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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: First major overhaul of medical device regulation comes into force across Great Britain

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    First major overhaul of medical device regulation comes into force across Great Britain

    New Post-Market Surveillance (PMS) regulations have taken effect across Great Britain, requiring medical device manufacturers to proactively monitor the safety and performance of their products once on the market.

    From today (16 June 2025), a landmark reform of how medical devices are regulated in Great Britain takes effect, as part of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency’s (MHRA) broader transformation of the UK’s medical device regulatory framework.

    The new Post-Market Surveillance (PMS) regulations require device manufacturers to actively track the safety and performance of products already in use. This will help identify potential safety issues earlier and strengthen protection for patients and the public through faster responses to incidents and emerging risks.

    Today’s reform applies to all UKCA- and CE-marked devices placed on the GB market after 16 June 2025. This includes in vitro diagnostic devices (IVD), such as glucose monitors and prostate specific antigen (PSA) tests; active implantable medical devices, including pacemakers and hearing implants; and range of technologies used across hospitals, clinics, and at home.

    The regulations will ensure all manufacturers have an effective system in place to monitor devices once they are in use, collect comprehensive safety data, report serious incidents, and take swifter action when issues arise. New trend reporting requirements will help the MHRA and industry spot patterns and intervene earlier to protect patients.

    Lawrence Tallon, Chief Executive of the MHRA, said:

    As innovation in health technologies accelerates, regulation must keep pace. Today’s reform is a critical step in ensuring safety standards evolve alongside this progress.

    By strengthening oversight of devices once they’re in use and setting clearer expectations for manufacturers, these new regulations provide a robust framework for identifying risks earlier and responding to protect patients.

    This represents an important milestone in our work in building a modern, responsive regulatory system – one that puts patient safety first, while also supporting innovation in life sciences and medical technologies across the UK.

    The new PMS regulation lays the groundwork for future reforms, including potential international recognition routes, designed to support improved access to safe and effective innovations. This is part of the UK’s broader commitment to a regulatory framework that supports both patient safety and innovation in life sciences.

    Manufacturers are now required to collect and assess real-world safety and performance data; report serious incidents to the MHRA within 15 days (previously 30); submit essential communications on patient safety (Field Safety Notices) to the MHRA for review before sharing with users; and provide PMS Reports or Periodic Safety Update Reports (PSUR) within 3 days of request. For higher risk devices, UK approved bodies will monitor these reports ensuring these products receive a higher level of scrutiny.

    The introduction of new data analysis reporting requirements will apply to all medical devices but are particularly valuable for improving oversight of lower-risk devices. These rules will require manufacturers to regularly summarise and assess device performance over time.

    Comprehensive guidance for manufacturers was published in January 2025, and has been updated following valuable industry feedback. The MHRA welcomes feedback to ensure ongoing clarity and alignment with practical implementation needs.

    Key changes introduced by the new PMS device regulation include:

    • Enhanced collection of real-world data: manufacturers must take a harmonised approach to gather and assess data on how their devices perform in everyday use, improving the ability to detect safety and performance issues.
    • Expanded scope for incident reporting: serious incidents relating to side effects are now reportable, providing a more comprehensive picture of device performance.
    • Shorter timelines for reporting serious incidents: serious incidents must be reported to the MHRA more quickly, allowing for faster regulatory action to protect patients.
    • Trend reporting and summary reporting: new data analysis reporting options will support earlier detection of trends without overburdening manufacturers or the regulator.
    • Clearer duties for risk mitigation and communication: manufacturers face stronger requirements to assess and manage risks, and to notify users promptly when safety issues arise.

    Notes to editors  

    Updates to this page

    Published 16 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: 3/2025: Confirmation of decapitalisation rates

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Correspondence

    3/2025: Confirmation of decapitalisation rates

    Business rates information letters are issued by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government at regular intervals throughout the year.

    Applies to England

    Documents

    Business Rates Information Letter (3/2025): Confirmation of decapitalisation rates

    HTML

    Details

    This letter confirms the decapitalisation rates for the 2026 revaluation.

    Updates to this page

    Published 16 June 2025

    Sign up for emails or print this page

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: British Firework Championships returns with the ‘Champion of Champions’

    Source: City of Plymouth

    Plymouth Hoe will once again come alive with colour and excitement this summer as it hosts the British Firework Championships on Wednesday 13 and Thursday 14 August.

    Sponsored by Associated British Ports (ABP), the UK’s leading port operator, this year’s event promises to be even more spectacular, as six previous winners return to compete for the title of ‘Champion of Champions’.

    The Young People’s Choice Award will also return for its third consecutive year, sponsored by Plymouth Citybus, giving care-experienced young people a chance to cast their vote for their favourite display, helping foster engagement and excitement across all age groups.

    Sally Haydon, Cabinet Member for Events said: “We are really grateful for the support ABP Ports are providing for this event in their role as lead sponsor of the British Firework Championships, and we are very much looking forward to the crowning of a ‘Champion of Champions’ on Plymouth Hoe this summer as part of what is sure to be a wonderful opportunity to enjoy some spectacular fireworks with friends and family alike.

    “This partnership provides us with a great opportunity to celebrate our shared values and support Plymouth’s vibrant visitor economy and community events.”

    Ashley Curnow, Divisional Port Manager for Wales and the Southwest at ABP, the owners and operators of Millbay Docks, said: “We are proud to support the British Firework Championships as lead sponsor for the second consecutive year, with this landmark ‘Champion of Champions’ edition.

    “As proud member of the Plymouth community, ABP is delighted to help bring this spectacular celebration to life on the Hoe and to help showcase what Britain’s Ocean City has to offer.”

    The British Firework Championships will feature three stunning 10-minute displays each evening, beginning at 9.30pm, delivered by some of the most respected pyrotechnic companies in the UK.

    Richard Stevens MBE, Managing Director at Plymouth Citybus, said, ‘Plymouth Citybus are proud to once again sponsor the Young People’s Choice Awards at this year’s British Firework Championships. The firework championships is a highlight of the year for us, and the fact that we are helping to support young people across the city makes it even more special. “

    Starting at 2pm each day, visitors can enjoy the vibrant atmosphere, with a wide variety of fairground rides providing family fun well before the fireworks begin. The entertainment continues throughout the evening, with live music and performances taking place on the main stage from 5pm.

    Street entertainers, including fire performers and stilt walkers, will also delight the crowds with walkabout shows, adding to the carnival feel. Food and drink vendors will offer a delicious selection to suit all tastes, ensuring visitors can make the most of the festivities throughout the day and into the night.

    With two evenings of show-stopping fireworks, top-tier entertainment, and family-friendly fun, this year’s British Firework Championships is set to be a real summer highlight not just for Britain’s Ocean City, but for the whole of the South West.

    For updates and travel/accessibility information: VisitPlymouth/British Firework Championships

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Refugee Week: Choose the future not the past

    Source: Scottish Greens

    16 Jun 2025 Human Rights

    Scottish Greens mark beginning of Refugee Week

    More in Human Rights

    Scotland must choose the future of a unified community over the chaos that the far-right brings, says Scottish Greens MSP Maggie Chapman.

    Today is the beginning of Refugee Week, the world’s largest arts and culture festival celebrating the contributions, talents and strengths of refugees and people seeking sanctuary.

    Ms Chapman is calling for people to welcome refugees and stand on the right side of history, as divisive politics threatens to break communities across the UK.

    Ms Chapman said:

    “Refugees and people seeking sanctuary bring a huge amount to our communities, and create a wonderful culturally diverse nation. Refugees have brought enormous richness to our country. From those fleeing the Nazis in the 1930s to more recent refugees from conflicts in the Balkans and my own home of Zimbabwe.

    “But this is not only about the benefits to us. Scotland and the UK would not exist as it does without colonialism. We claim to be a post-colonial society, but far-right political factions are all too happy to sow the seeds of hatred and racism and try to drag us back to those days of old.

    “We must stand up against that, and stand with those at risk of serious harm by the far-right.

    “Think of your neighbours who have lived here peacefully for years after fleeing conflict in Sudan. Your postie whose parents came to the UK for a better life before he was even born. The mum you meet at the school gates who worked hard to learn English as a second language just to communicate with you, and who is proud to call Scotland her home.

    “Think of the doctors, nurses and carers who risked their lives to make sure that you or your loved ones were not alone and were given medical treatment during the covid pandemic. The very same people who care about you and give so much to our country are being scapegoated and vilified by far-right politicians like Farage and co, claiming they don’t belong here.

    “Scotland often likes to think of itself as set apart from racism, but racism is here and it is growing. We’ve just watched Reform double down on an incredibly racist campaign and grow their support in a by-election.

    “Groups are mobilising across other parts of the UK and committing horrific acts, like modern day pogroms minus the pitchforks, against anyone who isn’t white and British within communities.

    “This is happening because far-right messaging is being given a platform and validation. The UK Government’s immigration stance is setting the tone that helps to feed the violence and riots we see in the streets, where innocent people are targeted by angry mobs looking for trouble.

    “We must stand up against these kinds of bullies, and stand with our neighbours and friends. It is our duty to choose community over chaos, and remember that our country is far better off because of refugees, and they have every right to feel that they belong here. Because they do.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: GUU is among the leaders of the National Ranking of Graduates’ Employment in the Field of “Sciences about Society”

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –

    The State University of Management was among the leaders of the first National Ranking of Employment of Graduates of Higher Education Institutions, which was developed within the framework of the national project “Personnel” and published on the portal “Work in Russia”.

    The rating is calculated based on Rosobrnadzor data on full-time graduates, data on their employment rate in the second year after completing their studies, and the median salary for this period.

    Our university took 11th and 13th place in terms of employment of bachelor’s and master’s degree graduates, respectively, among universities with a number of graduates greater than the median value in the field of “Sciences of Society”, which includes, among other things, psychological sciences, economics and management (including business informatics), law, sociology and social work, political science and regional studies, mass media and information and library science, service and tourism.

    In addition, SUM ranked 46th in the employment rate of bachelor’s degree graduates among universities with a graduate population below the median in the Mathematical and Natural Sciences major, which includes mathematics and mechanics, computer and information sciences, physics and astronomy, chemistry, earth sciences, and biological sciences.

    A total of 34 rankings are presented for universities in 8 areas of education.

    The final rating calculation indicator is formed as the sum of the indices of the employment level and the salary level of graduates of an educational organization in a specific field and level of education, with each index having the same weight – 0.5.

    The final index shows how much the two indicators taken together differ from the average final indicator for a specific area and level of education.

    The ratings were developed in accordance with the Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation of May 15, 2025 No. 651 “On the formation and publication of national ratings of educational organizations of higher education and professional educational organizations” and the Order of the Government of the Russian Federation of May 28, 2025 No. 1346-r “On approval of the methodology for calculating the indicators of national ratings of educational organizations of higher education and professional educational organizations”.

    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 China: Xi arrives in Astana for China-Central Asia Summit

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Xi arrives in Astana for China-Central Asia Summit

    Xinhua | June 16, 2025

    Chinese President Xi Jinping landed in Astana on Monday to attend the second China-Central Asia Summit.

    Xi was welcomed by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and other senior officials at the airport.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Official: China’s foreign trade maintains steady growth in May

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

    China’s foreign trade held up under pressure in May, with trade volume rising 2.7% and exports growing 6.3%. This came despite a decline in trade with the U.S., thanks to China’s efforts to diversify its trading partners, an official from the National Bureau of Statistics said Monday.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: “Mobile ICH” travels among districts to showcase rich content of Hong Kong’s ICH (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    “Mobile ICH” travels among districts to showcase rich content of Hong Kong’s ICH  
    Focusing on festive events, the Mobile ICH covers themes such as languages, music, performing arts, knowledge and practices concerning nature, festive events, customs and craftsmanship. It highlights the introduction of 13 of Hong Kong’s ICH items, namely traditional Chinese almanac, lantern lighting ritual, flower-lantern paper crafting technique, lantern band embroidery technique, unicorn dance, Spring and Autumn ancestral worship of clans, Hong Kong cheongsam making technique, Wai Tau dialect, “Sek Pun” (basin feast), Yu Lan Festival of the Hong Kong Chiu Chow community, Chiu Chow food making technique, engor and Chiu Chow music.
     
    Apart from exhibits and videos related to ICH, the ICH Mobile Centre features an interactive “Hong Kong ICH Festival Map”, leading the public to explore the festivals across all 18 districts and cultural traditions, and add the events to their mobile phone calendars. Through interactive devices “Tung Shing (the book of everything) Calendar” and “ICH 123”, the public can browse local festivals to learn details of related ICH items and the different ways of safeguarding and passing on ICH. The public can also make and keep their own Spring Ox Picture Souvenir Card by participating in the stamping activity on the ICH Mobile Centre.
     
    The ICH Mobile Centre project is presented by the ICHO of the LCSD, organised by the Hong Kong Resource Centre for Heritage, and funded by the ICH Funding Scheme. For information and schedule of the ICH Mobile Centre, please visit the website www.icho.hk/en/web/icho/mobile_ich_public_programme_2025.htmlIssued at HKT 17:05

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Housing Bureau responds to media enquiries about housing development in Fanling Area 17

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Housing Bureau responds to media enquiries about housing development in Fanling Area 17 
         The Housing Bureau has postponed on a temporary basis the development programme of the public housing project in Fanling Area 17 and adjusted the project’s development priority, having regard to the cost-effectiveness of various housing projects under planning. The authority stresses that it has not abandoned the project.
     
         Based on ground investigation, the Housing Department found that the Fanling Area 17 Site has complex geology with a deep bedrock layer. It is anticipated that a longer-than-normal construction period would be required, and the cost of foundation works would be significant. The bedrock level has been found at depths exceeding 80 metres below ground in general, with the deepest recorded at 120m below ground. If the site is to be used for public housing construction, deep foundation work will be involved. Preliminary estimates of the average construction cost per unit will increase by 60 per cent to 90 per cent, and the construction period will be lengthened by at least 10 months.
     
         Upon reviewing different housing construction projects, the Housing Department has decided to prioritise the development of other more cost-effective public housing projects in North District, including the completion of approximately 38 000 public housing units in Fanling, Sheung Shui and Kwu Tung North in the next five years (from 2025-26 to 2029-30). As regards the 8 300 units from the temporary postponement of the Fanling Area 17 public housing development project, apart from the above production in the five-year period, there will be other projects ready for completion in the second five-year period in North District, including 13 000 and 17 000 units in Fanling North and the Kwu Tung North New Development Area respectively. These developments will be expedited in order to maintain the originally scheduled completion date of the 8 300 flats in Fanling Area 17 in 2031/32.
     
         The Housing Bureau reaffirms that the target supply of 308 000 public housing units in the next 10 years remains unchanged. The adjustment in the priority of the development on this occasion will allow the authority to focus resources on developing first the more cost-effective public housing projects in order to provide homes to those in need as soon as possible.
    Issued at HKT 18:25

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Is it safe to drink the water in Yellowstone’s backcountry?

    Source: US Geological Survey

    Gibbon River near Norris Geyser Basin in Yellowstone National Park at sunset.  USGS Photo by Mike Poland, August 28, 2024.

    Yellowstone Caldera Chronicles is a weekly column written by scientists and collaborators of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory. This week’s contribution is from Blaine McCleskey, research chemist with the U.S. Geological Survey.

    Yellowstone National Park has over 1,000 miles of trails and nearly 300 designated backcountry campsites, allowing people to venture beyond the main roads and boardwalks. The Yellowstone backcountry includes amazing forests, grasslands, mountains, rivers, waterfalls, thermal areas, and good opportunities to view wildlife! For those venturing into the backcountry for more than a day, a clean and safe water supply is an important consideration. Water chemists who work in Yellowstone are often asked if the water in the backcountry is safe to drink. Let’s break down three broad water types in Yellowstone so that backcountry hikers and campers can make the best decision when choosing a water source.

    Scientists sample water from the Firehole River in Yellowstone National Park. Work done under National Park Service research permit 5194.

    Thermal water should not be used as drinking water. First, off-trail travel in thermal areas is prohibited, and the ground in thermal areas is often dangerous to traverse. In addition, thermal waters can have microorganisms that are known to be harmful, such as Naegleria (a brain-eating amoeba), and can contain elevated concentrations of arsenic and fluoride. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for arsenic is 0.010 mg/L, and for fluoride is 4.0 mg/L. The arsenic concentration in Yellowstone thermal waters is often 1 mg/L, but concentrations as high as 17 mg/L have measured—that’s about 2000 times higher than the MCL! In addition, fluoride as high as 57 mg/L has been measured in Yellowstone thermal waters. Other nasty chemical constituents that are known to be elevated and may cause adverse health effects include antimony and mercury. So for a lot of reasons, stay away from thermal water.  It is not good for your health!

    Non-thermal waters from rivers and creeks in Yellowstone are typically derived from snow and rain and are well suited for drinking after onsite treatment. Cool non-thermal waters may contain microorganisms such as E. Coli or parasites such as Giardia that should be removed by filtration or sterilized by chlorination, iodination, or boiling before drinking. There are many miles of non-thermal rivers and creeks in Yellowstone.

    But what about discharge from thermal features that flows into pristine rivers and creeks, creating mixed waters? Chemical investigations indicate that most material contributed by thermal runoff tends to remain dissolved in solution when mixed with river water and is readily transported downstream. Because of dilution, the concentrations of the nasty chemical components, including arsenic and fluoride, are often substantially less than the thermal waters. But in some cases the concentration of arsenic and fluoride in mixed waters, especially just downstream from thermal areas, can still exceed the MCL set by the EPA. Most backpacking filtration systems will readily remove particulates, including microorganisms, but they may not remove chemical components like arsenic and fluoride. Boiling kills microorganisms but would not lower arsenic and fluoride concentrations. Fortunately, over 140 years of study of water in Yellowstone provide an indication of where mixed waters may be hazardous. As you might expect, it’s mostly in the vicinity of the park’s major geyser basins—especially those along the Firehole and Gibbon Rivers.

    Map of Yellowstone National Park lakes, rivers, and streams, with colors indicating the amount of arsenic in the water.  The Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) defined by the Environmental Protection Agency for arsenic in drinking water is 10 micrograms per liter (µg/L).  In the vicinity of major geyser basins, especially on the Firehole and Madison Rivers, arsenic levels far exceed the MCL (orange and purple areas on map).  Map is based a figure in McCleskey and others, 2022 (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2022.107709).

    In most Yellowstone backcountry areas, there several options for obtaining safe drinking water. When looking to top off your supply, ask yourself “where does the water come from and is there is a thermal area upstream?” Whenever possible, choose a river or stream without thermal waters draining into it. Enjoy the Yellowstone backcountry, and stay safe!

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SPC Jun 16, 2025 Day 4-8 Severe Weather Outlook

    Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

    Day 4-8 Severe Weather Outlook Issued on Jun 16, 2025

    Updated: Mon Jun 16 08:57:03 UTC 2025

     .

    D4
    Thu, Jun 19, 2025 – Fri, Jun 20, 2025
    D7
    Sun, Jun 22, 2025 – Mon, Jun 23, 2025

    D5
    Fri, Jun 20, 2025 – Sat, Jun 21, 2025
    D8
    Mon, Jun 23, 2025 – Tue, Jun 24, 2025

    D6
    Sat, Jun 21, 2025 – Sun, Jun 22, 2025
    (All days are valid from 12 UTC – 12 UTC the following day)

    Note: A severe weather area depicted in the Day 4-8 period indicates 15%, 30% or higher probability for severe thunderstorms within 25 miles of any point.

    PREDICTABILITY TOO LOW is used to indicate severe storms may be possible based on some model scenarios. However, the location or occurrence of severe storms are in doubt due to: 1) large differences in the deterministic model solutions, 2) large spread in the ensemble guidance, and/or 3) minimal run-to-run continuity.

    POTENTIAL TOO LOW means the threat for a regional area of organized severe storms appears unlikely (i.e., less than 15%) for the forecast day.

     Forecast Discussion

    ZCZC SPCSWOD48 ALL
    ACUS48 KWNS 160855
    SPC AC 160855

    Day 4-8 Convective Outlook
    NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
    0355 AM CDT Mon Jun 16 2025

    Valid 191200Z – 241200Z

    …DISCUSSION…
    …Thursday/Day 4 and Friday/Day 5…
    A mid-level trough is forecast to move into the Northeast on
    Thursday, as a cold front advances eastward into the central
    Appalachians. Ahead of the front, a moist airmass will be in place.
    Moderate instability is expected to develop ahead of the front
    across the Carolinas and Mid-Atlantic. As surface temperatures warm
    during the day, scattered convective initiation will likely take
    place along and ahead of the front. Moderate deep-layer shear and
    steep low-level lapse rates should support a severe threat during
    the afternoon, with the primary threat being damaging wind gusts.

    On Friday, a mid-level ridge is forecast to move eastward across the
    northern Plains. Beneath the ridge, a moist airmass will likely be
    in place, and moderate instability is expected to develop within
    this airmass. Ahead of the ridge, thunderstorm development will be
    possible in the upper Mississippi Valley during the afternoon.
    Although a severe threat may develop in areas that become moderately
    unstable, there is some uncertainty concerning convective coverage
    due to the presence of the ridge.

    …Saturday/Day 6 to Monday/Day 8…
    Mid-level heights are forecast to rise on Saturday and Sunday across
    the eastern half of the nation, as a large area of high pressure
    dominates. In the western U.S. over the weekend, a mid-level trough
    is forecast to move northeastward from the Intermountain West into
    the northern High Plains. Ahead of the trough, strong to severe
    thunderstorms will be possible Saturday afternoon and evening across
    parts of eastern Montana. In spite of the potential, there is still
    spatial uncertainty concerning the timing of the trough. The severe
    threat is expected to shift northeastward into Canada on Sunday.

    On Monday, southwest mid-level flow is forecast over much of the
    north-central U.S. Isolated to scattered thunderstorms will be
    possible over parts of the northern Plains and upper Mississippi
    Valley. An isolated severe threat will again be possible, but there
    is considerable uncertainty on any potential scenario.

    ..Broyles.. 06/16/2025

    CLICK TO GET WUUS48 PTSD48 PRODUCT

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SPC Jun 16, 2025 0730 UTC Day 3 Severe Thunderstorm Outlook

    Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

     For best viewing experience, please enable browser JavaScript support.

    Jun 16, 2025 0730 UTC Day 3 Severe Thunderstorm Outlook

    Updated: Mon Jun 16 07:11:19 UTC 2025 (Print Version |   |  )

    Probabilistic to Categorical Outlook Conversion Table

     Forecast Discussion

    SPC AC 160711

    Day 3 Convective Outlook
    NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
    0211 AM CDT Mon Jun 16 2025

    Valid 181200Z – 191200Z

    …THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS FROM PARTS OF THE
    SOUTHERN PLAINS TO THE SOUTHERN GREAT LAKES…

    …SUMMARY…
    Scattered thunderstorms with severe wind gusts and hail are expected
    on Wednesday from the southern Plains to the southern Great Lakes.

    …Mid Mississippi Valley/Ohio Valley/Southern Great Lakes…
    A mid-level shortwave trough is forecast to move eastward through
    the Upper Midwest on Wednesday. At the surface, a low is forecast to
    deepen and move northeastward into the western Great Lakes, as a
    cold front advances eastward into the mid Mississippi Valley. Ahead
    of the front, surface dewpoints in the lower to mid 70s F will
    contribute to moderate instability across much of the airmass by
    afternoon. Thunderstorms are expected to develop along and ahead of
    the front, with several convective clusters moving eastward toward
    the stronger instability during the late afternoon and early
    evening.

    Model forecasts suggest that the strongest instability will be
    located over the mid Mississippi and lower Ohio Valleys, while the
    strongest deep-layer shear will be located in the southern Great
    Lakes. The disjointed nature of the pattern could mean that the
    severe threat could remain relatively unfocused. The current
    thinking is that a broad corridor with an isolated severe threat
    will develop during the afternoon. Supercells with hail will be
    possible. However, it appears convection may tend to organize into
    lines, which would result in the greatest severe threat being wind
    damage. The severe threat is expected to move eastward into the
    lower Great Lakes and into part of the Ohio Valley by early to mid
    evening.

    …Southern Plains/Ozarks…
    The southern extent of a mid-level shortwave trough is forecast to
    move through the southern Plains on Wednesday. By afternoon, a cold
    front is forecast to be located from western Oklahoma to western
    Missouri. To the southeast of the front, surface dewpoints in the
    upper 60s to lower 70s F will likely enable moderate instability to
    develop across much of the moist airmass by afternoon. As surface
    temperatures warm during the day, convective initiation should take
    place along and near the front. Multiple convective clusters appear
    likely to initiate and move toward an axis of moderate instability
    during the afternoon. NAM forecast soundings at 21Z near the
    instability axis in Oklahoma and Missouri have 0-6km shear in the 30
    to 35 knot range with 700-500 mb lapse rates of 7.5 to 8 C/km.
    Supercells with large hail will be possible. However, storm mode may
    tend to favor multicell lines or clusters with wind-damage
    potential. The severe threat is expected to continue into the
    evening, with the overall threat moving southeastward.

    ..Broyles.. 06/16/2025

    CLICK TO GET WUUS03 PTSDY3 PRODUCT

    NOTE: THE NEXT DAY 3 OUTLOOK IS SCHEDULED BY 1930Z

    Top/Latest Day 1 Outlook/Today’s Outlooks/Forecast Products/Home

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SPC Jun 16, 2025 0600 UTC Day 2 Convective Outlook

    Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

    SPC AC 160600

    Day 2 Convective Outlook
    NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
    0100 AM CDT Mon Jun 16 2025

    Valid 171200Z – 181200Z

    …THERE IS AN ENHANCED RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS PARTS OF
    KANSAS…

    …SUMMARY…
    Severe thunderstorms with large hail, wind damage and possibly a few
    tornadoes are expected on Tuesday across parts of the central Plains
    and lower to mid Missouri Valley. Outside of this area, marginally
    severe storms will be possible across a large part of the central
    U.S. Storms with isolated severe winds gusts may develop in parts of
    the central Appalachians and Mid-Atlantic.

    …Central Plains/Lower to Mid Missouri Valley…
    A shortwave mid-level trough will move through the High Plains on
    Tuesday, as an associated 40 to 50 knot jet streak translates
    eastward into the central Plains. At the surface, a low will deepen
    across the Texas Panhandle during the day, as a front stalls from
    central Kansas northeastward into south-central Iowa. To the south
    of the front, surface dewpoints in the upper 60s to lower 70s F will
    contribute to moderate to strong instability by afternoon.
    Destabilization and increasing low-level convergence along the front
    will lead to convective initiation in the mid to late afternoon.
    Scattered to numerous thunderstorms are expected to develop near and
    to the south the front, with storms moving slowly eastward during
    the late afternoon and early evening.

    NAM forecast soundings near the instability axis at 21Z on Tuesday
    across central Kansas have MLCAPE peaking above 4000 J/kg in some
    areas, with 700-500 mb lapse rates near 8 C/km. This, combined with
    0-6 km shear around 40 knots, will support supercell development.
    The more vigorous storms could produce hailstones greater than 2
    inches in diameter. In addition, a 40 to 50 knot low-level jet is
    forecast across south-central Kansas, which will create favorable
    low-level shear for a tornado threat. It appears that a few
    tornadoes will be possible with the more dominant supercells.
    Supercells and short intense line segments will also be capable of
    producing wind damage. The threat should persist into the mid to
    late evening, as a large cluster of storms moves eastward across
    central and eastern Kansas and through the lower to mid Missouri
    Valley.

    …Central High Plains…
    A post-frontal airmass in the central and northern High Plains will
    heat up on Tuesday, in the wake of a mid-level shortwave trough. As
    temperatures increase during the day, convective initiation is
    expected in the higher terrain. These storms will move into the
    lower elevations during the afternoon, where pockets of moderate
    instability are forecast. The HRRR is the most aggressive solution,
    which appears to develop a line of organized storms, moving this
    convection southeastward across the central High Plains Tuesday
    afternoon. NAM forecast soundings along this corridor at 21Z have
    0-6 km shear between 30 and 40 knots, with 700-500 lapse rates of 8
    to 9 C/km. This environment should support a severe threat with the
    more intense component of the line. Hail and damaging wind gusts
    will be the primary threats.

    …Central Appalachians/Mid-Atlantic…
    A mid-level shortwave trough will move eastward across the central
    Appalachians on Tuesday, as a lee trough develops in the
    Mid-Atlantic states. Ahead of the trough, surface dewpoints in the
    lower 70s F will contribute to moderate instability across much of
    region. As surface temperatures warm, convection is expected to
    develop in the higher terrain, with thunderstorms moving eastward
    into the foothills of the Appalachians during the afternoon.
    Moderate deep-layer shear and steep low-level lapse rates should be
    sufficient for a marginal wind-damage threat.

    ..Broyles.. 06/16/2025

    CLICK TO GET WUUS02 PTSDY2 PRODUCT

    NOTE: THE NEXT DAY 2 OUTLOOK IS SCHEDULED BY 1730Z

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SPC Jun 16, 2025 0600 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook

    Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

    SPC AC 160559

    Day 1 Convective Outlook
    NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
    1259 AM CDT Mon Jun 16 2025

    Valid 161200Z – 171200Z

    …THERE IS AN ENHANCED RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS OVER PARTS OF
    THE UPPER MIDWEST AND THE CENTRAL PLAINS…

    …SUMMARY…
    Scattered severe thunderstorms capable of producing severe gusts,
    large hail, and perhaps a couple tornadoes are forecast today from
    the north-central High Plains into the Upper Mississippi Valley.

    …Synopsis…
    Within a belt of zonal midlevel flow extending from the northern
    Rockies/High Plains into the Upper MS Valley, a convectively
    augmented midlevel impulse/MCV will track eastward across the
    Dakotas into MN through the afternoon. In response to this feature,
    a weak frontal-wave low will migrate eastward from the eastern
    Dakotas into MN — along a surface boundary extending southwestward
    through the central Plains. Farther west, an additional
    low-amplitude impulse accompanied by strong westerly flow aloft will
    emerge over the northern/central High Plains during the late
    afternoon/early evening.

    …Upper MS Valley into the central Plains…
    Scattered thunderstorms should generally be focused along/ahead of
    the frontal-wave low and remnant MCV as it moves into MN during the
    afternoon, with additional trailing development possible along the
    surface boundary into NE. Here, rich boundary-layer moisture and
    modestly steep midlevel lapse rates will contribute to a strongly
    unstable air mass, while the enhanced midlevel westerly flow yields
    around 40 kt of effective shear. This should support a risk of a
    couple supercells and organized clusters capable of producing large
    hail, damaging winds, and a couple tornadoes.

    …Southeast MT into the central High Plains…
    As low-level lapse rates diurnally steepen amid
    recycled/post-frontal boundary-layer moisture over the
    northern/central High Plains, scattered thunderstorms should evolve
    eastward from southeast MT/eastern WY into the central Plains —
    aided by the emerging midlevel impulse. Upwards of 40-50 kt of
    effective shear and steepening deep-layer lapse rates will favor
    large hail and locally severe wind gusts with initial
    discrete/semi-discrete supercell structures and organized clusters.
    As these storms track east-southeastward into the evening,
    additional storms may be developing farther south along the
    southwestward-extending surface boundary over western/central
    NE/northeastern CO/northwest KS. While the overall convective
    evolution is unclear, current thinking is that multiple
    opportunities for upscale growth into one or more MCSs will exist in
    the NE/KS vicinity into the evening/overnight hours. A swath of
    severe wind will be possible where this evolution occurs.

    ..Weinman/Leitman.. 06/16/2025

    CLICK TO GET WUUS01 PTSDY1 PRODUCT

    NOTE: THE NEXT DAY 1 OUTLOOK IS SCHEDULED BY 1300Z

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SPC – No MDs are in effect as of Mon Jun 16 10:02:02 UTC 2025

    Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

    Current Mesoscale DiscussionsUpdated:  Mon Jun 16 10:21:03 UTC 2025 No Mesoscale Discussions are currently in effect.

    Notice:  The responsibility for Heavy Rain Mesoscale Discussions has been transferred to the Weather Prediction Center (WPC) on April 9, 2013. Click here for the Service Change Notice.
    Archived Convective ProductsTo view convective products for a previous day, type in the date you wish to retrieve (e.g. 20040529 for May 29, 2004). Data available since January 1, 2004.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SPC – No watches are valid as of Mon Jun 16 10:02:02 UTC 2025

    Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

    Current Convective Watches (View What is a Watch? clip)Updated:  Mon Jun 16 10:21:08 UTC 2025 No watches are currently valid

    Archived Convective ProductsTo view convective products for a previous day, type in the date you wish to retrieve (e.g. 20040529 for May 29, 2004). Data available since January 1, 2004.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • Iran says parliament is preparing bill to leave nuclear non-proliferation treaty

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Iranian parliamentarians are preparing a bill that could push Tehran toward exiting the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, the foreign ministry said on Monday, while reiterating Tehran’s official stance against developing nuclear weapons.

    “In light of recent developments, we will take an appropriate decision. Government has to enforce parliament bills but such a proposal is just being prepared and we will coordinate in the later stages with parliament,” the ministry’s spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said, when asked at a press conference about Tehran potentially leaving the NPT.

    The NPT, which Iran ratified in 1970, guarantees countries the right to pursue civilian nuclear power in return for requiring them to forego atomic weapons and cooperate with the U.N. nuclear watchdog, the IAEA.

    Israel began bombing Iran last week, saying Tehran was on the verge of building a nuclear bomb. Iran has always said its nuclear programme is peaceful, although the IAEA declared last week that Tehran was in violation of its NPT obligations.

    President Masoud Pezeshkian reiterated on Monday that nuclear weapons were against a religious edict by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

    Iran’s state media said that no decision on quitting the NPT had yet been made by parliament, while a parliamentarian said that the proposal was at the initial stages of the legal process.

    Baghaei said that developments such as Israel’s attack “naturally affect the strategic decisions of the state,” noting that Israel’s attack had followed the IAEA resolution, which he suggested was to blame.

    “Those voting for the resolution prepared the ground for the attack,” Baghaei said.

    Israel, which never joined the NPT, is widely assumed by regional governments to possess nuclear weapons, although it does not confirm or deny this.

    “The Zionist regime is the only possessor of weapons of mass destruction in the region,” Baghaei said.

    (Reuters)

  • IAEA chief says no further damage at Iranian enrichment facilities

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    U.N. nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi provided an update on Monday on the situation at Iran’s nuclear facilities after Israel launched military strikes and said there was no sign of further damage at the Natanz or Fordow enrichment sites.

    Grossi and the International Atomic Energy Agency he heads had previously reported that the smallest of Iran’s three enrichment plants, an above-ground pilot plant at the sprawling Natanz nuclear complex, had been destroyed.

    While there was no sign of a physical attack on the bigger underground enrichment plant at Natanz, its power supply was destroyed, which may have damaged the uranium-enriching centrifuges there. No damage was seen at the Fordow plant dug into a mountain.

    “There has been no additional damage at the Natanz Fuel Enrichment Plant site since the Friday attack, which destroyed the above-ground part of the Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant,” Grossi said in a statement to an exceptional meeting of his agency’s 35-nation Board of Governors.

    Having said over the weekend that Israeli strikes damaged four buildings at the Isfahan nuclear facilities including the uranium conversion facility that processes “yellowcake” uranium into uranium hexafluoride, the feedstock for centrifuges, so it can be enriched, he elaborated on the damage there.

    “At the Esfahan nuclear site, four buildings were damaged in Friday’s attack: the central chemical laboratory, a uranium conversion plant, the Tehran reactor fuel manufacturing plant, and the UF4 (uranium tetrafluoride) to EU metal processing facility, which was under construction,” he said.

    “The (International Atomic Energy) Agency is and will remain present in Iran. Safeguards inspections in Iran will continue as soon as safety conditions allow, as is required under Iran’s NPT (Non-Proliferation Treaty) safeguards obligations,” he added.

    (Reuters)

  • India poised to lead globally in disaster response, says HM Amit Shah

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Monday that India is on the cusp of becoming a global leader in crisis management, thanks to a decade of transformative efforts by its disaster response forces. Speaking at the Relief Commissioners and Disaster Response Forces Conference, Shah highlighted the remarkable progress made in capacity, speed, efficiency, and accuracy in disaster management over the past ten years.

    “Speed is critical in disaster response. Our focus on timely action and saving lives has seen significant advancements through workforce training, cutting-edge technology, and robust early warning systems,” Shah said. He lauded the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) for earning widespread respect and recognition across the country, noting its pivotal role in training State Disaster Relief Force (SDRF) personnel.

    Shah credited the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), NDRF, and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) for elevating India’s disaster management capabilities to global standards. He emphasized that India has shifted from a reactive relief-based approach to a proactive “Zero Casualty Approach,” which has garnered international acclaim.

    “Ten years ago, disaster management was about post-calamity relief. Today, we are redefining it with a proactive strategy that has surprised the world,” Shah said. He underscored the importance of research to enhance early warning systems and the adoption of a unified approach involving central and state governments, local bodies, and communities under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.

    Looking ahead, Shah envisioned a future where every Indian youth is equipped to contribute to disaster response efforts. He also highlighted the government’s multi-dimensional approach, including a significant increase in funding. The NDRF budget rose from Rs 28,000 crore (2004–2014) to Rs 84,000 crore (2014–2024), while SDRF funding surged from Rs 38,000 crore to Rs 1.44 lakh crore over the same periods.

    The CDRI, launched by PM Modi, was also praised as a global partnership of 49 members, including governments, UN agencies, multilateral banks, private sectors, and academia, dedicated to climate and disaster-resilient infrastructure solutions.

    (IANS inputs)

  • MIL-OSI Banking: From Jaipur to Nagpur, Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Ignites a Nation of Problem-Solvers

    Source: Samsung

    Your classroom could be the next stop in this journey of Samsung Solve for Tomorrow
     
    From the sunlit classrooms of Jaipur to the buzzing lecture halls of Nagpur, a powerful question echoed across campuses: “What problem will you solve for India?”
     
    That question lies at the heart of Samsung Solve for Tomorrow, a national innovation challenge that is transforming students into changemakers—and campuses into launchpads for the future.
     
    After a powerful launch on April 29, the design thinking workshops and college Open Houses swept across India—reaching not just major metros but also the vibrant heartlands of the Northeast.
     
    Samsung Solve for Tomorrow 2025 will provide INR 1 crore to the top four winning teams to support the incubation of their projects, along with hands-on prototyping, investor connects, and expert mentorship from Samsung leaders and IIT Delhi faculty.
     
    At Neerja Modi School in Jaipur, over 1,000 students filled the auditorium with their ideas, ambitions, and dreams. Among them, Naman Lakhani found himself thinking beyond textbooks:
     
    “I’ve always wanted to build something that could solve real-world issues. Samsung Solve for Tomorrow showed me that someone out there actually wants to listen to us—and help make those ideas real.”
     
    Anshika Gupta, another student, added: “It felt like a spark. This programme is not just about innovation—it’s about inclusion. It made me feel like I could be a part of building India’s future, even while I’m still in school.”
     
    The journey continued to Maharaja Sawai Bhawani Singh School, also in Jaipur, where Ishan Sharma, part of a 850-strong student turnout, found his perspective shift:
     
    “I realised that I don’t need to wait to graduate or become an adult to solve problems. If we have ideas now, Samsung Solve for Tomorrow wants to hear them. That’s empowering.”
     
    In Nagpur, the vibrant community of Ramdeobaba University welcomed the campaign with open minds and open notebooks. Among 640 participants, Manya shared her dream of building AI-driven solutions for public health:
     
    “For once, a platform came to us—to our campus, to our city—and said, ‘Let’s build something that matters.’ It’s not just a competition. It’s a launchpad.”
     
    Even virtually, the momentum didn’t stop. Shanti Business School in Ahmedabad hosted one of the largest online Samsung Solve for Tomorrow open houses yet, with over 1,700 students tuning in. Discussions ranged from clean energy to accessibility tech.
     
     “It felt like a national classroom of creators,” one student shared in the chat. “We were miles apart, but our ideas connected.”
     
    In Bhopal, Oriental Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) brought the conversation to ground zero—how students can use tech to tackle local problems. With 290 students in attendance, the event had a quiet, determined energy.
     
    “We don’t just want to dream. We want to build,” a student said. “Samsung Solve for Tomorrow is giving us the blueprint.”
     
    As Samsung Solve for Tomorrow rolls across India, it’s making one thing clear: Innovation doesn’t belong to labs or big cities. It belongs to every student with a question and the courage to find an answer.
     
    So, if you’re a student with an idea that could solve a real problem—this is your moment. Apply now to Samsung Solve for Tomorrow. Your classroom could be the next stop in this journey. And your idea? It could change everything.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK celebrates public service heroes in HM The King’s Birthday Honours List 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    UK celebrates public service heroes in HM The King’s Birthday Honours List 2025

    Over 1,200 recipients are recognised across the UK

    Community heroes up and down the country are celebrated in His Majesty The King’s Birthday Honours List 2025 today. 

    Over a thousand recipients have been awarded for their exceptional achievements, with a particular focus on those who have given their time to public service. 

    This year’s recipients include dedicated community champions, role models in sport, pioneers in the arts, passionate health workers, and supporters of young people.

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

    This year’s Birthday Honours List is a powerful reminder of the extraordinary dedication, compassion, and service that exists in every corner of our country.

    From community champions to cultural icons, each recipient reflects the very best of Britain. I extend my heartfelt congratulations and gratitude to them all.

    Among those being honoured today is former England captain David Beckham, who receives a Knighthood for services to Sport and Charity. Beyond the pitch, Beckham has been a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF since 2005, and he also established the 7 Fund aimed at helping vulnerable children around the world. He supports a number of charities including the Chelsea Pensioners, Help for Heroes, Great Ormond Street Hospital, Age UK and the London Air Ambulance service.

    The oldest recipient this year is William Irwin who, at 106 years old, receives a BEM for services to the community in Coleraine, County Londonderry. William is one of three honours recipients over the last ten years aged 106. 

    At 11 years old, the youngest recipient this year is Carmela Chillery-Watson, who lives with a rare life-limiting, muscle-wasting condition. She receives an MBE for charitable fundraising, in particular for Muscular Dystrophy UK.

    For the first time, three members of the same family, Duncan Speirs, Caroline Jane Speirs and Jenna Catherine Helen Speirs, are all receiving a BEM for services to Charitable Fundraising, after setting up Calum’s Cabin, which provides holiday homes for children facing cancer.  

    Arts

    Sculptor Sir Antony Gormley is made a Member of the Order of the Companions of Honour for his services to Art, and Emma Bridgewater is made a Dame for her for services to Ceramics. Oliver Sykes is awarded an MBE for services to Access to the Arts for Underprivileged Young People. 

    Sports

    Billy Boston becomes the first Rugby League Player to ever receive a Knighthood, and Sarah Virginia Wade receives a CBE for services to Tennis and Charity. Footballer Rachel Daly has been awarded an MBE for services to Association Football, and darts player Luke Littler has been awarded an MBE for services to Darts, currently the World no.2 at the age of 18.

    Philanthropy and Charity

    Roger Daltrey, a patron to the Teenage Cancer Trust has been awarded a Knighthood for his services to Charity. Sunita Arora, founder of the Arora Charitable Foundation receives an OBE for services to the Charitable Sector and to Philanthropy, and Albino Okello has been awarded an MBE for his services to the Red Cross for his work with the Family Tracing Service as a National Caseworker.

    Business

    Clare Barclay, the CEO of Microsoft UK, has been made a Dame for her services to Business, Technology and Leadership,alongside. Also receiving Damehoods are Professor Ursula Martin, an Emeritus Professor in the Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford,  Deborah Crosbie, CEO of Nationwide Building Society and Anne Glover, CEO and co-founder of Amadeus Capital Partners for her work in Engineering and Science 

    Entertainment

    Gary Oldman receives a Knighthood for Services to Drama, while Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly both receive MBEs for services to Broadcasting.

    Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Pat McFadden, said:

    I send my congratulations to all of the recipients of this year’s Birthday Honours List, and thank them for their contributions to their communities and the country.

    If you know someone who has done something incredible, nominate them for an honour so the nation can recognise their achievements.

    Anyone can nominate someone for an honour. If you know someone who has achieved fantastic things worthy of recognition, go to https://www.gov.uk/honours to find out more about how you can put them forward.

    Updates to this page

    Published 16 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Moscow Zoo CEO: Giant Panda Katyusha is a Symbol of Friendship between China and Russia

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    BEIJING, June 16 (Xinhua) — Giant panda Katyusha, born in August 2023 at the Moscow Zoo, is a symbol of friendship between China and Russia and the professionalism of specialists from the two countries, Moscow Zoo Director General Svetlana Akulova said in Beijing on June 13.

    As reported by the newspaper Zhongguo Qingnian Bao /China Youth Daily/, S. Akulova made this statement while participating in a meeting dedicated to the organization and implementation of bilateral museum projects between Moscow and Beijing. The event was organized by the Moscow government with the assistance of the Russian Cultural Center in Beijing and the support of the People’s Government of Beijing.

    In April 2019, in honor of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Russia, giant pandas Ruyi and Dingding arrived in Moscow. In August 2023, their cub, panda Katyusha, was born at the Moscow Zoo.

    “This was an important event,” said S. Akulova. She said that the name Katyusha was chosen based on the results of an online vote in which 300,000 people took part. The giant panda Katyusha has attracted numerous followers on social networks, and many Russians are eager to visit the Moscow Zoo to see her.

    She added that experts from China and Russia regularly exchange data to ensure the good health of giant pandas, and the Moscow Zoo takes full responsibility and provides them with careful care.

    “The Moscow Zoo is a party to more than 70 agreements on the protection of rare animal species and hopes to work together with Beijing to protect the golden snub-nosed monkey,” said S. Akulova.

    S. Akulova also put forward the initiative to create a “World Alliance of Zoos”, stating that environmental protection tasks require a review of the relevant work.

    The Moscow Zoo hopes to enter into an alliance with the Beijing Zoo, said S. Akulova, adding that cooperation with China will be an important step towards strengthening new international partnerships.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Inner Mongolia’s Ulan Suhai Lake has become a haven for mute swans

    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

    HOHHOT, June 16 (Xinhua) — Ulan Suhai Lake, the largest wetland in the Yellow River basin, has become a paradise for mute swans thanks to improved ecological environment.

    According to the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Forestry and Grassland Administration, with the continuous comprehensive management of Ulan Suhai Lake in recent years, its ecological conditions have improved and its biodiversity has continued to recover. Every year, the lake becomes a migration and breeding ground for more than 260 species of birds, including a large number of mute swans, which are under the second-category national protection in China.

    In order to create a favorable and safe environment for mute swans, local forestry and steppe management departments have taken a number of special measures, including the establishment of control stations, bird feeding stations, bird habit monitoring stations, and a pier for their protection and management in wetlands. In addition, special personnel have been appointed to regularly monitor the situation related to the habitation and reproduction of mute swans.

    Let us recall that Ulan-Suhai Lake, located in the territory of Urad-Qianqi khoshun of Bayannur city of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in northern China, is known as the “Pearl behind the Great Wall”. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Special Report: Flowers from China’s Yunnan Bloom in Kazakhstan

    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

    KUNMING/ALMATY, June 16 (Xinhua) — Flowers are a universal gift that is loved to be presented on various occasions in many countries, including Kazakhstan. Flowers can be used to create a beautiful composition. A bouquet appropriate for the occasion can be given to a woman or a man, friends or colleagues and can be used to express almost any message. Give a compliment, say “thank you” or “sorry” and even propose!

    Dounan is a small town on the shore of Dianchi Lake in Kunming, Yunnan Province. But in terms of “flower territory,” it is very large. It is home to Asia’s largest fresh-cut flower market and the second largest in the world. Of Dounan’s 70,000 residents, more than 40,000 are employed in the flower industry. Every day, about 10 million fresh-cut flowers are sold here. They are exported to more than 50 countries, including Kazakhstan.

    In fact, it is not only a flower market, but also a national tourist attraction. Last year alone, millions of tourists visited it. Eustoma, roses, bush carnations, matthiola and sunflowers. You can buy all kinds of flowers here. No matter whether you like flowers or not, you can’t resist the temptation to buy them in Dounan because they are so cheap here. The price for one bunch of roses is 20 yuan (US$1.40), and for a bunch of sunflowers it is only 8 yuan (US$1.10).

    As assistant to the president of Dounan Flower Industry Corporation Wang Jinyiling said, in the 1980s, the villagers of Dounan began trying to grow flowers in their gardens. And to their surprise, they discovered that it was very economically profitable. Then everyone gradually began to follow their example. “And we needed a large enough and professional flower market to sell flowers,” she noted.

    According to her, in 1998, the Dounan Flower Market with an area of 37,333 square meters was officially put into operation. And in 2015, the industrial zone – a flower market of national importance – was officially opened. Here, in addition to traditional direct flower sales, online auctions and sales are also held. Today, Dounan is not just a collection and distribution center for flowers, but also a tourist attraction. More and more tourists come here to experience the unique flower culture of Yunnan Province.

    Zhou Tianyi runs Deruier Flowers in Dounan. Every week, the shop ships 200,000 to 300,000 fresh-cut roses to Almaty. Delivery takes just five days. “The China Flower Industry Conference is held every year. We also attend it and met many entrepreneurs from Kazakhstan there,” she said.

    “The quality of Chinese flowers is very stable now. Today, there are a huge number of flower species in China, and the excellent price-quality ratio is their great advantage. These are the main reasons why Kazakh businessmen like Chinese products very much,” said the director of Deruier Flowers.

    According to Kazakh media, citing the country’s National Bureau of Statistics, in 2024 the country imported more than 1,100 tons of fresh-cut flowers and buds from China worth $7.5 million. This is almost 13 times more than the previous year. In terms of total import volume, China has become the third largest supplier of flowers to Kazakhstan.

    There are about 220,000 flower seedling companies in China, with an annual output of more than 520 billion yuan (nearly 72.2 billion US dollars), making the country the world’s largest flower producer.

    In 2024, China’s flower import and export volume was US$782 million, up 10 percent year on year. Of which, the export volume was US$516 million, up 17.78 percent year on year. China’s flower economy has shown strong vitality. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China Southern Airlines launches first direct passenger flight Beijing-Dushanbe

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    BEIJING, June 16 (Xinhua) — China Southern Airlines flight CZ6051 carrying 173 passengers departed Beijing Daxing International Airport for Dushanbe, capital of Tajikistan, at noon on June 16, officially opening the airline’s first direct Beijing-Dushanbe passenger flight.

    The new flight is also reportedly the first direct passenger flight on the Beijing-Dushanbe route launched by Chinese air carriers.

    According to China Southern Airlines, based in Guangzhou City /Guangdong Province, southern China/, direct flights on the Beijing-Dushanbe route are operated twice a week. The flight numbers for this route are CZ6051/6052. According to the schedule, the flight departs from Beijing Daxing International Airport at 17:00 /local time/ and arrives at Dushanbe International Airport at 21:00. Travel time is about 7 hours. The return flight departs from Dushanbe International Airport at 22:30 and arrives at Beijing Daxing International Airport at 07:20 the next day. The trip takes about 6 hours.

    “In order to provide passengers with quality services, we decorated the cabin of this flight with cultural elements of the two countries and also treated passengers with signature dishes such as abalone with chicken and peach blossom cookies,” said Hou Ming, general manager of the North China Region Marketing Center of China Southern Airlines.

    The opening of a direct Beijing-Dushanbe flight will create a more convenient air bridge between China and Tajikistan, effectively promote bilateral trade, economic and humanitarian exchanges, cooperation in the field of tourism, and will also give a new powerful impetus to the development of relations between the two countries and regional interconnectedness, said Qu Guangji, deputy general director of China Southern Airlines.

    During the summer and autumn air seasons this year, China Southern Airlines will operate 7 express flights connecting Beijing Daxing Airport with cities such as Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Chengdu, and will also launch international flights between Beijing Daxing Airport and airports in London, Amsterdam, Moscow, etc. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Exclusive: “Lu Ban’s Workshop” is a major project to increase the potential of engineering education in Kyrgyzstan — Rector of KSTU

    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

    BISHKEK, June 16 /Xinhua/ — The Lu Ban Workshop project is not just infrastructure, but a large joint project of Kyrgyzstan and Chinese university partners to enhance the potential of engineering education in the country, Rector of the Kyrgyz State Technical University (KSTU) Mirlan Chynybaev said in an interview with Xinhua.

    In October 2024, Lu Ban Workshop was officially opened in KSTU. It was jointly established by Zhejiang University of Water Resources and Hydropower, KSTU and other institutions. This workshop has laboratories and classrooms covering an area of more than 1,000 square meters, which are equipped with more than 300 pieces of equipment, including testing instruments, teaching models, electrical equipment, mechanical equipment, road and bridge equipment, etc.

    “This infrastructure allows us to improve the quality of education at our university, and our students already have the opportunity to study modern technologies,” said M. Chynybaev.

    The project, as the rector added, also includes advanced training for teachers, development of new teaching materials, holding conferences, seminars, trainings, and overview lectures with the participation of the university’s partners.

    The Rector of KSTU noted that among the main tasks facing them were increasing the engineering and technical potential in the field of hydropower, hydraulic engineering, energy, and geoinformation technologies. “All these aspects dictate the choice of appropriate partners. And on the Chinese side, we have a very good partner – Zhejiang University of Water Resources and Hydropower, which has these competencies and the most modern technologies. And together with them, we are implementing this project,” said M. Chynybaev.

    He also emphasized that industry is currently actively developing in Kyrgyzstan, especially energy, and the country is receiving a lot of investment, mainly from Chinese companies. “Thanks to investments, strategic projects are being implemented, in particular, in the energy sector, in the field of railway construction. And, of course, these projects need engineers. And within the framework of the Lu Ban Workshop project, we are training engineers,” he noted.

    According to the rector of KSTU, the project “Lu Ban’s Workshop” is not only education, but also cultural exchange. “Our students are now additionally studying Chinese. We are planning to organize internships for our teachers in China, and we also have Chinese specialists who help us in implementing this project,” said the head of KSTU.

    He also announced future plans to launch joint dual degree educational programs. “That is, students will study here for two years in their specialty and then for two years at a Chinese partner university. After completing their studies, students will receive diplomas from two universities at once. This is a good step towards integrating education and mutual recognition of qualifications,” explained M. Chynybaev.

    Speaking about the upcoming China-Central Asia summit, which will be held in Astana, the rector of KSTU expressed hope that it will give impetus to the development of scientific and technical cooperation.

    “Cooperation should develop not only in economic terms, but also in the field of education, science and technology. And we count on further financial support for joint scientific projects. We can conduct a lot of joint research,” said M. Chynybaev.

    According to him, KSTU actively participates in almost all strategic projects. “We expect to train engineers for the successful implementation of all joint projects carried out by China and Central Asia, as well as China and our country. We expect that our cooperation will continue and become even more intensive and profound,” he concluded.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Mongolia’s measles death toll rises to six

    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

    ULAN BATOR, June 16 (Xinhua) — The death toll from measles in Mongolia has risen to six after another child died in the past 24 hours, the country’s National Research Center for Infectious Diseases said Monday.

    Meanwhile, 693 patients are undergoing treatment in hospital, including five children in critical condition, the official statement said.

    More than half of the confirmed cases have been among school-age children who had received only one dose of the measles vaccine, Mongolian doctors say.

    In view of this, the National Research Center for Infectious Diseases of Mongolia advised parents to protect their children from the potentially severe disease by giving them two doses of the appropriate vaccine.

    Measles is an acute, highly contagious viral disease characterized by a cyclical course. Common symptoms include fever, dry cough, runny nose, sore throat, and inflammation of the mucous membrane of the eyes.

    Measles can only be prevented through vaccination, Mongolian doctors believe. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: D. Trump vetoes Israeli plan to assassinate Iran’s supreme leader – media

    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

    WASHINGTON, June 16 (Xinhua) — U.S. President Donald Trump has vetoed an Israeli plan to assassinate Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, media reported Sunday.

    As CBS News reported, citing an American official, Israel had the opportunity to kill A. Khamenei, and D. Trump told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that “it’s not a very good idea.”

    But when asked about the assassination plan in an interview on Fox News Sunday, Netanyahu said: “There are so many false reports about conversations that never happened, and I’m not going to go into detail.”

    Senior US officials have been in constant contact with Israeli officials in the days following Israel’s massive attack on Iran on Friday, Reuters reported.

    D. Trump said Sunday that while the United States is not currently involved in Israel’s military strikes on Iran, future involvement remains a possibility.

    “We’re not involved in that. Maybe we could be involved. But we’re not involved at this point,” the president told ABC News in an interview.

    Since the Israeli strikes on Iran, Trump has repeatedly called on Tehran to make a deal. In an interview with ABC News, the president said he had given Iran a “60-day ultimatum” to “make a deal,” but he was not setting a new deadline.

    Later Sunday, before leaving the White House for the Group of Seven (G7) summit in Canada, the US president reiterated his view that he sees a “good chance” for a nuclear deal amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: D. Trump vetoes Israeli plan to assassinate Iran’s supreme leader – media

    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

    WASHINGTON, June 16 (Xinhua) — U.S. President Donald Trump has vetoed an Israeli plan to assassinate Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, media reported Sunday.

    As CBS News reported, citing an American official, Israel had the opportunity to kill A. Khamenei, and D. Trump told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that “it’s not a very good idea.”

    But when asked about the assassination plan in an interview on Fox News Sunday, Netanyahu said: “There are so many false reports about conversations that never happened, and I’m not going to go into detail.”

    Senior US officials have been in constant contact with Israeli officials in the days following Israel’s massive attack on Iran on Friday, Reuters reported.

    D. Trump said Sunday that while the United States is not currently involved in Israel’s military strikes on Iran, future involvement remains a possibility.

    “We’re not involved in that. Maybe we could be involved. But we’re not involved at this point,” the president told ABC News in an interview.

    Since the Israeli strikes on Iran, Trump has repeatedly called on Tehran to make a deal. In an interview with ABC News, the president said he had given Iran a “60-day ultimatum” to “make a deal,” but he was not setting a new deadline.

    Later Sunday, before leaving the White House for the Group of Seven (G7) summit in Canada, the US president reiterated his view that he sees a “good chance” for a nuclear deal amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Russia Evacuates Second Group of Russian Citizens from Iran — Russian Foreign Ministry

    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 16 /Xinhua/ — A second group of Russian citizens has been evacuated from Iran across the border with Azerbaijan, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

    “On June 15, 2025, with the participation of the Russian Embassy in Iran and the Russian Embassy in Azerbaijan, the second group of Russian citizens crossed the state border between Iran and Azerbaijan through the Astara checkpoint, returning by land due to the closure of the airspace of the Islamic Republic of Iran as a result of the forceful action of the State of Israel,” the official Telegram channel of the Russian Foreign Ministry says.

    A group of 238 people crossed the border, including family members of employees of Russian foreign missions and artists of the P. I. Tchaikovsky Bolshoi Symphony Orchestra. In addition to citizens of the Russian Federation, the group also included citizens of the Republic of Belarus and the Republic of Tajikistan, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

    The first group of 86 people (including two children) has already crossed the border between Iran and Azerbaijan, the Russian Embassy in Azerbaijan said on Sunday. The group included a film crew from world-famous Russian director Fyodor Bondarchuk and citizens of the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Serbia, the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Republic of Tajikistan. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –