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Category: Politics

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Legendary Samotlor celebrates 60th anniversary

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Rosneft – Rosneft – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Rosneft is celebrating the 60th anniversary of the discovery of the Samotlor field, one of the largest in the world. Its history began on May 29, 1965, when the exploration well R-1 produced its first oil at a flow rate of 300 cubic meters per day. Four years later, the field was put into commercial operation, and in 1981, the billionth ton of oil was produced at Samotlor. Thanks to Samotlor oil, our country has taken one of the leading positions in the world oil market.

    A new stage in the development of Samotlor began after the inclusion of Samotlorneftegaz in Rosneft. The company began to implement a set of advanced solutions and new technologies to stabilize hydrocarbon production at the field. Today, Samotlor’s cumulative production exceeds 2.8 billion tons of oil and more than 410 billion cubic meters of gas. Samotlorneftegaz, which develops it, consistently ensures a level of associated petroleum gas utilization of 98%, which is one of the highest rates in the industry.

    Samotlorneftegaz implements large-scale projects in the main areas of its activity in close cooperation with Rosneft, the largest oil and gas scientific and technical unit in Eurasia.

    Samotlorneftegaz has become one of the pioneers of the Russian oil and gas production industry in the field of digitalization of production. The “Intelligent Field” system, which involves remote production management, was implemented at the enterprise in 2013. As part of the development of the “Intelligent Field”, an integrated mathematical model was introduced that covers all key stages of oil production at the enterprise. On its basis, a neural network was created to optimize the operation of production wells. The accuracy of forecasts reached 96%. The implementation of another digital project – “3D Sphere” opens up new technological opportunities that contribute to increasing the efficiency and safety of oil and gas production.

    Samotlorneftegaz specialists use corporate software to manage the operation of mobile compressor units. As a result of using the new software module, it was possible to increase the average daily oil production per well by eight tons. The economic effect since the introduction of the technology has exceeded 1.9 billion rubles.

    At Samotlor, continuous work is underway to improve drilling equipment and technological processes. The use of a domestically produced rotary-controlled system has reduced the construction time of each well by 40 hours. This system allows drilling complex profiles with a large departure from the vertical and increasing the length of the horizontal section of the well. At the same time, high accuracy of drilling through the productive formation is achieved, which has a positive effect on the flow rate of new wells.

    High efficiency in drilling horizontal wells is demonstrated by the use of a modernized bicentric bit of unique design. The drill of the new design forms a trunk of a larger diameter. This makes it possible to drill wells with a complex profile at a high rate and put them into operation faster.

    The Samotlor field has undergone 40-stage hydraulic fracturing for the first time. The operation took a record-breaking 24.5 hours. The well’s starting flow rate was 250 cubic meters per day, which is more than six times higher than the average rates of neighboring wells. The unique operation was carried out jointly with the corporate service company RN-GRP, which carries out all hydraulic fracturing work at the Samotlor field.

    Samotlorneftegaz is actively implementing large-scale environmental projects. In 2024, the company allocated more than 11.2 billion rubles for environmental protection and environmental restoration activities. Large-scale work has been completed at Samotlor to restore the “historical heritage” lands disturbed during the Soviet years of field development. The biological productivity of soils has been restored on sites with a total area of more than 2.2 thousand hectares. During the program’s implementation, new technologies were developed and unique experience was gained that is in demand by other enterprises.

    Samotlorneftegaz is one of the largest taxpayers and key social partners of the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug of Yugra. In addition, over the past 5 years, more than 200 social projects have been implemented within the framework of the Cooperation Agreement between Rosneft Oil Company and the regional government, which has significantly improved the quality of life of the population of all of Yugra.

    With the participation of Samotlorneftegaz, a universal sports complex was built in Khanty-Mansiysk, the Simulation and Accreditation Center of the Khanty-Mansiysk State Medical Academy was modernized, and two training laboratories were equipped at the Multidisciplinary College of the Yugra State University. Thanks to the support of the enterprise, a large-scale reconstruction of the city’s “calling card” – the Ob River embankment, the Heroes of Samotlor Square was carried out in Nizhnevartovsk. A kindergarten, teenage clubs, a rollerdrome for active sports and an open-air rope park were built for the younger generation. In the Nizhnevartovsk District, with the support of the enterprise, kindergartens were reconstructed, the Okunevka River embankment was reconstructed, and the quality and safety of roads were significantly improved due to large-scale repairs.

    Rosneft pays great attention to preserving and strengthening the historical memory of the Samotlor field and the pioneering oil workers of the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug-Yugra. With the Company’s support, a large-scale renovation of the memorial “First exploratory well R-1 of the Samotlor field” was carried out, the monument “To the Conquerors of Samotlor” was reconstructed, the Heroes of Samotlor square was created, and a corporate museum was opened.

    Rosneft ensures the further development of the Samotlor field and involvement in the development of its resource potential, which contributes to the economy of the region and the entire country.

    Department of Information and Advertising of PJSC NK Rosneft May 29, 2025

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 29 May 2025 News release WHO, Africa CDC and RKI expand unique partnership to strengthen collaborative surveillance in Africa

    Source: World Health Organisation

    The World Health Organization (WHO), Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) announced today the expansion of the successful Health Security Partnership to Strengthen Disease Surveillance in Africa (HSPA) to seven countries on the continent. 

    Africa experiences more disease outbreaks than any other part of the world. While significant progress has been made in strengthening disease surveillance over the past decade, no country can tackle today’s complex health threats alone.

    The Health Security Partnership strengthens disease surveillance and epidemic intelligence across the African continent, enabling countries to better detect and respond to public health threats – whether they are natural, accidental or deliberate. Launched in 2023 in six countries, The Gambia, Mali, Morocco, Namibia, South Africa and Tunisia, the partnership will expand to Rwanda in its second phase which runs from 2025 to 2028.

    At the heart of the initiative is a collaborative surveillance approach that connects health and security sectors to reduce biological risks and strengthen surveillance systems nationally and internationally.
    “HSPA represents an important step forward in building stronger partnerships for health security in Africa. By bringing together global, regional and national actors, this initiative supports countries in strengthening Collaborative Surveillance through mutual exchange and practical action. WHO remains committed to working alongside Member States to ensure that these collective efforts are well-coordinated, responsive, and rooted in national priorities,” said Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, Acting WHO Regional Director for Africa; Deputy Executive Director, WHO Health Emergencies Programme.

    The partnership is supporting countries to strengthen capacities in biorisk management, event and indicator-based surveillance, genomic surveillance and epidemic intelligence. This is achieved through training, guidance development, co-creation of implementation roadmaps, and hands-on technical assistance to ensure that implementation is aligned with country priorities, embedded within broader national systems, and built for long-term sustainability.
    “Within the framework of this project, Africa CDC will work with the Member States in mobilizing political will for biosecurity and surveillance, establishing regional frameworks for bio-surveillance of high-consequence biological agents and toxins, and coordinating event-based surveillance. The collaboration with other partners and coordination with Member States is crucial especially in the current context of limited resources to strengthen the continent’s capacity for early detection, response, and management of biological threats,” said Dr Raji Tajudeen, Acting Deputy Director General and Head, Division of Public Health Institutes and Research, Africa CDC.

    The HSPA initiative has been supported from the start by the Government of Canada through its Weapons Threat Reduction Program, with additional funding in phase two from the Government of the United Kingdom.

    Building on the achievements in phase one, the participating countries, with support from WHO and partners, will accelerate implementation to build a healthier, safer and more resilient Africa. 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • Infrastructure push and enhanced connectivity driving Sikkim’s transformation: PM Modi

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday addressed the ‘Sikkim@50’ celebrations via videoconferencing, marking the golden jubilee of the state’s formation. Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister lauded Sikkim’s achievements and inaugurated several development projects aimed at boosting the state’s infrastructure, connectivity, and public services.

    “Today’s event offers a glimpse into Sikkim’s future journey,” said PM Modi, as he congratulated the people of the state on the occasion. He said the newly inaugurated projects and foundation stone-laying ceremonies would enhance healthcare, tourism, cultural, and sports infrastructure in the region. “I extend my heartfelt congratulations to everyone on the successful launch of these projects,” he said.

    The Prime Minister underlined that Sikkim, along with the entire Northeast, is emerging as a “shining chapter in India’s development story.” Reflecting on the change over the past decade, PM Modi said, “Where distance from Delhi once posed a barrier to progress, the same region is now opening new doors of opportunities.”

    He attributed this transformation to the significant strides in connectivity. “The biggest reason for this transformation is the improvement in connectivity, a change that the people of Sikkim have witnessed firsthand,” he said. PM Modi recalled a time when accessing education, healthcare, and employment required arduous travel. “However, the situation has changed significantly over the past decade,” he added.

    Prime Minister highlighted that nearly 400 kilometers of new national highways have been constructed in Sikkim in recent years. In addition, hundreds of kilometers of new roads have been built in rural areas, enhancing last-mile connectivity.

    He also spoke about key infrastructure developments, including the construction of the Atal Setu, which has improved connectivity between Sikkim and Darjeeling. “Work is progressing rapidly on the road linking Sikkim with Kalimpong,” he said. The Prime Minister also mentioned that the Bagdogra-Gangtok Expressway will make travel to and from Sikkim more efficient and announced plans to integrate it with the Gorakhpur-Siliguri Expressway to further bolster regional infrastructure.

    Highlighting railway connectivity, PM Modi said that the government is actively working to link all capital cities in the Northeast with the national rail network. “The Sevoke-Rangpo rail line will integrate Sikkim into the national rail network,” he said, describing the project as a key step towards inclusive development.

    For areas where road construction remains difficult due to terrain, the Prime Minister said ropeways are being introduced as alternative means of transport. “Several ropeway projects were inaugurated earlier today, further improving convenience for the people of Sikkim,” he added.

    Reaffirming the Centre’s commitment to balanced regional development, Shri Modi said the government is advancing the ‘Act East’ policy with the spirit of ‘Act Fast’. “A developed India requires balanced development, ensuring that no region is left behind,” he concluded.

  • MIL-OSI Russia: I. Musk leaves US government post

    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

    NEW YORK, May 29 (Xinhua) — Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk said on Wednesday that he is stepping down as an adviser to U.S. President Donald Trump.

    “As my term as a special government employee comes to an end, I would like to thank President Trump for the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending,” Musk wrote on social media X.

    “The mission of DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) will only grow stronger over time as it becomes a way of life for the entire government,” he said.

    House Speaker Mike Johnson thanked Musk for his work on Wednesday and pledged to push for further spending cuts in the future, writing on the X website that “Elon Musk and the entire DOGE team have done an incredible job of exposing waste, fraud, and abuse in the federal government.”

    “The House is eager and prepared to act on DOGE’s findings so we can pass even more cuts to big government that President Trump wants and the American people are demanding,” Johnson wrote.

    The billionaire will once again devote himself to Tesla and SpaceX. Earlier, I. Musk announced his intention to reduce his political activity, saying that he had “done enough.” –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: US Trade Court Bans Trump from Imposing Import Tariffs

    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

    NEW YORK, May 29 (Xinhua) — The New York-based U.S. Court of International Trade on Wednesday blocked President Donald Trump from imposing sweeping tariffs on imports under an emergency powers law.

    The ruling comes after a series of lawsuits alleging that Trump overstepped his authority by imposing sweeping tariffs on imports.

    A three-judge panel ruled that executive orders imposing fentanyl-related tariffs on goods from Canada, Mexico and China, as well as tariffs on countries around the world, announced April 2, “will be rescinded and permanently terminated.”

    The International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) does not authorize any of the orders, the court said.

    “The worldwide retaliatory tariff orders exceed any authority that IEEPA gives the President to regulate imports through tariffs. Tariffs imposed in response to smuggling do not work because they do not address the threats outlined in these orders,” the report concluded.

    The judges ruled on two lawsuits against the U.S. federal government filed by five companies on April 14 and by 12 states on April 23.

    “Unelected judges should not decide the appropriate response to a national emergency. President Trump has promised to put America first, and the administration intends to use every lever of the executive branch to address this crisis and restore America to greatness,” White House spokesman Kush Desai said in a statement. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: USDA Heeds Pappas’s Call to Unfreeze Acer Grants, Critical Funding for NH Maple Industry

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH)

    Following Congressman Chris Pappas’s (NH-01), Co-Chair of the Congressional Maple Caucus, call for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to reinstate grants delivered by the Acer Access and Development Program (Acer), funding for the Acer program has been released.

    “Acer provides important resources for strengthening the domestic maple syrup industry. I’m pleased that the Acer grants have been unfrozen, but our producers worked tirelessly this season. They should not have been left uncertain about whether they would receive funds that they were promised,” said Congressman Pappas. “We can’t ignore this recurring theme from the current administration in freezing or revoking funds for our communities that will have lasting negative impacts. We can work responsibly to reduce government waste and fraud without holding back the resources New Hampshire small businesses need.”

    Acer provides essential support to the maple syrup industry in the Northeast and Upper Midwest, and freezing these grants as the administration places tariffs on Canada, one of the U.S.’s closest allies, put the livelihoods of maple producers at risk. Much of the equipment used to produce syrup and other maple products is manufactured in Canada, and tariffs will raise prices in an unsustainable manner for New Hampshire’s maple producers. 

    Background: 

    Congressman Pappas leads the Fighting Budget Waste Act, which was the first bill he introduced in the 119th Congress. This bipartisan bill will save taxpayer dollars by requiring the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to consider the Government Accountability Office’s (GAO) annual report on federal programs with fragmented, overlapping, or duplicative goals from the prior year to address problems with those programs and reduce costs.

    Congressman Pappas is a small business owner and a former member of the House Small Business Committee.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • Indian Parliamentary Delegation Strengthens Anti-Terror Ties During Saudi Arabia Visit

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    An all-party parliamentary delegation from India led by BJP MP Baijayant Jay Panda is currently visiting Saudi Arabia from 27 to 29 May 2025 as part of India’s global diplomatic outreach following the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist attack that killed 26 civilians in Indian-administered Kashmir.

    The delegation met with Adel Al-Jubeir, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia, to convey India’s firm stance against terrorism and seek continued cooperation in countering extremism. The Indian representatives emphasized that acts of terrorism cannot be justified under any circumstances and highlighted India’s zero-tolerance policy toward such activities.

    During their meetings, the delegation expressed gratitude for Saudi Arabia’s condemnation of the Pahalgam attack and underlined the need for coordinated global action to combat terrorism. This includes dismantling terrorist infrastructure, cutting off financing and safe havens, and rejecting any political justification for terrorist activities. The Indian side referenced Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent statement: “This is certainly not the era of war, but this is also not the era of terrorism.”

    The delegation also engaged with Dr. Mishaal Al-Sulami, Deputy Speaker of the Shura Council, for discussions on India’s approach to counter-terrorism. The Indian representatives noted Saudi Arabia’s consistent support on counter-terrorism issues and expressed confidence in continued cooperation on de-radicalization and combating extremism.

    The delegation arrived in Riyadh early on Wednesday and interacted with India’s diplomatic mission before proceeding with their official engagements. They were also hosted by senior Saudi officials and members of the Saudi-India Parliamentary Friendship Committee.

    The visit forms part of India’s broader diplomatic initiative involving multiple all-party delegations traveling to over 30 countries to highlight India’s anti-terrorism resolve and garner international support following the Pahalgam attack. The attack led to military escalation between India and Pakistan before a ceasefire was declared on May 10.

    The Saudi visit concluded with interactions with prominent members of Saudi civil society, offering opportunities for further dialogue on counter-terrorism efforts and broader aspects of the India-Saudi Arabia bilateral partnership.

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Transformation of Adult Social Care delivering better outcomes

    Source: City of Wolverhampton

    A report presented to members of the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet last week outlined a number of improvements that have been made, leading to reduced waiting times for support and greater independence for the residents of Wolverhampton.

    The council says that the transformation of Adult Social Care was needed to address the rising demand for care and the complexity of need, particularly as the city recovered from Covid-19 which had a significant impact – with demand increasing by 31% over the last 5 years.

    In that time, the budget for care packages has increased by £44.6 million, with a further £11 million increase approved for 2025 to 2026, making Adult Social Care the council’s highest area of spend.

    As part of the transformation programme, the council has been working with IMPOWER, a sector specialist organisation that supports local government with complex change and which helped the council successfully deliver its transformation of Children’s Services in 2016.

    Councillor Paula Brookfield, Cabinet Member for Adults, said: “As a council one of our key priorities is ensuring that residents who need it are able to receive high quality care – and we know from our recent budget consultation that this is a top priority for the people of Wolverhampton too.

    “We are determined to ensure Adult Social Care services are the best they can possibly be, but we must also be mindful that the increase in costs which we have seen in recent years is not sustainable in the long term.

    “This is why we’ve embarked on an ambitious programme of transformation which will ensure the service is fit for purpose, can meet current and future demands, is sustainable and is able to support people to live safely and as independently as possible.”

    As part of the transformation, the council has completed a series of ‘test and learn’ programmes which have already delivered a number of improvements, including the establishment of a new ‘front door’ team which has simplified pathways and ensured that people receive support in a timelier manner, reducing wait times from months to less than 5 working days in most cases.

    In addition, the number of people requiring support from the locality social work teams has reduced by over half because the front door team has been able to resolve their issues.

    Meanwhile, work to improve people’s independence has seen a significant number of the people supported to make connections within their local area, meaning they are able to maintain their independence and get support from within their community, doing the things that are important to them, rather than having to rely on expensive long term care.  

    A focus on early support and connecting people to help and support at the first opportunity – sometimes while waiting for a formal assessment – has also helped prevent escalation of needs and therefore the requirement for long-term care.

    The council has also been working with West Midlands 5G (WM5G) and neighbouring authorities on a trial to show how Technology Enabled Care (TEC) can transform the lives of vulnerable residents in the city — empowering independence, improving wellbeing, and delivering value for public services.

    As part of the project, sensor devices and voice activated wireless technologies including fall detectors, smart speakers, smart doorbells and remote monitoring sensors are being used in people’s homes to help support individual care needs.

    Work is now underway to develop an outcomes based commissioning framework for residential and nursing placements, to ensure that people who require residential or nursing care receive support that will best meet their outcomes, rather than their needs being fitted to the support on offer.

    Councillor Brookfield added: “Already, the programme has delivered sustainable change and received positive feedback from staff and service users, and we look forward to continuing our partnership with IMPOWER as we continue our transformation journey.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Influencer Andrew Tate is charged with a raft of sex crimes. His followers will see him as the victim

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Steven Roberts, Professor of Education and Social Justice, Monash University

    British prosecutors have this week charged social media influencer Andrew Tate with a string of serious sexual offences, including rape and human trafficking, alleged to have been committed in the United Kingdom between 2012 and 2015.

    This comes in the wake of an ongoing case in Romania. There, Tate and his brother Tristan face similar charges of coercing and exploiting women through what is sometimes described as the “loverboy method” of manipulation that is used to control and monetise women through webcam performances.

    A self-described misogynist, Tate is a widespread figure of notoriety for his views on women and his role in the internet “manosphere”. He has millions of followers globally, including ten million on X alone.

    This latest round of prosecutions will likely further entrench the loyalty of those followers: boys and young men who will see their leader as the victim of a corrupt system.

    Who is Andrew Tate?

    Tate is a British-American social media influencer and former kickboxer. He gained international notoriety for his violently misogynistic videos and pronouncements.

    He’s built a massive, loyal social media following through a brand that is part provocateur, part self-help guru and part conspiracy theorist.

    His rhetoric emphasises an aspirational masculinity geared towards extreme wealth and a physically fit body, combined with resentment towards women and so-called “feminised” societies. He has, for example, stated that women should “bear responsibility” for sexual assault.

    Tate is a leading ideological figurehead of what is often called the “manosphere” – a loose network of online communities and content creators who promote regressive ideas about masculinity, gender roles and male identity.

    Tate offers a template for many boys and young men to make sense of their place in the world, playing up ideas that boys are disenfranchised by social, economic, or cultural change.

    This is part of an emotional hook that provides belonging and clarity in a world his followers are told is stacked against them.

    Tate’s content involves both overt and, more often, insidious celebration of harmful gender norms and misogynistic ideologies.

    Research has found boys’ exposure to this content has contributed to a resurgence of a sense of male supremacy in classrooms. This then increases sexism and hostility towards women teachers and girl peers.

    Reinforcing the narrative

    Given this context, it is unlikely the new charges will erode his popularity.

    To be clear, he is not universally admired. In fact, the majority of boys reject what he stands for.

    However, for the significant minority who comprise his hardcore followers, these new charges will likely be used to reinforce a persecution narrative.

    In this way, Tate has paved the way for more violent and extreme misogyny to become standard, not rare.

    This was exactly the pattern when the Romanian charges first emerged. His followers flooded platforms with hashtags like #FreeTopG, reframing his arrest as proof that he was “telling the truth” and being punished for it.

    Figures like US President Donald Trump provide a relevant comparison. Trump has faced multiple criminal indictments and was found liable in a civil trial for sexually assaulting E. Jean Carroll.

    Yet, his popularity among his base has held firm.

    For many of his supporters, these legal challenges are not signs of wrongdoing, but evidence their champion is being unfairly targeted by corrupt institutions.

    Tate is similar in that his hypermasculine posturing and anti-establishment bravado ensures his audience see him the same way.

    Prompting more loyalty

    Given their previous responses, we can already predict how the Tate brothers will respond this time. They will deny the charges, of course, but more importantly, they will use the moment to deepen their mythos.

    We might expect to see talk of “the matrix” of shadowy elites, and the weaponisation of justice systems to silence truth-telling men.

    They will insist the charges are not about what they did, but about who they are: disruptors of a weak, feminised society. This victim-persecutor framing is central to their appeal and will remain so as this unfolds.

    Their followers will, then, likely respond with greater loyalty. For those already steeped in online misogyny and disillusionment, legal accusations such as these don’t raise doubt, but instead confirm the story they already buy into.

    This makes combating Tate’s influence a complex challenge. Simply “calling it out” is not enough.

    As our research shows, Tate’s brand thrives not in spite of controversy, but because of it.

    This is why we need a more strategic, long-term approach to address the harms Tate and other such figureheads represent.

    We need robust gender education in schools, stronger commitments to critical media literacy, and the elevation of alternative role models who can speak to the same emotional terrain without reinforcing misogyny.

    This can include other content creators, like Will Hitchins, but also youth workers or people of any gender from boy’s existing communities.

    A key lesson here is that, for the manosphere’s key figures, being charged or even found guilty of crimes (should that occur) might not signal their downfall or diminish their relevance.

    Steven Roberts receives funding from Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety, the Australian Research Council and the Australian Government. He is a Board Director at Respect Victoria, but this article is written wholly separate from and does not represent that role.

    Stephanie Wescott receives funding from Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety.

    – ref. Influencer Andrew Tate is charged with a raft of sex crimes. His followers will see him as the victim – https://theconversation.com/influencer-andrew-tate-is-charged-with-a-raft-of-sex-crimes-his-followers-will-see-him-as-the-victim-257805

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Labor gains Senate seats in Victoria and Queensland, and surges to a national 55.6–44.4 two-party margin

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne

    Buttons have been pressed to electronically distribute preferences for the Senate in Victoria, the ACT, Queensland and Western Australia. Labor gained a seat from the Liberals in Victoria, with the other two unchanged. I had a wrap of earlier button presses on Tuesday.

    Six of the 12 senators for each state and all four territory senators were up for election on May 3. Changes in state senate representation are measured against 2019, the last time these senators were up for election.

    Senators are elected by proportional representation in their jurisdictions with preferences. At a half-Senate election, with six senators in each state up for election, a quota is one-seventh of the vote, or 14.3%. For the territories, a quota is one-third or 33.3%.

    Labor has won three of the six Victorian senators, the Coalition two and the Greens one, a gain for Labor from the Coalition since 2019. That’s a 4–2 split from Victoria to the left.

    Final primary votes gave Labor 2.43 quotas, the Coalition 2.20, the Greens 0.87, One Nation 0.31, Legalise Cannabis 0.25, Trumpet of Patriots 0.18, Family First 0.13, Animal Justice 0.11 and Victorian Socialists 0.11.

    On the distribution of preferences, Labor’s third candidate defeated One Nation by 0.87 quotas to 0.81. Neither the third Liberal nor Legalise Cannabis were anywhere near One Nation at earlier exclusion points.

    On the exclusion of the Liberals, 50% of their preferences went to One Nation, 22% to Labor, 14% to Legalise Cannabis and the rest exhausted. At this point, One Nation led Labor by 0.73 quotas to 0.67 with 0.47 for Legalise Cannabis. On Legalise Cannabis’ exclusion, Labor won 42% of preferences, One Nation 19% and the rest exhausted, giving Labor its win.

    The third candidate on Labor’s Victorian Senate ticket was Michelle Ananda-Rajah, the former Labor member for Higgins before Higgins was abolished in a redistribution.

    Usually Labor only wins two Victorian senators with the Greens winning the third for the left. Ananda-Rajah would not have expected to be back in parliament, although in a different chamber.

    WA, Queensland and ACT Senate results

    The Western Australian Senate result is two Labor, two Liberals, one Green and one One Nation, a gain for One Nation from the Liberals. Final WA primary votes gave Labor 2.53 quotas, the Liberals 1.86, the Greens 0.90, One Nation 0.41, Legalise Cannabis 0.28, the Nationals 0.25 and Australian Christians 0.19.

    Until very late it had been expected that Labor would take the last seat instead of One Nation, but The Poll Bludger changed his model to give One Nation a slight lead owing to evidence of stronger Coalition flows to One Nation in other states.

    In Queensland, Labor won two seats, the Liberal National Party two, the Greens one and One Nation one. This was a gain for Labor from the LNP after Labor’s 2019 disaster, when they won just one Queensland senator.

    Final Queensland primary votes gave the LNP 2.17 quotas, Labor 2.13, the Greens 0.73, One Nation 0.50, Gerard Rennick 0.33, Trumpet of Patriots 0.26 and Legalise Cannabis 0.25.

    I will analyse the WA and Queensland preference distributions in a final Senate results wrap article that will be posted after the final state, New South Wales, has its button pressed. Labor is expected to gain a seat in NSW from the Coalition.

    Left-wing independent David Pocock and Labor were both re-elected in the ACT, with no change since 2022. Final primary votes were 1.17 quotas for Pocock, 0.95 Labor, 0.53 for the Liberals (just 17.8%) and 0.23 for the Greens. Labor crossed quota on the exclusion of second Pocock candidate with the Liberals and Greens still remaining.

    Labor’s national two party vote up to a 55.6–44.4 lead

    On May 5, two days after the election, I explained that we needed to wait for “non-classic” seats to have a special two-party count undertaken between the Labor and Coalition candidates. Non-classic seats are seats where the final two were not Labor and Coalition candidates.

    With the major party national primary votes so low at this election, 35 of the 150 House of Representatives seats were non-classics. Before the two-party counts in these seats started, The Poll Bludger’s national two-party estimate gave Labor a 54.6–45.4 margin and the ABC a 55.0–45.0 margin.

    This week the electoral commission has been counting the Labor vs Coalition two-party votes in the non-classic seats, and Labor currently leads by 55.6–44.4. The national two-party vote is still incomplete, but the large majority of non-classic seats have now had a two-party count undertaken.

    The remaining non-classic seats that are either uncounted or partially counted to two-party are favourable to the Coalition, so Labor will drop back a little, but will still win the national two party vote by about 55.4–44.6.

    Labor’s biggest wins on a Labor vs Coalition basis are seats where Labor and the Greens made the final two. For example in Wills, Labor defeated the Greens by 51.4–48.6, but the two-party count gives Labor a massive 80.9–19.1 win over the Liberals. Swings to Labor in non-classic seats have been bigger than swings in classic seats, so Labor’s two-party vote has increased.

    Labor’s big two-party win makes the pre-election polls look worse than they did on election night. Here’s the poll graph I was posting in all my pre-election articles updated with the estimated final two-party margin.

    Only one national poll was accurate: the Morgan poll published two weeks before the election that gave Labor a 55.5–44.5 lead. It’s a shame for Morgan that their final two polls “herded” back to a consensus that was wrong. I will have a full review of the federal polls once all results are finalised.

    Recounts in Bradfield and Goldstein

    A full recount is in progress in Liberal-held Bradfield, where the Liberal was ahead of Teal Nicolette Boele by eight votes after distribution of preferences. Four days into the recount, the Liberal leads by just five votes.

    A partial recount in Goldstein of the primary votes for Liberal Tim Wilson and Teal incumbent Zoe Daniel is also underway after Wilson led by 260 votes after distribution of preferences. Two days into this recount, Wilson leads by 259 votes and will win unless large errors are found that favour Daniel when corrected.

    Adrian Beaumont 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. Labor gains Senate seats in Victoria and Queensland, and surges to a national 55.6–44.4 two-party margin – https://theconversation.com/labor-gains-senate-seats-in-victoria-and-queensland-and-surges-to-a-national-55-6-44-4-two-party-margin-257714

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • PM Modi celebrates Sikkim@50, calls Sikkim “pride of the nation,” promises visit soon

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday addressed the ‘Sikkim@50’ programme virtually. The event, held in Gangtok, marked the golden jubilee of Sikkim’s statehood under the theme “Where Progress Meets Purpose, and Nature Nurtures Growth.”

    Extending warm greetings to the people of Sikkim, the Prime Minister expressed his regret at not being able to attend in person due to adverse weather conditions. “I wanted to witness the fervor, energy, and enthusiasm of the people in person, but due to inclement weather, I could not be present. I promise to visit Sikkim soon and be part of your achievements and celebrations,” PM Modi said.

    Recalling the journey of the state over the past 50 years, the Prime Minister described the day as a moment to celebrate Sikkim’s many achievements. He lauded the efforts of Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang and his team for organizing a grand and memorable event.

    “Fifty years ago, Sikkim charted a democratic future for itself. The people of Sikkim not only connected with India’s geography but also with its soul,” the Prime Minister remarked. He emphasized the power of inclusive democracy, saying, “When every voice is heard and rights are secured, equal opportunities for development emerge.”

    He noted the strengthened trust among Sikkim’s families and highlighted the nation’s recognition of the state’s progress. “Sikkim is the pride of the nation,” he declared, acknowledging the state’s transformation into a model of development in harmony with nature.

    “Sikkim has become a vast sanctuary of biodiversity, achieved the status of a 100% organic state, and emerged as a symbol of cultural and heritage prosperity,” the Prime Minister said. He further highlighted that Sikkim is now among the states with the highest per capita income in the country, a reflection of the people’s capabilities and hard work.

    The Prime Minister also paid tribute to the many stars from Sikkim who have illuminated India’s horizon, recognizing the rich contributions of every community toward the state’s cultural and economic prosperity.

    Since 2014, PM Modi said, his government has been guided by the principle of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas — development for all, with collective support. “A developed India requires balanced progress, ensuring that no region is left behind while others advance,” he stressed.

    The Prime Minister underlined the special focus on the Northeast region over the last decade. “Every state and region of India has its own unique strengths. Keeping this in mind, the government has placed the Northeast at the center of development,” he stated, adding, “The government is advancing the ‘Act East’ policy with the spirit of ‘Act Fast’.”

    Recalling the recently held Northeast Investment Summit in Delhi, PM Modi said leading industrialists and investors announced significant investments across the region, including Sikkim. “These investments will generate numerous employment opportunities for the youth of Sikkim and the entire Northeast in the coming years,” he added.

     

  • MIL-OSI: Mavenir Collaboration with Three UK and Red Hat Doubles Glasgow 5G Speeds in UK-First Open RAN Small Cells Roll-Out

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • Mavenir Open vRAN and O-RAN compliant small cells central to success of Three UK’s Glasgow City Centre roll-out – boosting coverage and capacity across a high-demand, dense urban environment
    • Landmark trial demonstrates the benefit of deploying Open RAN small cells alongside existing macro networks to solve blackspot issues

    GLASGOW, Scotland, May 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Mavenir, the cloud-native network infrastructure provider, working in collaboration with operator Three UK and the world’s leading provider of open source solutions, Red Hat, has successfully demonstrated the performance benefits of 5G non-standalone O-RAN compliant small cells in Glasgow City Centre – doubling 5G speeds at peak times.

    This milestone UK-first trial of Open RAN in a dense urban environment also marks the first live deployment of O-RAN compliant small cells working alongside legacy macro cells from traditional vendors in this environment – driving a significant reduction in traffic congestion by delivering high-quality coverage and additional capacity. During the initial phase of the trial, both 4G and 5G speeds doubled during the busiest times of the day, with Three UK’s 5G speeds reaching an impressive 520Mbps across the trial area. The capacity boost also cascaded into further performance and user experience improvements in surrounding sites.

    Following the successful trial of 18 live sites in Glasgow City Centre, the project will now move into its final deployment phase, bringing the total number of Open RAN small cell sites to 34.

    Mavenir’s roll-out of a small cell densification layer for Three UK is being delivered as part of the SCONDA (Small Cells O-RAN in Dense Areas) project – a key connectivity initiative backed by the UK government’s Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). The project represents a significant step forward for Open RAN in the UK by trialing – for the first time – the integration of a full decentralized Open RAN architecture with existing traditional infrastructure into a high traffic, high footfall city setting.

    Mavenir is delivering a full 4G and 5G O-RAN solution, including its OpenBeam small cell radios running on Red Hat OpenShift, the industry’s leading hybrid cloud application platform powered by Kubernetes. Mavenir 4G and 5G small cell radios are being deployed on lamp posts across Glasgow to offload macro traffic and enable automation of network performance within a challenging multi-vendor, multi-technology radio environment. Three UK is leveraging Red Hat OpenShift to build and deliver the Open vRAN network, integrated into the existing 4G core of Three UK, and operating alongside the operator’s traditional RAN.

    Brandon Larson, SVP, Cloud and AI at Mavenir, said: “This network densification project proves that the Open RAN layer built by Mavenir can efficiently and effectively meet the needs of Three UK and its customers in one of the busiest cities in the UK. Our solution has delivered a 2x improvement in 5G speeds, a measurable uplift in capacity, and handover of customer traffic has been outstanding. This powerfully demonstrates that Open RAN can be fully integrated alongside traditional vendors – a breakthrough that will get the attention of radio network design teams around the world for the cost savings and flexibility it offers.”

    Iain Milligan, Chief Network Officer at Three UK said: “Mavenir and Red Hat have been exceptional partners on this groundbreaking project – the UK’s first Open RAN trial to tackle the real-world complexity of a dense urban environment. We have pushed the boundaries and proven that the Open RAN approach is a hugely valuable addition to network design and deployment.”

    He added: “Urban deployments bring a different level of technical and operational challenge compared to rural environments. We’ve had to navigate integration with legacy systems, security layers, and evolving software – all while delivering measurable improvements for customers. The trial results are encouraging and provide a strong foundation for further scaling and optimisation of Open RAN in cities.”

    Honoré LaBourdette, Vice President, Global Telco Ecosystem at Red Hat, said: “Red Hat and Mavenir share a commitment to delivering optimized Open RAN solutions for service providers to achieve improved network performance and unlock the next generation of 5G use cases. We are pleased to collaborate with Mavenir to implement an integrated 5G Standalone Open RAN solution, powered by Red Hat OpenShift, to help Three UK deliver enhanced customer experiences and streamline operations for the city of Glasgow.”

    With this latest deployment, Mavenir and Red Hat are continuing to offer carrier-grade telco cloud solutions to mobile network operators, leveraging a decade of well-established collaboration. Mavenir RAN workloads on Red Hat OpenShift offer an attractive value proposition for the mobile network operators.

    Key benefits delivered by Mavenir using Red Hat OpenShift include:

    • Full stack automation: Integration of Red Hat Advanced Cluster Management for Kubernetes with Mavenir’s Cloud-Native Automation provides full stack automation and streamlined day-1 and day-2 operational management.
    • Pre-integrated and pre-tested reference architectures: Red Hat and Mavenir help minimize complexity and reduce time spent on integration by providing a common, pre-integrated reference architecture.
    • Scalable design and faster time-to-market: Offering design flexibility to scale the architecture with Mavenir workloads on Red Hat OpenShift and leveraging additional tools for faster deployments.
    • Comprehensive Security Capabilities: Mavenir’s Open RAN solution on Red Hat OpenShift provides mobile networks with core platform security controls, including admission controllers, container isolation via Security Context Constraints (SCCs), runtime protection using kernel-level security modules (seccomp, SELinux), role-based access controls (RBAC) and network segmentation through CNI/OVN. These capabilities align with industry practices, enabling operators to implement hardened configurations for compliance objectives.

    Notes to editors

    The SCONDA project is a partnership with Three UK, Mavenir, AWTG, Freshwave, PI Works, the 5G Scotland Centre and Accenture, with the support of Glasgow City Council and funding from the UK government’s Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT).

    Three UK doubles Glasgow city centre speeds with UK-first Open RAN roll-out

    About Three UK:

    Hutchison 3G UK Limited, trading as Three UK, is a British telecommunications company based in Reading, England. It is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of CK Hutchison Holdings, a limited liability Cayman Islands company registered and listed in Hong Kong. Three is the fourth-largest mobile network operator in the United Kingdom, with about 10.9 million subscribers as of November 2024. For more information, please visit https://www.three.co.uk/

    About Mavenir:

    Mavenir is building the future of networks today with cloud-native, AI-enabled solutions which are green by design, empowering operators to realize the benefits of 5G and achieve intelligent, automated, programmable networks. As the pioneer of Open RAN and a proven industry disruptor, Mavenir’s award-winning solutions are delivering automation and monetization across mobile networks globally, accelerating software network transformation for 300+ Communications Service Providers in over 120 countries, which serve more than 50% of the world’s subscribers. For more information, please visit www.mavenir.com

    Red Hat, the Red Hat logo and OpenShift are trademarks or registered trademarks of Red Hat, Inc. or its subsidiaries in the U.S. and other countries.

    Mavenir PR Contact:
    Emmanuela Spiteri
    PR@mavenir.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Bitget Lists Ripple USD (RLUSD) to Expand Stablecoin Offerings on Spot Market

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VICTORIA, Seychelles, May 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitget, the leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company, has announced the listing of Ripple USD (RLUSD) on its spot trading platform. RLUSD, an enterprise-grade USD-backed stablecoin issued by Ripple, enters the Bitget ecosystem at a time when demand for secure and compliant digital assets continues to rise, particularly among institutional participants and developers focused on enterprise-grade blockchain use cases.

    As a stablecoin pegged 1:1 to the U.S. dollar, RLUSD is natively issued on both the XRP Ledger (XRPL) and Ethereum, leveraging the unique strengths of each blockchain. The asset is backed by a segregated reserve held in USD fiat and cash equivalents. Bitget’s decision to list RLUSD aligns with its strategy to support strong, high utility-driven assets across its growing spot market, which serves as a curated space for projects that advance blockchain adoption through real-world applications.

    “We’re excited to partner with Ripple, a team that has consistently pushed forward the adoption of crypto,” said Gracy Chen, CEO of Bitget. “RLUSD stands out as one of the few stablecoins issued by a NYDFS-chartered limited purpose trust company, placing it in a uniquely clear regulatory framework. This is particularly important for institutions seeking transparency and compliance in today’s evolving digital asset landscape. Listing RLUSD also aligns with our 2025 strategy to expand institutional offerings and build a more robust, trusted ecosystem.”

    The RLUSD listing on Bitget expanded access and offered a trusted trading venue for one of the industry’s most closely monitored digital assets.

    Bitget continues to scale its listings to support the increasing demand of the crypto market. The integration of RLUSD responds to the ongoing wave of stablecoins gaining popularity as critical tools in decentralized finance (DeFi), gaming, and tokenized asset ecosystems.

    With an extensive selection of over 900 crypto pairs and a commitment to broadening its offerings, Bitget connects users to various ecosystems, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, Base, and TON. The addition of RLUSD signals a strategic move to embrace regulated stablecoins’s becoming a gateway to trade innovative crypto projects.

    To know more about RLUSD on Bitget please visit here.

    About Bitget

    Established in 2018, Bitget is the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company. Serving over 100 million users in 150+ countries and regions, the Bitget exchange is committed to helping users trade smarter with its pioneering copy trading feature and other trading solutions, while offering real-time access to Bitcoin price, Ethereum price, and other cryptocurrency prices. Formerly known as BitKeep, Bitget Wallet is a world-class multi-chain crypto wallet that offers an array of comprehensive Web3 solutions and features including wallet functionality, token swap, NFT Marketplace, DApp browser, and more.

    Bitget is at the forefront of driving crypto adoption through strategic partnerships, such as its role as the Official Crypto Partner of the World’s Top Football League, LALIGA, in EASTERN, SEA and LATAM markets, as well as a global partner of Turkish National athletes Buse Tosun Çavuşoğlu (Wrestling world champion), Samet Gümüş (Boxing gold medalist) and İlkin Aydın (Volleyball national team), to inspire the global community to embrace the future of cryptocurrency.

    For more information, visit: Website | Twitter | Telegram | LinkedIn | Discord | Bitget Wallet

    For media inquiries, please contact: media@bitget.com

    Risk Warning: Digital asset prices are subject to fluctuation and may experience significant volatility. Investors are advised to only allocate funds they can afford to lose. The value of any investment may be impacted, and there is a possibility that financial objectives may not be met, nor the principal investment recovered. Independent financial advice should always be sought, and personal financial experience and standing carefully considered. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Bitget accepts no liability for any potential losses incurred. Nothing contained herein should be construed as financial advice. For further information, please refer to our Terms of Use.

    About Ripple

    Ripple is the leading provider of digital asset infrastructure for financial institutions and other enterprises—delivering simple, compliant, reliable software that unlocks efficiencies, reduces friction, and enhances innovation in global finance. Ripple’s solutions leverage the XRP Ledger and its native digital asset, XRP, which was purpose-built to enable fast, low-cost, highly scalable transactions across developer and financial use cases. With a proven track record of working with regulators and policymakers around the world, Ripple’s payments, custody and stablecoin solutions are pioneering the digital asset economy—building credibility and trust in enterprise blockchain. Together with customers, partners and the developer community, we are transforming the way the world creates, stores, manages and moves value.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9cba8e14-64a1-4afa-b20e-1fb01bb7d4f6

    The MIL Network –

  • Crisil pegs India’s GDP growth at 6.5% in fiscal 2026

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Crisil on Thursday forecast India’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth at 6.5 per cent in fiscal 2026, adding that improving domestic consumption is likely to support industrial activity.

    “We expect domestic consumption demand to improve driven by healthy agricultural growth, easing inflation supporting discretionary spend, rate cuts by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) and income tax relief this fiscal,” the global ratings agency said in a note.

    The India Meteorological Department expects an above-normal monsoon this fiscal (106 per cent of long-period average), which bodes well for agricultural production and inflation.

    Furthermore, according to Crisil Intelligence, crude oil prices are expected to remain subdued this fiscal, averaging $65-$70 per barrel compared with an average of $78.8 per barrel in the previous fiscal.

    “We expect the MPC to cut the repo rate by another 50 basis points (bps) this fiscal, after 50 bps cuts until April. Bank lending rates have begun easing, which should support domestic demand,” according to the note.

    Overall, Crisil forecasts gross domestic product (GDP) growth at 6.5 per cent in fiscal 2026, with external headwinds posing downside risks.

    In the month of significant tariff announcements by the United States (US), IIP growth slowed in April. Production slowed in certain export-oriented sectors (including pharmaceuticals and chemicals), while front-loading exports benefitted others (machinery and readymade garments). Among consumer goods, durables performed better than non-durables.

    Industrial goods recorded a mixed performance, with output growth in capital goods picked up sharply along with a mild acceleration in intermediate goods.

    Performance of export-oriented sectors was mixed in April, despite the sharp improvement in merchandise exports (9.0 per cent in April in nominal terms vs 0.7 per cent in the previous month).

    There was also a 6.4 per cent increase in the production of consumer durables such as electronic goods, refrigerators, and TVs during November, reflecting the higher consumer demand for these items amid rising incomes, according to data released by the Ministry of Statistics.

    The infrastructure sector clocked a growth of 4 per cent on the back of big-ticket government projects being implemented in the highways, railways and ports sectors.

    (IANS)

  • MIL-Evening Report: How the North West Shelf expansion risks further damage to Murujuga’s 50,000-year-old rock art

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Benjamin Smith, Professor of Archaeology (World Rock Art), School of Social Sciences, The University of Western Australia

    Yesterday, new environment minister Murray Watt approved an extension for the North West Shelf liquefied natural gas project. The gas plant at Karratha, Western Australia, will run until 2070.

    This expansion – and the pollution it will release – has led to a recommendation by the International Council on Monuments and Sites to defer UNESCO’s decision on the world heritage listing of the nearby Murujuga rock art.

    Two of the recommendations prior to renomination of the site are to “ensure the total removal of degrading acidic emissions” and “prevent any further industrial development adjacent to, and within, the Murujuga Cultural Landscape”.

    Murujuga has more than one million petroglyphs, some up to 50,000 years old.

    It has the oldest depictions of the human face in the world and records the lore and traditions of Aboriginal Australians since the first human settlement of this continent. It is strikingly beautiful and is of enormous cultural and spiritual importance to the Traditional Owners.

    Despite the immense significance of the site, a large industrial precinct has been built at its centre.



    Read more:
    Green light for gas: North West Shelf gas plant cleared to run until 2070

    Concerns about the Murujuga Rock Art report

    On Friday, the Western Australian Government released the long awaited Murujuga Rock Art Monitoring Program Year 2 report. This report examines the effect of industrial pollution upon one of the world’s most significant rock art sites.

    We have conducted our own independent project into the impact of industrial emissions on Murujuga since 2018. Many of our findings support the details in this report but the government’s report summary and subsequent political commentary downplays the ongoing impacts of acidic emissions from industry on the world unique rock art.

    The most significant findings are the Weathering Chamber results. These subjected all rock types from Murujuga to the air pollutants released by industry. The results showed that all were degraded, even with relatively low doses of sulphur dioxide (SO₂) and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂).

    The second highly significant finding is that “there is statistically significant evidence of elevated porosity of granophyre rock surfaces”. This is centred on the industrial precinct in Murujuga. The report acknowledges industrial pollution is the most likely cause.

    This degradation and elevated porosity of the rocks puts the survival of the petroglyphs at risk.

    On our research team, Jolam Neumann’s still to be published PhD thesis at the University of Bonn, Germany, considered the impacts of industrial pollution on Murujuga rocks.

    He used actual samples of gabbro and granophyre rock collected from Murujuga and simulated six years of weathering under current pollution conditions. He found elevated porosity in both rock surfaces. He also collected the residue to understand what was eroded from the rock and how.

    He found there was significant degradation of birnessite (manganese) and kaolinite (clay) from the surface. The dark red/brown surface of the rock became porous and started to break down.

    His work confirms industrial emissions are the cause of the elevated porosity in the report. His work shows the seriousness of the porosity: it is symptomatic of a process causing the rapid disintegration of the rock surface.

    Damage is ongoing

    With Murujuga Rock Art Monitoring Program report showing evidence of damage to the art from pollution, the state government chose to emphasise in their report summary that a defunct power plant from the 1970s and 1980s was likely the culprit.

    The report’s data suggests this power plant produced about 3,600 tonnes of NO₂ per year, and less than 400 tonnes of SO₂ per year. Current industry in the immediate area produces more than 13,000 tonnes of NO₂ per year and more than 6,500 tonnes of SO₂.

    If the old power plant damaged the art then contemporary industrial emissions will be damaging the rock art at least five times faster.

    Neumann also gained access to a piece of rock collected in 1994 by archaeological scientist Robert Bednarik, and stored in his office in Melbourne for the past 30 years.

    The area where this rock came from now has elevated porosity, but the Bendarik rock shows no signs of it. This means the bulk of the industrial damage is likely more recent than 1994 – and is ongoing.

    Losing 50,000 years of culture

    The rock art was formed by engraving into the outer thin red/brown/black surface of the rock, called rock varnish, exposing the blue-grey parent rock beneath.

    This rock varnish was made in a process that involved the actions of specialised microbes called cyanobacteria. They concentrate manganese and iron from the environment to form an outer sheath to protect themselves from the harsh desert environment.

    The rock varnish forms at an incredibly slow rate: 1 to 10 microns in 1,000 years (a human hair is about 100 microns).

    These organisms can only thrive when the rock surface acidity is near neutral (pH 6.5–7). Their manganese sheaths are crucial to the integrity of the rock varnish, it binds it together and holds it to the underlying rock.

    If you lose the manganese you lose the rock varnish and the rock art.

    Neumann found the proportion of manganese in the Bednarik rock sample was 18.4% by weight. In samples collected in the same area in 2021, the manganese content had fallen to 9.6%. The depth of the varnish was reduced, and the varnish layer was full of holes where the manganese had been degraded.

    The damage by industry over the last 26 years was clearly visible.

    Increased porosity is reducing the density of the rock varnish layer and leading to its eventual degradation. There is also an absence of cyanobacteria close to the industrial sites, but not at more distant sites, suggesting industrial emissions are eliminating the varnish-forming microbes.

    Where to next?

    Industrial pollution has degraded the rock art and will continue to do so until the industrial pollution levels at Murujuga are reduced to zero.

    There are two well-recognised ways to eliminate NO₂ emissions. One uses selective catalytic reduction to convert NO₂ to nitrogen and water. The second method is to replace all gas burning heat production processes with electricity.

    The use of such technologies should form part of the conditions to the ministerial approval of the North West Shelf extension.

    Benjamin Smith receives funding from the Australian Research Council and the National Foundation for Australia-China Relations. Neither of these funding bodies provided funding for the research discussed here and the views expressed here may not reflect those of these funding bodies. The research upon which this Conversation piece is based was funded solely by private donations from concerned citizens. We received no funding for this research from either industry or government.

    John Black is retired and receives no government or industry funding. The research upon which this Conversation piece is based was funded solely by private donations from concerned citizens. We received no funding for this research from either industry or government.

    – ref. How the North West Shelf expansion risks further damage to Murujuga’s 50,000-year-old rock art – https://theconversation.com/how-the-north-west-shelf-expansion-risks-further-damage-to-murujugas-50-000-year-old-rock-art-257615

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • Choreographed Demographic Alterations Driven by Political Motives, Aimed at Changing Geographies, Disrupt Social and Cultural Equilibrium: Vice-President

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (2)

    lign=”center”>Weaponisation Of Faith Through Coerced Conversion Erodes Social Harmony, Says VP
    Peace Is Secured From A Position Of Strength, Says VP
    Democracy Cannot Prosper Without Security, Economic Resilience, And Internal Harmony, Stresses VP
    Caste-Based Census Is A Milestone Step Towards Equitable Development, Says VP
    Democracies Must Be Compassionate, But Democracy Cannot Afford To Be Complacent, Highlights VP
    Demography, Democracy, And Diversity Define The Soul Of New Bharat, Urges VP
    Vice-President Addresses The 65th And 66th Convocation Ceremony Of The International Institute For Population Sciences (IIPS) In Mumbai

    The Vice-President of India, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar today said, “There are choreographed, well-structured, ill-designed alterations aimed at changing the makeup of certain geographies. Young friends, these calculated alterations in our demography are often driven by political or strategic motives that are certainly not wholesome for our nation. These disrupt our social and cultural equilibrium. Such menacing trends require vigilant monitoring and decisive action to safeguard the integrity and sovereignty of Bharat. These are the most worrying trends. In contrast to slow and long term demographic shifts, which is usual, natural, demographic changes take place. They have to take place, but they are usually slow and long term. Natural demographic shifts occur gradually, deliberate and orchestrated changes in the demographic composition of certain regions pose a significant concern.”

    https://twitter.com/VPIndia/status/1927729706813841451

    Addressing the 65th and 66th Convocation Ceremony of the International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS), Mumbai, as the Chief Guest, Shri Dhankhar said, “Peace is quintessential, fundamental for survival of democracy. Never forget, peace is secured from a position of strength. Democracy can blossom and prosper only in peace that is earned through strength, effective security, economic resilience, internal harmony. History is proof of it. Invasions can be thwarted and peace secured only when we are ever ready for war. Bharat has sent a global message. No longer shall we tolerate terrorism. We will liquidate it and destroy the source of it. Peace is not absence of conflict. It is the presence of preparedness. Democracy is a delicate bloom in its fertile soil of security. Democracy cannot prosper if there is no security. The sunlight of economic opportunity and the steady reign of social harmony also require peace.”

    On matters of security and national fortitude, Shri Dhankhar declared, “Without peace, democracy withers into fear, mistrust, and chaos. But let us not mistake peace for passivity. Lasting peace is never given — it is earned and it is defended. A nation secures its borders by decisive policies, by being resilient in its economy — then the nation becomes a fortress of peace. We have to emerge as a powerful military force in the region. Emergence of recent combinations that were decisively defeated by us — we have to be ever cognizant of them. We must embrace the ancient wisdom. And mind you, India is a global treasure of knowledge because of our ancient scriptures. There is Shanti Mantra. If we believe in peace, the nation has never believed in expansion.”

    Turning to a transformative governance reform, the Vice-President commended the Government of India’s decision, “The recent decision by the Government of India — a game-changing decision, a milestone in governance — is to include caste-based enumeration in the upcoming decadal census. This will be transformative. This will help us satisfy aspirations equitably to bring about equality and will be a decisive step towards social justice. This will also help us when data becomes available to enrich our understanding of inequalities. Because if inequalities are there, they generate and breed inequities. That is not the essence of governance. And therefore, these caste-based censuses, the data that will emanate, will guide us for targeted development. Development will reach in sectors where it is needed. I can say with pride, institutions like IIPS are uniquely positioned to play a crucial, critical role in interpreting such data and proposing inclusive solutions.”

    https://twitter.com/VPIndia/status/1927720771130179898

    He warned of deeply concerning trends threatening Bharat’s social fabric, “Bharat faces alarmingly cliffhanging situations with respect to demographic shifts, driven by unchecked illegal migrants, coupled with another sinister mechanism — alluring, manipulative conversions that distort our social fabric. These are not ordinary challenges. They are existential challenges that demand urgent, resolute, and effective national response. The time to act is now. Time to act with clarity and conviction, because this time bomb is ticking. We will have to demonstrate unwavering, unflinching, determined commitment to preserving the authenticity, the sanctity, and integrity of our civilization.”

    Highlighting the severity of orchestrated demographic interference, the Vice-President stated, “When demographic balances are manipulated not by organic evolution but by sinister orchestrated design, then it is no longer a question of migration — it is a question of demographic invasion. Bharat has suffered it. There are millions of illegal migrants. Can we suffer from them? We need people in this country who are committed to our civilisation, who believe in भारतीयता, who believe in our nationalism, who are prepared to lay down their lives for the nation.”

    He raised the alarm on conversion-based strategies that fragment societal unity, “Equally disturbing, worrisome, of deep concern is the weaponization of faith through coerced or induced conversion. Where belief is replaced by inducement, every belief has to be voluntary, optional. It is induced by Allurement! and choice by agenda. These are not isolated incidents. They erode social harmony, cultural coherence, and compromise of national security. Always remember, and Bharat is known in the world for this, democracies must be compassionate, but democracy cannot afford to be complacent.”

    The Vice-President passionately called for authentic public dialogue rooted in India’s civilisational values, “Authentic discourse is our core civilisational value. We cannot have rhetoric. We cannot have jingoism. Public discourse has to be authentic. Our heritage, drawn from Upanishads and Dharmashastras, celebrates dialogue over dogma, restraint over rage. I am pained sometimes when dogma and rage prevail. Youngsters in the country, the youth of the country, and the future of the country have to play a critical role in making public discourse more rational, sensible, and in sync with our civilisational ethos. Authenticity of communication with the public is fundamental. There are some exceptions, like security aspects, but for the rest, it is non-negotiable. Let us reaffirm the soul of democracy resides in honest, sincere, upright, factually balanced and correct dialogue.”

    https://twitter.com/VPIndia/status/1927730018429673900

    On India’s inclusive spirit and civilisational ethos, he reflected, “Which nation in the world can boast of inclusive growth, inclusive life and harmony? The Hinduism majority deeply rooted in the civilisational spirit has never been guided by majoritarianism. People mistake it. Hinduism majority is not majoritarianism. These impulses are antithetical to us. And see the difference in other traditions across the world. Level of their intolerance, level of their fundamentalism. They determine the mission to control through demographic explosion. Expansionism has no place in Hinduism, no place in Sanatan. This is a thought because we seek not to conquer, but to coexist.”

    In his concluding remarks, the Vice-President underscored the importance of population data for development, “Demography, democracy, and diversity. These three Ds define the soul of new bharat. These three pillars encapsulate the essence of India’s identity and aspirations. Demography represents the dynamic human capital that fuels the engine of progress. Democracy provides a robust framework for collective decision-making. In any other governance, there is no participation of the people in decision-making. Democracy, from that perspective, is unique. And diversity? India represents to the entire world what diversity is. We have a resplendent landscape, a spectrum of cultures, traditions, and perspectives that make our great ‘Bharat’ unique in the world. Understanding population dynamics, its growth, distribution, and composition, is fundamental to crafting policies that ensure sustainable development, economic growth, and social harmony. This aspect is critical for national security and harmony also. I know you are aware of the challenges. Your data will awaken those who need to address these challenges that have taken monstrous dimensions.”

    https://twitter.com/VPIndia/status/1927713635578908767

    Smt. Anupriya Patel, Union Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare; and Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Govt. of India, Shri Jaykumar Rawal, Minister of (Protocol & Marketing), Maharashtra, Prof. D.A. Nagdeve, Director & Sr. Professor(Addl. Charge), IIPS and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Relations between Brazil and the US are not unconditional – Foreign Minister

    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

    RIO DE JANEIRO, May 29 (Xinhua) — Brazil’s relations with the United States are not unconditional, Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira told a committee of the Chamber of Deputies on Wednesday, amid concerns that new U.S. restrictions could affect Brazilian citizens.

    The Foreign Minister expressed concern over the recent decision by the US government to suspend issuance of new visas to foreign students. “This is a worrying situation. We have a large number of Brazilian students at US universities, and we will have to monitor developments,” he said.

    The Minister stressed that, in accordance with international agreements, host countries are required to issue visas for participation in multilateral events, including those held by the UN or the Organization of American States (OAS).

    The US visa suspension has raised concerns in Brazil over the potential disruption to academic ties. Officials have warned that the move could hinder talent exchanges and slow scientific collaboration between the two countries.

    Access to higher education abroad remains a key element of Brazil’s labor force development and innovation strategy, said M. Vieira. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Bloods Gang Leader Convicted of Narcotics Distribution Resulting in Three Overdoses

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    A federal jury yesterday in Central Islip convicted Gary Johnson, a Bloods gang leader, on 22 counts of a second superseding indictment charging him with narcotics distribution, including distribution that resulted in three non-fatal overdoses, as well as a firearms-related crime.  The verdict followed a four-week trial before United States District Judge Joan M. Azrack. When sentenced, Johnson faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in prison and up to life in prison.

    Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Christopher G. Raia, Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York  Field Office (FBI); and Kevin Catalina, Commissioner, Suffolk County Police Department (SCPD), announced the verdict.

    “Johnson peddled his potentially lethal drugs across Long Island while lining his pockets with profits, causing life threatening injuries to several members of our community in the process,” stated United States Attorney Nocella.  “This Office, along with our law enforcement partners, remains committed to finding, arresting, and prosecuting the drug traffickers and gang members who seek to profit from the ongoing opioid crisis and stopping all of the devastating effects these narcotics have brought with them.”

    “For years, Gary Johnson, a Bloods gang leader, carelessly supplied potentially lethal quantities of heroin and fentanyl to turn a profit,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Raia.  “By distributing highly addictive narcotics, Johnson demonstrated a disregard to communal health and endangered countless residents, even causing three individuals to overdose.  With the assistance from our law enforcement partners, the FBI will never cease its mission to disrupt all criminal enterprises poisoning our communities with dangerous drugs.”

    “While nothing can take away the suffering of those who experienced life-threatening impacts caused by Johnson’s greed, let this sentence bring some solace that his crimes will not go unpunished,” stated SCPD Commissioner Catalina. “We will continue to collaborate with our law enforcement partners to ensure narcotics trafficking is ceased.”

    As proven at trial and set forth in court filings, between June 2013 and November 2020, Johnson, a leader in the G-Shine set of the Bloods based in Suffolk County, sold fentanyl, cocaine, and heroin throughout Long Island.  The drugs the defendant sold resulted in multiple victims experiencing overdoses, including three overdoses in March and May 2020.  The jury returned a verdict convicting Johnson of multiple counts of distributing heroin, cocaine, and/or fentanyl.  In connection with the overdoses, Johnson was convicted of three counts of narcotics distribution resulting in serious bodily injury.

    Johnson was also convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm.  This charge arose from evidence recovered from Johnson’s residence when law enforcement executed a search warrant and recovered a semi-automatic firearm.  

    The government’s case is being handled by the Criminal Section of the Long Island Division.  Assistant United States  Attorneys Meredith A. Arfa, Stephen Petraeus and Mark E. Misorek are in charge of the prosecution with assistance from Paralegal Specialists Dejah Turla, Rebecca Roth, and Adam Bernard, as well as Victim Witness Specialist Stephanie Marroquin.

    The Defendant:

    GARY JOHNSON
    Age:  41
    Bellport, New York

    E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 20-CR-518 (S-2) (JMA)

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Trump’s global trade plans are in disarray, after a US court ruling on ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Susan Stone, Credit Union SA Chair of Economics, University of South Australia

    A US court has blocked the so-called “Liberation Day” tariffs that US President Donald Trump imposed on imported goods from around 90 nations. This puts implementation of Trump’s current trade policy in disarray.

    The Court of International Trade ruled the emergency authority Trump used to impose the tariffs could not override the role of Congress, which has the right to regulate commerce with other countries.

    Tariffs imposed via other legislative processes such as those dealing with cars, steel and aluminium continue to stand. But the broad-based “reciprocal” tariffs will need to be removed within 10 days of the court’s ruling. Trump administration officials have already filed plans to appeal.

    The ruling calls into question trade negotiations underway with more than 18 different nations that are trying to lower these tariffs. Do these countries continue to negotiate or do they wait for the judicial process to play out?

    The Trump administration still has other mechanisms through which it can impose tariffs, but these have limits on the amount that can be imposed, or entail processes which can take months or years. This undermines Trump’s preferred method of negotiation: throwing out large threats and backing down once a concession is reached.

    Emergency powers were a step too far

    The lawsuits were filed by United States importers of foreign products and some US states, challenging Trump’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977.

    The lawsuits argued the national emergencies cited in imposing the tariffs – the trade deficit and the fentanyl crisis – were not an emergency and not directly addressed by the tariff remedy. The court agreed, and said by imposing tariffs Trump had overstepped his authority.

    The ruling said the executive orders used were “declared to be invalid as contrary to law”.

    The act states the president is entitled to take economic action in the face of “an unusual and extraordinary threat”. It’s mainly been used to impose sanctions on terrorist groups or freeze assets from Russia. There’s nothing in the act that refers to tariffs.

    The decision means all the reciprocal tariffs – including the 10% tariffs on most countries, the 50% tariffs Trump was talking about putting on the EU, and some of the Chinese tariffs – are ruled by the court to be illegal. They must be removed within 10 days.

    The ruling was based on two separate lawsuits. One was brought by a group of small businesses that argued tariffs materially hurt their business. The other was brought by 12 individual states that argued the tariffs would materially impact their ability to provide public goods.

    Some industry tariffs will remain in place

    The ruling does not apply to tariffs applied under Section 201, known as safeguard tariffs. They are intended to protect industries from imports allegedly being sold in the US market at unfair prices or through unfair means. Tariffs on solar panels and washing machines were brought under this regulation.

    Also excluded are Section 232 tariffs, which are applied for national security reasons. Those are the steel and aluminium tariffs, the automobile and auto parts tariffs. Trump has declared all those as national security issues, so those tariffs will remain.

    Most of the tariffs against China are also excluded under Section 301. Those are put in place for unfair trade practices, such as intellectual property theft or forced technology transfer. They are meant to pressure countries to change their policies.

    Other trade investigations are still underway

    In addition, there are current investigations related to copper and the pharmaceuticals sector, which will continue. These investigations are part of a more traditional trade process and may lead to future tariffs, including on Australia.

    The Trump administration is still weighing possible sector-specific tariffs on pharmaceuticals.
    Planar/Shutterstock

    Now for the appeals

    The Trump administration has already filed its intention to appeal to the federal appeals court. This process will take some time. In the meantime, there are at least five other legal challenges to tariffs pending in the courts.

    If the appeals court provides a ruling the Trump administration or opponents don’t like, they can appeal to the Supreme Court.

    Alternatively, the White House could direct customs officials to ignore the court and continue to collect tariffs.

    The Trump administration has ignored court orders in the past, particularly on immigration rulings. So it remains to be seen if customs officials will release goods without the tariffs being paid in 10 days’ time.

    The administration is unlikely to lay down on this. In addition to its appeal process, officials complained about “unelected judges” and “judicial overreach” and may contest the whole process. The only thing that continues to be a certainty is that uncertainty will drive global markets for the foreseeable future.

    Susan Stone 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. Trump’s global trade plans are in disarray, after a US court ruling on ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs – https://theconversation.com/trumps-global-trade-plans-are-in-disarray-after-a-us-court-ruling-on-liberation-day-tariffs-257812

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: UNESCO expresses ‘utmost concern’ at the state of the Great Barrier Reef

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jon C. Day, Adjunct Principal Research Fellow, College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University

    UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee has again raised grave fears for the future of the Great Barrier Reef, highlighting the problems of water pollution, climate change and unsustainable fishing.

    The committee this week released draft decisions regarding the conservation of 62 World Heritage properties. This included the Great Barrier Reef, for which it noted:

    Overall, while progress has been made, significant challenges remain in achieving water quality targets, managing extreme climate impacts, and ensuring the long-term resilience of the property.

    The comments confirm what experts already know too well: despite substantial investments from successive Australian governments, threats to the Great Barrier Reef remain.

    Climate change is the greatest threat to the Great Barrier Reef and other coral reefs around the world. But water pollution is the most significant local threat. That issue, along with unsustainable fishing, is entirely within Australia’s control.

    The World Heritage Committee will consider the draft decision at its next meeting in Paris in July. It may amend the decision, but the concerns are now on the public record.

    What’s all this about?

    The Great Barrier Reef has been on UNESCO’s World Heritage list for more than 40 years. The listing recognises outstanding natural and cultural places around the world.

    The reef is jointly managed by the Australian and Queensland governments. UNESCO’s draft decision expressed “utmost concern” at the findings of last year’s outlook report, published by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. It noted:

    the overall outlook for the property remains one of continued deterioration due largely to climate change, while the long-term outlook for the ecosystem of the property also remains ‘very poor’.

    Poor water quality persists

    Poor water quality is a major issue on the Great Barrier Reef. It is caused when sediment, nutrients, pesticides and pollution from land-based activities, such as land clearing, farming and coastal development, are carried into the ocean.

    In its draft decision, UNESCO noted with “regrets” that the latest water quality targets for sediment and nitrogen – a key component of fertilisers – were not achieved. UNESCO said the updated water quality plan should ensure targets and actions “are sufficiently ambitious and funded”.

    As the below graph shows, actions from 2009 to now have reduced pollution only by about half the desired amounts. At the existing rate of progress and funding commitments, the targets will not be met until 2047 (for sediment) and 2114 (for dissolved inorganic nitrogen).

    Huge gaps exist between current pollutants levels and the water quality targets. These and some other targets are well out of reach under existing funding levels.

    The draft decision also requests a halt to illegal land clearing while strengthening vegetation laws – both fundamental to reducing water pollution.

    Severe weather events exacerbate the water quality problem. In February this year, for example, floodwaters from ten major rivers merged to form extensive flood plumes along 700 kilometres of coastline from Cairns to Mackay, and up to 100 kilometres offshore.

    Such plumes can remain present for months after a flood. They can smother seagrass and corals, and cause damaging algal growth.

    Queensland’s floods in February discharged large plumes of sediment-laden floodwaters towards the Great Barrier Reef. This Sentinel 2 satellite image shows sediment from the Burdekin River estuary south of Townsville.
    Tropwater, CC BY-NC-ND

    The wicked problem of climate change

    UNESCO’s draft decision noted “the overall outlook for the property remains one of continued deterioration due largely to climate change”.

    Ocean heatwaves can lead to coral bleaching and potentially death. Mass bleaching occurred again this year on the Great Barrier Reef – the sixth such event since 2016.

    UNESCO described as “deeply concerning” preliminary results showing heat stress was the highest on record during the 2023–24 mass bleaching event.

    Climate change is also expected to produce more frequent and intense extreme weather events such as tropical cyclones, which can damage reefs and island ecosystems.

    UNESCO called on Australia to align its policies with the global goal of “limiting global temperature to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels”, and to take steps to mitigate negative impacts from extreme weather events.

    The challenges of fishing

    Unsustainable fishing practices damage the Great Barrier Reef. UNESCO’s draft decision noted progress in eliminating gillnet fishing, which is on track for the target of 2027.

    The fishing method involves mesh nets which can accidentally kill other wildlife, including threatened species such as dugongs, turtles, dolphins and sawfish.

    But smaller nets can still be used throughout much of the World Heritage area, so some threats to threatened species remain.

    UNESCO also urged Australia to expand electronic monitoring of commercial fishing vessels, and to ensure the targets in its Sustainable Fisheries Strategy are met. It also called for a comprehensive review of coral harvesting, which primarily supplies the global aquarium trade.

    What next?

    Despite the significant resources and management efforts Australia expends on the Great Barrier Reef, serious threats remain.

    The Great Barrier Reef is struggling under the cumulative impacts of a multitude of threats. The problems outlined above are not isolated challenges.

    Both the Queensland and Australian governments could do far more to boost the health of the reef. Clearly, more funding is needed. Without it, the future of the Great Barrier Reef is in jeopardy, and so too its tourism and fishing economies, and thousands of jobs.

    UNESCO has now asked Australia to provide more comprehensive results from the recent mass bleaching on the Great Barrier Reef, along with an updated plan to improve water quality. Its draft decision maintains the spotlight on conservation concerns for this precious natural asset.

    Jon Day previously worked for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority between 1986 and 2014, and was one of the Directors at GBRMPA between 1998 and 2014. He also represented Australia as one of the formal delegates to the World Heritage Committee between 2007-2011.

    Scott F. Heron is the co-developer of the Climate Vulnerability Index; he receives funding from Australian Research Council.

    – ref. UNESCO expresses ‘utmost concern’ at the state of the Great Barrier Reef – https://theconversation.com/unesco-expresses-utmost-concern-at-the-state-of-the-great-barrier-reef-257638

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • Operation Sindoor outreach: Sule-led delegation conveys India’s resolute stance against terrorism in South Africa

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    An all-party Indian parliamentary delegation led by NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule held extensive meetings with South African leadership in Cape Town, reiterating India’s firm and united stand against terrorism.

    According to a statement from the High Commission of India in Pretoria, the delegation met with South African Deputy Minister Kenneth Morolong and conveyed India’s counter-terrorism approach, which includes holding both terrorists and their enablers accountable through prompt and decisive action.

    The Deputy Minister assured that the matter would be brought to the attention of the South African Presidency, said the Indian mission.

    The delegation also held a detailed discussion with John Steenhuisen, Leader of the Democratic Alliance (DA) and Minister of Agriculture, along with other senior DA members.

    “DA expressed solidarity with the victims of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam and supported India’s resolve to fight cross-border terrorism,” the High Commission stated.

    Another key engagement was with the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa, chaired by Supra Obakeng Ramoeletsi Mahumapelo.

    During the meeting, the Indian MPs provided details of the Pahalgam terror attack and emphasised that Operation Sindoor was a focused and non-escalatory response aimed at neutralising the threat posed by cross-border terrorism.

    The visit began with a meeting hosted by P. (Les) Govender, Deputy Chairperson of South Africa’s National Council of Provinces (NCOP). During the session, a minute of silence was also observed in remembrance of the Pahalgam attack victims.

    The parliamentarians highlighted India’s unified approach and zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism. Members of NCOP expressed their solidarity with India and condemned terrorism in all its forms.

    Earlier, marking the start of the engagements, the delegation interacted with members of the Indian community in Johannesburg.

    “All-party delegation led by MP Supriya Sule interacted with the Indian community in South Africa. They emphasised India’s national consensus and collective resolve against terrorism in all its forms. Commended the wholehearted support of Indian diaspora to eradicate the scourge of terrorism,” the Indian High Commission posted on X.

    In addition to Sule, the delegation includes BJP leaders Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Anurag Thakur and V. Muraleedharan, Congress leaders Manish Tewari and Anand Sharma, Telugu Desam Party’s Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu, Aam Aadmi Party leader Vikramjeet Singh Sawhney, and former diplomat Syed Akbaruddin.

    The delegation arrived in South Africa following a successful visit to Qatar. The visit is part of India’s global outreach to raise awareness about the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor, India’s calibrated military response.

    (With inputs from IANS)

  • MIL-OSI China: China Film outlines its achievements, ambitions

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

    China Film Co. Ltd. has been named one of China’s top 30 cultural enterprises for the 17th time in a list jointly released by Guangming Daily and Economic Daily.

    Fu Ruoqing, chairman of China Film Co. Ltd., poses for a photo after a ceremony recognizing China’s top 30 cultural enterprises for 2025, Beijing, May 26, 2025. [Photo courtesy of China Film Co. Ltd.]

    Fu Ruoqing, chairman of China Film Co. Ltd., accepted the award at a ceremony in Beijing on May 26. The company also released a press release underscoring its remarkable achievements over the past year along with its innovations and global ambitions.

    The statement noted that behind this significant honor lies the company’s steadfast role as a national leader in cinema, demonstrating its commitment to innovation across multiple fronts including quality productions, technological advancement and market revitalization.

    China Film Co. Ltd. maintains a people-centered creative approach, emphasizing meaningful themes, compelling storytelling and high-quality productions, according to the press release. In 2024, the company released 46 films, accounting for 70.19% of China’s total domestic box office revenue. Nine of these titles ranked among the year’s top 10 highest-grossing Chinese films. The productions have earned more than 140 domestic and international honors.

    Notable releases include “The Volunteers: The Battle of Life and Death,” portraying the heroic efforts during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea; the visually poetic dance film “A Tapestry of a Legendary Land,” adapting traditional Chinese culture through cross-media artistry; the dramas “Promise of Decades” and “Revisit,” commemorating the 25th anniversary of Macao’s return; and “Snow Leopard,” winner of multiple international awards.

    The film company is driving reform to boost productivity and innovation, integrating its operations in investment, development, production and distribution through deep convergence of production and operational systems. This creative-centered approach unleashes youthful vitality and a pioneering spirit. Through its Young Filmmakers Initiative, the company is fostering a new generation of creative studios and empowering young directors to boldly create and innovate.

    China Film Co. Ltd. said it has consistently led technological innovation in cinema amid the convergence of technology and culture. In 2024, the company unveiled a two-year film technology innovation plan and achieved several breakthroughs in core technologies, developing China’s own high-format cinema system covering projection equipment, production processes and front-end shooting. Its 10-meter Cinity LED screen became the world’s first DCI-certified LED projection system, marking China’s leadership in direct-view display technology. Following the opening of the Cinity LED Mastering Center in Beijing, an overseas counterpart has also been completed and put into operation in Hollywood. Over 200 Cinity theaters operate domestically, with more than 30 overseas. On May 16, the world’s first 14-meter Cinity LED screen debuted in Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, delivering groundbreaking audiovisual experiences.

    China operates the world’s most extensive digital film distribution network covering both urban and rural areas. As the country’s largest distributor, China Film Co. Ltd. has implemented a range of measures to ensure robust film supply. In 2024, the company handled distribution for 646 films, accounting for 87.52% of China’s total box office revenue. Notably, it distributed all of the 10 highest-grossing domestic films and 98% of imported foreign titles, further solidifying its market dominance.

    The company has actively responded to policies for stimulating consumption and domestic demand to unlock market potential. In 2024, it partnered with China Media Group to pioneer cinema live broadcasts, holding over 1,000 screening events that attracted 64,000 viewers. The “Games Wide Open” initiative, bringing Olympic events to cinemas, became a cultural phenomenon.

    The company has also accelerated global outreach, with several films receiving overseas releases and selection at international film festivals. Through its alliance booths at various film events and festivals, it has facilitated 68 participating organizations in exhibitions and negotiations, brokered 11 international cooperation deals and promoted nearly 200 films. The addition of new documentary and stage art film categories further diversified China’s cinematic exports.

    As the vanguard of China’s film industry, China Film Co. Ltd. stated it will continue to advance high-quality development through proactive measures in production, distribution, exhibition, technology and services.

    China Film Co. Ltd., China Publishing Group, Tencent, iQiyi, iFlytek and 25 other enterprises were named to this year’s list of China’s top 30 cultural enterprises. These industry leaders reported total net assets of 695.2 billion yuan in 2024, with combined operating revenue of 639.8 billion yuan from their core businesses — breaking the 600-billion-yuan threshold for the first time.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Elon Musk leaving US govt role

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

    Tesla CEO Elon Musk said Wednesday that he is leaving his government role as an adviser to U.S. President Donald Trump.

    “As my scheduled time as a Special Government Employee comes to an end, I would like to thank President Trump for the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending,” Musk posted on X.

    “The DOGE (the Department of Government Efficiency) mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government,” he said.

    U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson on Wednesday thanked Musk for his work and promised to pursue more spending cuts in the future, posting on X that “Elon Musk and the entire DOGE team have done INCREDIBLE work exposing waste, fraud, and abuse across the federal government.”

    “The House is eager and ready to act on DOGE’s findings so we can deliver even more cuts to big government that President Trump wants and the American people demand,” Johnson wrote.

    The billionaire will rededicate himself to companies like Tesla and rocket manufacturer SpaceX. Musk said earlier that he will step back from political spending, because “I think I’ve done enough.”

    In an interview with CBS News on Tuesday, Musk criticized Trump’s “One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act,” describing the legislation, a mix of tax cuts and enhanced immigration enforcement, as a “massive spending bill” that increases the federal deficit and “undermines the work” of DOGE.

    Trump on Wednesday defended his bill, saying, “I’m not happy about certain aspects of it, but I’m thrilled by other aspects of it.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • Operation Sindoor outreach: Panama backs India’s stance against terrorism during Tharoor-led delegation’s visit

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Panama President Jose Raul Mulino Quintero on Thursday (Indian time) extended his support to India’s resolute stand against terrorism during a meeting with an all-party Indian parliamentary delegation led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor.

    The meeting took place at the Presidential Palace in Panama City and marked a key moment in India’s global outreach to garner international backing in the fight against cross-border terrorism.

    “The Indian delegation had a constructive and productive discussion with the President of Panama, Jose Raul Mulino Quintero, at his palace this afternoon. The President graciously expressed his understanding and support for India’s fight against terrorism,” Tharoor posted on X.

    In addition to the meeting with the President, the delegation held discussions with Panamanian Foreign Minister Javier Martinez-Acha and Vice-Minister Carlos Hoyos on Operation Sindoor and India’s determination to counter Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. Panama’s Foreign Minister backed India for a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council.

    “Had an excellent and constructive conversation with Panamanian Foreign Minister Javier Martinez-Acha at his Ministry today, followed by discussions over lunch. He was accompanied by several of his colleagues, including Vice-Minister Carlos Hoyos, as well as two MPs – a tribute to the regard in which India is held here,” Tharoor shared on X.

    “A fruitful meeting of Indian Parliamentary delegation with the President of Panama Jose Raul Mulino at Presidential Palace in Panama City. FM Javier Martinez-Acha Vasquez and senior officials were present. President underlined Panama’s support for India and opposition to terrorism,” posted delegation member and former Indian diplomat Taranjit Singh Sandhu.

    As part of the visit, the delegation paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi by laying floral offerings at his bust at the University of Panama and planting a mango sapling in his memory. Members of the Indian diaspora were also present during the ceremony.

    National Assembly President Dana Castaneda, who met the delegation earlier, also affirmed Panama’s support for India’s efforts.

    Speaking to reporters after the meeting, she said, “The message, which they have conveyed, has been very clearly understood by us. Panama wants to stand with India in this campaign for peace, and we hope that we can defeat terrorism.”

    The delegation’s visit to Panama marked the third leg of Shashi Tharoor-led parliamentarians who are a part of India’s global outreach campaign following the Pahalgam terror attack, in which 26 civilians were killed by Pakistan-linked terrorists.

    In addition to Tharoor, the delegation includes – Shambhavi of the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Sarfaraz Ahmad of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, Milind Murli Deora of the Shiv Sena, and BJP leaders Shashank Mani Tripathi, Bhubaneswar Kalita, and Tejasvi Surya, along with GM Harish Balayogi of the Telugu Desam Party.

    (With agency inputs)

  • Eventful day for Bengal over PM’s twin events in Alipurduar

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    West Bengal is heading for a politically eventful day on Thursday, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi scheduled to attend two major events—one administrative and the other political—in Alipurduar district, located in the northern part of the state.

    This will be the Prime Minister’s first official visit to both Alipurduar and West Bengal after the Lok Sabha elections last year. Prior to the elections, he had visited the state multiple times to campaign for the BJP.

    At the administrative programme, the Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone for the City Gas Distribution (CGD) project in the Alipurduar and Cooch Behar districts.

    The project, worth over ₹1,010 crore, aims to provide Piped Natural Gas (PNG) to more than 2.5 lakh households and over 100 commercial establishments and industries. It will also provide Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) by establishing around 19 CNG stations in line with the Minimum Work Program (MWP) targets stipulated by the Union Government.

    The administrative event will be followed by the Prime Minister’s address at a political rally in Alipurduar, where he is expected to speak about the success of ‘Operation Sindoor’, a military strike in which Indian armed forces successfully demolished several terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

    Political observers feel that Alipurduar has been strategically chosen as the venue for the Prime Minister’s post-‘Operation Sindoor’ programmes due to its geographical significance, with the Chicken Neck corridor on one side and the Seven Sisters of the North-East on the other.

    At the political rally, PM Modi is also expected to launch a scathing attack on the West Bengal government and the ruling Trinamool Congress, as hinted by the Prime Minister in a post on X on Wednesday.

    “I will be addressing a BJP West Bengal public meeting in Alipurduar tomorrow afternoon. Over the last decade, the various schemes of the NDA Government have been greatly appreciated by the people of West Bengal. At the same time, they are tired of the corruption and poor administration of the TMC,” the Prime Minister’s message on Wednesday read.

    — IANS

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: New Development Contributions Policy approved

    Source: Auckland Council

    A new Development Contributions Policy has today been adopted by Auckland Council’s Governing Body.

    The policy ensures the cost of growth-related infrastructure is fairly shared between developers and ratepayers.

    The Contributions Policy 2025 enables the council to recover development contributions from those undertaking development. The policy supports a 30-year plan for growth-related infrastructure in the investment priority areas in Auckland.

    Auckland Council Mayor Wayne Brown said council had a rational debate and sorted this one out fairly fast.

    “At the end of it, growth pays for growth; developers must pay their fair share of the cost of infrastructure,” said Mayor Brown. “Auckland ratepayers shouldn’t be expected to shoulder a disproportionate share of the cost of growth, especially during times when households are struggling. 

    “Given there are often complaints on both sides of this, and we received over 300 pages of robust advice to support our decisions, I’m confident we have landed in the right place. 

    “This is a very significant policy for council, one that enables approximately $10 billion of investment in priority areas across Auckland. We’re doing what we need to support growth in the right places, within the constraints in front of us.” 

    Matching pace and scale of growth

    Auckland Council financial strategy general manager Michael Burns said the council is grateful for feedback on the policy, as it has helped inform a final policy that will enable infrastructure investment to match the pace and scale of Auckland’s growth.

    “This is a complex but significant piece of policy that ultimately affects both current and future Aucklanders. It ensures the cost of new infrastructure is fairly shared between developers and ratepayers, and the council appreciates the feedback from a range of stakeholders that has helped get the balance right,” says Mr Burns.

    “The new policy is informed by our long-term plan adopted last year and also supports a 30-year, $10.3 billion infrastructure investment programme in parts of Auckland where significant growth is expected and delivers quality urban environments.”

    At today’s Governing Body, councillors endorsed a 30-year programme of infrastructure investment required to support the expected development in the identified Investment Priority Areas in Auckland, and adopted the new Contributions Policy 2025 – the two collectively enabling strategic infrastructure investment across Auckland.

    The plans help meet the needs of Auckland’s forecast population growth, as 200,000 more Aucklanders are expected by 2034 and a further 400,000 by 2054. The contributions policy helps fund stormwater, transport, parks and community facilities in new and existing developments.

    The 30-year programme focuses on investment in the Inner Northwest (Redhills, Westgate and Whenuapai), Drury, Māngere, Mount Roskill and Tāmaki.

    The proposed contributions policy was revised following feedback during consultation and takes account of updated information on project requirements, developer and central government plans.

    “Auckland has experienced substantial growth in the last decade and that is expected to continue. The scale of growth means the council needs to plan now for the investment required to support that growth and to plan how it will be funded,” says Mr Burns.

    Investment priority areas

    The increased investment the council is committing to is reflected in an increased development contributions price in some areas. This is particularly so in investment priority areas – Inner Northwest, Tamaki, Mt Roskill, Mangere and Drury – where the scale of growth requires aligned funding.

    Some feedback suggested that it would be fairer for development contribution prices to increase over time rather than remain flat. The council has considered this and agreed that, while still recovering the full costs of infrastructure over time, prices should start lower and increase at 2 per cent annually. This ensures earlier developers pay a similar cost, in real terms, as those who develop later on.

    On average, development contributions in the investment priority areas, paid in the 2025/2026 financial year, will be $48,000. This is down from the $68,000 that was consulted on.

    Development contributions across the rest of Auckland (outside of investment priority areas) will remain on average $20,000 per household equivalent for the 2025/2026 year, less than the $32,000 that was consulted on.

    The policy will come into effect on 1 July 2025.

    For more information, visit aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/developmentcontributions

    – ends –

    Further information

    What is the new pricing for development contributions?
    Development contributions pricing will vary depending on a range of factors, including location, timing and investment levels by area.

    Within the period of the Long-term Plan 2024-2034, areas outside of investment priority areas will see a $8.9 billion capital investment, with $1.5 billion from development contribution at $20,000 on average (per household unit equivalent).  

    Over a 30-year period, there is a $10.3 billion of capital investment in the investment priority areas, with $4.8 billion recovered from development contributions at $48,000 on average (per household unit equivalent).  

    The table below shows the development contribution prices.

    Development contribution costs

      Previous 2022 policy
    (average cost per household unit equivalent)    		 Consultation proposal
    (average cost per household unit equivalent)    		 New 2025 policy
    (average cost per household unit in 2026 financial year increasing by 2 per cent each year)
    Inner Northwest $25,000 $98,000 $72,000
    Tāmaki $31,000 $119,000 $71,000 (with a stormwater connection)$51,000 (without a stormwater connection)
    Mt Roskill $20,000 $52,000 $33,000
    Māngere $18,000 $29,000 $27,000
    Drury $70,000 $83,000 $64,000
    Elsewhere in the Auckland region $20,000 $32,000 $20,000

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • Operation Sindoor outreach: Baijayant Panda-led delegation underlines India’s anti-terrorism stance in Riyadh

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The all-party Indian parliamentary delegation, led by BJP MP Baijayant Jay Panda met Mushabab Al-Qahtani, Director General of Prince Saud Al Faisal Institute of Diplomatic Studies in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday and underlined India’s commitment towards combating terrorism.

    The Embassy of India in Riyadh shared on X: “The All-Party delegation led by @PandaJay met H.E. Dr. Mushabab Al-Qahtani, DG, Prince Saud Al Faisal Institute of Diplomatic Studies @KSAPSAIDS & conveyed India’s unwavering commitment to combat terrorism in its all forms. The delegation also discussed India-Saudi Arabia strategic ties.”

    The delegation highlighted the significance of Operation Sindoor and India’s continued fight against Pakistan-sponsored cross-border terrorism in Riyadh after concluding successful engagements in Kuwait and Bahrain.

    “India’s stand on terrorism is resolute and uncompromising – a message we bring to Saudi Arabia with our all-party delegation. Appreciate the warm welcome by Abdulrahman Alharbi, Chair of the Saudi Arabia-India Friendship Committee of the Sura Council, as we begin key engagements to strengthen our growing partnership,” Panda posted on X.

    The delegation arrived in Riyadh early on Wednesday (Indian time) and later interacted with India’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Suhel Khan, at the India House.

    The delegation also offered floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi’s statue at the Indian Embassy in Riyadh.

    “Along with my colleagues from the all-party delegation, offered floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi, honouring his timeless message of peace, non-violence & tolerance. We also had a detailed interaction with Ambassador Suhel Khan, reaffirming India’s resolute stand against terrorism and commitment to global peace,” Panda posted on X.

    During the three-day visit, the delegation will interact with a cross-section of political dignitaries, government officials, thought leaders, business and media representatives. They will also engage with members of the Indian community, the Indian Embassy in Riyadh said in a statement.

    As part of their concluding day of engagements in Kuwait on Tuesday, the delegation undertook a series of media engagements and cultural visits aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and highlighting India’s united stance against terrorism.

    “The delegation concluded its highly productive visit to Kuwait by effectively conveying India’s message of ‘Zero Tolerance’ and ‘New Normal’ against terrorism to a variety of interlocutors in Kuwait, including the Government, civil society, media, think tanks, opinion-makers and members of the Indian community,” said the Indian Embassy in Kuwait.

    The delegation also includes BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, BJP MP Phangnon Konyak, BJP MP Rekha Sharma, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) MP Asaduddin Owaisi, BJP MP Satnam Singh Sandhu, Ghulam Nabi Azad and former Indian diplomat Harsh Vardhan Shringla.

    (With inputs from IANS)

  • Operation Sindoor outreach: Ravi Shankar Prasad-led delegation heads to Denmark after concluding Rome visit

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    A nine-member Indian parliamentary delegation led by BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad will reach Denmark on Thursday after concluding a diplomatic outreach visit to Italy, where they emphasised India’s unwavering commitment to combating terrorism.

    In Copenhagen, the Indian parliamentarians will highlight the significance of Operation Sindoor and India’s continuing battle against Pakistan-sponsored cross-border terrorism.

    The delegation will interact with Danish parliamentarians, political parties, members of the media, and the Indian diaspora to share the country’s position on global terror challenges.

    During the Italy leg of the visit, the delegation engaged with key Italian leaders, think tanks, strategic experts, and news agencies to underline India’s zero-tolerance and ‘new normal’ policy toward Pakistan-facilitated cross-border terrorism.

    The meetings included discussions with Stefania Craxi, Chairperson of the Italian Senate’s Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee, who echoed India’s concerns and proposed stronger bilateral cooperation to address the global threat of terrorism.

    “During our visit to Italy, my colleagues from the all-party delegation and I had the privilege of meeting Senator Stefania Craxi, Chair of the Senate’s Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee. We apprised her of India’s firm stance against terrorism in all its forms, underscoring our zero-tolerance policy towards cross-border terrorism. Senator Craxi echoed our sentiments, emphasising the need for a unified global response to terrorism and proposing enhanced cooperation between India and Italy to tackle this pressing challenge,” Prasad posted on X.

    The delegation also engaged with the Indian diaspora and highlighted India’s unwavering commitment to combating terrorism.

    The Indian delegation includes, Daggubati Purandeswari (BJP), Priyanka Chaturvedi (Shiv Sena-UBT), Ghulam Ali Khatana (BJP), Amar Singh (Congress), Samik Bhattacharya (BJP), M. Thambidurai (AIADMK), former Union Minister M.J. Akbar, and former Ambassador Pankaj Saran.

    (With inputs from IANS)

  • MIL-OSI Security: CTG 73.6 Divers Complete Micro Spirit Removal in Yap, Federated States of Micronesia as part of Pacific Partnership 2025, May 14, 2025

    Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

    YAP, Federated States of Micronesia – Commander, Task Group 73.6 (CTG 73.6), U.S. 7th Fleet’s deployed salvage force, successfully completed the wreck-in-place and the at-sea disposal of an abandoned derelict vessel (ADV) in Yap, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), as part of Pacific Partnership 25, May 14, 2025.

    The U.S. Navy divers from CTG 73.6, collaborated with multiple agencies; including the Navy’s Supervisor of Salvage (SUPSALV), SMIT Salvage, Singapore Salvage Engineering (SSE), Center Lift, FSM U.S. Embassy office, and Yap local agencies to remove the MV Micro Spirit. The team installed roller bags to relocate the wreck and employed a salvage chisel to conduct wreck-in-place operations into smaller sections for disposal. The sections were then transported to an at-sea designated disposal site approved by the Yap State government for its final resting place.

    Micro Spirit was one of six Japanese-built cargo vessels procured by the FSM government under a Japanese grant aid scheme between 1976 and 1978. The vessels were used by FSM to ferry passengers and cargo between the outer islands of the country. It is estimated that the vessel had been abandoned in place for over 10 years exposed to the elements. Micro Spirit developed severe structural problems – including an 11- degree starboard list and active seal leaks until it deteriorated beyond repair becoming an environmental and safety hazard.

    “The Micro Spirit’s disposal addresses significant environmental and safety concerns posed by the vessel’s presence in Colonia Harbor.” said Senior Chief Navy Diver Melissa Nguyen-Alarcon, Master Diver assigned to CTG 73.6. “Simultaneously, our divers were able to learn invaluable knowledge from their commercial counterparts from SMIT Salvage, SSE and Center Lift.”

    CTG 73.6 divers and personnel from SMIT Salvage and SSE worked together to remove hazardous materials including oil, lubricants, and large quantities of garbage and debris. Their efforts ensured that Micro Spirit was environmentally ready for disposal.

    “Over the years, the Micro Spirit accumulated substantial amount of debris and was cluttering the shores of Yap,” said Lt. Erik Jorde, Officer-in-Charge assigned to CTG 73.6. “Our team collaborated with SSE, SMIT, Center Lift and with local Yapese government agencies to successfully remove the vessel. This is a crucial step for the upcoming MILCON projects.”

    Micro Spirit was ultimately disposed at a pre-designated site, approved by the Yap Governor’s office, located approximately 11 nautical miles northwest of Yap.

    The removal of Micro Spirit contributed to the strong relationships and enduring trust between the United States and the FSM.

    “This mission has allowed CTG 73.6 to further develop their collective expertise and experience,” said LT Kahra Kelty, Acting U.S. 7th Fleet Salvage Officer. “As the designated Executive Agent for salvage and diving operations at CTF-73, it is our responsibility to continually enhance our organic capabilities while also strengthening our relationships with our partners in FSM.”

    CTG 73.6 is currently deployed to Yap, FSM. Renowned as the U.S. Seventh Fleet’s premier maritime emergency response and salvage force, CTG 73.6 exemplifies the U.S. Navy’s commitment to aiding communities in need and providing swift assistance during times of crisis. They will be removing a total of two ADVs while deployed in Yap.

    -30-

    Date Taken: 05.14.2025
    Date Posted: 05.29.2025 01:22
    Story ID: 499143
    Location: FM
    Web Views: 1
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    PUBLIC DOMAIN  

    This work, CTG 73.6 Divers Complete Micro Spirit Removal in Yap, Federated States of Micronesia as part of Pacific Partnership 2025, May 14, 2025, by PO2 Moises Sandoval, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • US judge blocks Trump from suspending Biden-era migrant ‘parole’ programs

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    A U.S. federal judge on Wednesday ordered President Donald Trump’s administration to resume processing applications from migrants seeking work permits or more lasting immigration status who are living in the country temporarily under “parole” programs.

    The ruling by District Judge Indira Talwani in Boston will provide relief to thousands of migrants from Afghanistan, Latin America, and Ukraine who were granted a two-year “parole” to live in the country under programs established by Democratic former President Joe Biden’s administration.

    The same judge had previously blocked the Trump administration from revoking the parole status of hundreds of thousands of Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans. The administration has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to pause her decision.

    Talwani, an appointee of Democratic former President Barack Obama, rejected the Trump administration’s claim that suspending the parole programs was within its broad discretion to direct immigration policy.

    Federal law still requires agencies under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to follow a lengthy process for granting or denying parole and other immigration relief, she wrote in siding with migrants pursuing a class action lawsuit.

    “We are pleased that the court has again rightly recognized the harm the government’s arbitrary decision-making has inflicted on innocent people,” Anwen Hughes, a lawyer for the plaintiffs at Human Rights First, said in a statement.

    The Homeland Security Department did not respond to requests for comment.

    The ruling came on the same day as a U.S. trade court decision to block Trump’s tariffs from going into effect, delivering simultaneous blows to two of the president’s core agendas around trade and immigration.

    The decision came in a lawsuit challenging a pause on the processing of applications from Ukrainian, Afghan, Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan, and Venezuelan migrants either seeking to be granted entry through the parole process or who have already been granted that status and are seeking to stay.

    Talwani’s decision focused on policies adopted after Trump on his first day back in office on January 20 signed an executive order directing it to end the Biden-era parole program.

    In a memo that day, Acting Homeland Security Secretary Benjamine Huffman directed agencies under his purview to pause, modify or terminate any categorical parole programs, which he asserted were not authorized by law as parole could only be granted on a case-by-case basis.

    DHS officials subsequently stopped processing new parole applications and in mid-February barred staff from considering requests from migrants from Ukraine and Latin America who had already been granted parole to pursue other forms of immigration status, such as asylum or temporary protected status.

    (Reuters)