Category: Transport

  • MIL-OSI China: 60 Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks across Gaza

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

    Palestinians mourn over a victim killed in an Israeli airstrike, outside the Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, on July 8, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    At least 60 Palestinians, including six freed prisoners and a paramedic, were killed in Israeli airstrikes and gunfire across Gaza on Tuesday, according to Palestinian sources.

    Six people were killed by Israeli shelling on two tents housing displaced persons in Khan Younis, southern Gaza and the town of al-Zawaidain, central Gaza, Spokesperson for the Civil Defense in Gaza Mahmoud Basal told Xinhua.

    Hamas said in a press statement that the six were prisoners released from Israeli prisons and deported from the West Bank to Gaza.

    West of Gaza City, an Israeli airstrike on a gathering of Palestinians in the al-Rimal neighborhood killed six people, including two children and two women, and an Israeli airstrike on a house in the Tal al-Hawa neighborhood killed four, including an infant, Basal said.

    Five people were killed in an Israeli airstrike on a house in al-Tuffah, east of Gaza City, whereas three were killed when a bomb dropped by an Israeli drone hit a residential area in the al-Zeitoun neighborhood, south of Gaza City, Basal said, adding that two people, including a child, were killed in an Israeli bombing on al-Tuffah and Sheikh Radwan neighborhoods.

    A vehicle bombing in the city of Deir al-Balah, central Gaza, killed two people, Basal added.

    Meanwhile, Nasser Medical Complex reported in a brief press statement that 25 Palestinians were killed since dawn of Tuesday as a result of separate airstrikes on the Al-Mawasi area, west of Khan Younis.

    A paramedic was also killed while performing his duty as a result of Israeli shelling on Al-Mawasi, according to Palestinian medical sources.

    Six Palestinians, including three children, were killed by Israeli army fire near a U.S.-backed aid distribution center in north of Rafah, southern Gaza, said the sources.

    There was no immediate comment from the Israeli side on these incidents.

    Since Israel resumed its military campaign in Gaza on March 18, at least 7,013 Palestinians have been killed and 24,838 others injured, bringing the overall death toll in Gaza since the conflict began in October 2023 to 57,575, with a total of 136,879 people injured, according to data released Tuesday by health authorities in Gaza. 

    MIL OSI China News

  • MIL-OSI: Free Psychic Reading Online & Free Psychic Chat | Accurate, Trusted Guidance Now Offered by The Psychic Experts

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York City, NY, July 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —   The Psychic Experts today announced the nationwide rollout of its free psychic reading online and free psychic chat services, offering individuals across the U.S. a new way to receive confidential, accurate, and trustworthy spiritual insight—entirely without cost or credit card requirements.

    ⇒ Explore Free Psychic Readings with Trusted Experts Online!

    This 2025 initiative is part of a broader effort to increase access to emotional wellness resources in a time of growing demand for intuitive support. Users can connect with verified spiritual advisors through a secure, online platform and receive immediate guidance on questions related to love, career, relationships, and personal development.

    “Spiritual clarity should never depend on someone’s ability to pay,” said Anthony C. Bedoya, spokesperson for The Psychic Experts. “Our free services are designed to remove barriers and meet people where they are—with honesty, empathy, and no pressure to commit financially.”

    ⇒ Begin Your Free Psychic Chat Experience with The Psychic Experts!

    A New Standard for Free Psychic Access

    Unlike many platforms that advertise complimentary sessions but require payment details upfront, The Psychic Experts offers a free psychic chat online experience with no hidden fees, trial traps, or credit card input.

    The platform includes several no-cost options, including:

    • Live psychic chat free minutes
    • Free psychic reading online chat
    • Free psychic question by text
    • Free psychic love reading sessions
    • Free 3 minute psychic reading trials

    Visitors can choose to ask a psychic for free or start a live conversation with screened advisors using their date of birth and time for a more personalized session.

    The company emphasizes transparency and user safety, with all conversations protected by encryption and each advisor carefully vetted for skill, ethics, and user feedback. These protections are intended to address rising concerns about scam services in the online psychic space.

    ⇒ Receive Free Spiritual Guidance from a Certified Psychic!

    Growing Demand for Spiritual Wellness Support

    Recent years have seen a sharp rise in interest in psychic readings online free, particularly as individuals seek meaning, reassurance, and personal insight during uncertain times. The Psychic Experts reports a significant increase in first-time users searching for free online psychic reading options and expressing concerns about cost, privacy, and legitimacy.

    According to Bedoya, the growing popularity of services such as free psychic reading for love and free psychic question online highlights a public need for accessible alternatives to traditional therapy and counseling.

    “People are overwhelmed,” said Bedoya. “Whether they’re navigating heartbreak, career changes, or family issues, many are simply looking for someone to talk to. Free psychic chat gives them that space—without fear of being exploited.”

    ⇒ Get a Free Psychic Reading Online from The Psychic Experts!

    Designed for Everyone: No Payment, No Pressure

    The Psychic Experts has structured the service around simplicity and ease-of-use. New users can:

    • Access the platform 24/7
    • Select from a directory of certified psychics
    • Initiate a free online psychic chat room session or a psychic reading free by phone
    • Receive clear answers to one or more questions—such as love, future decisions, or career paths

    There is no time commitment, no obligation to continue after the free session, and no bait-and-switch tactics that prompt users to enter credit card information mid-session.

    This makes it especially appealing for those new to spiritual consultation, or for individuals who are hesitant to pay upfront for guidance they’ve never experienced.

    ⇒ Start Your Free Psychic Chat with a Verified Advisor Now!

    A Diverse Offering of Spiritual Modalities

    The 2025 rollout includes multiple types of free psychic readings, each curated to offer different forms of insight and emotional support. These include:

    • Free psychic soulmate reading
    • Free psychic reading by date of birth and time
    • Free psychic question yes or no
    • Love psychic reading free
    • Free psychic reading phone call
    • Online psychic reading free via tarot, astrology, or intuitive energy

    This variety ensures that users can choose an experience that aligns with their beliefs, curiosities, and comfort level—without financial pressure or sales tactics.

    ⇒ Enjoy Free Psychic Minutes with a Certified Reader Today!

    Ethical Standards and Trusted Advisor Screening

    In a digital landscape where many platforms promote questionable psychic services, The Psychic Experts has invested heavily in vetting and screening its team. All advisors offering free psychic chat online or free psychic reading sessions undergo a multi-step qualification process.

    This includes:

    • Accuracy testing through sample sessions
    • Empathy and communication evaluations
    • Ongoing user rating and feedback review
    • Verification of ethical reading practices

    “One of our core values is integrity,” said Bedoya. “We never allow fear-based marketing, false promises, or pressure sales. The advisors we feature are here to uplift—not manipulate.”

    Users can review detailed profiles of available psychics before engaging, including specialties such as free psychic love reading, career guidance, energy healing, or spiritual life path discovery.

    Each reading—whether a free psychic question by text, online psychic chat room free, or psychic free reading—is conducted within a safe, supportive, and non-judgmental space.

    ⇒ Receive a Free Psychic Love Reading from a Trusted Expert!

    Secure and Confidential: Technology Built for Trust

    A key concern among first-time users seeking free psychic reading online is data privacy. The Psychic Experts addresses this by ensuring:

    • End-to-end encrypted sessions
    • No collection of payment or sensitive data for free sessions
    • Secure login through encrypted portals
    • Private communication between user and advisor only

    This tech-first approach has helped reassure users who may be hesitant to talk to a psychic for free or open up about deeply personal matters. By eliminating credit card entry points, users can fully focus on their emotional or spiritual concerns without distraction.

    The platform is also mobile-optimized and compatible with modern browsers, allowing access to free psychic chat on the go.

    ⇒ Start a Free Psychic Chat Session with The Psychic Experts Now!

    Free Readings That Foster Real Emotional Benefits

    The emotional impact of even a short free psychic reading online chat can be profound. Many users report feeling:

    • Less anxious after receiving clarity
    • More hopeful about relationships
    • Empowered to take action on career goals
    • Validated in their emotional or spiritual journey

    These results often begin with a single step—such as choosing to ask a psychic a free question, or spending 3 minutes in live psychic chat free minutes.

    “Sometimes a small shift in perspective is all someone needs to feel stronger,” said Bedoya. “Free psychic support helps create that shift—instantly and compassionately.”

    ⇒ Connect with a Psychic for Free and Ask Anything!

    Supporting a Diverse Community of Seekers

    With demand rising for inclusive spiritual services, The Psychic Experts has prioritized building a welcoming community through:

    • Multilingual support for free online psychic chat
    • LGBTQ+ inclusive readings
    • Gender-neutral psychic profiles
    • Anonymity options and custom nicknames
    • Free psychic reading app access for mobile users

    In addition to one-on-one sessions, the platform also includes free access to online psychic chat rooms, where people can share their experiences and build mutual support in a non-commercial, pressure-free environment.

    This commitment has led to an influx of new users exploring psychic chat free as part of their self-care or spiritual development practice.

    ⇒ Try a Free Psychic Reading by Birth Date and Time!

    Meeting the Moment in 2025

    In today’s climate of uncertainty, many people feel emotionally disconnected, directionless, or overwhelmed. The Psychic Experts’ approach to offering absolutely free psychic reading sessions, without financial risk or obligation, is designed to meet that emotional need head-on.

    Key features of the 2025 program include:

    • Free 3 minute psychic reading options
    • Free psychic reading by phone for more personal voice-based connections
    • Free psychic reading app for Android and iOS
    • The ability to ask a free psychic question online and get an instant, private response

    These offerings are especially popular among people going through breakups, grieving a loss, facing job transitions, or seeking confirmation about major life decisions.

    Whether it’s through a free psychic soulmate reading or a simple yes or no psychic question, the platform provides space for connection, reflection, and self-trust.

    “It’s not about fortune-telling,” said Bedoya. “It’s about giving people a moment of peace—and the courage to move forward.”

    ⇒ Discover Accurate Psychic Answers Free from The Psychic Experts!

    Industry Impact and Future Outlook

    The Psychic Experts joins a growing list of platforms redefining how people access spiritual guidance. With its focus on transparency, emotional wellness, and ethical delivery of psychic readings online free, it has positioned itself as a trusted resource for thousands.

    As of July 2025, the company reports a 300% increase in usage of free psychic reading online chat no credit card services over the previous year, with the majority of users citing “trust,” “ease,” and “clarity” as the top reasons for return visits.

    This trend aligns with broader movements toward alternative wellness models that prioritize personal agency and emotional empowerment—especially among millennials, Gen Z, and those seeking low-cost mental health support.

    ⇒ Ask a Certified Psychic for Free Guidance Today!

    About The Psychic Experts

    The Psychic Experts is a digital-first spiritual wellness platform dedicated to connecting people with verified, compassionate psychics through ethical and secure technology. With services including free psychic chat online, free psychic reading by date of birth and time, free love psychic reading, and free 3 minute psychic reading trials, the company strives to make intuitive insight accessible to all.

    Founded on the principles of inclusion, privacy, and trust, The Psychic Experts continues to be recognized as a leader in free online psychic reading and intuitive self-discovery.

    FAQ

    As this new service gains momentum, many people have questions about how free psychic readings actually work. Below, The Psychic Experts answer some of the most common questions from users exploring these intuitive tools for the first time.

    Is a free psychic reading really free?

    Yes! The Psychic Experts guarantees your first experience is a genuinely free psychic reading online — with no tricks, no hidden charges, and no credit card requirements. Whether you choose a free psychic chat or a free psychic reading phone call, you will receive authentic, empathetic guidance at zero cost.

    Why do psychics offer free sessions?

    Free sessions serve two goals: they allow you to test the energy of a psychic before paying for deeper insights, and they give spiritual advisors a chance to build trust with new clients. Think of it as a sample of their gifts and style.

    What kinds of questions can I ask for free?

    You can ask anything, from love to career to life purpose. Popular topics include:

    • “Is my partner my soulmate?”
    • “Will I get the job I applied for?”
    • “What blocks my success right now?”
    • “How can I heal from this heartbreak?”

    Keep in mind you might only have one free psychic question, or a limited number of minutes, so choose a question that feels truly important.

    Can I get a free reading without giving my credit card?

    Absolutely. One of the key promises of The Psychic Experts is a free psychic reading online chat no credit card policy. You will never be asked to provide payment details to receive your introductory minutes or first psychic question.

    How accurate is a free psychic reading?

    While every psychic is unique, many are highly accurate even during a free reading. The Psychic Experts thoroughly screens its advisors to ensure their intuitive skills, empathy, and professionalism. The clearer and more focused your question, the more specific and useful the answer will be.

    What is the difference between free psychic chat and a phone reading?

    A free psychic chat online offers text-based, instant messaging with an advisor. This is ideal for those who prefer privacy or want a written record of their session. A free psychic reading phone call, on the other hand, gives you the advisor’s tone, emotion, and nuance — making it feel more personal and immediate.

    Is there a time limit on a free session?

    Typically, free sessions range from a free 3 minute psychic reading to one free psychic question by text. After that, you can decide whether you’d like to continue on a paid basis — but there is never any obligation to buy.

    Are these psychics legit?

    Yes. All advisors go through a rigorous multi-step screening that tests their intuition, reading accuracy, empathy, and communication skills. Plus, user reviews are continuously monitored to protect quality and trust.

    Can I ask about love specifically?

    Of course. In fact, love is the #1 topic for free readings. You can request a free psychic love reading, a free psychic soulmate reading, or even a free online psychic reading focused on twin flames, compatibility, or past-life relationships.

    What happens after my free session?

    After your free psychic question is answered, you can decide if you want to continue for a deeper paid reading, or simply end the session and reflect. There is zero pressure to continue, and you are free to explore other advisors if you wish.

    Can I talk to a psychic for free more than once?

    Yes, you can speak to different advisors across separate sessions. Each one may offer a free psychic question or a free 3 minute psychic reading for newcomers, helping you sample multiple styles.

    How long does a free psychic reading last?

    Generally, it ranges from 3 to 5 minutes, or a single question, depending on the advisor.

    Is the free psychic chat anonymous?

    Yes, absolutely. No real names are needed. You can even use a nickname and still receive an authentic reading.

    What happens if I do not resonate with my advisor?

    You can end the free session immediately and choose another advisor. There is never an obligation to continue with someone who doesn’t feel like a good fit.

    What is a free psychic reading by date of birth and time?

    This uses your birth data to deliver astrology-based insights about your life path, compatibility, and spiritual blueprint. It’s one of the most popular offerings on the platform.

    Do free psychic readings cover health questions?

    They can address energy around health and well-being, but no psychic should ever replace professional medical advice.

    Can I get a love psychic reading free if I’m married?

    Of course — relationship dynamics, personal growth, and deeper spiritual bonds are all appropriate topics, regardless of your relationship status.

    Are there truly free psychic reading apps?

    Yes — The Psychic Experts also supports a free psychic reading app with the same no-credit-card guarantees, making it simple to connect from anywhere.

    Media Contact

    Company: The Psychic Experts

    Contact Person: Anthony C. Bedoya

    Email: support@the-psychic-experts.com

    Address: 1 Fremont St, Las Vegas, NV 89101, USA

    URL: https://the-psychic-experts.com/

    Phone: +1 414-203-2598

    Attachment

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Free Psychic Reading Online & Free Psychic Chat | Accurate, Trusted Guidance Now Offered by The Psychic Experts

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York City, NY, July 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —   The Psychic Experts today announced the nationwide rollout of its free psychic reading online and free psychic chat services, offering individuals across the U.S. a new way to receive confidential, accurate, and trustworthy spiritual insight—entirely without cost or credit card requirements.

    ⇒ Explore Free Psychic Readings with Trusted Experts Online!

    This 2025 initiative is part of a broader effort to increase access to emotional wellness resources in a time of growing demand for intuitive support. Users can connect with verified spiritual advisors through a secure, online platform and receive immediate guidance on questions related to love, career, relationships, and personal development.

    “Spiritual clarity should never depend on someone’s ability to pay,” said Anthony C. Bedoya, spokesperson for The Psychic Experts. “Our free services are designed to remove barriers and meet people where they are—with honesty, empathy, and no pressure to commit financially.”

    ⇒ Begin Your Free Psychic Chat Experience with The Psychic Experts!

    A New Standard for Free Psychic Access

    Unlike many platforms that advertise complimentary sessions but require payment details upfront, The Psychic Experts offers a free psychic chat online experience with no hidden fees, trial traps, or credit card input.

    The platform includes several no-cost options, including:

    • Live psychic chat free minutes
    • Free psychic reading online chat
    • Free psychic question by text
    • Free psychic love reading sessions
    • Free 3 minute psychic reading trials

    Visitors can choose to ask a psychic for free or start a live conversation with screened advisors using their date of birth and time for a more personalized session.

    The company emphasizes transparency and user safety, with all conversations protected by encryption and each advisor carefully vetted for skill, ethics, and user feedback. These protections are intended to address rising concerns about scam services in the online psychic space.

    ⇒ Receive Free Spiritual Guidance from a Certified Psychic!

    Growing Demand for Spiritual Wellness Support

    Recent years have seen a sharp rise in interest in psychic readings online free, particularly as individuals seek meaning, reassurance, and personal insight during uncertain times. The Psychic Experts reports a significant increase in first-time users searching for free online psychic reading options and expressing concerns about cost, privacy, and legitimacy.

    According to Bedoya, the growing popularity of services such as free psychic reading for love and free psychic question online highlights a public need for accessible alternatives to traditional therapy and counseling.

    “People are overwhelmed,” said Bedoya. “Whether they’re navigating heartbreak, career changes, or family issues, many are simply looking for someone to talk to. Free psychic chat gives them that space—without fear of being exploited.”

    ⇒ Get a Free Psychic Reading Online from The Psychic Experts!

    Designed for Everyone: No Payment, No Pressure

    The Psychic Experts has structured the service around simplicity and ease-of-use. New users can:

    • Access the platform 24/7
    • Select from a directory of certified psychics
    • Initiate a free online psychic chat room session or a psychic reading free by phone
    • Receive clear answers to one or more questions—such as love, future decisions, or career paths

    There is no time commitment, no obligation to continue after the free session, and no bait-and-switch tactics that prompt users to enter credit card information mid-session.

    This makes it especially appealing for those new to spiritual consultation, or for individuals who are hesitant to pay upfront for guidance they’ve never experienced.

    ⇒ Start Your Free Psychic Chat with a Verified Advisor Now!

    A Diverse Offering of Spiritual Modalities

    The 2025 rollout includes multiple types of free psychic readings, each curated to offer different forms of insight and emotional support. These include:

    • Free psychic soulmate reading
    • Free psychic reading by date of birth and time
    • Free psychic question yes or no
    • Love psychic reading free
    • Free psychic reading phone call
    • Online psychic reading free via tarot, astrology, or intuitive energy

    This variety ensures that users can choose an experience that aligns with their beliefs, curiosities, and comfort level—without financial pressure or sales tactics.

    ⇒ Enjoy Free Psychic Minutes with a Certified Reader Today!

    Ethical Standards and Trusted Advisor Screening

    In a digital landscape where many platforms promote questionable psychic services, The Psychic Experts has invested heavily in vetting and screening its team. All advisors offering free psychic chat online or free psychic reading sessions undergo a multi-step qualification process.

    This includes:

    • Accuracy testing through sample sessions
    • Empathy and communication evaluations
    • Ongoing user rating and feedback review
    • Verification of ethical reading practices

    “One of our core values is integrity,” said Bedoya. “We never allow fear-based marketing, false promises, or pressure sales. The advisors we feature are here to uplift—not manipulate.”

    Users can review detailed profiles of available psychics before engaging, including specialties such as free psychic love reading, career guidance, energy healing, or spiritual life path discovery.

    Each reading—whether a free psychic question by text, online psychic chat room free, or psychic free reading—is conducted within a safe, supportive, and non-judgmental space.

    ⇒ Receive a Free Psychic Love Reading from a Trusted Expert!

    Secure and Confidential: Technology Built for Trust

    A key concern among first-time users seeking free psychic reading online is data privacy. The Psychic Experts addresses this by ensuring:

    • End-to-end encrypted sessions
    • No collection of payment or sensitive data for free sessions
    • Secure login through encrypted portals
    • Private communication between user and advisor only

    This tech-first approach has helped reassure users who may be hesitant to talk to a psychic for free or open up about deeply personal matters. By eliminating credit card entry points, users can fully focus on their emotional or spiritual concerns without distraction.

    The platform is also mobile-optimized and compatible with modern browsers, allowing access to free psychic chat on the go.

    ⇒ Start a Free Psychic Chat Session with The Psychic Experts Now!

    Free Readings That Foster Real Emotional Benefits

    The emotional impact of even a short free psychic reading online chat can be profound. Many users report feeling:

    • Less anxious after receiving clarity
    • More hopeful about relationships
    • Empowered to take action on career goals
    • Validated in their emotional or spiritual journey

    These results often begin with a single step—such as choosing to ask a psychic a free question, or spending 3 minutes in live psychic chat free minutes.

    “Sometimes a small shift in perspective is all someone needs to feel stronger,” said Bedoya. “Free psychic support helps create that shift—instantly and compassionately.”

    ⇒ Connect with a Psychic for Free and Ask Anything!

    Supporting a Diverse Community of Seekers

    With demand rising for inclusive spiritual services, The Psychic Experts has prioritized building a welcoming community through:

    • Multilingual support for free online psychic chat
    • LGBTQ+ inclusive readings
    • Gender-neutral psychic profiles
    • Anonymity options and custom nicknames
    • Free psychic reading app access for mobile users

    In addition to one-on-one sessions, the platform also includes free access to online psychic chat rooms, where people can share their experiences and build mutual support in a non-commercial, pressure-free environment.

    This commitment has led to an influx of new users exploring psychic chat free as part of their self-care or spiritual development practice.

    ⇒ Try a Free Psychic Reading by Birth Date and Time!

    Meeting the Moment in 2025

    In today’s climate of uncertainty, many people feel emotionally disconnected, directionless, or overwhelmed. The Psychic Experts’ approach to offering absolutely free psychic reading sessions, without financial risk or obligation, is designed to meet that emotional need head-on.

    Key features of the 2025 program include:

    • Free 3 minute psychic reading options
    • Free psychic reading by phone for more personal voice-based connections
    • Free psychic reading app for Android and iOS
    • The ability to ask a free psychic question online and get an instant, private response

    These offerings are especially popular among people going through breakups, grieving a loss, facing job transitions, or seeking confirmation about major life decisions.

    Whether it’s through a free psychic soulmate reading or a simple yes or no psychic question, the platform provides space for connection, reflection, and self-trust.

    “It’s not about fortune-telling,” said Bedoya. “It’s about giving people a moment of peace—and the courage to move forward.”

    ⇒ Discover Accurate Psychic Answers Free from The Psychic Experts!

    Industry Impact and Future Outlook

    The Psychic Experts joins a growing list of platforms redefining how people access spiritual guidance. With its focus on transparency, emotional wellness, and ethical delivery of psychic readings online free, it has positioned itself as a trusted resource for thousands.

    As of July 2025, the company reports a 300% increase in usage of free psychic reading online chat no credit card services over the previous year, with the majority of users citing “trust,” “ease,” and “clarity” as the top reasons for return visits.

    This trend aligns with broader movements toward alternative wellness models that prioritize personal agency and emotional empowerment—especially among millennials, Gen Z, and those seeking low-cost mental health support.

    ⇒ Ask a Certified Psychic for Free Guidance Today!

    About The Psychic Experts

    The Psychic Experts is a digital-first spiritual wellness platform dedicated to connecting people with verified, compassionate psychics through ethical and secure technology. With services including free psychic chat online, free psychic reading by date of birth and time, free love psychic reading, and free 3 minute psychic reading trials, the company strives to make intuitive insight accessible to all.

    Founded on the principles of inclusion, privacy, and trust, The Psychic Experts continues to be recognized as a leader in free online psychic reading and intuitive self-discovery.

    FAQ

    As this new service gains momentum, many people have questions about how free psychic readings actually work. Below, The Psychic Experts answer some of the most common questions from users exploring these intuitive tools for the first time.

    Is a free psychic reading really free?

    Yes! The Psychic Experts guarantees your first experience is a genuinely free psychic reading online — with no tricks, no hidden charges, and no credit card requirements. Whether you choose a free psychic chat or a free psychic reading phone call, you will receive authentic, empathetic guidance at zero cost.

    Why do psychics offer free sessions?

    Free sessions serve two goals: they allow you to test the energy of a psychic before paying for deeper insights, and they give spiritual advisors a chance to build trust with new clients. Think of it as a sample of their gifts and style.

    What kinds of questions can I ask for free?

    You can ask anything, from love to career to life purpose. Popular topics include:

    • “Is my partner my soulmate?”
    • “Will I get the job I applied for?”
    • “What blocks my success right now?”
    • “How can I heal from this heartbreak?”

    Keep in mind you might only have one free psychic question, or a limited number of minutes, so choose a question that feels truly important.

    Can I get a free reading without giving my credit card?

    Absolutely. One of the key promises of The Psychic Experts is a free psychic reading online chat no credit card policy. You will never be asked to provide payment details to receive your introductory minutes or first psychic question.

    How accurate is a free psychic reading?

    While every psychic is unique, many are highly accurate even during a free reading. The Psychic Experts thoroughly screens its advisors to ensure their intuitive skills, empathy, and professionalism. The clearer and more focused your question, the more specific and useful the answer will be.

    What is the difference between free psychic chat and a phone reading?

    A free psychic chat online offers text-based, instant messaging with an advisor. This is ideal for those who prefer privacy or want a written record of their session. A free psychic reading phone call, on the other hand, gives you the advisor’s tone, emotion, and nuance — making it feel more personal and immediate.

    Is there a time limit on a free session?

    Typically, free sessions range from a free 3 minute psychic reading to one free psychic question by text. After that, you can decide whether you’d like to continue on a paid basis — but there is never any obligation to buy.

    Are these psychics legit?

    Yes. All advisors go through a rigorous multi-step screening that tests their intuition, reading accuracy, empathy, and communication skills. Plus, user reviews are continuously monitored to protect quality and trust.

    Can I ask about love specifically?

    Of course. In fact, love is the #1 topic for free readings. You can request a free psychic love reading, a free psychic soulmate reading, or even a free online psychic reading focused on twin flames, compatibility, or past-life relationships.

    What happens after my free session?

    After your free psychic question is answered, you can decide if you want to continue for a deeper paid reading, or simply end the session and reflect. There is zero pressure to continue, and you are free to explore other advisors if you wish.

    Can I talk to a psychic for free more than once?

    Yes, you can speak to different advisors across separate sessions. Each one may offer a free psychic question or a free 3 minute psychic reading for newcomers, helping you sample multiple styles.

    How long does a free psychic reading last?

    Generally, it ranges from 3 to 5 minutes, or a single question, depending on the advisor.

    Is the free psychic chat anonymous?

    Yes, absolutely. No real names are needed. You can even use a nickname and still receive an authentic reading.

    What happens if I do not resonate with my advisor?

    You can end the free session immediately and choose another advisor. There is never an obligation to continue with someone who doesn’t feel like a good fit.

    What is a free psychic reading by date of birth and time?

    This uses your birth data to deliver astrology-based insights about your life path, compatibility, and spiritual blueprint. It’s one of the most popular offerings on the platform.

    Do free psychic readings cover health questions?

    They can address energy around health and well-being, but no psychic should ever replace professional medical advice.

    Can I get a love psychic reading free if I’m married?

    Of course — relationship dynamics, personal growth, and deeper spiritual bonds are all appropriate topics, regardless of your relationship status.

    Are there truly free psychic reading apps?

    Yes — The Psychic Experts also supports a free psychic reading app with the same no-credit-card guarantees, making it simple to connect from anywhere.

    Media Contact

    Company: The Psychic Experts

    Contact Person: Anthony C. Bedoya

    Email: support@the-psychic-experts.com

    Address: 1 Fremont St, Las Vegas, NV 89101, USA

    URL: https://the-psychic-experts.com/

    Phone: +1 414-203-2598

    Attachment

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Free Psychic Reading Online & Free Psychic Chat | Accurate, Trusted Guidance Now Offered by The Psychic Experts

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York City, NY, July 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —   The Psychic Experts today announced the nationwide rollout of its free psychic reading online and free psychic chat services, offering individuals across the U.S. a new way to receive confidential, accurate, and trustworthy spiritual insight—entirely without cost or credit card requirements.

    ⇒ Explore Free Psychic Readings with Trusted Experts Online!

    This 2025 initiative is part of a broader effort to increase access to emotional wellness resources in a time of growing demand for intuitive support. Users can connect with verified spiritual advisors through a secure, online platform and receive immediate guidance on questions related to love, career, relationships, and personal development.

    “Spiritual clarity should never depend on someone’s ability to pay,” said Anthony C. Bedoya, spokesperson for The Psychic Experts. “Our free services are designed to remove barriers and meet people where they are—with honesty, empathy, and no pressure to commit financially.”

    ⇒ Begin Your Free Psychic Chat Experience with The Psychic Experts!

    A New Standard for Free Psychic Access

    Unlike many platforms that advertise complimentary sessions but require payment details upfront, The Psychic Experts offers a free psychic chat online experience with no hidden fees, trial traps, or credit card input.

    The platform includes several no-cost options, including:

    • Live psychic chat free minutes
    • Free psychic reading online chat
    • Free psychic question by text
    • Free psychic love reading sessions
    • Free 3 minute psychic reading trials

    Visitors can choose to ask a psychic for free or start a live conversation with screened advisors using their date of birth and time for a more personalized session.

    The company emphasizes transparency and user safety, with all conversations protected by encryption and each advisor carefully vetted for skill, ethics, and user feedback. These protections are intended to address rising concerns about scam services in the online psychic space.

    ⇒ Receive Free Spiritual Guidance from a Certified Psychic!

    Growing Demand for Spiritual Wellness Support

    Recent years have seen a sharp rise in interest in psychic readings online free, particularly as individuals seek meaning, reassurance, and personal insight during uncertain times. The Psychic Experts reports a significant increase in first-time users searching for free online psychic reading options and expressing concerns about cost, privacy, and legitimacy.

    According to Bedoya, the growing popularity of services such as free psychic reading for love and free psychic question online highlights a public need for accessible alternatives to traditional therapy and counseling.

    “People are overwhelmed,” said Bedoya. “Whether they’re navigating heartbreak, career changes, or family issues, many are simply looking for someone to talk to. Free psychic chat gives them that space—without fear of being exploited.”

    ⇒ Get a Free Psychic Reading Online from The Psychic Experts!

    Designed for Everyone: No Payment, No Pressure

    The Psychic Experts has structured the service around simplicity and ease-of-use. New users can:

    • Access the platform 24/7
    • Select from a directory of certified psychics
    • Initiate a free online psychic chat room session or a psychic reading free by phone
    • Receive clear answers to one or more questions—such as love, future decisions, or career paths

    There is no time commitment, no obligation to continue after the free session, and no bait-and-switch tactics that prompt users to enter credit card information mid-session.

    This makes it especially appealing for those new to spiritual consultation, or for individuals who are hesitant to pay upfront for guidance they’ve never experienced.

    ⇒ Start Your Free Psychic Chat with a Verified Advisor Now!

    A Diverse Offering of Spiritual Modalities

    The 2025 rollout includes multiple types of free psychic readings, each curated to offer different forms of insight and emotional support. These include:

    • Free psychic soulmate reading
    • Free psychic reading by date of birth and time
    • Free psychic question yes or no
    • Love psychic reading free
    • Free psychic reading phone call
    • Online psychic reading free via tarot, astrology, or intuitive energy

    This variety ensures that users can choose an experience that aligns with their beliefs, curiosities, and comfort level—without financial pressure or sales tactics.

    ⇒ Enjoy Free Psychic Minutes with a Certified Reader Today!

    Ethical Standards and Trusted Advisor Screening

    In a digital landscape where many platforms promote questionable psychic services, The Psychic Experts has invested heavily in vetting and screening its team. All advisors offering free psychic chat online or free psychic reading sessions undergo a multi-step qualification process.

    This includes:

    • Accuracy testing through sample sessions
    • Empathy and communication evaluations
    • Ongoing user rating and feedback review
    • Verification of ethical reading practices

    “One of our core values is integrity,” said Bedoya. “We never allow fear-based marketing, false promises, or pressure sales. The advisors we feature are here to uplift—not manipulate.”

    Users can review detailed profiles of available psychics before engaging, including specialties such as free psychic love reading, career guidance, energy healing, or spiritual life path discovery.

    Each reading—whether a free psychic question by text, online psychic chat room free, or psychic free reading—is conducted within a safe, supportive, and non-judgmental space.

    ⇒ Receive a Free Psychic Love Reading from a Trusted Expert!

    Secure and Confidential: Technology Built for Trust

    A key concern among first-time users seeking free psychic reading online is data privacy. The Psychic Experts addresses this by ensuring:

    • End-to-end encrypted sessions
    • No collection of payment or sensitive data for free sessions
    • Secure login through encrypted portals
    • Private communication between user and advisor only

    This tech-first approach has helped reassure users who may be hesitant to talk to a psychic for free or open up about deeply personal matters. By eliminating credit card entry points, users can fully focus on their emotional or spiritual concerns without distraction.

    The platform is also mobile-optimized and compatible with modern browsers, allowing access to free psychic chat on the go.

    ⇒ Start a Free Psychic Chat Session with The Psychic Experts Now!

    Free Readings That Foster Real Emotional Benefits

    The emotional impact of even a short free psychic reading online chat can be profound. Many users report feeling:

    • Less anxious after receiving clarity
    • More hopeful about relationships
    • Empowered to take action on career goals
    • Validated in their emotional or spiritual journey

    These results often begin with a single step—such as choosing to ask a psychic a free question, or spending 3 minutes in live psychic chat free minutes.

    “Sometimes a small shift in perspective is all someone needs to feel stronger,” said Bedoya. “Free psychic support helps create that shift—instantly and compassionately.”

    ⇒ Connect with a Psychic for Free and Ask Anything!

    Supporting a Diverse Community of Seekers

    With demand rising for inclusive spiritual services, The Psychic Experts has prioritized building a welcoming community through:

    • Multilingual support for free online psychic chat
    • LGBTQ+ inclusive readings
    • Gender-neutral psychic profiles
    • Anonymity options and custom nicknames
    • Free psychic reading app access for mobile users

    In addition to one-on-one sessions, the platform also includes free access to online psychic chat rooms, where people can share their experiences and build mutual support in a non-commercial, pressure-free environment.

    This commitment has led to an influx of new users exploring psychic chat free as part of their self-care or spiritual development practice.

    ⇒ Try a Free Psychic Reading by Birth Date and Time!

    Meeting the Moment in 2025

    In today’s climate of uncertainty, many people feel emotionally disconnected, directionless, or overwhelmed. The Psychic Experts’ approach to offering absolutely free psychic reading sessions, without financial risk or obligation, is designed to meet that emotional need head-on.

    Key features of the 2025 program include:

    • Free 3 minute psychic reading options
    • Free psychic reading by phone for more personal voice-based connections
    • Free psychic reading app for Android and iOS
    • The ability to ask a free psychic question online and get an instant, private response

    These offerings are especially popular among people going through breakups, grieving a loss, facing job transitions, or seeking confirmation about major life decisions.

    Whether it’s through a free psychic soulmate reading or a simple yes or no psychic question, the platform provides space for connection, reflection, and self-trust.

    “It’s not about fortune-telling,” said Bedoya. “It’s about giving people a moment of peace—and the courage to move forward.”

    ⇒ Discover Accurate Psychic Answers Free from The Psychic Experts!

    Industry Impact and Future Outlook

    The Psychic Experts joins a growing list of platforms redefining how people access spiritual guidance. With its focus on transparency, emotional wellness, and ethical delivery of psychic readings online free, it has positioned itself as a trusted resource for thousands.

    As of July 2025, the company reports a 300% increase in usage of free psychic reading online chat no credit card services over the previous year, with the majority of users citing “trust,” “ease,” and “clarity” as the top reasons for return visits.

    This trend aligns with broader movements toward alternative wellness models that prioritize personal agency and emotional empowerment—especially among millennials, Gen Z, and those seeking low-cost mental health support.

    ⇒ Ask a Certified Psychic for Free Guidance Today!

    About The Psychic Experts

    The Psychic Experts is a digital-first spiritual wellness platform dedicated to connecting people with verified, compassionate psychics through ethical and secure technology. With services including free psychic chat online, free psychic reading by date of birth and time, free love psychic reading, and free 3 minute psychic reading trials, the company strives to make intuitive insight accessible to all.

    Founded on the principles of inclusion, privacy, and trust, The Psychic Experts continues to be recognized as a leader in free online psychic reading and intuitive self-discovery.

    FAQ

    As this new service gains momentum, many people have questions about how free psychic readings actually work. Below, The Psychic Experts answer some of the most common questions from users exploring these intuitive tools for the first time.

    Is a free psychic reading really free?

    Yes! The Psychic Experts guarantees your first experience is a genuinely free psychic reading online — with no tricks, no hidden charges, and no credit card requirements. Whether you choose a free psychic chat or a free psychic reading phone call, you will receive authentic, empathetic guidance at zero cost.

    Why do psychics offer free sessions?

    Free sessions serve two goals: they allow you to test the energy of a psychic before paying for deeper insights, and they give spiritual advisors a chance to build trust with new clients. Think of it as a sample of their gifts and style.

    What kinds of questions can I ask for free?

    You can ask anything, from love to career to life purpose. Popular topics include:

    • “Is my partner my soulmate?”
    • “Will I get the job I applied for?”
    • “What blocks my success right now?”
    • “How can I heal from this heartbreak?”

    Keep in mind you might only have one free psychic question, or a limited number of minutes, so choose a question that feels truly important.

    Can I get a free reading without giving my credit card?

    Absolutely. One of the key promises of The Psychic Experts is a free psychic reading online chat no credit card policy. You will never be asked to provide payment details to receive your introductory minutes or first psychic question.

    How accurate is a free psychic reading?

    While every psychic is unique, many are highly accurate even during a free reading. The Psychic Experts thoroughly screens its advisors to ensure their intuitive skills, empathy, and professionalism. The clearer and more focused your question, the more specific and useful the answer will be.

    What is the difference between free psychic chat and a phone reading?

    A free psychic chat online offers text-based, instant messaging with an advisor. This is ideal for those who prefer privacy or want a written record of their session. A free psychic reading phone call, on the other hand, gives you the advisor’s tone, emotion, and nuance — making it feel more personal and immediate.

    Is there a time limit on a free session?

    Typically, free sessions range from a free 3 minute psychic reading to one free psychic question by text. After that, you can decide whether you’d like to continue on a paid basis — but there is never any obligation to buy.

    Are these psychics legit?

    Yes. All advisors go through a rigorous multi-step screening that tests their intuition, reading accuracy, empathy, and communication skills. Plus, user reviews are continuously monitored to protect quality and trust.

    Can I ask about love specifically?

    Of course. In fact, love is the #1 topic for free readings. You can request a free psychic love reading, a free psychic soulmate reading, or even a free online psychic reading focused on twin flames, compatibility, or past-life relationships.

    What happens after my free session?

    After your free psychic question is answered, you can decide if you want to continue for a deeper paid reading, or simply end the session and reflect. There is zero pressure to continue, and you are free to explore other advisors if you wish.

    Can I talk to a psychic for free more than once?

    Yes, you can speak to different advisors across separate sessions. Each one may offer a free psychic question or a free 3 minute psychic reading for newcomers, helping you sample multiple styles.

    How long does a free psychic reading last?

    Generally, it ranges from 3 to 5 minutes, or a single question, depending on the advisor.

    Is the free psychic chat anonymous?

    Yes, absolutely. No real names are needed. You can even use a nickname and still receive an authentic reading.

    What happens if I do not resonate with my advisor?

    You can end the free session immediately and choose another advisor. There is never an obligation to continue with someone who doesn’t feel like a good fit.

    What is a free psychic reading by date of birth and time?

    This uses your birth data to deliver astrology-based insights about your life path, compatibility, and spiritual blueprint. It’s one of the most popular offerings on the platform.

    Do free psychic readings cover health questions?

    They can address energy around health and well-being, but no psychic should ever replace professional medical advice.

    Can I get a love psychic reading free if I’m married?

    Of course — relationship dynamics, personal growth, and deeper spiritual bonds are all appropriate topics, regardless of your relationship status.

    Are there truly free psychic reading apps?

    Yes — The Psychic Experts also supports a free psychic reading app with the same no-credit-card guarantees, making it simple to connect from anywhere.

    Media Contact

    Company: The Psychic Experts

    Contact Person: Anthony C. Bedoya

    Email: support@the-psychic-experts.com

    Address: 1 Fremont St, Las Vegas, NV 89101, USA

    URL: https://the-psychic-experts.com/

    Phone: +1 414-203-2598

    Attachment

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-Evening Report: Can’t fill your ADHD script? Here’s why, and what to do while the shortage persists

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jack Janetzki, Lecturer in Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of South Australia

    Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnoses are rising across Australia.

    But after finally getting a diagnosis, many people are discovering the medicine they’ve been prescribed isn’t available at the pharmacy.

    Australia faces a nation-wide shortage of methylphenidate (sold as Concerta and Ritalin).

    What does it mean for people with ADHD?

    ADHD medication shortages have persisted since 2023, with shortages of lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse), and are now affecting more people.

    Many people with ADHD have to call multiple pharmacies to find their medication. They might be put on waiting lists to access their prescribed medications, or have to contact their doctor or their child’s doctor to get a new script for a different medication.

    Some people with ADHD are switching between strengths or changing to different medicines. This can mean starting again with slow dose changes, and can result in poor symptom control and more side effects.

    Some people have had to skip doses or go without medicine altogether, making it hard to concentrate, stay organised and manage emotions.

    Shortages can also increase inequality. People in rural areas with fewer pharmacies, for example, have more difficulty accessing these medications.

    And people with fewer financial resources are less able to access alternative medications that aren’t subsidised.

    Increasing access to diagnosis and treatment

    Around 8% of children and 2.5% of adults in Australia have ADHD. It makes it hard to focus, sit still, and/or control impulses. For many, medication helps manage these symptoms.

    Diagnosis has often involved seeing a specialist such as psychiatrist or paediatrician.

    But from September, GPs in New South Wales will be able to continue ADHD prescriptions without needing specialist approval. In 2026, GPs in South Australia and Western Australia will be able to diagnose ADHD and start treatment.

    However, ongoing shortages may still stop people from getting the medicine they need.

    Why are these medicines running out?

    These shortages are largely due to manufacturing issues – including problems sourcing raw ingredients and production quotas in the United States.

    When one brand runs out, it puts pressure on other brands. This creates a domino effect across the supply chain.

    There is also increasing demand.

    In 2022-2023 almost 470,000 Australians were prescribed ADHD medications. That’s four times the number from nine years earlier.

    From January 2024 to May 2025, the number of prescriptions filled increased further, by 60% for dexamfetamine, 88% for methylphenidate and 140% for lisdexamfetamine.

    Scripts filled for ADHD stimulants from January 2024 to May 2025.
    CC BY

    Shortages of several strengths and brands of menthylphenidate (Concerta and Ritalin) and are expected to continue into late 2025. Both the long-acting and short-acting types are affected.

    Pharmacies can’t always help

    Stimulants to treat ADHD are tightly controlled. Pharmacies can only supply one-month of medicine at a time.

    In some states such as NSW, paper prescriptions for tightly controlled medicines must be filled at the same pharmacy each time. So patients have not been able to get their medicine elsewhere even if it’s in stock.

    In response to the methylphenidate shortages, NSW Health has allowed pharmacies to transfer paper prescriptions to other pharmacists that have stock available. This change is temporary but helpful.

    This rule is different in other states such as Victoria and South Australia, where people are able to visit or call other pharmacies to see if they have stock.

    However, ideally a patient will be able to build a rapport with one main pharmacy – and the pharmacy will know exactly how many regular patients they need to get stock for.

    What are regulators doing about it?

    The national medicines regulator, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has set up a group called the Medicine Shortage Action Groups to respond to the methylphenidate shortage.

    This group includes members from health professional groups and peak bodies. It will give advice to health professionals and are creating resources for patients, families and schools about the shortages and how to reduce disruptions to their or their child’s treatment.

    The TGA has also recently approved the temporary use of some methylphenidate brands from overseas.

    Some of these are now listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, which means they are available at a subsidised price.

    The body representing physicians, the Royal Australasian College of Physicians, has called for early warnings about shortages. That way, doctors can help patients change to alternatives before it’s too late.

    What can you do if you can’t get a script filled?

    If you’re finding it hard to get your ADHD medicine:

    • talk to your pharmacist. They may be able to order an overseas-registered alternative or suggest a different brand

    • speak with your GP, psychiatrist or your child’s paediatrician. They might adjust your or your child’s dose or suggest a different medication for their ADHD. This might mean changing to another stimulant that is available in a short- or long-acting formulation or by changing to a medicine for ADHD that is not a stimulant. Ask your physician to contact the pharmacy to see what they have in stock while you’re at your appointment

    • check the TGA’s Medicine Shortage Reports Database for updates on when the medicine might become available.

    If you’re calling around to find stock:

    • call mid-morning to see if they’ve got stock. Pharmacies are generally less busy after the morning rush

    • say exactly what medicine, strength and brand you are looking for. If you don’t mind which brand be sure to tell the pharmacist

    • keep a list of pharmacies so you don’t double up

    • if you live in a rural area and find that a pharmacy in a nearby town has stock, ask if they can courier the medication to you.

    Jack Janetzki works for Pharmaceutical Defence Limited and The Barossa Pharmacist in the Mall (Nuriootpa, South Australia). He is a member of Pharmaceutical Defence Limited, the Australasian Pharmaceutical Science Association, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia and the Observational Health Data Science Informatics network.

    Lisa Kalisch Ellett is president of the Australasian Pharmaceutical Science Association and a member of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia.

    ref. Can’t fill your ADHD script? Here’s why, and what to do while the shortage persists – https://theconversation.com/cant-fill-your-adhd-script-heres-why-and-what-to-do-while-the-shortage-persists-259911

    MIL OSI AnalysisEveningReport.nz

  • India and Brazil reaffirm strategic partnership with roadmap for next decade

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a State Visit to Brazil on Tuesday at the invitation of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, with both leaders pledging to deepen ties across a wide range of strategic areas.

    In a joint statement, the two nations reaffirmed their commitment to bolster the India-Brazil Strategic Partnership, describing their shared vision as rooted in common values and aimed at advancing peace, prosperity and sustainable development.

    Defence and Security

    PM Modi and President Lula welcomed growing military collaboration, including joint exercises and senior‐level visits. They noted the recent Agreement on the Exchange and Mutual Protection of Classified Information, and established a Bilateral Cybersecurity Dialogue to share expertise on cyber threats. Both condemned the Pahalgam terror attack and voiced Brazil’s solidarity with India. They condemned all forms of terrorism and agreed to deepen action against UN-designated groups such as Lashkar-e-Tayyiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad, including measures at the UN and FATF. An agreement to combat international terrorism and organized crime was also signed, and both leaders pledged support for the UN Convention on Cybercrime at its signing in Hanoi next year.

    They called for UN Security Council reform, backing expansion in permanent and non-permanent seats with fair representation for Asia, Africa and Latin America. Brazil reaffirmed support for India’s bid for a non-permanent Council seat in 2028–29, while India endorsed Brazil’s aspiration for permanent membership. The two urged a UN Charter review conference in 2025, marking the Organization’s 80th anniversary.

    On Middle East peace, both leaders urged a return to diplomacy, endorsing a two-state solution alongside safe humanitarian access in Gaza and backing UNRWA’s mandate. They also called for renewed dialogue to end hostilities in Ukraine.

    Food and Nutritional Security

    As leading agricultural producers, India and Brazil agreed to advance sustainable farming, fair trade and public stockholding for food security. They reaffirmed the goal of eradicating hunger by 2030 and pledged support for the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty. Joint research on crop productivity, animal genetics and biotechnology will be encouraged through collaboration between national R&D bodies.

    Energy Transition and Climate Action

    The leaders underscored strong collaboration on bioenergy and biofuels, reaffirming their commitment to the Global Biofuels Alliance and exploring sustainable aviation fuel. PM Modi welcomed Brazil’s ‘Tropical Forests Forever Fund’ and India confirmed its support for Brazil’s presidency of COP30 in Belém next year.

    Both sides agreed to step up collaboration on climate finance, sustainable development, and a stronger, fairer international financial system, while urging developed countries to meet their Official Development Assistance commitments.

    Digital Cooperation and Emerging Tech

    Acknowledging the transformative potential of digital public infrastructure, artificial intelligence, and quantum technologies, the two countries signed an MoU to deepen cooperation. India and Brazil pledged to work together on global digital governance and boost direct ties between their innovation ecosystems.

    Industrial Partnerships

    Both leaders noted growing bilateral investment flows and agreed to streamline visa processes to boost business and tourism. They invited closer ties in pharmaceuticals- highlighting Indian API firms in Brazil-aviation, defence equipment, mining, and oil and gas, including carbon capture technologies. A ministerial Commerce and Trade Review Mechanism will oversee the implementation of the 2020 Bilateral Investment Cooperation and Facilitation Treaty and the 2022 Double Taxation Protocol.

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China’s energy consumption per unit of GDP fell 11.6 percent in the first four years of the 14th Five-Year Plan

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    BEIJING, July 9 (Xinhua) — China’s energy consumption per unit of GDP fell by 11.6 percent in the first four years of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025), Zheng Shanjie, head of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), said Wednesday.

    According to Zheng Shanjie, the reduction in this figure is equivalent to reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 1.1 billion tons, which is almost 50 percent of the total carbon dioxide emissions in the European Union in 2024.

    “China’s actions have fully demonstrated its capacity as a responsible country,” Zheng Shanjie said.

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

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Three killed in Houthi attack on cargo ship in Red Sea

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    Aden, Yemen, July 9 (Xinhua) — Three sailors were killed and two others were wounded when Yemeni Houthi militants attacked a Liberian-flagged cargo ship in the Red Sea, a Yemeni navy spokesman told Xinhua on Tuesday.

    The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Houthi militants attacked the Greek-owned vessel Eternity C at 20:00 local time /1700 GMT/ on Monday in the Red Sea, just hours after the group claimed responsibility for the sinking of another ship, the bulk carrier Magic Seas.

    The official said Houthi militants boarded the Eternity C in an attempt to seize the vessel, sparking violent clashes with the ship’s crew that left three sailors dead and two others wounded.

    The collision caused significant damage to the ship’s turret, leaving the vessel adrift and the surviving crew members forced to abandon ship, the official said.

    The latest incident was the second major attack since the Houthi group claimed to have sunk the Magic Seas, also a Liberian-flagged vessel.

    The Magic Seas was carrying about 17,000 metric tons of ammonium nitrate, a chemical commonly used in the production of fertilizers and explosives, a Yemeni official said.

    Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saria said on Monday that the attack on the Magic Seas was in response to the shipowner’s “repeated violations” of a Houthi ban on entering Israeli ports.

    The Houthi group has so far made no statements or comments regarding the Eternity C attack. –0–

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

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • FBI launches probes into former FBI, CIA directors, Fox News reports

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The FBI has launched criminal probes into former CIA Director John Brennan and former FBI Director James Comey, Fox News Digital reported on Tuesday, citing sources.

    The probes are over alleged wrongdoing related to past government investigations about claims of Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. elections in which President Donald Trump defeated former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the news report said.

    The CIA and the Justice Department had no immediate comment. The FBI declined to comment.

    The scope of the criminal investigations into Brennan and Comey was unclear, the report added. Trump-nominated CIA Director John Ratcliffe referred Brennan, who served in that role under former Democratic President Barack Obama, for potential prosecution, according to the report.

    A criminal investigation does not necessarily result in charges. Brennan did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Comey could not immediately be reached.

    Fox said its sources were from the Justice Department but did not specify the number of sources.

    “I am glad to see that the Department of Justice is opening up this investigation,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News’ “Jesse Watters Primetime” show in an interview.

    The probes reportedly target two former officials who have long drawn the ire of Trump and his supporters for their role in investigating Russian interference in the 2016 election.

    Comey led the FBI when authorities began a criminal investigation in 2016 into potential coordination between the Trump campaign and the Russian government to influence the election. Trump fired Comey in 2017 early in his first term after Comey publicly confirmed Trump was under investigation.

    The probe was then taken over by former Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who found no evidence of a criminal conspiracy between Trump’s 2016 campaign and Russia.

    Trump railed against the investigation for years and has repeatedly dismissed it as the “Russia hoax.”

    Brennan led the CIA when U.S. intelligence assessed, in a report made public in January 2017, that Russian President Vladimir Putin sought to sway the 2016 U.S. vote in favor of Trump.

    A CIA review released last week found flaws in the preparation of the 2017 assessment, but it did not contest its underlying conclusion.

    The Fox News report on the investigations broke as Trump’s top officials at the FBI and Justice Department faced online criticism from some Trump supporters for concluding that there was no evidence to support long-held conspiracy theories about the death of accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.

    During Trump’s first term, the Justice Department appointed a separate special counsel, John Durham, to examine any missteps in the FBI’s Russia investigation. Durham brought charges against three lower-level figures who worked on the probe or provided information to investigators, but did not find evidence of a conspiracy to target Trump.

    (Reuters)

  • Latest Red Sea attack on Greek ship kills four crew, wounds two

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    A drone and speedboat attack off Yemen killed four seafarers on a Liberian-flagged, Greek-operated bulk carrier, an official with knowledge of the matter said on Tuesday, the second incident in a day, following months of calm.

    Traffic in the Red Sea, a key waterway for oil and commodities, has dropped since Yemen’s Houthi militia aligned with Iran began targeting ships in 2023 in what it called solidarity with Palestinians under assault in Israel’s war in Gaza.

    The deaths on the Eternity C, the first involving shipping in the Red Sea since June 2024, take to eight the total of seafarers killed in the Red Sea attacks.

    One more injured crew died on board after the attack, a source with knowledge of the matter said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

    The Houthis have not commented on the Eternity C, but hours earlier claimed responsibility for a strike on another Liberia-flagged, Greek-operated bulk carrier, the MV Magic Seas, off southwest Yemen on Sunday, saying the vessel sank.

    “After several months of calm, the resumption of deplorable attacks in the Red Sea constitutes a renewed violation of international law and freedom of navigation,” IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said on Tuesday.

    The U.S. State Department condemned the “unprovoked Houthi terror attack on the civilian cargo vessels MV Magic Seas and MV Eternity C”, as demonstrating the threats the Houthis posed to freedom of navigation and regional security.

    Washington “will continue to take necessary action to protect freedom of navigation and commercial shipping,” it added in a statement.

    The Eternity C’s operator, Cosmoship Management, was not immediately available to comment.

    Eternity C, with 21 Philippine nationals and a Russian making up a crew of 22, was adrift and listing after the attack with sea drones and rocket-propelled grenades fired from manned speed boats, maritime security sources told Reuters.

    Greece was in diplomatic talks with Saudi Arabia over the incident, sources said, as two maritime security firms, including Greece-based Diaplous, prepared to mount a rescue mission for the crew trapped on Eternity C.

    An official with Aspides, the European Union’s mission assigned to help protect Red Sea shipping, also said at least two other crew were injured. Earlier, Liberia’s shipping delegation told a U.N. meeting that two crew were killed.

    The Houthis released a video they said depicted their attack on the Magic Seas, including the Mayday call, explosions, and the vessel’s ultimate submersion. Reuters could not independently verify the footage.

    The vessel’s manager said the information about the sinking could not be verified.

    But Joshua Hutchinson, managing director of maritime security firm Ambrey, told Reuters it had a response vessel in the area and confirmed the Magic Seas had gone down.

    All crew on the Magic Seas were rescued by a passing merchant vessel and arrived safely in Djibouti on Monday, Djibouti authorities said.

    Since November 2023, the Houthis have disrupted commerce by launching hundreds of drones and missiles at vessels in the Red Sea, saying they were targeting ships linked to Israel.

    While the Houthis struck a ceasefire with Washington in May, the militia has vowed to keep attacking ships it says are connected with Israel.

    “Just as Liberia was processing the shock and grief of the attack against Magic Seas, we received a report that Eternity C again has been attacked … causing the death of two seafarers,” Liberia’s delegation told a session of the International Maritime Organization.

    ‘ELEVATED RISKS’

    Both vessels attacked were part of commercial fleets whose sister vessels have called at Israeli ports over the past year.

    “The pause in Houthi activity did not necessarily indicate a change in underlying intent,” said Ellie Shafik, head of intelligence with the Britain-based maritime risk management company Vanguard Tech.

    “As long as the conflict in Gaza persists, vessels with affiliations, both perceived and actual, will continue to face elevated risks.”

    The Philippines has urged its seafarers, who form one of the world’s largest groups of merchant mariners, to exercise their right to refuse to sail in “high-risk, war-like” areas, including the Red Sea after the latest strikes, its department of migrant workers said.

    Shipping traffic through the region has shrunk about half from normal levels since the first Houthi attacks in 2023, said Jakob Larsen, chief safety and security officer with shipping association BIMCO.

    “This reduction in traffic has persisted due to the ongoing unpredictability of the security situation,” Larsen said. “As such, BIMCO does not anticipate the recent attacks will significantly alter current shipping patterns.”

    Monday’s attack on Eternity C, 50 nautical miles southwest of Yemen’s port of Hodeidah, was the second on merchant vessels in the region since November 2024, an official at Aspides said.

    On Monday, Israel’s military said it had struck Houthi targets at three Yemeni ports and a power plant, in its first attack on Yemen in a month.

    The Houthis say their attacks are an act of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza where Israel’s military assault since late 2023 has killed more than 57,000 people, Gaza authorities say.

    The Israeli assault has unleashed a hunger crisis, internally displaced the entire population of Gaza and spurred accusations of genocide at the International Court of Justice and of war crimes at the International Criminal Court.

    Israel denies the accusations.

    The latest bloodshed in the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict was triggered in October 2023, when Palestinian Hamas militants attacked Israel, killing 1,200 and taking about 250 hostages, Israeli tallies show.

    (Reuters)

  • Buoyant India unperturbed by prospect of spicy Lord’s pitch

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    India expect England to roll out a challenging track for the third test at Lord’s but are confident their in-form batters can master it, batting coach Sitanshu Kotak said on Tuesday.

    India levelled the five-test series 1-1 with a thumping 336-run victory at Edgbaston where they racked up 587 in the first innings and declared their second on 427-6.

    England are pondering overhauling their tired bowling attack and a fit-again Jofra Archer is in line to play his first test in more than four years at Lord’s.

    “It will be a challenge if Jofra comes in,” Kotak told reporters ahead of the third test beginning on Thursday.

    “England might want to make a couple of bowling challenges. The wicket, it seems, will also be a bit more challenging.

    “After the last two games, if England decides to roll out a more challenging wicket, it’s fair enough.”

    The green tinge of the pitch tells Kotak that runs would not exactly flow at Lord’s.

    “This wicket looks greener than the last two matches. But one cannot be too sure before the final trimming tomorrow,” he said.

    “Normally the first and second innings scores at Lord’s tend to be lower. So bowlers can expect a bit more help here.”

    Shubman Gill has been in sensational form in his first series as India’s test captain smashing a hundred in the opening test in Leeds and following it with scores of 269 and 161 at Edgbaston.

    Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal have also struck hundreds, which Kotak believed meant they would not be found wanting at Lord’s regardless of conditions.

    “For the batters, it will be a matter of just trying to spend as much time as possible on this wicket and adjust to it,” he said.

    “Our batters are so skilful that they are scoring at four an over even when they are not looking to score quickly.

    “But the mindset here would be, we won’t look for boundaries. If you don’t play silly shots, you’ll play long innings on these wickets.”

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ11: Care workers in residential care homes

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         Following is a question by the Hon Chau Siu-chung and a written reply by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, in the Legislative Council today (July 9):
     
    Question:
     
         Regarding the care workers in various types of residential care homes (RCHs), will the Government inform this Council:

    (1) of the number of (i) local care workers and (ii) imported care workers in all RCHs in Hong Kong in the past three years (up to the end of that year) and at present, together with a breakdown by type of RCHs (i.e. residential care homes for the elderly, residential care homes for persons with disabilities and nursing homes) and mode of operation of RCHs (i.e. (a) subvented RCHs, (b) contract RCHs, (c) non-profit-making self-financing RCHs and (d) private RCHs) (if applicable) (set out in Table 1);(2) in respect of the first to the sixth rounds of applications under the Special Scheme to Import Care Workers for Residential Care Homes (the Special Scheme), of (i) the number of applications, (ii) the number of imported care workers applied for (set out by new quotas and quotas for contract renewal), (iii) the number of approved applications, and (iv) the number of imported care workers approved (set out by new quotas and quotas for contract renewal), together with a breakdown by three types of RCHs and four types of mode of operation of RCHs (if applicable) as mentioned in (1) (set out in Table 2); and the main reasons for not approving the applications;

    Table 2    Type of RCHs:    (3) since the implementation of the Special Scheme, of the following information on the spot checks conducted by the authorities on applicant RCHs in accordance with the mechanism of spot checks of local recruitment records during the processing of each round of application: (i) the staffing establishment and strength of personnel conducting the spot checks, (ii) the number of RCHs which had been requested by the Social Welfare Department in its letters to submit detailed local recruitment records, and (iii) their percentage in the total number of applicant RCHs; whether the authorities had found malpractices such as RCHs being suspected of having provided false information or withheld any information during such spot checks; if so, of the details, including the number and nature of the cases, and whether the authorities had imposed administrative sanctions on or instituted prosecutions against the RCHs concerned, together with a breakdown by type of RCHs and their mode of operation;

    (4) given that according to the requirements of the Special Scheme, RCHs must not displace their existing local care workers with imported care workers and they must comply with the specified ratio of local employees to imported care workers, of the number of RCHs alleged or substantiated to have breached the aforesaid requirements since the implementation of the Special Scheme, as well as the details of the relevant follow-up actions (including the number of cases in which written warnings were issued to and administrative sanctions were imposed on non-compliant RCHs), together with a breakdown by type of RCHs and their mode of operation; 
    President,

         To address the manpower shortage and new manpower demand in residential care homes (RCHs), and to assist the RCH sector in enhancing their service quality, the Government, on the premise of safeguarding the employment priority for local workers, launched the Special Scheme to Import Care Workers for RCHs (the Special Scheme) in June 2023 to allow residential care homes for the elderly (RCHEs) and residential care homes for persons with disabilities (RCHDs) to import care workers on an appropriate scale. The Special Scheme set 7 000 importation quotas when launched, including around 4 000 care workers previously imported through the Supplementary Labour Scheme (SLS), and the relevant quotas were nearly exhausted by the first half of 2024. The Government, having reviewed the demand for and supply of care workers in the sector, announced in July of the same year that the quota ceiling would be adjusted to 15 000 for RCHs to apply for by batches in the following three years.

         Our reply to the Member’s questions, with consolidated information and data of the Social Welfare Department (SWD), Labour Department (LD) and Census and Statistics Department (C&SD), is as follows:

    (1) to (3) The number of local and imported care workers employed by the RCHEs and the RCHDs in Hong Kong in the past three years are set out at Annex 1. The details of the first five rounds of applications and approval results under the Special Scheme are set out at Annex 2, with about 400 rejected cases mainly because the quotas available for that round of applications were exhausted, or the applications did not comply with the requirements of the Special Scheme. The sixth round of applications ended on May 6, 2025, and the SWD is processing the applications for around 500 new quotas.

         There are five staff members in the SWD designated to implement the Special Scheme, including the Social Work Officer grade, the Executive Officer grade and the Clerical grade. To safeguard job opportunities of local care workers, the SWD will conduct random checks on the “Confirmation of Local Recruitment” submitted by the RCHs that apply for joining the Special Scheme, with a view to ensuring that they have conducted local recruitment through channel(s) specified by the Director of Social Welfare but have been unsuccessful in filling the vacancies. Up to March 2025, the SWD has conducted random checks on about 300 local recruitment records of the RCHs, accounting for more than 10 per cent of the total number of applications, and found no case of RCH’s intentionally or knowingly submitting inaccurate information. Nor has any RCH been imposed administrative sanction during that period of time.

    (4) to (6) The LD’s Labour Inspectors (LIs) inspect the workplaces of imported workers and the accommodation provided by employers in Hong Kong for imported workers. The establishment and strength of the LIs responsible for the above work is 37. In the past two years, LIs have carried out a total of 4 407 inspections relating to imported care workers (including cases under the SLS/Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme (ESLS) and the Special Scheme), including 2 298 workplace inspections and 2 109 accommodation inspections. Should suspected deprivation of imported workers’ rights and benefits be detected during inspection, the LD will promptly conduct follow-up investigation. Complaints received during the inspections are counted towards the overall number of complaint cases.

         Since the launch of the Special Scheme in June 2023 and up to May 2025, the LD and the SWD have received a total of 47 complaints against the RCHs suspected to have breached the law or the requirements of the Special Scheme. The complaints mainly involved wages (including wage rebates and underpayment of wages) and work arrangements. Among them, there were eight complaints received about the displacement of serving local care workers by imported care workers, of which the Government has completed investigation of seven cases and no irregularities were found. The remaining one case is still under investigation. During the same period, the LD successfully prosecuted an employer that had engaged imported care workers under the Special Scheme. The employer violated the Employees’ Compensation Ordinance by failing to take out employees’ compensation insurance policies and was fined $2,500 by the court. The SWD is examining the case concerned and will consider imposing administrative sanctions as appropriate.

         Since the launch of the Special Scheme, the number of complaint, prosecution and conviction cases per year are tabulated as follows:

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-Evening Report: Medicinal cannabis is big business. But the latest clampdown won’t curb unsafe prescribing

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Carmen Lim, NHMRC Emerging Leadership Fellow, National Centre for Youth Substance Use Research, The University of Queensland

    Nuva Frames/Shutterstock

    Australia’s key regulator of health professionals has announced it’s clamping down on unsafe prescribing of medicinal cannabis in the wake of surging patient demand.

    The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, known as Ahpra, today warned health professionals they would need to put patients’ wellbeing ahead of profits.

    Among its concerns were aggressive marketing strategies by clinics prescribing medicinal cannabis, and consultations lasting between a few seconds and a few minutes, before prescribing.

    Such concerns have led to eight practitioners issuing more than 10,000 scripts in a six-month window, and one who appeared to have issued more than 17,000 scripts.

    Ahpra’s other concerns include reports of patients with psychosis after taking medicinal cannabis, prescribing high doses, and prescribing to family members or people under 18.

    However, overservicing, inappropriate prescribing and the health issues that can arise are issues we’ve known about for years.

    Our research, for example, looked at multiple websites that offered medicinal cannabis in Australia. We found widespread examples of aggressive and misleading marketing. Some clinics breached regulatory guidelines. Others bent the rules.

    Yet Ahpra’s latest announcement doesn’t tighten existing prescribing or marketing rules for medicinal cannabis. It just reminds doctors, nurse practitioners and pharmacists what the rules are.

    What is the regulator concerned about?

    According to the 2022–23 National Drug Strategy Household Survey, 3% of Australians aged 14 or over had used cannabis for medical purposes in the previous 12 months, equating to around 700,000 people.

    Australians spent more than A$400 million on medicinal cannabis products in the first half of 2024 alone.

    But Ahpra is concerned too many health practitioners are prescribing medicinal cannabis when a patient requests it, rather than whether this is the right product for them.

    It suggests too few practitioners are assessing patients thoroughly, formulating and implementing a management plan, facilitating coordination and continuity of care, maintaining medical records, recommending treatments only where there is an identified therapeutic need, and ensuring medicinal cannabis is not a first-line treatment.

    So Ahpra says it will investigate practitioners with high rates of prescribing any scheduled medicine, including medicinal cannabis, even if it has not received a complaint.

    We found lots of aggressive marketing

    Medicinal cannabis has been legally available in Australia since 2016. This means doctors can prescribe it for any medical condition when other approved treatments have not worked. Now patients can be prescribed medicinal cannabis as a capsule, oil or dried flower, for example, often via a website.

    But when we analysing the websites of 54 private medicinal cannabis clinics in Australia, an alarming picture emerged.

    We found multiple examples of websites that breached marketing rules, or skirted around them. This included making unsubstantiated health claims about the products they offered, such as they could treat anxiety, depression, or other mental health symptoms.

    Websites often allowed people to assess if medicinal cannabis was for them. This self-assessment may mislead people into believing they would benefit from it, inadvertently “coaching” them on which medical conditions might warrant a prescription.

    Other marketing tactics we found included promises of same-day or after-hours delivery, no GP referrals required, discounted consultation fees, and
    targeted advertisements on social media.

    What we’d like to see

    Ahpra’s aim of safer prescribing of medicinal cannabis is welcome. But by merely repeating the rules, rather than tightening them, this doesn’t go far enough. So Ahpra has missed out on a real opportunity to safeguard patients’ health.

    For instance, we’d like to see greater emphasis on banning targeted advertisements on social media for medicinal cannabis. In a study that we’ve submitted for publication, we found this a particular concern.

    We found many private clinics are using ads to reach young people, including those as young as 18. One company ran more than 170 active ads this month alone across Facebook, Instagram and Threads.

    Ads we’ve seen include cryptic messaging, such as “we can’t shout about it, but our patients are smiling”, paired with bright colours and wellness-themed imagery.

    One pairs an Australian sports celebrity with the tagline “move differently!” and the name of the product.

    Another one promises “real doctors, real care” and “fast approvals & express delivery”, with consultations at $19.

    While these ads do not mention medicinal cannabis directly, the messaging is clearly designed to spark curiosity and build brand recognition, especially among younger audiences.

    We’d also like to see Ahpra:

    • broaden its focus beyond prescribing patterns to include digital marketing and advertising practices that target young people

    • provide clear guidelines to medicinal cannabis clinics and prescribers on acceptable promotional practices

    • support stronger consequences for repeat offenders, including prescribers who continue to engage in misleading advertising after being sanctioned.

    Carmen Lim receives funding from the National Medical Health Research Council (2024-2028). She has not received any funding from the alcohol, cannabis, pharmaceutical, tobacco or vaping industries.

    ref. Medicinal cannabis is big business. But the latest clampdown won’t curb unsafe prescribing – https://theconversation.com/medicinal-cannabis-is-big-business-but-the-latest-clampdown-wont-curb-unsafe-prescribing-260803

    MIL OSI AnalysisEveningReport.nz

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Progress continues at SH7 slip site

    Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

    |

    Crews are making progress on clearance of potentially dangerous rock and other debris from a slope above State Highway 7 that has resulted in recent overnight road closures between Hanmer Springs and Springs Junction (including Lewis Pass).

    The work has been happening this week – including rock scaling, removal of vegetation and adjustment of the bunding – at the slip site near Roirdan Creek Bridge. Traffic has been restricted to a single lane during the day and there have been delays as required when loose material is dislodged.

    SH7 between Hanmer Springs and Springs Junction will close again tonight at 7pm out of precaution, and is expected to reopen tomorrow at 8am. Further overnight closures may be required as the work progresses towards reopening of both lanes of traffic at the slip site.

    Stay up to date on the status of the highways at our Journey Planner(external link) site.

    Work continues on the slope above SH7 near Roirdan Creek Bridge, where recent slips have occurred.

    Contractors working for New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi are working to clear potentially hazardous material that could fall onto SH7.

    Tags

    MIL OSI New Zealand News

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Progress continues at SH7 slip site

    Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

    |

    Crews are making progress on clearance of potentially dangerous rock and other debris from a slope above State Highway 7 that has resulted in recent overnight road closures between Hanmer Springs and Springs Junction (including Lewis Pass).

    The work has been happening this week – including rock scaling, removal of vegetation and adjustment of the bunding – at the slip site near Roirdan Creek Bridge. Traffic has been restricted to a single lane during the day and there have been delays as required when loose material is dislodged.

    SH7 between Hanmer Springs and Springs Junction will close again tonight at 7pm out of precaution, and is expected to reopen tomorrow at 8am. Further overnight closures may be required as the work progresses towards reopening of both lanes of traffic at the slip site.

    Stay up to date on the status of the highways at our Journey Planner(external link) site.

    Work continues on the slope above SH7 near Roirdan Creek Bridge, where recent slips have occurred.

    Contractors working for New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi are working to clear potentially hazardous material that could fall onto SH7.

    Tags

    MIL OSI New Zealand News

  • Trump says steep copper tariffs in store as he broadens his trade war

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he would impose a 50% tariff on imported copper and soon introduce long-threatened levies on semiconductors and pharmaceuticals, broadening his trade war that has rattled markets worldwide.

    One day after he pressured 14 trading partners, including powerhouse U.S. suppliers like South Korea and Japan, with fresh tariff letters, Trump reiterated his threat of 10% tariffs on products from Brazil, India and other members of the BRICS group of countries.

    He also said trade talks have been going well with the European Union and China, though he added he is only days away from sending a tariff letter to the EU.

    Trump’s remarks, made during a White House cabinet meeting, could inject further instability into a global economy that has been shaken by the tariffs he has imposed or threatened on imports to the world’s largest consumer market.

    U.S. copper futures jumped more than 10% after Trump’s announcement of new duties on a metal that is critical to electric vehicles, military hardware, the power grid and many consumer goods. They would join duties already in place for steel, aluminum and automobile imports, though it was unclear when the new tariffs might take effect.

    U.S. pharmaceutical stocks also slid following Trump’s threat of 200% tariffs on drug imports, which he said could be delayed by about a year.

    Other countries, meanwhile, said they would try to soften the impact of Trump’s threatened duties after he pushed back a Wednesday deadline to August 1.

    Trump’s administration promised “90 deals in 90 days” after he unveiled an array of country-specific duties in early April. So far only two agreements have been reached, with the United Kingdom and Vietnam. Trump has said a deal with India is close.

    Trump said countries have been clamoring to negotiate.

    “It’s about time the United States of America started collecting money from countries that were ripping us off … and laughing behind our back at how stupid we were,” he said.

    He said late Tuesday that “a minimum of seven” tariff notices would be released on Wednesday morning, and more in the afternoon. He gave no other details in his Truth Social post.

    Trading partners across the globe say it has been difficult to negotiate even framework agreements with the U.S. given the haphazard way new tariffs are announced, complicating their internal discussions about concessions.

    HIGHEST LEVELS SINCE 1934

    Following Trump’s announcement of higher tariffs for imports from the 14 countries, U.S. research group Yale Budget Lab estimated consumers face an effective U.S. tariff rate of 17.6%, up from 15.8% previously and the highest in nine decades.

    Trump’s administration has been touting those tariffs as a significant revenue source. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington has taken in about $100 billion so far and could collect $300 billion by the end of the year. The United States has taken in about $80 billion annually in tariff revenue in recent years.

    The S&P 500 finished slightly lower on Tuesday, a day after Wall Street markets sold off sharply following Trump’s new tariffs announcement.

    Trump said he will “probably” tell the European Union within two days what rate it can expect for its exports to the U.S., adding that the 27-member bloc had been treating his administration “very nicely” in trade talks.

    The EU, the largest bilateral trade partner of the U.S., aims to strike a deal before August 1 with concessions for key export industries such as aircraft, medical equipment and spirits, according to EU sources. Brussels is also considering an arrangement that would protect European automakers with large U.S. production facilities.

    However, German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil warned that the EU was prepared to retaliate if necessary.

    “If we don’t reach a fair trade deal with the U.S., the EU is ready to take counter measures,” he said in the lower house of parliament.

    Japan, which faces a possible 25% tariff – up from 24% first threatened in April – wants concessions for its large automobile industry and will not sacrifice its agriculture sector, a powerful domestic lobby, for the sake of an early deal, top trade negotiator Ryosei Akazawa said on Tuesday.

    South Korea, which also faces a possible 25% tariff, said it planned to intensify trade talks over the coming weeks “to reach a mutually beneficial result.”

    Washington and Beijing agreed to a trade framework in June, but with many of the details still unclear, traders and investors are watching to see if it unravels before a separate, U.S.-imposed August 12 deadline or leads to a lasting detente.

    “We have had a really good relationship with China lately, and we’re getting along with them very well. They’ve been very fair on our trade deal, honestly,” Trump said, adding that he has been speaking regularly with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

    Trump said the United States would impose tariffs of 25% on goods from Tunisia, Malaysia and Kazakhstan; 30% on South Africa and Bosnia and Herzegovina; 32% on Indonesia; 35% on Serbia and Bangladesh; 36% on Cambodia and Thailand; and 40% on Laos and Myanmar.

    (Reuters)

  • Dollar firm, Asian stocks mixed as traders ponder tariff outlook

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The dollar traded close to a 2-1/2-week high versus major peers on Wednesday while copper hit an all-time peak overnight after U.S. President Donald Trump broadened his global trade war by threatening a 50% tariff on the metal.

    Trump also said levies on semiconductors and pharmaceuticals were coming soon, weighing on Wall Street on Tuesday, with futures indicating further weakness there on Wednesday.

    However, stock markets around the Asia-Pacific were mixed, as investors digested Trump’s latest, shifting trade salvos. Japan and South Korea are among major U.S. trading partners in the region facing an August 1 deadline to reach a trade deal or be subjected to new tariff rates, although Trump has sent mixed signals on how flexible that date is.

    On Monday, Trump said it was “firm, but not 100% firm,” reinforcing the view among some in markets that the deadlines are a negotiating tactic that the U.S. president will ultimately back away from. On Tuesday though, Trump appeared to harden his stance by saying, “No extensions will be granted.”

    Japan’s Nikkei edged down 0.2%, shedding early small gains. Australia’s stock index declined 0.4%, and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng lost 0.9%.

    At the same time, mainland Chinese blue chips rose 0.2%, and South Korea’s KOSPI climbed 0.5%.

    U.S. S&P 500 futures ESCv1 eased 0.1%, following a 0.1% loss for the cash index .SPX on Tuesday that extended the 0.8% drop that started the week.

    “The delay in the imposition of new tariffs on some of the U.S.’s major trading partners to August 1 has simultaneously kicked the proverbial can down the road and supported the notion that the loftier tariff rates are a negotiating ploy,” Kyle Rodda, senior financial markets analyst at Capital.com, wrote in a note.

    “As a result, the markets have been left hanging, and waiting for a stronger catalyst to drive the next move.”

    Trump said on Tuesday that trade talks have been going well with the European Union and China, though he added he is only days away from sending a tariff letter to the EU.

    Only two U.S. agreements, with Britain and Vietnam, have been reached since Trump’s April 2 “Liberation Day” reciprocal tariffs’ announcement roiled markets. In June, Washington and China agreed on a framework covering tariff rates.

    METALS, CURRENCIES

    U.S. copper futures jumped by more than 10% to a record high after Trump threatened new duties on the metal that is critical to electric vehicles, military hardware, the power grid and many consumer goods. They would join duties already in place for steel, aluminium and automobile imports.

    By contrast, copper futures in London and Shanghai fell on Wednesday, as traders may not have sufficient time to ship much to the United States following Trump’s sudden tariff announcement.

    Trump also threatened 200% tariffs on drug imports, which he said could be delayed by about a year.

    The U.S. dollar continued its recent run of strength on Wednesday, pushing to the highest since June 20 at 147.02 Japanese yen.

    The dollar index =USD, which measures the currency against the yen and five other major rivals, edged up to 97.573, after touching the highest since June 25 on Tuesday at 97.837.

    The euro was steady at $1.1720 EUR=EBS, and sterling GBP=D3 was flat at $1.3585.

    Gold XAU= found a floor at $3,301 per ounce, after slumping more than 1% on Tuesday.

    Oil prices edged back from Tuesday’s two-week highs. Brent crude futures LCOc1 were down 20 cents at $69.95 a barrel, and U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude CLc1 fell 21 cents to $68.12 a barrel.

    (Reuters)

  • Death toll from Texas flood hits triple-digits as tally of missing tops 180

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The death toll from the July Fourth flash flood that ravaged a swath of central Texas Hill Country rose on Tuesday to at least 109, many of them children, as search teams pressed on through mounds of mud-encrusted debris looking for scores of people still missing.

    According to figures released by Governor Gregg Abbott, authorities were seeking more than 180 people whose fate remained unknown four days after one of the deadliest U.S. flood events in decades.

    The bulk of fatalities and the search for additional victims were concentrated in Kerr County and the county seat of Kerrville, a town of 25,000 residents transformed into a disaster zone when torrential rains struck the region early last Friday, flooding the Guadalupe River basin.

    The bodies of 94 flood victims, about a third of them children, have been recovered in Kerr County alone as of Tuesday, Texas Governor Greg Abbott said at a late-afternoon news conference after touring the area by air.

    The Kerr County dead include 27 campers and counselors from Camp Mystic, a nearly century-old all-girls Christian summer retreat on the banks of the Guadalupe near the town of Hunt. The camp director also perished.

    Five girls and a camp counselor were still unaccounted for on Tuesday, Abbott said, along with another child not associated with the camp.

    As of Tuesday, 15 other flood-related fatalities had been confirmed across a swath of Texas Hill Country known as “flash flood alley,” the governor said, bringing the overall tally of lives lost to 109. Reports from local sheriffs’ and media have put the number of flood deaths outside Kerr County at 22.

    But authorities have said they were bracing for the death toll to climb as flood waters recede and the search for more victims gains momentum.

    Law enforcement agencies have compiled a list of 161 people “known to be missing” in Kerr County alone, Abbott said. The roster was checked against those who might be out of touch with loved ones or neighbors because they were away on vacation or out of town, according to the governor.

    ‘FIND EVERY SINGLE PERSON’

    He said another 12 people were missing elsewhere across the flood zone as a whole, a sprawling area northwest of San Antonio.

    “We need to find every single person who is missing. That’s job number one,” Abbott said.

    On Tuesday, San Antonio-born country singer Pat Green disclosed on social media that his younger brother and sister-in-law and two of their children were among those “swept away in the Kerrville flood.”

    Hindered by intermittent thunderstorms and showers, rescue teams from federal agencies, neighboring states and Mexico have joined local efforts to search for missing victims, though hopes of finding more survivors faded as time passed. The last victim found alive in Kerr County was last Friday.

    “The work is extremely treacherous, time-consuming,” Lieutenant Colonel Ben Baker of the Texas Game Wardens said at a press conference. “It’s dirty work. The water is still there.”

    A water-soaked family photo album was among the personal belongings found in flood debris by Sandi Gilmer, 46, a U.S. Army veteran and certified chaplain volunteering in the search operation along the Guadalupe at Hunt.

    “I don’t know how many people in this album are alive or deceased,” she said, flipping through images of two toddlers and a gray-haired man. “I didn’t have the heart to step over it without picking it up and hoping to return it to a family member.”

    MAKINGS OF A DISASTER

    More than a foot of rain fell in the region in less than an hour before dawn last Friday, sending a wall of water cascading down the Guadalupe that killed dozens of people and left mangled piles of debris, uprooted trees and overturned vehicles.

    Public officials have faced days of questions about whether they could have alerted people in flood-prone areas sooner.

    The state emergency management agency warned last Thursday, on the eve of the disaster, that parts of central Texas faced a flash floods threat, based on National Weather Service forecasts.

    But twice as much rain as predicted ended up falling over two branches of the Guadalupe just upstream of the fork where they converge, sending all of that water racing into the single river channel where it slices through Kerrville, City Manager Dalton Rice said.

    Rice has said the outcome was unforeseen and unfolded in a matter of two hours, leaving too little time to conduct a precautionary mass evacuation without the risk of placing more people in harm’s way.

    Scientists have said extreme flood events are growing more common as climate change creates warmer, wetter weather patterns in Texas and other parts of the country.

    At an earlier news briefing on Tuesday, Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha rebuffed questions about the county’s emergency operations and preparedness and declined to say who was ultimately in charge of monitoring weather alerts and issuing flood warnings or evacuation orders.

    He said his office began receiving emergency-911 calls between 4 a.m. and 5 a.m. on Friday, several hours after the local National Weather Service station issued a flash-flood alert. “We’re in the process of trying to put (together) a timeline,” Leitha said.

    Abbott said a special session of the Texas legislature would convene later this month to investigate the emergency response and provide funding for disaster relief.

    (Reuters)

  • UK and France must end dependency on US and China, Macron warns

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    French President Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday Britain and France must work together to counter the world’s many destabilising threats and protect Europe from “excessive dependencies” on the United States and China.

    Macron, in a rare address to both houses of the British parliament, celebrated the return of closer ties between the two countries as he became the first European leader to be invited for a British state visit since Brexit.

    Having been greeted earlier by the British royal family, Macron set out to parliament where he said the two countries needed to come together to strengthen Europe, including on defence, immigration, climate, and trade.

    “The United Kingdom and France must once again show the world that our alliance can make all the difference,” he said.

    “The only way to overcome the challenges we have, the challenges of our times, will be to go together hand in hand, shoulder to shoulder.”

    Listing the geopolitical threats the countries face, Macron argued they should also be wary of the “excessive dependencies of both the U.S. and China,” saying they needed to “de-risk our economies and our societies from this dual dependency.”

    But he also set out the opportunities of a closer union, saying they should make it easier for students, researchers and artists to live in each other’s countries, and seek to work together on artificial intelligence and protect children online.

    The speech symbolised the improvement in relations sought by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s centre-left Labour Party, as part of a broader reset of ties with European allies following the rancour over Britain’s departure from the European Union.

    ‘ENTENTE AMICALE’

    Macron, who enjoys a strong personal relationship with King Charles, was earlier greeted by the royal family, including heir-to-the-throne Prince William and his wife Princess Catherine, before they travelled in horse-drawn carriages to Windsor Castle.

    Charles used his speech at the evening’s opulent state banquet to christen a new era of friendly relations, upgrading the “entente cordiale” – an alliance dating from 1904 that ended centuries of military rivalries – to an “entente amicale.”

    “As we dine here in this ancient place, redolent with our shared history, allow me to propose a toast to France and to our new entente. An entente not only past and present, but for the future – and no longer just cordiale, but now amicale,” he said.

    The 76-year-old monarch, who is undergoing treatment for cancer, had a noticeably red right eye. A Buckingham Palace source said he had suffered a burst blood vessel that was unrelated to any other health condition.

    Britain and France marked the three-day visit with an announcement that French nuclear energy utility EDF would invest £1.1 billion ($1.5 billion) in a nuclear power project in eastern England.

    The two also said France would lend Britain the Bayeux Tapestry, allowing the 11th-century masterpiece to return for the first time in more than 900 years, in exchange for Britain loaning France Anglo-Saxon and Viking treasures.

    The state visit comes 16 years after the late Queen Elizabeth hosted then-French president Nicolas Sarkozy.

    Despite tensions over post-Brexit ties and how to stop asylum seekers from crossing the Channel in small boats, Britain and France have been working closely to create a planned military force to support Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire with Russia.

    Starmer is hoping that will help persuade Macron to take a different approach to stopping people smuggling, with London wanting to try out an asylum seekers’ returns deal. This would involve Britain deporting one asylum seeker to France in exchange for another with a legitimate case to be in Britain.

    A record number of asylum seekers have arrived in Britain on small boats in the first six months of this year.

    Starmer, whose party is trailing Nigel Farage’s right-wing Reform UK party in the polls, is under pressure to find a solution.

    France has previously refused to sign such an agreement, saying Britain should negotiate an arrangement with all EU countries.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: expert reaction to ‘rapid heat death attribution study’ as released by Imperial’s Grantham Institute

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Scientists comment on a heat-related death attribution study released by the Grantham Institute at Imperial College London. 

    Dr Akshay Deoras, Research Scientist at the University of Reading, said:

    “Robust techniques used in this study leave no doubt that climate change is already a deadly force in Europe. Think of the Earth like an oven. In the past, heatwaves were like turning the oven up for a short burst. But with climate change, it is as if we have permanently set the oven to a higher temperature. It takes much less to reach dangerous levels of heat that can be fatal.

    “The June 2025 heatwave across parts of Europe and the UK was not simply a natural disaster—it was supercharged by fossil fuel emissions, costing countless lives in major cities. Heatwaves are now more frequent and intense because our planet’s baseline temperature is higher due to greenhouse gas emissions. Without urgent action to reduce fossil fuel emissions, these extreme heat events will become even more common and severe, putting greater pressure on health systems, disrupting daily life, and threatening the safety of communities across Europe.”

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

    “A warming climate sure as hell makes heatwaves worse.  This forensic analysis combining observations, simulations and health data has shown how much more dangerous the recent European heatwave was across several cities with the higher levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.  

    “Even without these rapid attribution studies, it is blindingly obvious from the multiple lines of evidence that when weather conditions generate heatwaves, they are more intense, meaning that moderate heat becomes dangerous and record heat becomes unprecedented. The other side of the coin is that as one part of the globe bakes and burns, another region can suffer intense rainfall and catastrophic flooding as a warmer, thirstier atmosphere saps the moisture from one region and winds blow this excess moisture into storm systems elsewhere.  

    “Communities need to adapt to an increasingly dangerous world through more resilient infrastructure and improved warning systems, yet it is only with rapid and massive cuts in greenhouse gases through collaboration across all sectors of society that worsening of weather extremes can be reined in.”

     

    Dr Chloe Brimicombe, climate scientist at the Royal Meteorological Society, said:

    “The study quickly shows how 65% of heatwave deaths in the last European heatwave can be linked to human-induced climate change in different cities. This is important because it shows that reducing emissions, which would stop an increase in heatwaves, could save lives. 

    “We are facing more heatwaves this summer across Europe, with many regions also moving towards drought which increases heat and risk of wildfires increase too. We could see more deaths in heatwaves this summer. Research like this is important and being used more in climate litigation cases where groups take countries and companies to court over climate change. 

    “It’s possible this study has even underestimated deaths slightly because it’s not taking into account the built environment and we know that often poorer parts of cities are more impacted because they are less “green” which means they heat up even more. 

    “The results are a model summary of an increase in deaths over populations of cities during a heat period. But in reality the realisation of the risk of cardiac arrest is different to someone drowning. And that is why it’s important to issue heat warnings to everyone because there are a lot of different ways someone dies during a heatwave. 

    “We need to talk about other heatwave impacts like pressure on transport, energy and food supplies. And we quickly need to think about how heat impacts economies as part of loss and damage. We also need to consider the rise in people attending hospital. We don’t really know enough about how heat impacts breastfeeding women and newborns, for example. 

    “Heatwaves silently pressure our society. For some individuals this is now from before birth to the day they die.”

    ‘Climate change tripled heat-related deaths in early summer European Heatwave’ by Ben Clarke et al. is an unpublished ‘rapid heat death attribution study’ led by scientists at Imperial College London and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine.  The embargo lifted at 5am UK time on Wednesday 9 July 2025.

    Declared interests

    Richard Allan: “No conflicting interests”

    Chloe Brimicombe: “No disclosures”

    For all other experts, no reply for our request for DOIs was received. 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI Russia: 60 Palestinians killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza – sources

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    GAZA, July 9 (Xinhua) — At least 60 Palestinians, including six freed prisoners and a medical worker, were killed in Israeli airstrikes and shelling in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, Palestinian sources said.

    Six people were killed in Israeli shelling of two tents housing displaced persons in Khan Younis in southern Gaza and the town of Al-Zawayda in the central part of the enclave, Gaza Civil Defense spokesman Mahmoud Bazal told Xinhua.

    Hamas said in a press statement that the six were prisoners released from Israeli jails and deported from the West Bank to Gaza.

    According to M. Bazal, in western Gaza City, an Israeli airstrike on a Palestinian gathering in the Rimal area killed six people, including two children and two women, while an Israeli airstrike on a house in the Tal al-Hawa area killed four, including a baby.

    Five people were killed in an Israeli airstrike on a house in al-Tuffa in eastern Gaza City. Three others were killed when an Israeli drone bomb hit a residential neighborhood in the al-Zeitoun neighborhood in southern Gaza City, Bazal said. He said two people, including a child, were killed in Israeli bombing of the al-Tuffa and Sheikh Radwan neighborhoods.

    A car bombing in the city of Deir el-Balah in the heart of the Palestinian enclave killed two more people, he added.

    Meanwhile, the Nasser Medical Complex said in a brief press statement that 25 Palestinians had been killed since dawn on Tuesday in separate airstrikes on the al-Mawasi area in western Khan Younis.

    According to Palestinian medical sources, a medical worker was also killed while on duty as a result of Israeli shelling in the same area.

    Six Palestinians, including three children, were killed in Israeli shelling near a US-backed aid distribution centre in the northern town of Rafah in the southern enclave, sources said.

    The Israeli side has not yet commented on these incidents. –0–

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

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Serious crash, Whitiora

    Source: New Zealand Police

    The intersection of Willoughby Street and Mill Street is closed following a serious crash.

    At around 3:30pm emergency services received reports of a two-vehicle crash.

    Motorists are asked to avoid the area.

    Updates will be provided proactively.

    ENDS

    Issued by the Police Media Centre.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ14: Ocean Park Cable Car

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Following is a question by the Hon Michael Tien and a written reply by the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, in the Legislative Council today (July 9):
     
    Question:

    According to information from the Ocean Park Corporation, the total visitor numbers of Ocean Park (OP) in 2023-24 reached 3.14 million. It is learnt that the Cable Car is an immensely popular attraction that offers visitors the opportunity to relish scenic views during their journey. However, quite a number of members of the public have recently relayed to me that while the OP Cable Car is a two-lane ropeway system comprising two sets of round-trip cable cars with a total of four lanes, the OP only operates one set of two-lane ropeway for visitors on most weekends and public holidays, and as a result the waiting time for cable cars is at least half an hour, which has significantly undermined visitors’ experience and their image of Hong Kong. I have learnt that as cable car operators are required to have high-angle rescue skills and obtain a licence, the OP is unable to put all four cable car lanes into full operation on all weekends and public holidays throughout the year (approximately 120 days) due to limited manpower resources. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council whether it knows:

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Fun Food Taiwan 2.0: Let the FUN Begin! 2025 Fun Food Taiwan Awards Ceremony Grandly Held at Taipei International Food Show

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    The 2025 Fun Food Taiwan Awards Ceremony, hosted by the Industrial Development Administration (IDA), Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA), and organized by the Food Industry Research and Development Institute (FIRDI), took place on June 25 at the 7th floor of Hall 2, Nangang Exhibition Center, in conjunction with the Taipei International Food Show. The grand event drew enthusiastic participation from industry, government, academia, and media representatives.

    During the ceremony, Secretary-General Mr. Kuo-Hsuan Chen of the Industrial Development Administration (IDA), MOEA, emphasized the vitality of innovation and transformation displayed by Taiwan’s food industry. The awarded entries reflect major trends, including health-focused processing, environmental sustainability, innovative packaging, the use of local ingredients, and lively demonstrating the diversity and competitiveness of Taiwan’s food industry. He expressed confidence that this award will serve as a launching point for enterprises to pursue excellence and strengthen their brands, opening up broader opportunities for Taiwan’s quality food products in global markets. IDA pledged continued collaboration across sectors to guide Taiwan’s food industry toward greater value creation, intelligence, and sustainability-allowing Taiwan’s food brands to shine internationally.

    Launched in 2020, “Fun Food Taiwan” has focused on value-driven food innovation and international connections. Entering its 2.0 phase in 2025, the program introduces three new evaluation pillars: Evolution, Decarbonization, and Experience, supporting food companies in enhancing competitiveness and branding. Under the theme “Trend 2.0, Let the FUN Begin”, this year’s award attracted 119 companies and 264 product entries. Following a rigorous multi-stage review process-including qualification review, requirement checks, preliminary, semi-final, and final evaluations-90 products from 63 companies were recognized with the Fun Food Taiwan Award. Among them, 17 products received top honors including Gold Awards, Silver Awards, and Special Prizes under the three new pillars.

    Award Highlights
    Baked Goods:

    1.Gold Award: SHI FENG SHIANG 40th Anniversary Gift Box by SHI FENG SHIANG 1985 TAIWAN PASTRY.
    Merging artistic aesthetics with traditional cake molds; low-sugar, additive-free, trans-fat-free; recyclable and minimalist packaging showcasing sustainability.

    2.Silver Award: Pineapple Financier by Cheese Duke Co., Ltd.
    Low-oil, low-sugar, additive-free; carbon footprint certified.

    3.Silver Award: Jiachuan rice snack gift box by TONG BAE FOOD CO., LTD.
    Made with 100% Taiwanese rice; additive-free, trans-fat-free with rich texture.

    4.Special Prize – Evolution: Layered Tofu Rock Handmade Pancakes by TSAI JI ENTERPRISE CO., LTD.
    Represents Keelung’s local spirit, blends cultural depth with eco-conscious design.

    5.Special Prize – Decarbonization: red dragon fruit pastryby County Specialty Industry Co., Ltd.
    Targets carbon reductions in electricity and fuel use by 2026; implements green energy and energy-saving equipment.

    6.Special Prize – Experience: Lace Rice Crisp-Hand Carved Wooden Gift Box by Joy Joy Golden
    Infuses marine flavors and culture, with traditional Taiwanese window frame wood boxes and floral tile designs.

    Prepared Foods:

    7.Gold Award: Fermented Pineapple Chili Sauce by Leezen Company Limited.
    Made with native Taiwanese pineapple and naturally fermented chili; additive-free, low-carbon processing.

    8.Silver Award: Taro Pork Meatball (Additive Free) by ZHEN FANG CO., LTD.
    Made with contract-farmed pork and rich taro; 100% additive-free, user-friendly, aligned with modern health trends.

    9.Special Prize – Evolution: Cold-Smoked Albacore Tuna Slices by Zheng Cheng Aquatic Products Co., Ltd.
    Rare cold-smoke technique with distinctive packaging conveying ocean identity and brand strength.

    10.Special Prize – Decarbonization: Creamy Pumpkin Calendula Noodles by Yuan Yung Fong Foods. Co., Ltd.
    Clear decarbonization targets: 15-20% carbon emission reduction, over 15% energy savings.

    11.Special Prize – Experience: Signature Collection – Black Truffle Tuna by Blaire & Claire Company.
    Rich truffle flavor with elegant minimal packaging and golden spoon detail creating a surprising unboxing moment.

    Other Food Categories:

    12.Gold Award: Mesona Tea by Yuanlin Food Co., Ltd.
    Uses local Taiwanese ingredients; reduced sugar, additive-free; chic packaging blends youthful visuals for market expansion.

    13.Silver Award: Three-Time Roasted Bamboo Salt by DUO LI DUO FOODS CORPORATION.
    Pure, natural, sodium-reduced; artistic floral packaging conveys premium image, adheres to ISO 14067.

    14.Silver Award: Amazake by RUHN CHAN INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Alcohol-free, sugar-free, additive-free formula with multiple functional ingredients and eco-friendly Japanese minimal packaging.

    15.Special Prize – Evolution: Fragrant Bloom – Taiwanese Blossom Tea by LuYuan Tea
    Rich flavor and layered taste using local spices; block print-style packaging tells tea-making stories.

    16.Special Prize – Decarbonization: Taiwan Corn Snacksby Djulis International Food Company Limited.
    Made with local sweet corn; additive-free, low-burden; reusable packaging and clear decarbonization plan targeting 10% annual carbon reduction.

    17.Special Prize – Experience: BalsaUme by BALSALIA INC.
    De-seeded aged plum blended with balsamic vinegar for a unique aroma; distinctive bottle shape with memorable minimalist packaging aligns with premium brand identity.

    Award Showcase During the Taipei International Food Show
    During the Taipei International Food Show (June 25-28), a dedicated “Fun Food Taiwan” display area (Booth S0123) is set up on the 4th floor of Hall 2, Nangang Exhibition Center. It features physical exhibits of the award-winning products and invites both domestic and international visitors to experience the new charm and high quality of Taiwanese food-paving the way for future global collaboration.

    Spokesperson:
    Deputy Director-General Pei-Li Chen
    Industrial Development Administration
    Tel: +886-2-2754-1255 ext. 2903
    Mobile: +886-925-775-150
    Email: plchen@ida.gov.tw

    Business Contact:
    Section Chief Ku-Sung Weng
    Livelihood Chemical Industry Division
    Industrial Development Administration
    Tel: +886-2-2754-1255 ext. 2301
    Mobile: +886-926-002-537
    Email: ksweng@ida.gov.tw

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: In South Asia, anaemia threatens women’s health and economic futures

    Source: United Nations 4

    The warning, issued jointly by UN agencies and the regional socio-economic bloc SAARC on Wednesday, underscores South Asia’s status as the “global epicentre” of anaemia among adolescent girls and women.

    An estimated 259 million already suffer from the condition, which impairs the body’s ability to carry oxygen, contributing to chronic fatigue, poor maternal outcomes, and reduced educational and economic participation.

    This is a clarion call for action,” said Sanjay Wijesekera, Regional Director for the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), which together with the UN World Health Organization (WHO) and SAARC prepared the analysis.

    When half of all adolescent girls and women in South Asia are anaemic, it is not only a health issue – it is a signal that systems are failing them.

    A far-reaching but preventable condition

    Anaemia doesn’t just affect women and girls – it contributes to 40% of the world’s low birth weight cases and affects child growth and learning, particularly in poorer households.

    The economic toll is staggering: anaemia costs South Asia an estimated $32.5 billion annually, perpetuating cycles of poverty and poor health.

    Yet, the condition is preventable and treatable. Proven solutions include iron and folic acid supplementation, iron- and vitamin-rich diets, better sanitation and infection control, and stronger maternal health services.

    Experts stress that multi-sector collaboration is critical for sustained progress.

    A nurse speaks to women about nutritious food in western India’s Sabarkantha district, were many women and girls suffer from iron deficiency.

    Integrated efforts crucial

    In nearly every country, progress hinges on strengthening health systems, expanding nutrition programmes, and reaching adolescent girls and women in marginalised communities.

    Sri Lanka, where 18.5 per cent of women of reproductive age are anaemic, is scaling up its national nutrition initiative, focusing on the most affected districts.

    India and Pakistan are also seeing encouraging signs. In India, high-burden states are integrating iron supplementation into school and maternal care programmes. Pakistan has piloted community-based nutrition initiatives linked to reproductive health services, enabling early detection and follow-up care.

    In Bangladesh, school-based health initiatives are reaching adolescents with fortified meals and health education, coordinated across health, education, and agriculture ministries.

    Community-driven action works

    The Maldives and Bhutan are prioritising early prevention through childhood nutrition, food fortification, and public awareness campaigns. Though smaller in population, both are investing in anaemia surveillance and inter-ministerial collaboration.

    Nepal stands out for its equitable results: since 2016, the country has cut anaemia among women of reproductive age by 7 per cent, with larger declines in poorer areas. Its female community health volunteers are key, providing counselling and referrals in remote regions and linking vulnerable households to public services.

    Man Kumari Gurung, a public health nurse in Karnali Province, credits the achievements to a range of community-driven efforts.

    “Pregnant women receive eggs, chicken and nutritious food through programmes like Sutkeri Poshan Koseli (Nutrition Gift for New Mothers),” she said. “Cash grants also help with transport to hospitals, supporting safer births and better nutrition.”

    © UNICEF/InceptChang

    A nurse checks a pregnant woman’s weight and vital signs at a clinic in Galigamuwa, Sri Lanka.

    Everyone has a role

    Ending anaemia requires leadership and teamwork. Governments must lead, but communities, health workers, schools, and families all play a part.

    Stronger health systems, better data, and coordinated action across sectors can help girls and women reach their full potential – building healthier communities and stronger economies.

    Young people and mothers are at the heart of South Asia’s development goals. Ensuring that they are healthy, nourished and empowered is not just a moral imperative, it is a strategic investment in the future of our societies,” said Md. Golam Sarwar, Secretary General of SAARC.

    MIL OSI United Nations News

  • MIL-OSI: HERE and Genesys Partner to Tackle Distracted Driving and Deliver Next-Generation Navigation Experiences in India

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • Strategic collaboration brings dynamic maps, real-time traffic updates and integrated safety features to Indian vehicles
    • Partnership supports India’s automotive shift toward software-defined, connected driving experiences

    Mumbai, India – HERE Technologies, the global leader in digital mapping and location data, and Genesys International, a leading Indian geospatial solutions company, have joined forces to radically improve the in-car navigation experience and strengthen road safety efforts across India.

    Together, HERE and Genesys International are planning to develop a next-generation, in-car navigation system that targets distracted driving. The companies are focused on providing Indian drivers with a seamless digital cockpit user experience with rich features that include live map and navigation capabilities, road hazard alerts and real-time traffic information from HERE, alongside integrated Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) functions from Genesys International.

    Approximately 80,000 people are killed in road crashes every year across India, with more than 3,000 fatalities attributed to mobile phone use, according to India’s Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. This presents a clear opportunity to integrate in-car navigation and the vehicle systems to reduce driver distraction, enhance safety and deliver advanced user experiences.

    A recent HERE survey involving a representative sample of road users across India revealed 98% of respondents expressed concerns about road safety. Furthermore, 91% of respondents believed ADAS functions are key for road safety. The shift toward Software-Defined Vehicles (SDVs) and the broader digital transformation in the automotive sector is creating momentum for change. As automakers in India look to match global trends, embedded navigation systems that work seamlessly with a vehicle’s safety and infotainment platforms are becoming essential.

    “There is a clear call from road users in India for more accessible and advanced vehicle safety technologies, including ADAS,” said Deon Newman, Senior Vice President and General Manager for Asia Pacific, at HERE Technologies. “Our collaboration with Genesys International bridges global expertise and local innovation enabling automakers to integrate intelligent, ADAS-ready solutions that support safer, smarter, and more connected driving experiences in India.

    In recent years, Indian automotive manufacturers have begun offering digital navigation systems in newer models. However, solutions have faced challenges in keeping pace with the expectations of today’s drivers. To address this gap, this partnership combines HERE Navigation’s customizable, digital cockpit-ready software with ADAS from Genesys International to deliver a dynamic, intuitive and safe in-vehicle experience. Powered by AI, HERE’s mapping architecture provides real-time updates on road conditions, speed limits, real-time traffic, optimized routes for EV, and charging stations, ensuring precise, context-aware guidance for drivers.

    Commenting on this partnership, Sajid Malik, Chairman & Managing Director of Genesys International Corporation, said: “This partnership with HERE is a significant step in our effort to improve the safety and intelligence of India’s roads. We are combining our India-specific ADAS map technology with HERE’s worldwide navigation platform to assist automakers in offering truly connected, context-aware driving experiences. This strategic partnership supports India’s automotive transition to software-defined, connected mobility by providing Indian cars with integrated safety features, dynamic maps, and real-time traffic updates.”

    HERE has a strong presence in India, with over 3,000 employees working across offices in three major Indian cities. Committed to the principle of “Made in India, for India”, this partnership reinforces the commitment of both companies to support OEMs in shaping the future of mobility in India – one that prioritizes safety, convenience, and real-time intelligence.

    Looking ahead, HERE and Genesys International plan to jointly innovate on advanced mobility solutions focused on keeping drivers safe on the roads in India. As part of their long-term vision and commitment to India, both companies will explore the establishment of a dedicated mobility innovation center in India, where local teams will co-develop and pilot solutions that directly addresses the challenges Indian drivers face daily.

    Customers of HERE include nearly every global automaker, leaders in transportation and logistics, and public sector agencies worldwide. HERE is the global market leader for automotive-grade maps designed to power navigation, advanced driving assistance, EV and automated driving systems. More than 54 million vehicles today rely on maps from HERE for advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) and automated driving functions. HERE location data and software services have now been used in 222+ million vehicles globally.

    Genesys International Corporation Ltd. is a leading provider of advanced mapping, surveying, and geospatial solutions. With over 23 years of domain expertise and 2,000+ professionals, Genesys delivers high-precision 3D mapping, ADAS-ready HD maps, and cutting-edge digital twin and AI-driven platforms. Headquartered in Mumbai with multiple production centers, Genesys serves a global client base—including Fortune 500 companies and SMEs—across automotive, infrastructure, utilities, and e-governance sectors. As one of the world’s largest LiDAR acquisition and processing firms, Genesys has mapped over 2 million kilometers, powering critical applications in navigation, autonomous systems, and smart mobility, shaping the future of connected, safe, and sustainable transportation.

    Media Contacts

    Genesys International Corporation

    investors@igenesys.com

    Branding Edge

    Shreeya Namjoshi

    +91 7715836283

    shreeya@Brandingedgestrategies.com

    HERE Technologies

    Vanessa Lee

    +65 9188 6199

    Vanessa.lee@here.com

    About Genesys International Corporation

    Genesys International Corporation Ltd is a premier advanced mapping company. With a team of over 2,000 professionals along with the nationwide Genesys constellation of sensors, the company is building the new India map stack. Genesys International has unique expertise, encompassing an understanding of emerging consumer applications related to mapping technology and the capability to provide cutting-edge solutions on the enterprise and government markets.

    About HERE Technologies
    HERE has been a pioneer in mapping and location technology for 40 years. Today, HERE’s location platform is recognized as the most complete in the industry, powering location-based products, services and custom maps for organizations and enterprises across the globe. From autonomous driving and seamless logistics to new mobility experiences, HERE allows its partners and customers to innovate while retaining control over their data and safeguarding privacy. Find out how HERE is moving the world forward at here.com

    Attachment

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI USA: Durbin Slams Republicans’ So-Called “One Big, Beautiful Bill” Which Slashes Health Care Coverage For 17 Million Americans To Provide Massive Tax Breaks For Billionaires

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin

    July 08, 2025

    Durbin voted against final passage of the bill last week

    WASHINGTON – In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today slammed the Republicans’ so-called One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which will slash Medicaid, Affordable Care Act, and Medicare coverage for 17 million Americans to provide massive tax breaks for millionaires and billionaires. During his speech, Durbin underscored the dangers of this Republican bill, which was signed into law by President Trump on the Fourth of July.

    “Americans across this nation overwhelmingly opposed this bill—and for good reason. This bill signed by the President on the Fourth of July was the largest cut to health care and the largest cut to nutrition assistance in history, slashing more than $1 trillion from health care programs like Medicaid and $200 billion from SNAP. Seventeen million Americans will lose their health insurance, health insurance premiums will rise for another 20 million families, and three million people will have food taken off the table, including kids, seniors, and veterans… Why would the government do these things to so many innocent people? In this case, very simply, to give tax breaks to the wealthiest Americans and big corporations with the richest Americans seeing $400,000 back in their pockets every year because of this legislation,” said Durbin.

    More than 300 rural hospitals may be forced to close because the Republican bill cripples the Medicaid program that keep our rural hospitals and their communities afloat. Illinois hospitals at risk of closing includes HSHS St. Francis Hospital in Litchfield, Illinois, where Medicaid pays for 53 percent of hospitalizations; St. Mary’s Hospital in Centralia, Illinois, where Medicaid pays for 42 percent of hospitalizations; and OSF St. Clare Hospital in Princeton, Illinois, where Medicaid covers 45 percent of hospitalizations.

    Durbin continued, “Aside from hospitals, this bill will also have major consequences on American energy… This bill kills solar, wind, and EV tax credits enjoyed by companies and consumers alike, all but ceding the future of electricity to China and risking billions of dollars of investments in renewable energy, ironically mostly in Republican states. And while working families grapple with the consequences of these cuts, they’ll also see their family home expenses increase by $1,000 a year—utility bills are going up because of this bill.”

    During his floor speech, Durbin highlighted a constituent, Isaiah Rogers, who will be impacted by the Republican bill. Isaiah is a 61-year-old man who was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. As a result of his diagnosis, he has not been able to return to his job trimming trees and has been working small side jobs. Medicaid pays for Isaiah’s doctors’ visits and insulin. A single father without a high school degree, he’s concerned the bill’s cuts and changes to Medicaid will result in him losing his health coverage.

    Durbin continued, “And if Isaiah loses Medicaid, he’ll no longer be able to afford his insulin and other medications, and he may face a diabetic complication or even suffer a stroke. What would that mean for his 12-year-old son? It’s unconscionable to think the other party would pull-the-plug on life-saving health coverage and deny food from our most needy children—but that’s exactly what they voted for.”

    Durbin then highlighted Democrats’ efforts to push back on the bill. Over the course of 27 hours, Senate Democrats forced votes on a slew of amendments to put Republicans on-notice and show their constituents how they’re betraying them. It was the longest vote-a-rama in Senate history.

    “It [the amendments] included Republicans voting against: Nursing home care and home health aides, food assistance for children and veterans, protections for Medicaid, clean energy jobs… and an expansion of the Child Tax Credit… all to give billionaires another tax cut instead. In the end, three sensible Senate Republicans looked at this ugly betrayal of a bill and agreed that they couldn’t be part of the process. I commend them, but sadly, it wasn’t enough. And who swooped in to cast the decisive vote? Vice President Vance… This Vice President cast the deciding vote that will be painful for so many families across America.”

    Durbin concluded, “As the effects of this bill take shape and slither their way through our communities, my Republican colleagues will have to look their constituents in the eye and explain their votes. They will have to explain to the farmer who now must drive 50 miles to the nearest hospital why they voted to shut his community’s hospital doors. They will have to explain to the grandmother in a nursing home why her care is being slimmed down because of cuts to Medicaid, and they will have to explain to the young mother who is preparing to have a baby why there is no longer a maternity ward in her county. This bill flies in the face of American values that we celebrate on the Fourth of July. The other party has a lot of explaining to do and the American people are going to face the consequences.”

    The Joint Committee on Taxation estimates that Senate Republicans’ proposal will cost $4.45 trillion, but despite the price tag, the legislation primarily helps billionaires at the expense of American working families. In fact, this legislation provides a huge, permanent tax cut of nearly $350,000 for multimillionaires and billionaires while people earning $40,000 a year will see a comparatively meager average tax decrease of $442 per year.

    Video of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here.

    Audio of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here.

    Footage of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here for TV Stations.

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News

  • Supreme Court clears way for Trump to pursue mass federal layoffs

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday cleared the way for Donald Trump’s administration to pursue mass government job cuts and the sweeping downsizing of numerous agencies, a decision that could lead to tens of thousands of layoffs while dramatically reshaping the federal bureaucracy.

    Tuesday’s ruling stemmed from an executive order Trump issued in February ordering agencies to prepare for mass layoffs. At Trump’s direction, the administration has come up with plans to reduce staff at the U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Health and Human Services, State, Treasury, Veterans Affairs and more than a dozen other agencies.

    In a brief unsigned order, the court said the Trump administration was “likely to succeed” in its argument that his directives were legally within his power.

    The decision is the latest win for Trump’s broader efforts to consolidate power in the executive branch. The Supreme Court has sided with Trump in several cases on an emergency basis since he returned to office in January, including clearing the way for implementation of some of his hardline immigration policies.

    The Supreme Court’s decision on Tuesday lifted San Francisco-based U.S. District Judge Susan Illston’s order in May that temporarily blocked large-scale federal layoffs while the case proceeded.

    Illston had ruled that Trump exceeded his authority in ordering the government downsizing without consulting Congress, which created and funded the agencies in question.

    “As history demonstrates, the president may broadly restructure federal agencies only when authorized by Congress,” Illston wrote.

    While Tuesday’s decision cleared one major legal obstacle for the White House, the court noted that it was not assessing the legality of any specific layoff plans at federal agencies.

    Those layoff proposals, some of which were submitted earlier this year, could still face legal challenges on a variety of grounds, including union opposition, statutory restrictions and civil service protections.

    The White House said in a statement that the decision is a “definitive victory for the president and his administration” that reinforced Trump’s authority to implement “efficiency across the federal government.”

    However, two White House sources familiar with the matter, who asked to remain unidentified, said the ruling did not permit agencies to execute layoffs immediately. One of the sources said additional delays or legal hurdles “could alter the scope and timing of the cuts.”

    A group of unions, nonprofits and local governments that sued to block the administration’s mass layoffs said the ruling “dealt a serious blow to our democracy and puts services that the American people rely on in grave jeopardy” and vowed to continue fighting as the case proceeds.

    The plaintiffs had warned in court filings that Trump’s plans, if allowed to proceed, would result in hundreds of thousands of layoffs.

    A Reuters/Ipsos poll in April found that Americans narrowly favored Trump’s campaign to downsize the federal government, with about 56% saying they supported the effort and 40% opposed. Their views broke down along party lines, with 89% of Republicans but just 26% of Democrats supportive.

    Some agencies whose downsizing plans had been put on hold said they would resume advancing those efforts.

    “We will continue to move forward with our historic reorganization plan,” the State Department, which has proposed laying off nearly 2,000 employees, said on X.

    DOGE CUTS

    Upon taking office in January, Trump launched a massive campaign to cut the 2.3-million strong federal civilian workforce, led by billionaire Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency.

    Musk and his mostly young lieutenants immediately moved into key government agencies, fired workers, gained access to government computer systems and virtually shuttered two agencies – the U.S. Agency for International Development and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

    Trump and Musk said the bloated federal bureaucracy needed to be downsized. Federal workers’ unions and most Democrats say the cuts so far, and the plans for further mass layoffs, have been carried out haphazardly, leading to chaos inside many agencies and threatening important public services such as the processing of Social Security claims.

    By late April, about 100 days into the effort, the government overhaul had resulted in the firing, resignations and early retirements of 260,000 civil servants, according to a Reuters tally.

    Liberal Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson was the sole member of the nine-person court to publicly dissent from Tuesday’s decision, criticizing the “court’s demonstrated enthusiasm for greenlighting this president’s legally dubious actions in an emergency posture.”

    Tuesday’s decision extended Trump’s winning record at the Supreme Court since taking office. The court has let Trump’s administration resume deporting migrants to countries other than their own without offering them a chance to show the harms they could face and end temporary legal status previously granted on humanitarian grounds to hundreds of thousands of migrants.

    In addition, it has allowed Trump to implement his ban on transgender people in the U.S. military, blocked a judge’s order that the administration rehire thousands of fired employees and curbed the power of federal judges to impose nationwide rulings impeding presidential policies.

    Most of these decisions have been issued as emergency orders, known colloquially as the shadow docket, that respond to applications for immediate action from the court.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: If you have a pet as a kid, does this lower your risk of asthma and eczema?

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Samantha Chan, Immunology and Allergy Lead, Snow Centre for Immune Health, WEHI (Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research)

    Catherine Delahaye/Getty Images

    As the number of people with allergies grows worldwide, scientists are trying to work out precisely how and why these conditions – such as asthma and eczema – develop.

    One long-standing idea is the “hygiene hypothesis”. This suggests our modern indoor lifestyles are to blame, as they limit our early exposure to germs and allergens which help train the immune system.

    But growing evidence suggests having a pet may counter this effect. As any pet owner knows, our furry friends bring a lot of mess, germs and fur into our homes – along with the cuddles.

    So, does spending time with animals lower children’s risk of allergies? Here’s what we know.

    How allergies develop

    During early childhood, our immune systems learn what to attack and what to ignore to stop us getting sick.

    Evidence suggests early exposure – to family members, food, germs, dust, dirt, pollen and pet dander (skin flakes) – shapes this immune response.

    Allergic conditions develop when the immune system overreacts to harmless substances, such as dust, pollen or certain foods. These reactions can affect the skin, airways and gut.

    Dogs bring both love and mess – which might be just what a developing immune system needs.
    Samantha Chan/Author provided, CC BY-NC-ND

    However, we still don’t fully understand why some people develop allergies while others don’t.

    Scientists have identified genes linked to allergic conditions. But most have subtle effects on the immune system and act as “risk factors” – they increase the chance of disease but don’t cause it outright.

    Recent research suggests exposure to bacteria in our environment could be another major factor.

    From birth, our bodies are colonised by bacteria, especially in the gut. This community of microorganisms is known as the microbiome.

    Ongoing “crosstalk” between the microbiome and immune system is crucial for healthy immune function. When this balance is disturbed, it can contribute to inflammation and disease.

    The effect of our early environment

    In the last few decades, studies of children raised on farms gave us some of the first clues that early environments can affect allergy risk.

    Compared to children raised in cities, children on farms are less likely to have allergic conditions such as eczema and asthma. This is especially true of those in close contact with animals.

    Notably, farm-raised children tend to develop a more diverse microbiome than children raised in urban environments. This may help make their immune system more tolerant to foreign substances (such as bacteria and dirt) and less likely to develop allergies.

    However, across the world children are increasingly living in urban areas.

    This means a pet may be the closest contact they have with animals. So, does this still lower their risk of developing allergies?

    Children raised on farms, especially those in close contact with animals, seem to have a lower risk of allergic diseases.
    Peter van Haastrecht / 500px/Getty Images

    What the studies show in eczema

    Some studies indicate children with pets may be less likely to have allergies.

    However this evidence hasn’t always been easy to interpret.

    It can be difficult to tell whether lower allergy rates are due to the pets themselves or other factors, such as location, lifestyle or a family history of allergies.

    A review of results from 23 studies found children exposed to dogs early in life were significantly less likely to develop eczema.

    Another 2025 study analysed genetic data from more than 270,000 people. It found a gene linked to eczema only increased risk of eczema in children who hadn’t been exposed to dogs.

    This suggests early dog exposure may help protect children who are genetically more likely to develop eczema.

    What about asthma?

    When it comes to asthma, the story gets trickier.

    One 2001 study followed more than 1,000 children in the United States from birth to age 13. It found those living with dogs indoors were less likely to develop frequent wheezing – a common asthma symptom – but only if they didn’t have a family history of asthma.

    A Korean study from 2021 found those who had dogs during childhood were less likely to develop allergies. But they had a slightly higher risk of non-allergic wheeze — a type of breathing difficulty usually caused by airway irritation or infections (not allergens).

    This suggests while growing up with a dog may protect against allergic conditions, such as asthma, it may increase the chance of certain non-allergic respiratory symptoms.

    What about cats?

    It’s challenging to tease apart the specific effects of cats versus dogs, since many early studies grouped all furry pets together.

    But in studies that have looked at them separately, living with cats didn’t seem to reduce allergy risk.

    One potential reason is cats and dogs carry very different microbes, which may influence how they shape the household environment.

    Cats and dogs carry very different microbes, which may influence how they shape the household environment.
    Photo by Mochamad Reza Aditya on Unsplash

    So, should you get a pet?

    If you’re already thinking about getting a dog, there’s decent evidence early exposure could reduce your child’s risk of eczema, and possibly other allergic conditions too.

    It’s not a guarantee, but a potential bonus – alongside companionship, joy and never having to worry about what to do with leftovers.

    And if a dog’s not on the cards, don’t worry. Spending time outdoors, encouraging messy play, and avoiding overuse of disinfectants can all help build a more resilient immune response.

    Samantha Chan has served on advisory boards for CSL Behring. She is in receipt of funding from the Allergy and Immunology Foundation Australia and Walter & Eliza Hall Institute. She is affiliated with the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology and European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. She is a physician for the Snow Centre for Immune Health, funded by the Snow Medical Research Foundation.

    In the past five years, Jo Douglass has served on advisory boards, provided advice or undertaken presentations on behalf of Astra-Zeneca P/L, GSK, CSL, Stallergenes, Immunosis P/L , Novartis and Sanofi. She is in receipt of funding from the Medical Research Future Fund for studies in allergic asthma. She is a clinical co-director of the Snow Centre for Immune Health, funded by the Snow Medical Research Foundation.

    ref. If you have a pet as a kid, does this lower your risk of asthma and eczema? – https://theconversation.com/if-you-have-a-pet-as-a-kid-does-this-lower-your-risk-of-asthma-and-eczema-258581

    MIL OSI

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Avoid bad breath, don’t pick partners when drunk: ancient dating tips to find modern love

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Konstantine Panegyres, Lecturer in Classics and Ancient History, The University of Western Australia

    Henryk Siemiradzki via Wikimedia Commons

    To love and be loved is something most people want in their lives.

    In the modern world, we often see stories about the difficulties of finding love and the trials of dating and marriage. Sometimes, the person we love doesn’t love us. Sometimes, we don’t love the person who loves us.

    Ancient Greeks and Romans also had a lot to say about this subject. In fact, most of the issues people face today in their search for love are already mentioned in ancient Greek and Roman literature.

    So, what did they say? And is the advice they put forward still relevant for modern people?

    Advice for finding a lover

    The Roman poet Ovid (43BCE–17CE) wrote a poem called The Art of Love (Ars Amatoria). In it, he offered advice for those who are still single.

    First, Ovid says, you should make an effort to find someone you’re interested in. Your lover “will not come floating down to you through the tenuous air, she must be sought”.

    As suitable places to find a lover, Ovid recommends walking in porticos and gardens, attending the theatre, or (surprisingly enough) lingering near law courts.

    You need to catch someone’s eye and then invent an excuse to talk with them, he says.

    Seek your lover in the daytime, says Ovid. Be careful of the night. You won’t choose the right person if you’re drunk. And you can’t see their face properly if it’s too dark – they might be uglier than you think.

    Second, Ovid says you need to look presentable. Make sure your clothes are clean and you have a good haircut. Moreover, keep yourself groomed properly at all times:

    Do not let your nails project, and let them be free of dirt; nor let any hair be in the hollow of your nostrils. Let not the breath of your mouth be sour and unpleasing.

    Ovid’s The Art of Love may be regarded as a kind of love manual. But aside from making personal efforts to find a lover, people could also use matchmakers.

    However, matchmaking was a difficult process. Sometimes matchmakers didn’t tell the truth about the situations of the parties involved. So the Athenian writer Xenophon (430–353 BCE) says people were sometimes “victims of deception” in the matchmaking process.

    What if you’re not in love?

    The ancients recognised that not being in love can be a problem. They thought it bad for your mental and physical health, but also for society more broadly.

    For example, the Roman writer Claudius Aelian (2nd–3rd century CE) in his Historical Miscellany says soldiers who are in love will fight better than soldiers who are not in love:

    In the heat of battle when war brings men into combat, a man who is not in love could not match one who is. The man untouched by love avoids and runs away from the man who loves, as if he were an outsider uninitiated into the god’s rites, and his bravery depends on his character and physical strength.

    According to Aelian, the Spartans had a punishment for men who did not fall in love:

    Any man of good appearance and character who did not fall in love with someone well-bred was also fined, because despite his excellence he did not love anyone […] lovers’ affection for their beloved has a remarkable power of stimulating the virtues.

    So, when two people are in love, they can inspire each other and bring out the best in one another. Being in love can help a person become better and achieve more.

    Fighting for and keeping a lover

    If we are lucky, the person we love will also love us back, and we won’t have any love rivals.

    But what happens when the person we love is also loved by someone else? We may need to put in more effort to win the affection of that person, but sometimes this brings us into conflicts.

    For example, the Roman orator and politician Marcus Tullius Cicero (106–43 BCE), in his On the Orator, tells how Gaius Memmius, Roman tribune of the year 111 BCE, apparently took a bite out of his love rival’s arm, “when he had a quarrel with him at Tarracina over a girlfriend”.

    Some ways to keep one’s lover interested that are mentioned in ancient sources include showing off one’s wealth.

    For example, in one of the plays of the poet Alexis (375–275 BCE) a young man who is in love puts on a large banquet to impress his girlfriend with a display of wealth. Engagements were at that time sometimes cancelled if it turned out the husband was too poor.

    Of course, things did not always work out, and people had grievances against former lovers. One particularly famous invective was from the poet Martial (38–104 CE) to a woman called Manneia:

    Manneia, your little dog licks your face and lips. Small wonder that a dog likes eating dung!

    Timeless concerns

    Today, we often see debates about whether it’s better to stay single or get into a relationship.

    The same goes for antiquity. In the 4th-century BCE play Arrephoros or The Pipe Girl by poet Menander, one character says:

    If you’ve got any sense, you won’t get married […] I’m married myself – which is why I’m advising you not to do it.

    Others lamented that they missed their opportunity for love. So the poet Pindar (6th–5th century BCE) wrote a poem regretting that he could not make the much younger Theoxenus his boyfriend:

    You should have picked love’s flowers at the right time, my heart, when you were young. But as for the sparkling rays from Theoxenus’ eyes, whoever looks on them and is not roiled with longing has a black heart forged with cold fire out of steel or iron.

    Clearly, finding a lover was as difficult then as it is now.

    Konstantine Panegyres 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. Avoid bad breath, don’t pick partners when drunk: ancient dating tips to find modern love – https://theconversation.com/avoid-bad-breath-dont-pick-partners-when-drunk-ancient-dating-tips-to-find-modern-love-250792

    MIL OSI