NewzIntel.com

Category: Vehicles

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Pompey Link: on-demand minibus service to improve connections in Portsmouth

    Source: City of Portsmouth

    Portsmouth City Council is introducing Pompey Link, a shared, on-demand minibus service, which will be trialled for a 10-month period until the end of March 2026. Pompey Link combines elements of both a bus service and a taxi ride in a way that has not been seen in Portsmouth before.

    The service will be delivered by charity Community First and is made possible through funding from the Portsmouth Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP).

    Pompey Link is designed to improve public transport connections for both Paulsgrove and Port Solent. Paulsgrove residents can now easily reach Port Solent, while Port Solent residents will benefit from easier access to Paulsgrove, Queen Alexandra Hospital, and other bus and rail links at Cosham Interchange.

    The service ensures that both areas – particularly Port Solent, which currently lacks direct public transport connections – have more convenient travel options.

    Passengers can book a trip on demand or up to four days in advance, by phone or app, and will be picked up from their nearest bus stop, including the former bus stop outside the Odeon in Port Solent. This is a shared service, so the minibus may pick up and drop off other passengers on the way.

    Cllr Peter Candlish, Cabinet Member for Transport at Portsmouth City Council, said:

    “We’re excited to introduce Pompey Link, which provides better transport connections in the Paulsgrove area and a vital link to Port Solent, an area we know is currently underserved by public transport. Whether you are travelling for work or leisure, Pompey Link is a convenient and affordable travel option, and I hope people will try it.”

    Tim Houghton, Chief Executive of Community First, said:

    “We are delighted to offer the Paulsgrove and Port Solent community a reliable, affordable and more flexible way to travel. This service allows people to book a journey when they need it, reducing the need for fixed routes and providing a more responsive, environmentally friendly transport solution.

    This new service will be a lifeline for passengers, especially in Port Solent, who might not have access to transport to get to social and health appointments as well as for essential shopping trips.”

    Pompey Link will be available Monday to Saturday, from 9am to 7pm, excluding bank holidays. Trips can be booked using the Book a Journey app, available to download from the Apple and Google Play stores, and most journeys start from £2.

    For those who prefer to book over the phone, Community First’s customer service team is available Monday to Friday from 9am to 4.30pm on 0333 015 1271. Pompey Link vehicles are accessible for wheelchair users and passengers with folding pushchairs. Babies can travel where parents or carers provide a car seat. Guide and service dogs are welcome on board.

    For more information about Pompey Link, visit: https://travel.portsmouth.gov.uk/drt/

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Is AI sparking a cognitive revolution that will lead to mediocrity and conformity?

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Wolfgang Messner, Clinical Professor of International Business, University of South Carolina

    The Industrial Revolution mechanized production. Today, there’s a similar risk with the automation of thought. kutaytanir/E+ via Getty Images

    Artificial Intelligence began as a quest to simulate the human brain.

    Is it now in the process of transforming the human brain’s role in daily life?

    The Industrial Revolution diminished the need for manual labor. As someone who researches the application of AI in international business, I can’t help but wonder whether it is spurring a cognitive revolution, obviating the need for certain cognitive processes as it reshapes how students, workers and artists write, design and decide.

    Graphic designers use AI to quickly create a slate of potential logos for their clients. Marketers test how AI-generated customer profiles will respond to ad campaigns. Software engineers deploy AI coding assistants. Students wield AI to draft essays in record time – and teachers use similar tools to provide feedback.

    The economic and cultural implications are profound.

    What happens to the writer who no longer struggles with the perfect phrase, or the designer who no longer sketches dozens of variations before finding the right one? Will they become increasingly dependent on these cognitive prosthetics, similar to how using GPS diminishes navigation skills? And how can human creativity and critical thinking be preserved in an age of algorithmic abundance?

    Echoes of the Industrial Revolution

    We’ve been here before.

    The Industrial Revolution replaced artisanal craftsmanship with mechanized production, enabling goods to be replicated and manufactured on a mass scale.

    Shoes, cars and crops could be produced efficiently and uniformly. But products also became more bland, predictable and stripped of individuality. Craftsmanship retreated to the margins, as a luxury or a form of resistance.

    Mass production strips goods of their individuality.
    Costfoto/NurPhoto via Getty Images

    Today, there’s a similar risk with the automation of thought. Generative AI tempts users to conflate speed with quality, productivity with originality.

    The danger is not that AI will fail us, but that people will accept the mediocrity of its outputs as the norm. When everything is fast, frictionless and “good enough,” there’s the risk of losing the depth, nuance and intellectual richness that define exceptional human work.

    The rise of algorithmic mediocrity

    Despite the name, AI doesn’t actually think.

    Tools such as ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini process massive volumes of human-created content, often scraped from the internet without context or permission. Their outputs are statistical predictions of what word or pixel is likely to follow based on patterns in data they’ve processed.

    They are, in essence, mirrors that reflect collective human creative output back to users – rearranged and recombined, but fundamentally derivative.

    And this, in many ways, is precisely why they work so well.

    Consider the countless emails people write, the slide decks strategy consultants prepare and the advertisements that suffuse social media feeds. Much of this content follows predictable patterns and established formulas. It has been there before, in one form or the other.

    Generative AI excels at producing competent-sounding content – lists, summaries, press releases, advertisements – that bears the signs of human creation without that spark of ingenuity. It thrives in contexts where the demand for originality is low and when “good enough” is, well, good enough.

    When AI sparks – and stifles – creativity

    Yet, even in a world of formulaic content, AI can be surprisingly helpful.

    In one set of experiments, researchers tasked people with completing various creative challenges. They found that those who used generative AI produced ideas that were, on average, more creative, outperforming participants who used web searches or no aids at all. In other words, AI can, in fact, elevate baseline creative performance.

    However, further analysis revealed a critical trade-off: Reliance on AI systems for brainstorming significantly reduced the diversity of ideas produced, which is a crucial element for creative breakthroughs. The systems tend to converge toward a predictable middle rather than exploring unconventional possibilities at the edges.

    I wasn’t surprised by these findings. My students and I have found that the outputs of generative AI systems are most closely aligned with the values and worldviews of wealthy, English-speaking nations. This inherent bias quite naturally constrains the diversity of ideas these systems can generate.

    More troubling still, brief interactions with AI systems can subtly reshape how people approach problems and imagine solutions.

    One set of experiments tasked participants with making medical diagnoses with the help of AI. However, the researchers designed the experiment so that AI would give some participants flawed suggestions. Even after those participants stopped using the AI tool, they tended to unconsciously adopt those biases and make errors in their own decisions.

    What begins as a convenient shortcut risks becoming a self-reinforcing loop of diminishing originality – not because these tools produce objectively poor content, but because they quietly narrow the bandwidth of human creativity itself.

    Navigating the cognitive revolution

    True creativity, innovation and research are not just probabilistic recombinations of past data. They require conceptual leaps, cross-disciplinary thinking and real-world experience. These are qualities AI cannot replicate. It cannot invent the future. It can only remix the past.

    What AI generates may satisfy a short-term need: a quick summary, a plausible design, a passable script. But it rarely transforms, and genuine originality risks being drowned in a sea of algorithmic sameness.

    The challenge, then, isn’t just technological. It’s cultural.

    How can the irreplaceable value of human creativity be preserved amid this flood of synthetic content?

    The historical parallel with industrialization offers both caution and hope. Mechanization displaced many workers but also gave rise to new forms of labor, education and prosperity. Similarly, while AI systems may automate some cognitive tasks, they may also open up new intellectual frontiers by simulating intellectual abilities. In doing so, they may take on creative responsibilities, such as inventing novel processes or developing criteria to evaluate their own outputs.

    This transformation is only at its early stages. Each new generation of AI models will produce outputs that once seemed like the purview of science fiction. The responsibility lies with professionals, educators and policymakers to shape this cognitive revolution with intention.

    Will it lead to intellectual flourishing or dependency? To a renaissance of human creativity or its gradual obsolescence?

    The answer, for now, is up in the air.

    Wolfgang Messner receives funding from Center for International Business Education and Research (CIBER) at the University of South Carolina.

    – ref. Is AI sparking a cognitive revolution that will lead to mediocrity and conformity? – https://theconversation.com/is-ai-sparking-a-cognitive-revolution-that-will-lead-to-mediocrity-and-conformity-256940

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Southern Alberta  — Joint efforts by Southern Alberta RCMP Units leads to significant seizure of stolen property and guns

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    On April 16 2025, after receiving an initial report of suspicious activity, the Central and Southern Alberta Crime Reduction Units (SAD CRU), with assistance from the Emergency Response Team and Strathmore RCMP, executed a Search Warrant for stolen property in Rockyford.

    As a result of the search RCMP recovered:

    • 5 stolen ATVs;
    • 3 stolen firearms;
    • 2 stolen trailers;
    • A stolen car;
    • Various other stolen items.

    The stolen items were linked to thefts from Caroline, Airdrie, Drumheller, Vulcan, Strathmore, and Calgary areas.

    As a result of the investigation RCMP have charged a 50-year-old individual with:

    • Unauthorized possession of a firearm (x3);
    • Possession of property obtained by crime (x11);
    • Break and Enter;
    • Failing to comply with a release order (x5).

    The 50-year-old individual was taken before a justice of the peace and remanded into custody with a next court date set for May 22, 2025 at the Alberta Court of Justice in Airdrie.

    RCMP have charged a 42-year-old individual with:

    • Unauthorized possession of a firearm (x3);
    • Possession of property obtained by crime (x5).

    The 42-year-old individual was taken before a justice of the peace and released with her next court date set for May 20, 2025, at the Alberta Court of Justice in Calgary.

    On April 19, 2025 Brooks RCMP received a report of a stolen vehicle. During this investigation Alberta RCMP Detachments in Brooks, Redcliff, Drumheller, Strathmore, Three Hills, Bassano, Taber-Vauxhall all assisted in locating two stolen vehicles and arresting a suspect. SAD CRU followed up on this investigation and on April 21, 2025, SAD CRU with the assistance of the Emergency Response Team, High River RCMP and Okotoks RCMP executed a Search Warrant in Aldersyde.

    As a result of the search, RCMP additionally recovered:

    • Stolen trailers (x3);
    • Stolen Trucks (x3);
    • Stolen motor bikes (x3);
    • A stolen ATV;
    • Stolen firearm (x3);
    • Forged documents;
    • 61 other firearms.

    After a brief pursuit RCMP arrested and charged a 44-year-old individual, a resident of Foothills County with:

    • Possession of property obtained by crime (x8);
    • Possession of a stolen firearm;
    • Flight from police;
    • Mischief;
    • Dangerous operation of a motor vehicle;
    • Failure to comply with a release order (x3);
    • Possession of break in tools;
    • Possession of a prohibited weapon.

    The 44-year-old individual was taken before a justice of the peace and remanded into custody for court on May 30, 2025 at the Alberta Court of Justice in Okotoks.

    RCMP have charged a 78-year-old individual, a resident of Foothills County with:

    • Possession of property obtained by crime (x5);
    • (Allan)Careless storage of a firearm (x2) – (Chad) Careless storage of a firearm (x1);
    • Possession of a prohibited weapon.

    The 78-year-old individual and another individual were taken before a justice of the peace and released with their next court date set for May 30, 2025, at the Alberta Court of Justice in Okotoks.

    From the original Brooks investigation, RCMP have charged a 43-year-old individual with:

    • Flight from police
    • Possession of property obtained by crime over $5000 (x2)
    • Break and Enter
    • Possession of break in instruments

    The 43-year-old individual was taken before a justice of the peace and released for future court dates at the Alberta Court of Justice in Brooks.

    “These investigations spearheaded by the Southern and Central Alberta Crime Reduction Units with assistance from RCMP detachments across Southern Alberta showcases the Alberta RCMP’s ability to work collaboratively in interdicting crime networks,” says Constable Adam Heather of SAD CRU, “two of the stolen firearms recovered in Aldersyde are linked to the same break and enter as two of the stolen firearm recovered in the Rockyford search, this demonstrates how different crime groups are interconnected.”

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Annual Meetings 2025: African private-sector players and African Development Bank officials discuss business opportunities

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast, June 2, 2025/APO Group/ —

    On the fourth day of the African Development Bank Group’s (www.AfDB.org) Annual Meetings in Abidjan (http://apo-opa.co/3ZcPGZZ), a seminar on business opportunities with the Group brought together private-sector players from 40 African countries and led to constructive exchanges with Bank officials.

    “Africa will not develop without a robust private sector. This seminar should give you a better understanding of how the Bank operates and how to work with us,” Gauthier Boulard, Senior Director of Resource Mobilization and Partners at the African Development Bank, told participants.

    During the seminar, the Bank provided updated information on its procurement plan and contractual policies, as well as on procedures for accessing business opportunities for companies or projects. Information was also shared on procurement rules, integrity and corruption.

    “With regard to our Ten-Year Strategy 2024-2033 (http://apo-opa.co/4jANgMb), we expect to have to finance more transformative projects, i.e. projects that bring about change in the market in which they take place…. We are ready to support the private sector,” said Ronald Rateiwa, Senior Strategy, Policy and Infrastructure Officer at the African Development Bank.

    Cheikh Ibra Faye, Director of Faye Groupe Services, a company active in Senegal, Mali and Côte d’Ivoire, commented: “I have just learned important information that I’ve been looking for for a year. I have a plan to replace West Africa’s urban vehicle fleet with vehicles powered by renewable energy, and I’d like to know what support is available from the African Development Bank,” he said.

    Aude Apetey-Kacou, Manager of Private Sector Operations for West Africa at the Bank, responded: “The Bank finances urban transport. So the fleet project meets one of our criteria. We would then need to discuss the project in a different setting, to find out more about its structure, the current state of financing and the progress of the studies already carried out, so that we can make a decision.”

    The creation of characteristically African social media, setting up biometric laboratories to combat cervical cancer, satellite imagery and the financing of small and medium-sized enterprises were just some of the projects brought to the attention of the Bank’s management by private-sector players.

    “Health is a key sector that the Bank intends to support and is already involved in. There are other sectors that are just as important, and we’ll have the opportunity to talk about them again,” confirmed Boris Honkpehedji, Senior Manager of Private Sector Operations at the African Development Bank.

    As of 31 December 2024, the African Development Bank Group’s investment portfolio had devoted 46% of its financing to the financial sector, 16% to energy, 15% to industry, 9% to transport, 9% to agriculture and social affairs, and 5% to multi-sector projects.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI: Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. : Form 8.3 – PRIMARY HEALTH PROPERTIES – Ordinary Shares

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    FORM 8.3

    PUBLIC OPENING POSITION DISCLOSURE/DEALING DISCLOSURE BY
    A PERSON WITH INTERESTS IN RELEVANT SECURITIES REPRESENTING 1% OR MORE
    Rule 8.3 of the Takeover Code (the “Code”)

    1. KEY INFORMATION  
       
    (a) Full name of discloser: Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. in its capacity as investment advisor and on behalf its affiliates who are also investment advisors (”Dimensional”). Dimensional expressly disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares described in this form 8.3.  
    (b) Owner or controller of interests and short positions disclosed, if different from 1(a):
    The naming of nominee or vehicle companies is insufficient. For a trust, the trustee(s), settlor and beneficiaries must be named.    		    
    (c) Name of offeror/offeree in relation to whose relevant securities this form relates:
    Use a separate form for each offeror/offeree    		 Primary Health Properties PLC  
    (d) If an exempt fund manager connected with an offeror/offeree, state this and specify identity of offeror/offeree:    
    (e) Date position held/dealing undertaken:
    For an opening position disclosure, state the latest practicable date prior to the disclosure    		 30 May 2025  
    (f) In addition to the company in 1(c) above, is the discloser making disclosures in respect of any other party to the offer?
    If it is a cash offer or possible cash offer, state “N/A”    		 YES
    Assura PLC    		  
       
    2. POSITIONS OF THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE  
       
    If there are positions or rights to subscribe to disclose in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 2(a) or (b) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security.  
    (a) Interests and short positions in the relevant securities of the offeror or offeree to which the disclosure relates following the dealing (if any)  
       
    Class of relevant security: 12.5p ordinary (GB00BYRJ5J14)  
      Interests Short Positions  
      Number % Number %  
    (1) Relevant securities owned and/or controlled: 15,354,236 1.15 %      
    (2) Cash-settled derivatives:          
    (3) Stock-settled derivatives (including options) and agreements to purchase/sell:          
      Total 15,354,236 * 1.15 %      
    * Dimensional Fund Advisors LP and/or its affiliates do not have discretion regarding voting decisions in respect of 75,334 shares that are included in the total above.  
       
    All interests and all short positions should be disclosed.

    Details of any open stock-settled derivative positions (including traded options), or agreements to purchase or sell relevant securities, should be given on a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions).

    		  
       
       
    (b) Rights to subscribe for new securities (including directors’ and other employee options)  
       
    Class of relevant security in relation to which subscription right exists:    
    Details, including nature of the rights concerned and relevant percentages:    
       
    3. DEALINGS (IF ANY) BY THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE  
       
    Where there have been dealings in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 3(a), (b), (c) or (d) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security dealt in.

    The currency of all prices and other monetary amounts should be stated.

    		  
    (a) Purchases and sales  
       
    Class of relevant security Purchase/sale Number of securities Price per unit  
    12.5p ordinary (GB00BYRJ5J14) Sale 179,628 1.0049 GBP  
    There was a Transfer In of 4,186 shares of 12.5p ordinary  
    (b) Cash-settled derivative transactions  
       
    Class of relevant security Product description e.g. CFD Nature of dealing e.g. opening/closing a long/short position, increasing/reducing a long/short position Number of reference securities Price per unit  
               
       
    (c) Stock-settled derivative transactions (including options)
     
    (i) Writing, selling, purchasing or varying
     
    Class of relevant security Product description e.g. call option Writing, purchasing, selling, varying etc. Number of securities to which option relates Exercise price per unit Type e.g. American, European etc. Expiry date Option money paid/ received per unit
                   
       
    (ii) Exercise  
       
    Class of relevant security Product description e.g. call option Exercising/ exercised against Number of securities Exercise price per unit  
               
       
    (d) Other dealings (including subscribing for new securities)  
                 
    Class of relevant security Nature of dealing e.g. subscription, conversion Details Price per unit (if applicable)  
             
       
    4. OTHER INFORMATION  
       
    (a) Indemnity and other dealing arrangements  
       
    Details of any indemnity or option arrangement, or any agreement or understanding, formal or informal, relating to relevant securities which may be an inducement to deal or refrain from dealing entered into by the person making the disclosure and any party to the offer or any person acting in concert with a party to the offer:
    Irrevocable commitments and letters of intent should not be included. If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”    		  
    None  
       
    (b) Agreements, arrangements or understandings relating to options or derivatives  
       
    Details of any agreement, arrangement or understanding, formal or informal, between the person making the disclosure and any other person relating to:
    (i) the voting rights of any relevant securities under any option; or
    (ii) the voting rights or future acquisition or disposal of any relevant securities to which any derivative is referenced:
    If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”    		  
    None  
       
    (c) Attachments  
       
    Is a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions) attached? NO  
       
    Date of disclosure 02 June 2025  
    Contact name Thomas Hone  
    Telephone number +44 20 3033 3419  
       

    Public disclosures under Rule 8 of the Code must be made to a Regulatory Information Service.

    The Panel’s Market Surveillance Unit is available for consultation in relation to the Code’s disclosure requirements on +44 (0)20 7638 0129.

    The Code can be viewed on the Panel’s website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Whitecourt — Alberta RCMP Major Crimes Unit investigate homicide in Whitecourt

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    On Dec. 7, 2024, at 3:21 p.m., Whitecourt RCMP received a report of a shooting near the Whitecourt Airport. As the report came in, RCMP were given the location of the suspect who was driving on Highway 43. Officers located and stopped the vehicle detaining a suspect and locating a firearm. Upon arrival at the airport, EMS and police located the victim deceased. The victim has been identified as 44-year-old Whitecourt resident David Beauchesne. Whitecourt RCMP contacted the Alberta RCMP Major Crimes Unit who took carriage of the investigation.

    As a result of the investigation, RCMP have charged a 43-year-old individual, a resident of Whitecourt with, second-degree murder.

    The individual has been taken before a justice of the peace and remanded into custody with his next court date set for Dec. 10, 2024, at the Alberta Court of Justice in Whitecourt.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • Russia and Ukraine to hold more peace talks after Kyiv hits nuclear-capable bombers

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Russian and Ukrainian officials are due to sit down on Monday in Istanbul for their second round of direct peace talks since 2022 with no sign they are any closer to an agreement, one day after Kyiv struck some of Moscow’s nuclear-capable bombers.

    The two sides are expected to discuss their respective ideas for what a full ceasefire and a longer term path to peace should look like, amid stark disagreements and pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has threatened to walk away from talks.

    Vladimir Medinsky, the head of Moscow’s delegation, said that Russia had received Ukraine’s draft memorandum for a peace accord ahead of the talks. There was no word on whether Kyiv had received Russia’s draft. Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov will head the Ukrainian delegation.

    Their last round of talks in Istanbul on May 16 yielded the biggest prisoner swap of the war with each side freeing 1,000 prisoners, but no sign of peace – or even a ceasefire as both sides merely stated their opening negotiating positions.

    Kyiv regards Russia’s approach to date as an attempt to force it to capitulate – something it says it will never do – and Moscow, which advanced on the battlefield in May at its fastest rate in six months, says Ukraine should submit to peace on Russian terms or face losing more territory.

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, speaking in Lithuania on Monday, said ceasefire and humanitarian issues, such as returning more prisoners, from Russia would be a priority for Kyiv at the Istanbul talks.

    Kyiv has said Zelenskiy and Russian President Vladimir Putin should hold direct talks when the time is right.

    Amid low expectations of a breakthrough, a Ukrainian source told Reuters ahead of Monday’s talks that Kyiv was ready to take real steps towards peace if Moscow showed flexibility and what they described as a readiness to “move forward, not just repeat the same previous ultimatums”.

    Ukrainian officials met with officials from Germany, Italy and Britain ahead of the talks to coordinate their positions.

    GRIM MOOD

    The mood in Russia before the talks was grim with influential war bloggers calling on Moscow to deliver a fearsome retaliatory blow against Kyiv after Ukraine on Sunday launched one of its most ambitious attacks of the war, targeting Russian nuclear-capable long-range bombers in Siberia and elsewhere.

    Ukraine’s air force said Russia had launched 472 drones at Ukraine, the highest nightly total of the war.

    Trump envoy Keith Kellogg has indicated that the U.S. will be involved in the talks and that representatives from Britain, France and Germany will be present too, though it was not clear at what level the United States would be represented.

    Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan was due to chair the talks, which are expected to get underway at 1000 GMT.

    The idea of direct talks was first proposed by Putin after Ukraine and European powers demanded that he agree to a ceasefire which the Kremlin dismissed.

    Last June Putin set out his opening terms for an immediate end to the war: Ukraine must drop its NATO ambitions and withdraw all of its troops from the entirety of the territory of four Ukrainian regions claimed and mostly controlled by Russia.

    According to a proposed roadmap that will be presented by Ukrainian negotiators in Istanbul, a copy of which was seen by Reuters, Kyiv wants no restrictions on its military strength after any peace deal, no international recognition of Russian sovereignty over parts of Ukraine taken by Moscow’s forces, and wants reparations.

    The document stated that the current location of the front line will be the starting point for negotiations about territory.
    Russia currently controls just under one fifth of Ukraine, or about 113,100 square km, about the same size as the U.S. state of Ohio.

    Putin ordered tens of thousands of troops to invade Ukraine in February 2022 after eight years of fighting in eastern Ukraine between Russian-backed separatists and Ukrainian troops. The United States says over 1.2 million people have been killed and injured in the war since 2022.

    Trump has called Putin “crazy” and berated Zelenskiy in public in the Oval Office, but the U.S. president has also said that he thinks peace is achievable and that if Putin delays then he could impose tough sanctions on Russia.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Truck drivers on strike in Venlo, the Netherlands – E-001422/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    1. The Commission is aware of the strike of truck drivers in Venlo and will contact the Dutch authorities to enquire on the actions taken regarding the situation of the third-country drivers. If the alleged facts are confirmed, this could constitute a breach of the requirement of good repute for engaging in the occupation of road transport operator under Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 1071/2009[1], which may lead to the suspension or withdrawal of the authorisation to pursue the occupation of road transport operator.

    2. The Commission, in cooperation with the European Labour Authority, will continue supporting Member States and relevant stakeholders in their efforts to ensure that the rules are properly applied and enforced, for instance by providing guidance and information on the rights of road transport drivers .

    3. The Commission would like to underline that under Article 19(4) of Regulation (EC) 561/2006[2], Member States must ensure that a system of proportionate penalties is in force for infringements of this regulation and Regulation (EU) No 165/2014[3] on the part of undertakings, or associated consignors, freight forwarders, tour operators, principal contractors, subcontractors and driver employment agencies.

    • [1] Regulation (EC) No 1071/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 October 2009 establishing common rules concerning the conditions to be complied with to pursue the occupation of road transport operator and repealing Council Directive 96/26/EC ( OJ L 300, 14.11.2009, p. 51).
    • [2] Regulation (EC) No 561/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 March 2006 on the harmonisation of certain social legislation relating to road transport and repealing Council Regulations (EEC) No 3820/85 and (EC) No 2135/98 and repealing Council Regulation (EEC) No 3820/85  (OJ L 102, 11.4.2006, p. 1).
    • [3] Regulation (EU) No 165/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 February 2014 on tachographs in road transport, repealing Council Regulation (EEC) No 3821/85 on recording equipment in road transport and amending Regulation (EC) No 561/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the harmonisation of certain social legislation relating to road transport (OJ L 60, 28.2.2014, p. 1).
    Last updated: 2 June 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: How the USSR switched from a tachanka to a T-34

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: State University Higher School of Economics – State University Higher School of Economics –

    Nikita Melnikov, a leading specialist in the history of Soviet tank building, spoke at the HSE Faculty of Economic Sciences. He told how, between the world wars, the USSR proposed producing 100,000 tanks a year, how American and European experience helped Soviet industry, and how, in the end, the Soviet Union built a powerful tank industry that helped turn the tide of the war.

    Production of T-34

    Press service of Uralvagonzavod

    Nikita Nikolaevich Melnikov, PhD in history, senior research fellow at the Center for Political and Sociocultural History of the Institute of History and Archaeology of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, gave two lectures on May 13 at the campus on Pokrovsky Boulevard. The first was devoted to the development of Soviet tank building in the interwar and wartime, the second to the modernization of industry during the Great Patriotic War. These are stories not so much about the armored vehicles themselves, but about the entire industrial complex, without studying which it is impossible to understand the logic of economic decisions of those years.

    Soviet industry, how it developed and transformed — these are the questions, the answers to which help us understand how we live today. The answers to these questions lie in the past, including the history of the Great Patriotic War. If we want to know and understand the features of modern Russian industry, past experience is important to us. Economists sometimes lack their own tools, and therefore we have to turn to historians in the hope that they will have answers to the questions of interest.

    Tank production began in Soviet Russia in 1920–1921. The young republic tried to establish serial production of armored vehicles at the Sormovo plant. It was the “Russian Renault” — a copy of the French FT-17. 15 vehicles were produced, but guns were installed on only 11: there was not enough compact armament. Soviet artillery could not offer a gun of the appropriate size. Production was semi-artisanal. Parts were supplied by the Putilov and Izhora plants.

    Already in the late 1920s, the creation of its own industry began. The T-18 that was produced became a modernized copy of the same FT-17. The Bolshevik Plant (formerly Obukhov) itself produced castings and engines. However, many components – bearings, electrical equipment, spark plugs, carburetors – were still imported. The main problem of the era: the lack of civil engineering in the USSR. Parts that were produced in large quantities in Europe for tractors and cars were in short supply in the USSR.

    For example, there was only one large bearing plant in the entire Union, GPZ-1, which supplied more than 90% of bearings. But its capacity was insufficient, as was quality production. This is what prompted the creation of a special model. Within each civilian plant, for example, the Kharkov Locomotive Plant or the Kirov Plant, separate sections were created where tanks were manufactured. They were not connected with the main production. These “islands” of armored vehicles existed in parallel with the production of locomotives and tractors.

    At the same time, there were ambitious plans to expand tank production within the USSR. Thus, in 1930, the commander of the Leningrad Military District, Mikhail Tukhachevsky, presented a project to modernize the army, in which he proposed producing 100 thousand tanks per year – a fantastic figure. The logic was simple: according to the calculations of engineer Magdesiev from the Bolshevik plant, one tank requires as much effort as two tractors. It was the tractor factories that were considered the foundation of the tank industry. But this idea was not realized.

    As a result, in the 1930s, two groups of factories were formed. Specialized (No. 174 and No. 37) produced light and amphibious tanks, and machine-building giants, where tanks were a by-product (KhPZ, Kirov, STZ). Each factory built its own chains, from the production of individual parts to final assembly. There was almost no cooperation between them. This provided autonomy, but slowed down scaling.

    In case of war, the USSR planned to build up to 30 thousand tanks. But the industry itself was capable of producing about three thousand vehicles per year. After the start of the Great Patriotic War, the USSR had to seriously restructure its production. The industry was evacuated to the Urals, where a new tank-building cluster was formed.

    Production was transferred to civilian factories, which faced a new challenge. Enterprises had to reorganize to produce military products, and new production chains were created for each type of armored vehicle. Work on orders for the civilian sector was stopped, which allowed the production of tanks to be increased in the shortest possible time. And by the end of 1942, the Soviet Union was able to reach a relatively stable level of production of 1,500 medium tanks per month, those same “thirty-fours” that largely became the weapon of victory.

    Nikita Melnikov in his lecture spoke in detail about the creation of the Soviet tank industry and the specifics of its formation. He drew attention to many rarely mentioned aspects of the tank industry. Thus, he pointed out that in the conditions of insufficient development of certain branches of mechanical engineering, some components for the production of tanks in the early 1930s were purchased abroad. The prototypes of the most mass-produced models of Soviet tanks T-26 and BT were purchased abroad and then adapted to the conditions of production of the Soviet industry. In addition, during the war, the industry partly switched to the American model of organization, when tanks were produced at large machine-building plants, receiving components from outside. Answering questions from the audience, Nikita Melnikov noted the negative impact of the repressions on tank production, which fell by 2.4 times in 1937 compared to 1936, from 3,800 to 1,600. During the Great Patriotic War, the strain of forces and concentration of resources made it possible to overcome the decline in the production of military equipment and the deterioration of its quality and provide the front with enough tanks.

    The second lecture was devoted directly to the restructuring of industry during the war years.

    By June 1941, almost half of the USSR’s ferrous metallurgy was concentrated in Ukraine. The loss of the southern regions meant, in essence, an industrial catastrophe. Already in August, the USSR Academy of Sciences Commission began working in Sverdlovsk under the leadership of Academician V.L. Komarov, whose task was to develop projects for mobilizing the Urals’ resources and evacuating industry.

    By 1943, a third of all rolled steel in the USSR was used for ammunition, and almost another 10% was used for armored rolled steel. Factories were working at their limits: firebricks needed for steel smelting had to be made with double the intensity, but their durability in wartime was half that of the pre-war period. By the end of 1942, metallurgists and power engineers were faced with equipment wear and tear, the freezing of civilian projects, and total concentration on the needs of the front.

    One of the most important systems was energy. Without it, it was impossible to establish industrial production. At the same time, there was a constant energy deficit. The Sverdlovenergo system operated at a reduced frequency of below 49 Hz from October 1941 to March 1943, sometimes even down to 45. Losses during energy transfers over long distances reached 50%. The main industrial facilities consumed up to 77% of all electricity in the region, housing and communal services and the social sphere found themselves in strict isolation. Cement and glass factories received half the required capacity at best. Many worked for several hours a day or stopped completely. The copper industry received half as much energy as before the war.

    Against the background of a shortage of electricity, refractory materials and fuel, resources were concentrated on the production of weapons. The volumes of building materials and products for the civilian sector were sharply reduced. Construction was either frozen or transferred to an extremely simplified mode. In the Urals, round timber was used en masse as the most accessible building material.

    The industry was forced to rely on women and teenagers. At UZTM in 1945, women accounted for 34.6%, and teenagers under 18 accounted for more than 11%, including girls under 16. It was these efforts of the rear that helped achieve victory at the front.

    At the same time, the shortage of production, energy, lack of time and experience led to a decrease in the quality of products. For example, many T-34s produced in 1942 had their gearbox gears completely worn out after several hundred kilometers of running. In 1942, to check the batch, each tank was tested for five kilometers of running before being delivered to the troops. In fact, it was necessary to check whether the tank could start at all, and this was enough to send it to the front. The warranty period for the V-2 engine in 1943 was only 200 engine hours. At the same time, up to 90% of the engine life was depleted by idling the engine at night to warm the tankers in winter. But in war conditions, it was more important to establish mass production, which the USSR successfully managed.

    At the same time, after the end of the war, it was necessary to abandon mass military production. However, the established production chains could not be quickly transferred to civilian rails; the factories had been focused only on the production of military goods for several years. This led to a post-war conversion crisis and a revision of plans for the production of armored vehicles.

    Nikita Melnikov’s reports aroused keen interest among the audience. Despite the tight program, both students and faculty members came to the lecture. Answering questions from the audience and exchanging opinions took almost as much time as the reports themselves.


    Nikita Nikolaevich Melnikov

    Candidate of Historical Sciences, Senior Researcher at the Center for Political and Sociocultural History of the Institute of History and Archaeology of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences

    This experience was extremely valuable and educational for me. For the first time, I gave a lecture to fellow economists, whose questions and comments allowed me to better understand the processes being studied and identify new aspects. The economic model of the USSR’s development is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon that requires detailed analysis and systematic study. In this study, I sought to examine the key factors and mechanisms that determined the dynamics and trajectory of the economic development of the Soviet Union during the Great Patriotic War. I express my sincere gratitude to the Higher School of Economics and Ilya Voskoboinikov for the opportunity to present the results of my research.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Office of the Governor — News Release — Gov. Green Signs Bills to Advance Educational and Developmental Success for Keiki

    Source: US State of Hawaii

    Office of the Governor — News Release — Gov. Green Signs Bills to Advance Educational and Developmental Success for Keiki

    Posted on May 30, 2025 in Latest Department News, Newsroom, Office of the Governor Press Releases

    STATE OF HAWAIʻI 
    KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI 
     
    JOSH GREEN, M.D. 
    GOVERNOR
    KE KIAʻĀINA 

     
    GOVERNOR GREEN SIGNS FIVE BILLS TO ADVANCE EDUCATIONAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL SUCCESS FOR KEIKI

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    May 30, 2025

    HONOLULU — Governor Josh Green, M.D., today signed five bills strengthening access to educational opportunities and supporting student success both in the classroom and beyond.

    “This group of bills represents our state’s active commitment to finding real solutions and protecting the fundamental right every keiki has to quality education,” stated Governor Green. “Thanks to the critical work of educators and students alike, as well as countless community advocates, our state is poised to reduce childhood food insecurity and increase access to academic and extracurricular educational opportunities.”

    The newly enacted bills include the following:

    SB 1300: EXPANDING ACCESS TO FREE SCHOOL MEALS

    Beginning with the 2025-26 school year, Senate Bill 1300 expands access to free school meals for students who qualify for reduced-price meals under the National School Lunch Program. To further support ‘ohana classified as ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed), SB 1300 will expand again in the 2026-27 school year, providing free school meals to any public school student whose family income is below 300% of the federal poverty level. The bill appropriates more than $3.3 million to the Department of Education over the two school years to cover the cost of free meals.

    “Investing in our keiki is an investment in our future,” said Governor Green. “Food insecurity in our state is a serious issue, affecting one in three households. Signing Senate Bill 1300 will help ease the burden on our Hawai‘i ʻohana and improve the lives of keiki across the islands.”

    Senate Bill 1300 aims to improve educational outcomes by ensuring every child in Hawai‘i has access to the consistent nutrition they need to succeed in school. In addition to providing free school meals to eligible students, SB 1300 prohibits an academic institution from denying a student a school meal due to an inability to pay.

    “Senate Bill 1300 removes the financial barrier to accessing school meals, supporting students’ health and well-being, as well as their academic and developmental success said First Lady Jaime Kanani Green. “If students aren’t hungry, they can better focus on their studies, extracurricular activities and personal growth.”

    “Students should come to class hungry for knowledge, not hungry for food,” Governor Green concluded.

    Senate Vice President Michelle Kidani, Education Committee chair, was lead introducer of the bill. “Too many students face hunger in silence and it impacts their ability to learn. By expanding access to free school meals, this bill helps ensure all our keiki have the nourishment they need to succeed. I’m grateful to Governor Green for signing it into law and to all who worked to make it happen,” said Kidani (District 18, Mililani Town, Waipi‘o Gentry, Crestview, Waikele, portion of Waipahu, Village Park, Royal Kunia).

    “Ensuring that our keiki have access to nutritious school meals supports their well-being and success both in and beyond the classroom. At the same time, we are easing the burden on Hawai‘i’s working families, and this is a win for our community,” said House Committee on Education Chair, Justin H. Woodson (District 9, Kahului, Pu‘unēnē, portion of Wailuku.

    HB 862: ADDRESSING SCHOOL BUS SHORTAGES

    Due to a nationwide bus driver shortage, a number of school bus routes were suspended during the 2024–2025 academic school year. To reverse these suspensions and ensure transportation is not a barrier to education, Governor Green issued an emergency proclamation in August 2024, authorizing, among other provisions, the use of alternative vehicles to transport students to and from school. House Bill 862 codifies into statute this authorization and requires Department of Education staff to accompany students between drop-off and pick-up locations to ensure student safety. Using alternative vehicles such as small buses, motorcoaches and vans to transport students, will help maintain existing bus routes, supporting students’ continued access to a quality education.

    “Hawai‘i continues to face a school bus crisis, and we’ve heard from countless parents, families and educators about the urgent need to expand transportation options, while keeping safety front and center,” said House Committee on Education Vice Chair Trish La Chica (District 37, Portions of Mililani Town, Mililani Mauka, Koa Ridge, Waipi‘o Gentry). “This new law paves the way for our students to thrive, by expanding the department’s options to secure reliable transportation and ensuring that transportation barriers don’t stand in the way of our keiki and their opportunities to succeed.”

    HB 133: FUNDING FOR INTERSCHOLASTIC SURFING PROGRAMS

    Due to its deep cultural, social, and economic significance in Hawaiʻi, the Board of Education approved surfing for interscholastic competition in 2016. Since then, only one of the five local athletic leagues has sponsored a surfing program, leaving the majority of the state’s students without competitive surfing opportunities. House Bill 133 appropriates $685,870 for both fiscal year 2026 and fiscal year 2027 to support the establishment of interscholastic surfing programs. These programs will provide students the opportunity to gain competitive experience and further pursue the sport they love.

    “Hawai‘i is the birthplace of surfing, and that’s something we should take great pride in. By recognizing surfing as an interscholastic sport, we are expanding access in Hawai‘i schools — allowing students to build ocean safety skills, connect with our cultural heritage and participate in a sport that has produced champions from our own shores,” said Representative Sean Quinlan, (District 47, Waialua, Hale‘iwa, Kawailoa Beach, Waimea, Sunset Beach, Waiale‘e, Kawela Bay, Kahuku, Lā‘ie, Hau‘ula, Punalu‘u, Kahana), introducer of the bill.

    The complete list of bills signed includes the following. Click links to see full details of the bills enacted into law.

    HB110 HD1 SD2 RELATING TO LOCAL AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS

    HB1170 HD1 SD1 CD1 RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII RESIDENT TUITION FEE

    Photos from today’s bill signing, courtesy Office of the Governor, are available here.
    Video from the event can be viewed here.
    The slide deck presented at today’s bill signing can be found here.

    # # #


    Media Contacts:  
    Erika Engle
    Press Secretary
    Office of the Governor, State of Hawai‘i
    Office: 808-586-0120
    Email: [email protected] 

    Makana McClellan
    Director of Communications
    Office of the Governor, State of Hawaiʻi
    Cell: 808-265-0083
    Email: [email protected]

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Over 300 firefighting and law enforcement graduates add to state’s public safety force

    Source: US State of California 2

    May 30, 2025

    What you need to know: The state recently welcomed 339 graduates from CAL FIRE, CDCR, and CHP to California’s already robust contingent of public safety officers.

    Sacramento, California – Strengthening the dedicated groups that protect the safety of Californians, today Governor Gavin Newsom congratulated multiple graduates with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), and the California Highway Patrol (CHP).

    These firefighters, correctional officers, and highway patrol officers join their colleagues in communities statewide to protect the state of California.

    Thank you for answering the call to serve our great state. As you go back to your communities, may you face any uncertainty with resolve, any challenges with integrity, and any hardships with determination.

    Governor Gavin Newsom

    Enhancing our firefighting fleet

    CAL FIRE celebrated 38 new Company Officer Academy graduates. These leaders will supervise and direct firefighters as CAL FIRE Company Officers.

    The Academy offers extensive training in emergency and daily personnel management, physical conditioning, wildland and structural incident command, fire investigation, and the operation of fire vehicles, encompassing driving, pumping, and specialized wildland gear.

    “Graduations are a time to come together with family, friends, and coworkers to celebrate the hard work our Company Officers have put in over the past six weeks. These women and men represent the next generation of leadership at CAL FIRE. I am very proud of their accomplishment and wish them the best as they return home to their new roles,” said CAL FIRE Chief/Director Joe Tyler.

    This cohort brings the total number of Company Officer Academy graduates in 2025 to 272, highlighting CAL FIRE’s continued investment in leadership development and operational readiness.

    In addition to this program, 42 students have successfully completed the Emergency Command Center Academy so far this year, further strengthening CAL FIRE’s ability to respond quickly and effectively to emergencies across California.

    This graduating class brings the total number of Company Officers employed by CAL FIRE to over 4,150.  

    Protecting our communities 

    Following an intensive 13-week program at the Basic Correctional Officer Academy 168 cadets graduated, embarking on their new careers as CDCR correctional officers. 

    “It takes a special kind of person to wear the badge, the sacrifices and dedication of our families cannot be overstated. Our future success is dependent upon your professionalism, respect, and commitment to excellence,” said CDCR Secretary Jeff Macomber.

    Including these graduates, CDCR will have 601 graduates this year, marking a significant step forward in CDCR’s ongoing efforts and focus on recruitment, hiring, promotion, retention and culture through collaboration of diverse and qualified candidates. Following their graduation, officers serve in institutions throughout California.        

    With these graduates, there are a total of nearly 21,500 correctional officers at 31 adult institutions statewide.

    Patrolling our streets and highways 

    The CHP welcomed 133 new officers who completed 26 weeks of rigorous training at the CHP Academy in West Sacramento. The officers now report to one of the CHP’s 102 Area offices across California to begin their law enforcement careers.

    Academy cadets receive training in areas such as traffic enforcement, collision investigation, defensive tactics, firearms, emergency vehicle operations, community policing, legal responsibilities, communication, ethics, and cultural awareness to prepare them for serving California’s diverse population.

    “This graduation marks the beginning of a commitment to protecting and serving others. These officers have demonstrated their dedication to keeping California’s communities safe and upholding the CHP’s core values,” said CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee.

    Nearly 300 cadets continue training at the West Sacramento facility, and another 160 are scheduled to begin instruction on June 9 as part of the department’s ongoing efforts to strengthen public safety statewide.

    So far, the CHP has sworn in 364 officers in 2025 with this graduating class. There are a total of nearly 7,000 CHP officers statewide protecting our roadways. 

    Join the state today

    California offers diverse job opportunities with comprehensive benefits for those dedicated to providing essential services to millions of Californians. To learn more, please visit the California Department of Human Resources. 

    Recent news

    May 30, 2025

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    News What you need to know: With unprecedented speed, Governor Newsom is today announcing the availability of $800 million in competitive grant funding as part of Proposition 1 Bond Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program (BHCIP) Round 2 to develop a wide…

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Major boost to Council housing company as new funding backer announced to accelerate home building in Manchester

    Source: City of Manchester

    The Council is set to enter into a landmark partnership with the Greater Manchester Pension Fund to deliver hundreds of genuinely affordable homes as part of plans to build 1,600 more homes.

    GMPF has been selected, through a competitive process, as the investment partner for the next phase of development by This City, the Council’s housing company. The Council’s Executive is being asked to endorse the creation of a new joint venture with GMPF to deliver the second phase of This City development when it meets on 4 June.  

    This City’s first flagship project, No.1 Ancoats Green, is nearing completion – with 129 low carbon homes created next to the brilliant new green space and park at Ancoats Green. 30% of these will be available at the Manchester Living Rent, capped at the rent level which can be covered by housing benefit to make sure they are affordable to as many people as possible.  

    The initial pipeline for phase two consists of 1,583 homes on Council-owned brownfield sites across the city. At least 20% of these new homes will be affordable homes to rent. This City also has a strong emphasis on sustainability through low carbon homes, and on community.  

    Postal Street in the Northen Quarter, Piccadilly is the most advanced of the phase two sites with a planning application expected to be submitted in the coming weeks for 126 new homes – 20% of them affordable and to be let at the Manchester Living Rent.  

    Engagement with local communities in Monsall and Longsight started earlier this year, beginning a conversation with local people about proposals for sites in their areas. While formal consultation will be undertaken later this year with local people in the Grey Mare Lane estate in east Manchester around proposals for new housing as part of the major estate regeneration that will deliver 100s of new affordable homes in this part of Beswick 

    Future This City sites include: 

    Postal Street, Piccadilly: 126 new homes  

    Hyde Road, Longsight: 85 homes 

    Monsall, Harpurhey: 750 homes 

    Grey Mare Lane, Ancoats and Beswick: 136 homes 

    Downing Street, Ardwick: 166 homes 

    Heyrod Street, Piccadilly: 256 homes 

    Kirkmanshulme Lane, Longsight: 64 homes 

    Council Leader Cllr Bev Craig said:

    “This City is about accelerating home building on Council-owned land so that we can build the homes that Manchester needs on our own terms. These homes will contribute to our housing strategy target to deliver at least 36,000 new homes up to 2032 – and at least 10,000 of these homes will be social, Council or genuinely affordable.  “These are ambitious numbers and we are on track to meet them. For example, last year we built more council and social homes than any year for more than a decade, but we want to go even further. We plan to build new council and social housing in every part of the city and being creative, using our land and building the homes ourselves, we will do just that. And having the Greater Manchester Pension Fund on board gives us the financial boost to go further and build much needed low cost, low carbon homes for Manchester residents.” 
     

    Cllr Gavin White, Executive Member for Housing and Development, said:

    “Having Greater Manchester Pension Fund on board with This City as an institutional investor will help us deliver at scale the new housing, including significant amounts of affordable housing, which Manchester needs.  
    “We’re seeing a step change and acceleration in the delivery of affordable housing, with more being built now than at any point in the last 12 years and with even more in the pipeline.” 
     

    Cllr Eleanor Wills, Chair of GMPF, said:

    “We are acutely aware of the severe housing crisis both nationally and in the North-West region. This is why we are proud to continue our longstanding partnership with Manchester City Council investing in the “This City” vehicle that supports the Government’s plan to provide much-needed affordable homes for hardworking families while ensuring strong, low-risk returns to secure the pensions of our members.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Africa Dialogue, Occupied Palestinian Territory & other topics – Daily Press Briefing (30 May 2025)

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

    Highlights:
    Secretary-General/Africa Dialogue
    Occupied Palestinian Territory
    Sudan
    South Sudan
    Cyprus
    Security Council
    Haiti – Hurricane Season
    International Days
    Programming Note – Monday
    Deputy Secretary-General/Travels

    SECRETARY-GENERAL/AFRICA DIALOGUE
    The Secretary-General will speak at the Africa Dialogue at 3 pm today and will focus on reparations, which is also the African Union’s theme for 2025.
    He will say that for too long, the colossal injustices inflicted by enslavement, the transatlantic slave trade, and colonialism have been left unacknowledged and unaddressed.
    And he will argue that reparatory justice frameworks are critical – to redress historic wrongs, address today’s challenges, and ensure the rights and dignity of all.

    DEPUTY SECRETARY-GENERAL/TRAVELS
    Today, in Tajikistan, the Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed participated in the High-Level International Conference on Glacier Preservation, taking place in Dushanbe. She underscored the urgent need to preserve glaciers and keep the 1.5°C climate target within reach — not only to protect ecosystems and water sources, but to ensure the livelihoods of people and prospering communities.
    The Deputy Secretary-General called for bold, coordinated action ahead of COP30 rooted in cooperation, solidarity, and science. She later held a series of bilateral meetings with senior government officials, delegations, and youth constituents. She also met with the UN Country Team to acknowledge the UN’s continued support in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals in Tajikistan.
    Tomorrow, the Deputy Secretary-General will travel to Marrakech, Morocco, to attend the 2025 Ibrahim Governance Weekend.

    OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY
    Turning to the situation in Gaza, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs tell says that the catastrophic situation in Gaza is the worst it has been since the war began.
    Strikes have continued across Gaza, particularly in North Gaza, where the last remaining partially functioning hospital, Al Awda, was forced to evacuate last night after repeated strikes on and around the facility in recent days. Attacks also continued farther south in Deir al Balah, in areas of Al Bureij and An Nuseirat camps.
    IHH, an international aid organization that runs community kitchens and nutrition points, reported on Wednesday that five of its workers had been killed and two injured in the previous two days.
    OCHA underscores once again that civilians, including aid workers, must always be protected.
    Displacement continued across Gaza, with nearly 200,000 people displaced in the last two weeks alone. Yesterday, Israeli authorities issued a renewed displacement order covering about 30 per cent of Gaza’s total territory in North Gaza, eastern parts of Gaza City and Deir al Balah.
    To date, displacement orders have covered the entirety of the northernmost and southernmost governorates, as well as the eastern parts of each of the three governorates in between. Partners note that the limited movement of people observed in recent days appears to be driven by the search for food and necessities, rather than displacement orders.
    The UN and its humanitarian partners continue to provide support to people in need, despite the immense challenges on the ground and the crippling restrictions on the amount and type of assistance being allowed into Gaza. Yesterday, the UN and the humanitarian partners only managed to collect five truckloads of cargo from the Palestinian side of Kerem Shalom. The other 60 trucks had to return to the crossing due to intense hostilities in the area.
    Meanwhile in Gaza City, our partners working to address shelter needs managed to distribute 45 emergency shelter kits to families as part of a pilot initiative aimed at pooling resources to respond to some of the most critical needs.
    Humanitarian needs have exploded in Gaza following nearly 80 days of a total blockade of all supplies.
    The limited amounts of aid now entering the Strip are nowhere near sufficient to support 2.1 million people in desperate need of assistance.
    As conditions on the ground further deteriorate and public order and safety break down, looting incidents continue to be reported. Today, a group ‎of armed individuals stormed the warehouses of a field hospital in Deir al Balah, looting large quantities of ‎medical equipment, supplies, medicines and nutritional supplements intended for ‎malnourished children.

    Full highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=30%20May%202025

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZE59Bf_GH5M

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Global: A film about long healing walk by the sea, the end of a dystopian series and a whimsical comfort watch – what to see, watch, read and listen to this week

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Naomi Joseph, Arts + Culture Editor

    At The Conversation, we are big believers in the health benefits of being near the sea. In fact, we have a whole series dedicated to how our health is intrinsically linked with that of the ocean, called Vitamin Sea. The idea of how the coast can heal is explored in the bestselling memoir The Saltpath, which has been adapted for the screen, and stars Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs.

    Anderson plays Raynor Winn who documented the whirlwind period that began with her husband Moth being given a terminal diagnosis. In the same week, they also lost their home. In the face of this, the couple made a wild decision: to take a 630-mile year-long coastal walk from Somerset to Dorset, through Devon and Cornwall.

    The South West Coast Path has over 115,000 feet of ascent and descent, which is equivalent to scaling Mount Everest four times. In this piece, lecturer in the history of science and the environment, Lena Ferriday explores how this decision might not have been as mad as it might seem.

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

    The Winns’ decision to walk the path is part of a long history of people seeking wellness and recovery on England’s south-west coast. From taking in the clean air on long gentle walks to bathing in cold waters, it was common for the sickly to be prescribed a trip to the sea. And, as the Winns discover in this beautiful film, they find respite and connection in that history.

    Reply to this email to let us know if you have any thoughts on the healing qualities of the coast. We would also love you to answer our poll letting us what you think is the best nature memoir of our of favourite five. If your favourite isn’t there, email us its name.

    The Saltpath is in select cinemas now



    Read more:
    The Salt Path taps into a long history of searching for healing on England’s south-west coast

    The first season of The Handmaid’s Tale aired in 2017 in the early months of the first Trump presidency. Now in its sixth season, the drama is ending in the early months of the second Trump presidency. In that time, the show and its iconography have become synonymous with feminist resistance.

    When the Canadian writer Margaret Atwood first wrote The Handmaid’s Tale in 1985, Donald Trump was a mere real estate mogul. Some say it is eerie how she foresaw rising authoritarianism in the United States as well as the erosion of women’s rights. However, Atwood didn’t see the tale as science fiction, everything she wrote, she stressed, had already happened or was happening somewhere.

    In this piece, Canadian literature expert Sharon Engbrecht writes about Atwood has made many similar educated predictions about where the roots laid in history will come up in the future. While the last series does deviate somewhat from Atwood’s follow-up The Testaments, it is very much in-line with her view of the world. Hopefully, this last season ends in a much more hopeful place.

    The Handmaid’s Tale is airing on channel 4



    Read more:
    _The Handmaid’s Tale_ reflects Margaret Atwood’s eerie talent for reading the palm of power

    If you’re looking for something a bit more low stakes and whimsical then can we recommend checking out the film The Phoenician Scheme. Wes Anderson is a director with a very distinct vision, you can spot a work by him a mile away. This is what makes a director an auteur.

    Fans of his work have come to expect a few things from his films. The first is a star-studded ensemble. The second, a distinct colour palette. The third, boundless whimsy. The Phoenician Scheme has all of this, which as our expert in film Daniel O’Brien notes, will make some of you love it and others hate it.

    I like Wes Anderson films. They are incredibly charming and visually delicious. The Phoenician Scheme has more solid narrative than some of his recent films, which I, for one, welcome. It follows wealthy businessman, Zsa-zsa Korda (Benicio del Toro) after he makes his only daughter (Mia Threapleton), a nun, the sole heir to his estate before embarking on a new money-making scheme. Andersonian hijinks and shenanigans ensue as the pair dodge danger in the form of scheming tycoons, foreign terrorists and determined assassins.

    The Phoenician Scheme is in cinemas now

    The Coin by Yasmin Zaher is a bold debut novel about a young Palestinian woman who is struggling to keep it together. On the surface of things she has it all: she is a teacher at a New York city middle school, she is rich, stylish and meticulously clean. However, buried within her sits history that won’t leave her alone. To be precise, inside her sits an Israeli shekel that she accidentally swallowed on a family road trip during which her parents were killed.

    The knowledge of the coin and all it represents tears at the narrator, not letting her know peace. She is pushed to desperate acts in order to gain some sort of control over mind and body. But the coin does not relent. It won’t let her be. She is neither here nor there, in the US or Palestine. In this piece, literature expert Daniel G. Williams explains why he and his fellow judges awarded this debut the 2025 Dylan Thomas Prize.



    Read more:
    The Coin by Palestinian writer Yasmin Zaher wins the Dylan Thomas Prize – an expert from the judging panel explains why

    I love Pulp. One of my formative festival memories is watching a lanky Jarvis Cocker hump a giant neon Pulp sign while singing Disco 2000 at Reading festival. I was at a liberal arts uni at the time and the lyrics of Common People had never made more sense to me.

    As expert in popular music Mark Higgins writes, it’s a common misconception that Pulp were Brit Pop. In fact, they were founded in 1978 and their sound and whole shtick were quite a part from the 60’s mania of Britpop boy bands. Listening to the first single of this album Higgins notes, however, that the nostalgia for a better time seems to have hit Pulp belatedly as they wax lyrical about 90s.

    Next week, the band release their first album since 2001’s We Love Life. In the lead up to the release of their album More, I have been rediscovering their back catalogue and I would highly recommend you all do the same this sunny weekend.

    More by Pulp is out June 6



    Read more:
    Pulp are back and more wistfully Britpop than before

    – ref. A film about long healing walk by the sea, the end of a dystopian series and a whimsical comfort watch – what to see, watch, read and listen to this week – https://theconversation.com/a-film-about-long-healing-walk-by-the-sea-the-end-of-a-dystopian-series-and-a-whimsical-comfort-watch-what-to-see-watch-read-and-listen-to-this-week-257849

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • Centre notifies guidelines for electric passenger vehicle manufacturing scheme

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Centre on Monday issued detailed guidelines for a new scheme aimed at promoting domestic manufacturing of electric passenger vehicles, marking a key step in its broader push for green mobility and sustainable industrial development. The “Scheme to Promote Manufacturing of Electric Passenger Cars in India” (SPMEPCI), notified by the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI), is intended to attract global investments in India’s electric vehicle (EV) sector while strengthening the country’s position as a global automotive manufacturing hub.

    Announced in March 2024, the scheme aligns with India’s climate goals, including its commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070. The initiative also supports the government’s vision of fostering economic growth, job creation, and environmental sustainability through strategic policy interventions in the EV ecosystem.

    Speaking at a press conference, Union Minister for Heavy Industries, H.D. Kumaraswamy, described the scheme as a forward-looking and transformative step. He noted that the scheme is designed not only to bring cutting-edge EV technologies into the Indian market but also to build indigenous manufacturing capabilities through a clear framework of domestic value addition (DVA) targets.

    Under the scheme, approved companies will be allowed to import a limited number of completely built electric four-wheelers (e-4W) at a reduced customs duty rate of 15 per cent for a period of five years. These imports must meet a minimum cost, insurance and freight (CIF) value of USD 35,000 per unit. The concession is capped at 8,000 units per year, with the flexibility to carry forward unused quotas. However, the total duty foregone will be limited to either Rs 6,484 crore or the actual investment made by the applicant, whichever is lower.

    To qualify for these benefits, applicants must commit to a minimum investment of Rs 4,150 crore within three years of receiving approval. They must also establish manufacturing facilities and commence production within this period. The guidelines stipulate that a minimum of 25 per cent domestic value addition should be achieved within three years, rising to 50 per cent within five years. The DVA assessment will follow the existing Standard Operating Procedure of the PLI Scheme for Automobile and Auto Components, with certifications to be carried out by MHI-approved testing agencies.

    While there is no cap on maximum investment, only specific categories of expenditure—such as new plant and machinery, engineering research and development, and essential buildings—will be counted towards the investment threshold. Notably, expenditure on land is excluded, while spending on charging infrastructure will be considered up to a limit of five per cent of the total committed investment.

    Applicants will be required to furnish a bank guarantee equivalent to the higher of the duty foregone or Rs 4,150 crore, valid for the entire duration of the scheme. The application window, expected to open soon, will remain active for a minimum of 120 days, with the government retaining the option to reopen it until March 2026. A non-refundable application fee of Rs 5 lakh will be applicable.

    Eligibility is restricted to companies or global groups with an automotive manufacturing revenue of at least Rs 10,000 crore and fixed asset investments of not less than Rs 3,000 crore, based on their latest audited financial statements.

    The Ministry of Heavy Industries said the scheme would catalyse the development of a competitive and self-reliant EV manufacturing ecosystem in India, contributing to the larger goals of the ‘Make in India’ and ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiatives. The effort is also expected to generate high-quality employment, accelerate the adoption of clean energy technologies, and position India as a preferred destination for global automotive innovation.

  • India to create 7.29 million green jobs by FY28, 35 million by 2047: Report

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    India’s green economy is growing rapidly and is expected to reach a value of $1 trillion by 2030, and a staggering $15 trillion by 2070, a new report said on Monday.

    With this massive growth, India is also set to create a huge number of green jobs – around 7.29 million by the financial year 2027-28 and 35 million by the year 2047, according to a NLB Services report.

    NLB Services CEO Sachin Alug said: “In the past 4–5 years, we’ve seen green jobs evolve from niche roles to mainstream opportunities across renewable energy, EVs, and sustainable infrastructure. What’s changed pragmatically is the skillsets.”

    “Today’s green workforce needs both sustainability know-how and digital fluency, and the increased integration of AI, IoT, blockchain, GIS, and data-driven tools are laying the foundation for progressive, new-age green careers,” Alug mentioned.

    As the green sector expands, industries are not just investing in green technology and renewable energy, but also focusing on building a skilled workforce to meet the rising demand.

    This shift is driving companies to change their hiring strategies. Rather than relying only on traditional degrees, employers are now giving more importance to practical green skills and hands-on experience.

    Many companies are also working closely with colleges and universities to equip young people with sustainability-related skills, while also investing in inclusive hiring and re-skilling programmes, the report stated.

    The new employment outlook is stronger than earlier predictions. In 2024, the green sector was expected to grow at a pace of 15–20 per cent annually in terms of job demand.

    However, new estimates show an even faster increase, especially in fields like renewable energy, electric vehicles, green construction, waste management, and sustainable textiles.

    Most green jobs are still based in big cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Delhi. But smaller cities such as Jaipur, Indore, Visakhapatnam, Coimbatore, Bhubaneswar, Chandigarh, and Ahmedabad are also becoming key green job hubs.

    Tier II and Tier III cities are expected to create 35-40 per cent of the projected 7.29 million jobs by FY28, helped by the growth in sustainable agriculture, logistics, and warehousing, as per the report.

    Green job roles are also becoming more diverse. Demand for professionals in areas such as ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) analytics, climate data analysis, and green technology is growing fast, with a projected 20–30 per cent yearly rise.

    (IANS)

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: April retail sales drop 2.3%

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The value of total retail sales in April, provisionally estimated at $28.9 billion, was down 2.3% compared with the same month in 2024, the Census & Statistics Department announced today.

    After netting out the effect of price changes over the same period, the provisional estimate for the month was 3.3% lower year-on-year.

    Of the total retail sales figure for the month, online sales accounted for 8.1%. Provisionally estimated at $2.3 billion, the value of online retail sales decreased 3.5% compared with a year earlier.

    Meanwhile, the value of sales of commodities in supermarkets decreased 2.4% compared with a year earlier.

    There were also declines in the value of sales in the following categories: jewellery, watches and clocks, and valuable gifts (-1.7%); apparel (-5.6%); motor vehicles and parts (-53.4%); fuels (-12.5%); footwear, allied products and other clothing accessories (-5.1%); furniture and fixtures (-16.7%); and optical items (-0.2%).

    By contrast, the value of sales of “other consumer goods not elsewhere classified” increased by 13.4% for the period. Also up were sales of medicines and cosmetics (+7.2%); food, alcoholic drinks and tobacco (+3%); electrical goods and other consumer durable goods not elsewhere classified (+1.6%); commodities in department stores (+2.1%); books, newspapers, stationery and gifts (+11.7%); and Chinese drugs and herbs (+3.8%).

    The Government said its proactive promotion of tourism and mega events, increased employment earnings and sustained steady growth in the Mainland economy will support the retail sector.

    However, it cautioned that ongoing changes in consumption patterns and competition among businesses, amid an uncertain macroeconomic environment, will continue to pose challenges for the sector.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s westernmost border port goes 24/7 to boost Central Asia trade

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

    The Irkeshtam port in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region launched a trial of 24-hour freight clearance operations on Sunday, making it the second land port in the region and the first in southern Xinjiang to adopt such a system. This move is aimed at enhancing trade logistics between China and Central Asia, according to the local immigration inspection station.

    As China’s westernmost land port, Irkeshtam serves as a critical gateway to Kyrgyzstan and a hub for Central and West Asia, with rising cross-border activity and robust transport demand.

    To support the round-the-clock operations, the Irkeshtam immigration inspection station optimized staffing through shift rotations and implemented “on-arrival inspection” for freight vehicles, which strikes a balance between security and efficiency.

    Jiang Zhidong, chairman of the Kashgar-based Xinjiang Jiujiuxi International Trade Co., Ltd., said that the system will significantly boost cargo efficiency, cut logistics costs, further energize port operations and unleash foreign trade potential.

    Statistics show that port traffic has surged this year at Irkeshtam, with the station handling over 105,800 trips and 98,500 vehicles by Sunday, up 80 percent and 79 percent year on year, respectively. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Number of victims in bridge collapse in Bryansk region reaches 104 — governor

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    Moscow, June 2 /Xinhua/ — The total number of victims in the collapse of a bridge in the Bryansk region has reached 104, the region’s governor Alexander Bogomaz told reporters.

    “Today we have 104 victims in total. Seven dead, 104 injured. It turns out that three are “serious”, the rest /are in a condition/ of moderate severity and mild,” TASS quotes the governor as saying.

    On the evening of May 31, in the Bryansk region, a road bridge and a truck driving on it collapsed onto a passenger train. The locomotive and four carriages derailed, and one carriage was crushed by the bridge debris. There were 388 people on the train. Seven people died. Sixty-four passengers were hospitalized in the region and Moscow, the Russian Ministry of Health reported earlier. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Funding Delivered by Congressman Boyle Leads to Temple Campus Arrest of Suspect Wanted in Three States

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Brendan Boyle (13th District of Pennsylvania)

    PHILADELPHIA, PA – Today, Congressman Brendan F. Boyle (PA-02) joined the Temple University and New Castle County Police Departments to announce the arrest of a burglary suspect who was wanted by authorities in PA, NJ, and DE.

    This arrest was made possible by Congressman Boyle’s community project funding for the Temple University Police Department, which enabled the deployment of Flock license plate reading cameras. Boyle was joined at the press conference by Jennifer Griffin, Chief of Police and Vice President for Public Safety at Temple University, and Richard Chambers, Master Corporal and PIO at the New Castle County Police Department.

    “Not been too long before we had tragically lost Temple Police University Officer Christopher Fitzgerald,” said Congressman Boyle. “And so I wanted to secure funds that would help the public safety effort in and around Temple University. To see the fruits of that labor actually lead to an arrest is incredibly exciting.  I thank again everyone who was involved in public safety in and around Temple University, and I thank all of the officers behind me. It’s never lost on me just what an enormously difficult job each and every one of you have in terms of keeping us safe.”

    “I am very proud of our diligent police officers and detectives who made this arrest happen quickly,” said Jennifer Griffin, Chief of Police and Vice President for Public Safety at Temple University. “Temple’s license plate reading cameras were purchased through a grant that was secured by Congressman Brennan Boyle. We are so grateful and thankful for his continued support to make Philadelphia safer.”

    “Detective Arnold from the Newcastle County Police was able to obtain a possible vehicle description,” said Richard Chambers, Master Corporal and PIO at the New Castle County Police Department. “Using the cameras, Detective Arnold quickly contacted the Temple University Police Department, and the Temple University Police Department quickly located the vehicle with the suspect in it.

    Temple University was the first university in Pennsylvania to deploy the Flock license plate reader system. The system was used to locate a suspect wanted by the New Castle County Police Department for burglary and theft. New Castle County Police worked with the Temple University Police Department to quickly arrest him on Temple’s campus.  He was extradited to Delaware, where he pled guilty to one felony and one misdemeanor charge. 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman DeSaulnier Announces Advancement of $35 Million for Projects to Benefit Contra Costa and Alameda Counties

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mark DeSaulnier Representing the 11th District of California

    Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10) announced that he advanced 15 projects totaling over $35 million to benefit Contra Costa and Alameda Counties for consideration by the U.S. House Committee on Appropriations as part of the Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations process. These projects would help to support public health and safety, transportation accessibility and community development, and environmental protection and sustainability in California’s 10th Congressional District. Each year Congress provides Member-directed federal funding to a select number of Community Projects through the appropriations process. Under this process, each House member is allowed to submit 15 project requests on behalf of their Congressional District to the Appropriations Committee that meet the criteria set forth by the Committee.

    “I am proud to again advance over $35 million in funding that would directly benefit communities in Contra Costa and Alameda Counties by making our roads safer and more accessible, improving our outdoor spaces, providing cost-savings and environmental benefits through sustainability, and bolstering protection from crime and natural disasters,” said Congressman DeSaulnier. “I appreciate the effort of and collaboration with our local governments and organizations in submitting these projects, and I will continue to fight to see them through this legislative process and get the funding delivered to our district.”

    “We are grateful for Congressman DeSaulnier’s leadership in advancing five projects that will improve safety, emergency response, and transportation infrastructure in Contra Costa County. These critical investments will ensure that Contra Costa continues to be a safe and welcoming place for residents and businesses to thrive. We appreciate the Congressman’s foresight in selecting these projects, which offer regional benefits to our community,” said Candace Andersen, Chair of the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors.

    “Central San wishes to express our sincere gratitude to Congressman DeSaulnier for championing our Ultraviolet (UV) Disinfection Replacement Project. This critical project will provide direct community benefits by improving the resiliency of Central San’s wastewater operations during extreme weather events and significantly reducing its energy footprint. This federal funding will support the transition to a state-of-the-art UV system that will make the wastewater treatment plant more sustainable and energy efficient because it will decrease energy use and meaningfully reduce greenhouse gases produced annually,” said Roger Bailey, General Manager of Central Contra Costa Sanitary District.

    “For truly safe and stable communities, we must make robust investments in public safety, including preventing and prosecuting organized retail theft and fighting labor trafficking. Efforts like the Healing and Justice for Survivors of Labor Trafficking program are designed to significantly increase funding for the number of Victim Witness Unit staff, allowing them to better provide education, outreach, and support for survivors. Congressman Mark DeSaulnier’s success in securing this crucial funding demonstrates his deep understanding of these fundamental needs,” said Diana Becton, District Attorney, Contra Costa County.

    “We appreciate the support from Congressman DeSaulnier in advancing our Community Project Funding request to provide resilient and modern emergency power infrastructure to support the East Bay Regional Communications System.  This project will have a direct impact on improving the public safety radio infrastructure for our firefighters, ambulance crews, and all first responders throughout Contra Costa County and northern Alameda County.  Congressman DeSaulnier is helping us to keep our communities and our first responders safe with this critical infrastructure investment,” said Lewis Broschard, Fire Chief, Contra Costa County Fire Protection District.

    “Investing in energy-efficient storage infrastructure ensures County Connection can power our future fleet with greater reliability and lower costs. This system strengthens our ability to deliver vital transit service during emergencies and supports a cleaner, more resilient future for our community. We’re grateful that Congressman DeSaulnier shares our commitment to sustainability and smart investment in local transit,” said Bill Churchill, General Manager, Central Contra Costa County Transit Authority.

    “We are extremely grateful to be included for consideration; upgrading our officer’s body worn cameras is an important public safety project for our residents and our police department,” said Cindy Darling, Mayor of Walnut Creek.

    “The Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) sincerely appreciates Congressman DeSaulnier’s continued support in advancing innovative transportation solutions in our county. This critical funding will allow CCTA to implement smart signal technology in the Cities of Antioch and Oakley, enabling signal synchronization, enhanced traffic flow, and smooth congestion. The upgraded system will also prioritize transit and emergency vehicles and support countywide efforts to achieve Vision Zero goals,” said Tim Haile, Executive Director, Contra Costa Transportation Authority.

    “The City of Dublin is proud to have Congressman DeSaulnier’s support for our Community Project Funding Request for the Village Parkway Reconstruction and Complete Streets Project. This important project will address critical infrastructure needs by resurfacing roads, improving bicycle access, enhancing safety, and upgrading sidewalks near Dublin High School. Once complete, Village Parkway will be a significantly safer and more accessible corridor for all who live, work, and travel in Dublin,” said Sherry Hu, Mayor of Dublin.

    “We are grateful for Congressman DeSaulnier’s vital support of this critical project. Upgrading our emergency generators will significantly enhance the resilience of the communication systems our first responders rely on during emergencies and disasters,” said Jon King, Board Chair, East Bay Regional Communications System Authority.

    “Thanks to Congressman DeSaulnier’s support, the Marsh Drive Class I Bikeway Project will close a 1.3-mile gap in Contra Costa County’s expansive bicycle network, providing the residents of Pacheco and Martinez a low-stress and multi-use bicycle and pedestrian facility that connects to the 32-mile Iron Horse Regional Trail, improving connectivity to neighboring jurisdictions such as the City of Concord and City of Pleasant Hill, while also improving access to recreational areas such as the lower Walnut Creek channel and Pacheco Marsh. The project will help Contra Costa County achieve its ambitious “Vision Zero” safety goal of having zero fatalities or severe injuries along its road network,” said Warren Lai, Director, Contra Costa County Public Works.

    “We greatly appreciate Congressman DeSaulnier championing the Treat Boulevard Corridor Improvements Project, a multi-modal project that will construct bicycle lanes and enhanced pedestrian infrastructure along Treat Boulevard in the Contra Costa Centre Transit Village of Walnut Creek. The Treat Boulevard Corridor Improvements will provide a critical connection to the region’s 32-mile Iron Horse Regional Trail and active transportation options for commuters and residents of Walnut Creek. This project will transform the road corridor into a model example of complete streets design, improving connectivity to light rail transit (Bay Area Rapid Transit, or BART, Pleasant Hill/Contra Costa Centre Station), high-density housing, and thousands of jobs, further supporting economic, health, and transportation benefits for the Contra Costa Centre and Walnut Creek areas,” said Warren Lai, Director, Contra Costa County Public Works.

    “This is more than a park project – it’s about honoring history, creating access, and supporting public spaces which will serve generations to come. The South of Bailey Road Community Development Project will open 890 acres of land to the public at Thurgood Marshall Regional Park – Home of the Port Chicago 50, laying the foundation for a regional destination rooted in community and remembrance. We deeply appreciate Representative DeSaulnier’s leadership in moving this vision forward,” said Sabrina Landreth, General Manager, East Bay Regional Park District.

    “We are deeply grateful that Congressman DeSaulnier has again selected our Ocean Ambassadors educational program for consideration for Community Project Funding through the Appropriations Committee,” said Cecily Majerus, Chief Executive Officer, The Marine Mammal Center. “Environmental literacy is crucial. This critical funding support would allow the Center to expand our Ocean Ambassadors in Contra Costa County—bringing high-impact, standards-aligned marine science learning to more classrooms through educator training, coaching, and peer mentoring.”

    “The Danville Townwide Fiber project is a transformative step toward a more connected and resilient community. By expanding our fiber infrastructure, we are ensuring that Danville’s traffic systems are smarter, safer, and prepared for the future,” said Renee Morgan, Mayor of Danville.

    “We are grateful for Congressman DeSaulnier’s continued support and unwavering commitment to help Diablo Water District build a resilient water system capable of withstanding potential seismic risks to our underground transmission lines and above-ground steel reservoirs,” said Dan Muelrath, General Manager, Diablo Water District.

    “On behalf of the City of Concord, I extend our sincere thanks to Congressman DeSaulnier for championing the effort to improve our Emergency Operations Center. His support is vital to addressing critical infrastructure needs that impact our emergency response and community safety. This funding will help transform the EOC into a modern, resilient facility that strengthens regional preparedness and protects lives. We deeply appreciate his leadership and commitment to public safety,” said Carlyn Obringer, Mayor or Concord.

    Transportation Accessibility and Community Development Projects:

    • $3,900,000 for the Town of Danville to install fiber optic cables and construct new conduit and junction boxes for 54 traffic signals in Danville to enable real-time traffic signal optimization to reduce traffic congestion and improve safety, and allow for future implementation of smart city technologies.
    • $3,000,000 for the City of Dublin to improve safety and accessibility of Village Parkway by narrowing vehicle lanes, adding lighting, and constructing buffered bike lanes, wider sidewalks, and protected intersections.
    • $2,000,000 for the Contra Costa County Public Works Department to create a separate bike path to fill a gap in the County-wide bicycle network along Marsh Drive in unincorporated Pacheco, which will improve safety for all road users and access to local commercial centers, recreational centers, and additional connections to the local mass transit system.
    • $2,000,000 for the East Bay Regional Park District to construct visitor facilities such as restrooms, drinking fountains, public parking areas, and a turnout lane on Bailey Road to allow for the Thurgood Marshall Regional Park to be opened up to the public.
    • $1,970,010 for the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) to upgrade and develop a network of smart traffic signals between Antioch and Oakley to improve commute times, reduce delays, and ease congestion.
    • $1,500,000 for the Contra Costa County Public Works Department to construct bicycle and pedestrian facilities on Treat Boulevard in the Contra Costa Centre Transit Village in Walnut Creek to close a critical gap along the Iron Horse Regional Trail, which would improve safety for non-motorized road users and improve connectivity for first and last mile connections to public transit and local commercial establishments.

    Public Health and Safety Projects:

    • $4,875,000 to the Diablo Water District to provide structural and foundational reinforcements to water infrastructure to mitigate risks associated with major seismic events, safeguard water supply, and contribute to the region’s overall disaster preparedness strategy.
    • $3,649,671 to the City of Concord to make improvements to the Emergency Operations Center in Concord to ensure its longevity, efficiency, and resilience as it serves as a critical hub for bolstering regional preparedness, response, and recovery efforts during emergencies and disasters.
    • $1,915,000 for the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (Con Fire) to replace and install equipment, including backup generators, shore power plugs, and automatic transfer switches, at radio towers across Contra Costa County that are used for communication between law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical services to improve system reliability during emergencies and disasters that result in the loss of power.
    • $1,000,000 to the City of Walnut Creek to purchase 120 body worn cameras, charging docks, and equipment to promote transparency, accountability, and public trust in the police department.
    • $600,000 for the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office to create an Organized Retail Theft (ORT) Prevention and Prosecution Unit with the goal of addressing increased levels of retail theft crimes, helping local law enforcement better confront these types of crimes, and improving public safety.
    • $500,000 for the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office to enhance the identification and referral of survivors of labor trafficking and cases of labor trafficking occurring in the County, increase the capacity of the District Attorney’s Office to investigate cases of labor exploitation and trafficking, and improve the quality and scope of services provided to underserved and marginalized victims of human trafficking.

    Environmental Protection and Sustainability Projects:

    • $4,000,000 to the Central Conta Costa Sanitary District (Central San) to upgrade the water treatment facility’s ultraviolet (UV) technology to reduce the energy footprint of water treatment and protect public health and water quality in the region.
    • $4,000,000 to the Central Contra Costa Transit Authority (County Connection) to construct a battery system to allow the agency to charge its zero emission buses overnight, and provide a source of power to maintain operations during emergencies.
    • $272,918 for the Marine Mammal Center to help build scientific literacy and environmental stewardship of the coastal zone for 2,7000 students and their teachers and to develop a pipeline for the future STEM workforce.

    Selection and submission of projects to the Appropriations Committee is the first stage of the process for Community Project Funding. The projects are subject to a strict transparency and accountability process, which is detailed here by the Appropriations Committee. Examples of this vetting include certifying that Members have no financial interest in these projects, an audit of a sampling of these projects by the Government Accountability Office, and a requirement for demonstrated community support and engagement for each submission. More information on each project and the certifications of no financial interest can be found here.

     

    #

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Provisional statistics of retail sales for April 2025

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released the latest figures on retail sales today (June 2).

         The value of total retail sales in April 2025, provisionally estimated at $28.9 billion, decreased by 2.3% compared with the same month in 2024. The revised estimate of the value of total retail sales in March 2025 decreased by 3.5% compared with a year earlier. For the first 4 months of 2025 taken together, it was provisionally estimated that the value of total retail sales decreased by 5.6% compared with the same period in 2024.

         Of the total retail sales value in April 2025, online sales accounted for 8.1%. The value of online retail sales in that month, provisionally estimated at $2.3 billion, decreased by 3.5% compared with the same month in 2024. The revised estimate of online retail sales in March 2025 decreased by 0.5% compared with a year earlier. For the first 4 months of 2025 taken together, it was provisionally estimated that the value of online retail sales decreased by 2.2% compared with the same period in 2024.

         After netting out the effect of price changes over the same period, the provisional estimate of the volume of total retail sales in April 2025 decreased by 3.3% compared with a year earlier. The revised estimate of the volume of total retail sales in March 2025 decreased by 4.7% compared with a year earlier. For the first 4 months of 2025 taken together, the provisional estimate of the total retail sales decreased by 7.2% in volume compared with the same period in 2024.

         Analysed by broad type of retail outlet in descending order of the provisional estimate of the value of sales and comparing April 2025 with April 2024, the value of sales of commodities in supermarkets decreased by 2.4%. This was followed by sales of jewellery, watches and clocks, and valuable gifts (-1.7% in value); wearing apparel (-5.6%); motor vehicles and parts (-53.4%); fuels (-12.5%); footwear, allied products and other clothing accessories (-5.1%); furniture and fixtures (-16.7%); and optical shops (-0.2%).

         On the other hand, the value of sales of other consumer goods not elsewhere classified increased by 13.4% in April 2025 over a year earlier. This was followed by sales of medicines and cosmetics (+7.2% in value); food, alcoholic drinks and tobacco (+3.0%); electrical goods and other consumer durable goods not elsewhere classified (+1.6%); commodities in department stores (+2.1%); books, newspapers, stationery and gifts (+11.7%); and Chinese drugs and herbs (+3.8%).

         Based on the seasonally adjusted series, the provisional estimate of the value of total retail sales increased by 4.2% in the three months ending April 2025 compared with the preceding three-month period, while the provisional estimate of the volume of total retail sales increased by 7.1%.

    Commentary

         A government spokesman said that retail sales performance showed signs of stabilisation in recent months. The value of total retail sales recorded a modest year-on-year decline of 2.3% in April 2025. The decline narrowed further in April compared with the previous months despite the effect of the late arrival of the Easter holidays this year (in mid-April this year but in the junction of March and April last year) when more residents made outbound trips during the month.

         Looking ahead, the spokesman said that the Government’s proactive promotion of tourism and mega events will help stimulate the consumption market. Increase in employment earnings and sustained steady growth of the Mainland economy will also bolster consumption sentiment. These factors will be supportive to the retail sector, though ongoing changes in consumption patterns and competition among businesses amid the uncertain macroeconomic environment will still pose challenges.

    Further information

         Table 1 presents the revised figures on value index and value of retail sales for all retail outlets and by broad type of retail outlet for March 2025 as well as the provisional figures for April 2025. The provisional figures on the value of retail sales for all retail outlets and by broad type of retail outlet as well as the corresponding year-on-year changes for the first 4 months of 2025 taken together are also shown.

         Table 2 presents the revised figures on value of online retail sales for March 2025 as well as the provisional figures for April 2025. The provisional figures on year-on-year changes for the first 4 months of 2025 taken together are also shown.

         Table 3 presents the revised figures on volume index of retail sales for all retail outlets and by broad type of retail outlet for March 2025 as well as the provisional figures for April 2025. The provisional figures on year-on-year changes for the first 4 months of 2025 taken together are also shown.

         Table 4 shows the movements of the value and volume of total retail sales in terms of the year-on-year rate of change for a month compared with the same month in the preceding year based on the original series, and in terms of the rate of change for a three-month period compared with the preceding three-month period based on the seasonally adjusted series.

         The classification of retail establishments follows the Hong Kong Standard Industrial Classification (HSIC) Version 2.0, which is used in various economic surveys for classifying economic units into different industry classes.

         These retail sales statistics measure the sales receipts in respect of goods sold by local retail establishments and are primarily intended for gauging the short-term business performance of the local retail sector. Data on retail sales are collected from local retail establishments through the Monthly Survey of Retail Sales (MRS). Local retail establishments with and without physical shops are covered in MRS and their sales, both through conventional shops and online channels, are included in the retail sales statistics.

         The retail sales statistics cover consumer spending on goods but not on services (such as those on housing, catering, medical care and health services, transport and communication, financial services, education and entertainment) which account for over 50% of the overall consumer spending. Moreover, they include spending on goods in Hong Kong by visitors but exclude spending outside Hong Kong by Hong Kong residents. Hence they should not be regarded as indicators for measuring overall consumer spending.

         Users interested in the trend of overall consumer spending should refer to the data series of private consumption expenditure (PCE), which is a major component of the Gross Domestic Product published at quarterly intervals. Compiled from a wide range of data sources, PCE covers consumer spending on both goods (including goods purchased from all channels) and services by Hong Kong residents whether locally or abroad. Please refer to the C&SD publication “Gross Domestic Product by Expenditure Component” for more details.

         More detailed statistics are given in the “Report on Monthly Survey of Retail Sales”. Users can browse and download this publication at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1080003&scode=530).

         Users who have enquiries about the survey results may contact the Distribution Services Statistics Section of the C&SD (Tel: 3903 7400; email : mrs@censtatd.gov.hk).

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: At the Irkeshtam checkpoint on the Chinese-Kyrgyz border, customs clearance of goods has begun on a trial basis in the “24/7” mode

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    URUMQI, June 2 (Xinhua) — The 24/7 customs clearance regime officially began trial operation at the Irkeshtam border checkpoint on the China-Kyrgyzstan border in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on Sunday, the local border control agency said.

    Thus, Irkeshtam, which is the westernmost land border crossing of China, became the second such checkpoint in Xinjiang, where it was possible to ensure continuous operation in the field of customs clearance of goods, following the Khorgos checkpoint. This will further contribute to the uninterrupted trade and logistics channels between China and Central Asia.

    There has been a steady increase in the number of people and vehicles entering and leaving China through the Irkeshtam checkpoint in recent years, indicating high demand for cross-border transportation.

    According to Jiang Zhidong, chairman of a local international trade company, 24/7 customs clearance of goods will significantly improve the efficiency of cargo transit through Irkeshtam and reduce logistics costs.

    According to data as of June 1, the number of people and vehicles that passed through the Irkeshtam checkpoint after inspection amounted to more than 105,800 person-times and more than 98,500 units, respectively, which is 80 percent and 79 percent more in annual terms.

    Since the trial launch of the 24/7 customs clearance regime for cargo at 10:00 on Sunday, as of 08:00 on Monday, a total of 966 incoming and outgoing trucks have been checked and cleared at the Irkeshtam checkpoint. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Summary: Ukraine announced attacks against Russian airfields, Russian Defense Ministry reported several aircraft units catching fire

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    Kyiv/Moscow, June 2 (Xinhua) — The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) said Sunday that 34 percent of strategic cruise missile carriers at Russia’s main airfields were hit in an attack carried out on Sunday. The Russian Defense Ministry, meanwhile, said several aircraft caught fire.

    According to a message published by the SBU on Facebook, the estimated cost of the damaged strategic aviation is about 7 billion US dollars.

    The Interfax-Ukraine news agency, citing its sources, reported that drones struck four military airfields on Russian territory: Belaya in the Irkutsk region, Dyagilevo in the Ryazan region, Olenya in the Murmansk region, and Ivanovo in the Ivanovo region.

    According to the agency, more than forty A-50, Tu-95 and Tu-22 aircraft, which Russia used to strike Ukrainian territory, were hit as a result of the attack.

    The Russian Defense Ministry, in turn, reported that the Ukrainian side committed a terrorist attack using FPV drones against airfields in the Murmansk, Irkutsk, Ivanovo, Ryazan and Amur regions. All terrorist attacks at military airfields in the Ivanovo, Ryazan and Amur regions were repelled.

    According to the Russian military department, several aircraft units caught fire in the Murmansk and Irkutsk regions as a result of FPV drones being launched from the territory located in the immediate vicinity of airfields. The fires have been extinguished. There are no casualties among military personnel or civilian personnel. Some of the participants in the terrorist attacks have been detained.

    Irkutsk Region Governor Igor Kobzev reported on his Telegram channel that the first drone attack in Siberia took place in the region on a military unit in the village of Sredniy. “At the moment, it is known that this was a drone attack on a military unit in the village of Sredniy. The first in Siberia. One drop was on an old building in Novomaltinsk. The exact number of UAVs has not yet been counted. Operational and security services have been deployed to the scene: FSB officers, the Ministry of Emergency Situations, and Russian National Guard fighters. They set up an operational headquarters. I also went to the Usolsky District,” I. Kobzev wrote. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Development Asia: Empowering Women, Greening Urban Transport in Uzbekistan

    Source: Asia Development Bank

    Until recently, legal restrictions in Uzbekistan limited women’s access to many jobs. Although a 2019 presidential decree abolished a list of more than 300 professions where female labor was either completely or partially prohibited, legal restrictions remained and prevented women from driving buses or freight vehicles weighing over 2.5 tons or carrying more than 14 passengers. This changed with Cabinet of Ministers’ Resolution No. 85 in February 2024, which officially lifted the remaining barriers.

    While this legislative reform marks a significant step forward, there are still obstacles that limit women’s full participation in public transport employment, highlighting the need for coordinated and effective solutions.

    A key obstacle is the lack of public awareness regarding available opportunities in the transport sector. Although there is strong demand for skilled drivers, information about the benefits of working as an electric bus driver—particularly for women—is still limited.

    Targeted information campaigns, showcasing success stories of female drivers, and media visibility of their contributions to urban mobility could play a vital role in reshaping public perceptions of the profession and inspire more women to consider careers in public transport.

    Working conditions also need to be improved since bus driving is physically and mentally demanding. The World Bank report Closing Gender Gaps in Transport recommends measures such as better shift scheduling, access to clean and well-lit rest areas, provision of sanitary facilities, and implementation of safety programs, which can attract more women to the profession. Modern electric buses, designed with ergonomic driver workstations, also help reduce physical strain and make vehicle operation more comfortable.

    Access to quality training remains a significant barrier. Acquiring the necessary driver’s license and completing required certification courses involve financial costs, which can deter potential candidates. To address this, government support through training subsidies and incentives for companies that hire female drivers could overcome these barriers and encourage higher female participation in the transport sector.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Australia’s latest emissions data reveal we still have a giant fossil fuel problem

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Emma Lovell, Senior Lecturer in Chemical Engineering, UNSW Sydney

    According to Australia’s Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen, the latest emissions data show “we are on track to reach our 2030 targets” under the Paris Agreement. In 2024, Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions were “27% below 2005 levels”. That’s great news, right?

    Well, yes and no. Australia continues to rely on changes in land use to compensate for emissions released into the atmosphere.

    In other words, Australia’s plants are considered to be taking more carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere now than in 2005. Their efforts are captured in the Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) sector, which is the single largest reason for the significant reduction in Australian emissions.

    Without accounting for land use, Australia’s emissions have only decreased 3% since 2005, not 27%.

    If Australia is serious about reducing emissions and tracking towards net zero by 2050, we need to tackle a series of inconvenient truths about fossil fuels. Fossil fuels feed into almost every aspect of our lives, not just cars and power plants. There are substitutes, but they are not easy to source – and they don’t come cheap.

    How fossil fuel exports drive up emissions here and overseas

    Australia is one of the world’s biggest fossil fuel exporters. The coal, oil and natural gas we export is either burnt or combined with our sizeable iron ore exports to produce iron. But the greenhouse gases are released overseas, so they don’t count in Australia’s emissions data.

    This is in line with our international commitments under the Paris agreement. But there is an argument to be made that even though Australia doesn’t burn those exports, we should acknowledge our central role in contributing to global emissions. We may need to account for these in future reporting.

    Australia’s export emissions are likely to be triple that of our domestic emissions. These emissions have been increasing consistently over the last decade.

    But the process of extracting fossil fuels and preparing them for export does show up in Australia’s domestic emission figures, through what’s called “fugitive emissions”. These fugitive emissions are the unavoidable leaks that occur when we pull fossil fuels out of the ground, store, transport and process them.

    In the year to 2024, fugitive emissions accounted for 10.6% of our emissions, which is far greater than emissions from industrial processes (6.8%).

    Disturbingly, recent analysis suggests fugitive emissions could be drastically underreported. Because these emissions are tricky to measure, they are often estimated on an average basis. This means reported values do not accurately reflect true releases.

    When it comes to fugitive and export emissions, Australia is not on track to meet 2030 targets. Recent export-focused fossil project approvals such as the North West Shelf gas project suggest we might even be backtracking.

    Chris Bowen on Insiders, Sunday June 1, 2025 (ABC News)

    The transition to renewables

    Closing dirty old coal-fired power stations and replacing them with renewable energy such as solar and wind power does cut emissions. The reduction in emissions from the electricity sector, down 23.7% on 2005 levels, is good news. But the difference is still small enough that seasonal variations from Tasmania’s hydro power plants can distort the annual figures.

    At least there is a plan in place for the energy transition. Big, slow wheels are in motion.

    Unfortunately the reality is we will need much, much more renewable energy in the future. Up to three times the current capacity of the National Electricity Market will be needed to cover future domestic energy requirements across electricity and other sectors out to 2050.

    Significantly more would be required to generate enough additional green energy to also produce green value-added commodities.

    Australia’s clean energy challenge

    Discussions around transitioning from fossil fuels typically overlook how deeply they are embedded in our everyday lives.

    Not just the fuel we use in our cars, but the roads we drive on. Not just the electricity we use to power our hospitals, but the steel used to build them and the pharmaceuticals we rely on.

    Globally, around 13% of fossil fuels are not burned but used to make these key chemicals. What’s the alternative?

    Clean electricity is the key.

    Electricity can be used to make hydrogen from water through electrolysis. This hydrogen can then replace fossil fuels in manufacturing – making products such as green steel and ammonia for fertiliser.

    When combined with non-fossil sources of carbon, hydrogen can also be turned into renewable fuels, such as sustainable aviation fuel. It can be used to synthesise green versions of petrochemicals used in industrial processes such as ethanol, propylene and ethylene, which are currently sourced from fossil fuels.

    This takes energy. Lots of it. Fortunately Australia has all the ingredients needed for a booming green industry – one that’s much broader than just renewable electricity.

    Currently, it costs more to produce these chemicals without using fossil fuels. That’s why some companies and state governments have been pulling back from their investments in green hydrogen.

    Most people talk about green hydrogen in the context of energy storage or export. But it can also enable the transition away from fossil fuels in other sectors. The technology exists to make these chemicals and products, without the emissions and it’s slowly but steadily moving closer toward price parity.

    If we can nail this switch to fossil-free alternatives to petrochemicals, Australia would be able to add value onshore, rather than exporting raw materials. For example, we could export iron, not iron ore. Methanol or ammonia, not hydrogen. Export the jumper, not the wool.

    Heavy industry driven by renewables?

    On Sunday, Bowen said he found some areas of the 2024 emissions figures “encouraging, like industrial emissions, way down and lower than 2021”.

    Unfortunately, this result was partly due to a decline in manufacturing. Onshore manufacturing capability has been steadily decreasing, despite increased fossil fuel extraction.

    Unless we ramp up green manufacturing – replacing fossil fuel exports with much needed renewable products and fuels – we will continue to bear responsibility, if not direct accountability, for large, exported emissions as well as onshore fugitive emissions.

    And no amount of changes to land use can account for that.

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

    – ref. Australia’s latest emissions data reveal we still have a giant fossil fuel problem – https://theconversation.com/australias-latest-emissions-data-reveal-we-still-have-a-giant-fossil-fuel-problem-257907

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Development Asia: Empowering Women, Greening Urban Transport in Uzbekistan

    Source: Asia Development Bank

    Until recently, legal restrictions in Uzbekistan limited women’s access to many jobs. Although a 2019 presidential decree abolished a list of more than 300 professions where female labor was either completely or partially prohibited, legal restrictions remained and prevented women from driving buses or freight vehicles weighing over 2.5 tons or carrying more than 14 passengers. This changed with Cabinet of Ministers’ Resolution No. 85 in February 2024, which officially lifted the remaining barriers.

    While this legislative reform marks a significant step forward, there are still obstacles that limit women’s full participation in public transport employment, highlighting the need for coordinated and effective solutions.

    A key obstacle is the lack of public awareness regarding available opportunities in the transport sector. Although there is strong demand for skilled drivers, information about the benefits of working as an electric bus driver—particularly for women—is still limited.

    Targeted information campaigns, showcasing success stories of female drivers, and media visibility of their contributions to urban mobility could play a vital role in reshaping public perceptions of the profession and inspire more women to consider careers in public transport.

    Working conditions also need to be improved since bus driving is physically and mentally demanding. The World Bank report Closing Gender Gaps in Transport recommends measures such as better shift scheduling, access to clean and well-lit rest areas, provision of sanitary facilities, and implementation of safety programs, which can attract more women to the profession. Modern electric buses, designed with ergonomic driver workstations, also help reduce physical strain and make vehicle operation more comfortable.

    Access to quality training remains a significant barrier. Acquiring the necessary driver’s license and completing required certification courses involve financial costs, which can deter potential candidates. To address this, government support through training subsidies and incentives for companies that hire female drivers could overcome these barriers and encourage higher female participation in the transport sector.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • Security personnel rescue people stranded in floods in Northeastern states

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (2)

    large-scale humanitarian and disaster relief operation is underway across the Northeastern states of India as incessant rainfall has triggered severe flooding in several regions. The Indian Air Force, Central Armed Police Forces, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and state authorities have launched coordinated rescue and relief efforts to assist those stranded.

    Union Minister Kiren Rijiju confirmed the launch of the mission on Monday, calling it a critical intervention to manage the unfolding crisis. “A critical humanitarian assistance and disaster relief mission is being launched by the Indian Air Force, Central Armed Forces, NDRF and State Government Forces in North East India,” Rijiju said in a post on X.

    In Manipur, the Indian Army and Assam Rifles have intensified their efforts under Operation Jal Rahat-2, rescuing over 500 civilians from flood-hit areas in Imphal East and West. The affected zones include Wangkhei, Heingang, Lamlong, Khurai, JNIMS, and Ahallup.

    Ten flood relief columns, equipped with BAUTs (Boat Assault Universal Type) and inflatable boats, have been deployed. Army personnel also undertook emergency repair work on a breached section of the Iril River boundary wall near Arapti Lamkhai in Lilong, Thoubal district, in a bid to prevent further flooding.

    “Army boats ferried stranded patients to safety at JNIMS Hospital. Nearly 800 bottles of drinking water and other essential supplies were distributed to displaced families across affected areas,” the Indian Army said in a statement.

    Operations are being carried out in close coordination with civil authorities to ensure timely aid and continuous support for the affected population.

    Meanwhile, in Sikkim’s Mangan district, restoration work continues after the Phidang Bailey Bridge, which connects Mangan to Chungthang, was partially damaged by the swelling Teesta River. Authorities have restored the Chungthang-Phidang road, enabling the safe evacuation of stranded tourists.

    Search operations are still ongoing for nine tourists who went missing following a tragic vehicle accident in Mangan on May 29. The rescue efforts are being supervised by a joint task force comprising the District Police, District Administration, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Army, Border Roads Organisation (BRO), NDRF, General Reserve Engineer Force (GREF), Fire and Medical Teams, Tourism and Civil Aviation Department, and local stakeholders including the TAAS and Driver Association.

    (ANI)

  • Drones hidden in wooden sheds: How Ukraine carried out its most devastating drone strike of the war

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Ukrainian secret services were able to attack strategic bomber aircraft at Russian air bases on Sunday by hiding explosive-laden drones inside the roofs of wooden sheds, according to a Ukrainian security official and images posted online.

    Ukraine’s domestic security agency, the SBU, acknowledged that it carried out the operation, codenamed “Spider’s Web” and said it had caused considerable damage.

    The sheds were loaded onto trucks that were driven to the perimeter of the air bases. The roof panels of the sheds were lifted off by a remotely-activated mechanism, allowing the drones to fly out and begin their attack, the official said.

    The security official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said strikes were conducted on Sunday on four air bases, and that 41 Russian warplanes were hit.

    An SBU statement posted on the Telegram messaging app estimated the damage caused by the assaults at $7 billion.

    “Thirty-four percent of strategic cruise missile carriers at the main airfields of the Russian Federation were hit,” the SBU said on the Telegram messaging app.

    President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, writing on Telegram, expressed delight at the “absolutely brilliant outcome”.

    “And an outcome produced by Ukraine independently,” he wrote, noting that the operation had taken more than a year and a half to prepare. “This is our longest-range operation.”

    Speaking shortly afterwards in his nightly video address, the president noted that 117 drones had been used to attack the Russian bases and that Russian forces suffered “very tangible losses, and justifiably so”.

    Zelenskiy said the SBU had set up a nerve centre for the operation right next to a regional office of Russia’s FSB intelligence service. All operatives taking part had been brought out of Russia “on the eve of the operation”, he said.

    VIDEO SHOWS BOMBERS ABLAZE

    Unverified video and pictures posted on Russian social media showed Russian strategic bombers on fire at the Belaya air base in the Irkutsk region of Siberia.

    Igor Kobzev, the regional governor, said there had been a drone attack on a military unit near the village of Sredny, which is near the Belaya base, though he did not specify what the target was. He said the drones had been launched from a truck.

    The Irkutsk region attack was the first time a drone assault had been mounted by Ukraine so far from the front lines, which are more than 4,300 km (2,670 miles) away.

    That is beyond the range of the long-range strike drones or ballistic missiles Ukraine has in its arsenal, so required a special scheme to get the drones close enough to their targets.

    Photographs shared with Reuters by the Ukrainian security official showed dozens of short-range quadrocopter drones piled up in an industrial facility. The official said these were the same devices used in the attack.

    Other images shared by the official showed the wooden sheds with their metal roofing panels removed, and the drones sitting in the cavities between roof beams.

    Separate video posted on Russian Telegram channels, which has not been verified by Reuters, appeared to show matching sheds on the back of a truck.

    The roof panels can be seen lying on the ground next to the truck, and the video footage shows at least two drones rising out of the top of the sheds and flying off.

    The Russian online media outlet that posted the video, Baza, said in a caption that it was filmed in the district near the Belaya air base.

    The Irkutsk region air base hosts Tupolev Tu-22M supersonic long-range strategic bombers, a type of aircraft that has been used to launch missiles against targets in Ukraine.

    The operation, according to the Ukrainian security official, was personally overseen by Zelenskiy and Vasyl Maliuk, head of the SBU domestic intelligence agency.

    If confirmed, the strikes would be the most damaging Ukrainian drone attack of the war, and would be a significant setback for Moscow.

    The source shared video footage shot from a drone, saying it showed one of the strikes. The images showed several large aircraft, some of which appeared to be Tu-95 strategic bombers, on fire.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese well-drilling technology turns Egypt’s deserts into farmland

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

    As summer begins, patches of lush farmland stretch across Egypt’s Western Desert, an area that, until recently, was dominated by sand and rocks. Thanks to the deep wells drilled by the Egypt branch of China’s Zhongman Petroleum and Natural Gas Group (ZPEC), wheat, alfalfa and potatoes now thrive in tidy rows under the desert sun.

    These wells, part of a broader effort to reclaim desert land for agriculture, have transformed the barren landscape into productive farmland, offering a model for sustainable development in arid regions and underscoring the potential of international cooperation in addressing food security and ecological restoration.

    The project is an example of the high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. In Egypt, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has evolved into a platform for transformative collaboration, extending beyond infrastructure to encompass agriculture, technology and industry. By tackling pressing challenges such as food insecurity, unemployment and technological gaps, the initiative is helping to lay the groundwork for more resilient and sustainable growth.

    Drilling for resource of life

    Egypt, home to over 100 million people, grapples with the daunting task of expanding farmland in a country where only about 4 percent of the land is arable. To reduce reliance on food imports, the Egyptian government has stepped up efforts to reclaim desert land since 2015, with water sources development a crucial part of this push.

    ZPEC, operating in Egypt since 2016, has played a key role. Its teams — composed of Chinese and Egyptian employees — have drilled more than 680 wells across the country, from the Sinai Peninsula to Aswan.

    This photo taken on May 3, 2025 shows a well-drilling rig at night at the site of Owainat Water Well Project in the desert of New Valley Governorate, Egypt. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Zhao Baojiang, project manager for ZPEC’s Owainat well-drilling operation in Egypt, said his team has drilled 63 wells, each about 450 meters deep, in less than a year by overcoming such challenges as extreme temperatures, sandstorms, complex geology and logistical hurdles.

    “We’re having our first wheat harvest this year, and we’re very happy to cooperate with the Chinese company,” said Abou-elKhier Ibrahim, manager of the Owainat sector of the Future of Egypt agricultural project.

    Wheat, Egypt’s dietary cornerstone, is in high demand. According to a report released by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, per capita wheat consumption in Egypt averages about 146 kg annually.

    Mohamed Elhosary, electromechanical division manager of the Owainat sector of the Future of Egypt agricultural project, estimated that each feddan (about 0.42 hectares) of the farmland in Owainat can yield 3 tons of wheat.

    “The yield from each feddan is sufficient to cover the annual wheat consumption of at least 20 Egyptians,” Zhao Wutao, general manager of the ZPEC branch in Egypt, told Xinhua.

    Innovation brings benefits

    In Minya Province, 360 km south of Cairo, ZPEC is also supporting the farm of Canal Sugar Company, a joint venture between Egypt and the United Arab Emirates. The farm allocated a significant portion of its land to sugar beet production for a large-scale local refinery.

    ZPEC engineers faced technical hurdles there as well. According to Abumesalam Mohamed Gouda, operations manager of ZPEC’s Egypt branch, the groundwater layer in Minya’s desert is unstable, and large-diameter drilling poses risks of collapse and leakage.

    Workers operate on a well-drilling rig at the site of Owainat Water Well Project in the desert of New Valley Governorate, Egypt, on May 3, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    To address these issues, the company’s technical team introduced air foam drilling technology, which uses stable foam as drilling fluid to prevent leakage and increase efficiency. This method was later shared with local companies to help improve their performance.

    Hassan Gamal, technical manager of the Canal Sugar farm, said that the 193 wells drilled by ZPEC can irrigate 30,000 feddans (12,600 hectares) of land. In 2023 alone, the farm planted 22,000 feddans (9,240 hectares) of beets, which were processed into sugar and sold widely. “This wouldn’t have been possible without ZPEC’s wells,” he said.

    Beyond agriculture, ZPEC’s work has also supported local employment and skills training.

    Mohamed Gaber, who joined ZPEC as a worker five years ago, is now a platform manager. He credited his Chinese colleagues for teaching him skills and helping him navigate challenges. “I always strive to do my best with the support of teammates, and I’m proud to grow in such a team,” he said.

    Growing Partnership

    For many Egyptians, these projects represent more than infrastructure — they represent progress toward greater food security, stable income, and a hopeful future, experts said, expressing their eagerness to expand collaboration with Chinese enterprises.

    “This is a notable and very positive contribution by the Chinese company in advancing agricultural development in Egypt,” Ahmed Galal, dean of the Higher Institute for Agricultural Cooperation in Cairo, told Xinhua.

    “Any efforts in extracting water or increasing Egypt’s water resources directly lead to positive results for agricultural development in Egypt … We certainly hope it continues,” he said.

    The well-drilling project is just part of broader cooperation between Egypt and China under the BRI. Other projects include the Central Business District of Egypt’s new administrative capital, a textile city in Sadat City, and the China-Egypt TEDA Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone in Ain Sokhna. These ventures are seen by Egyptian experts as essential engines for job creation, industrialization and joint development.

    This photo taken on May 3, 2025 shows makeshift rooms for workers at the site of Owainat Water Well Project in the desert of New Valley Governorate, Egypt. [Photo/Xinhua]

    “China is now increasingly viewed as a development partner that contributes to job creation and improved living standards,” said Waleed Gaballah, a member of the Egyptian Association for Political Economy, Statistics and Legislation.

    He stressed China’s leadership in renewable energy, electric vehicles and advanced manufacturing. “Providing access to these technologies at a reasonable cost to countries participating in the BRI could make a major shift in the way of life in their societies.”

    Echoing his view, Galal said he looks forward to more Chinese investment in his country, as the ongoing Egypt-China cooperation under the BRI is “fruitful and promising.”

    “We in Egypt truly need all such investments. I also hope this cooperation grows in all fields, because it is, first of all, mutually beneficial — a win-win situation in terms of shared gains and joint development,” he said.

    MIL OSI China News –