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Category: AM-NC

  • South Africa shed ‘chokers’ tag, clinch historic World Test Championship title

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    South Africa won the World Test Championship on Saturday, completing a remarkable turnaround to beat Australia by five wickets as they successfully chased down an imposing 282-run target.

    But it was an edgy finish as they took 27.4 overs to slowly score the 69 runs needed to secure success on the fourth day at Lord’s after resuming at 213-2 overnight.

    In so doing, South Africa completed a successful pursuit of the joint second-highest winning fourth-innings total in test history at the London venue.

    It was a first major cricket triumph for South Africa, who had earned an unwanted reputation for failure when on the cusp of victory over the last decades in limited overs competitions.

    This was their first appearance in the WTC final, with opener Aiden Markram delivering a heroic innings of 136 to ensure success.

    Markram, who reached his century late in the third day, added 34 more runs on Saturday, accumulating carefully before falling to a sharp catch by Travis Head with six runs needed to win.

    Kyle Verreynne hit the winning run and was four not out at the end along with David Bedingham, who scored an unbeaten 21.

    NERVES

    “It was the most nervous I’ve ever been. I didn’t want to come out and bat but when Aiden went out I had to,” said Verreynne.

    South Africa started the fourth day favourites to win but nervy, given a litany of past disasters, and would have been further on edge when captain Temba Bavuma was out in the third over of the morning.

    A rising delivery from Australia skipper Pat Cummins took an edge and saw Bavuma depart, having added only one run to his overnight total of 65.

    Australia made two unsuccessful reviews of not out decisions as they sought a further breakthrough before Mitchell Starc clean bowled Tristan Stubbs for eight with 41 runs still needed.

    Markram and Bedingham then diligently put together a 35-run partnership to see them to the brink of success, before the win was secured in the last over before lunch.

    South Africa, who came into the contest as underdogs, won the toss on the opening day and gambled by putting Australia into bat. But with Kagiso Rabada returning figures of 5-51, they were vindicated as the defending champions were dismissed for 212.

    South Africa, who came into the contest as underdogs, won the toss on the opening day and gambled by putting Australia into bat. But with Kagiso Rabada returning figures of 5-51, they were vindicated as the defending champions were dismissed for 212.

    South Africa’s reply of 138 meant Australia had a 74-run lead, significantly increased after scoring 207 in their second innings, with their tail order recovering after they had slumped to 73-7.

    But South Africa profited from a dramatic change in the pitch conditions – after 24 wickets fell on the first two days – to patiently bat themselves to a landmark victory.

    -REUTERS

  • MIL-OSI China: China launches satellite for natural disaster monitoring

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

    JIUQUAN, June 14 — China launched an electromagnetic monitoring satellite on Saturday, which is expected to enhance the country’s “space-air-ground” integrated monitoring capabilities for major natural disasters.

    A Long March-2D carrier rocket lifted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China at 3:56 p.m. (Beijing Time), successfully sending the Zhangheng 1-02 satellite into its planned orbit, according to the China National Space Administration (CNSA).

    The CNSA said that this marks a significant step forward for China in the field of space-based observation of the Earth’s physical fields.

    Named after the ancient Chinese inventor Zhang Heng, who created the world’s first seismoscope over 1,800 years ago, the satellite was jointly developed by China and Italy. It is the first operational satellite dedicated to exploring the Earth’s physical fields under China’s medium and long-term civil space infrastructure development plan, according to the CNSA.

    With a designed lifespan of six years, the satellite is equipped with nine payloads, including an electric field detector co-developed by China and Italy, as well as a high-energy particle detector developed by Italy.

    It will carry out quasi-real-time monitoring of global electromagnetic fields, electromagnetic waves, the ionosphere and the neutral atmosphere, detecting electromagnetic anomalies caused by geological and human activities, as well as monitoring thunderstorm and lightning activity, according to CNSA.

    “Scientists will use these data to study the correlation between changes in the Earth’s physical fields and geological activities, and to support research on the prediction of earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, extreme weather, and space weather disasters,” said Peng Wei, deputy director of the system engineering department of the CNSA.

    The satellite will significantly enhance China’s early perception, risk assessment, and monitoring and early warning capabilities for major natural disasters, Peng added.

    It will also provide data support for emergency management, resource mapping, and communications and navigation industries, while fostering scientific and technological cooperation in related fields among countries and regions along the Belt and Road.

    The Zhangheng 1-01 satellite, launched in 2018, remains in normal operation, while the new satellite has richer physical measurements. Working in tandem, the two satellites will conduct collaborative observations, effectively improving the horizontal spatial and temporal resolution of observations, according to Peng.

    China and Italy have further deepened practical cooperation in satellite payload development, data sharing, and scientific research, said Peng.

    “The successful launch of this satellite marks another milestone in Sino-Italian aerospace collaboration, demonstrating closer scientific cooperation and exchanges between the two sides. It will also contribute to the well-being of the human community with a shared future,” he added.

    Francesco Longo, deputy director of engineering and technology of the Italian Space Agency, called the mission an important milestone. “We have a lot of expectations on the results that we acquire from this important Chinese-Italian mission.”

    He noted that, like China, Italy is a beautiful yet fragile country, prone to volcanoes, earthquakes and other events that can affect people’s lives. This mission, he said, will contribute to protecting and improving lives impacted by natural disasters.

    Longo also noted that adding this new satellite to the first, and eventually building a constellation, will double observation time, significantly boosting scientific prospects.

    The Italian team named the project Limadou, the pinyin transliteration of the Chinese name for the 16th-century Italian priest Matteo Ricci, in honor of his pivotal contributions to cultural exchanges between the East and the West.

    Both Marco Polo and Matteo Ricci served as bridges between Italian and Chinese cultures, and space, too, has the potential to unite all countries, Longo said.

    Saturday’s launch marked the 581st mission of China’s Long March rocket series.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Transport conference concludes

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Around 60 participants of the International Conference on Roads & Railways 2025, which concluded on June 13, visited today the works sites of the Central Kowloon Route (CKR) and the MTR Corporation Tung Chung Line Extension, respectively.

    During the visit arranged by the conference’s organisers, the participants witnessed the achievements of Hong Kong’s transport infrastructure.

    Co-organised by the Highways Department and the Institution of Highways & Transportation, the two-day conference attracted over 800 participants, bringing together global experts, scholars and industry leaders to share experiences and insights, and jointly lead Hong Kong’s transport infrastructure development to write a new chapter.

    Ministry of Transport Research Institute of Highway Vice-President Wang Shuiyin, in his opening remarks and speech on the second day of the conference, inspired the participants to think about how to put smart and green road construction into practice.

    In-depth discussions were then held on “Smart & Green Transport Infrastructure – Planning, Design & Construction” and “Green Solutions for Smart Transport Infrastructure”.

    Students of relevant engineering subjects were invited to participate in the conference, which enabled them to understand the future development of transport infrastructure, as well as the breakthroughs in innovative technologies of the engineering sector.

    In addition, arrangements will be made for young members from professional bodies and organisations to visit the CKR works site on June 21. They will have a closer look on how complex underground works were carried out in the urban areas with lots of buildings, dense population and high traffic flow under the project.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China takes precautions against Typhoon Wutip

    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 14 (Xinhua) — A number of Chinese departments held a meeting on Saturday to coordinate precautions as Typhoon Wutip (Butterfly), the first typhoon of the year, approaches and is expected to bring heavy rains to the country’s southern regions.

    Typhoon Wutip made landfall near Dongfang in southern China’s Hainan Province on Friday evening. It made a second landfall around 12:30 p.m. Saturday, when it hit the west coast of Leizhou in Guangdong Province, north of Hainan.

    Typhoon Wutip may cause prolonged, widespread and intense winds and rainfall, greatly increasing the risk of natural disasters, according to China’s National Flood and Drought Control Headquarters. The agency urged relevant departments and local authorities to remain highly vigilant.

    The department has dispatched three task forces to Hainan, Guangdong and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region to coordinate disaster prevention efforts, and more than 3,000 local firefighters have been sent to the front lines.

    China’s Ministry of Emergency Management has put its emergency response forces and aviation on alert in case of possible natural disasters.

    Due to heavy rains caused by the typhoon, China’s Ministry of Water Resources has activated a Level 4 emergency response for floods in east China’s Zhejiang Province.

    The agency also called on local authorities to closely monitor weather changes and use hydraulic structures to ensure the safety of people’s lives and their property. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: A video like no other – why the Israeli military revealed its own failure

    By Ramzy Baroud and Romana Rubeo

    Unlike the Palestinian message, the Israeli message is not global, but very much a localised cry for help — get us out of Gaza.

    This is not your typical video. The event itself might be similar to numerous other events in Gaza — a fighter emerging from a tunnel, placing a bomb under an Israeli Merkava tank, and returning to his tunnel before a massive explosion takes place.

    This is what is called an operation from zero distance. But the video, this time, is different, as it was not released by the Al-Qassam Brigades or any other group.

    There is no foreboding music in the background, no slick edits, no red triangles. The reason? The video was released by the Israeli army itself.

    This raises many questions, including why the Israeli army would report the bravery of a Palestinian fighter and the successful blowing up of the pride and joy of the Israeli military  — the Merkava.

    The answer might lie in the sense of despair in the Israeli military, an army that knows well that it has lost the war or, at best, is unable to clinch victory, even after it laid Gaza to waste and exterminated nearly 10 percent of its 2.3 million population (between the killed, wounded, and missing).

    This sentiment is now very well-known among Israelis, as Israeli media, which initially touted the idea of “total victory”, is now the one promoting a version of Israel’s own total defeat.

    On verge of ‘collective suicide’
    Writing in the Israeli newspaper Maariv, retired Major-General Itzhak Brik said that Israel was on the verge of “collective suicide” and that the army has effectively been defeated by Hamas in Gaza.

    “With a political and military echelon of this type, there is no need for external enemies; they will bring disaster upon us in their stupidity,” he warned, adding:

    “We may soon reach a point of no return, and the only thing left for us to do is pray to our God to come to our aid, and then we will all become messiahs who pray for miracles.”

    General Brik can no longer be accused of being the detached former soldier who is horribly misreading the situation on the ground. Even those on the ground are expressing the exact same sentiment.

    On Tuesday, June 4, the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth quoted an Israeli infantry soldier who expressed a feeling of brokenness after returning to fighting in Gaza, stating that “everyone is exhausted and uncertain”.

    The Israeli soldier reportedly added that he feelt there was no appreciation for the lives of soldiers fighting in Gaza and that they had moved from offence to defence, noting that the soldiers “doubt the objectives of the war”.

    ‘Hamas has Defeated Us’ – Ret. Israeli Maj. Gen. Brik Speaks of ‘Collective Suicide’

    Dominant global narrative
    Many in the pro-Palestine circle, which now represents the dominant global narrative on the war, are celebrating the bravery of the young men in the video and, by extension, the bravery of Gaza, deeply wounded but still fighting — in fact, winning.

    But there is more to the story than this. The fact that a tank belonging to the 401st Brigade would be blown up in such a way, under the watchful eye of Israeli drones, which could only report the event without being able to change it, is telling us something.

    But unlike the Palestinian message, the Israeli message is not global, but very much a localised cry for help — get us out of Gaza.

    Whether Israeli politicians, lead among them the master of political survival, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, will listen or not, that is a completely different question.

    Republished with permission from The Palestine Chronicle.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI China: China steps up preparations for Typhoon Wutip

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

    BEIJING, June 14 — Multiple Chinese authorities convened on Saturday to put in place precautionary measures against Typhoon Wutip, which is expected to bring heavy rainfall to the southern parts of the country.

    The first typhoon of the year made its first landfall on Friday evening in Dongfang City in south China’s island province of Hainan. It then made a second landfall around noon on Saturday in Leizhou City, Guangdong Province, located just north of Hainan.

    According to the office of the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters, Typhoon Wutip is expected to trigger sustained, widespread and intense winds and rainfall, significantly increasing the risk of disasters. It urged relevant departments and local governments to remain on high alert.

    The office has dispatched three working teams to Hainan, Guangdong and Guangxi to guide disaster prevention efforts. Additionally, over 3,000 personnel from local firefighting units have been deployed to the frontlines.

    The Ministry of Emergency Management has mobilized emergency rescue forces and aircraft in preparation for potential disasters.

    Due to heavy rainfall caused by the typhoon, the Ministry of Water Resources has activated a Level-IV emergency response to flooding in Zhejiang Province on China’s eastern coast. The ministry has also urged local authorities to closely monitor weather changes and utilize water conservancy infrastructure to safeguard lives and property.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Uganda Rallies Global Solidarity Against Oesophageal Cancer: Science, Innovation, and Diplomacy at the Heart of Progress

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

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    In a demonstration of Uganda’s growing commitment to collaborative Healthcare Diplomacy, the Uganda Embassy in Washington D.C. in partnership with the Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI), and key stakeholders including AFRECC, Olympus, and Kyabiirwa Surgical Center, hosted a high-level esophageal Cancer Symposium at Four Points by Sheraton, Kampala. Under the theme “Leveraging Science, Innovation and Technology to Address the Burden of Esophageal Cancer in Sub-Saharan Africa,” the event marked the culmination of a four-day health-focused agenda that began with specialized surgical training at Kyabiirwa Surgical Center in Jinja. Over 50 patients received treatment during the training phase, a tangible outcome underscoring the importance of applied science in addressing real-world health burdens.

    The symposium was not merely an academic exchange it was a convergence of minds from the health sector, diplomatic corps, academia, media, and private manufacturers, drawn together by a shared sense of responsibility. Beyond policy, the symposium made room for stories personal accounts of survivors, caregivers, and practitioners working in low-resource settings. It is this blend of policy, practice, and lived experience, which gave the event its distinct character and diplomatic weight. The event also served as a platform for discussing the broader socio-economic and cultural implications of non-communicable diseases. Presenters explored how public perceptions, behavior change, and even commercial industries such as tobacco and alcohol influence cancer rates. With emphasis on building resilient health systems, speakers called for a multi-sectoral approach that combines regulation, education, and innovation.

    In line with her Mission’s mandate to promote Science and Technology transfer under the four ATMS, Uganda’s Ambassador to the United States, Robie Kakonge, delivered remarks that reflected a nuanced understanding of global diplomacy in the health sector. “Cancer is not just a medical challenge it’s a deeply human one,” she said. “Each diagnosis is a story of hope, resilience, and the quiet strength of families and communities.” She underlined the critical role of technology in bridging geographic divides, emphasizing that embassies today function as both diplomatic posts and development facilitators. “With limited resources and high expectations, we walk a fine line. But strategic partnerships and shared responsibility remain our greatest assets,” she added.

    Amb. Kakonge’s remarks also recognized the essential roles of countries like Japan which has worked closely with the Uganda Cancer Institute and the United States, not as donors, but as co-creators of a shared future. Her appeal to “think beyond borders and budgets” framed cancer as a global development issue an approach that resonated strongly with international health experts and funders in attendance. Speaking with both humility and resolve, His Excellency Takuya Sasayama, the Ambassador of Japan to Uganda, who was also in attendance, reflected on the evolving collaboration between Japan and Uganda, which he described as “a journey of mutual respect and long-term investment in people.” The ambassador pointed to areas of growth, including health cooperation, coffee exports, and cultural exchange. He also acknowledged Japan’s contribution to Uganda’s infrastructure through projects like the donation of ambulances and medical equipment efforts he described as acts of friendship, not charity.

    “Our collaboration is not a project. It is a relationship,” he remarked, inviting partners to co-create solutions that transcend national interests and reflect a common vision for health, sustainability, and innovation. In his keynote address delivered on behalf of the Hon. Minister of Health, Dr. Charles Olaro, Director General of Health Services, echoed Uganda’s commitment to early detection, public education, and regional health equity. He emphasized the importance of HPV vaccination for girls under 14, and he urged stronger efforts to diagnose cancers at an earlier stage. “When we delay, we pay,” he stated, referencing the escalating costs both human and economic of late diagnosis. Dr. Olaro also pointed to growing mental health concerns and the need for integrated, community-based approaches in both cancer and psychosocial care.

    Dr. Jackson Orem, Executive Director of UCI, described the symposium as “a convergence of science, innovation, and diplomacy.” He stressed that Uganda’s cancer burden cannot be tackled in isolation. “We must draw on global partnerships not only for funding but for the co-creation of knowledge. Innovation must be localized, and science must be democratized,” he said. His remarks were received with deep resonance by the international delegations, many of whom had travelled to Kampala to affirm their support. As the curtains fall on this milestone gathering, one thing is clear: Uganda is not just hosting conversations it is shaping them. With its eyes firmly on the future and its feet grounded in regional realities, the country is emerging as a credible voice in the global dialogue on cancer care, resilience, and shared humanity. In a world grappling with health inequities, Uganda’s call is simple yet profound: “Let us heal together.”

    – on behalf of The Republic of Uganda – Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Lord Provost congratulates those names in King’s Honours list

    Source: Scotland – City of Edinburgh

    Edinburgh’s Lord Provost has congratulated all those named in the King’s Birthday Honours list, including former Council employee Frank Donoghue.

    Frank received the British Empire Medal in recognition of his services to the public, following 44 years working in the Council.

    He was leading the facilities team at the City Chambers when he retired in September, and played a role in Operation Unicorn after the Queen’s Death in 2022.

    Edinburgh’s Lord Provost Robert Aldridge said:

    Congratulations to all those who have been recognised in this year’s King’s Honours, whose achievements and service to the public have made such an impact.

    Our very own Frank Donoghue is a most deserved recipient. He demonstrated nothing but hard work and dedication to the city during his 44 years in service. From his original role in the then Lothian Regional Council to his retirement last year he went the extra mile to help keep the Council running.

    His varied career has taken in roles in caretaking, support services and building management, and I know that one of his more recent positions, helping to deliver Operation Unicorn following the Queen’s passing, was one of his proudest moments.

    A well-loved and loyal colleague throughout his time here, Frank has provided support to councillors, officers and members of the public, and I’m personally grateful for his commitment. Thanks to Frank for his service to the city and congratulations for this well-earned accolade.

    Read the full King’s Birthday Honours list online.

    Published: June 14th 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Mainland Civil and Commercial Legal Practice Training Course 2025 of Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy concludes (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Mainland Civil and Commercial Legal Practice Training Course 2025 of Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy concludes  
         The course covers various key areas of the Mainland civil and commercial legal practice. Through lectures and seminars, the course further enhances the understanding and knowledge of Hong Kong’s legal and dispute resolution sectors on the practice and operation of the Mainland civil and commercial legal system, while providing a platform for exchange and co-operation between the Hong Kong and Mainland legal sectors. Speakers of the course comprise Mainland judges, academics, legal professionals, corporate representatives, arbitration practitioners and members of the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Expert Committee.
     
         The Academy will continue to capitalise on Hong Kong’s bilingual common law system and international status and provide platforms for capacity building, knowledge and experience sharing to Hong Kong, the Mainland as well as other jurisdictions, especially the legal talent in regions along the Belt and Road Initiative, to promote the exchange of international legal talent and reinforce Hong Kong’s status as a centre for international legal and dispute resolution services in the Asia???Pacific region, in order to develop Hong Kong into a capacity-building centre.
    Issued at HKT 20:38

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • Structural reforms in last 11 years reshaped India’s macroeconomic fundamentals: FM Sitharaman

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Structural reforms implemented over the last 11 years under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership have reshaped India’s macroeconomic fundamentals, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Saturday. 

    India’s emergence as the fastest-growing major economy is anchored in several favourable factors and is closely linked to the strengthening of balance sheets across key sectors — banks, corporates, households, the government, and the external sector — the Finance Minister wrote in a media article.

    “The transformation of the Indian economy over the last 11 years — from a twin-deficit problem to a five-balance-sheet advantage — is the result of concerted policy efforts under PM Modi’s leadership,” Sitharaman posted on social media platform X.

    She further stated, “When we came to power in 2014, the foremost priority was growth revival, as India was then considered part of the ‘Fragile Five’ economies.”

    “Structural reforms were introduced, including the GST, IBC, RERA, and during the pandemic years, the PLI Scheme and ECLGS to help credit-worthy MSMEs survive the Covid shock. Likewise, infrastructure and asset creation — neglected for decades — were revived,” the Finance Minister emphasised.

    From the digital payment revolution driven by UPI (which recorded over 185 billion transactions in FY25) to the entrepreneurial enthusiasm seen in the uptake of MUDRA loans (cumulative disbursements of over Rs 33 lakh crore to 53 crore+ loan accounts), “the last 11 years have shown the heights our economy can reach when we combine trust-based governance with systematic regulatory easing and the expansion of public goods,” she stressed.

    Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal stated earlier this month that India’s FDI inflows now originate from 112 countries, compared to 89 in 2013–14 — underscoring the country’s rising global appeal.

    India’s FDI success story is not only about impressive numbers but also reflects visionary reforms, policy clarity, and the global community’s trust in the country’s economic future, he noted.

    IANS

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Young People Are ‘Worthy Ambassadors of Friendship’ Between China and Central Asia

    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

    ASTANA, June 14 (Xinhua) — Young people are the hope for the future. In recent years, cooperation between China and Central Asian countries has rapidly expanded and deepened, with a series of key initiatives promoting the development of the younger generation, strengthening mutual understanding between peoples, and working for the long term.

    Chinese President Xi Jinping has responded to letters from Central Asian students studying in China, encouraging them to be ambassadors of friendship and bridges of cooperation, supported joint Chinese-Kazakh universities, strengthened exchanges between young generations, encouraged mutual understanding, and promoted the joint development of the Lu Ban Workshops between China and Central Asian countries, opening the way to a brighter future for more and more young people from the region. The attention and care of the Chinese President have inspired young people to make new contributions to building a closer community with a shared future for China and Central Asia, and filled their common development and prosperity with youthful energy.

    CHAIRMAN XI JINPING’S ORDER

    “President Xi Jinping told us: be worthy ambassadors of friendship and bridges of cooperation between China and Central Asia. This is his order for us and at the same time a sign of trust,” young Turkmen Rakhman Bayramdurdyev recalls with excitement how he received a reply letter from Chinese President Xi Jinping two years ago.

    In 2023, Rahman, who was then a graduate student at the China University of Petroleum (Beijing), wrote a collective letter to the Chinese President along with his comrades from Central Asian countries. The young people shared their impressions of studying and living in China, expressed their desire to learn, strengthen cooperation, and contribute to building a community with a common future for China and Central Asia.

    “I remember my classmates and I were very excited when we received a response from Chairman Xi Jinping!” says Rahman.

    Rahman began his student life at the China University of Petroleum back in 2010. Over the course of 13 years, the young man successively completed undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate programs. At the time of receiving the letter from Xi Jinping, he was preparing to defend his dissertation and thinking about his future after graduation.

    “The friendship between China and Central Asian countries should be developed and passed on from generation to generation by more and more determined and active young people. You are not only witnesses and beneficiaries of the relations between China and Central Asia, but also their creators and disseminators,” these warm and encouraging words of the PRC leader strengthened Rahman’s determination to become an ambassador of China and Central Asian culture.

    The young man decided to stay in China and became an employee of the Institute of International Education of the China University of Petroleum /Beijing/. “I want to share my experience with other students from Central Asia and other countries, help them get to know China and understand it better,” he says.

    “I am always available,” is how Rahman describes his nearly two-year tenure at the institute. He helps new international students overcome language barriers and cope with everyday difficulties, schedules classes, and monitors exams and academic performance. In this intense but fulfilling job, Rahman has witnessed the growth and development of international students in China and gained a deeper understanding of the friendly relations between China and Central Asia.

    “Studying and living in China over the years has completely changed me, shaped me,” says Rahman.

    According to Yu Donghai, deputy director of the Institute of International Education at China University of Petroleum (Beijing), the university maintains extensive cooperation with educational institutions in Central Asian countries. Over the past twenty years, more than two thousand students from the region have studied here, and they now play an active role in strengthening exchanges and cooperation between China and Central Asian countries in many areas.

    June is graduation time. One of the authors of the letter to President Xi Jinping, student Mohammed Polat, is about to complete an unforgettable education in China. In eight years, he went from a preparatory course where he did not speak a word of Chinese to a master’s degree in business management and fluency in the language. “Studying in China changed my life,” he says with sincere gratitude.

    The 24-year-old Kazakh is looking forward to the second China-Central Asia summit. He hopes that more young people from Central Asia will be able to come to China to study, and Chinese companies will be able to work more actively in the region. “I am ready to contribute to building a bridge of friendship,” says Mukhammed.

    PROMOTING FRIENDSHIP DEVELOPMENT

    In recent years, in the context of sustainable development of cooperation with China in all areas, interest in this country and its language has been growing in Central Asian countries. “I decided to study Chinese because I consider it the language of the future,” Yerasyl Mukhtaruly, a student at the Kazakhstan branch of Beijing Language and Culture University, told Xinhua.

    In July 2024, when Xi Jinping visited Kazakhstan, he and the country’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev attended the opening ceremony of the Kazakhstan branch of Beijing Language and Culture University. Astana International University President Serik Irsaliev still remembers that day well.

    According to him, the attention of the heads of the two states is “very high responsibility”. “This year, about 100 of our students are completing their studies at the branch on language courses. After that, they will take the HSK exam and determine their future profession,” said S. Irsaliev.

    Yerasyl, 20, is one of the first students at the branch. He studied Chinese for almost nine months in preparatory courses. It was difficult at first, but the young man increasingly felt the depth of Chinese culture and understood better what he was striving for in life.

    The student recalls that at first he often made mistakes in tones, and the countless hieroglyphs were difficult to remember. “I have to spend more than an hour or even two hours every day studying hieroglyphs. I have to write them every day. Speaking practice also helps,” he said, adding that he is gradually overcoming difficulties.

    In the future, he plans to work in the fields of translation, international business or diplomacy. “I believe that everyone who studies Chinese contributes to the development of friendship between Kazakhstan and China,” Yerasyl noted.

    An unusual relic is kept behind glass in the Kazakhstan branch of Beijing Language and Culture University: a copy of President K.-Zh. Tokayev’s student ID card, which he obtained when he briefly studied abroad at Beijing Language and Culture University. Local students are very proud to have studied at the same university as the head of state. “President Tokayev also studied at Beijing Language and Culture University, which is of particular importance to us,” said Alina Abildinova, who is attending preparatory language courses.

    She told Xinhua that she loves Chinese tea culture and hopes to have the opportunity to study and work in China in the future. “Modern China can provide young people with various opportunities, allowing us to confidently move into the future,” she said.

    A VALUABLE PRACTICE OPPORTUNITY

    In the training lab of Lu Ban’s Workshop in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, about ten local students are working intently with measuring instruments under the guidance of a teacher. This is the “youngest” Lu Ban Workshop in Central Asia – it opened in October last year.

    Last July, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov in Astana during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit. During the meeting, he stressed that the two sides should make full use of platforms such as the Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Center for Chinese Culture, and the Lu Ban Workshop in Kyrgyzstan to cultivate new successors to the Chinese-Kyrgyz friendly cooperation.

    The workshop was created through the joint efforts of the Zhejiang Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower and the Kyrgyz State Technical University named after I. Razzakov. Over the course of more than six months of its operation, more than four thousand students have received technical training here.

    Head of Lu Ban Workshop Akylbek Chymyrov told Xinhua that the country is experiencing a serious shortage of engineering personnel in areas such as hydropower, electrical engineering, road and bridge construction. At the same time, infrastructure projects for the construction of hydroelectric power plants, highways are being actively implemented, and construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway has begun. “The main advantage is that we are training highly qualified personnel together with our Chinese partners. Students receive modern knowledge, study modern technologies and standards,” he says.

    “Here we learn how to use the latest surveying instruments and equipment, and we also study drone technologies, which is new and very interesting for us,” said Aalybek uulu Erbol, a second-year student at the Kyrgyz State Technical University named after I. Razzakov, studying geodesy. According to him, the technical equipment makes the workshop especially attractive, which is rare at other universities. “This practical opportunity is very valuable for us,” he emphasized.

    The Chinese leader has always paid great attention and supported the establishment of “Lu Ban Workshops” in the Central Asian countries. In May 2023, in his keynote speech at the China-Central Asia Summit, he especially noted the need to increase the number of “Lu Ban Workshops” in the Central Asian states. To date, the “Lu Ban Workshop” in Tajikistan has been successfully operating for more than two years, preparations are underway to open a second workshop in Kazakhstan, and the first workshop in Uzbekistan was opened last year. These projects are actively promoted throughout Central Asia and contribute to the training of personnel for the socio-economic development and modernization of the countries in the region.

    “Lu Ban Workshop”, established by the East Kazakhstan Technical University named after D. Serikbayev jointly with the Tianjin Vocational Institute, began operations in December 2023 and became the first in Kazakhstan. In recent years, Chinese car brands have become increasingly popular in Kazakhstan. Taking into account the future need for specialists in the automotive industry, maintenance and repair, the Kazakh side chose the automotive industry as the main direction of training in this workshop.

    “Lu Ban’s Workshop gives students the opportunity to immediately move from theory to practice,” notes Anasyr Mirashev, head of the workshop at the D. Serikbayev East Kazakhstan Technical University. “The teacher can demonstrate everything visually, and the students can do all the work with their own hands. This gives them great opportunities.”

    “I chose Lu Ban’s Workshop because it is the most promising project today,” says second-year master’s student Ilyas Isakanov. He said that thanks to training at the workshop, he became familiar with the latest technologies in the automotive industry and hopes to use the knowledge he gained in the future to help more people. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: 60 killed in Israeli airstrike on Tehran apartment building – IRIB

    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

    TEHRAN, June 14 (Xinhua) — At least 60 people, including 20 children, were killed in an Israeli airstrike on a 14-story residential building in the Iranian capital Tehran on Friday morning, state-run IRIB television reported Saturday.

    The residential complex, located in the northeast of the city, was one of the places hit by Israeli strikes on various parts of the capital and other Iranian cities.

    Some 38 people have been freed from the rubble, according to IRIB. Ten children, including those under nine months old, are still trapped under the rubble.

    Israel launched airstrikes on Tehran and other Iranian cities on Friday morning. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Israeli army says nine Iranian nuclear scientists killed

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    JERUSALEM, June 14 (Xinhua) — The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said Saturday that its strikes killed nine senior Iranian nuclear officials.

    It is noted that they fell victim to fire from fighter jets acting on data from the Military Intelligence Directorate. The scientists were killed at the start of the Israeli operation, which was carried out on Friday morning.

    The dead played an important role in the Iranian nuclear project and had decades of accumulated experience in developing nuclear weapons, the IDF emphasized, noting that they included experts in nuclear and chemical engineering, physics, materials science and mechanics.

    Israel carried out airstrikes early Friday on Tehran and other Iranian cities. The IDF said the strikes were intended, among other things, to stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Tehran has repeatedly denied it seeks them. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Feature Story: Green Hope for “Tears of Central Asia”

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    TASHKENT, June 14 (Xinhua) — In late May, Wang Ping, a researcher at the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, arrived in the western city of Nukus, Uzbekistan, to participate in joint research with the Aral Sea International Innovation Center. He can no longer count how many times he has visited the city near the Aral Sea. This time, he and his colleagues brought two “treasures”: halophyte seeds (plants that easily adapt to life in saline soils) and solar panels.

    The Aral Sea, located in central Eurasia on the border of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, was once the fourth-largest lake in the world. Since the 1960s, under the influence of numerous factors such as increased human use of water and climate change, it has been rapidly drying up, shrinking by more than 90 percent. The shoreline has retreated, the soil has become more saline, and a desert of over 50,000 square kilometers has formed in its place. The Aral Sea has become a symbol of the catastrophe, known as the “tears of Central Asia.”

    The ecological crisis of the Aral Sea has caused not only a shortage of water resources, but also huge rock formations have formed on the seabed, causing dust and salt storms that damage vast territories. Desertification, soil salinization, loss of biodiversity – all this has a significant negative impact on the ecology and economy of the countries in the region. In April 2010, then UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, after visiting the Aral Sea, said that its drying up was “one of the worst ecological disasters on the planet.”

    For many years, scientists from China and Uzbekistan have been working together to find solutions to the Aral Sea’s environmental crisis, from joint scientific expeditions and soil reclamation to the creation of model regions where water-saving cotton-growing technologies are used.

    “Water shortage, soil salinization, lack of modern agricultural technologies and related systems – these are all acute problems holding back the development of Central Asia,” Wang Ping said.

    This time, Wang Ping brought to Nukus seeds of more than ten types of halophytes (saltwort, saxaul, wormwood, etc.), hoping to successfully grow them in laboratory conditions and then mass-produce them around the Aral Sea to restore biodiversity and combat salinization and dust storms.

    Wang Ping also told Xinhua that several months ago, the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography delivered about 1.5 tons of halophyte seeds to Tashkent for use in a salt-tolerant botanical garden that experts from the two countries are preparing to jointly develop. “These seeds will not only be directly used for saline land reclamation and ecological restoration, but also lay the foundation for local botanical diversity reserves, research and development.”

    “It’s cloudy today, which is good for field work. Let’s try to complete the drip irrigation of this experimental halophyte demonstration field,” says Wang Ping. In another Aral Sea town, Muynak, Wang Ping and his colleagues are installing a water-saving drip irrigation system in a field and leading a local cooperation team that is installing photovoltaic panels to harness solar energy for the halophyte irrigation system.

    In the past two years, Chinese researchers have been promoting the “integration, testing and demonstration project of applying photovoltaic technology to the management of the Aral Sea ecological environment.” In Nukus, the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography and the Aral Sea International Innovation Center launched a pilot project on cotton cultivation with an integrated solar energy, water and fertilizer system last year. With the help of membrane drip irrigation for cotton, photovoltaic generation and an intelligent integrated water and fertilizer supply machine, intelligent drip irrigation and fertilization of fields were realized, which led to an increase in cotton yield by more than three times, and the cost and water consumption were significantly reduced.

    The diligence of Chinese experts and the development prospects opened up by Chinese technology impressed many local farmers and agricultural experts. Local parliament members sent a letter of thanks to the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography and expressed hope for establishing long-term cooperation and expanding the experimental zone with funding from the Uzbek side.

    “The Aral Sea’s environmental crisis is a common problem for the region, and no country can cope with it alone,” said Uzbek political commentator Sharofiddin Tulaganov, noting that cooperation between Uzbekistan and China in the environmental management of the Aral Sea has already yielded noticeable results, and China’s contribution deserves respect.

    “This is not only about environmental management of the Aral Sea, but also about practical manifestations such as improving people’s well-being and building trust. By jointly promoting green and innovative development, we not only strive to restore the ecological environment of the Aral region, but also create a bright future of sustainable development for all of Central Asia,” he noted. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: International Conference on Roads and Railways 2025 successfully concludes On-site visits to Central Kowloon Route and MTRCL Tung Chung Line Extension works projects

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    The International Conference on Roads and Railways 2025 co-organised by the Highways Department (HyD) and the Hong Kong Institution of Highways and Transportation already came to a successful conclusion yesterday (June 13). The two-day conference attracted over 800 participants, successfully bringing together global experts, scholars and industry leaders to share experiences and insights, and jointly lead Hong Kong’s transport infrastructure development to write a new chapter.

    In his opening remarks and speech on the second day of the conference, Vice President of the Research Institute of Highway of the Ministry of Transport of the People’s Republic of China, Mr Wang Shuiyin, inspired the participants to think about how to put smart and green road construction into practice. The conference then focused on Smart and Green Transport Infrastructure – Planning, Design and Construction and Green Solutions for Smart Transport Infrastructure, with in-depth discussions on the topics of innovative designs, construction and material technologies, smart monitoring technologies, strategies to cope with extreme weather, etc., which provided multi-faceted solutions for the promotion of smart and green transport infrastructure. Students studying relevant engineering subjects were invited to participate in the conference. This enabled them to understand the future development of transport infrastructure, as well as the breakthroughs in innovative technologies of the engineering sector. Deputy Director of Highways, Mr Richard Ng, said in his closing remarks that the conference inspired Hong Kong to create sustainable solutions through policy innovation and technological innovation in order to respond to various challenges in the implementation of transport infrastructures, while deepening international co-operation. He also expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the guests, speakers, supporting organisations and all participants for their participation which had made the conference a success. 
    The project team of the HyD introduced to the delegation their self-invented and multi-international award-winning Smart Site Management Hub, which effectively monitors the works progress of the entire project under different works contracts in a unified manner by integrating various data of innovative technologies, thereby enhancing site safety and construction quality. The delegation then visited the Kai Tak Interchange, Kai Tak Depressed Road and entrance of Yau Ma Tei Tunnel, as well as the works site at Kansu Street in Yau Ma Tei to understand how the project team had overcome the challenges encountered during construction, including tunnel excavation, re-provisioning of Gascoigne Road Flyover, etc in the dense urban areas. The project team also shared the people-oriented engineering philosophy of the project in striving to conserve the nearby heritages and iconic landmarks when implementing works, as well as first re-provisioning the public facilities affected, taking full account of cultural conservation and community needs. The delegation was specially arranged to visit the Former Yau Ma Tei Police Station to gain a deep understanding of the history of the century-old building and conservation engineering technology.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Hope Rowe convicted of murdering woman at child’s birthday party

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    A woman has been convicted of murder after stabbing a woman at a child’s birthday party, following a Metropolitan Police investigation.

    The jury also found her partner guilty of perverting the course of justice.

    Hope Rowe, 33 (30.12.1991), of Piazza Walk, Aldgate, attacked Charlotte Lawlor, 31, with a knife at a property in Stepney Green on Sunday, 15 September, 2024. The stabbing was witnessed by some of Ms Lawlor’s family, children and guests at the party.

    On Friday, 13 June, 2025, a jury at Inner London Crown Court found Rowe guilty of murder. Witness testimony and phone evidence – including an incriminating voicemail – were used by Met Police investigators to bring the defendant to justice. She was convicted in the absence of a murder weapon.

    Detective Sergeant Dean Musgrove, from the Met Police’s Specialist Crime North unit, said: “Hope Rowe launched a brutal attack on Charlotte Lawlor at what should have been a joyous occasion. Our thoughts are with the victim’s family and friends, who will have to contend not only with the loss of a loved one, but with the trauma of having witnessed the killing.

    “As if the killing was not senseless enough, Rowe then tried to deceive investigators, disposing of the knife before turning herself in. It still has not been found to this day, and both Rowe and her partner were incriminated by a voicemail accidentally recorded on Rowe’s phone.”

    In a statement, the victim’s parents said: “We are happy with the verdict. We would like to thank the jury for their attention during the trial.

    “The family will never get over the loss and murder of Charlotte. It has destroyed us, leaving a gaping hole. Charlotte’s son, Riley, has been left without a mum, and siblings without their older sister and best friend.

    “Charlotte brought light to everyone’s life.”

    Leigh Holder, 38 (15.11.1986), of Piazza Walk, Aldgate, was also convicted of perverting the course of justice. Holder encouraged Rowe not to surrender to the police, and helped her dispose of the murder weapon.

    Just after 01:00hrs on Sunday, 15 September, Met officers attended a property in Duckett Street, Stepney Green, following reports of a serious assault. Charlotte Lawlor – who had been attending a birthday party at the property the previous evening – had been stabbed, and was being assisted by friends and family.

    After administering first aid, police were joined by a London Ambulance Service crew, but, despite the efforts of paramedics, Ms Lawlor was pronounced dead within an hour.

    Having spoken to witnesses at the property, officers established that Ms Lawlor had been stabbed by Hope Rowe following an argument at the party, who then drove away from the scene with her partner, Leigh Holder.

    Around 02:10hrs, Holder’s vehicle was stopped by armed police in Tower Hamlets. He told them that Rowe had jumped out of the vehicle shortly after leaving the crime scene, and claimed he had no knowledge of her location. Holder was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.

    At 07:00hrs, Rowe attended Bethnal Green Police Station, where she was arrested on suspicion of murder. At interview, she provided no comment – and she later claimed in court that her actions were due to a momentary loss of control.

    Rowe’s phone was seized and analysed by forensic experts. A voicemail – accidentally left by Holder on Rowe’s phone while he was sitting next to her and driving away from the scene – was recovered. In the recorded conversation, Rowe told Holder that it was “good” she had killed Ms Lawlor, while Holder instructed his partner to dispose of the knife and to avoid the police.

    In addition to witness evidence from those present at the scene of the murder, the voicemail proved vital in implicating both Rowe and Holder in their crimes.

    Rowe and Holder will be sentenced an Inner London Crown Court on Wednesday, 9 July.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Gender Parity & Tokenization Explained | WEF | Top Stories Week

    Source: World Economic Forum (video statements)

    This week’s top stories of the week include:

    0:15 Gender parity: who leads the way? – Only 10 countries have closed their gender gaps by 80% or more – and Iceland, which has retained top spot for the 16th year in a row, is the only one to have surpassed the 90% mark. The Global Gender Gap Report 2025 tracks progress on #genderparity across 4 dimensions in 148 countries. Women’s inclusion at work is about more than a moral principle: it has been proven to drive economic growth.

    2:41 Tokenization, explained – The traditional world of investing is getting an update, with the arrival of something called ‘tokenization’. Tokenization means creating digital representations of assets via the blockchain so they can be traded, tracked and managed more easily. The tokens are effectively ‘digital deeds’, says Larry Fink, the CEO of BlackRock. But what are the advantages of tokens?

    4:26 How robots stopped an eco disaster – A software platform powered by AI uses the data to build a precise digital model, which can give astonishingly detailed insights into the health and integrity of vital infrastructure such as bridges and power plants, and can ultimately save lives, cut the costs and risks associated with maintenance, and reduce CO2 emissions. Jake Loosararian, Co-founder and CEO, Gecko Robotics, explains how it all works.

    8:30 How one town saved its reef – From near collapse to a conservation miracle: Cabo Pulmo’s ancient reef was dying 30 years ago. Today, it’s a thriving underwater paradise fuelling wildlife and local ecotourism. How did it happen? Collaboration – between government, scientists and the local community.
    ____________________________________________

    The World Economic Forum is the International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation. The Forum engages the foremost political, business, cultural and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas. We believe that progress happens by bringing together people from all walks of life who have the drive and the influence to make positive change.

    World Economic Forum Website ► http://www.weforum.org/
    Facebook ► https://www.facebook.com/worldeconomicforum/
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    #WorldEconomicForum

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ba-AivAFxAk

    MIL OSI Video –

  • Centre announces extended scrutiny of Boeing Dreamliner 787 series aircraft present in Indian fleet

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued an order to extend the scrutiny of Boeing Dreamliner 787 series aircraft in the Indian fleet, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu said on Saturday.

    Naidu further stated that around eight Boeing 787 aircraft have already been scrutinised and inspected with immediate urgency.

    Addressing a press conference, the Union Minister said, “We have very strict safety standards in the country. When the incident happened, we felt there was a need to conduct extended surveillance of the Boeing 787 series. The DGCA has issued an order for extended surveillance of these planes. There are 34 Boeing 787 aircraft in the Indian fleet today. I believe eight have already been inspected, and the rest will be done with immediate urgency.”

    “Furthermore, as the investigation progresses and the report comes in, we will take all necessary steps. Without any hesitation, we are committed to implementing every measure required to enhance safety,” he added.

    The Minister also informed that Air India has been instructed to assist the families of the passengers in every possible way. He said the bodies are being handed over to the respective families after DNA confirmation and expressed hope that the process would be completed soon.

    “It is very heart-wrenching to hear the stories of those who lost their lives. We have instructed Air India to assist the families in every way possible. DNA testing is underway to identify the bodies, which are being handed over to the families upon confirmation. The government of Gujarat is coordinating this process. While we aim to complete it as soon as possible, we must follow all necessary documentation and procedural protocols. We are ensuring there are no lapses in the process,” he said.

    On June 12, Air India Flight AI-171, a Boeing Dreamliner 787-8 bound for London’s Gatwick Airport, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad International Airport. Of the 242 people on board, only one survived.

    Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu said the crash, which left 241 people dead, has shaken the entire nation.

    “The last two days have been very difficult, especially for the ministry and everyone involved. The incident in Ahmedabad has shaken the entire nation. My deepest condolences to the families who lost their loved ones. I personally lost my father in a road accident, so to some extent, I understand the pain and anguish the families are going through,” he said.

    “It was a moment of shock when we first heard the news. Despite the disbelief, I personally rushed to the site to oversee the response and determine what support was needed. By the time we arrived, the Gujarat government was already on the ground conducting rescue operations,” he added.

    The Minister highlighted that the recovery of the black box from the crash site was crucial to the investigation.

    “The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), which was established specifically to investigate aircraft incidents and accidents, was immediately mobilised. A key development from the ongoing technical investigation is the recovery of the black box from the site around 5 p.m. yesterday. The AAIB team believes decoding the black box will provide in-depth insight into what occurred during the crash or just moments before. We are eagerly awaiting the results of the AAIB’s full investigation,” he said.

    The Central government has already constituted a high-level multidisciplinary committee to examine the causes leading to the crash of Flight AI-171.

    Earlier in the day, officials from the AAIB arrived in Ahmedabad, where the London-bound Air India flight had crashed. The AAIB, under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, is responsible for investigating aircraft accidents in India and has launched a formal investigation into the incident.

    ANI

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Egyptian Foreign Minister condemns Israeli aggression against Iran in phone call with Iranian counterpart


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    Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty condemned the Zionist regimes military attacks against the Islamic Republic of Iran in a phone call on Friday with his Iranian counterpart Seyed Abbas Araghchi.

    Abdelatty described the attacks as fueling an extremely dangerous regional escalation, a blatant violation of international law and the UN Charter, and a clear threat to regional and international security and stability.

    The Iranian foreign minister, while appreciating the phone call and Egypt’s stance in condemning the Zionist regime’s aggression against Iran, emphasized, “This attack constitutes a clear violation of Iran’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and a gross breach of the UN Charter.”

     Araghchi added, “The armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran, based on the right to self-defense, will deliver a decisive response to this aggression by the Zionist regime.”

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Islamic Republic of Iran.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Uganda: President Museveni Meets German Ambassador H.E Matthias Schauer


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    President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on Friday, 13th June 2025 met and held a strategic discussion with the Ambassador of Germany to Uganda, His Excellency Matthias Schauer at State Lodge, Nakasero.

    The meeting focused on exploring ways to enhance collaboration in key sectors such as trade, investment, technology, sports development, among others.

    The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the longstanding partnership between Uganda and Germany.

    President Museveni emphasized the importance of partnerships based on mutual respect and shared development goals, highlighting Uganda’s commitment to sustainable progress.

    Ambassador Schauer thanked President Museveni for the warm reception and the opportunity to engage in a meaningful dialogue, expressing optimism about the continued growth of Uganda–Germany relations.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Uganda.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Dental services symposium held

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    ​The Department of Health (DH) today organised a symposium where renowned dental academics from the Mainland and overseas, as well as local dental professionals, explored the way forward and measures to promote oral health.

    Held at the Hong Kong Palace Museum auditorium, the symposium also celebrated the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the DH’s dental services.

    Secretary for Health Prof Lo Chung-mau, along with DH senior officials, officiated at the symposium’s opening ceremony.

    Addressing the event, Prof Lo said, “Oral health is vital to overall health. At the end of last year, the Government released the final report of the Working Group on Oral Health & Dental Care, shifting the focus of Hong Kong’s oral health and dental care system from treatment-oriented to an approach targeting prevention, early identification and timely intervention.”

    Prof Lo highlighted that the Primary Dental Co-care Pilot Scheme for Adolescents, launched by the Government in March this year, is an initiative of “widely promoting among citizens”, encouraging adolescents to prevent dental diseases, while the Community Dental Support Programme launched last month is an initiative focusing on enhancing dental services for the underprivileged.

    The Government looks forward to collaborating with the dental professionals, training institutions, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and members of the public to usher in a new era of dental services in Hong Kong, and continue to enhance various initiatives to promote oral health for all, he added.

    World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for the Western Pacific Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala delivered a video message for the symposium.

    Keynote speakers included WHO Collaborating Centre for Translation of Oral Health Science Director Prof Hiroshi Ogawa, Peking University School of Stomatology Department of Preventive Dentistry Chairman Prof Zheng Shuguo, and University College London Special Care Dentistry Consultant Dr Navdeep Kumar.

    They shared their insights on the WHO Global Strategy & Action Plan on Oral Health (2023-2030), the Mainland’s policy and efforts to promote global oral health, and the challenges and innovations in providing dental care to adult patients with special needs.

    In addition, 16 NGOs and partners who have been actively participating in government-subsidised dental programmes, such as the Outreach Dental Care Programme for the Elderly and Healthy Teeth Collaboration, shared their achievements in serving the elderly and people with special needs.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • Axiom Space to fly Shubhanshu Shukla to space station on June 19: ISRO

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    US-based Axiom Space is now set to send Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla to the International Space Station (ISS) on June 19, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said on Saturday.

    Shukla’s flight, originally scheduled for June 11, was postponed multiple times due to technical observations related to the ISS’s Zvezda module. A leak had been detected in the propulsion bay during a pre-launch test.

    ISRO noted that Axiom Space is working closely with NASA to assess the pressure anomaly in the Zvezda Service Module onboard the ISS.

    “During a follow-on coordination meeting between ISRO, Axiom Space, and SpaceX, it was confirmed that the liquid oxygen leak observed in the Falcon 9 launch vehicle has been successfully resolved,” ISRO said in a statement.

    “Axiom Space is now targeting June 19, 2025, for the launch of the Ax-04 mission,” it added.

    ISRO has reiterated its commitment to mission safety and continued coordination with international partners.

    The mission holds historic significance for India. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is set to become the first Indian astronaut to visit the ISS and only the second Indian in space, following Rakesh Sharma’s flight in 1984.

    Shukla will serve as the pilot of the mission, alongside Commander Peggy Whitson of the United States. The other crew members include Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland and Tibor Kapu of Hungary, both serving as mission specialists.

    Once aboard the ISS, Shukla will conduct pioneering experiments related to food and space nutrition. These experiments, developed in collaboration between ISRO and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), with support from NASA, aim to advance understanding of sustainable life-support systems—crucial for future long-duration space missions.

    The research will also examine the effects of microgravity and space radiation on edible microalgae—nutrient-rich, high-potential food sources for space missions.

    The experiments will evaluate key growth parameters and analyze transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic changes in various algal species in space, compared to their behavior on Earth.

    IANS

  • MIL-OSI Africa: United Nations (UN) Women Launches a Multi-County Care Policy to Recognize and Support Unpaid Care Work

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

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    “This policy has finally put words to the struggle I have faced for years. I care for my aging mother and three grandchildren while running a small business. Now, I feel seen and supported.” — Jane Mutheu, Caregiver and Small Business Owner, Kitui County.

    In a stride toward gender equality and women empowerment, UN Women Kenya successfully launched the Evidence to Policy for Kenya Care Economy project in three counties — Kitui, West Pokot, and Laikipia to reshape Kenya’s care infrastructure. The project, supported by the Gates Foundation, seeks to address the burden of care work, which is often shouldered by women. It aims to ensure that care work is recognized, reduced, rewarded, redistributed, and represented to foster a more inclusive society.

    Kenya’s National Care Policy — the second of its kind in Africa after Cape Verde — is a transformative model for addressing structural gender inequality. 

    The Policy seeks to transform how unpaid and paid care work is recognized, valued, and addressed in Kenya. At its core, the policy aims to recognize, reduce, and redistribute unpaid care work and reward and represent paid care work through decent work and social protection mechanisms.

    Unpaid care work, though vital for the physical, emotional, and social well-being of children, the elderly, persons with disabilities, and the ill, often goes unrecognized. In Kenya, women spend an average of 4–5 hours a day on unpaid care work compared to just one hour by men according to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS). This imbalance not only contributes to time poverty but also reinforces broader gender inequalities, limiting women’s access to education, employment, leadership, and income.

    The Evidence to Policy project builds on the foundation of Kenya’s 2023–2026 UN Women Strategic Note, which prioritizes economic empowerment and gender-responsive governance. With the care economy largely dependent on unpaid and unrecognized female labor, this project seeks to create equitable systems that support all caregivers, especially those from vulnerable backgrounds.

    The project introduces the Care Diamond framework — government, civil society, private sector, and households — as key actors in delivering and sustaining care systems.

    In West Pokot, UN Women Kenya Country Representative, Ms. Antonia Sodonon, accompanied by implementing partner Village Enterprise led the launch. The implementing partner works with grassroots communities to integrate care considerations in economic development initiatives.

    Laikipia County was part of the local rollout, implemented in partnership with Hand in Hand Eastern Africa (HiH-EA). Community dialogues here focused on balancing caregiving responsibilities with income-generating opportunities.

    In Kitui County, UN Women Kenya’s Deputy County Representative, Dan Bazira, alongside the Governor Dr. Julius Makau Malombe, senior, Anglican Development Services Eastern (ADSE) and the State Department for Gender and Affirmative Action took part in the launch. The gathering aimed to advance inclusive dialogue, promote awareness, and deepen understanding of care work’s impact on women’s participation in public life.

    “This policy is not just about women. It’s about families, economies, and building resilient societies,” said Mr. Bazira, emphasizing the importance of stakeholder collaboration. “It’s a groundbreaking model on the continent—one that promotes the 5Rs of unpaid care work: Recognize, Reduce, Redistribute, Represent, and Reward.”

    Through this policy, the Government of Kenya is taking a critical step to correct that imbalance. It will guide the collection of time-use data, promote investment in public services like childcare and eldercare, and push for decent work conditions for paid care workers. This initiative aligns with global commitments under SDG 5.4 and national frameworks such as the Constitution of Kenya, Vision 2030, and the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), specifically the President’s 9-Point Agenda on Women.

    Government Buy-In and Bold Commitments

    In Kitui, Governor Malombe committed to aligning county development plans with the care policy. “Care work fuels our communities, yet it’s invisible in our budgets and policies. This must change. We are investing in Early Childhood Development, centers, water access, and GBV recovery centers because we know care is foundational,” he said.

    The Director of the State Department for Gender, Ms. Grace Wasike, urged further action: “We must train domestic workers, build support systems for the elderly and disabled, and strengthen our collaboration across all government levels.”

    Implementing Partners Driving Local Impact

    In all counties, funded by Gates Foundation and supported by UN Women, grassroots partners are at the heart of the project. ADSE in Kitui is engaging communities to build care-responsive programs. Village Enterprise in West Pokot is integrating care into livelihoods. HiH EA in Laikipia is promoting gender-responsive technologies like kitchen gardens and time-saving tools.

    “This care policy is a promise — that women’s unpaid labor is not a given, but a choice we must honor, value, and support,” concluded Elizabeth Obanda, Women’s Economic Empowerment Team Lead, UN Women Kenya.

    The policy is expected to usher in system-wide changes in how care is organized and shared—between the state, private sector, families, and communities. By addressing care work, it lays the foundation for inclusive economic growth, gender equality, and social protection—ensuring women and girls have the time, resources, and opportunities to thrive.

    The launches marked a milestone in translating Kenya’s National Care Policy into action at the county level, engaging communities, governments, and development partners in making visible the invisible labor that sustains households and economies. The county-level launches are a first step in what UN Women hopes will become a nationwide movement.

    – on behalf of UN Women – Africa.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Foreign Minister Valtonen to meet ministers from Kenya, Benin, Costa Rica and Thailand

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

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    Finnish Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen will meet Prime Cabinet Secretary of Kenya Musalia Mudavadi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Benin Olushegun Adjadi Bakari, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Costa Rica Arnoldo André Tinoco and Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of Thailand Russ Jalichandra in connection with the Kultaranta Talks on 16–17 June.

    At the Kultaranta presidential summer residence, the ministers, together with Foreign Minister Valtonen, will engage in a panel discussion entitled “Accumulation of Shocks at the Global Level – What the West Should Understand” on 16 June. They will discuss regional and international developments that challenge the rules-based international order.

    “With many transformations taking place in the world, I am pleased that we will have views from different continents at Kultaranta. We have several shared interests despite the long distances between us,” says Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen.

    In their bilateral meetings, the ministers will discuss, among other topics, bilateral relations, topical regional and multilateral issues and economic and trade cooperation.

    The Finnish Broadcasting Company (YLE) will broadcast the Kultaranta Talks live on Yle TV1 and Yle Areena.

    More information about the Kultaranta Talks: Press release by the Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

    – on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Zimbabwe Court Strikes Down Provisions of Repressive Law

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

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    On Wednesday, a High Court in Zimbabwe struck down provisions of the country’s Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act, commonly referred to as the “Patriotic Act,” as unconstitutional. 

    The Patriotic Act, which President Emmerson Mnangagwa signed into law in July 2023, contains overly broad provisions that make the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association a criminal offense.

    The act created the crime of “willfully injuring the sovereignty and national interest of Zimbabwe,” which effectively criminalizes Zimbabwean civil society groups and human rights defenders who criticize the government at international forums and prohibits them from seeking external avenues for accountability for rights violations.

    In its ruling, the court stated that the drastic penalties prescribed under section 22A(3) of the act, which include life imprisonment, the death penalty, termination of citizenship, and suspensions from voting and holding public office, infringed on various sections of the Zimbabwean Constitution.

    Media Alliance of Zimbabwe and Zenzele Ndebele, a private citizen, who brought the case before the court, argued that section 22A(3) and other provisions had high potential for abuse and misuse. They contended that the sections had the effect of silencing dissenting voices and were therefore unfair, unnecessary, and unreasonable in a democratic society. They also said that the law did not sufficiently define what constituted “willfully injuring the sovereignty and national interest of Zimbabwe.”

    When President Mnangagwa signed the bill into law, domestic and international human rights and civil society organizations, including the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, and Human Rights Watch, expressed concern that the law would further threaten and erode freedoms of expression and association in the country. Several other groups signed a statement calling for the repeal of the law, stating that it carried provisions “not necessary or justifiable in a democratic society.”

    While striking down sections of the law as unconstitutional is a positive step, the Zimbabwe government should repeal the draconian Patriotic Act altogether, as it contains overly broad and vaguely defined provisions, such as those criminalizing participation in meetings “with the intention of promoting calls for economic sanctions against the country.” Such provisions amount to serious violations of the fundamental human rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association protected under international human rights law.

    – on behalf of Human Rights Watch (HRW).

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Trade and economic negotiations between Chongqing and foreign countries within the framework of the SCO were held in Southwest China

    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 14 (Xinhua) — Over 200 enterprises attended trade and economic talks between Chongqing and foreign countries within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in southwest China on Friday.

    Following the negotiations, preliminary purchase agreements worth nearly 500 million yuan were reached.

    The event included three thematic negotiation zones covering areas of cooperation such as new energy vehicles, agricultural products, agricultural machinery, electromechanical equipment, food industry, etc.

    Shan Ming, deputy director of the International Cooperation Department of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), stressed that in recent years, SCO countries have continuously deepened cooperation in sectors related to trade, investment, finance, logistics, industry and agriculture.

    According to him, CCPIT stands ready to work with business partners to protect and uphold the principle of genuine multilateralism in order to facilitate the entry of SCO economies into a stage of more dynamic, inclusive and sustainable development.

    During the event, the city’s committee for the promotion of international trade signed memorandums of cooperation with relevant organizations of the five SCO member states and dialogue partners, the Zhongxinshe news agency reported. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Death toll in Air India plane crash rises to 274 – 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

    NEW DELHI, June 14 (Xinhua) — The death toll in the crash of an Air India plane near Ahmedabad airport in Gujarat state on Thursday has risen to 274, including 33 people who died on the ground, the Times of India reported on Saturday.

    The 33 victims are believed to have been on the campus of the Ahmedabad Medical College, the report said.

    The Hindustan Times reported on Saturday that the Indian government has formed a high-level committee to probe the crash. It will be headed by the country’s home minister. The committee will publish its report within three months.

    An Air India Boeing 787-8 flying from the western Indian city of Ahmedabad to London crashed shortly after takeoff on Thursday, killing 241 of the 242 people on board. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China Calls on Israel to Stop Military Adventurism in Iran

    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

    UNITED NATIONS, June 14 (Xinhua) — China’s permanent representative to the United Nations Fu Cong called on Israel to immediately stop its military adventurism in Iran at an emergency meeting of the Security Council on Friday.

    China condemns Israel’s actions that violate Iran’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, he said.

    China opposes the escalation of tensions and the expansion of conflicts and is deeply concerned about the potentially serious consequences of Israeli operations, the diplomat stressed.

    “A sharp escalation in the region is in no one’s interests. We call on Israel to immediately cease all military adventurism and avoid further escalation of tensions,” the Permanent Representative said.

    Fu Cong said China calls on all parties concerned to abide by the UN Charter and international law, resolve disputes through political and diplomatic means, and jointly maintain regional peace and stability.

    The Permanent Representative expressed concern about the potential negative impact of the current developments on diplomatic negotiations on the Iranian nuclear issue. China has always been committed to a peaceful settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue through dialogue and negotiations, and opposes the use of force, illegal unilateral sanctions and armed attacks on nuclear facilities used for peaceful purposes, he stressed.

    Iran’s right as a party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty to peaceful uses of nuclear energy must be fully respected, Fu Tsung noted.

    The international community should work together to promote a ceasefire in Gaza, reduce regional tensions and effectively contain the spread of the conflict, the diplomat said.

    Countries with significant influence over Israel must play a more constructive role, he said, adding that the Security Council must use all means provided by the UN Charter to ensure the implementation of relevant resolutions and play its proper role in maintaining regional peace and security. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Two Israeli fighter jets shot down – Iranian media

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    TEHRAN/JERUSALEM, June 14 (Xinhua) — Iran’s air defense forces shot down two Israeli F-35 fighter jets and a large number of micro-drones. The female pilot of one of the downed drones was captured, Iran’s Tasnim news agency reported.

    The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) denied the report. IDF spokesman Avichai Adrai called the claims “completely baseless.”

    The statements came amid heightened tensions following Israel’s large-scale strikes on Iranian military and nuclear facilities.

    According to the Iranian Press TV channel, Iranian air defenses shot down an Israeli drone near the Fordow nuclear facility, located near the city of Qom.

    On Friday, Israel launched airstrikes on Tehran and other Iranian cities.

    Iran’s permanent representative to the UN, Amir Saeed Iravani, said at least 78 people had been killed and 320 wounded in the Israeli attacks in the country.

    Among the dead were also Chief of the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces (AF) Mohammad Bagheri, head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Hossein Salami, commander of the central headquarters of the Iranian Armed Forces “Khatam al-Anbiya” Gholam Ali Rashid and commander of the IRGC Aerospace Forces Amir Ali Hajizadeh. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Central Bank of Mongolia keeps key rate at 12 percent

    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 14 (Xinhua) — The Central Bank of Mongolia kept its key rate at 12 percent, local media reported on Saturday, citing the regulator following a regular meeting of the Monetary Policy Council.

    “This decision was made taking into account the assessment of the current state of the Mongolian economy and the prospects of the external and internal environment,” the official statement said.

    According to the President of the Central Bank, Byadrangiin Lkhagvasuren, the Monetary Policy Committee of the Central Bank of Mongolia will take subsequent measures on a case-by-case basis depending on changes in the external and internal economic environment, as well as the inflation dynamics and economic conditions in the country.

    According to the National Statistics Committee, Mongolia’s GDP grew by 2.4 percent in the first quarter of 2025. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –