific Island nations for their commitment to ocean protection at the UN Ocean Conference overnight, calling it “a powerful wave of global Pacific leadership.”

    On the first day of the UN Ocean Conference, the Republic of the Marshall Islands announced its support for a global moratorium on deep sea mining. Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Fiji and the Solomon Islands ratified the Global Ocean Treaty, and Papua New Guinea and Niue signed. 

    Shiva Gounden, Head of Pacific at Greenpeace Australia Pacific, said: “The power of the Pacific is on display at the UN Ocean Conference. These announcements are a blue wave of change by the Pacific at one of the world’s biggest ocean summits. The people of the Pacific have the moral authority to lead the charge on ocean protection, and world leaders must follow suit.

    “The Marshall Islands backing a moratorium on deep sea mining, 40 years after the US forcefully used their atolls as a nuclear weapon testing ground, shows the Pacific will and must push against neocolonialism in all of its emerging forms. Deep sea mining could destroy Pacific waters, and global leaders must stop it before it starts.” 

    The Republic of the Marshall Islands was one of the first Pacific nations to ratify the Global Ocean Treaty, and this year proposed a large marine protected area covering more than 260 times the size of its land mass.

    The Global Ocean Treaty requires ratification by 60 states to bring it into force. Australia has committed to ratifying the treaty, but has not supported a moratorium on deep sea mining. Greenpeace is calling on the Australian government to follow the leadership of the Pacific and say no to deep sea mining, expand domestic marine sanctuaries, and champion large, high seas marine sanctuaries.

    —ENDS—

    Photos and footage available on deep sea mining and oceans

    For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact Kimberley Bernard on +61 407 581 404 or [email protected]

    MIL OSI NGO –