NewzIntel.com

Category: Tourism

  • MIL-OSI China: Sports events fuel tourism consumption in China

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

    When Jiang Xiaojuan and her husband boarded a plane for a journey of around 3,500 kilometers, they were not just headed on holiday; they were pursuing a shared passion: badminton.

    The couple from Urumqi, northwest China’s Xinjiang region, flew to the coastal city of Xiamen, east China’s Fujian Province, to catch the 2025 Sudirman Cup, held during China’s bustling May Day “golden week” holiday.

    The couple instinctively knew that spectating would not be enough, which is why they had packed their rackets into their suitcases.

    Wang Zhiyi of China competes in the women’s singles match against An Se Young of South Korea during the final match between China and South Korea at BWF Sudirman Cup in Xiamen, southeast China’s Fujian Province, May 4, 2025. (Xinhua/Sun Fei)

    “Xiamen has plenty of badminton courts and a vibrant local scene,” Jiang told Xinhua outside the stadium, shortly after cheering for China’s win in the final. “As soon as we landed, we joined a local group and played three matches.”

    For Jiang, blending sports with travel was the perfect getaway: “It’s good for both body and mind,” she said with a grin.

    A new trend of sports-driven tourism is emerging in China as more travelers are building their itineraries around tournaments, marathons and championship games. Cities are seizing the opportunity, leveraging major events to boost hotel bookings, catering consumption and cultural exploration.

    The government is backing this trend. National action plans released in March and April highlighted the integration of sports, culture, and tourism as a strategic pillar for stimulating domestic consumption, calling for more high-quality sports programs and distinctive events.

    Xiamen’s hosting of this year’s Sudirman Cup was a prime example. Running from April 27 to May 4, the tournament coincided with the country’s five-day May Day holiday, attracting crowds of badminton fans alongside regular holiday tourists.

    Local businesses saw a noticeable boost, with hotels across the city reporting higher bookings than the previous year. Shen Xiaoyan of Le Meridien Xiamen said the hotel hosted several groups in town for the competition. To attract more guests, the hotel offered bundled packages with perks like complimentary shuttle service to the arena and free court time.

    The city didn’t rely solely on the matches. “We rolled out ‘sports-plus’ packages to enrich the visitor experience,” said Chen Lan, deputy head of Xiamen’s sports bureau. Initiatives like “Walk with the Champions” city tours and campus visits by athletes added layers of experience beyond stadiums.

    More people are prioritizing health and leisure amid rising living standards, said Li Peigong, president of Shanghai Lixin University of Accounting and Finance. “A combination of sports and travel has become a go-to solution that caters to a wide range of needs.”

    This shift aligns with China’s broader development strategy to become a leading sporting nation by advancing competitive sports, encouraging mass participation, and developing its sports industry — all in parallel.

    With annual growth surpassing 10 percent over the past years, the sports industry has emerged as a key driver of consumption, innovation, and employment in the country.

    In 2024 alone, Xiamen hosted 40 high-level sports events, generating more than 2.6 billion yuan (about 361 million U.S. dollars) in revenues.

    Meanwhile, Shanghai is setting the pace for sports-driven consumption. In March, the Formula One Chinese Grand Prix drew a record-breaking 220,000 spectators, exceeding last year’s attendance. Of those, 15 percent were overseas visitors, with 60 percent traveling to Shanghai specifically for the race, doubling the number from the previous year.

    But the excitement didn’t stop at the racetrack. F1 fans flowed into Shanghai’s buzzing neighborhoods, dining at upscale restaurants, shopping in luxury boutiques, and browsing duty-free stores.

    “Ticket sales rose by 30 percent compared to 2023,” said Yang Yibin, chairman of Shanghai Juss Sports Development Group. “This isn’t just a race — it’s an invitation to discover China.”

    In 2024, Shanghai hosted 178 major sporting events, raking in 11.38 billion yuan. When including related spending on tourism, dining, and shopping, the total soared to nearly 31 billion yuan.

    Experts argue that sports tourism is helping lesser-known destinations stay competitive in an increasingly crowded travel market. This ensures steady visitor flow while offering fresh, engaging experiences, said Zou Xinxian, a professor at Beijing Sport University.

    “Sports help activate destination brands and build unique, recognizable identities,” Zou said. Sports events like marathons enable cities to showcase their local culture in dynamic, participatory ways.

    Over the May Day holiday, sports events were seamlessly woven into local culture to attract visitors.

    In Jilin, a 10-kilometer warm-up marathon took place alongside a traditional kite festival at the scenic Chagan Lake, with runners passing through villages rich in ethnic character. Meanwhile, in Yunnan, a large-scale sports carnival featuring a variety of competitions drew athletes and tourists alike to its stunning natural landscapes.

    Li Peiyao, a researcher at Jilin University, sees a broader shift in consumer behavior: from buying things to seeking meaningful experiences.

    “Sporting events don’t just bring people together,” said Li. “They help foster connection, cultural identity, and shared memories.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LegCo to consider the Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong Bill

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

         The Legislative Council (LegCo) will hold a meeting on next Wednesday (May 14) at 11am in the Chamber of the LegCo Complex. During the meeting, the Second Reading debate on the Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong Bill will resume. If the Bill is supported by Members and receives its Second Reading, it will stand committed to the committee of the whole Council. After the committee of the whole Council has completed consideration of the Bill and its report is adopted by the Council, the Bill will be set down for the Third Reading.
     
         The Second Reading debate on the Companies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2024 will also resume. If the Bill is supported by Members and receives its Second Reading, it will stand committed to the committee of the whole Council. After the committee of the whole Council has completed consideration of the Bill and its report is adopted by the Council, the Bill will be set down for the Third Reading.
     
         On Government motion, the Secretary for Justice will move a proposed resolution under the Fatal Accidents Ordinance. The proposed resolution is set out in Appendix 1.
     
         On Member’s Bill, the Second Reading debate on the City University of Hong Kong (Amendment) Bill 2025 will resume. If the Bill is supported by Members and receives its Second Reading, it will stand committed to the committee of the whole Council. After the committee of the whole Council has completed consideration of the Bill and its report is adopted by the Council, the Bill will be set down for the Third Reading.
     
         On Members’ motions, Michael Tien will move a motion on “Actively dovetailing with national and global trends and studying the reform of the curriculum framework for primary and secondary schools”. The motion is set out in Appendix 2.
     
         Yiu Pak-leung will move a motion on “Reinforcing Hong Kong’s role as an international tourism hub and consolidating its position as a world-class premier tourism destination”. The motion is set out in Appendix 3.
     
         Members will also ask the Government 22 questions on various policy areas, six of which require oral replies.
     
         The agenda of the above meeting can be obtained via the LegCo Website (www.legco.gov.hk). Members of the public can watch or listen to the meeting via the “Webcast” system on the LegCo Website. To observe the proceedings of the meeting at the LegCo Complex, members of the public may call 3919 3399 during office hours to reserve seats.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Pope Leo XIV: Why the College of Cardinals chose the Chicago native and Augustinian to lead the church after Francis

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Joanne M. Pierce, Professor Emerita of Religious Studies, College of the Holy Cross

    Newly elected Pope Leo XIV appears on the central loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican shortly after his election as pontiff, on May 8, 2025. AP Photo/Domenico Stinellis

    When the 69-year-old Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost on May 8, 2025, appeared on the main balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica for the first time as Pope Leo XIV, he was cheered loudly by the huge crowd of pilgrims, tourists, local Catholics and other onlookers, who had waited hours for the first sign of white smoke and the official announcement.

    As a specialist in Catholic history and ritual, I know how important this moment was for Catholics and others all over the world. A new pope brings with him a sense of excitement often mixed with uncertainty.

    But the choice of the College of Cardinals came as a surprise to some. Prevost is the first pope from the United States, and, traditionally, the European-dominated College of Cardinals has had reservations about choosing a cardinal from the U.S. for fear of too much American influence in the church.

    So, who is Prevost and what might have influenced the cardinals’ vote?

    Early experiences

    Born in Chicago, Illinois, Prevost joined a Catholic religious order at the age of 20: the Order of St. Augustine, called Augustinians, founded in the 13th century. Instead of withdrawing from the world in isolated monasteries, members of this order traveled as mendicants to aid the poor as well as serve as missionaries and teachers.

    Prevost studied theology both in the U.S. and in Rome and, as a newly ordained priest, spent a year in Peru. After a short return to the U.S. as an official of the Augustinian order in Illinois, he returned to Peru as a seminary professor to teach canon law, the legal structure of the Catholic Church. He would stay in Peru for the next 10 years.

    In 1999, he became the prior – that is, the head – of the local Augustinian province in Chicago, and was later elected prior of the worldwide Augustinian order. This gave him a truly global experience, since the Augustinians had some 50 communities spread across every continent.

    In 2015, Pope Francis appointed him bishop for the diocese of Chiclayo in Peru. In 2019, Francis appointed him a member of several important Vatican dicasteries, or departments, where he became very familiar with the central church administration. Most importantly, he served as prefect – or chairman – on the Dicastery for Bishops.

    Catholics hold a photo of newly elected Pope Leo XIV, in front of the Cathedral of Chiclayo, Peru, on May 8, 2025, where he served as bishop for several years.
    AP Photo/Manuel Medina

    In fact, because of his lengthy pastoral experience in Peru and service at the Vatican, some commentators had noted before Prevost was chosen that, if the cardinals were to elect an American pope, it would be him. His service on the Dicastery for Bishops was considered especially important, since members play a key role in selecting new bishops.

    Global church

    During the 20th century, especially after the Second Vatican Council – a series of meetings of the world’s bishops to modernize the church, ending in 1965 – the popes began to name cardinals from other parts of the world that were previously considered to be on the periphery of the Catholic Church.

    And this led to popes being chosen from outside of Italy for the first time in centuries. Pope St. John Paul II was Polish and the first non-Italian pope since the 16th century. Pope Benedict XVI was another non-Italian, born in Germany, who had served as a Vatican official. Pope Francis was born in South America to parents who were Italian-born immigrants to Argentina.

    The College of Cardinals, which had few representatives from other continents until recently, is now much more international. Some 80% of the cardinal-electors were named by Francis, many from countries that had never before had a cardinal.

    In reviewing his record, the cardinal-electors might have taken a number of factors into account. Prevost would be an effective administrator as head of the church, and was an expert in church canon law. He had decades of experience doing pastoral work in South America, as well as in North America. And as prior general of the entire Augustinian Order, he would likely have traveled widely to visit many of the communities he supervised.

    Papacy under Leo

    The moment when the new pope emerged on the Vatican balcony.

    The new pope appeared on the Vatican balcony wearing the traditional papal garments: white cassock, short red cape, decorated red and gold stole, and golden cross hanging around his neck. Francis, on the other hand, had appeared dressed in the plain white cassock of a pope.

    Certainly, he had not chosen the simplicity of Francis. Was this a sign that he would be more of a traditionalist?

    His choice of a papal name, I believe, could indicate a different point of view. Pope Leo XIII wrote a groundbreaking encyclical in 1891, “Rerum Novarum,” subtitled “On Dignity and Labor.” In this he stressed the rights of workers to unionize and criticized the conditions in which they worked and lived. He also championed other rights the ordinary worker deserved from their bosses and from their government.

    Pope Leo XIII.
    Francesco De Federicis via Wikimedia Commons

    In his first remarks from the balcony, offering a glimpse into the direction of his papacy, Leo XIV stressed the role of Catholics and the church as peacemakers and bridge-builders, in dialogue with other religious traditions and cultures. His first words were “Peace be with you all,” describing this peace as “a disarmed peace, a disarming peace.” He further urged Catholics to act together “without fear … united with one another … to build bridges” through dialogue and outreach – to bring peace to the world.

    He may not follow exactly in Francis’ footsteps, but he will likely continue walking in the same direction.

    Joanne M. Pierce does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Pope Leo XIV: Why the College of Cardinals chose the Chicago native and Augustinian to lead the church after Francis – https://theconversation.com/pope-leo-xiv-why-the-college-of-cardinals-chose-the-chicago-native-and-augustinian-to-lead-the-church-after-francis-256305

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Chinese take first place in visiting Brest Fortress in Belarus among tourists from far abroad — director

    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

    Brest /Belarus/, May 9 /Xinhua/ — The Chinese are the first among tourists from far abroad to visit the Brest Fortress in Belarus. This was recently stated to journalists by the director of the memorial complex “Brest Hero Fortress” Alexander Korkotadze during a press tour of media representatives of the EAEU and CIS countries.

    “Among the countries of the far abroad, China ranks first in the number of tourists who visit the memorial complex “Brest Hero Fortress”. We see a trend towards an increase in tourist flow from China,” he said.

    A. Korkotadze also noted that in 2024, an exhibition about the defense of the Brest Fortress was opened at the Memorial Museum of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggressors in Beijing, and this year a return exhibition is planned at the Brest Fortress, dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the victory in World War II over militarist Japan.

    In addition, according to him, the fortress has been visited more in recent years. Families come here from all corners of the former Soviet Union. Over 125 thousand people visited the memorial in the first 4 months of 2025.

    “We have conducted more than 3,700 excursions, and tourists from more than 10 countries have already visited our memorial this year. And this is despite the sanctions, despite the fact that they are trying to cancel the role of the Soviet Union in the victory over fascism and hush it up. But people from European countries, from the USA, from Latin America, from Africa, from Asia come to us and receive the most truthful information here. Apparently, they come to us for the truth,” said A. Korkotadze. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: ASEAN, New Zealand reaffirm shared commitment to strengthening partnership

    Source: ASEAN

    JAKARTA, 8 May 2025 – ASEAN and New Zealand reaffirmed commitment to strengthening their partnership and deepening cooperation at the 13th ASEAN-New Zealand Joint Cooperation Committee (ANZJCC) Meeting, held today at the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat.
     
    The meeting discussed recent developments in ASEAN and New Zealand, and took stock of the implementation of the ASEAN-New Zealand Plan of Action (POA) (2021-2025), which is in its final year. Both sides welcomed the substantial progress achieved across the four themes outlined in the POA – Peace, Prosperity, People, and Planet, with all action lines under the POA having been addressed thus far.
     
    The meeting also discussed future direction of the partnership, particularly in the context of the 50th anniversary of ASEAN-New Zealand Dialogue Relations this year. Looking ahead, both sides agreed to continue strengthening cooperation across a wide range of areas, particularly in transnational crime, digital transformation, renewable energy, blue economy, tourism, connectivity, education, environment and climate change, smart cities, and disaster management.
     
    The two sides welcomed the entry-into-force of the Second Protocol to amend the Agreement establishing the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area (AANZFTA) on 21 April 2025. They underscored the importance of ensuring the effective implementation of the AANZFTA and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP) to further strengthen trade and economic relations between the two sides.
     
    Both sides looked forward to the ASEAN-New Zealand Commemorative Summit, to be held in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of the dialogue partnership. ASEAN and New Zealand will also develop a new POA to guide the ASEAN-New Zealand cooperation for the next five years (2026-2030).
     
    Permanent Representative of Viet Nam to ASEAN, Ambassador Ton Thi Ngoc Huong, and Ambassador of New Zealand to ASEAN, Joanna Anderson, co-chaired the meeting. In attendance were the Permanent Representatives of ASEAN Member States and representatives from the ASEAN Secretariat. Timor-Leste attended as Observer.
     
    ——
     

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Funding approved for two new roundabouts on SH2 near Ōpōtiki to improve road safety

    Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets

    Two intersections on either side of the Waiotahe River Bridge on State Highway 2 (SH2) near Ōpōtiki will be made safer, with funding approved by the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) to deliver new tear-drop roundabouts and complete the SH2 Wainui Road to Ōpōtiki safety improvements project, Minister of Transport Chris Bishop says.

    “Located on a sweeping curve, the intersections of SH2 with Ōhiwa Beach Road and Waiotahe Valley Back Road, either side of the Waiotahe River Bridge, are considered high-risk. With two fatalities, one serious injury, and three minor injuries occurring between 2014 and 2023, upgrades to these two intersections are critical to improving safety for local road users,” Mr Bishop says.

    “Delivering safe roading infrastructure that supports economic growth and productivity is a priority. SH2 between Ōpōtiki and Whakatāne is a main route for locals, tourists, and freight between Tauranga and Gisborne. Around 5,000 per day vehicles use SH2 between Ōpōtiki and Wainui Road, with 15 percent of those being heavy vehicles.

    “With poor forward visibility and constrained shoulders, the current alignment of the intersections either side of the Waiotahe River Bridge makes it difficult for drivers approaching the area on SH2 to see vehicles wanting to turn right onto the state highway and vice versa. NZTA has now confirmed funding to replace these high-risk intersections with two new tear-drop roundabouts. 

    “NZTA will now move to complete the detailed design, finalise land acquisition requirements, complete resource consent applications, and procure a contractor to deliver the works. Construction is expected to begin in mid-late 2026 and take approximately 12 months to complete. This follows and complements work already underway to construct a roundabout at the intersection of SH2 and Wainui Road.

    “Construction of the two new tear-drop roundabouts, minor re-alignment of the road, and other associated work, is expected to cost around $10 million. Final costs will be known once a contractor is confirmed. 

    “I want to thank the local community in advance for their patience as this important work to make SH2 safer is carried out and I look forward to this work beginning as soon as NZTA it is able to get underway.”

    Notes to Editor:

    • The 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme prioritises investment in road safety and efficiency by encouraging safer driving behaviour, vehicles and infrastructure. Funding is available for improvements at the highest-risk locations, which includes these two intersections either side of the Waiotahe River Bridge.
    • Once complete, these two new tear-drop roundabouts will complement each other in a ‘dog bone’ arrangement, either side of the Waiotahe River Bridge, with road users no longer able to turn right over lanes of active traffic in a high speed 100kmph environment on the state highway.
    • Instead, vehicles joining SH2 from Ōhiwa Beach Road or Waiotahe Valley Back Road will have a left turn only and be able to drive over the bridge to safely turn around at the other roundabout and head in the opposite direction.
    • The SH2 Wainui Road to Ōpōtiki safety improvements project is being delivered by NZTA in three sections:
    • Section 1 (Complete) – Safety improvements included wider shoulders, side barriers, edgeline and centreline rumble strips, signs and road markings. Improvements along SH2 were made between Wainui Road and Waiōtahe Valley Back Road and Appleton Road to Woodlands Road. This work was completed in 2023/2024.
    • Section 2 (Construction to begin mid-late 2026) – Upgrades to intersections of SH2 with Waiōtahe Valley Back Road and Ōhiwa Beach Road. A tear-drop roundabout either side of Waiōtahe Bridge. To complete final design late 2025, construction expected to begin mid/late 2026 and completed in approximately 12 months.
    • Section 3 (In construction now) – SH2 / Wainui Road intersection upgrade (Matekerepu).  A new roundabout is being constructed at this location. Work began in April 2025 and expected to take 12 months to complete.
    • The total funding budgeted for the SH2 Wainui Road to Ōpōtiki safety improvements project  (Sections 1, 2, and 3) is $37.5M. Each section costs circa $10 million, with the remaining funding covering the business case, concept designs, investigations, land acquisition, resource consents and consent requirements to deliver the works.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Kiwi kids once led the world in reading – this 1950s primary school syllabus still has lessons for today

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ruth Boyask, Director of LitPlus, AUT School of Education, Auckland University of Technology

    Getty Images

    There is a well-known whakatauki (Māori proverb) that goes: “Ka mua, ka muri” – “walking backwards into the future”. It applies to many areas of life, but in education the idea of looking to the past to inform our way forward seems more relevant than ever.

    New Zealand was once a world leader in reading. In the early 1970s, as leading literacy educationalist Warwick Elley reminds us, Kiwi teenagers performed best of all countries participating in the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement.

    New Zealand students remained good readers throughout the 1990s, earning the top results for reading out of 32 participating countries in the first Programme for International Student Assessment survey in 2000.

    Overall, New Zealand children are still above average. But while many children learn to read successfully, significant numbers do not. And concern about reading capability has led to a recent curriculum overhaul.

    The reforms focus on raising reading standards and regular testing. But the lessons of the past suggest we performed better with less focus on raising test scores. In fact, it was a more flexible, balanced approach to English education that provided a strong foundation for literacy.

    Some clues to why this was possible can be found in the 1953 Primary School Reading Syllabus from the old Department of Education. It was among the first of many research-based reading initiatives in the mid-20th century, along with Ready to Read books in the 1960s, and the Reading Recovery program developed by Marie Clay in the 1970s.

    Given New Zealand was a conservative postwar society that was yet to grapple meaningfully with colonial history and Treaty rights, the document is surprisingly less rigid than one might expect.

    In fact, it is largely compatible with contemporary ideas about teaching and learning. In some areas, the 1953 syllabus seems more progressive than the current curriculum, with clear views on inclusiveness and designing teaching to meet individual needs.

    Ironically, many of today’s parents and grandparents – some of whom support a “back to basics” school system – were educated using this flexible and purpose-driven approach.

    New Zealand in 1953

    According to the New Zealand Official Yearbook for 1953, the country was enjoying postwar prosperity with 72% of its exports going to other Commonwealth countries.

    England was still the “mother country” and the young Queen Elizabeth’s post-coronation visit – also in 1953 – fuelled intense royal fervour. Edmund Hillary conquered Everest, and a highly publicised air race from London to Christchurch helped popularise plane travel.

    Society was far more egalitarian. In a population of just over two million, only 15 people received an unemployment benefit (there were a variety of other welfare payments such as war pensions).

    At the same time, New Zealand did not view itself as bicultural in the way it does today. For many Pākehā, Māori culture was little more than a curiosity or a tourist attraction.

    School was already compulsory from ages seven to 15, and roughly 17% of the population were enrolled in primary schools. These were the children taught to read according to the 1953 syllabus.

    A brief A5-sized booklet of just 13 pages, it recognises reading as a central component of a rich and full life – and that it can be used for “useful, harmless or nefarious” purposes.

    Competing with other temptations such as “the exploits of Superman and Mighty Mouse”, as well as cinema and radio, is one of its concerns. But its main aim is to “teach the child to read […] in ways that will encourage him (sic) to use his skill freely and naturally”.

    Postwar prosperity and a royal tour too: schoolchildren wave Union Jack flags at the Duke of Edinburgh during in early 1954.
    Getty Images

    Avoiding a standardised approach

    The syllabus outlines ideal components of a classroom reading programme: reading to self (silently) and peers (aloud), listening to story and verse, participating in dramatisation, word study and study skills.

    Word study should include learning about phonics. But the syllabus tempers this with the advice that “there can be no doubt that too early a preoccupation with phonics may serve to kill interest in reading”.

    This might have been written today by those concerned that structured approaches to literacy will crowd out other important parts of early reading education.

    The 1953 syllabus says reading material should encompass fiction (including local authors), non-fiction, plays and poetry. While competent reading by all is the goal, the syllabus also states: “A uniform standard of achievement […] is a mistaken aim.”

    This recognition of variable individual capability is something critics say is missing from today’s curriculum. Expectations are set for each year at school, with teachers strongly encouraged to teach to the year level.

    The fear is that some students will fall behind as their class moves on, while progress for others will be restricted if they are ahead of those expectations.

    The 1953 syllabus cautions that the “results of standardised tests should be weighed against the teacher’s own observation […] and modified accordingly”.

    Encouraging teacher autonomy

    By comparison, the new English curriculum is long at 108 pages, complex and prescriptive. It includes a range of aims clustered under the headings “Understand”, “Know” and “Do”.

    The first encompasses five big ideas learners are expected to develop during their schooling. The second covers the knowledge required in English to become literate. The third outlines the practical steps learners will take in the different phases of their schooling.

    To be fair, the new curriculum aims to make all children feel good about reading. It encourages using different kinds of texts, focuses on assessment activities that build on one another, and supports teachers to adapt for student differences.

    And, given its contemporary context, there is an awareness of the important role of culture and the unique place of Māori in New Zealand that is entirely missing in the 1953 document.

    But the new curriculum also contains directives the 1953 syllabus warned teachers against – namely a preoccupation with teaching phonics, and teaching linked to prescriptive progress measurement and outcomes.

    Although brief, the 1953 document is arguably broader in scope and requires teachers to have greater skills. A strength of the old syllabus is that it encouraged teacher professionalism, autonomy and judgement in deciding the best next steps for each learner.

    Overall, the 2025 curriculum seems the more constrictive document. The 1953 syllabus presents a view of reading that prioritises the human experience – reading as an aesthetic experience as well as a practical skill.

    This article is based on original work by Jayne Jackson, senior lecturer and educational researcher at Manukau Institute of Technology, with the help of AUT’s LitPlus research group.

    The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Kiwi kids once led the world in reading – this 1950s primary school syllabus still has lessons for today – https://theconversation.com/kiwi-kids-once-led-the-world-in-reading-this-1950s-primary-school-syllabus-still-has-lessons-for-today-253719

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: India/Pakistan: Urgent need to protect civilians amidst escalating hostilities

    Source: Amnesty International –

    Responding to the escalating armed engagement between India and Pakistan, Carolyn Horn, Programme Director for Law and Policy at Amnesty International said:

    “The escalation of hostilities between India and Pakistan has already taken a toll on civilians. Amnesty International is concerned by reports of loss of civilian lives in both India and Pakistan. In every armed conflict, protecting civilians is paramount— it’s a fundamental principle of international humanitarian law which binds all nations. Deliberate, indiscriminate or disproportionate attacks harming civilians or damaging civilian infrastructure such as homes, hospitals, schools, and essential services, are strictly prohibited under the Geneva Conventions and their additional protocols and under customary international law.

    “Amnesty International calls on the governments of India and Pakistan to uphold their obligations under both international human rights and humanitarian law. They must take all necessary measures to protect civilians and minimize any suffering and casualties in both countries. As forces from both countries are now engaged in open hostilities, Amnesty International insists that neither security nor justice will be achieved with the senseless loss of more civilian lives.

    In every armed conflict, protecting civilians is paramount.

    Carolyn Horn, Programme Director for Law and Policy at Amnesty International

    “We extend our condolences to the families on both sides of the border who have lost their loved ones and borne the devastating cost of the current escalation in what has been a long-standing conflict. We unequivocally condemn the deliberate targeting and unlawful killing of civilians by armed groups during the horrific attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, on 22nd April and call for an independent, transparent and thorough investigation to bring the suspected perpetrators of the atrocity to account through fair trials, without recourse to the death penalty.”

    Background

    India conducted several airstrikes in Pakistan and in Pakistan-administered Kashmir in the early hours on Wednesday, 7 May 2025. Pakistan officials claim that 31 people have been killed and 57 injured by the air strikes including children, women and families and claims one civilian was killed by drone-related attacks on 8 May.

    Meanwhile, India’s army claims that at least 15 civilians were killed and more than 40 injured by Pakistani shelling on its side of the line of control since the airstrikes.

    The escalation of hostilities between the two nuclear-armed countries came after the horrific killing of at least 26 civilians, mainly tourists and families, by five members of armed groups near Pahalgam in the Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir on 22 April. India claims it has evidence linking the armed attack to Pakistan – a claim Pakistan denies. Pakistan has said that India has not offered any evidence to support its claim and has requested for an independent investigation.

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Speech to India New Zealand Business Council

    Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets

    Kia ora and good morning, everyone.

    This is a great time to hold a Summit focused on the India-New Zealand relationship. It comes seven weeks after I returned from India following one of New Zealand’s largest ever Prime Ministerial missions.

    I was joined by 40 business representatives, 15 community leaders, three Cabinet Ministers, four MPs, a Kapa Haka group, and a range of senior government officials all laser-focused on our relationship with India. 

    We visited New Delhi and Mumbai for a packed programme that covered every facet of our broad-based relationship with India – political connections, trade and economics, defence and security, people, culture and, of course, cricket. 

    As was the case on my previous visits to India when I was in the private sector with Unilever, I was struck by the remarkable energy, dynamism, and innovation that I encountered. 

    I concluded the mission more convinced than ever that India is a country of enormous consequence for New Zealand and for the world.

    So, I want to spend some time reflecting on the mission and talking about some of the outcomes in three key areas. First, economic opportunities; second, defence and security; and third, in terms of people and culture. 

    I then want to set out what I see as the next steps in the relationship.

    Economic opportunities

    First, I want to talk about the economic opportunities we saw in India, and what we are doing to capitalise on them. 

    I’m sure everyone here is familiar with India’s amazing growth story. The fastest GDP growth rate in the G20, with India on track to become the world’s third-largest economy in the next few years, and the Indian middle class now numbers 445 million. 

    When I met with Prime Minister Modi, I had a chance to discuss with him India’s extraordinary transformation. Over the past decade, 250 million Indians have been lifted out of poverty; the number of airports in India has more than doubled to 157, with many more planned in the coming years; and India’s government estimates that it has built 95,000 kilometres of highway. To put this last one in perspective, that would be enough highway to drive between New Zealand and India eight times.  

    Globally, India is a consequential and influential voice, successfully hosting the G20 in 2023, and a space power, becoming the first country to land a spacecraft on the moon’s South Pole two years ago.

    While in India, I had discussions with business leaders who are running companies doing incredible things. Innovators like Nadir Godrej, responsible for one of India’s biggest, oldest and best-known industrial groups, and Natarajan Chandrasekaran who chairs Tata, a conglomerate with a presence in dozens of countries around the world. It was inspiring to hear of their plans and, importantly, to pitch to them on the value of closer connections with New Zealand.

    For New Zealand, the economic opportunities in India are immense. Despite India’s growth and scale, it still only accounts for 1.5 per cent of our exports. We are working hard to change that. That was why I took so many business leaders with me to India. That’s why we worked so hard while in New Delhi and Mumbai to ensure New Zealand’s primary products, our technology, our education exports and our tourism offering were front and centre.  

    It is Kiwi and Indian businesses, including all of those in this room today, that are the engines of growth, creating new opportunities, lifting trade, and helping transform the relationship between our countries. And for all your ongoing effort and leadership in this regard, I thank you. 

    Part of my Government’s job is to improve the environment in which our great Kiwi businesses operate in their dealings with India. On that front, I am pleased to report that, during the mission to India, the Government made real progress. 

    First and foremost, I was delighted that Todd McClay and his Indian counterpart, Piyush Goyal, announced the launch of negotiations towards a Free Trade Agreement. The launch of negotiations is a breakthrough in the economic relationship between India and New Zealand. 

    Prime Minister Modi and I have instructed our negotiators to work quickly to reach a comprehensive and mutually beneficial agreement, one that promises to play a major role in doubling New Zealand’s exports by value over the next ten years.

    My Government is focused on growing our economy and lifting incomes, and the launch of negotiations presents an opportunity to do exactly that.

    On top of that, 33 MoUs and other commercial outcomes were progressed on the mission, reflecting the growing partnerships between New Zealand and Indian businesses. 

    Among those was an MoU between Air New Zealand and Air India to establish a new codeshare partnership on 16 routes between India, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand. The MoU will also see these two great airlines explore the introduction of a direct service between India and New Zealand by the end of 2028. 

    This is a fantastic opportunity that promises to make it easier to fly between our countries and further boost our tourism and education sectors.

    Defence and security

    But there is so much more to our relationship with India than our economic ties. Which brings me to the second major theme of my visit, defence and security. 

    New Zealand is invested in supporting stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. 

    In an increasingly multipolar world, India is a major geopolitical power and a significant global and regional security actor.

    Prime Minister Modi and I agreed that our defence forces should build greater strategic trust with one another, including undertaking more exchanges and training together. 

    I was pleased to witness the signing of a new Defence Cooperation Arrangement with India. This arrangement enhances defence dialogue and connections and adds an important new dimension to our strategic engagement.

    One of the reasons why we want to build greater trust is so that we can have candid conversations at challenging times. On 22 April, India suffered a devastating terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir. New Zealand condemns terrorism, and we sent our heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims of the attack.

    Since then, we have seen an escalation in tension and military activity. We encourage both India and Pakistan to show restraint at this difficult moment and try to de-escalate the situation.

    The situation in Jammu and Kashmir reminds us that we face an increasingly difficult and uncertain strategic outlook, including in the Indo‑Pacific region that India and New Zealand share.

    While I was in India, I had the great opportunity to share New Zealand’s perspective on the region as the Chief Guest at the Raisina Dialogue, which, as this audience will know, is India’s – and one of the world’s – premier defence and security events. 

    My message at Raisina was simple: There can be no prosperity without security.

    That is why it’s vitally important that New Zealand works closely with India and other partners in support of a region where countries are free to choose their own path free from interference, and where all countries respect foundational rules.  

    People-to-people links

    The third major theme of my mission centred on the links between our people. 

    New Zealand’s Indian community was a key feature of many of my discussions in India, including with Prime Minister Modi. 

    Prime Minister Modi praised New Zealand’s Indian diaspora, referring to it as a “living bridge” between our countries. Prime Minister Modi and I formally recognised the contribution of the diaspora in the joint statement released during my visit. 

    As this audience will be well aware, the 300,000-strong Indian community is the third largest ethnic group in New Zealand. India is our largest source of skilled migrants and our second-largest source of international students. 

    A point I made to Prime Minister Modi was that Kiwi-Indians are on average younger, better educated, and have greater earnings than the general New Zealand population. 

    In short, Indian-Kiwis are making a massive contribution to New Zealand. This is why I chose to take with me to India a senior delegation of community leaders.

    I made sure that my programme in India reflected and respected the deep cultural links between our countries. I paid my respects at a place sacred to many Kiwi-Hindus – the BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple. And I visited Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib, a place of profound faith and history to Kiwi-Sikhs. 

    Of course, another indispensable element of our partnership with India is cricket. It was very special to visit Wankhede Stadium with Mumbai-born Ajaz Patel, who took the third-best bowling figures in Test history on that ground. 

    But our sporting links go beyond cricket. Prime Minister Modi and I also discussed his plans to diversify and enhance India’s prowess across multiple sports. India is particularly interested in Olympic sports as it looks to bolster Ahmedabad’s bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games. Given our high-performance sports ecosystem and our outstanding record at the Olympics, this is an area where New Zealand is well positioned to work with India.

    I was particularly pleased to witness the signing of a Sports Memorandum of Cooperation between New Zealand and India. This arrangement allows us to develop new ways to collaborate across high-performance sports, and exchange programmes, skills, technology and innovation, research, and people.

    It should boost sports performance in each country and facilitate exchanges in areas such as community sports and health. 

    Cooperation in sports is particularly significant at a time when, next year, New Zealand and India will celebrate 100 years of sporting ties. We look forward to celebrating this milestone, including with a visit by the Indian men’s cricket team in late 2026.

    Next steps for government, business and community

    So, across people, culture, sport, defence and security, trade and economics – my mission to India left the relationship in a stronger position. But there is still a lot of work to do.

    I now want to take a few minutes to reflect on the next steps for this important relationship, and the respective roles of government, business and community. 

    I want to be clear that the mission to India was not the end goal. Rather, it was a springboard to help take our relationship to new heights. We now have an extensive work programme across every facet of the relationship. I will touch on just a couple of examples. 

    First, we have moved quickly to begin negotiations on the Free Trade Agreement, with the first round of talks already having taken place. 

    Second, our Government will be continuing a steady tempo of political-level engagements with our Indian counterparts. There is no substitute for face-to-face relationships with the key decision-makers, which is why I’m so pleased Minister Margherita has joined us today. During my meeting with Prime Minister Modi, I offered to reciprocate his warm and generous hospitality by inviting him to visit New Zealand when his schedule allows.

    Third, to give effect to the various areas of new co-operation, our Government has confirmed that we will need more people on the ground in India. New Zealand will increase our diplomatic footprint in India by more than 60 per cent, underscoring our commitment to the relationship and our ambition to see it grow further.

    The Government will be working hard to maintain the momentum, and continue building a broad, deep, and enduring strategic relationship with India. 

    But our relationship with India is far too important to be left to Government alone. There is a crucial role for two other actors in our society, business and community. 

    Our relationship with India is so significant that I want to see an ‘all of New Zealand’ effort with government, business and community all moving in the same direction. 

    The opportunities presented by India are immense. Many of you are already active in the market and have been for some years. But I want to see more New Zealand exporters building relationships in the market and putting together your own strategies for tapping into India’s enormous potential. 

    The wider Kiwi-Indian community also has a very important role as – in Prime Minister Modi’s words – the “living bridge” between New Zealand and India. 

    We will stay in touch with the senior delegation of community leaders that accompanied me to India. I encourage the Indian community in New Zealand to continue to share with the Government your insights into our relationship with India and ideas for how we can continue moving forward.

    Thank you for the opportunity to speak to you about the vital partnership between New Zealand and India.

    The INZBC have put together an excellent programme for today, featuring a range of speakers who are all committed to bringing New Zealand and India much closer together.

    The bottom line is we are two countries that can and should be doing much more together, and we will.

    Thank you.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Chairwoman McClain and Rep. Greene Statements on the House Passing the Gulf of America Act

    Source: US House of Representatives Republicans

    The following text contains opinion that is not, or not necessarily, that of MIL-OSI –

    WASHINGTON—House Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-Mich.) celebrated the U.S. House of Representatives passing Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s (R-Ga.) bill to codify President Trump’s Executive Order renaming the body of water formerly known as the “Gulf of Mexico” to the “Gulf of America.”

    This is the first bill passed by the House to codify one of President Trump’s executive orders. 

    Chairwoman McClain and Rep. Greene released the following statements: 

    “American taxpayers and service members are responsible for defending the gulf, so it’s only right it carries our name,” Chairwoman McClain said. “Renaming the Gulf of America will not only drive tourism, but also grow our economy and bolster our prowess on the world stage. I am proud to see Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s bill become the first bill passed by the House to codify one of President Trump’s executive orders, and House Republicans will continue to codify more. We, along with President Trump, are putting America first again.”

    “The American people are footing the bill to protect and secure the Gulf of America’s maritime waterways for commerce to be conducted. Our U.S. armed forces protect the area from any military threats from foreign countries,” Rep. Greene said. “It’s our gulf. The rightful name is the Gulf of America and it’s what the entire world should refer to it as.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: McConnell, Guthrie Introduce Bill to Expand Mammoth Cave National Park Boundaries

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kentucky Mitch McConnell
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and U.S. Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02) introduced today the bicameral Mammoth Cave National Park Boundary Adjustment Act. This bill would give the park the ability to acquire an additional 551.14 acres of land from the Nature Conservancy. This newly acquired land would enhance protections in the Green River watershed, further conserving the area’s wildlife and cultural heritage while generating additional tourism to Kentucky’s Second District. 
    “Kentucky is lucky to be home to an abundance of natural treasures, among them, Mammoth Cave National Park. This extensive cave network has been inspiring Kentuckians and drawing visitors from all corners of the globe for generations. Beyond its role in driving tourism to our Commonwealth, the park also plays a crucial role in the region’s economic growth, supporting good jobs for the people of Kentucky,” said Senator McConnell. “I’m proud to partner with Congressman Guthrie on this important initiative once again which will expand the critical habitats that the National Park Service protects and preserves in the park.” 
    “Every year, Mammoth Cave National Park draws hundreds of thousands of visitors and contributes nearly $90 million to our local economy,” said Congressman Guthrie. “This natural wonder has inspired people for thousands of years, playing a foundational role in the culture of our region. I am proud to introduce the Mammoth Cave National Park Boundary Adjustment Act to expand protections for the cave system’s important biodiversity and rich history, ensuring that it can be studied, maintained, and enjoyed by future generations of Americans.”
    You can find the full text of the Mammoth Cave Boundary Adjustment Act here. 
    A map of the proposed boundary changes can be found here.
    Background:
    This legislation authorizes the National Park Service to acquire 551.14 acres of land currently owned by the Nature Conservancy (TNC). 
    This expansion would allow the National Park to manage land in Edmonson and Barren Counties, further conserving the area’s wildlife and cultural heritage.  
    The property includes cave passages, including Coach and James Caves, which hold prehistoric and historic artifacts. 
    In 2023, the park received more than 650,000 visitors, generating $89.6 million for communities surrounding the park. This expansion of the park is expected to drive further economic growth in the local community. 
    This legislation is supported by local elected officials in the surrounding counties.
    Established as a National Park in 1941, Mammoth Cave National Park is home to the world’s longest known cave system, stretching a mapped 426 miles with many miles still undiscovered.
    In 1981, the park was named a World Heritage Site, and in 1990, a Biosphere Reserve.
    In April 2025, Congressman Guthrie welcomed Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum to Mammoth Cave National Park for a tour of the park and a discussion with NPS staff about its importance. You can learn more about their visit here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Speech to the India New Zealand Business Council

    Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets

    Good morning. Namaskar. 

    • The Chair and General Manager of the India New Zealand Business Council
    • Prime Minister Luxon and Minister of State Margherita
    • Indian High Commissioner Bhushan
    • Distinguished Guests
    • Ladies and Gentlemen

    It’s a privilege to be with you today to offer some very brief reflections on the India-New Zealand relationship. 

    These reflections follow detailed speeches by Prime Minister Luxon and Minister of State Margherita. So, we won’t seek to repeat what you have already heard. Rather, we will make just three fundamental and summarising observations.

    Observation one: New Zealand wants closer, stronger relations with India. 

    New Zealand’s Coalition Government has made clear over the past 18 months, through our actions and policies, that we intend to seriously lift our relations with India.

    As Foreign Minister, we have spent much of this Parliamentary term travelling around the world advancing New Zealand’s interests. But our very first visit outside Australia and the Pacific since returning as Foreign Minister was to India.

    This selection of Gujarat and New Delhi as early visit destinations was very deliberate. Our government wanted to send an unambiguous signal to the people and Government of India that New Zealand wishes for our countries to draw ever closer – united by shared interests and a mutual desire to build deeper, mutually beneficial cooperation.

    India’s Foreign Minister, S. Jaishankar, is one of the world’s most impressive and astute statesmen. We have been pleased to work closely with him on this project of drawing our countries closer together. 

    And we are looking forward to meeting this afternoon with Minister of State Margherita, to discuss our building bilateral relationship. 

    This meeting will also provide an opportunity for us to exchange views on the heinous terrorist attack in Kashmir last month, developments between India and Pakistan in the last few days, and New Zealand’s wish to help support a seriously rapid de-escalation of the situation. 

    Observation two: India’s rise over the past generation has been seriously impressive. 

    There are few countries in the world that have been so dramatically transformed over the past 35 years as has India. 

    We have seen hundreds of millions of Indians lifted out of poverty; huge improvements in education, health and life expectancy; and a breathtaking economic expansion. 

    And all of this has been achieved while maintaining India’s proud democratic tradition of settling the inevitable differences that emerge in a country of such immense scale and diversity at the ballot box.

    When in Delhi last year, we visited the new Indian Parliament – whose carpets feature New Zealand wool – and got a first-hand sense of the scale and magnificence of Indian democracy. 

    India’s rise has been a force for good in our region and for our world. 

    Observation three: New Zealand wants a broad-based relationship with India, as the Prime Minister said. 

    We want to draw closer with India not in one domain, but in many domains. 

    New Zealand and India are two of the world’s great, long-standing democracies – and we have a shared objective of an open, free, democratic and peaceful Indo-Pacific region. To achieve that, we need to be cooperating in as many areas as possible. 

    We need to be working across the Indo-Pacific, including with Pacific Island countries.

    We need to be helping to manage our increasingly contested and disordered strategic environment via more regular, intensive high-level dialogue. 

    We need to be addressing shared security and defence challenges, by embedding deeper engagement in these areas. 

    And the Prime Minister is right.  We will be seriously boosting our diplomatic presence in India. We should have done so 40 years ago. 

    We need to be pursuing shared trade and economic opportunities, including in tourism and education. 

    And we need to be making the most of our intensifying people, sporting and cultural connections. 

    This audience will know well that, through the painstaking work of the governments, peoples and indeed businesses of India and New Zealand, a great foundation has been laid over the past 18 months. 

    There is so much potential in the relationship between New Zealand and India. Given the serious progress our two countries have made in the last 18 months, now is the time to work to realise that potential. 

    Thank you, and best of luck for the remaining conversations at this event today. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: IMF Executive Board Concludes the 2025 Discussions on Common Policies of Member Countries of the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union

    Source: IMF – News in Russian

    May 8, 2025

    Washington, DC: The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded the Article IV consultation[1] with member countries on common policies of the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU). The Board considered and endorsed the staff appraisal without a meeting.[2]

    The currency union has provided a strong anchor for macroeconomic stability. In 2024, strong tourism performance and continued infrastructure investments have supported robust growth of 3.9 percent, and inflation moderated to below 2 percent in tune with global trends. This has facilitated a moderate reduction in the currency union’s fiscal and external imbalances, although public debt remains high at above 71 percent of GDP and the post-pandemic trend of narrowing of sizable current account deficits has stalled. The ECCB’s stable reserves underpin a strong currency backing ratio. The ECCU financial system has remained stable, though exhibiting legacy asset quality and credit condition weaknesses.

    The union’s recent growth momentum is projected to wane. Increasing constraints to tourism capacity and completion of major infrastructure projects are set to slow real GDP growth to around 2½ percent over the medium term. Modest growth prospects reflect weak productivity and local investment, as well as headwinds from ageing populations, a shrinking labor force, and constrained fiscal space for public investment in most union members. Fiscal and external imbalances are projected to narrow over the medium term, reflecting in part completion of import-intensive public investment projects.

    Risks to the outlook remain mostly on the downside amid a highly uncertain external environment. As reported in the April World Economic Outlook, the escalation of trade tensions and high levels of policy uncertainty are a major negative shock to global economic activity. For ECCU economies, increased global trade and geopolitical tensions could give rise to disruptions to tourism and FDI inflows and renewed inflationary pressures. High public debt, persistent current account deficits and weaknesses in the local financial system amplify vulnerability to recurrent ND shocks alongside the uncertain outlook for future citizenship-by-investment inflows.

    Executive Board Assessment[3]

    The ECCU has achieved a strong rebound from successive adverse shocks. Strong tourism performance and continued infrastructure investments have supported robust post‑pandemic growth, while inflation has moderated in tune with global trends. This has facilitated a moderate reduction in the currency union’s fiscal and external imbalances, although public debt levels and current account deficits remain high in several members. The ECCU’s external position is assessed as weaker than implied by fundamentals and desirable policies, but the current account deficits remain fully financed and the stability of the ECCB’s reserves underpin a strong currency backing ratio. The financial system has remained stable, albeit exhibiting continued asset quality and credit condition weaknesses. 

    Growth momentum is nonetheless projected to wane and risks to the outlook remain mostly on the downside. Increasing constraints to tourism capacity and completion of major infrastructure projects are set to slow growth to around 2½ percent over the medium term. This modest growth potential reflects weak productivity and local investment, as well as headwinds from ageing populations, a shrinking labor force, and constrained fiscal space for public investment in most union members. Downside risks to the outlook are significant amid a highly uncertain external environment, where increased trade and geopolitical tensions could give rise to renewed inflationary pressures and disruptions to tourism and FDI inflows. High public debt, persistent current account deficits, and weaknesses in the local financial system amplify vulnerability to recurrent natural disaster (ND) shocks alongside the uncertain outlook for future Citizenship-by-Investment (CBI) inflows.

    Achieving more robust, resilient, and inclusive long-term growth would support the currency union’s fiscal and external sustainability and raise living standards. To support this objective, common regional policies should be anchored in building economic, fiscal, and financial resilience and addressing supply bottlenecks that underpin the recent decades’ downward trend in the region’s growth potential.

    A key policy priority is alleviating the region’s structural growth impediments, which calls for a coordinated multipronged approach. Addressing frictions to employment and skills development requires a renewed effort to attune human capital to economic needs and development priorities through vocational training and modernized education systems, complemented by active labor market policies and improved access to child and elderly care. Common policies can also enhance the scale, resilience, and efficiency of the region’s capital stock by helping to accelerate energy transition to local renewables, optimize the CBI funding model, and increase ND preparedness. Substantial productivity gains may also be achieved through cooperative efforts to address bottlenecks to innovation and allocative efficiency, including by digitalizing key services, streamlining licensing and administrative processes, and strengthening financial intermediation.

    Fiscal policies should remain closely focused on rebuilding buffers, reducing public debt consistent with the regional debt anchor, and improving resilience to shocks. Region‑wide adoption of strong medium-term fiscal frameworks (MTFFs) embedded with well-designed fiscal rules and credible policy plans would support sustainability objectives and create policy space for growth-enhancing social and resilience investment. Comprehensive fiscal resilience strategies, including adequate disaster-financing frameworks, can help alleviate periodic ND disruptions to debt sustainability and support the region’s growth resilience. Strengthening fiscal management of uncertain CBI revenues can similarly alleviate risks and facilitate fiscal planning. These efforts can be supported by more institutionalized regional oversight and continued strengthening of national fiscal institutions.

    Enhancing financial system resilience and reducing persistent credit-frictions can support a more conducive environment for growth-supporting local investment. Regional policy priorities include reducing vulnerabilities from legacy bank balance sheet weaknesses, mitigating risks from rapid credit union expansion, building readiness to manage risks from high dependency on global reinsurance, and strengthening national AML/CFT frameworks. Common minimum NBFI regulatory standards under the planned Eastern Caribbean Financial Stability Board (ECFSB) will be an important step toward their more unified oversight, although a more centralized supervisory structure would better facilitate management of regional stability risks. Coordinated efforts to reduce institutional frictions in local credit markets and support small ECCU businesses’ bankability can help address structural challenges in financial intermediation, revive local credit and investment, and foster development of a more vibrant private sector.

    Strengthening economic data could significantly improve regional policy design and risk management. Priorities include addressing shortcomings in coverage, quality, and timeliness of key national and external accounts and reducing significant blind spots in areas such as the regional labor markets and CBI flows. Greater leveraging of synergies in regional data compilation and processing could help address persistent resource and capacity gaps.

    Table 1. ECCU: Selected Economic and Financial Indicators, 2020-2026 1/
       

    Est.

    Proj.

    2020

    2021

    2022

    2023

    2024

    2025

    2026

    (Annual percentage change) 

    Output and Prices

    Real GDP

    -17.6

    6.5

    11.8

    3.7

    3.9

    3.5

    2.7

    GDP deflator

    -2.2

    4.4

    4.1

    3.3

    2.7

    1.7

    2.1

    Consumer prices, average

    -0.6

    1.7

    5.6

    4.0

    2.3

    1.9

    2.0

    Monetary Sector

    Net foreign assets

    6.1

    16.5

    -0.7

    11.5

    4.8

    1.7

    4.1

      Central bank

    3.6

    11.6

    -4.8

    5.4

    12.3

    5.9

    4.4

      Commercial banks (net)

    8.5

    21.1

    2.8

    16.3

    -0.5

    -1.7

    3.7

    Net domestic assets

    -16.5

    1.2

    13.0

    -5.8

    7.9

    11.0

    6.1

      Of which: private sector credit

    -0.9

    1.5

    1.6

    3.6

    4.7

    5.1

    2.5

    Broad money (M2)

    -4.7

    10.1

    4.6

    4.3

    6.0

    5.3

    4.9

    (In percent of GDP, unless otherwise indicated)

    Public Finances

    Central government

    		          

      Total revenue and grants

    29.0

    30.5

    29.7

    30.0

    30.8

    28.3

    27.3

      Total expenditure and net lending

    35.8

    33.4

    32.5

    31.2

    32.2

    32.8

    27.8

    Overall balance 2/

    -6.8

    -2.9

    -2.7

    -1.3

    -1.4

    -4.5

    -0.5

      Of which: expected fiscal cost of natural disasters

    0.5

    0.4

    0.5

    0.7

    0.7

    0.7

    0.7

      Excl. Citizenship-by-Investment Programs

    -11.5

    -8.7

    -9.3

    -8.0

    -7.3

    -8.4

    -3.6

    Primary balance 2/

    -4.3

    -0.6

    -0.5

    0.9

    1.1

    -1.8

    1.7

    Total public sector debt

    89.2

    84.5

    76.2

    73.9

    71.2

    70.8

    69.9

    External Sector

    Current account balance

    -19.1

    -18.5

    -12.3

    -10.3

    -10.4

    -9.9

    -8.3

    Trade balance

    -29.5

    -30.1

    -33.3

    -32.0

    -34.2

    -34.1

    -32.7

      Exports, f.o.b. (annual percentage change)

    -28.5

    31.5

    40.5

    21.9

    -9.7

    13.9

    11.4

      Imports, f.o.b. (annual percentage change)

    -23.2

    15.2

    29.7

    5.3

    11.0

    5.8

    1.9

    Services, incomes and transfers

    10.4

    11.6

    20.9

    21.8

    23.9

    24.2

    24.5

      Of which: travel

    17.1

    20.5

    34.6

    39.8

    42.1

    42.2

    42.5

    External public debt

    47.9

    47.6

    42.6

    42.7

    42.1

    43.7

    44.8

    External debt service (percent of goods and nonfactor services)

    21.3

    14.8

    10.3

    9.0

    10.3

    9.1

    8.6

    International reserves

       In millions of U.S. dollars

    1,747

    1,952

    1,869

    1,972

    2,202

    2,332

    2,435

       In months of prospective year imports of goods and services

    5.7

    4.8

    4.0

    4.0

    4.2

    4.4

    4.4

       In percent of broad money

    28.1

    28.5

    26.1

    26.4

    27.8

    28.0

    27.9

    REER (average annual percentage change)

    		    

       Trade-weighted 3/

    -.07

    -2.8

    3.1

    -1.1

    -1.0

    …

    …

    Sources: Country authorities; and IMF staff estimates and projections.

    1/ Includes all eight ECCU members unless otherwise noted. ECCU consumer price aggregates are calculated as weighted averages of individual country data. Other ECCU aggregates are calculated by adding individual country data. The staff report projections are based on the information available as of March 31, 2025. It, therefore, does not reflect the impact of the escalation of trade tensions on and after April 2, 2025.

    2/ Projections include expected fiscal costs of natural disasters.

    3/ Excludes Anguilla and Montserrat.

    [1] Under Article IV of the IMF’s Articles of Agreement, the IMF holds bilateral discussions with members, usually every year. Staff hold separate annual discussions with the regional institutions responsible for common policies in four currency unions—the Euro Area, the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union, the Central African Economic and Monetary Union, and the West African Economic and Monetary Union. For each of the currency unions, staff teams visit the regional institutions responsible for common policies in the currency union, collects economic and financial information, and discusses with officials the currency union’s economic developments and policies. On return to headquarters, the staff prepares a report, which forms the basis of discussion by the Executive Board. Both staff’s discussions with the regional institutions and the Board discussion of the annual staff report will be considered an integral part of the Article IV consultation with each member.

    [2] The staff report reflects discussions with the authorities during January 8-16 and January 27-February 10, 2025, and is based on the information available as of March 31, 2025. It, therefore, does not reflect the impact of the escalation of trade tensions on and after April 2, 2025. Based on information available until April 29, 2025, and covered in the Staff Supplement, the thrust of the staff appraisal remains unchanged.

    [3] The Executive Board takes decisions under its lapse-of-time procedure when the Board agrees that a proposal can be considered without convening formal discussions.

    IMF Communications Department
    MEDIA RELATIONS

    PRESS OFFICER: Meera Louis

    Phone: +1 202 623-7100Email: MEDIA@IMF.org

    https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2025/05/08/pr-24135-caribbean-imf-concludes-2025-discussions-on-policies-of-east-carib-currency-union

    MIL OSI

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: IMF Reaches Staff-Level Agreement with Barbados on the Fifth Reviews Under the Extended Fund Facility and the Resilience and Sustainability Facility

    Source: IMF – News in Russian

    May 8, 2025

    End-of-Mission press releases include statements of IMF staff teams that convey preliminary findings after a visit to a country or a virtual staff visit. The views expressed in this statement are those of the IMF staff and do not necessarily represent the views of the IMF’s Executive Board. Based on the preliminary findings of this mission, staff will prepare a report that, subject to management approval, will be presented to the IMF’s Executive Board for discussion and decision.

    • The IMF team reached a staff-level agreement with the Barbadian authorities on the completion of the fifth and final reviews of the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF) arrangements. The IMF’s Executive Board is expected to consider both reviews in June. Once the reviews are approved by the IMF Executive Board, Barbados will have access to about US$57 million in financing.
    • Barbados’ economy continues to perform well. Growth has been robust, inflation has moderated, and the external position has strengthened. Nevertheless, risks to the outlook are tilted to the downside, given the highly uncertain external economic environment and Barbados’ vulnerability to natural disasters.
    • Implementation of the home-grown Economic Recovery and Transformation (BERT 2022) plan remains strong. The authorities continue to focus on increasing resilience by maintaining fiscal discipline and debt sustainability and accelerating structural reforms to deliver more inclusive and sustainable growth.

    Bridgetown, Barbados: At the request of the Government of Barbados, an International Monetary Fund (IMF) team led by Michael Perks visited Barbados between May 2-8 to discuss the implementation of Barbados’ Economic Recovery and Transformation (BERT 2022) plan, supported by the IMF under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF) arrangements. To summarize the mission’s findings, Mr. Perks made the following statement:

    “Following productive discussions, the IMF team and the Barbadian authorities reached a staff-level agreement on the completion of the fifth and final reviews of the EFF and the RSF arrangements with Barbados. The agreement is subject to approval by the IMF Executive Board, which is expected to consider the reviews in June. The completion of the final reviews will mark the successful conclusion of the arrangements and will allow the authorities to draw the remaining SDR 14.175 million (about US$19 million) under the EFF arrangement and SDR 28.35 million (about US$38 million) under the RSF arrangement.

    “The economy grew strongly in 2024 and continues to expand in 2025, driven by tourism, construction, and business services. Inflation has moderated further, due to an easing of global commodity prices and prices of domestic goods and services. The external position has improved, with a significant strengthening of the current account in 2024. International reserves have increased to almost US$1.7 billion (equivalent to over 7 months of import cover), ample to support the exchange rate peg. Real GDP is projected to grow by 2.7 percent in 2025, sustained by construction related to tourism projects and public investment. Nevertheless, the economic outlook is subject to significant downside risks, given heightened global uncertainty and Barbados’ vulnerability to external shocks and natural disasters.”

    “Program performance remains strong. All quantitative performance criteria and indicative targets for the fifth review of the EFF were met. The fiscal primary surplus reached 4.3 percent of GDP in FY2024/25, with strong corporate tax revenues and prudent current spending controls enabling a significant increase in capital investment aimed at boosting infrastructure and resilience. For FY2025/26, the budget aims to reach a primary surplus of 4.4 percent of GDP, consistent with program projections. Public debt continues to decline, and the authorities remain firmly committed to reaching the 60 percent of GDP target by FY2035/36.

    “The structural reform agenda is advancing, supported by technical assistance from the Fund and development partners. All three structural benchmarks (SBs) were met, including completing the assessment of human resource needs at the Barbados Customs and Excise Department, preparing a draft public-private partnership (PPP) framework and developing a daily liquidity forecasting framework by the Central Bank of Barbados (CBB). Efforts to strengthen growth and the business environment also continue to progress, including measures to address the skills gap.

    “The authorities have completed both reform measures for the fifth RSF review. Key elements to strengthen the integration of climate concerns into public financial management have been delivered, including the development of public investment project appraisal guidelines, deepening of fiscal risk analysis, and preparation of a PPP framework. The CBB has also included physical climate risks in its bank stress testing exercise. In addition, the government has created a new Resilience and Regeneration Fund, repurposing the previous Catastrophe Fund with an expanded role and additional financing for disaster mitigation, response, and regeneration.

    “The team would like to thank the authorities and other counterparts for their hospitality and the constructive and candid policy dialogue.”

    IMF Communications Department
    MEDIA RELATIONS

    PRESS OFFICER: Meera Louis

    Phone: +1 202 623-7100Email: MEDIA@IMF.org

    https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2025/05/08/pr-25136-barbados-imf-reaches-agreement-with-barbados-on-the-5th-rev-under-the-eff-and-rsf

    MIL OSI

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congresswoman Tenney Announces FY26 Community Project Funding Submissions

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-22)

    Washington, DC – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) today announced the 15 projects she has submitted to the House Appropriations Committee in the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Community Project Funding (CPF) process. 

    The CPF process allows municipalities and non-profits to submit federal funding requests for high-priority community projects with strong local support in New York’s 24th Congressional District. Each application was subjected to a rigorous review process to ensure that it is a sound use of taxpayer dollars and that applicants have a clear and accountable plan to spend funds on targeted projects within a year.  

    A list of Rep Tenney’s submitted FY26 projects can be found below:

    • $2,000,000 for the City of Lockport’s Phase III – Erie Canal Flight of Five Locks
    • $1,000,000 for the City of Oswego Police Department’s New Police Station
    • $4,275,000 for Jefferson County’s Installation of Runway 10 Omni-Directional Approach Lights at Watertown International Airport
    • $2,000,000 for Orleans County’s Public Safety Building Vital Improvements for Safety and Security
    • $2,000,000 for Schuyler County’s Emergency Operations Center
    • $5,000,000 for the Town of Lyons’ Resurgence of the Town of Lyons Canal Street District
    • $3,300,000 for the Town of Phelps’ Sanitary Sewer Distribution Project
    • $1,000,000 for the Town of Throop’s Water Improvements Project
    • $2,475,000 for the Town of Torrey’s Water District #2 Resource Improvements      
    • $10,000,000 for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ work on Genesee County’s water needs
    • $3,000,000 for the Village of Geneseo’s Water and Sewer System Improvements
    • $1,500,000 for the Village of Mexico’s Water System Improvements
    • $3,000,000 for the Village of Waterloo’s Sewer System Improvements and Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrades
    • $4,000,000 for Wayne County’s Rural Health Services Building Renovation
    • $3,000,000 for Wyoming County’s Silver Lake Dredging Project    

    “The Community Project Funding Process allows Congress to hear directly from municipalities and community leaders about their needs. This year, I submitted 15 projects on behalf of our district to improve essential infrastructure, enhance public safety, and revitalize our local communities. I remain committed to advocating for these projects throughout the appropriations process and will continue to be a strong voice for protecting your hard-earned tax dollars while representing our district in Congress,” said Congresswoman Tenney.

    Community leaders who submitted and worked with Rep Tenney’s office on various funding proposals expressed their appreciation for her advocacy:

    “On behalf of Genesee County, I extend our sincere thanks to Congresswoman Tenney for championing this critical investment in our region’s infrastructure. The proposed water project will play a vital role in strengthening our water system—not only for the City of Batavia, but for communities, farms, and businesses throughout Genesee County. This funding brings us one step closer to securing long-term reliability, capacity, and growth potential for the entire county,” said the Genesee County Legislature Chair, Shelley Stein. 

    “The Town of Lyons and the Wayne County Regional Land Bank greatly appreciate Congresswoman Tenney’s commitment to our Resurgence of the Town of Lyons Canal Street District project. This neighborhood revitalization addresses legacy community needs by transforming blighted properties in the heart of downtown into quality housing, commercial space, enhanced infrastructure, and improved access to essential services,” said the Town of Lyons Supervisor, Jim Brady.

    “The Flight of Five is more than a historic marvel — it’s the beating heart of Lockport’s canal heritage and a cornerstone of our tourism future. With possible Phase III funding on the horizon, we’re poised to take the next critical step in fully restoring this 19th-century engineering wonder. This investment not only honors the legacy of the Erie Canal, but positions Lockport as a must-see destination for millions of visitors exploring the Niagara region,” said the President/CEO Greater Lockport Development Corporation, Vicki Smith.

    “We sincerely thank Congresswoman Tenney for selecting Oswego as one of 15 projects in the FY26 Appropriations Bill. This vital support moves us closer to replacing our 150-year-old police station with a modern facility that will enhance public safety, support emergency response, and provide space for community outreach and critical services. This project will help build a stronger, safer Oswego for all,” said the City of Oswego Police Chief, Phil Cady.

    “On behalf of the residents of the Town of Phelps, I would like to extend our sincere gratitude to Congresswoman Claudia Tenney for her support of our Route 14 wastewater infrastructure project. We deeply appreciate Congresswoman Tenney’s efforts in advancing our funding request to the Appropriations Committee for review and consideration. Her advocacy brings us one step closer to a much-needed sewer line project that will significantly enhance development opportunities not only within our town but in the Town and City of Geneva. Federal funding is essential to ensure the timely construction of this project, which will serve thousands of visitors to the Finger Lakes region while supporting long-term growth for our community. We are especially grateful for Representative Tenney’s commitment, hard work, and her willingness to listen to the needs of our residents. Her support reflects a strong partnership between federal leadership and local priorities,” said the Town of Phelps Town Supervisor, Bill Wellman.

    “We are thankful for Congresswoman Tenney continuous support of Watertown International Airport, these lights are so important to airport users. The runway 10 lights help decrease delays and keep airplanes landing when visibility is limited. It’s vital for our residents, tourism, business, and DOD communities that rely on the airport for safe and reliable air transportation,” said the Watertown International Airport Director of Aviation, Grant Sussey.

    “This investment in critical infrastructure keeps villages like Geneseo moving forward while keeping tax rates and housing affordable. Most importantly, you are replacing lead water service pipes and ensuring that our sanitary sewer is safe, and keeping it separate from our storm sewer. Finishing the project will leave us ADA compliant and offer enhanced walkability to our village,” said the Geneseo Village Mayor, Christopher Ivers.

    “First, we would like the thank Congresswoman Tenney for including us in the Appropriations bill. We are deeply grateful for her advocacy, commitment, and unwavering support of our community. This funding will have a transformative impact on our community that will enable us to expand critical infrastructure, enhance resources, and provide greater opportunities for those we serve. The project we are looking to fund will foster long-term growth and positive changes for Waterloo,” said the Mayor of Waterloo, Walt Bennett.

    “The Town of Torrey is thrilled to have been selected by Congresswoman Tenney to provide funding through the Congressional Appropriations process for the Town’s Water District #2 serving the Perry Point area. This funding will provide the residents of the district with a reliable and safe supply of water at a reasonable cost while protecting the waters of Seneca Lake. The Town of Torrey is very appreciative of the efforts that Congresswoman Tenney has made on behalf of Torrey residents and the 24th Congressional District,” said the Supervisor of the Town of Torrey, Peter Martini. 

    “On behalf of the residents of Wyoming County, especially those living around Silver Lake, and the Board of Supervisors, I extend our sincere appreciation for Congresswoman Tenney’s selection of the Silver Lake dredging project to submit to the House Appropriations Committee. Congresswoman Tenney understands and shares the values we hold as part of our proud agricultural heritage. An integral part of the environmental stewardship we are tasked with is to fulfill our mission of a healthier and more resilient Silver Lake. It is not only an essential component of our county’s robust tourism industry, but is also a prime drinking water source for multiple communities spanning Wyoming and Livingston counties. This important funding will help to preserve sensitive habitats, protect water quality and enhance public waterway access. We are deeply grateful to Congresswoman Tenney for her unwavering support in this project and for Wyoming County,” said the Chairwoman of the Wyoming County Board of Supervisors, Rebecca Ryan.

    “The Village of Mexico would like to take this opportunity to express their appreciation for Congresswomen Claudia Tenney’s continued support of the Village and Town of Mexico. This project if awarded would help insure continued safe and accessible water far into the Future,” said the Mayor of the Village of Mexico, Terry Grimshaw.

    “Wayne County is humbled and so very grateful by this support from Congresswoman Tenney’s office to be selected as one of the 15 projects submitted for consideration. The House Appropriations funding opportunity provides a meaningful modernization of a rural facility offering healthcare and behavioral health treatment and services. Wayne County Health Building renovations would help expand support and treatment to all ages for critical outpatient treatment and support services in our rural community,” said Wayne County Public Health Director Diane Devlin, Aging & Youth Director Amy Haskins, and Interim County Administrator Mark Humbert.

    “The town of Throop is incredibly grateful to Congresswoman Tenney for selecting Throop’s Water District #3 project as a candidate for Community Project Funding. This investment will provide safe, reliable drinking water, as well as fire protection to residents who’ve long relied on aging private wells with poor water quality. Investing in this project will significantly improve the quality of life, health, and public safety for residents within this proposed water district. This project also has broader implications to the entire water system. This water district will vastly improve the area’s water infrastructure resiliency by completing a critical loop to an existing main line, creating essential system redundancy that benefits the broader network. Congresswoman Tenney has a steadfast commitment to ensuring all communities are supported, especially those in rural areas. Rural communities are the backbone of this region, and Congresswoman Tenney’s continued support for them is invaluable. Her support for this project is a powerful example of how by working together, elected officials can strengthen our infrastructure, safeguard our future, and impact the lives of our residents,” said the Town of Throop Supervisor, Eric Ridley. 

    “On behalf of Schuyler County, I want to say thank you to Congresswoman Tenney for supporting our project submission to improve our county’s Emergency Operations Center. This new Emergency Operations Center will house our county’s Emergency Management department, 911/Dispatch, Schuyler County Sheriff’s Office, and the Schuyler County Public Health Office to improve emergency response times and recovery efforts for our taxpayers and visitors. Thank you again to Congresswoman Tenney for advocating for the project. We are appreciative of your efforts in supporting critical emergency infrastructure projects NY-24,” said the Chairman of the Schuyler County Legislator, Carl H. Blowers

    “We very much appreciate the fact that Congresswoman Tenney recognizes the infrastructure needs of local governments and is working to secure $2 million in funding for the Orleans County Public Safety Building. Fixing a roof may be not be the most exciting project, but it was very necessary to maintaining that building and ensuring safe working conditions for our public safety team. We are very thankful Congresswoman Tenney delivered for us,” said the Orleans County Legislature Chairman, Lynne Johnson. 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Conversation between Mikhail Mishustin and General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam To Lam

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    The meeting took place as part of the official visit of the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam to the Russian Federation.

    From the transcript:

    M. Mishustin: Good afternoon, dear comrade To Lam!

    Welcome to the Government House of the Russian Federation.

    I remember mine with great warmth visit to Hanoi in January of this year. And I would like to ask you to take this opportunity to convey my greetings and best wishes to the President of Vietnam, esteemed comrade Luong Cuong, and also to my colleague, Prime Minister comrade Pham Minh Tinh.

    We are sincerely glad for your personal participation in the celebrations on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War. This is a significant date for the peoples of Russia and Vietnam, who carefully preserve the historical memory of the feat of the generation of victors.

    One of the important results of World War II was the proclamation of Vietnamese independence in September 1945.

    On the eve of your visit, April 30, 50 years passed since the liberation of South Vietnam and the reunification of the country. I cordially congratulate you and all Vietnamese comrades and citizens on this anniversary. We are rightfully proud of our country’s contribution to the victory of the heroic Vietnamese people in the struggle for freedom and independence.

    Along with participation in the ceremonial events in Moscow, you will also hold talks with the President of Russia Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin. I would like to assure you that the Government of Russia will ensure prompt implementation of the decisions that will be taken at the highest level.

    Vietnam is an important partner of Russia in the Asia-Pacific region. This year we celebrate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. And we are interested in further strengthening the Russian-Vietnamese comprehensive strategic partnership.

    We are paying priority attention to increasing trade and economic cooperation and increasing mutual trade turnover. New joint projects in the fields of energy, transport, industry, agriculture, high technology and digital are also being developed. The Russian-Vietnamese intergovernmental commission, headed by my deputy Dmitry Chernyshenko from the Russian side, is actively working.

    We attach particular importance to the development of direct interaction between the regions of Russia and Vietnam. We will continue to create favorable conditions for the launch of new joint ventures, primarily with the participation of small and medium businesses.

    We also value humanitarian ties with Vietnam. Our countries have a rich national heritage. Russian classical literature is well known in Vietnam. Russia helped its Vietnamese friends create national ballet and opera.

    More and more Russian tourists visit Vietnam, get acquainted with its unique culture and art. And my stay in hospitable Hanoi, Vietnam left the warmest memories.

    I am ready to discuss with you the most pressing issues of interaction between Russia and Vietnam. Please, you have the floor, esteemed comrade To Lam.

    To be continued…

    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 New Zealand: Property Market – Renters could be $700/year better-off with decade-high rental stock

    Source: Brainchild for RealEstate.co.nz

    • Supply of rental properties the highest for any April since 2016 
    • Weekly rent softens by an average of $14/week nationally  
    • Cost of living crisis keeps would-be renters at home while investors retain properties 

    Friday 9 May, 2025 – Renters have more money in their pocket and more properties to choose from as latest data from realestate.co.nz shows the supply of rental properties in New Zealand reaches the highest level for any April in almost a decade.  

    April abundance: market awash with rentals

    The total number of new rental listings on the market last month was 5,868, up 24.1% year-on-year from 4,729. But we need to look back as far as April 2016 (6,836) to see numbers that can match the current level of supply.

    Regions leading the charge with the greatest number of new listings are, to be expected, New Zealand’s big three: Auckland (2,375, up 8.6% year-on-year), Canterbury (704, up 39.4% year-on-year), and Wellington (691, up 196.6% year-on-year).  

    Vanessa Williams, spokesperson for realestate.co.nz, says three key trends over the past 18 months have contributed to this rental market:

    Short to long-term rentals: “The number of holiday homes and Airbnbs that are being converted back from short-term rentals into long-term rentals.”
    Cost of living crisis: “When we look at our typical rental demographic (those aged 18-25), they’re doing one of two things: staying at home with their parents because of the cost of living or departing New Zealand shores and moving overseas.” 

    Investors holding tight: “A slower sales market over the last 2.5 years has seen investors holding onto their properties.”

    Renters reap benefits as rates reduce

    Further good news for renters is the softening in rental price, with the national average down by $14 per week year-on-year. The capital city had one of the highest falls in rental prices, with a year-on-year reduction of 7.2% or $50 per week ($647/week in April 2025 compared to $697/week in April 2024). 
    Subsequent rate falls occurred in the Central North Island, down 6.9% on April last year, and Taranaki, down 5.7% year-on-year.

    Williams says $14 extra in a tenant’s pocket per week over a 52-week period can result in a saving upwards of $700.  

    “That’s a nice three-seater sofa for the flat or a weekend away. In today’s current economic climate, $700 can go a long way.”    

    Central Otago and Lakes bucks the trend

    As to be expected there’s always a region that bucks the trend. Central Otago and Lakes reported an all-time high with an average rental price of $870 per week in April, a 3.0% increase year-on-year.

    Although the region’s 148 new listings reported in April was a 22.1% drop from the 190 listings in March, the region’s April numbers reflect a 35.8% year-on-year increase.

    “Central Otago and Lakes’ rental activity corresponds with our sales property data, which confirms the region’s reputation as one of the most highly valued markets in the country,” says Williams. “It’s not surprising to see this region continue to command top dollar with its beautiful homes, attractive lifestyle, and strong tourist market.”   

    About realestate.co.nz 

    We’ve been helping people buy, sell, or rent property since 1996. Established before Google, realestate.co.nz is New Zealand’s longest-standing property website and the official website of the real estate industry.  

    Dedicated only to property, our mission is to empower people with a property search tool they can use to find the life they want to live. With residential, lifestyle, rural and commercial property listings, realestate.co.nz is the place to start for those looking to buy or sell property.

    Market insights: Search by suburb to see median sale prices, popular property types and trends over time. 

    Sold properties: Switch your search to sold to see the last 12 months of sales and prices. 
    Valuations: Get a gauge on property prices by browsing sold residential properties, with the latest sale prices and an estimated value in the current market. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Celebrating NY FFA’s 100th Anniversary

    Source: US State of New York

    [embedded content]

    [embedded content]

    New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, “There’s a long list of things that make The Great New York State Fair the best in the nation, but its continued focus on agriculture is what truly sets it apart, and its deep partnership with FFA has been a huge part of that. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate this powerful program’s centennial than by breaking ground on a new building that will help introduce a whole new generation of young people to the value of our industry and inspire them to pursue meaningful careers in agriculture. I want to thank our Governor, our partners across the state, and of course our very own NY FFA who share this vision and make it a priority – because of their work, I know the future of agriculture is bright.”

    New York State Office of General Services Commissioner Jeanette Moy said, “Agriculture is a major driver of New York’s economy, providing a source of fresh food and income to people across our state. OGS is proud to partner with the State Department of Agriculture and Markets in the construction of a 4,000-square-foot building at the Great New York State Fairgrounds. This new facility will further demonstrate Governor Hochul, Commissioner Ball, and our support for New York State’s farmers and FFA’s efforts to prepare its members for careers in all sectors of the agricultural industry. As FFA marks 100 years of its annual convention here, there’s no better opportunity for us to break ground on this new space.”

    New York State FFA Director Juleah Tolosky said, “For 100 years, New York FFA has empowered students to lead, serve, and grow in agriculture and beyond. This new building at the Fairgrounds is more than a structure — it’s a symbol of what happens when we invest in young people and believe in their potential. We’re grateful to Governor Hochul and Commissioner Ball and our partners across the state for supporting a vision that honors our past while building a stronger future for agricultural education.”

    Dean of Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Benjamin Houlton said, “The FFA is one of the most important organizations of America’s agricultural leadership—past, present and future. The historic celebration of the organization’s success reflects the commitment of many generations of farmers, agribusiness innovators and natural resources professionals to serve the foundation of society with the food they produce. At CALS, we are so grateful for our state partners’ unyielding support and proud to see a growing number of FFA students join us in shaping the future of agriculture—whether through a CALS or SUNY college degree, technical training or direct-to-career paths. There has never been a more exciting time for agriculture, and this generation of agriculture innovators will ensure that the country is in a strong position for continued prosperity.”

    New York State Fair Director Julie LaFave said, “The Great New York State Fair is a tradition rooted in agriculture, and our work with the New York State FFA has been the driving force behind keeping this tradition alive. Here at the Fair, these incredible students showcase their projects, participate in competitions, and teach tens of thousands of Fairgoers what New York agriculture is all about. We’re thrilled to help this remarkable organization celebrate its 100th anniversary by investing in a new building right here at the Fair that will help spotlight their work and introduce more young people to the importance of this industry. I congratulate FFA on their centennial, and thank Governor Hochul, a 4-H kid who knows firsthand the value of ag education, for her support of this critical investment.”

    Supporting agricultural education is essential to developing a generation of leaders who understand where our food comes from and value the hard work of our farmers.

    Governor Kathy Hochul

    New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, “There’s a long list of things that make The Great New York State Fair the best in the nation, but its continued focus on agriculture is what truly sets it apart, and its deep partnership with FFA has been a huge part of that. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate this powerful program’s centennial than by breaking ground on a new building that will help introduce a whole new generation of young people to the value of our industry and inspire them to pursue meaningful careers in agriculture. I want to thank our Governor, our partners across the state, and of course our very own NY FFA who share this vision and make it a priority – because of their work, I know the future of agriculture is bright.”

    New York State Office of General Services Commissioner Jeanette Moy said, “Agriculture is a major driver of New York’s economy, providing a source of fresh food and income to people across our state. OGS is proud to partner with the State Department of Agriculture and Markets in the construction of a 4,000-square-foot building at the Great New York State Fairgrounds. This new facility will further demonstrate Governor Hochul, Commissioner Ball, and our support for New York State’s farmers and FFA’s efforts to prepare its members for careers in all sectors of the agricultural industry. As FFA marks 100 years of its annual convention here, there’s no better opportunity for us to break ground on this new space.”

    New York State FFA Director Juleah Tolosky said, “For 100 years, New York FFA has empowered students to lead, serve, and grow in agriculture and beyond. This new building at the Fairgrounds is more than a structure — it’s a symbol of what happens when we invest in young people and believe in their potential. We’re grateful to Governor Hochul and Commissioner Ball and our partners across the state for supporting a vision that honors our past while building a stronger future for agricultural education.”

    Dean of Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Benjamin Houlton said, “The FFA is one of the most important organizations of America’s agricultural leadership—past, present and future. The historic celebration of the organization’s success reflects the commitment of many generations of farmers, agribusiness innovators and natural resources professionals to serve the foundation of society with the food they produce. At CALS, we are so grateful for our state partners’ unyielding support and proud to see a growing number of FFA students join us in shaping the future of agriculture—whether through a CALS or SUNY college degree, technical training or direct-to-career paths. There has never been a more exciting time for agriculture, and this generation of agriculture innovators will ensure that the country is in a strong position for continued prosperity.”

    New York State Fair Director Julie LaFave said, “The Great New York State Fair is a tradition rooted in agriculture, and our work with the New York State FFA has been the driving force behind keeping this tradition alive. Here at the Fair, these incredible students showcase their projects, participate in competitions, and teach tens of thousands of Fairgoers what New York agriculture is all about. We’re thrilled to help this remarkable organization celebrate its 100th anniversary by investing in a new building right here at the Fair that will help spotlight their work and introduce more young people to the importance of this industry. I congratulate FFA on their centennial, and thank Governor Hochul, a 4-H kid who knows firsthand the value of ag education, for her support of this critical investment.”

    Agricultural Education in New York State
    New York State continues to prioritize investments in agricultural education to support workforce development and ensure that agriculture remains a viable industry in New York State. In 2024, Governor Hochul increased support for the FFA by $250,000 for a total of $1.25 million and dedicated $500,000 to support the New York Agriculture in the Classroom program and $500,000 for the New York Association of Agricultural Educators to increase the number of certified agricultural educators in the state. In addition, $250,000 was included in support of Urban Agricultural Education and $50,000 for the MANRRS program.

    Additionally in 2024, the Governor convened the first ever youth agriculture leadership conference. Following the conference, the Governor announced the establishment of a Blue-Ribbon Panel to Advance Agriculture Education, which will bring together food and agriculture industry stakeholders, educational institutions, and educators to chart a course for strengthening agriculture education and supporting the multi-faceted needs of the workforce.

    The State’s efforts are paying off, with the number of agricultural teachers growing to 424 in 2025. Alongside this growth in teachers, the number of FFA charters and members has also increased. With 224 chapters established in 52 of New York’s 62 counties, there are now over 13,000 FFA members in New York State, an increase from 9,300 in 2022. In 2016, the State Agriculture Commissioner challenged the FFA to increase its number of charters across the State by 100; the FFA reached that goal in time for its 100th anniversary this year, an exciting benchmark as it celebrates its centennial and looks forward to the next hundred years.

    In addition, there are currently five MANRRS collegiate chapters statewide, up from just two in 2022, and one junior chapter at John Bowne High School in New York City. Today, there is also a 4-H program in all 62 counties in New York State, providing educational opportunities to young people interested in agriculture in every corner of the State. Together, these programs help meet the growing demand for agricultural education across New York.

    Embedded Flickr Album

    State Senator Michelle Hinchey said, “New York is the fastest-growing FFA state in the country, and for 100 years, this incredible program has been the bedrock of outstanding student leadership in our state, helping students find their strengths, find ways to serve their communities, and become leaders in every sector of the agriculture industry and beyond it. Congratulations to New York FFA on its centennial—the future of New York looks exceptionally bright with such dedicated young leaders at the forefront.”

    State Senator Rachel May said, “The longevity of New York’s FFA program underscores its significance to agriculture in our state. For 100 years, this program has been educating the next generation of farmers, ensuring that our vital agricultural sector remains strong. The history of the New York State Fair is closely linked to the FFA program, so it’s only appropriate that it has a dedicated building on the fairgrounds, showcasing its significance to our state. Thank you, Governor Hochul, for recognizing the importance of the FFA program with this new facility and support for New York State agriculture.”

    Assemblymember Donna Lupardo said, “FFA is one of the premier youth leadership development organizations in our country. Members have gone on to successful careers as farmers, chemists, government officials, business leaders, teachers, and more. The hands-on experience this organization provides is invaluable, and with the new FFA Building at the State Fairgrounds, they will have the opportunity to showcase their work in an impressive new facility. Congratulations to the FFA on their centennial.”

    Assemblymember Al Stirpe said, “I would like to congratulate the New York FFA for this historic milestone, marking a century of inspiring the agricultural leaders of tomorrow. As a stronghold for Northeastern agriculture, New York thrives thanks to organizations like FFA that help students realize their potential in the agricultural classroom and beyond. I look forward to the construction of the new FFA building, as well as the growth of their now 224 chapters across the state.”

    Assemblymember Bill Magnarelli said, “The New York State Fair and New York State FFA have a long and storied history going back 100 years together. I applaud the work that organizations like New York State FFA and 4-H do in providing quality agricultural education to future generations to continue New York State’s long tradition of farming.”

    About New York State FFA
    Administered by Cornell University, the New York State FFA Association is a youth organization that helps middle and high school students become leaders in a variety of career fields, including agriculture. NY FFA develops premier leadership, personal growth and career success through activities and opportunities nationwide. Learn more about NY FFA at www.nysffa.org.

    About the New York State Fair
    Founded in 1841, The Great New York State Fair showcases the best of New York agriculture, provides top-quality entertainment, and is a key piece of the State’s CNY Rising strategy of growing the Central New York economy through tourism. It is the oldest fair in the United States and is consistently recognized as being among the top five state fairs in the nation.

    The New York State Fairgrounds is a 375-acre exhibit and entertainment complex that operates all year. Audiences are encouraged to learn more about The Great New York State Fair online, browse photos on Flickr, and follow the fun on Facebook, X, formerly known as Twitter, and Instagram.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Old drains and railways are full of life. Here’s how to make the most of these overlooked green spaces

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Hugh Stanford, Researcher Associate, Centre for Urban Research, RMIT University

    Much of the old circular railway line in Paris, La Petite Ceinture, or Little Belt, has been turned into a public park. ldgfr photos, Shutterstock

    Across Australian cities, leftover and overlooked green spaces are everywhere. Just think of all the land along stormwater drains, railway lines and vacant lots. While often dismissed as useless or unsightly, there’s a growing understanding of the value these spaces bring to cities.

    These informal green spaces can support biodiversity and offer rare freedom to explore, play or connect with nature in a less controlled way than formal spaces such as parks. They also help to cool our cities.

    My new research looks at how cities globally are rethinking overlooked green spaces. I identified three ways to unlock the value of these areas: leaving spaces intentionally unmanaged, supporting temporary or informal uses, or formalising them as parks or other public places. Each approach offers different benefits and challenges for cities trying to create greener, more liveable neighbourhoods.

    Local councils are under increasing pressure to create more formal green space, with residents, at times, calling on councils to buy land for new parks. But let’s start with what’s already there.

    1: Hands off: the case for doing less

    In some cases, doing nothing can be surprisingly powerful.

    When governments step back, communities and nature can step in, with potentially joyful, creative and ecologically rich results. In the Belgian capital of Brussels, for example, disused railway land, left unmanaged, has become a haven for biodiversity, offering valuable insights into how ecosystems can regenerate without human interference.

    Closer to home, there are many examples of railway land being used informally as green space. One site, in the Melbourne suburb of Northcote, has become a makeshift trail used by walkers, dog owners and children on bikes. Though not officially a park, it functions like one, with its informal character fostering a sense of ownership and spontaneity among users. In the past few months, local residents have started planting native vegetation and putting up makeshift art installations, and even a swing.

    But this hands-off approach has limitations. It works best where a strong sense of community, or ecological value, already exists. And while nature can bounce back in surprising ways, it often needs a helping hand.

    Locals have embraced a small patch of land in a railway reserve near Dennis Station in Northcote, Melbourne.
    Hugh Stanford

    2. Helping out: supporting informal or temporary uses

    Where informal installations already exist – such as art installations or unauthorised plantings known as guerrilla gardens – councils can support and even help grow these initiatives.

    Some councils may see local-led efforts as a liability, but these efforts represent an opportunity to bring life to underused land at minimal cost. By recognising and supporting such activities, including financially, councils can empower residents to shape their own neighbourhoods in meaningful ways. This can include expanding existing installations or establishing new installations on other underused sites.

    There is also benefit in local councils creating their own temporary installations such as pop-up parks. This has been shown to be an effective way to activate underused space and trial initiatives before more permanent plans are developed.

    Examples include the creation of a temporary park in Ballarat Street, Yarraville in 2012. Community support for the temporary park led to the construction of a permanent park in 2014.

    Local councils can offer support to communities seeking to revitalise disused green space.
    Hugh Stanford

    3. Stepping in: when formalising makes sense

    There are times where formal intervention is warranted – for example, where land is contaminated or supports invasive weeds. In such cases, transforming a site into a fully developed park can deliver significant benefits. Land alongside a river, road or railway line, can be readily transformed into a long “linear park” with walking trails and bike paths.

    In Paris, the conversion of a former industrial railway line into a linear park is a great example, attracting both locals and tourists.

    Melbourne, too, has its own success in revitalising disused infrastructure. The Greening the Pipeline project in Melbourne’s west involves converting a disused sewer main into a vibrant linear park. These projects demonstrate the benefits that can be achieved from developing high-quality, permanent public green spaces from underused land.

    But formalising public use of urban green space comes at a cost, financially and otherwise: a highly designed park can crowd out the quirky, unplanned character that makes many informal spaces feel special. That’s why it’s crucial to see formalising green space as one option among many, and to reserve it for sites where potential benefits justify the investment.

    The Greening the Pipeline project in Melbourne’s west highlights what can be achieved.
    Hugh Stanford

    A call to action

    If you work in urban planning or local government, resist the urge to control and replace. Look at what’s already available. Sometimes the best thing you can do is observe, step back and support. Not all public spaces need a master plan.

    If you’re a resident, get out there. Start small: plant something native, or set up a swing (where safe to do so). By engaging with the green spaces already around you, you might help create your own slice of urban paradise – no land purchase required.

    Start small and set up a swing, where safe to do so.
    Hugh Stanford

    Hugh Stanford 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. Old drains and railways are full of life. Here’s how to make the most of these overlooked green spaces – https://theconversation.com/old-drains-and-railways-are-full-of-life-heres-how-to-make-the-most-of-these-overlooked-green-spaces-255736

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Guthrie, Senator McConnell Introduce Bill to Expand Mammoth Cave National Park Boundaries

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Brett Guthrie (2nd District Kentucky)

    Today, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02) and Senator Mitch McConnell (KY) introduced the bicameral Mammoth Cave National Park Boundary Adjustment Act. This bill would give the park the ability to acquire an additional 551.14 acres of land from the Nature Conservancy. This newly acquired land would enhance protections in the Green River watershed, further conserving the area’s wildlife and cultural heritage while generating additional tourism to Kentucky’s Second District.

    “Every year, Mammoth Cave National Park draws hundreds of thousands of visitors and contributes nearly $90 million to our local economy,” said Congressman Guthrie. “This natural wonder has inspired people for thousands of years, playing a foundational role in the culture of our region. I am proud to introduce the Mammoth Cave National Park Boundary Adjustment Act to expand protections for the cave system’s important biodiversity and rich history, ensuring that it can be studied, maintained, and enjoyed by future generations of Americans.”

    “Kentucky is lucky to be home to an abundance of natural treasures, among them, Mammoth Cave National Park. This extensive cave network has been inspiring Kentuckians and drawing visitors from all corners of the globe for generations. Beyond its role in driving tourism to our Commonwealth, the park also plays a crucial role in the region’s economic growth, supporting good jobs for the people of Kentucky,” said Senator McConnell. “I’m proud to partner with Congressman Guthrie on this important initiative once again which will expand the critical habitats that the National Park Service protects and preserves in the park.”

    You can find the full text of the Mammoth Cave Boundary Adjustment Act here.

    A map of the proposed boundary changes can be found here.
     
    Background:

    • This legislation authorizes the National Park Service to acquire 551.14 acres of land currently owned by the Nature Conservancy (TNC).
    • This expansion would allow the National Park to manage land in Edmonson and Barren Counties, further conserving the area’s wildlife and cultural heritage. 
    • The property includes cave passages, including Coach and James Caves, which hold prehistoric and historic artifacts.
    • In 2023, the park received more than 650,000 visitors, generating $89.6 million for communities surrounding the park. This expansion of the park is expected to drive further economic growth in the local community.
    • This legislation is supported by local elected officials in the surrounding counties.
    • Established as a National Park in 1941, Mammoth Cave National Park is home to the world’s longest known cave system, stretching a mapped 426 miles with many miles still undiscovered.
    • In 1981, the park was named a World Heritage Site, and in 1990, a Biosphere Reserve.
    • In April 2025, Congressman Guthrie welcomed Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum to Mammoth Cave National Park for a tour of the park and a discussion with NPS staff about its importance. You can learn more about their visit here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Jayapal, Newhouse Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Recognize the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) as the National Museum of Pop Culture

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (7th District of Washington)

    SEATTLE – U.S. Representatives Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) and Dan Newhouse (WA-04) are leading legislation to recognize the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) as the National Museum of Pop Culture.

    “I am so proud to lead this bipartisan bill to federally recognize MoPOP as the National Museum of Pop Culture,” said Jayapal. “MoPOP has been a cornerstone in celebrating the diverse culture and history of the arts regionally and globally. MoPOP and its incredible team undoubtedly deserve this recognition and title, allowing them to continue educating both local visitors and tourists about the rich history of pop culture in the United States.”

    “The Museum of Pop Culture draws hundreds of thousands of visitors every year from enthusiasts across the country and around the globe. Now in its 25th year of operation, it’s time to give MoPOP the national recognition it deserves. I want to thank MoPOP’s leadership, staff, and volunteers for the time and effort dedicated to making the museum a success year after year,” said Newhouse.

    The Museum of Pop Culture is the leading institution in the United States dedicated to the curation and exploration of pop culture and its significant societal impact. MoPOP is home to over 85,000 artifacts, making it one of the largest pop culture collections in the world. Hosting innovative exhibits focused on American art, music, film and fashion, MoPOP welcomes over 750,000 visitors annually. For more than 20 years, MoPOP has celebrated the universal language of pop culture, amplified diverse voices, and inspired generations. 

    “We’re honored to take the next step toward national designation and grateful to Congresswoman Jayapal for her support. This legislation affirms the vital role pop culture plays in shaping our collective memory and reflects MOPOP’s ongoing commitment to preserving the stories, artifacts, and creativity that define generations,” said Michele Y. Smith, CEO of the Museum of Pop Culture.

    The bill is also sponsored by Representatives Michael Baumgartner (WA-05), Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Rick Larsen (WA-02), Emily Randall (WA-06), Kim Schrier (WA-08), Adam Smith (WA-09), and Marilyn Strickland (WA-10).

    Issues: Arts & Education

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: India-Pakistan: escalating conflict between two nuclear powers

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Jonathan Este, Senior International Affairs Editor, Associate Editor

    This article was first published in The Conversation UK’s World Affairs Briefing email newsletter. Sign up to receive weekly analysis of the latest developments in international relations, direct to your inbox.

    Once again, India and Pakistan are locked in conflict over Kashmir. A diplomatic crisis that started with a terrorist attack that killed 26 tourists, all but one of them Indian, became a fortnight of cross-border skirmishes and pugilistic posturing from New Delhi and Islamabad. India responded on May 7 with Operation Sindoor, a series of airstrikes apparently aimed at what India said were terrorist training camps, in which at least 31 people were reportedly killed. Pakistan has vowed revenge and launched its own deadly attacks. And so an old emnity is rekindled.

    India and Pakistan have been at loggerheads over Kashmir virtually since partition in 1947. Its mixed population, its geography and, importantly, its history as what was known as a “princely state”, virtually guaranteed it. Princely states, which were not administered by the British Raj were given the choice of joining either independent India or the newly created Pakistan. Kashmir, ruled over by the Hindu maharaja Hari Singh, eventually joined India.

    Hari Singh reportedly did so with some misgivings. The state he ruled over had a majority population of Muslims. But when the first conflict broke out at the end of 1947, with an invasion by Pakistani tribesmen looking to take control of Kashmir, he called on India for assistance and signed a deal temporarily incorporating the state into India pending a plebiscite – which never took place.

    The first India-Pakistan war ended in 1949 with a UN-mandated ceasefire. A border was drawn through the state giving India roughly two-thirds control over Jammu and Kashmir, with Pakistan controlling the other third. Both sides have claimed the whole territory ever since.

    Violence has broken out periodically in the intervening decades, characterised since the 1980s by insurgencies, which India routinely accuses Pakistan of backing – an accusation which Pakistan routinely denies. Groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) have carried out terror attacks in both Kashmir and India, including LeT’s 2008 Mumbai massacre in which 166 people were killed.

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

    Now the situation which the rest of the world has worried about for years, a conflict between two neighbouring nuclear armed powers, has begun to escalate with fears it might spiral out of control. Natasha Lindsteadt, an expert in international security, takes a look at the military – and nuclear– capabilities and policies of the two countries.

    She writes that India has a far larger military (it’s ranked as one of the world’s top five military nations by Military Watch magazine, with Pakistan ranked ninth). The two countries have a roughly comparable nuclear arsenal. But while India has a “no first use” policy, Pakistan has never committed itself in this way, arguing it needs its nuclear arsenal to counter India’s larger conventional forces.

    But even a small nuclear exchange between the two could kill more than 20 million people, writes Lindsteadt.



    Read more:
    Why are India and Pakistan on the brink of war and how dangerous is the situation? An expert explains

    Part of the problem seems to be a complete lack of communications at the highest level. US president, Donald Trump, initially appeared reluctant to get involved, saying that he is “sure they’ll figure it out one way or the other … There’s great tension between Pakistan and India, but there always has been.” He is since reported to have offered to step in, an offer apparently politely rejected by New Delhi.

    “What is needed now is robust, real-time crisis communication between the two nations,” write security experts Syed Ali Zia Jaffery of the University of Lahore and Nicholas Wheeler of the University of Birmingham. The problem is that there is no mechanism for that.

    And as we know from the Cuban missile crisis, when the US and Soviet Union came very close to a nuclear exchange, it’s all too easy for mistakes to be made which could escalate a conflict between two nuclear powers into a conflagration.

    After that crisis, the two leaders involved, John F. Kennedy and Nikita Krushchev, set up a communications link (which became known as the “hotline”) to enable direct communications. As Jaffery and Wheeler point out, this served to keep the rival powers from further dangerous confrontation (it even helped in bringing about arms treaties when Ronald Reagan was in the White House and Mikhail Gorbachev was in the Kremlin.



    Read more:
    Why a hotline is needed to help bring India and Pakistan back from the brink of a disastrous war

    For a deeper dive into the crisis and the long history of conflict between India and Pakistan, here are five essential reads, carefully curated for you by my colleague Matt Williams, senior international editor at The Conversation in the US.



    Read more:
    India-Pakistan strikes: 5 essential reads on decades of rivalry and tensions over Kashmir

    Netanyahu’s Gaza plan

    In the Middle East, meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are planning to move in large numbers into Gaza with a plan to occupy the whole of the territory. The prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has described the move as a “forceful operation” which will destroy Hamas and rescue its remaining hostages. The remaining population of 2.1 million Palestinian civilians will be moved “to proect it”.

    With more than 50,000 people dead in Gaza since the conflict began in October 2023, you have to say Israel’s attempts to protect civilians have been decidedly unsuccessful.

    Leonie Fleischmann, senior lecturer in international politics at City St George’s, University of London, sees this as Israel’s next step towards clearing Gaza of Palestinians, something she says Netanyahu’s far-right enablers have been pushing for all along. But she also sees parallels with what is happening in the West Bank, where Israel is gradually annexing land occupied by Palestinians and mandated by the Oslo accords of the 1990s as part of a future Palestinian state.

    The recent Louis Theroux documentary film showed the terrible circumstances under which Palestinians live on the West Bank, juxtaposing that with the determination of extreme Zionists to take over what they see as the land of their forefathers.

    Fleischmann notes that this week, Israeli cabinet minister Bezalel Smotrich approved plans for construction on land in an area which, if given to settlers, would effectively cut the West Bank in two. This would, she says, “bury any remaining hope for a two-state solution”. Rather chillingly, Smotrich is quoted as saying: “This is how you kill the Palestinian state.”



    Read more:
    Israeli plan to occupy all of Gaza could open the door for annexation of the West Bank

    Where would Palestinians go under Netanyahu’s plan? Well, if the Israeli prime minister shares Donald Trump’s vision of redeveloping Gaza as some sort of Middle Eastern “riviera”, they’d be dispersed into countries such as Egypt and Jordan.

    This idea is a non-starter, writes Scott Lucas of University College Dublin. Lucas, a Middle East expert who has written regularly for us about Israel and Gaza and answered our questions about the situation. He says Egyptian president, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has definitively ruled out accepting a mass exodus of Palestinians via the Rafah crossing at Gaza’s southern end. And Jordan is equally unwilling to accept any more Palestinian refugees. Apart from anything else, it already has about 3 million.

    As Lucas writes: “Any Arab government that takes in Gazans, even amid a humanitarian crisis, would be tacitly burying the idea of a Palestinian state. That would break a 77-year-old principle and resurrect the Nakba – the forced displacement and ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in 1948.”

    Israel is unlikely to get much international support for such a move either, Lucas adds. Donald Trump is preoccupied with other things and, even if he weren’t, the rest of the international community would hardly stand for what would probably be seen as an act of ethnic cleansing on a massive scale.



    Read more:
    What does Netanyahu’s plan for ‘conquering’ Gaza mean for Israel, Palestine and their neighbours? Expert Q&A

    But what do ordinary Israelis think of their government’s plans for Gaza? For most Israelis the paramount factor is their security. So far the Netanyahu government’s actions in Gaza had enjoyed majority suppport for that reason and in the hope that somehow the conflict might lead to getting the remaining hostages home.

    But the latest plan to take Gaza completely could scupper any hope of repatriating the hostages. And there are signs that many Israelis are getting tired of the constant crisis and conflict. There appears to be a growing appetite for peace.

    Or so writes Yuval Katz of Loughborough University, who grew up in Israel but left eight years ago to pursue an academic career. He was recently home for the first time in two years and spent time contacting peace groups. Here is what he found.



    Read more:
    Israel’s peace movement offers a ray of hope amid the pain of Gaza conflict

    World Affairs Briefing from The Conversation UK is available as a weekly email newsletter. Click here to get updates directly in your inbox.

    – ref. India-Pakistan: escalating conflict between two nuclear powers – https://theconversation.com/india-pakistan-escalating-conflict-between-two-nuclear-powers-256277

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Dingell Joins Bipartisan Public Lands Caucus as Vice-Chair

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (12th District of Michigan)

    Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06) joined a bipartisan group of her House colleagues in launching the Public Lands Caucus, a Congressional coalition focused on conserving America’s public lands and expanding access for all Americans. Rep. Dingell will serve as Vice-Chair of the Caucus, along with Co-Chairs Reps. Gabe Vasquez (D-NM-02), Ryan Zinke (R-MT-01), and Vice-Chair Rep. Mike Simpson (R-ID-02). 

    The Public Lands Caucus is founded on the belief that public lands are “for the benefit and enjoyment of the people.” It will bring lawmakers from both sides of the aisle to advance practical, consensus-driven public lands policy that conserves natural resources while supporting recreation, local economies, and public access. Caucus members are committed to bridging ideological divides and advancing pragmatic solutions to protect and manage public lands.

    “We should be focusing on expanding public access to federal lands, not auctioning them off. And we should be investing in our National Parks System and National Wildlife Refuges, not making it harder for Americans to visit these special places,” said Vice-Chair Rep. Debbie Dingell. “I’m proud to be Vice-Chair of the Public Lands Caucus because conservation has historically been, and should continue to be, a bipartisan priority. I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to protect our precious natural resources, federal lands, and beloved species.” 

    “Public lands are where I learned to fish, hunt, and connect with my family and culture—and those experiences shaped who I am,” said Co-Chair Rep. Gabe Vasquez (D-NM-02). “These lands don’t belong to one party or one group of people; they belong to all of us. The Public Lands Caucus is about protecting that birthright—bringing Democrats and Republicans together to preserve access, defend conservation, and invest in the outdoor economy that powers rural communities like mine in southern New Mexico. This is personal for me, and I’m proud to lead this bipartisan effort to keep our public lands in public hands.”

    “I follow the Theodore Roosevelt motto that public lands are ‘for the benefit and enjoyment of the people,’ and that means making sure we both conserve and manage those lands to ensure public access for the next generation,” said Co-Chair Ryan Zinke (R-MT-02). “Public lands aren’t red or blue issues, it’s red, white and blue. The bipartisan Public Lands Caucus brings together lawmakers who don’t agree on much, but we agree on and are ready to work together to promote policies that advance conservation and public access. I look forward to working with Co-Chair Vasquez, the vice chairs, and all the members of this caucus so future generations can enjoy the same opportunities to hunt, hike, fish, make a living and enjoy our uniquely American heritage.”

    “Idahoans live in Idaho because we love our public lands,” said Vice-Chair Rep. Mike Simpson (R-ID-02). “This trend is common across the West, where public lands are a part of our daily lives. As a lifelong Idahoan and Chairman of the House Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, I remain committed to preserving access to our public lands and defending our way of life. Being named Vice Chair of the Public Lands Caucus is an honor, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure future generations can enjoy the same benefits that we do today. I’m thankful to Rep. Zinke for his leadership here.”

    “As someone born and raised in the Coachella Valley, I know how sacred our public lands are. Places like Joshua Tree and the new Chuckwalla National Monument are more than landscapes—they’re part of our identity, history, and culture,” said Rep. Raul Ruiz (D-CA-25) “Conserving public lands means protecting cultural heritage, preserving critical ecosystems, and expanding access to nature’s healing power, especially for underserved communities. I’ll continue fighting to ensure every family—no matter where they live—can experience the beauty, health, and enjoyment that public lands offer.”

    “Public land access is integral to Montana,” said Rep. Troy Downing (R-MT-02). “Montanans rely on the Treasure State’s more than 30 million acres of public lands to hunt, fish, recreate, graze their livestock, and so much more. I applaud Co-Chairs Zinke and Vasquez for their efforts and look forward to working with my colleagues to find common sense solutions that preserve my constituents’ access to this fundamentally American resource.”

    “As a representative of Coastal Virginia, I know how vital our public lands and waters are to our economy, our culture, and our quality of life – from supporting tourism and outdoor recreation to sustaining jobs and protecting natural habitats,” said Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-VA-02). “I’m proud to join the bipartisan Public Lands Caucus to bring a balanced, commonsense approach to protecting these resources. From our shorelines to our forests, we must ensure that future generations can enjoy and benefit from healthy and accessible public lands across the country for years to come.”

    View photos from the press conference here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Economic reforms key to inclusive growth

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has underscored the importance of accelerating economic reforms in order to achieve rapid and inclusive growth.

    The Minister was speaking at the launch of the second phase of Operation Vulindlela (OV) at the Union Buildings on Wednesday afternoon.

    “In order to drive more rapid and inclusive growth over the next five years, we must accelerate economic reform. A commitment to swift implementation of reforms is required across government to lower the cost of doing business, reduce regulatory bottlenecks and provide policy certainty. 

    “This, in turn, will promote investment, support export orientation, enable job creation and reinforce growth,” Godongwana said.
     

    WATCH | President Cyril Ramaphosa launches the second phase of Operation Vulindlela

    The second phase of OV will add to and increase pace on those reforms already underway in phase one.

    “The immediate priority is… to sustain the momentum already developed and follow through on the implementation of existing reforms, in order to realise their full impact. 

    “This will require completing the reforms underway, as well as deepening those reforms which have already been initiated in the energy, logistics and water sectors, and visa regime. However, other structural constraints to growth remain, thus additional reforms will be prioritised in the next phase of OV to promote higher and more inclusive long-term growth,” he said.

    Newly announced areas of priority include:

    • Strengthening local government and improving the delivery of basic services.
    • Harnessing digital public infrastructure as a driver of growth and inclusion.
    • Creating dynamic and integrated cities to enable economic activity.

    Godongwana said government will also prioritise “improving the effectiveness and efficiency of spending by making progress on the implementation of recommendations of spending reviews”. 

    “With over 240 spending reviews undertaken by National Treasury and provincial treasuries since 2013, government has a solid foundation with which to not only introduce cost-cutting measures, but to systematically assess whether public expenditure is effectively aligned with the priorities of this government and delivers the best possible value for money.

    “The road ahead is challenging but with agility, commitment to reform, we can achieve greater competitiveness and a more inclusive economy in line with this administration’s priorities,” Godongwana said. 

    – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Operation Vulindlela Phase 2 to address water woes

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    President Cyril Ramaphosa has assured South Africans that Phase Two of Operation Vulindlela will tackle the country’s worsening water crisis, while deepening reforms already underway.

    The second phase of Operation Vulindlela launched by President Ramaphosa on Wednesday, will not only prioritise new areas for implementation, but also deepen the implementation of current reforms. 

    He emphasised that the immediate priority is to follow through on those reforms that are already underway to realise their full impact. 

    On water reform, President Ramaphosa said government will establish the National Water Resources Infrastructure Agency as a dedicated entity to own, manage and invest in the country’s water resources. 

    Through the Water Partnerships Office, government will support public-private partnerships in water infrastructure to reduce leaks, access new water sources, and improve wastewater treatment. 

    “To address the root causes of service delivery failures, we will amend the Water Services Act to separate the role of municipalities as water service authorities and water service providers. 

    “The days of standing by and watching while taps run dry or raw sewage runs into our rivers are over. We will take action to make sure that right of every South African to quality drinking water is protected,” he said. 

    Visa System

    On the visa system, the President said government will ensure that the recommendations of the work visa review are fully implemented and introduce an Electronic Travel Authorisation System to support growth in tourism. 

    The Minister of Home Affairs has already introduced the points-based system to make it easier for highly skilled immigrants to come to South Africa and contribute to the country’s economy, while at the same time enforcing immigration laws more effectively to combat illegal immigration. 

    “Through these measures, we will complete the reform of our network industries that we began in the previous phase and address the binding constraints on growth,” President Ramaphosa said. 

    The President acknowledged that while phase one of the programme has made meaningful progress, which will enable higher growth in the years to come, the economy continues to be held back by structural inefficiencies. 

    “Our economy needs to grow much faster to create the jobs that we need and to achieve prosperity for all. We need more rapid growth to enable government to spend more on healthcare, education, social grants, infrastructure and other key areas to improve the lives of our people.  Growth is the only way to achieve fiscal sustainability and social progress,” he said.

    The President said this is why the Government of National Unity (GNU) is committed to sustaining the momentum achieved by Operation Vulindlela on the economic reform agenda. 

    He emphasised the need for bold, far-reaching reform to revive and reshape the economy. 

    Energy sector

    In the energy sector, government will establish a competitive electricity market governed by the Electricity Regulation Amendment Act, which came into effect earlier this year. 

    “This will enable multiple generators to compete to produce electricity at the lowest cost and with the greatest efficiency. 

    “To support this, we will complete the restructuring of Eskom and establish an independent Transmission System Operator to create a level playing field for market competition,” he said. 

    To address the lack of grid capacity, the Minister of Electricity and Energy has launched the first round of Independent Transmission Projects to procure more than 1 000 km of new transmission lines. 

    These reforms will ultimately mean lower costs and a reliable electricity supply for all South Africans. 

    Logistics sector

    In the logistics sector, private rail companies will soon be able to operate on the freight rail network, following the publication of the Network Statement by Transnet in December last year. 

    This will enable massive investment in rolling stock and enable more goods to be transported by rail, helping the country’s export industries to grow. 

    “These reforms will generate significant capital and new revenue streams for Transnet to help stabilise its operations and enable it to invest,” the President said. 

    The implementation of the Freight Logistics Roadmap will continue in phase two, including the vertical separation of infrastructure and operations for both rail and ports, which will enable competition in operations and encourage private sector participation. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warner & Kaine Introduce Bills to Protect Wilderness in Rockingham, Augusta, Highland, and Bath Counties

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Commonwealth of Virginia Mark R Warner
    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) introduced two bills to protect wilderness in Rockingham, Augusta, Highland, and Bath counties.
    “We are lucky to have such beautiful natural resources in Virginia, and we need to do more to ensure that these lands are protected for future generations,” said the senators. “We’re proud to introduce this legislation to preserve wilderness in Rockingham, Augusta, Highland, and Bath counties, protect wildlife, and support local economies that depend on tourism and outdoor recreation.”
    These additions were recommended by the U.S. Forest Service in 2014 and endorsed by members of the George Washington National Forest Stakeholder Collaborative, a group of forest users that started work together over a decade ago to agree on acceptable locations in the George Washington National Forest for wilderness, timber harvest, trails, and other uses. 
    In 2023, the tourism economy directly employed 7,562 people and generated $842.5 million in expenditures in Augusta, Rockingham, Bath, and Highland counties, as well as Harrisonburg, Staunton, and Waynesboro.
    Shenandoah Mountain Act
    The Shenandoah Mountain Act would establish a 92,562-acre Shenandoah Mountain National Scenic Area (SMNSA) in Rockingham, Augusta, and Highland counties. National Scenic Areas protect the scenic, historic, recreational, and natural resources in specific areas and allow compatible uses such as outdoor recreation activities.
    The SMNSA encompasses four wilderness areas—Skidmore Fork, Little River, Ramsey’s Draft, and Lynn Hollow—and establishes a wilderness area at Beech Lick Knob. It also includes headwaters for the Potomac and James Rivers and watersheds that provide municipal drinking water sources for Harrisonburg, Staunton, and other communities. The NSA designation would protect these rivers and streams from industrial development and safeguard populations of at-risk species, such as the Cow Knob and Shenandoah Mountain Salamander.
    James Madison University scientists estimate that lands within the SMNSA proposal already generate $13.7 million per year in other local benefits, including the value of the water supply and energy savings, and that the designation of the SMNSA would further grow this value.
    “Friends of Shenandoah Mountain is so pleased with the reintroduction of the Shenandoah Mountain Act. For decades, we’ve worked with folks who hunt, hike, paddle, fish, and ride mountain bikes in this landscape, and everyone agrees that a National Scenic Area designation strikes the right balance between recreation and preservation,” said Lynn Cameron, Co-Chair of Friends of Shenandoah Mountain.
    Full text of the Shenandoah Mountain Act is available here.
    Virginia Wilderness Additions Act
    The Virginia Wilderness Additions Act would add 5,600 acres to the existing Rough Mountain and Rich Hole wilderness areas within the George Washington National Forest in Bath County.
    “Expanding the Rough Mountain and Rich Hole Wilderness Areas honors decades of work by dozens of stakeholders, and results in a number of ecological, economic, and recreational benefits. The Virginia Wilderness Committee is grateful to Senators Kaine and Warner for this reintroduction,” said Ellen Stuart-Haentjens, Executive Director of the Virginia Wilderness Committee.
    Full text of the Virginia Wilderness Additions Act is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Celebrating our National Parks

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04)

    For over 100 years, the National Park Service has been a diligent steward of the beautiful lands our nation is blessed with. In 1872, President Ulysses S. Grant established Yellowstone as the very first National Park, setting precedence for future generations to preserve and enjoy the incredible natural beauty that our country so uniquely boasts. From the beautiful Cape Cod National Seashore to the desert lands of the Saguaro National Park and the glacial majesty of Denali National Park, our country is second to none in its beauty.

    But of course, we can’t forget the Natural State’s own National Park, housed right here in the Fourth District. With its rich history and natural beauty, it’s no surprise people from all over the country and world come to visit Hot Springs National Park.  Locals and visitors enjoy beautiful mountain views, 26 miles of hiking trail, and the thermal springs that inspired the city’s name. In 1832, forty years before Yellowstone was even dubbed a National Park, Hot Springs was named the first Federal Reservation in the United States – receiving protection under federal law most notably due to its natural resources. Finally, in 1921, Hot Springs received its beloved title as a National Park. 

    Most National Parks require visitors to trek far beyond the nearest city limits to enjoy its beauty. But the uniqueness of Hot Springs is that it’s right here in the middle of town – stunning views, both natural and architectural, make this town unique – offering up an abundance of outdoor opportunities for all who visit. As an avid outdoorsman, it’s especially exciting to take advantage of the outdoor opportunities like biking and the twenty-six miles of hiking trails the Park has to offer. 

    Early explorers of this region were drawn to the great potential the geothermal springs offered as a mecca for health benefits. After decades of construction, Bathhouse Row became a popular destination, even receiving the title of National Historic Landmark District in 1987. While the bathhouses aren’t all under use today, some are still enjoyed as tourist attractions as an emporium and even a brewery – where they make use of the geothermal springs for their production process. Whether you’re enjoying the health benefits of the thermal waters through spas, outdoor natural pools, or public fountains, there is no question that Hot Springs offers natural resources unlike any other in the country. I am immensely proud to represent this historic location – and my beloved hometown – in Congress.

    As the Chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, there are plenty of opportunities to advocate for and champion legislation that have direct impacts on the Fourth District. Last Congress, I introduced the EXPLORE Act, which was signed into law, that encourages the expansion of outdoor recreation opportunities our great nation has to offer. Much of this legislation was inspired by a great love of the outdoors which was established right here in Arkansas. Most notably, this law improves public land access, modernizes the technology used to improve visitor experiences, restores campgrounds and modernizes infrastructure – all things that greatly benefit Hot Springs National Park and other Parks across the country. 

    As we wrap up a week designated to celebrating our majestic National Parks, may this serve as a reminder for all the beauty our public lands have to offer, and may we take the time to appreciate our natural resources and do our part in stewarding our land well in order for it to be enjoyed by future generations, just as much as we have been blessed to enjoy it in our own day.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: NATO addresses electromagnetic interference threats to civil aviation safety

    Source: NATO

    Civil aviation is increasingly affected by jamming and spoofing. The NATO Aviation Committee continues its work to address these threats, in close cooperation with other international organisations, including the International Civil Aviation Organisation and EUROCONTROL.

    Acts of intentional interference carried out by state and non-state actors – for instance deliberate jamming or sending false Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) signals – can cause delays, rerouting or cancellation of take-offs and landings, and have significant negative economic impact on transport, global trade, and tourism. 

    The NATO Aviation Committee has noted that, as well as happening more often, and across different regions – including in the Baltic, Black Sea and Mediterranean regions – such interference is increasingly sophisticated. This is a cause for concern and warrants further action to make civil aviation more resilient, including by upgrading civil and military mechanisms, deploying ground based infrastructure, developing a more agile reporting and tracking system, and further bolstering cooperation with key international partners to counter GNSS interference.

    The Aviation Committee is the senior civil-military NATO body, which advises the North Atlantic Council on all relevant aspects contributing to aviation safety and security, in support of the full range of NATO’s missions.  

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Chinese Foreign Ministry: China aims to become the engine of global economic growth

    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

    BEIJING, May 8 (Xinhua) — China will pursue high-level opening up to the outside world, win-win cooperation and become an engine of global economic growth, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said Thursday.

    Lin Jian made the remarks while commenting at the request of the media on the opinion that the resilience of the Chinese economy allows it to withstand various external shocks, and the viability of the Chinese economy during the May Day holiday seemed to have completely dispelled concerns about the country’s economic prospects.

    “The rapid growth in consumption during the holiday reflects the vitality and potential of the Chinese economy,” Lin Jian said, adding that the average daily number of foreign nationals entering and leaving the country during the five-day May Day holiday was about 1.1 million, up 43.1 percent year-on-year, while sales of travel packages to China increased by about 90 percent during the period.

    “Measures to increase institutional openness are being translated into practical attractiveness for foreign tourists,” he added.

    Lin Jian noted that indicators such as foreign buyer attendance and record pre-export transactions at the recently concluded Guangzhou Fair demonstrate the international business community’s continued optimism about the long-term development of China’s economy.

    “Temporary fluctuations will neither sink the giant ship of the Chinese economy nor stop the Chinese people’s aspiration for a better life,” Lin Jian stressed, adding that China has always been committed to a policy of high-level opening up, win-win cooperation, and is striving to become the engine of global economic growth. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China’s Xinjiang commemorates Soviet comradeship in anti-Japanese war through Red Tourism promotion

    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

    URUMQI, May 8 (Xinhua) — A wooden arch bridge, which has become one of the “calling cards” of Xinjiang’s red tourism, is still carefully preserved on the Baiyang River in Urumqi, capital of northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. The 85-year-old structure stands as a silent witness to the desperate story of how Chinese communists organized and protected a vital supply route for the Chinese nation from the Soviet Union through the northwest territory during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.

    After the Chinese people’s all-out anti-Japanese war began in 1937, Japanese militarists quickly captured China’s coastal regions, thereby cutting off communications linking the country to the outside world. At such a critical moment for the existence of the Chinese nation, the authorities were forced to organize a new route for the import of ammunition from friendly countries in the country’s northwestern inland region, the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.

    The first state to assist China in the all-out anti-Japanese war was the USSR, which supplied strategic cargo through Xinjiang by both air and road transport. In particular, cargo was sent by land from Almaty, after crossing the Khorgos border crossing, it passed through Ili, Dihua (present-day Urumqi), Turpan, Hami and other places in Xinjiang, and after leaving Xinjiang, it was delivered to the city of Lanzhou in Gansu Province.

    The length of this transport route exceeded 1,500 km in the section within Xinjiang, and the above-mentioned arch bridge, called “Dabancheng”, became an essential passage on the way between Dihua and Turpan. The bridge was built and opened to traffic in 1940. Its length is 28.5 m, and the width of the deck made of wooden slabs soaked in special oil is 7 m.

    According to published data, during the period 1937-1941, the USSR, with the help of this international corridor, delivered to the Chinese front more than 1,200 aircraft of various types, 82 tanks, over 2,000 vehicles, more than 4,300 artillery units and 14 thousand machine guns, as well as a large quantity of other ammunition.

    According to Mai Yuhua, deputy director of the Research Institute of History at the Xinjiang Academy of Social Sciences, of all the international aid and weapons received by China during the anti-Japanese war, 80 percent came from the USSR, and 90 percent of them were delivered to the front lines through Xinjiang. “Therefore, helping the local authorities of Xinjiang to protect and guarantee the continuity of this communication artery was one of the important tasks for the Chinese communists who were in Xinjiang at that time,” he noted.

    Now, a tourist zone has been created around the Dabancheng Arch Bridge, which is included in the list of cultural relics protected at the level of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Here, visitors can view the arch bridge, learn about historical episodes of the Anti-Japanese War, and participate in various interactive activities, including a test of manually transporting strategic cargo in the absence of motor vehicles.

    In recent years, the area has attracted more and more visitors, thanks to efforts by Xinjiang authorities to effectively utilize and promote red tourism resources. Such efforts have also resulted in the improvement and increased visitor numbers of other military and revolutionary memorial sites, including a museum dedicated to the Xinjiang Mission of the Chinese Communist-controlled 8th Army, which was once tasked, among other things, with the extraordinary task of organizing and protecting the “red” logistics route between Yan’an (Shaanxi Province, Northwest China) and Moscow, via Xinjiang.

    Summing up the situation of Xinjiang’s tourism market during the recently concluded International Labor Day holiday (May 1-5), many online platforms reported a significant increase in the number of searches for museums, memorial sites, cemeteries of martyrs, and other red tourism sites.

    According to data from the Urumqi City Museum, which also functions as the Urumqi Revolutionary Historical Memorial Sites Management Center, over 12,000 people visited various museums and memorial sites throughout the city every day from May 1 to 5 as part of the red tourism. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –