NewzIntel.com

Category: AM-NC

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The Chinese city of Manzhouli and the Russian Republic of Buryatia have agreed to deepen cooperation

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    BEIJING, July 24 (Xinhua) — Officials from China’s Manzhouli City and Russia’s Buryatia Republic have agreed to deepen cooperation in agriculture, tourism, logistics and the food industry, the press service of Manzhouli City in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region said.

    This week, the 3rd Forum on Scientific, Technical, Trade and Economic Cooperation between Manzhouli and the Republic of Buryatia was held in Manzhouli. It was attended by officials from Manzhouli, the Export Support Center of the Republic of Buryatia, and business representatives from both sides.

    Manzhouli is China’s largest land border crossing, accounting for more than 65 percent of China-Russia trade overland. Those present at the forum called for expanding and raising the level of bilateral cooperation.

    The forum featured presentations of products from enterprises on both sides and meetings of entrepreneurs. A cooperation agreement was concluded between the Manzhouli International Trade Promotion Committee and the Buryatia Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

    The forum aims to strengthen mutual understanding and trust between Chinese and Russian enterprises. Its participants hope to further deepen pragmatic cooperation, achieve mutual benefit and win-win, and give new impetus to the development of friendly relations between China and Russia and the economies of the regions of the two sides. -0-

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

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    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Grattan on Friday: net zero battle has net zero positives for Sussan Ley

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra

    There’s no other way of looking at it: Sussan Ley faces a diabolical situation with the debate over whether the Coalition should abandon the 2050 net zero emissions target.

    The issue is a microcosm of her wider problems. The Nationals, the minor party in the Coalition, are determined to run their own race on most things. The Liberals have become akin to two parties, split between those eyeing urban seats and younger voters, and right-wingers reflecting the party’s conservative grassroots.

    Nobody misses the contrast. The Albanese government is beset by a host of actual issues around the transition to a clean energy economy. The renewables rollout is not going as fast as desirable and is meeting with resistance in some communities. Energy costs are high. But such problems are not putting any pressure on Labor’s unity.

    At the same time, the opposition is fractured over an argument about a target that’s a quarter of a century away, when who knows what the technological or political landscape will look like. For the opposition, the internal debate about net zero is about symbols and signals, rather than substance.

    The net zero debate exploded within the opposition this week with Barnaby Joyce’s private member’s bill to scrap Australia’s commitment to it. The timing, in parliament’s first week, was extraordinarily inconvenient for Ley. But if not now, it would have erupted later.

    On present indications, the Nationals appear likely to ditch the net zero commitment. David Littleproud, anxious to avoid the issue becoming a threat to his leadership, is reading the party room and positioning himself to be in the anticipated majority.

    Asked on Thursday whether he supported net zero, Littleproud told the ABC, “well, I have real concerns about it, to be candid. What net zero has become is about trying to achieve the impossible, rather than doing what’s sensible.” But, he insisted, “we’re not climate deniers”.

    It is less clear how the debate will pan out in the Liberal Party, once the group under Shadow Energy Minister Dan Tehan produces its report on energy and emissions-reduction policy.

    Liberal sources say the issue is now being driven by the party’s grassroots, rather than the parliamentary party. Branches are throwing up motions to get rid of the 2050 target.

    The Western Australian Liberal state council will debate a motion this weekend to drop the net zero commitment. The Queensland LNP organisation will consider its position next month. A few weeks ago, the South Australian Liberal state council rejected net zero.

    With a policy review underway, Ley and the parliamentary Liberals have left a vacuum on the issue. Some Liberals warn the parliamentarians risk being run over by the party outside parliament. Others point out that on policy, the parliamentarians are independent of the organisation, which often comes up with right-wing motions.

    How should Ley best handle the situation? By filling the vacuum with a position sooner rather than later. That means accelerating the Tehan report. Beyond that, ideally she should be taking leadership on the issue herself. But is she in a strong enough position to do that?

    One idea being floated would be for the Liberals to retain the net zero target but extend the time frame. This wouldn’t stop the criticism about the shift.

    Whether the Coalition could stay as one if its two parties had different positions on net zero may be an open question but it certainly would be messy.

    On the other side of politics, the government is rapidly approaching a decision on another key target – the one Australia will put up internationally for cutting emissions by 2035. Inevitably, this will be contentious.

    This target must be submitted by September (it was conveniently delayed beyond the election). Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen has yet to receive advice on the target from the Climate Change Authority (advice that will be published). The target is expected to be between 65% and 75%.

    The challenge will be to strike a target with sufficient ambition that doesn’t alienate business and the regions.

    Next week the executive secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, Simon Stiell, will be in Canberra for talks. His comments will be carefully watched.

    Last year he told the Sydney Morning Herald, “the world needs countries like Australia to take climate action and ambition to the next level, and it’s firmly in the interests of every Australian that they do so”.

    Climate and energy issues will have a place at next month’s economic reform roundtable. Bowen is organising two preliminary roundtables – on electricity, with energy user stakeholders, and on climate adaptation. He told The Conversation’s podcast that adaptation will “be an increasing focus of this government and future governments because, tragically, the world has left it too late to avoid the impacts of climate change”.

    The government is waiting, somewhat impatiently, for the decision on whether Australia will be given the nod to host next year’s UN climate conference. The COP meeting, which would be in Adelaide in November 2026, is an enormous event to put on, so the decision is becoming urgent.

    Bowen says Australia already has the numbers over Turkey, the other contender. But “one of the things about the process to decide COPs, I’ve learnt, is it’s quite opaque and there’s no particular timeline and no particular rules to the ballot.

    “It’s meant to work on a consensus, sort of an old world, sort of gentlemanly sort of approach to say whoever loses will withdraw. That’s not the way it’s panning out. I’ve had multiple meetings with my Turkish counterpart to try to find a ‘win-win’ solution. We haven’t been able to find that yet.”

    Stiell’s trip includes Turkey as well as Australia. Bowen will be hoping he may provide some clarity, when they meet, about how the “opaque” process of assigning the COP meeting is going. Bowen will be emphasising how important the proposed co-hosting COP with the Pacific is to the region, with climate change already an existential issue for many Pacific countries.

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

    – ref. Grattan on Friday: net zero battle has net zero positives for Sussan Ley – https://theconversation.com/grattan-on-friday-net-zero-battle-has-net-zero-positives-for-sussan-ley-261092

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Africa’s Business Heroes Unveils Top 50 Finalists for 2025 Edition Record-Breaking Number of Applications, Spanning all 54 African Nations

    Source: APO

    Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) (www.AfricaBusinessHeroes.org), the flagship philanthropic initiative of the Alibaba Philanthropy, is proud to announce the Top 50 finalists of its 2025 Prize Competition—marking a record-breaking year for participation and regional representation.

    This year, ABH received 32,000 applications, the highest in the competition’s history, with submissions from all 54 African countries – reinforcing ABH’s status as one of the continent’s largest and most inclusive entrepreneurial competitions.

    The 2025 Top 50 provides an overview of Africa’s entrepreneurial landscape. African businesses are increasingly leveraging technology, including fintech, AI, and digital platforms, to transform sectors such as finance, education, and healthcare. Sustainability-driven innovations in agriculture and renewable energy address critical challenges while promoting eco-friendly growth. These trends have significant socio-economic impacts, fostering job creation, financial inclusion, and improved access to essential services. The data underscores opportunities in scalable, tech-enabled, and sustainable businesses poised to drive Africa’s inclusive economic growth.

    Now in its 7th year, ABH continues its mission to spotlight and empower entrepreneurs who are driving innovation and building a more inclusive and sustainable future for Africa. Each year, the competition awards US$1.5 million in grant funding to 10 outstanding entrepreneurs. In addition to funding, ABH provides the Top 50 finalists with capacity-building, mentorship, and enhanced exposure.

    Dramatic Growth in Reach

    The 2025 call for applications not only broke records in volume but also marked an over 300% increase in applications from countries traditionally underrepresented in pan-African competitions, including Algeria, Tunisia, Togo, Gabon, South Sudan, Somalia, Sierra Leone, Mali, and Mauritius. This surge signals the deepening of ABH’s grassroots appeal and accessibility, as well as reflecting the impressive health of entrepreneurship across the African continent.

    Bringing ABH to the Continent: 9-City Roadshow

    As part of its 2025 campaign, the ABH team embarked on an ambitious 9-city roadshow, connecting in person with entrepreneurs and ecosystem leaders in Casablanca, Cairo, Addis Ababa, Kampala, Nairobi, Lagos, Accra, Abidjan and Dakar—the host city for this year’s Semi-Finale, scheduled for September 10–11.

    These on-the-ground engagements reflect ABH’s commitment to being more than a competition—it is a community-builder and ecosystem enabler. The roadshow activated local entrepreneurial ecosystems, engaged past ABH Heroes, hosted info sessions, and facilitated connections between investors, innovators, and changemakers.

    Harnessing Technology to Scale Impact

    2025 also marked a milestone in ABH’s embrace of innovation. For the first time, ABH introduced ABi, its AI-powered co-host built on Qwen Turbo and first unveiled at the 6th ABH Summit & Finale held in Kigali in March 2025, to enhance applicant experience and streamline operations. ABi supported the competition by providing real-time customer service to thousands of applicants and assisting in screening the eligibility of submissions—demonstrating how technology can improve both efficiency and inclusivity.

    Celebrating the 2025 Top 50

    The 2025 Top 50 finalists represent the next generation of African changemakers. They span 16 sectors and hail from 17 countries, with 36% female representation and 10% Francophone entrepreneurs, reflecting ABH’s ongoing commitment to gender and linguistic diversity. These entrepreneurs were selected for their bold solutions, measurable impact, and potential for scale across Africa.

    As part of the next stage of the competition, the Top 50 will participate in the ABH Virtual Bootcamp, an intensive training program featuring workshops led by ecosystem leaders, investors, and ABH Heroes. Topics will include building resilient teams, investment readiness, leveraging AI, and digital marketing for growth.

    “The 2025 ABH Prize has raised the bar, yet again. We are seeing greater depth, diversity, and innovation across the span of applications,” said Zahra Baitie-Boateng, Managing Director, Africa at ABH. “This record-breaking year speaks to the relevance of ABH in every corner of the continent. These 50 finalists are solving real problems with global potential, and we’re excited to amplify their work.”

    In addition to training and mentorship, the Top 50 will benefit from media exposure and access to a dynamic network of ABH Heroes, alumni, and partners.

    Looking Ahead

    The Top 50 will now undergo a second round of evaluations through in-depth interviews with ABH Round 2 judges.  22 entrepreneurs will be shortlisted to undergo due diligence led by PlusVC. Those who advance will be revealed as the Top 20 finalists in August, before heading to Dakar for the Semi-Finale in September.

    The Top 10 finalists selected in Dakar will then progress to the Grand Finale in Kigali in December, where they will compete for their share of US$1.5 million in grant funding and be crowned this year’s Africa’s Business Heroes.

    To learn more about the 2025 ABH Top 50 finalists and the competition, visit www.AfricaBusinessHeroes.org.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH).

    For media inquiries or interview requests, please contact: 
    pr@africabusinessheroes.org

    About Africa’s Business Heroes:
    Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) is the Jack Ma Foundation’s flagship philanthropic initiative in Africa. It supports visionary entrepreneurs across all 54 African countries who are building inclusive and sustainable economies. Over 10 years, ABH will recognize 100 entrepreneurs, awarding them with grant funding, training, and a platform to amplify their stories. Each year, the Top 10 finalists compete in a televised pitch finale for a share of US$1.5 million.

    Media files

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    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) Fuels Africa’s Mining Ambitions as Silver Sponsor of African Mining Week (AMW) 2025

    Source: APO


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    Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), a leading multilateral finance institution, has joined the upcoming African Mining Week (AMW) 2025 as a Silver Sponsor. Held under the theme, From Extraction to Beneficiation: Unlocking Africa’s Mineral Wealth, AMW offers a strategic platform for AFC to engage with African and global mining stakeholders to advance the continent’s mineral development agenda.

    As part of the conference program, AFC will feature in a dedicated finance panel: “The Investor Perspective – Financing Africa’s Mineral Industrialization.” The session will explore how tailored financing solutions can drive local beneficiation, industrialization and inclusive economic growth across Africa’s mining value chains.

    AMW serves as a premier platform for exploring the full spectrum of mining opportunities across Africa. The event is held alongside the African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies 2025 conference from October 1-3 in Cape Town. Sponsors, exhibitors and delegates can learn more by contacting sales@energycapitalpower.com.

    The AFC’s involvement in AMW 2025 comes at a time of expanded capital mobilization efforts. In June 2025, the Corporation secured a €250 million, 10-year loan from Italy’s Cassa Depositi e Prestiti to catalyze Italian investment in African mining and energy infrastructure projects – particularly the strategic Lobito Corridor, enhancing mineral transport between Angola, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This initiative complements a proposed €320 million EU financing package supporting the same corridor.

    In February 2025, the European Investment Bank committed $750 million to AFC’s Climate Resilient Infrastructure Fund, targeting climate-focused projects including energy transition metals and sustainable logistics infrastructure. The same month, AFC also secured a $400 million Shariah-compliant facility from Islamic financiers, following a $500 million hybrid bond issuance in January and a $30 million equity investment from the African Development Bank in December 2024.

    AFC’s capital base has also grown with a $184.8 million equity injection from Angola, reflecting the country’s continued collaboration with AFC following over $1 billion in investments in mining, energy and transport. Meanwhile, a €100 million loan extended to construction group Mota–Engil is enabling the execution of three major gold mining contracts in Ivory Coast and Mali – Africa’s second- and third-largest gold producers.

    Against this backdrop, AMW 2025 provides a timely opportunity for the AFC to showcase its financing strategy, highlight its role in advancing Africa’s mineral beneficiation and connect with mining ventures in search of capital.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • India-UK CETA to boost Indian farmers’ global access and rural prosperity

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) will open new avenues of growth for Indian farmers. Focused on tariff elimination and improved market access, the deal promises to connect Indian agricultural producers with the UK’s high-value market, enhance rural prosperity, and strengthen India’s position in global agri-trade.

    Farmers – sow local, sell global

    Indian farming communities stand to gain from easier access to the UK market and more opportunities to sell their produce due to tariff elimination. Among others, UK will liberalise at entry into force Indian meats, dairy products, tea, coffee, spices, fruits, vegetables, fruit juices, and processed agriculture products. By unlocking preferential access to the UK’s USD 63.4 billion agricultural market, the CETA gives Indian farmers a direct route to a high-value global customer base and achieve better returns for their goods.

    The agreement takes fully into account the interests of Indian producers of sensitive agricultural products like dairy products, vegetables, apples, edible oils, oats, etc. by keeping those tariff lines under sensitive list.

    The agricultural sector also benefits from the non-application of safeguard duties on Indian exports. Farmers will benefit from commitments taken under the CETA to acknowledge traditional knowledge, especially in the patent process for genetic resources.

    Additionally, the CETA will facilitate inclusive and tech-agnostic innovation across diverse sectors, including agriculture sector.

    Collectively, the CETA is expected to ensure higher and more stable incomes for Indian farmers, promote rural prosperity, and secure long-term export opportunities—solidifying India’s place as a key player in global agricultural trade.

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News in Brief: Surging airpower in the Pacific: Lamontagne observes allied mobility in action

    Source: United States Airforce

    The commander of AMC visited the 515th AMOW squadrons during the U.S. Air Force Department-Level Exercise, to see how the Pacific-oriented AMC wing conducts an operational surge.

    JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii (AFNS) —  Gen. Johnny Lamontagne, Air Mobility Command commander, visited the 515th Air Mobility Operations Wing during a recent stop in the Indo-Pacific theater to observe the U.S. Air Force’s 2025 Department-Level Exercise series — this first-in-a-generation exercise series is designed to test the service’s ability to rapidly deploy at speed and scale and sustain global operations.

    The 515th AMOW, headquartered in Hawaii, plays a pivotal role in enabling air mobility across the Indo-Pacific region. Lamontagne’s visit focused on how air mobility squadrons operate during surge conditions and how they integrate with allies and partners to move critical capabilities where they are most needed.

    “Hosting General Lamontagne was a great chance to show how our Airmen rise to the challenge,” said Col. Jens Lyndrup, 515th AMOW commander. “They surge, adapt and deliver — with our allies by their side — and they do it with incredible precision and pride.”

    Lamontagne echoed that sentiment, praising the dedication and resilience of Airmen across the theater

    “The Airmen are what impress me, period,” Lamontagne said. “The Airmen of the air mobility squadrons are fully executing the mission in tough environments during a very challenging exercise, helping the Department of the Air Force come together in a big way.”

    With contested logistics becoming a central theme in defense planning, Lamontagne emphasized the 515th AMOW’s unique role in scaling operations and reinforcing key nodes in support of U.S. and allied objectives.

    “We couldn’t execute this large-scale exercise without the AMOW out here in the Pacific,” he said. “There’s no way we could project power at this scale without the 515th AMOW. They do an indispensable job surging capability where it’s needed, delivering greater throughput, capacity and operational reach.”

    Close coordination with international partners was also a key focus of the visit. Lamontagne highlighted the strong relationship between the 730th Air Mobility Squadron, based at Yokota Air Base, Japan, and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.

    Gen. Johnny Lamontagne, Air Mobility Command commander receives a brief from Master Sgt. Travis Alton, 735th Air Mobility Squadron aerial port section chief during a squadron visit at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawai’i, July 12, 2025. Lamontagne visited the 515th Air Mobility Operations Wing squadrons during the U.S. Air Force Department-Level Exercise, to see how the Pacific oriented AMC wing conducts an operational surge. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Victoria Cowan)
    Gen. Johnny Lamontagne, Air Mobility Command commander receives a brief from Airmen assigned to the 735th Air Mobility Squadron aircraft maintenance unit at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawai’i, July 12, 2025. Lamontagne visited the 515th Air Mobility Operations Wing squadrons during the U.S. Air Force Department-Level Exercise, to see how the Pacific oriented AMC wing conducts an operational surge. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Victoria Cowan)
    Airmen assigned to the 735th Air Mobility Squadron aircraft maintenance unit brief Gen. Johnny Lamontagne, Air Mobility Command Commander during a squadron visit at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawai’i, July 12, 2025. Lamontagne visited the 515th Air Mobility Operations Wing squadrons during the U.S. Air Force Department-Level Exercise, to see how the Pacific oriented AMC wing conducts an operational surge. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Victoria Cowan)

    “The 730th AMS has a great relationship with their Japanese counterparts, and we had the opportunity to meet with a couple of their three-stars who run their Air Defense Command and Air Support Command,” Lamontagne said. “They help us present forces at the tactical level and enable success at the operational and strategic levels very effectively each and every day.”

    As competitors challenge U.S. military advantage in the region, Lamontagne emphasized the scale, speed and effectiveness of American airpower.

    “No other air force can do it at the scale and on the timeline that our Air Force can,” he said. “Operating as one big Air Force to do what our nation needs us to do is really where it’s at.”

    From enabling deterrence to sustaining operations at the tactical edge, the 515th AMOW and its network of mobility Airmen remain a critical part of the United States’ ability to project power — anytime, anywhere.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Mirvetuximab soravtansine approved to treat adult patients who have ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer 

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Mirvetuximab soravtansine approved to treat adult patients who have ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer 

    The approval is supported by a study involving 453 adults with advanced platinum-resistant cancers of the ovary, fallopian tubes and the peritoneum that were FRα positive

    The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has today (24 July 2025) approved the medicine mirvetuximab soravtansine (Elahere) to treat adults with ovarian cancer, fallopian tube cancer, and primary peritoneal cancer. 

    It is used in patients whose cancer cells have a protein on the surface known as folate receptor-alpha (FRα), and who have previously not responded to or are no longer responding to treatment with ‘platinum-based’ chemotherapy, and who have already received one to three prior treatments.   

    Mirvetuximab soravtansine has been approved via the International Recognition Procedure (IRP). 

    Julian Beach, MHRA Interim Executive Director, Healthcare Quality and Access, said:

    Keeping patients safe and enabling their access to high quality, safe and effective medical products are key priorities for us.  

    We are committed to making innovative treatment options, like mirvetuximab soravtansine, the first and only folate receptor-alpha (FRα) directed antibody drug conjugate, available to patients as quickly as possible, ensuring our approval is underpinned by robust evidence of efficacy alongside the highest standards of safety. 

    We’re assured that the appropriate regulatory standards for the approval of mirvetuximab soravtansine have been met. 

    As with all products, we will keep its safety under close review.

    Mirvetuximab soravtansine is administered as a concentrated solution for infusion, and the route of administration is intravenous infusion (into a vein). The medicine will be given to the patient by a doctor or a nurse experienced in using cancer medicines. 

    The patient’s doctor will calculate the dose based on the patient’s body weight. The patient’s doctor will decide how many cycles the patient needs.  

    Mirvetuximab soravtansine is made up of a monoclonal antibody which is attached to a cancer medicine. The monoclonal antibody is a protein that recognises and attaches to the FRα protein on the cancer cells. When this happens, mirvetuximab soravtansine enters the cancer cell and releases the cancer medicine DM4. DM4 then interferes with the normal growth process of the cancer cells which results in death of the cancer cells.  

    This approval is supported by evidence from a study involving 453 adults with advanced platinum-resistant cancers of the ovary, fallopian tubes and the peritoneum that were FRα positive. In this study, mirvetuximab soravtansine was compared with standard chemotherapy treatment. Patients who received mirvetuximab soravtansine lived on average for around 5.6 months without their disease getting worse while those who received standard treatment lived for around 4 months without their disease getting worse. In addition, patients who received mirvetuximab soravtansine lived longer (around 16.5 months) compared to those given standard treatment (around 12.8 months).  

    The most common side effects of the medicine (which may affect more than 1 in 10 people) include blurred vision, nausea (feeling sick), diarrhoea, tiredness, abdominal pain (belly pain), keratopathy (damage to the cornea, the transparent layer in front of the eye that covers the pupil and iris), dry eye, constipation, vomiting, decreased appetite, peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage in arms and legs), headache, weakness, increased liver enzyme levels (in the blood) and joint pain.

    As with any medicine, the MHRA will keep the safety and effectiveness of mirvetuximab soravtansine under close review.  Anyone who suspects they are having a side effect from this medicine are encouraged to talk to their doctor, pharmacist or nurse and report it directly to the Yellow Card scheme, either through the website (https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/) or by searching the Google Play or Apple App stores for MHRA Yellow Card.  

    Notes to editors   

    1. The new marketing authorisation was granted on 24 July 2025 to AbbVie Ltd. 

    2. More information can be found in the Summary of Product Characteristics and Patient Information leaflets which will be published on the MHRA Products website within 7 days of approval.  

    3. More information on the International Recognition Procedure can be found here

    4. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is responsible for regulating all medicines and medical devices in the UK by ensuring they work and are acceptably safe.  All our work is underpinned by robust and fact-based judgements to ensure that the benefits justify any risks.   

    5. The MHRA is an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care.   

    6. For media enquiries, please contact the newscentre@mhra.gov.uk, or call on 020 3080 7651.

    Updates to this page

    Published 24 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Revived Sunderland Charity Returns to Support Next Generation of Athletes

    Source: City of Sunderland

    A long-standing Sunderland charity dedicated to supporting Sunderland’s athletes has been revived thanks to new funding from the Martin Laing Foundation and Sunderland City Council.

    The Sunderland Sports Fund, a charitable trust established over 20 years ago, provides financial support to talented young athletes and sportspeople with disabilities of all ages across the Sunderland area. After a period of inactivity during the Covid-19 pandemic, the charity is back in action, helping to nurture the city’s sporting talent.

    The funding will be used to award grants to individuals who live in, study in, or represent a sports club or organisation based in Sunderland. The goal is to break down financial barriers and ensure that no promising athlete is held back due to lack of resources.

    Grants awarded by the Sunderland Sports Fund can help pay for coaching fees, equipment and used towards travel expenses and accommodation for national and international competitions. These grants can help bridge the financial gap for athletes between amateur and elite status.

    Thanks to additional funding from Sunderland City Council the charity can now broaden its scope to help encourage more residents to get into sport. This includes directly funding coaches who will in turn help inspire and train more young people.

    Councillor Beth Jones, Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Tourism at Sunderland City Council, said: “The Sunderland Sports Fund is a fantastic charity that champions our young athletes and athletes with disabilities. It’s inspiring to see it brought back to life with this much-needed funding, ensuring we continue to support the next generation of sporting talent in our city, while also promoting the many health and wellbeing benefits that come from participating in sport.

    “It’s especially timely as Sunderland is set to host the opening match of the Women’s Rugby World Cup, shining an even brighter spotlight on women’s sport – and I’m delighted that one of the athletes receiving funding this year is a women’s rugby coach, helping inspire more local women and girls to get involved in the game.”

    To mark the revival, the charity held a relaunch event at Sunderland Fire Station, where it awarded bursaries to two young athletes and a rising young coach. Among the recipients was a female rugby coach from Houghton Rugby Club, who is using her qualifications to help drive participation in women’s and girls’ rugby.

    Jorja Spoors, Houghton Rugby Club Coach said: “The Sunderland Sports fund is a great opportunity offered to me thanks to Sunderland City Council. I’ll be using the fund to gain further qualifications, experience, and knowledge within the game and my coaching. The fund will help me to take my coaching to the highest levels available within rugby, with hopes to possibly pursue coaching as a career in the future.

    “It is amazing to see that Sunderland City Council have chosen to re-launch the fund to support upcoming athletes and coaches, like myself and the other recipients of the fund. It is also great to see the recognition that could be gained for women and girls within rugby and sport as a whole.”

    The relaunch event was hosted by former BBC Look North host Jeff Brown, who now serves as a trustee at Sunderland Sports Fund. Also in attendance was Gary Bennet, former SAFC player and Terry Deary, Sunderland born author of Horrible Histories, as well as the Deputy Mayor Councillor Melanie Thornton.

    In its 25 years, the Sunderland Sports Fund has awarded 670 grants to athletes and coaches across a great number of sports including boxing, basketball, swimming, skiing and more.

    Leslie Scott MBE, Chairman of Sunderland Sports Fund said: “This was a landmark occasion for our charity, not only celebrating its 25th year but also relaunching our mission to help Sunderland’s aspiring young athletes and coaches. Over the years, the achievements of our high achievers, some who have become world champions, has reflected positively on the reputation of the city. It is our hope that we will inspire the current and future cohorts of Sunderland’s young people, who are serious about taking part in competitive sports.”

    For more information or to apply for a grant, contact active@sunderland.gov.uk. 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Gary Crowe is appointed as new Non-executive Director at GAD

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government Non-Ministerial Departments

    News story

    Gary Crowe is appointed as new Non-executive Director at GAD

    Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, James Murray MP has appointed Gary Crowe as a Non-executive Director of the Government Actuary’s Department.

    Gary Crowe brings extensive experience across the financial services, education and healthcare sectors, with expertise in digital transformation, risk and strategy.

    He was recently Professor of Innovation Leadership at Keele University Management School and is an experienced non-executive director (NED). Gary has chaired a range of committees including Finance, Audit, Risk, Investments, and People & Nominations.

    He will be appointed for a 3-year term, starting on 1 August, as NED to the Government Actuary’s Department (GAD). Gary will replace Ian Wilson whose term on the Board is coming to an end later this year.

    Les Philpott, Non-executive Director and Board Chair said :

    “I am delighted at Gary’s appointment to our Board. Gary brings exceptional breadth and depth of experience, having served on 2 NHS Trust boards as well as holding senior roles across consultancy, financial services, and commercial, retail and private banking. His background spans both public and private sectors, and he has led digital transformation in complex, highly regulated environments, always underpinned by robust governance, financial, and risk management expertise.

    “As Chair of the Audit and Risk Assurance Committee for the Human Tissue Authority, Gary has demonstrated a strong capacity for oversight and assurance in demanding regulatory contexts. His appointment will significantly strengthen our Board’s ability to provide strategic guidance and effective oversight. I look forward to welcoming him and working together to advance the department’s objectives.”

    Fiona Dunsire, Government Actuary said:

    “We are very pleased to be able to welcome Gary to GAD as our new non-executive director. His extensive background in innovation leadership and digital transformation, combined with his health and workforce experience as a non-executive director within the NHS, will be invaluable as we continue to evolve our services and support government departments in addressing complex national challenges. I’m confident Gary will make a valuable contribution to GAD’s continued success in serving the public sector.”

    Gary Crowe added:

    “I’m honoured to be appointed as non-executive director at GAD and look forward to contributing to the department’s important work in supporting the public sector. Having worked across various sectors in consultancy and innovation roles, I understand the critical importance of robust actuarial analysis in helping government make informed decisions about financial risk and uncertainty. I’m excited to work with the talented team at GAD to ensure we continue to broaden the impact of the department in supporting government growth objectives and delivering the highest standards of professional service to our clients.”

    About Gary Crowe

    Gary Crowe brings significant strategic and commercial expertise to the Government Actuary’s Department, with a strong track record in public service.

    He currently serves as Chair of the Audit and Risk Assurance Committee for the Human Tissue Authority (term ending September 2025), is the Local Chair for the Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust and Vice-Chair of University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust.

    He has previously advised on commercial digital innovation as a management consultant with PA Consulting and during 30 years in financial services. Most recently, Gary was Professor of Innovation Leadership at Keele University Management School.

    About the appointment process

    GAD applies technical skills from the actuarial profession, consultancy discipline, high standards of professionalism and industry sector knowledge to help solve financial challenges faced by the UK public sector, helping our clients to understand and analyse financial risk and uncertainty for a wide range of contemporary issues.

    Gary Crowe was appointed following an open recruitment process in line with public appointment procedures.

    He confirmed that he has not undertaken any political activity within the previous 5 years.

    Updates to this page

    Published 24 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Contract given for works’ completion

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Remaining works under three projects which were previously being carried out by Aggressive Construction Company will be taken up by China Overseas Building Construction, the Housing Authority has announced.

    The authority’s Building Committee & Tender Committee today approved the award of a completion contract for construction works in the Public Housing Development at Tung Chung Area 100 and the Public Housing Development at Tuen Mun Area 29 West, and an underground link that is part of Pak Tin Estate redevelopment Phase 10.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Public alerted to fake tax emails

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Inland Revenue Department today issued an alert regarding fraudulent emails purportedly issued by the department, which invite recipients to claim tax refunds.

    Each fraudulent email provides a hyperlink to a website that seeks to obtain the recipient’s personal particulars and credit card information.

    Apart from stressing that it has no connection with such emails, the department said it reported the case to Police for further investigation.

    It also reminded the public not to open suspicious emails or visit the attached hyperlinks.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NASA Launches Mission to Study Earth’s Magnetic Shield

    Source: NASA

    NASA’s newest mission, TRACERS, soon will begin studying how Earth’s magnetic shield protects our planet from the effects of space weather. Short for Tandem Reconnection and Cusp Electrodynamics Reconnaissance Satellites, the twin TRACERS spacecraft lifted off at 11:13 a.m. PDT (2:13 p.m. EDT) Wednesday aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 4 East at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
    “NASA is proud to launch TRACERS to demonstrate and expand American preeminence in space science research and technology,” said acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy. “The TRACERS satellites will move us forward in decoding space weather and further our understanding of the connection between Earth and the Sun. This mission will yield breakthroughs that will advance our pursuit of the Moon, and subsequently, Mars.”
    The twin satellites will fly one behind the other – following as closely as 10 seconds apart over the same location – and will take a record-breaking 3,000 measurements in one year to build a step-by-step picture of how magnetic reconnection changes over time.
    Riding along with TRACERS aboard the Falcon 9 were NASA’s Athena EPIC (Economical Payload Integration Cost), PExT (Polylingual Experimental Terminal), and REAL (Relativistic Electron Atmospheric Loss) missions – three small satellites to demonstrate new technologies and gather scientific data. These three missions were successfully deployed, and mission controllers will work to contact them over the coming hours and days.
    Ground controllers for the TRACERS mission established communications with the second of the two spacecraft at 3:43 p.m. PDT (6:43 p.m. EDT), about 3 hours after it separated from the rocket. During the next four weeks, TRACERS will undergo a commissioning period during which mission controllers will check out their instruments and systems.
    Once cleared, the twin satellites will begin their 12-month prime mission to study a process called magnetic reconnection, answering key questions about how it shapes the impacts of the Sun and space weather on our daily lives.
    “NASA’s heliophysics fleet helps to safeguard humanity’s home in space and understand the influence of our closest star, the Sun,” said Joe Westlake, heliophysics division director at NASA Headquarters in Washington. “By adding TRACERS to that fleet, we will gain a better understanding of those impacts right here at Earth.”
    The two TRACERS spacecraft will orbit through an open region in Earth’s magnetic field near the North Pole, called the polar cusp. Here, TRACERS will investigate explosive magnetic events that happen when the Sun’s magnetic field – carried through space in a stream of solar material called the solar wind – collides with Earth’s magnetic field. This collision creates a buildup of energy that causes magnetic reconnection, when magnetic field lines snap and explosively realign, flinging away nearby particles at high speeds.
    Flying through the polar cusp allows the TRACERS satellites to study the results of these magnetic explosions, measuring charged particles that race down into Earth’s atmosphere and collide with atmospheric gases – giving scientist the tools to reconstruct exactly how changes in the incoming solar wind affect how, and how quickly, energy and particles are coupled into near-Earth space.
    “The successful launch of TRACERS is a tribute to many years of work by an excellent team,” said David Miles, TRACERS principal investigator at the University of Iowa. “TRACERS is set to transform our understanding of Earth’s magnetosphere. We’re excited to explore the dynamic processes driving space weather.”
    Small Satellites Along for Ride
    Athena EPIC is a pathfinder mission that will demonstrate NASA’s use of an innovative and configurable commercial SmallSat architecture to improve flexibility of payload designs, reduce launch schedule, and reduce overall costs in future missions, as well as the benefits of working collaboratively with federal partners. In addition to this demonstration for NASA, once the Athena EPIC satellite completes its two-week commissioning period, the mission will spend the next 12 months taking measurements of outgoing longwave radiation from Earth.
    The PExT demonstration will test interoperability between commercial and government communication networks for the first time by demonstrating a wideband polylingual terminal in low Earth orbit. This terminal will use software-defined radios to jump between government and commercial networks, similar to cell phones roaming between providers on Earth. These terminals could allow future missions to switch seamlessly between networks and access new commercial services throughout its lifecycle in space.
    The REAL mission is a CubeSat that will investigate how energetic electrons are scattered out of the Van Allen radiation belts and into Earth’s atmosphere. Shaped like concentric rings high above Earth’s equator, the Van Allen belts are composed of a mix of high-energy electrons and protons that are trapped in place by Earth’s magnetic field. Studying electrons and their interactions, REAL aims to improve our understanding of these energetic particles that can damage spacecraft and imperil astronauts who pass through them. 
    The TRACERS mission is led by David Miles at the University of Iowa with support from the Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio, Texas. NASA’s Heliophysics Explorers Program Office at the agency’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, manages the mission for the Heliophysics Division at NASA Headquarters in Washington. The University of Iowa, Southwest Research Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, and the University of California, Berkeley, all lead instruments on TRACERS.
    The Athena EPIC mission is led by NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, and is a partnership between National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Space Force, and NovaWurks. Athena EPIC’s launch is supported by launch integrator SEOPS. The PExT demonstration is managed by NASA’s SCaN (Space Communications and Navigation) program in partnership with Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, with launch support by York Space Systems. The REAL project is led by Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire, and is a partnership between Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, Montana State University, and Boston University. Sponsored by NASA’s Heliophysics Division and CubeSat Launch Initiative, it was included through launch integrator Maverick Space Systems.
    NASA’s Launch Services Program, based at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, manages the VADR (Venture-class Acquisition of Dedicated and Rideshare) contract.
    To learn more about TRACERS, visit:
    https://nasa.gov/tracers
    -end-
    Abbey Interrante / Karen FoxHeadquarters, Washington301-201-0124 / 202-358-1600abbey.a.interrante@nasa.gov / karen.c.fox@nasa.gov
    Sarah FrazierGoddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland202-853-7191sarah.frazier@nasa.gov

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: President Donald J. Trump Approves Major Disaster Declaration for Michigan

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: President Donald J

    Trump Approves Major Disaster Declaration for Michigan

    President Donald J

    Trump Approves Major Disaster Declaration for Michigan

    WASHINGTON – FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance is available to the state of Michigan to supplement recovery efforts in the areas affected by the severe winter storm from March 28-30, 2025

    Public Assistance federal funding is available to the state, tribal and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair and replacement of eligible facilities damaged by the severe winter storm in Alcona, Alpena, Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Crawford, Emmet, Kalkaska, Mackinac, Montmorency, Oscoda, Otsego and Presque Isle counties and the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians

    Darrin Ricketts has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area

    Additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments

     
    amy

    ashbridge
    Wed, 07/23/2025 – 19:59

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: President Donald J. Trump Approves Major Disaster Declaration for Indiana

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: President Donald J

    Trump Approves Major Disaster Declaration for Indiana

    President Donald J

    Trump Approves Major Disaster Declaration for Indiana

    WASHINGTON — FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance is available to the state of Indiana to supplement recovery efforts in the areas affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding from March 30 – April 9, 2025

    Public Assistance federal funding is available to the state, tribal and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair and replacement of facilities damaged by the severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding in Bartholomew, Brown, Clark, Crawford, Decatur, Floyd, Franklin, Greene, Harrison, Jefferson, Lawrence, Madison, Marshall, Martin, Montgomery, Morgan, Orange, Owen, Perry, Switzerland, Vanderburgh, Warrick and Washington counties

    Joseph P

    Cirone has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area

    Additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments

     
    erika

    suzuki
    Wed, 07/23/2025 – 20:01

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: President Donald J. Trump Approves Major Disaster Declaration for Oregon

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: President Donald J

    Trump Approves Major Disaster Declaration for Oregon

    President Donald J

    Trump Approves Major Disaster Declaration for Oregon

    WASHINGTON — FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance is available to the state of Oregon to supplement recovery efforts in the areas affected by the severe storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides from March 13-20, 2025

     Public Assistance federal funding is available to the state, tribal and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides in Coos, Curry and Douglas counties

     John F

    Harrison has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area

    Additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further assessments

     
    amy

    ashbridge
    Wed, 07/23/2025 – 20:14

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NASA Sets Launch Coverage for Earth-Tracking NISAR Satellite

    Source: NASA

    NASA will provide live coverage of launch activities for NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar), which is set to lift off at 8:10 a.m. EDT (5:40 p.m. IST), Wednesday, July 30, from Satish Dhawan Space Centre on India’s southeastern coast.
    A collaboration between NASA and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), the first-of-its-kind satellite will lift off aboard an ISRO Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle on a mission to scan nearly all the Earth’s land and ice surfaces twice every 12 days.
    Watch live coverage of the launch on NASA+ and the agency’s YouTube channel. Learn how to watch NASA content through a variety of platforms, including social media.
    With its two radar instruments — an S-band system provided by ISRO and an L-band system provided by NASA — the NISAR mission will provide high-resolution data to help decision-makers, communities, and scientists monitor major infrastructure, agricultural fields, and movement of land and ice surfaces.
    Hailed as a critical part of a pioneering year for United States – India civil space cooperation by President Trump and Prime Minister Modi during their visit in Washington in February, the NISAR launch will advance U.S. – India cooperation and benefit the U.S. in areas such as agriculture and preparation and response to disasters like hurricanes, floods, and volcanic eruptions.
    NASA’s mission coverage is as follows (all times Eastern and subject to change based on real-time operations):
    Monday, July 28  
    12 p.m. – Prelaunch teleconference with the following participants:

    Karen St. Germain, director of Earth science, NASA Headquarters
    Gerald Bawden, NISAR program scientist, NASA Headquarters
    Shanna McClain, Disasters program manager, NASA Headquarters
    Phil Barela, NISAR project manager, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)
    Marco Lavalle, NISAR deputy project scientist, NASA JPL

    The teleconference will stream on JPL’s YouTube Channel.
    Members of the media may ask questions via phone during the teleconference. To register, media must provide their name and affiliation by 4 p.m. on Sunday, July 27, to Rexana Vizza at: rexana.v.vizza@jpl.nasa.gov. Questions may also be asked via social media with the hashtag #AskNISAR.
    Wednesday, July 30
    7 a.m. – Launch coverage begins on NASA+ and YouTube.
    The launch broadcast begins from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California, where the U.S. portion of the mission is managed.
    Follow launch events on NASA’s NISAR blog. 
    Watch, Engage on Social Media
    You can also stay connected by following and tagging these accounts:
    X: @NASA, @NASAEarth, @NASAJPL
    Facebook: NASA, NASA Earth, NASA JPL
    Instagram: @NASA, @NASAEarth, @NASAJPL
    Additional Resources
    The NISAR press kit features deeper dives into the mission as well as its science and technology.
    Explore NISAR videos as well as NISAR animations and b-roll media reel.
    The NISAR mission is the first joint satellite mission between NASA and ISRO, marking a new chapter in the growing collaboration between the two space agencies. The launch of NISAR, years in the making, builds on a strong heritage of successful programs, including Chandrayaan-1 and the recent Axiom Mission-4, which saw ISRO and NASA astronauts living and working together aboard the International Space Station for the first time.
    Learn more about the mission at:

    NISAR

    -end-
    Elizabeth Vlock / Karen FoxHeadquarters, Washington202-358-1600elizabeth.a.vlock@nasa.gov / karen.c.fox@nasa.gov
    Andrew Wang / Jane J. Lee Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.626-379-6874 / 818-354-0307 andrew.wang@jpl.nasa.gov / jane.j.lee@jpl.nasa.gov

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NASA Scientist Finds Predicted Companion Star to Betelgeuse

    Source: NASA

    A century-old hypothesis that Betelgeuse, the 10th brightest star in our night sky, is orbited by a very close companion star was proved true by a team of astrophysicists led by a scientist at NASA’s Ames Research Center in California’s Silicon Valley.
    The research published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters in the paper “Probable Direct Imaging Discovery of the Stellar Companion to Betelgeuse.”
    Fluctuations in the brightness and measured velocity of Betelgeuse, the closest red supergiant star to Earth, had long presented clues that it may have a partner, but the bigger star’s intense glow made direct observations of any fainter neighbors nearly impossible.
    Two recent studies by other teams of astronomers reignited the companion star hypothesis by using more than 100 years of Betelgeuse observations to provide predictions of the companion’s location and brightness.
    If the smaller star did exist, the location predictions suggested that scientists had a window of just a few months to observe the companion star at its widest separation from Betelgeuse, as it orbited near the visible edge of the supergiant. After that, they would have to wait another three years for it to orbit to the other side and again leave the overpowering glow of its larger companion.
    Searches for the companion were initially made using space-based telescopes, because observing through Earth’s atmosphere can blur images of astronomical objects. But these efforts did not detect the companion.
    Steve Howell, a senior research scientist at Ames, recognized the ground-based Gemini North telescope in Hawai’i, one of the largest in the world, paired with a special, high-resolution camera built by NASA, had the potential to directly observe the close companion to Betelgeuse, despite the atmospheric blurring.
    Officially called the ‘Alopeke speckle instrument, the advanced imaging camera let them obtain many thousands of short exposures to measure the atmospheric interference in their data and remove it with detailed image processing, providing an image of Betelgeuse and its companion.
    Howell’s team detected the very faint companion star right where it was predicted to be, orbiting very close to the outer edge of Betelgeuse.
    “I hope our discovery excites other astrophysicists about the robust power of ground-based telescopes and speckle imagers – a key to opening new observational windows,” said Howell. “This can help unlock the great mysteries in our universe.”
    To start, this discovery of a close companion to Betelgeuse may explain why other similar red supergiant stars undergo periodic changes in their brightness on the scale of many years.
    Howell plans to continue observations of Betelgeuse’s stellar companion to better understand its nature. The companion star will again return to its greatest separation from Betelgeuse in November 2027, a time when it will be easiest to detect.
    Having found the long-anticipated companion star, Howell turned to giving it a name. The traditional star name “Betelgeuse” derives from Arabic, meaning “the hand of al-Jawza’,” a female figure in old Arabian legend. Fittingly, Howell’s team named the orbiting companion “Siwarha,” meaning “her bracelet.”

    The NASA–National Science Foundation Exoplanet Observational Research Program (NN-EXPLORE) is a joint initiative to advance U.S. exoplanet science by providing the community with access to cutting-edge, ground-based observational facilities. Managed by NASA’s Exoplanet Exploration Program, NN-EXPLORE supports and enhances the scientific return of space missions such as Kepler, TESS (Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite), Hubble Space Telescope, and James Webb Space Telescope by enabling essential follow-up observations from the ground—creating strong synergies between space-based discoveries and ground-based characterization. NASA’s Exoplanet Exploration Program is located at the agency’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
    To learn more about NN-EXPLORE, visit:
    https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/exep/NNExplore/overview

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: South Texas Disaster Assistance Deadline Has Passed but Help Still Available

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: South Texas Disaster Assistance Deadline Has Passed but Help Still Available

    South Texas Disaster Assistance Deadline Has Passed but Help Still Available

    AUSTIN, Texas – The July 22 deadline to apply for FEMA disaster assistance has passed, but help is still available for those who sustained loss from the March 26-28 severe storms and floods in South Texas

     Applicants should stay in touch with FEMA to ensure the disaster assistance process stays on track

    Missing or incorrect information could result in delays in receiving assistance

    Update contact information, report additional home damage or a delay in insurance claims in the following ways:Visit DisasterAssistance

    govUse the FEMA mobile appCall the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362

     Lines are open from 6 a

    m

    to 10 p

    m

    CT daily

    If you use a relay service, captioned telephone or other service, you can give FEMA your number for that service

    Helpline specialists speak many languages

    Press 2 for Spanish

    Visit any Disaster Recovery Center to receive in-person assistance

    No appointment is needed

     Recovery centers are open in Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr and Willacy counties

     To find one close to you, use your ZIP code to search FEMA

    gov/DRC

    To view an accessible video on how to apply, visit What You Need to Know Before Applying for FEMA Assistance

    For the latest information about Texas’ recovery, visit fema

    gov/disaster/4871

    Follow FEMA Region 6 on social media at x

    com/FEMARegion6 and at facebook

    com/FEMARegion6
    toan

    nguyen
    Wed, 07/23/2025 – 19:44

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: DLNR News Release – MAUNALUA BAY DREDGING SCHEDULED TO BEGIN JULY 28

    Source: US State of Hawaii

    DLNR News Release – MAUNALUA BAY DREDGING SCHEDULED TO BEGIN JULY 28

    Posted on Jul 23, 2025 in Latest Department News, Newsroom

    STATE OF HAWAIʻI

    KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI

    JOSH GREEN, M.D.

    GOVERNOR

    KE KIAʻĀINA

    DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES

    KA ‘OIHANA KUMUWAIWAI ‘ĀINA

     

    DAWN N.S. CHANG

    CHAIRPERSON

    KA LUNA HOʻOKELE

     

     

    MAUNALUA BAY DREDGING AND FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN JULY 28

     

     

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

    July 23, 2025

     

    HONOLULU – Maintenance dredging and facility improvements are set to begin at the Maunalua Bay Boat Ramp in Hawai‘i Kai next week. The DLNR Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR) is hosting a pre-construction meeting this Friday, July 25 at 3 p.m. at the Maunalua Bay Boat Ramp Facility to present project details and information.  All those interested are welcomed to attend.

     

    Sand from dredging the boat ramp entrance channel will be reused and placed on adjacent eroded shorelines on both sides of the ramp. Sheet pile walls, commonly used in harbor construction for erosion control and as support structures, will be installed to contain the reused dredge material and prevent future erosion of the shoreline. Other seawall repairs will also take place.

     

    “We’re excited to get started on this project, which will greatly benefit users who frequent Maunalua Bay and use the ramp regularly,” said DOBOR Administrator Meghan Statts. “We appreciate the significant community involvement in project planning that helped to optimize ramp access and take effective erosion resistance measures.”

     

    DOBOR awarded the $6.8 million contract to American Marine Corporation with a start date of July 28. No closure of the boat ramp or entrance channel are anticipated throughout the duration of the project, though intermittent interruptions may occur. The contractor will work closely with users to ensure any impacts will be limited.  Project completion is estimated for April 2026.

     

    # # #

     

     

    RESOURCES

    (All images/video Courtesy: DLNR)

     

     

    Video – Maunalua Bay Dredging and Facility Improvements – media clips (July 23, 2025):

    https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/m8w3imlanfxa5il3l2efg/Maunalua-Bay-Boat-Ramp-Dredging-media-clips-July-23-2025.mov?rlkey=f9uf2s4v834xehmh81j2jkf57&st=obynis4f&dl=0

     

    Photographs – Maunalua Bay Dredging and Facility Improvements (July 23, 2025):

    https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/exo27yfknj4wlh4nvkaok/AO0Kk53whwjI_8joadN8-6A?rlkey=f4f5ms86bo2y65dgsdvkqtj0z&st=4h954q9o&dl=0

     

     

    Media Contact: 

    Ryan Aguilar

    Communications Specialist

    Department of Land and Natural Resources, State of Hawai‘i

    Phone: 808-587-0396

    Email: [email protected]

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Office of the Governor — Travel Release — Gov. Green to Attend NGA Summer Meeting in Colorado

    Source: US State of Hawaii

    Office of the Governor — Travel Release — Gov. Green to Attend NGA Summer Meeting in Colorado

    Posted on Jul 23, 2025 in Latest Department News, Newsroom, Office of the Governor Press Releases

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

    GOVERNOR GREEN TO ATTEND NATIONAL GOVERNORS ASSOCIATION SUMMER MEETING IN COLORADO

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    July 23, 2025

    HONOLULU – Governor Josh Green, M.D., will travel to Colorado for the National Governors Association (NGA) 2025 Summer Meeting on Wednesday, July 23. He will participate in panel discussions with education experts, economists and business leaders. As one of the NGA’s Public Health and Disaster Task Force co–chairs with Vermont Governor Phil Scott, Governor Green will facilitate a discussion with Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz. The session will cover how potential changes to federal health programs could affect states. He will return to Hawai‘i Sunday, July 27, 2025.

    Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke will serve as acting Governor from the evening of July 23 until the afternoon of July 27.

    # # #

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

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

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Israel/OPT: At UN conference states must prioritize ending Israel’s genocide, unlawful occupation and apartheid

    Source: Amnesty International –

    The high-level UN conference to discuss a peaceful settlement of the question of Palestine and implementation of the two-state solution next week must be centered around the immediate and effective application of international law, including states’ obligations to prevent and punish genocide and apartheid and end Israel’s unlawful occupation of Palestinian territory, said Amnesty International in an advocacy briefing published today.

    The briefing outlines a series of recommendations for states to take meaningful action and exert the necessary pressure on Israel to end its ongoing genocide against the Palestinians in Gaza, lift the inhumane humanitarian blockade and dismantle its unlawful occupation of the Palestinian territory and its system of apartheid imposed on all Palestinians whose rights it controls.

    “If the ministers gathering in New York next week are truly committed to forging just, comprehensive and lasting peace and security for both Israelis and Palestinians, the first priority must be to take concrete action to end Israel’s ongoing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza and its unlawful military occupation of Palestinian territory, which has fuelled mass violations against Palestinians and enabled and entrenched Israel’s cruel system of apartheid,” said Agnès Callamard, Amnesty International’s Secretary General.

    The current catastrophic crisis created by Israel in Gaza is unbearable, and states must act with urgency and resolve. Statements, condemnation and limited state actions are failing to protect civilians and uphold international humanitarian law.

    States must be unequivocal: Israel is not above the law and accountability is a priority.

    Amnesty International’s Secretary General Agnès Callamard

    “Genuine and meaningful action by states must begin, first and foremost, with the demand for an immediate and sustained ceasefire, as well as the lifting of Israel’s illegal blockade. Without these fundamental urgent steps, any process aimed at addressing the future of Palestinians lacks credibility. How such process be considered meaningful when Palestinians are being slaughtered, starved and forcibly displaced into ever-shrinking pockets of land on a daily basis?”

    Among the recommendations, Amnesty International is urgently calling on states to:

    • Demand an immediate and lasting ceasefire in Gaza, ensure full, unimpeded access to all areas of Gaza and firmly reject Israel’s military-controlled, non-neutral aid distribution model. A principled, UN-led humanitarian response must be immediately restored, and funding for impartial humanitarian organizations must be maintained and expanded.
    • End any trade or transfers that contribute to or are linked to the genocide, apartheid or the unlawful occupation. This includes in the first place banning all weapons and surveillance equipment transfers and any military assistance to Israel. States must end preferential trade agreements and cooperation deals with Israel, including the EU-Israel Trade Agreement.
    • Adopt targeted sanctions against those Israeli officials most implicated in international crimes and cooperate with the International Criminal Court, including by implementing its arrest warrants.
    • Commit to the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip and the rehabilitation of its people while opposing any forced displacement of Palestinians within or outside of Gaza.
    • Establish mechanisms for reparations and rehabilitation of Palestinians, with Israel bearing the primary financial responsibility.

    Amnesty International calls also on corporations to refuse any involvement in, or direct linkage to Israel’s unlawful actions. Corporations must ensure that they are not contributing to serious human rights violations themselves.

    The organization also calls on civil society and the public at large to continue mobilizing and campaigning to demand that states abide by their legal obligations under international law and denounce companies, banks and other economic actors that contribute to or are directly linked to Israel’s violations of international law, and demand that they stop.

    “States must be unequivocal: Israel is not above the law and accountability is a priority. They must seize the opportunity presented by this conference to end their active or tacit support for Israeli violations or their self-imposed inertia. The conference must lead to a clear commitment by all states to suspend all economic activity that contributes to or is directly linked to Israel’s illegal occupation, its system of apartheid or its genocide against the Palestinians in Gaza,” said Agnès Callamard.

    “With the very survival of Palestinians at stake, there’s no time to waste with false promises or platitudes. As people continue to take to the streets to demand global action and as more and more states are recognizing Israel’s genocide for what it is, an empty, performative exercise would not be just tone-deaf, it would be unconscionable. For this conference to be anything more than a charade, states must heed our calls. They must turn words into action that is firmly rooted in international law and protection of human rights.”

    Co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia, the High-level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution will take place in New York from 28 to 29 July 2025. Agnès Callamard and other Amnesty International spokespeople will be available for interviews.

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Iran/Israel: Iranian forces’ use of cluster munitions in ‘12 Day War’ violated international humanitarian law

    Source: Amnesty International –

    • Unlawful ballistic missile strikes utilizing cluster munitions landed in residential areas in Israel
    • “Cluster munitions are inherently indiscriminate weapons that must never be used ” – Erika Guevara Rosas

    The Iranian forces’ use of cluster munitions during the ‘12 Day War’ with Israel was a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law, Amnesty International said today.

    Last month, the Iranian forces fired ballistic missiles whose warheads contained submunitions into populated residential areas of Israel, in attacks endangering civilians. Amnesty International analysed photos and videos showing cluster munitions that, according to media reports, struck inside the Gush Dan metropolitan area around Tel Aviv on 19 June.

    In addition, the cities of Beersheba, southern Israel (20 June), and Rishon LeZion, to the south of Tel Aviv (22 June), were also struck with ordnance that left multiple impact craters consistent with the submunitions seen in Gush Dan. Such submunitions hit a school and basketball court in Beersheba, but no deaths or injuries were reported.

    “Cluster munitions are inherently indiscriminate weapons that must never be used. By using such weapons in or near populated residential areas, Iranian forces endangered civilian lives and demonstrated clear disregard for international humanitarian law,” said Erika Guevara Rosas, Amnesty International’s Senior Director for Research, Advocacy, Policy and Campaigns.

    “Civilians, particularly children, are most at risk of injury or death from unexploded submunitions. Iranian forces’ deliberate use of such inherently indiscriminate weapons is a blatant violation of international humanitarian law.”

    Customary international humanitarian law prohibits the use of inherently indiscriminate weapons, and launching indiscriminate attacks that kill or injure civilians constitutes a war crime.

    Civilians, particularly children, are most at risk of injury or death from unexploded submunitions.

    Erika Guevara Rosas, Amnesty International’s Senior Director for Research, Advocacy, Policy and Campaigns

    Cluster munitions are conventional ordnance designed to disperse or release small explosive submunitions. Typically, such submunitions are launched and dispersed by rockets, artillery, or air-dropped containers, scattering ordnance over a wide area, sometimes as large as a football pitch, which often remain unexploded.

    According to media reports, the warheads deployed by Iranian forces against Israel dispersed their payload several kilometres above the ground, spreading their submunitions over a very large area.

    Many systems have high “dud” rates, leaving large areas contaminated with unexploded ordnance which can remain lethal for years or even decades after a conflict has ended.

    The Convention on Cluster Munitions, which entered into force on 1 August 2010, bans the use, production, stockpiling and transfer of cluster munitions. Amnesty International has called on all states that have not acceded to the Convention on Cluster Munitions, including Iran and Israel, to become a party to it and strictly comply with its terms.

    Amnesty International sent questions regarding the use of cluster munitions to the Iranian authorities on 15 July 2025. At the time of publication, no response had yet been received.

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Iran/Israel: Iranian forces’ use of cluster munition in ’12 day war’ violated international humanitarian law

    Source: Amnesty International –

    Unlawful ballistic missile strikes utilising cluster munitions landed in residential areas in Israel

    ‘Cluster munitions are inherently indiscriminate weapons that must never be used’ – Erika Guevara Rosas

    The Iranian forces’ use of cluster munitions during the ‘12 Day War’ with Israel was a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law, Amnesty International said today.

    Last month, the Iranian forces fired ballistic missiles whose warheads contained submunitions into populated residential areas of Israel, in attacks endangering civilians. Amnesty analysed photos and videos showing cluster munitions that, according to media reports, struck inside the Gush Dan metropolitan area around Tel Aviv on 19 June.

    In addition, the cities of Beersheba, southern Israel (20 June), and Rishon LeZion, to the south of Tel Aviv (22 June), were also struck with ordnance that left multiple impact craters consistent with the submunitions seen in Gush Dan. Such submunitions hit a school and basketball court in Beersheba, but no deaths or injuries were reported.

    Erika Guevara Rosas, Amnesty International’s Senior Director for Research, Advocacy, Policy and Campaigns, said:

    “Cluster munitions are inherently indiscriminate weapons that must never be used. By using such weapons in or near populated residential areas, Iranian forces endangered civilian lives and demonstrated clear disregard for international humanitarian law.

    “Civilians, particularly children, are most at risk of injury or death from unexploded submunitions. Iranian forces’ deliberate use of such inherently indiscriminate weapons is a blatant violation of international humanitarian law.”

    Customary international humanitarian law prohibits the use of inherently indiscriminate weapons, and launching indiscriminate attacks that kill or injure civilians constitutes a war crime.

    Cluster munitions are conventional ordnance designed to disperse or release small explosive submunitions. Typically, such submunitions are launched and dispersed by rockets, artillery, or air-dropped containers, scattering ordnance over a wide area, sometimes as large as a football pitch, which often remain unexploded.

    According to media reports, the warheads deployed by Iranian forces against Israel dispersed their payload several kilometres above the ground, spreading their submunitions over a very large area.

    Many systems have high “dud” rates, leaving large areas contaminated with unexploded ordnance which can remain lethal for years or even decades after a conflict has ended.

    The Convention on Cluster Munitions, which entered into force on 1 August 2010, bans the use, production, stockpiling and transfer of cluster munitions. Amnesty has called on all states that have not acceded to the Convention on Cluster Munitions, including Iran and Israel, to become a party to it and strictly comply with its terms.

    Amnesty sent questions regarding the use of cluster munitions to the Iranian authorities on 15 July. At the time of publication, no response had yet been received.

    Missiles fired at Israel

    On 19 June, media reported that the Israeli military announced that Iranian forces had fired “a missile that contained cluster submunitions at a densely populated civilian area” in central Israel, and that approximately 20 submunitions fell over an estimated eight-kilometre radius.

    Amnesty’s weapon experts were able to identify an unexploded submunition apparently found in the Gush Dan metropolitan area on 19 June. Amnesty could not independently establish where this submunition landed.

    According to Haaretz, another cluster munition struck the top floor of a home in Azor shortly after 7am where a man and his son had been asleep. The father and son were woken up by sirens and managed to reach a safe room downstairs just before the submunition hit.

    Amnesty’s weapons experts identified the submunitions (above) from images shared by the media, which cited Israeli military’s Home Front Command.

    Furthermore, media reports of simultaneous impacts in Beersheba on 20 June seemingly indicate that cluster munitions were also used in that area. Among the several locations that were hit, Amnesty was able to verify that a submunition hit the basketball court of Gevim School in Beersheba. No deaths or injuries were reported. However, due to the high dud rate, there is the possibility that unexploded munitions not yet found could cause death or injury in the future.

    Israeli media also reported a cluster munitions strike on Rishon LeZion on 22 June. Amnesty analysed photographs of a crater in a residential street, which was consistent with impact craters left by submunitions used in the attack on the Gush Dan area.

    The ballistic missiles used by Iranian forces proved wildly inaccurate, and thus completely inappropriate for use near or in civilian residential areas. For example, an analysis of the October 2024 ballistic missiles strikes by Iranian forces against Israel showed that the missiles missed their intended target by an average of half-a-kilometre or more.

    International humanitarian law prohibits indiscriminate attacks, including through the use of weapons which cannot be directed at a specific military objective.

    Fin-stabilised submunitions

    While it has not been possible to determine precisely what kind of ballistic missile was used in these three attacks, the submunitions it dispersed bear a striking resemblance to a fin-stabilised submunition that appeared to have landed in the city of Gorgan, Golestan province, in Iran on 18 September 2023, following a failed missile test. Two citizens were reportedly injured.

    A picture of the submunition was published by Mashregh News, a news organisation in Iran, amid widespread reports of multiple explosions being heard and ordnance landing in and around the city. The Iranian authorities did not acknowledge testing cluster munitions; instead, Iran’s Ministry of Defence announced on 18 September 2023 that: “During a research test of offensive and drone systems conducted in a desert area, one of the systems under testing experienced a technical malfunction, veered off its intended path, and disintegrated, with parts of it falling in areas of the city of Gorgan.”

    The cluster munitions used by the Iranian forces also bear external resemblance to those showcased during defence exhibitions in Tehran in 2016.

    Civilians killed

    During the escalation of hostilities between Israel and Iran, at least 1,100 people were killed in Iran, including at least 132 women and 45 children, according to Iran’s Foundation for Martyrs and Veterans Affairs. Amnesty is calling for Israel’s attack on Evin prison in Tehran on 23 June that killed and injured scores of civilians, including a child, to be investigated as a war crime following an in-depth investigation.

    At least 29 people, including women and children, were killed as a result of Iranian attacks in Israel, according to the Israeli Health Ministry. In one of the deadliest incidents, four members of the same family – three women and one child – were killed by an Iranian missile that hit the Palestinian town of Tamra in northern Israel on 14 June.  

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: SASSA conducts grant outreach campaign at Malamulele

    Source: Government of South Africa

    The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) is today conducting an outreach campaign at Malamulele Crossing, helping beneficiaries of the R370 grant with enquiries or issues related to their grants. 

    In a statement, the agency said this initiative is part of SASSA’s ongoing commitment to bring services closer to the people. 

    “Beneficiaries with questions, concerns, or unresolved matters regarding the R370 grant are invited to attend and engage with SASSA officials directly,” the agency said. 

    The R370 grant refers to the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant, which was introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic to provide temporary assistance to unemployed individuals, who are not receiving any other form of income or social support. 

    The grant was initially set at R350 but was increased to R370 earlier this year following public outcry over the rising cost of living.

    Over the years, the SRD grant has become a crucial lifeline for millions of South Africans, especially young people and informal workers, many of whom struggle with limited access to digital platforms or face long delays in receiving assistance.

    In June, Social Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe confirmed that the R370 SRD grant would continue following the approval of draft regulations published on 26 March 2025. This extension, supported by the Minister of Finance, is intended to provide a safety net, while long-term solutions to poverty are developed.

    SASSA’s outreach efforts are aimed at bridging this gap by offering face-to-face support, particularly in remote or underserved areas like Malamulele, where access to online or regional offices may be limited. 

    Today’s outreach includes assistance with applications queries, payment queries, appeals and general information. 

    The agency has encouraged community members to take advantage of the opportunity to resolve outstanding matters and ensure their continued access to this vital support. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • India’s banking sector slated for key turnaround in Q3: Report

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The third quarter (Q3) of FY26 is likely to mark a turning point for India’s banking sector, as net interest margins (NIMs) are expected to stabilise and earnings begin to recover, a new report said on Thursday.

    This positive outlook is supported by easing funding costs, the upcoming reduction in the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR), and normalisation of credit costs, according to data compiled by Motilal Oswal Financial Services.

    As part of this recovery, private sector banks are showing impressive resilience in maintaining lending yields despite multiple repo rate cuts by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

    The report highlights that private banks have been able to raise their spreads on fresh loans — helping them protect profitability in a low-rate environment.

    In May 2025, the weighted average lending rate (WALR) on fresh loans for private banks rose by 7 basis points month-on-month, the report stated.

    This increase reflects strong pricing strategies and credit demand. The spread on fresh rupee loans over the repo rate for private banks has reached its highest level since August 2022 — now at 415 basis points.

    This indicates that the lenders are not only navigating the policy changes effectively but also maintaining healthy margins through strategic loan repricing.

    Private banks also outperformed in terms of WALR on outstanding loans. While the system-wide WALR on outstanding loans fell slightly to 9.67 per cent in May, private lenders saw a 2 basis point increase — bucking the trend.

    On the funding side, deposit rates are beginning to decline gradually. The weighted average term deposit rate (WATDR) for private banks slipped slightly to 7.19 per cent in May, with further reductions expected as banks implement savings and term deposit rate cuts ranging from 20 to 100 basis points.

    The full benefit of these reductions is likely to materialise in the second half of the fiscal year — easing funding pressures, as per the report.

    According to Motilal Oswal, while NIMs may remain under pressure in the near term, they are expected to bottom out by the second or third quarter of FY26.

    The planned phased CRR cut from September 2025 is expected to inject about Rs 2.5 lakh crore of durable liquidity into the banking system — further supporting margin recovery.

    Credit costs are also expected to decline as asset quality stabilises, particularly in the retail and microfinance segments.

    “This improvement will further support the earnings recovery anticipated in the latter half of FY26,” the report added.

    (IANS)

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: Summary table of proposals and comments on the draft Bank of Russia instruction

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Central Bank of Russia –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Public discussion

    Draft regulatory documents of the Bank of Russia for public discussion

    Summary table of proposals and comments on the draft Bank of Russia instruction “On Amendments to Bank of Russia Instruction dated April 10, 2023 No. 6406-U”

    Draft regulation of the Bank of Russia “On the requirements for targeted internal control rules to combat the legalization (laundering) of proceeds from crime, the financing of terrorism, extremist activity and the financing of the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, on the qualification requirements for special officials responsible for the implementation of targeted internal control rules to combat the legalization (laundering) of proceeds from crime, the financing of terrorism, extremist activity and the financing of the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and on the procedure for informing organizations carrying out transactions with funds or other property that are members of a banking group or banking holding company, on the introduction of the ban specified in Part Two of Article 13 of Federal Law No. 115-FZ of August 7, 2001 “On Combating the Legalization (Laundering) of Proceeds from Crime and the Financing of Terrorism”

    Draft Bank of Russia instruction “On the procedure for notification by a bank (other credit institution) of the opening or closing of an account, of a change in account details, of a change in account details in electronic form to the territorial body of the insurer”

    Draft Bank of Russia Instruction “On Amending Bank of Russia Instruction No. 3701-U of June 29, 2015 “On the Procedure for Sending Requests and Receiving Information from the Central Catalog of Credit Histories by Submitting a Request through a Notary”

    Draft Bank of Russia Instruction “On Amendments to Bank of Russia Instruction No. 135-I of April 2, 2010”

    Draft Bank of Russia Instruction “On the cases and procedure for partial redemption of investment units of a closed-end mutual investment fund without the owner of the investment units submitting a request for their redemption”

    Draft Bank of Russia Instruction “On Amendments to Bank of Russia Instruction No. 6568-U dated October 6, 2023”

    Summary table of comments and suggestions on the draft Bank of Russia instruction “On Amendments to Bank of Russia Instruction dated September 18, 2017 No. 4533-U”

    Summary table of comments, suggestions and questions on the draft Bank of Russia Instruction “On types of assets, characteristics of types of assets for which risk coefficient surcharges are established, and on the application of surcharges to the specified types of assets when credit institutions determine capital adequacy standards”

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

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Resilience at the Core: Reframing Social Development for a Risk-Prone World

    Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction

    Venue

    Qatar National Convention Centre, Doha (Room TBC)

    Background  

    The Second World Summit for Social Development takes place at a defining moment for global development. As the 2030 Agenda enters its final stretch, only 17% of SDG targets are currently on track. The promise to end poverty, expand decent work, and reduce inequalities is faltering under the weight of intersecting crises, from escalating climate extremes and pandemics to economic shocks and pandemics. At the same time, 2025 also marks the final implementation phase of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030.  

    In this context, disasters have become a structural feature of development, not isolated events. Each year, they affect over 100 million people, disrupt livelihoods, displace millions, and erase decades of progress in a matter of hours. These impacts are not evenly distributed: they disproportionately affect people in vulnerable situations such as women, children, older persons, persons with disabilities, and those living in poverty, further entrenching cycles of inequality and exclusion. 

    Social development systems such as social protection, health, education, and employment are not designed to withstand compounding shocks. Most social protection schemes do not anticipate risk or reach the most exposed communities. Critical infrastructure is rarely built with future hazards in mind. According to the Global Assessment Report 2025, more than 80 percent of global disaster losses are linked to sectors critical to human development, including education, health, housing, and transport. These systemic weaknesses are not only exposing people to greater risk but are also locking countries into cycles of crisis and recovery, rather than enabling sustainable and inclusive progress. 

    Yet this crisis presents an opportunity, the 2023 Midterm Review of the Sendai Framework and the outcome of the 8th Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction – The Geneva Call for Disaster Risk Reduction – highlighted that countries which invest in risk-informed planning, governance, and infrastructure experience fewer lives lost, faster recoveries, and more equitable development. DRR is not solely a matter of responding to disasters; it is fundamentally about reshaping the way public systems are designed and implemented, to be more inclusive, forward-looking, and resilient to a broad spectrum of risks. Risk-informed development means making deliberate choices to anticipate, plan for, reduce and prevent disaster risk. It means aligning DRR with poverty eradication, decent work, housing, and inclusion – not as an add-on, but as a core strategy for sustainable development. This requires political will, institutional change, and financing systems that reward prevention and protect the most vulnerable. 

    The 2025 World Summit on Social Development is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reposition DRR as a foundation for social justice and equity. Building resilience is not only a technical imperative, it is a social and moral one. This Solutions Session will spotlight the transformative potential of DRR to protect development gains, tackle root causes of vulnerability, and ensure no one is left behind. 

    Objective 

    This Solutions Session will challenge the conventional view of DRR as a siloed technical tool and reframe it as a transformative accelerator of social development. It will: 

    • Highlight policy shifts where governments use data, anticipatory action, and inclusive design to future-proof their development pathways. 

    • Catalyze institutional and policy shifts across Member States, the UN system and the private sector to mainstream DRR as a core approach to achieving inclusive, risk-informed, and future-ready social development. 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 24 July 2025 Departmental update WHO unveils health and environment scorecards for 194 countries

    Source: World Health Organisation

    The World Health Organization (WHO) has released the 2024 update of its health and environment country scorecards, assessing how countries are managing eight major environmental threats to health across sectors. These threats include air pollution, unsafe water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), climate change, loss of biodiversity, exposure to chemicals, and radiation, occupational risks, and environmental risks in and around health care facilities. This year’s edition also introduces a new summary score, offering a concise snapshot of how environmental conditions are impacting people’s health.

    WHO’s health and environment country scorecards serve as a valuable tool for guiding national action. They provide detailed data across the eight key areas linking environment, climate change, and health policies, promoting cross-sectoral engagement, and helping governments prioritize evidence-based interventions. 

    “Tackling environmental risks isn’t optional—it’s a prescription for better health, stronger economies, and a safer future. You can’t have healthy people on a sick planet,” said Dr Maria Neira, WHO Director, Department of Environment, Climate Change and Health. “We urge all countries to take bold, coordinated action across sectors to reduce environmental threats. Investing in clean air, safe water, and climate-protective policies is not just good for the planet. It’s essential for the health and future of their people.”

    From among countries, Norway and Canada received the highest scores overall. Among income groups, Argentina scored highest for upper-middle-income countries, Jordan for lower-middle-income, and Malawi for low-income countries. European countries led in regional averages, followed by the Americas, Western Pacific, and Eastern Mediterranean, and other regions.

    In this third round of scorecards, the introduction of the summary score marks a significant step forward in helping countries prioritize action on health and environment. The summary score is designed to condense a wide range of environmental health indicators into a single, accessible measure. Comprising 25 key indicators across environment, climate change, and health, the score enables countries to track progress at national, regional, and global levels—highlighting trends in exposures, health impacts, policy implementation, as well as identifying critical data gaps.

    The scorecards support countries in conducting situation assessments and setting evidence-based priorities for action. While large disparities exist between countries, shaped in part by differing levels of economic resources, every country has an opportunity to strengthen efforts to reduce environmental health risks.

    “The updated scorecards, together with the summary score, now bring new visibility to the links between environment and health at country level,” said Dr Annette Pruess, Unit Head, Department of Environment, Climate Change and Health, WHO. “This is a powerful tool for governments to identify challenges and shape targeted responses.”

    About 25% of the global burden of disease is linked to environmental threats that are largely preventable. By addressing these environmental risk factors through stronger policies, cleaner technologies, and sustainable practices, we can significantly reduce preventable illnesses and deaths—improving health outcomes while protecting our planet.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 24 July 2025 Departmental update WHO and UNODC release landmark report on contaminated medicines, urging action to protect patients from preventable harm

    Source: World Health Organisation

    The World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) have jointly released a landmark report unveiling critical findings on the persistent and preventable threat of contaminated medicines which claimed the lives and compromised the health of countless patients, predominantly children, through the ingestion of medicines with dangerously high levels of toxic chemicals.

    Over the past 90 years, at least 25 documented incidents of excipient contamination have resulted in more than 1300 deaths worldwide, many of them children. These incidents occur often due to systemic vulnerabilities in the global supply chain of pharmaceutical excipients, and they have disproportionately affected people in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where regulatory oversight and access to quality-assured medicines may be limited.

    Titled “Contaminated medicines and integrity of the pharmaceutical excipients supply chain”, the report highlights a tragic and ongoing public health crisis: the contamination of medicines with industrial-grade toxic chemicals, notably diethylene glycol (DEG) and ethylene glycol (EG).

    These substances are used as industrial solvents and antifreeze agents but can cause severe health issues and be fatal if ingested, even in small amounts, especially for children. They are often illegally substituted for pharmaceutical-grade excipients such as propylene glycol, glycerin, and sorbitol—ingredients used in the formulation of medicines, including cough and paracetamol syrups.

    Since October 2022, WHO has issued 7 Medical Product Alerts concerning multiple batches of contaminated liquid oral medicines, many of which were marketed for paediatric use and exported widely to LMIC. WHO also issued 2 Alerts concerning falsified bulk chemicals masquerading as pharmaceutical quality excipients.

    Following a particularly serious case in The Gambia, in which at least 66 children lost their lives, attention was once again focused on this issue. The case in The Gambia was quickly followed by similar incidents in Indonesia and Uzbekistan with a further 268 reported deaths and two further WHO Medical Product Alerts.

    Most of the recent cases involve inexpensive oral liquid medicines that can be bought without a prescription.  In most cases these medicines were marketed specifically for children and are registered medicines available in pharmacies, medicine stores or informal street markets.

    Key findings

    The report reveals how criminal networks exploit market volatility and regulatory gaps to introduce toxic substitutes into the supply chain. Key findings include:

    • The use of falsified labels and substitution of toxic chemicals for legitimate excipients such as propylene glycol.
    • The marketing of falsified excipients via online platforms, including e-commerce and social media.
    • A lack of regulatory oversight for manufacturers and distributors of high-risk excipients.
    • Deficiencies in post-market surveillance and enforcement mechanisms in both manufacturing and importing countries.
    • Intentional criminal conduct, including deliberate falsification of excipients and documentation, contributing directly to multiple contamination incidents.
    • Inadequate coordination and capacity among regulatory, customs and law enforcement authorities hindering timely investigations and prosecutions in some jurisdictions.

    Call to action

    The report calls for urgent global action to close regulatory gaps, strengthen oversight of excipient supply chains and protect all populations, especially the most vulnerable such as children, from preventable and deadly poisoning.

    WHO has long played a central and proactive role in preventing, detecting, and responding to substandard and falsified medical products. This report reinforces the critical importance of strong and effective medicines regulatory systems to ensure access to safe, effective and quality-assured products.

    Complementing this public health perspective, UNODC highlights the criminal dimension of the issue, documenting how organized criminal groups falsify documentation, substitute industrial-grade chemicals and exploit digital platforms to illegally infiltrate the global pharmaceutical supply chain with toxic and unregulated substances. Its contribution underscores the importance of criminal justice responses in parallel to regulatory action.

    The report underscores the need for:

    • Improved regulatory frameworks and enforcement mechanisms.
    • Enhanced compliance by manufacturers and distributors.
    • Greater transparency and traceability in the excipient supply chain.
    • Stronger collaboration between health authorities, law enforcement and the private sector.
    • Closer collaboration and timely information exchange between regulatory authorities, law enforcement and customs to support investigations and prosecutions.
    • Greater enforcement of existing laws, including the application of sanctions in cases of critical non-compliance with regulations related to contaminated excipients.
    • Improved investigation quality and prosecutorial capacity to address intentional acts of contamination and falsification of pharmaceutical excipients.
    • Strengthened post-market surveillance mechanisms to detect and respond to incidents with potential criminal dimensions.
    • Enhanced legal and operational frameworks to address the deliberate falsification of labels, certificates of analysis and excipient composition.

    In many cases, contaminated medicines are the result of intentional criminal conduct. Addressing this threat requires coordinated efforts by all stakeholders, including law enforcement agencies, customs officials, prosecutors and anti-corruption bodies. The report calls for greater cross-border cooperation, investigative capacity and the use of international legal instruments such as the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC).

    WHO and UNODC urge Member States, national regulatory authorities, criminal justice actors, law enforcement agencies, pharmaceutical manufacturers and excipient distributors to take immediate decisive action to prevent further avoidable tragedies. Failure to act now risks condemning future generations of children to the same unacceptable and avoidable harms.

    A collaborative effort grounded in global partnership

    This report is the result of a collaborative effort involving national regulatory authorities (NRAs) and global health partners. Its development was made possible through the generous support of the Fleming Fund and the Gates Foundation.

    WHO and UNODC extend their sincere appreciation to all stakeholders who contributed to this important work, particularly the NRAs of The Gambia, Indonesia and Pakistan, whose experiences and insights were instrumental in shaping the report’s findings.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Tenders invited for licence of fee-paying public car park at Chai Wan Municipal Services Building

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

         The Government Property Agency (GPA) is inviting tenders for a three-year licence of a fee-paying public car park on portions of Basement Two and a portion of Basement One of Chai Wan Municipal Services Building, 338 Chai Wan Road, Chai Wan, Hong Kong.

         The premises should only be used to operate a fee-paying public car park for the parking of private cars and motor cycles.

         The tender notice was uploaded today (July 24) to the GPA Property Portal: www.gpaproperty.gov.hk/en/index.html. Tender documents are available for collection at the GPA, 9/F, South Tower, West Kowloon Government Offices, 11 Hoi Ting Road, Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon, during the period from 9am to 6pm from Monday to Friday, except public holidays. The documents can also be downloaded from the GPA Property Portal.

         Interested tenderers who wish to conduct a site inspection of the premises should make a prior appointment with the GPA by calling 3842 6775 by August 6.

         Tenderers must submit their tenders by placing them in the Government Logistics Department Tender Box placed on the Ground Floor, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road, North Point, Hong Kong, before noon on August 14. Late tenders will not be accepted.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –