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  • MIL-OSI Analysis: In a world first, The Hague wants to arrest Taliban leaders over their treatment of women – what happens next?

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Yvonne Breitwieser-Faria, Lecturer in Criminal Law and International Law, Curtin University

    Earlier this month, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants against the Taliban leadership in Afghanistan.

    The court’s Pre-Trial Chamber II cited reasonable grounds for believing supreme leader Haibatullah Akhundzada and chief justice Abdul Hakim Haqqani were guilty of “ordering, inducing or soliciting the crime against humanity of persecution on gender grounds.”

    The warrants – the first ever on charges of gender persecution – are being hailed as an “important vindication and acknowledgement of the rights of Afghan women and girls”.

    But will they improve the plight of women and girls in Afghanistan, given the Taliban does not recognise the court or its jurisdiction?

    The signs are not good with the Taliban denying the allegations and condemning the warrants as a “clear act of hostility [and an] insult to the beliefs of Muslims around the world”.

    Erased from public life

    Strict rules and prohibitions have been imposed on the Afghan people since the Taliban returned to power in August 2021.

    Women and girls have been singled out for even worse treatment by reason of their gender.

    According the warrants, the Taliban has

    severely deprived, through decrees and edicts, girls and women of the rights to education, privacy and family life and the freedoms of movement, expression, thought, conscience and religion.

    Women are banned from public places and girls from attending school once they turn 12.

    Zahra Nader is the editor-in-chief of newsroom Zan Times which investigates human rights violations in Afghanistan. She says Afghan women and girls are being silenced, restricted and stripped of their basic human rights.

    It is this discriminatory system of control of woman and girls in Afghanistan that is at the core of the court’s prosecution.

    The warrants also accuse the Taliban of persecuting

    other persons who don’t conform with the Taliban’s ideological expectations of gender, gender identity or expression; and on political grounds against persons perceived as ‘allies of girls and women.

    This is the first time an international tribunal or court has confirmed crimes against humanity involving LGBTQIA+ victims. This marks an important milestone in the protection of sexual minorities under international law.

    Crimes against humanity

    International law clearly spells put the offences which constitute crimes against humanity.

    The aim is to protect civilians from serious and widespread attacks on their fundamental rights. Different definitions of crimes against humanity have been included in the statutes of a handful of international tribunals and courts.

    The definition under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court is the most comprehensive. It includes severe deprivation of personal liberty, murder, enslavement, rape, torture, forced deportation or apartheid.

    Specifically, the Taliban leaders are accused under Article 7(1)(h) of the Rome Statute, which states:

    Persecution against any identifiable group or collectivity on political, racial, national, ethnic, cultural, religious, gender […] or other grounds that are universally recognised as impermissible under international law.

    Physical and direct violence is not necessary for persecution on “gender […] grounds” to be established. Systemic and institutionalised forms of harm, which can be the imposition of discriminatory societal norms, are sufficient.

    Women and girls are often disproportionately affected by Taliban policies and rules. But proving gender-based crimes have occurred is not enough. Discriminatory intent must also be established.

    The Taliban has been open about its religious beliefs and interpretations, suggesting a clear intention to persecute on the grounds of gender.

    Not just symbolic

    As with other cases, the court relies on the cooperation of states to execute and surrender those accused.

    The interim government in Kabul which was formed after the US-led invasion in 2001 became a party to the Rome Statute in 2003. Afghanistan remains legally obligated to prosecute perpetrators of these crimes – it must accept the Court’s jurisdiction in the matter.

    The Purple Saturdays Movement, an Afghan women-led protest group, is warning the arrest warrants must be more than just symbolic. Any failure to prosecute would likely result in an escalation of human rights violations:

    The Taliban has historically responded to international pressure not with reform, but by intensifying such repressive policies.

    Hopeful step

    It is important to note the strict policies and widespread abuses targeting women and girls in Afghanistan are ongoing, despite the intervention by the International Criminal Court.

    The court’s Office of the Prosecutor is stressing its commitment to pursuing “effective legal pathways” to bring the Taliban leadership to account. The Afghan Women’s Movement in Exile wants an independent international judicial committee established to monitor and accelerate the legal process.

    It is not yet clear if the warrants will actually lead to arrest and prosecution in The Hague. But we know this is possible. A prime example being the the arrest earlier this year of former Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte.

    At the very least, the arrests warrants are a hopeful step towards accountability for the Taliban and justice for the women and girls of Afghanistan.

    Yvonne Breitwieser-Faria 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. In a world first, The Hague wants to arrest Taliban leaders over their treatment of women – what happens next? – https://theconversation.com/in-a-world-first-the-hague-wants-to-arrest-taliban-leaders-over-their-treatment-of-women-what-happens-next-261008

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: New Waikato medical school gets green light

    Source: New Zealand Government

    A new medical school will be established at the University of Waikato as part of the Government’s plan to build a stronger health workforce, Health Minister Simeon Brown and Universities Minister Dr Shane Reti say.

    “Cabinet has approved the business case for the new school, which will have a strong focus on primary care and rural health,” Mr Brown says.

    “With $82.85 million in Government funding and over $150 million from the University, supported by philanthropic investment, this is a substantial commitment to education and regional development in the Waikato.

    “Today’s decision will enable the University of Waikato to begin construction on new teaching facilities later this year and start planning for clinical placements, while giving more students the opportunity to study medicine in New Zealand.”

    The school will offer a graduate-entry programme, providing a flexible new pathway into medicine that helps attract a broader range of students and build a stronger, more diverse workforce.

    “It’s an innovative model that supports our focus on strengthening primary care, making it easier for people to see their doctor – helping Kiwis stay well and out of hospital.

    “It also builds on the University’s recent additions of nursing, pharmacy, and midwifery programmes, demonstrating a strong and growing commitment to developing New Zealand’s health workforce.”

    A full cost-benefit analysis was presented to Cabinet before any proposal was finalised, as part of the National – ACT coalition agreement.

    Mr Brown says the school builds on the Government’s record investment in the health system and workforce.

    “Today’s announcement adds 120 doctor training places each year, starting in 2028 – a significant boost to our long-term pipeline of homegrown medical workforce.

    “This is on top of the 100 additional medical training places that are being added over the term of this Government across the University of Auckland and University of Otago.”

    Dr Reti says the decision represents a significant step forward for both the University of Waikato and the wider region.

    “This is a major milestone for the University and a real boost for tertiary education in the Waikato. 

    “It strengthens the University’s position as a leader in education, training, and research, and creates new academic and economic opportunities for Hamilton, the Waikato, and rural communities.

    “By expanding access to medical training, we’re creating new opportunities for students from across the region and beyond, while also helping to future-proof the local workforce.

    “This is exactly the kind of forward-thinking initiative this Government wants to see from our universities – investing in regional growth, building local capability, and delivering on the needs of rural communities.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: expert reaction to study on age of smartphone ownership and mental health outcomes

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    A study published in Journal of Human Development and Capabilities looks at the age of smartphone ownership and mental health outcomes.

    Prof Pete Etchells, Professor of Psychology and Science Communication, Bath Spa University, said:

    “It’s difficult to fully assess this study, as there are very limited methodological and analytical details provided. While we are given a generalised overview of the Global Mind Project, there is no standardised methods section detailing how variables of interest were measured or operationalised, no demographic information, and no detailed outline of the analytic methods used. This makes it hard to assess the quality of the research conducted. 

    “The study averages a wide range of factors relating to mental health into a single composite score, and correlates this what appears to be a self-report measure of age of first smartphone ownership. The findings suggest some sort of negative relationship – i.e. that the younger the initial age of smartphone ownership, the worse the composite mental health score is. However, it’s not clear from the reported data the strength of these relationships, nor why ownership at age 5-6 is compared with an averaged ownership between age 13-18. 

    “The study then moves on to talk about age of access to social media accounts and potential associations to factors such as poor family relationships and cyberbullying, although again it’s not clear how these were measured. A series of regression analyses are then put in the context of access to AI-power social media environments, but I don’t quite see what this means or how it was measured. Later, AI-powered digital environments are mentioned, which is again a different concept that isn’t clearly defined. 

    “Given the correlational nature of the study, along with unclear definitions of key variables of interest and lack of methodological details, I was therefore surprised to see the paper end with a series of digital policy recommendations for under-13s. While some of these (e.g. digital literacy training) are sensible, it is not clear how they are informed by the study itself. This appears to be another study in a long line of papers that are based on correlational self-report data, and I’m not convinced that more studies along these lines are adding anything new to our understanding of digital technology effects. There is a wealth of complex and interacting factors that will impact on the initial age of smartphone ownership, access to social media and mental health, but it’s not clear how these are accounted for in this study. I would therefore be reluctant to suggest that there are any useful policy implications for this work.”

    Prof Chris Ferguson, Professor of Psychology, Stetson University, said:

    “I honestly wasn’t at all impressed with this study.  First, the survey is both online and self-report, both qualities likely to bias the results.  I took the survey myself (so now I’m a participant, I guess) and found it to be crude.  The survey does not appear to be a well-validated clinical measure of mental health and there are no checks for unreliable responding.  Self-report measures of mental health are now well-known to be unreliable and these questions only touch on mental health in crude non-diagnostic ways.  Online samples are often unreliable, and don’t generalize to individuals who spend less time online.  The analyses are merely descriptive without proper controls.  The language of the study is inappropriately strong for such a crude correlational design lacking proper controls.”

    ‘Protecting the Developing Mind in a Digital Age: A Global Policy Imperative’ by Tara Thiagarajan et al. was published in Journal of Human Development and Capabilities at 5:01 UK time on Monday 21st July. 

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/19452829.2025.2518313

    Declared interests

    Prof Pete Etchells: Pete Etchells is the author of Unlocked: The Real Science of Screen Time (and how to spend it better).

    Prof Chris Ferguson: No conflicts of interest to declare.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI China: PLA honors 12 as ‘most beautiful revolutionary soldiers’ ahead of Army Day 2025-07-21 11:44:06 China has honored 12 military officers and soldiers as “the most beautiful revolutionary soldiers of the new era” as the country prepares to mark the 98th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Liberation Army on Aug 1.

    Source: People’s Republic of China – Ministry of National Defense

      By Jiang Chenglong

      China has honored 12 military officers and soldiers as “the most beautiful revolutionary soldiers of the new era” as the country prepares to mark the 98th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Liberation Army on Aug 1.

      The honorees were announced Sunday by the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Political Work Department of the Central Military Commission, state-run Xinhua News Agency reported.

      Among those recognized are Zhang Cancan, Ma Shaoli, Chen Siqi and Cui Daohu. The group includes outstanding soldiers rooted in grassroots units who contribute to building the military, as well as personnel trained in real combat scenarios and prepared to win on the battlefield, according to the report.

      The list also features research experts known for independent innovation, skilled craftsmen unafraid of hardship, and border guards dedicated to defending China’s frontiers.

      The report said the honorees faithfully carry out missions entrusted to them by the Party and the people, demonstrating the PLA’s strong political loyalty and its determination to overcome challenges.

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    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Starbucks China partners with Envision to reduce supply chain emissions

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

    Starbucks China announced a strategic partnership with green technology leader Envision Group on July 18 to develop a comprehensive carbon reduction model across the coffee chain’s supply network.

    Executives from Starbucks China and Envision Group pose during the announcement of their carbon reduction partnership at the third China International Supply Chain Expo in Beijing, July 18, 2025. [Photo courtesy of Starbucks China]

    The partnership, unveiled at the third China International Supply Chain Expo in Beijing, will use a digital carbon management platform to track emissions from Starbucks’ direct and indirect suppliers over the next three years. The platform aims to measure carbon footprints across thousands of Starbucks China products and then develop customized decarbonization strategies for suppliers throughout the supply chain.

    The collaboration expands an existing partnership between the companies focused on sustainable store operations. Starbucks China said the partnership reflects its long-term commitment to the Chinese market and shared development values.

    “After 26 years of deep roots in China, sustainability has become integral to every Starbucks store and every cup of coffee,” said Molly Liu, CEO of Starbucks China. “We look forward to collaborating in depth with Envision to move the supply chain behind our coffee toward sustainability together with Starbucks.”

    Liu said she hopes suppliers will apply decarbonization practices developed for Starbucks to broader operations, potentially driving green transformation across the food and beverage retail industry.

    “Today’s strategic partnership announcement represents our shared commitment to the planet’s future,” said Zhang Lei, Envision founder and chairman. “The warmth of coffee mirrors the warmth of technology. As a zero-carbon technology partner, Envision will help Starbucks build a greener, more sustainable supply chain to create a better world and more aromatic coffee.”

    The companies have already implemented sustainable technologies across more than 7,500 Starbucks stores in China. Starbucks stores nationwide use Envision’s smart IoT operating system to track energy consumption in real time. The system adjusts to individual store operations and peak business hours to optimize energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.

    At the Starbucks China Coffee Innovation Park in Kunshan, Jiangsu province, Envision installed a comprehensive zero-carbon energy system. The facility uses solar panels, energy storage technology, electric vehicle charging stations, and a digital energy management platform, combined with renewable electricity sourcing. The integrated systems aim to reduce energy consumption, lower operating costs and cut carbon emissions across the coffee innovation campus.

    The booth of Starbucks China at the third China International Supply Chain Expo in Beijing, July 18, 2025. [Photo/China.org.cn]

    Starbucks and Envision said the technology deployments at Starbucks facilities show how digital systems and green technology can transform supply chain operations, prompting the expanded partnership between the companies.

    Fu Baozong, deputy director of the International Cooperation Center at the National Development and Reform Commission, said he was pleased to see Starbucks partnering with Envision to establish a benchmark for green development through their supply chain decarbonization model.

    The partnership demonstrates the pivotal role of anchor enterprises in driving sustainable development, Fu said. He noted that under China’s carbon neutrality goals, all industries are pursuing green and low-carbon transformation.

    Suppliers account for about 70% of Starbucks’ total carbon emissions, making upstream supply chain decarbonization a critical challenge. Starbucks said it is addressing supply chain emissions while optimizing its own operations to lead industry-wide low-carbon transformation.

    Over the next three years, Starbucks and Envision will develop a supply chain carbon management platform for Starbucks China based on Envision’s EnOS Ark Carbon Management System. The platform will expand to all direct suppliers and key indirect suppliers, measuring carbon footprints across thousands of Starbucks products to create customized decarbonization plans.

    Starbucks will provide carbon emissions data across all operational areas for suppliers in food, dairy, logistics and packaging sectors, the company said.

    In dairy operations, which represent Starbucks’ largest emissions source, the company and Envision have developed a digital tool for sustainable dairy management in China. Pilot farms are implementing measures including renewable energy adoption, feed formula adjustments and precision feeding to manage carbon footprints and improve emission reduction strategies.

    The two companies said they hope their partnership will influence industry-wide decarbonization practices. Using models from their green stores and innovation park, Starbucks and Envision will share expertise with supply chain partners, the companies said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Government Defence Cuts – Govt wrong to cut another 255 civilian Defence jobs at time of rising risks

    Source: PSA

    – 255 civilian roles across NZDF to go
    – 10% of civilian workforce downsized in last year
    – Another 46 roles proposed to go
    The Government is fooling itself if cutting 10% of the civilian workforce is how you build a modern, combat ready defence force at a time of rising security risks.
    NZDF today confirmed final decisions that will see 255 roles cut across the force, making a total of one in ten roles axed in the last year (including voluntary redundancies). This is down from the original proposal of 347 roles in March. 46 further roles may go depending on the outcome of additional consultation.
    “This is incredibly shortsighted when a modern defence force needs a well-resourced civilian workforce to support our men and women in uniform,” said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
    The cuts include roles in the army, air force, strategy, health and safety, Defence College, Joint Defence Services, Joint Support Group, financial, Chief of Staff office and Veterans Affairs.
    “This is all about saving money, not strengthening security. It doesn’t make any sense when tensions are rising across the Asia Pacific area and in Europe. It was only a few months ago that a warship from China was in the Tasman Sea.”
    NZDF told staff today it  was facing a tough fiscal environment which has forced it to make deep cuts in a number of areas to save money including:
    • “cancelling some training activities and major exercises”
    • “reducing flying hours, sea days and other training”
    • “pausing property maintenance”
    “The Government is investing in military equipment and technology which is a good thing but is blind to the fact that civilian defence workers, like engineers, IT specialists and many others are needed to support this.
    “All these cuts to jobs will do is increase already heavy workloads, leading to more stress and burnout, and forcing those in uniform to pick up the work of the civilian workers. That is not what they signed up to do and won’t help NZDF improve retention.
    “Civilian workers are the backbone of Defence, yet the Government continues to disrespect their vital role. It’s the wrong choice.”
    Previous statement
    The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi is Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest trade union, representing and supporting more than 95,000 workers across central government, state-owned enterprises, local councils, health boards and community groups.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • Japan’s shaky government loses upper house control

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Japan’s ruling coalition lost control of the upper house in an election on Sunday, further weakening Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s grip on power even as he vowed to remain party leader, citing a looming tariff deadline with the United States.

    While the ballot does not directly determine whether Ishiba’s administration will fall, it heaps pressure on the embattled leader who also lost control of the more powerful lower house in October.

    Ishiba’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and coalition partner Komeito returned 47 seats, short of the 50 seats it needed to ensure a majority in the 248-seat upper chamber in an election where half the seats were up for grabs.

    That comes on top of its worst showing in 15 years in October’s lower house election, a vote which has left Ishiba’s administration vulnerable to no-confidence motions and calls from within his own party for leadership change.

    Speaking late on Sunday evening after exit polls closed, Ishiba told NHK he “solemnly” accepted the “harsh result”.

    “We are engaged in extremely critical tariff negotiations with the United States…we must never ruin these negotiations. It is only natural to devote our complete dedication and energy to realizing our national interests,” he later told TV Tokyo.

    Asked whether he intended to stay on as premier, he said “that’s right”.

    Japan, the world’s fourth largest economy, faces a deadline of August 1 to strike a trade deal with the United States or face punishing tariffs in its largest export market.

    The main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party finished second with 22 seats.

    Meanwhile, the far-right Sanseito party announced its arrival in mainstream politics, adding 14 seats to one elected previously. Launched on YouTube a few years ago, the populist party found wider appeal with its ‘Japanese First’ campaign and warnings about a “silent invasion” of foreigners.

    ‘HAMMERED HOME’

    Opposition parties advocating for tax cuts and welfare spending struck a chord with voters, as rising consumer prices – particularly a jump in the cost of rice – have sowed frustration at the government’s response.

    “The LDP was largely playing defence in this election, being on the wrong side of a key voter issue,” said David Boling, a director at consulting firm Eurasia Group.

    “Polls show that most households want a cut to the consumption tax to address inflation, something that the LDP opposes. Opposition parties seized on it and hammered that message home.”

    The LDP has been urging fiscal restraint, with one eye on a very jittery government bond market, as investors worry about Japan’s ability to refinance the world’s largest debt pile. Any concessions the LDP must now strike with opposition parties to pass policy will only further elevate those nerves, analysts say.

    “The ruling party will have to compromise in order to gain the cooperation of the opposition, and the budget will continue to expand,” said Yu Uchiyama, a politics professor at the University of Tokyo.

    “Overseas investors’ evaluation of the Japan economy will also be quite harsh.”

    Sanseito, which first emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic spreading conspiracy theories about vaccinations and a cabal of global elites, is among those advocating fiscal expansion.

    But it is its tough talk on immigration that has grabbed attention, dragging once-fringe political rhetoric into the mainstream.

    It remains to be seen whether the party can follow the path of other far-right parties with which it has drawn comparisons, such as Germany’s AfD and Reform UK.

    “I am attending graduate school but there are no Japanese around me. All of them are foreigners,” said Yu Nagai, a 25-year-old student who voted for Sanseito earlier on Sunday.

    “When I look at the way compensation and money are spent on foreigners, I think that Japanese people are a bit disrespected,” Nagai said after casting his ballot at a polling station in Tokyo’s Shinjuku ward.

    Japan, the world’s fastest aging society, saw foreign-born residents hit a record of about 3.8 million last year.

    That is still just 3% of the total population, a much smaller fraction than in the United States and Europe, but comes amid a tourism boom that has made foreigners far more visible across the country.

    (Reuters)

  • Parliament’s Monsoon Session to begin today amid opposition heat over Operation Sindoor, electoral roll row

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Monsoon Session of Parliament is set to begin on Monday, marking the first sitting since Operation Sindoor, India’s precision airstrikes targeting terror camps in Pakistan in the wake of the deadly Pahalgam terror attack. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address both Houses before proceedings officially commence.

    The session, running from July 21 to August 21, will include 21 sittings over 32 days. Both Houses will be adjourned from August 12 to August 17 for Independence Day celebrations and reconvene on August 18.

    This session is set against a tense political backdrop, with the Opposition demanding answers on several key national issues. Chief among them is Operation Sindoor, launched following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people, most of them tourists. The Opposition is pressing for a detailed statement from the Prime Minister and clarity on the operation’s strategic objectives and aftermath. Additionally, it has called on the government to respond to U.S. President Donald Trump’s repeated claims of mediating peace between India and Pakistan — a claim New Delhi has consistently denied.

    Another issue expected to dominate the debate is the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar. Opposition parties have raised concerns over the timing and transparency of the exercise, alleging that it is a politically motivated move to influence the upcoming state elections. The government has denied these allegations, stating that the revision is part of routine electoral procedures.

    Despite these contentious matters, the government is prepared to push ahead with an ambitious legislative agenda. Several key bills are slated for introduction, including legislation on GST reforms, amendments to taxation laws, public trust regulation, sports governance, ports and minerals management, and the preservation of geo-heritage sites. A parliamentary panel report on the proposed Income Tax Bill, 2025, is also scheduled to be tabled in the Lok Sabha, signaling a possible overhaul of the country’s tax framework.

    Adding to the already weighty agenda, Parliament is also expected to take up a proposal concerning the removal of a judge, further heightening political sensitivities during the session.

    In a high-level all-party meeting held on Sunday, chaired by Union Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda and convened by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, 54 leaders from 40 political parties discussed the agenda and key concerns for the session. Rijiju reiterated the government’s commitment to discussing all issues of national importance, including Operation Sindoor, within the rules and conventions of Parliament.

    “We are very open to a discussion on important issues like Operation Sindoor. These are issues of great national importance. The government is not shying away and will never shy away, but is open to discussions within rules and conventions,” said Rijiju.

    (With agencies inputs)

  • Ceasefire Holds in Syria After Deadly Sectarian Clashes

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    A tenuous ceasefire has taken hold in Syria’s Suwayda province after a week of sectarian violence between Druze fighters, Bedouin tribes, and government forces, which killed over 800 people, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR). Announced by President Ahmed al-Sharaa on July 19, the truce is holding, with security forces deployed to enforce peace and oversee the withdrawal of Bedouin fighters from Suwayda city. The conflict began on July 13, triggered by the abduction of a Druze merchant on the Damascus highway, escalating tensions in the Druze-majority province. Government forces, accused of siding with Bedouin fighters and committing abuses against Druze civilians, intensified the clashes. Israel responded with airstrikes on Syrian military targets, citing protection of the Druze minority.

    A US-brokered ceasefire between Syria and Israel on July 18, followed by al-Sharaa’s comprehensive truce, has shown progress. Druze leader Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri endorsed the agreement, calling for safe passage for Bedouin fighters and humanitarian aid for civilians. While earlier ceasefires failed, the latest has seen Bedouin fighters leave Suwayda city, with security checkpoints established.

    Skepticism persists among some Druze leaders, wary of the government’s Sunni Islamist leanings. The UN and international actors, including the US and EU, welcomed the ceasefire but urged accountability for reported atrocities, including executions. The violence displaced many, with Suwayda’s hospitals overwhelmed, reporting over 300 casualties since last Monday.

    Israel targeted the Syrian Defense Ministry headquarters and a site near the presidential palace, marking a rare escalation. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned of ‘painful blows’ if Syrian forces did not withdraw from the south President al-Sharaa’s interim government, in power since ousting Bashar al-Assad in 2024, faces challenges in unifying Syria’s diverse groups. The ceasefire’s success depends on enforcing security and addressing sectarian grievances to prevent further unrest.

  • MIL-OSI Russia: In the first half of 2025, more than 20 million tons of cargo were imported and exported through the Khorgos checkpoint

    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

    URUMQI, July 21 (Xinhua) — The volume of import and export cargo through Horgos Port in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region totaled 22.255 million tons in January-June 2025, up 4.3 percent year on year, according to Horgos Customs.

    In this indicator, Khorgos ranked first among all checkpoints in Xinjiang.

    The imported goods mainly included electromechanical products, raw copper and copper materials, agricultural products, foodstuffs, metal ore, concentrate, etc., of which the most notable increase was in the volume of trade in imported food products. And the range of export goods mainly included new energy vehicles, electromechanical products, new and high-tech products, clothing, textiles, etc.

    Located on the China-Kazakhstan border, Horgos Port is the country’s first-class land port with the longest history and the largest total volume of cargo in western China. Through the implementation of a series of reform measures at the road and rail ports, Horgos Port continues to improve the efficiency of customs clearance.

    In the first half of this year, the volume of import and export of goods through the Khorgos railway checkpoint reached 6.923 million tons, an increase of 22 percent year-on-year. -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-OSI Russia: 14 people killed when shift bus overturned in Yakutia

    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

    Vladivostok, July 21 /Xinhua/ – Fourteen people were killed when a shift bus overturned in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), TASS reported on Monday, citing the press service of the Interior Ministry for the republic.

    The car accident occurred on Monday at about 03:20 local time on the technological highway of JSC GOK Denisovsky. The driver of the Nefaz 4208-34 vehicle drove off the road, causing the vehicle to overturn from a height of about 25 meters. There were about 36 people on the bus. As a result of the accident, 14 people died, 7 were injured and hospitalized.

    Work to eliminate the consequences of the accident continues. –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-OSI Russia: China raises emergency response level for Typhoon Wipha in Guangdong, Hainan

    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 21 (Xinhua) — China’s National Flood and Drought Control Headquarters on Sunday raised the flood and typhoon response in the southern provinces of Guangdong and Hainan to Level 3 in response to Typhoon Wipha.

    The Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region remains in a Level 4 emergency response mode due to the typhoon.

    According to meteorologists, heavy rains are likely in some areas of Hainan and Guangdong provinces from Sunday to Monday.

    Meanwhile, central authorities including the National Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Commission, the Ministry of Emergency Management and the State Food and Material Administration have sent a batch of relief supplies to Guangdong and Hainan. The supplies include 33,000 items such as folding beds, blankets and lamps.

    China has a four-tier emergency response system, with tier one being the most serious. -0-

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

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Number of certified civil airports in China rises to 263 – China’s transport minister

    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 21 (Xinhua) — The number of certified civil airports in China will increase to 263 by the end of 2024, up 22 airports compared with the end of the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-2020), Transport Minister Liu Wei said at a press conference on Monday. -0-

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

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Final register of voters released

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The 2025 final register of voters for Election Committee subsectors (ECSSs) was released today.

    The Registration & Electoral Office said the final register contains 3,310 individual voters and 5,567 corporate voters, adding up to a total of 8,877 voters.

    Registered voters in contested subsectors can vote in the 2025 ECSS By-elections on September 7 to elect Election Committee member(s) in their subsectors.

    Registered individual and corporate voters can check their own registration particulars through “iAM Smart” or the voter registration website.

    Relevant statistical information has been uploaded to the voter registration website.

    A notice on the inspection of the final register of voters for ECSSs was published in the Government Gazette today.

    Under the law, a copy of the final register containing entries relating to individual voters can only be shown in accordance with statutory requirements, and made available for inspection by specified persons only.

    A copy of the final register containing only corporate voters may be inspected by any member of the public.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Hobart man charged with trafficking significant amount of ice and cocaine

    Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

    Hobart man charged with trafficking significant amount of ice and cocaine

    Monday, 21 July 2025 – 1:59 pm.

    Police have charged a 29-year-old Hobart man with trafficking and importing illicit drugs into Tasmania after intercepting a vehicle exiting the Spirit of Tasmania in Devonport on Sunday.
    In a subsequent search of the vehicle, police located and seized three kilograms of ice, two kilograms of cocaine, two vials of testosterone, 30 capsules of steroids and 40 oxycodone tablets. 
    As a result, the man has been charged with trafficking a controlled substance, unlawful importation of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled drug, and dealing with property which subsequently becomes an instrument of crime.
    He has been detained to appear in the Devonport Magistrates Court later today.
    Detective Inspector Michelle Elmer said the drugs seized were highly addictive and have the potential to do significant harm in our community.
    “The methylamphetamine seized has the potential to be broken into 30,000 individual street deals, while the cocaine could result in 10,000 individual deals,” she said.
    Tasmania Police will continue to target offenders who attempt to import illicit substances into Tasmania by conducting both targeted and random screenings of people entering our state by sea and airports. 
    Anyone with information about illicit substances in our community is urged to contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or at crimestopperstas.com.au. Information can be provided anonymously.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Money Market Operations as on July 18, 2025

    Source: Reserve Bank of India
    (Amount in ₹ crore, Rate in Per cent)
      Volume
    (One Leg)    		 Weighted
    Average Rate    		 Range
    A. Overnight Segment (I+II+III+IV) 7,138.57 5.28 4.50-6.30
         I. Call Money 1,238.40 5.11 4.75-5.40
         II. Triparty Repo 3,345.50 5.22 5.00-5.30
         III. Market Repo 140.12 4.76 4.50-5.00
         IV. Repo in Corporate Bond 2,414.55 5.47 5.40-6.30
    B. Term Segment      
         I. Notice Money** 15,023.65 5.35 4.75-5.45
         II. Term Money@@ 596.00 – 5.35-5.70
         III. Triparty Repo 3,98,881.50 5.31 5.20-5.43
         IV. Market Repo 1,84,937.94 5.36 5.00-5.60
         V. Repo in Corporate Bond 0.00 – –
      Auction Date Tenor (Days) Maturity Date Amount Current Rate /
    Cut off Rate
    C. Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF), Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) & Standing Deposit Facility (SDF)
    I. Today’s Operations
    1. Fixed Rate          
    2. Variable Rate&          
      (I) Main Operation          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
      (II) Fine Tuning Operations          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo Fri, 18/07/2025 7 Fri, 25/07/2025 2,00,027.00 5.49
    3. MSF# Fri, 18/07/2025 1 Sat, 19/07/2025 151.00 5.75
      Fri, 18/07/2025 2 Sun, 20/07/2025 0.00 5.75
      Fri, 18/07/2025 3 Mon, 21/07/2025 800.00 5.75
    4. SDFΔ# Fri, 18/07/2025 1 Sat, 19/07/2025 1,13,210.00 5.25
      Fri, 18/07/2025 2 Sun, 20/07/2025 0.00 5.25
      Fri, 18/07/2025 3 Mon, 21/07/2025 3,380.00 5.25
    5. Net liquidity injected from today’s operations [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*       -3,15,666.00  
    II. Outstanding Operations
    1. Fixed Rate          
    2. Variable Rate&          
      (I) Main Operation          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
      (II) Fine Tuning Operations          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
    3. MSF#          
    4. SDFΔ#          
    D. Standing Liquidity Facility (SLF) Availed from RBI$       6,150.48  
    E. Net liquidity injected from outstanding operations [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*     6,150.48  
    F. Net liquidity injected (outstanding including today’s operations) [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*     -3,09,515.52  
    G. Cash Reserves Position of Scheduled Commercial Banks          
         (i) Cash balances with RBI as on July 18, 2025 9,91,739.51  
         (ii) Average daily cash reserve requirement for the fortnight ending July 25, 2025 9,63,288.00  
    H. Government of India Surplus Cash Balance Reckoned for Auction as on¥ July 18, 2025 0.00  
    I. Net durable liquidity [surplus (+)/deficit (-)] as on June 27, 2025 5,79,904.00  

    @ Based on Reserve Bank of India (RBI) / Clearing Corporation of India Limited (CCIL).

    – Not Applicable / No Transaction.

    ** Relates to uncollateralized transactions of 2 to 14 days tenor.

    @@ Relates to uncollateralized transactions of 15 days to one year tenor.

    $ Includes refinance facilities extended by RBI.

    * Net liquidity is calculated as Repo+MSF+SLF-Reverse Repo-SDF.

    Ajit Prasad          
    Deputy General Manager
    (Communications)    

    Press Release: 2025-2026/744

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Innovation and optimisation to improve medicines access

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Associate Health Minister David Seymour has today announced more clear expectations for Pharmac to innovate and optimise to further build on expectations set last year; to deliver the medicines and medical technology that Kiwis need. 

    “Increasing medicines access is one of my greatest priorities. For many New Zealanders, funding for pharmaceuticals is life or death, or the difference between a life of pain and suffering or living freely,” Mr Seymour says.  

    Since my last letter of expectations Pharmac has:

    • Improved overall consultation
    • Added additional consultation to the annual tender process
    • Changed funding criteria based on public feedback, such as the decision to fund two types of oestradiol patches
    • Appointed Natalie McMurtry as the incoming Chief Executive to cement positive change, and continue to move towards a more transparent, inclusive, and people-focused organisation
    • Conducted, and published a report on, the Consumer Engagement Workshop to help reset the Patient-Pharmac relationship
    • Appointed a Consumer Working Group to help reset the Patient-Pharmac relationship
    • Funded access to 66 additional medicines using the Government’s $604 million budget boost over four years which will benefit over 200,000 New Zealanders

    “This is a good start. My letter of expectations for this year makes it very clear that there is still more work to be done. I expect this positive culture shift to continue,” Mr Seymour says. 

    “Pharmac must modernise, or it will fall behind. It needs to adopt faster, smarter processes and explore the use of AI to lift performance.”

    My expectations for this year are that Pharmac should: 

    • Explore how it can optimise medicines assessment and procurement processes to make them more efficient
    • Explore ways to utilise AI to make their processes more efficient
    • Consider the fiscal impacts to the government of funding medicines and medical devices, including costs of societal impacts of funding or not funding a medicine or medical device
    • Be more proactive in engaging with stakeholders
    • Look for new and additional funding opportunities for medicines and medical devices
    • Publish measurable performance metrics and timely decisions to increase transparency
    • Continue to involve patients early in the process and engage with them meaningfully

    “We’re committed to ensuring that the regulatory system for pharmaceuticals is not unreasonably holding back access. It will lead to more Kiwis being able to access the medicines they need to live a fulfilling life,” Mr Seymour says. 

    “I am looking forward to continuing to work with Pharmac as we continue to ensure Kiwis get timely access to medicines and medical devices.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Traffic Arrangements On 23 July At Tuas Second Link Due To Singapore-Malaysia Chemical Spill Exercise

    Source: Government of Singapore

    Lane closures and traffic diversion from 5am to 2pm

    Singapore, 21 July 2025 – As part of the bilateral cooperation programme under the Malaysia-Singapore Joint Committee on the Environment (MSJCE), the National Environment Agency (NEA), Singapore, and the Department of Environment (DOE), Malaysia, together with several other agencies, will be holding a chemical spill emergency response exercise on Wednesday, 23 July 2025, at the Tuas Second Link from 5.00am to 2.00pm.

    2               During the period of the exercise, all three lanes on the Singapore to Malaysia-bound carriageway on the Tuas Second Link will be closed to vehicular traffic. Motorists travelling towards Malaysia will be diverted to a lane on the opposite carriageway instead. Motorists should plan their journey in advance and closely follow the traffic marshals’ directions on site. Where possible, motorists are advised to avoid the Tuas Second Link when the exercise is ongoing and use the Woodlands Checkpoint during this period. Motorists are also advised to tune in to the Singapore radio stations for traffic updates.

    3               The exercise will simulate the emergency response to a multi-vehicle collision along the Tuas Second Link involving trucks carrying chemicals. The public is advised not to be alarmed.

     

    ~~ End ~~

     

    For more information, please submit your enquiries electronically via the Online Feedback Form or myENV mobile application.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • Israeli fire kills 67 people seeking aid in Gaza, medics say, as hunger worsens

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    At least 67 Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire as they waited for U.N. aid trucks in northern Gaza on Sunday, the Gaza health ministry said, as Israel issued new evacuation orders for areas packed with displaced people.

    The ministry said dozens of people were also wounded in the incident in northern Gaza. It was one of the highest reported death tolls among repeated recent cases in which aid seekers have been killed, including 36 on Saturday. Another six people were killed near another aid site in the south, it said.

    Israel’s military said its troops had fired warning shots towards a crowd of thousands of people in northern Gaza on Sunday to remove what it said was “an immediate threat”.

    It said initial findings suggested reported casualty figures were inflated, and it “certainly does not intentionally target humanitarian aid trucks”.

    It did not immediately comment on the incident in the south.

    The U.N. World Food Programme (WFP) said that shortly after entering Gaza, a WFP convoy of 25 trucks carrying food aid encountered “massive crowds of hungry civilians” who then came under gunfire.

    “WFP reiterates that any violence involving civilians seeking humanitarian aid is completely unacceptable,” it said in a statement.

    A Hamas official told Reuters that the militant group was angered over the mounting deaths and the hunger crisis in the enclave, and that this could badly affect ceasefire talks underway in Qatar.

    In total, health authorities said 90 people had been killed by Israeli gunfire and airstrikes across the enclave on Sunday.

    DISPLACED GAZANS EVACUATE

    After Israel’s military dropped leaflets urging people to evacuate from neighbourhoods in central Gaza’s Deir al-Balah, residents said Israeli planes struck three houses in the area.

    Dozens of families began leaving their homes, carrying some of their belongings. Hundreds of thousands of displaced Gazans have been sheltering in the Deir al-Balah area.

    Israel’s military said it had not entered the districts subject to the evacuation order during the current conflict and that it was continuing “to operate with great force to destroy the enemy’s capabilities and terrorist infrastructure in the area”.

    Israeli sources have said the reason the army has so far stayed out is because they suspect Hamas might be holding hostages there. At least 20 of the remaining 50 hostages in captivity in Gaza are believed to still be alive.

    Hostage families demanded an explanation from the army.

    “Can anyone (promise) to us that this decision will not come at the cost of losing our loved ones?” the families said in a statement.

    ACCELERATING STARVATION

    Much of Gaza has been reduced to a wasteland during more than 21 months of war and there are fears of accelerating starvation.

    Palestinian health officials said hundreds of people could soon die as hospitals were inundated with patients suffering from dizziness and exhaustion due to the scarcity of food and a collapse in aid deliveries.

    “We warn that hundreds of people whose bodies have wasted away are at risk of imminent death due to hunger,” said the health ministry, which is controlled by Hamas.

    The United Nations also said on Sunday that civilians were starving and needed an urgent influx of aid.

    Pope Leo called for an end to the “barbarity of war” as he spoke of his profound pain over an Israeli strike on the sole Catholic church in Gaza that killed three people on Thursday.

    Gaza residents said it was becoming impossible to find essential food such as flour. The health ministry said at least 71 children had died of malnutrition during the war, and 60,000 others were suffering from symptoms of malnutrition.

    Later on Sunday, it said 18 people have died of hunger in the past 24 hours.

    Food prices have increased well beyond what most of the population of more than two million can afford.

    Several people who spoke to Reuters via chat apps said they either had one meal or no meal in the past 24 hours.

    “As a father, I wake up in the early morning to look for food, for even a loaf of bread for my five children, but all in vain,” said Ziad, a nurse.

    “People who didn’t die of bombs will die of hunger. We want an end to this war now, a truce, even for two months,” he told Reuters.

    Others said they felt dizzy walking in the streets and that many fainted as they walked. Fathers leave tents to avoid questions by their children about what to eat.

    UNRWA, the U.N. refugee agency dedicated to Palestinians, demanded Israel allow more aid trucks into Gaza, saying it had enough food for the entire population for over three months which was not allowed in.

    Israel’s military said that it “views the transfer of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip as a matter of utmost importance, and works to enable and facilitate its entry in coordination with the international community”.

    TRUCE TALKS

    Some Palestinians suggested the move on Deir al-Balah might be an attempt to put pressure on Hamas to make more concessions in long-running ceasefire negotiations.

    Israel and Hamas are engaged in indirect talks in Doha aimed at reaching a 60-day truce and hostage deal, although there has been no sign of breakthrough.

    The war began when Hamas-led militants stormed into Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages back to Gaza.

    The Israeli military campaign against Hamas in Gaza has since killed more than 58,000 Palestinians, according to health officials, displaced almost the entire population and plunged the enclave into a humanitarian crisis.

    (Reuters)

  • Israeli fire kills 67 people seeking aid in Gaza, medics say, as hunger worsens

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    At least 67 Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire as they waited for U.N. aid trucks in northern Gaza on Sunday, the Gaza health ministry said, as Israel issued new evacuation orders for areas packed with displaced people.

    The ministry said dozens of people were also wounded in the incident in northern Gaza. It was one of the highest reported death tolls among repeated recent cases in which aid seekers have been killed, including 36 on Saturday. Another six people were killed near another aid site in the south, it said.

    Israel’s military said its troops had fired warning shots towards a crowd of thousands of people in northern Gaza on Sunday to remove what it said was “an immediate threat”.

    It said initial findings suggested reported casualty figures were inflated, and it “certainly does not intentionally target humanitarian aid trucks”.

    It did not immediately comment on the incident in the south.

    The U.N. World Food Programme (WFP) said that shortly after entering Gaza, a WFP convoy of 25 trucks carrying food aid encountered “massive crowds of hungry civilians” who then came under gunfire.

    “WFP reiterates that any violence involving civilians seeking humanitarian aid is completely unacceptable,” it said in a statement.

    A Hamas official told Reuters that the militant group was angered over the mounting deaths and the hunger crisis in the enclave, and that this could badly affect ceasefire talks underway in Qatar.

    In total, health authorities said 90 people had been killed by Israeli gunfire and airstrikes across the enclave on Sunday.

    DISPLACED GAZANS EVACUATE

    After Israel’s military dropped leaflets urging people to evacuate from neighbourhoods in central Gaza’s Deir al-Balah, residents said Israeli planes struck three houses in the area.

    Dozens of families began leaving their homes, carrying some of their belongings. Hundreds of thousands of displaced Gazans have been sheltering in the Deir al-Balah area.

    Israel’s military said it had not entered the districts subject to the evacuation order during the current conflict and that it was continuing “to operate with great force to destroy the enemy’s capabilities and terrorist infrastructure in the area”.

    Israeli sources have said the reason the army has so far stayed out is because they suspect Hamas might be holding hostages there. At least 20 of the remaining 50 hostages in captivity in Gaza are believed to still be alive.

    Hostage families demanded an explanation from the army.

    “Can anyone (promise) to us that this decision will not come at the cost of losing our loved ones?” the families said in a statement.

    ACCELERATING STARVATION

    Much of Gaza has been reduced to a wasteland during more than 21 months of war and there are fears of accelerating starvation.

    Palestinian health officials said hundreds of people could soon die as hospitals were inundated with patients suffering from dizziness and exhaustion due to the scarcity of food and a collapse in aid deliveries.

    “We warn that hundreds of people whose bodies have wasted away are at risk of imminent death due to hunger,” said the health ministry, which is controlled by Hamas.

    The United Nations also said on Sunday that civilians were starving and needed an urgent influx of aid.

    Pope Leo called for an end to the “barbarity of war” as he spoke of his profound pain over an Israeli strike on the sole Catholic church in Gaza that killed three people on Thursday.

    Gaza residents said it was becoming impossible to find essential food such as flour. The health ministry said at least 71 children had died of malnutrition during the war, and 60,000 others were suffering from symptoms of malnutrition.

    Later on Sunday, it said 18 people have died of hunger in the past 24 hours.

    Food prices have increased well beyond what most of the population of more than two million can afford.

    Several people who spoke to Reuters via chat apps said they either had one meal or no meal in the past 24 hours.

    “As a father, I wake up in the early morning to look for food, for even a loaf of bread for my five children, but all in vain,” said Ziad, a nurse.

    “People who didn’t die of bombs will die of hunger. We want an end to this war now, a truce, even for two months,” he told Reuters.

    Others said they felt dizzy walking in the streets and that many fainted as they walked. Fathers leave tents to avoid questions by their children about what to eat.

    UNRWA, the U.N. refugee agency dedicated to Palestinians, demanded Israel allow more aid trucks into Gaza, saying it had enough food for the entire population for over three months which was not allowed in.

    Israel’s military said that it “views the transfer of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip as a matter of utmost importance, and works to enable and facilitate its entry in coordination with the international community”.

    TRUCE TALKS

    Some Palestinians suggested the move on Deir al-Balah might be an attempt to put pressure on Hamas to make more concessions in long-running ceasefire negotiations.

    Israel and Hamas are engaged in indirect talks in Doha aimed at reaching a 60-day truce and hostage deal, although there has been no sign of breakthrough.

    The war began when Hamas-led militants stormed into Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages back to Gaza.

    The Israeli military campaign against Hamas in Gaza has since killed more than 58,000 Palestinians, according to health officials, displaced almost the entire population and plunged the enclave into a humanitarian crisis.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI China: China has over 1.12B internet users

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

    An AIGC interactive installation is pictured at Zhongguancun International Innovation Center, venue for the 2025 Zhongguancun Forum (ZGC Forum), in Beijing, capital of China, March 26, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    China has more than 1.12 billion internet users as of June 2025, according to a report released by the China Internet Network Information Center Monday.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Six arrested over lead found in kids’ meals

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

    Police in northwestern China have arrested six suspects after more than 200 children were found to have high levels of lead in their blood at a privately run kindergarten, authorities said.

    Seventeen officials have also been placed under disciplinary investigation, and 10 others, including senior health and education officials in Tianshui city and its Maiji district, Gansu province, face formal accountability procedures, according to a report released on Sunday.

    Investigators found the lead exposure came from food prepared at the Peixin Kindergarten, not from environmental contamination. Tests of air, water and soil in the area found no lead pollution.

    The arrests come after eight people were initially held for questioning earlier this month while investigations were ongoing. Among those detained were cooks, management and an investor at the kindergarten.

    On Sunday, officials revealed in a report that six had been arrested on suspicion of producing toxic and harmful food.

    The case came to light on July 1, when market regulators and police in Maiji district received reports of abnormal blood lead levels among children at Peixin. All 251 children enrolled were examined, and 233 were found to have elevated lead levels. At least 201 children were hospitalized for treatment.

    The incident has sparked widespread concern due to the harmful effects of long-term lead exposure on children. The World Health Organization lists lead among the top 10 toxic substances of public health concern.

    A joint investigation team tested 232 samples, including raw materials, cooked food and water from Peixin. Authorities found that the kindergarten’s management had instructed staff to add brightly colored but inedible industrial pigments to foods such as corn rolls and jujube cakes (steamed buns), to make them look more appealing to children and parents.

    Two samples from Peixin — a tricolor red date sponge cake served at breakfast and a corn roll with sausage served at dinner — failed to meet food safety standards. The samples contained lead levels of 1,052 milligrams per kilogram and 1,340 milligrams per kilogram, respectively, far above the national limit of 0.5 milligram per kilogram.

    Authorities said the kindergarten was operating without a license and that local education and market supervision departments failed to carry out oversight. Some officials are suspected of accepting bribes and favors from the kindergarten’s investor. Disciplinary and criminal investigations have been launched against officials, including the head of the provincial health commission and the mayor of Tianshui.

    Health authorities said all affected children received treatment, with nearly all now discharged after their blood lead levels dropped by around 40 percent on average. The government is covering medical costs and has set up a monitoring program to track the children’s recovery.

    The Gansu provincial government issued a public apology, pledging “zero tolerance” for regulatory failures and promising to strengthen food safety and health oversight in schools across the province.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Russia says open to talks with Ukraine, but insists on its goals

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

    Russia is ready to move quickly toward a settlement on Ukraine, but the main objective is to achieve its goals, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Sunday.

    President Vladimir Putin “has repeatedly spoken of his desire to bring the Ukrainian settlement to a peaceful conclusion as soon as possible,” Peskov told state television in an interview. “This is a long process, it requires effort, and it is not easy.”

    “Our goals are clear, they are obvious, they do not change,” he added.

    Russian officials have said repeatedly that any peace deal hinges on Ukraine withdrawing forces from four regions, renouncing its NATO bid and halting NATO troop deployments.

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Saturday that his officials have proposed holding a new round of peace talks with Moscow this week. “Everything should be done to achieve a ceasefire,” he said in his evening address to the nation.

    On July 14, U.S. President Donald Trump, during a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in the Oval Office, said the United States will send weapons to Ukraine through NATO, and threatened “severe tariffs” targeting Russia if a ceasefire deal is not reached in 50 days.

    Russia rejected Trump’s 50-day ultimatum, dismissing the threat as unacceptable. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: L’Oréal debuts at China Intl Supply Chain Expo, signs cooperation deal

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

    L’Oréal participated as the only multinational beauty company at the third China International Supply Chain Expo in Beijing last week, showcasing supply chain innovations under the theme “Connected with Beauty.”

    Lan Zhenzhen, president of public affairs for L’Oréal North Asia and China, speaks at the opening of the L’Oréal booth during the third China International Supply Chain Expo in Beijing, July 17, 2025. [Photo courtesy of L’Oréal]

    “A high-quality supply chain resembles a grand symphony that requires collective participation and multi-party collaboration to create perfect harmony,” said Lan Zhenzhen, president of public affairs for L’Oréal North Asia and China, on Thursday.

    Lan said supply chains create “bonds of empathy” and “shared success,” pointing to L’Oréal’s partnerships with more than 1,600 Chinese suppliers that drive employment, advance sustainability and bring Chinese innovations to global markets.

    During the expo, L’Oréal and the China Association for Bar Code Technology and Application announced a strategic partnership to collaborate on cosmetic QR code technology development, talent training and global digital transformation. The cooperation will advance industry-wide QR code standardization and promote China’s technical expertise globally, they said.

    Representatives from L’Oréal and the China Association for Bar Code Technology and Application sign an agreement at the L’Oréal booth during the third China International Supply Chain Expo in Beijing, July 17, 2025. [Photo courtesy of L’Oréal]

    Kong Hongliang, chairman of the China Association for Bar Code Technology and Application, said the collaboration will focus on improving and globally promoting the cosmetics QR code standard system, establishing a digital system covering the entire industrial chain to enhance supply chain efficiency and accelerating industry visualization to build a “one-code traceability” trust system.

    The partnership represents an upgraded collaboration following the organizations’ 2023 joint development and release of QR code representation standards for cosmetic retail units. Since publication, the standards have been widely adopted by companies implementing digital upgrades, the association said.

    “This partnership not only deepens standard co-development but marks a milestone in global cosmetic supply chain digital transformation,” Kong said.

    The L’Oréal booth at the third China International Supply Chain Expo. [Photo courtesy of L’Oréal]

    At its booth, L’Oréal displayed three sections showcasing its consumer-focused supply chain system, collaborative achievements with partners, and extensions of local partnerships to international markets.

    L’Oréal operates 32 beauty brands in China through two production centers, one operations hub, one research and development center, one packaging facility, and a logistics network spanning more than 20 regional distribution centers serving over 100 million consumers, the company said.

    L’Oréal China said every job it creates generates 20 additional positions across its value chain, including raw material procurement, logistics and beauty services.

    The company’s Big Bang Beauty Tech Innovation Program has engaged more than 2,240 firms, while driving over 95% of its Chinese suppliers to participate in carbon disclosure and sustainability assessments.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Wacker demos EV battery gear, AI cooling tech at supply chain expo

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

    A view of Wacker’s exhibition stand at the third China International Supply Chain Expo in Beijing, July 17, 2025. [Photo by Xu Xiaoxuan/China.org.cn]

    German chemical company Wacker Chemie AG showcased four new technologies for electric vehicles and data centers at its debut appearance at the China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE) in Beijing last week.

    “Wacker’s debut at CISCE features our latest products and technical solutions developed to support industrial development in China,” said Alvin Hu, president of Wacker China.

    “We remain firmly committed to long-term investment in the Chinese market and believe the expo serves as a vital platform for Wacker to collaborate with Chinese partners, drive innovation and shape future cooperation,” Hu added.

    Wacker unveiled a new flame-retardant silicone rubber developed to protect EV battery components. The material transforms into ceramic at extreme temperatures of 1,000 degrees Celsius, creating a barrier that blocks flame spread while maintaining insulation.

    The company also showcased a thermal interface material for automotive semiconductor packaging. The material withstands temperature swings from minus 40 C to 180 C and maintains stable performance under prolonged high-temperature conditions.

    “As a global leader in silicone manufacturing, Wacker has long been dedicated to the automotive sector, continuously advancing silicone applications in new energy vehicles to support the industry’s transformation,” said Rick Wu, vice president of Construction and Coatings at Wacker Silicones and vice president of Wacker China. 

    Wu said the company plans to collaborate closely with partners across China’s thriving new energy vehicle supply chain to provide materials and solutions for sustainable market growth.

    The company is also targeting China’s booming data center market with silicone-based immersion cooling fluids developed by its Chinese research team. The technology addresses overheating problems in AI servers that traditional air-cooling systems struggle to solve.

    Liu Xuelin, vice president of Wacker China, said the company’s products and technologies are widely used across emerging industries, and that Wacker will use the CISCE platform to explore new applications in China’s industrial sectors and seek partnerships for growth.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Qinghai-Tibet Plateau a timeless magnet for travelers

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

    Dressed in vibrant outfits, Li Xiaochao and her daughter beamed at the camera, joyfully exclaiming, “We’re at Namtso, and we’re so excited!” The dazzling blue lake shimmered behind them, framed by the snow-capped Mount Nyainqentanglha.

    Located in southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region, Namtso Lake is regarded by Tibetans as the “heavenly lake.” Standing at an elevation of 4,718 meters, it is the highest saltwater lake in the world.

    Traveling all the way from Cangzhou in north China’s Hebei Province, Li and her group spent the past week exploring some of Xizang’s most famous landmarks, including the Jokhang Temple, Potala Palace, the Yarlung Zangbo River Grand Canyon, and the Mount Qomolangma scenic area.

    “This is actually my second time in Xizang, and my first visit was back in 2008,” Li said.

    “The changes over the past 17 years have been incredible. The development here has been rapid, the locals are as warm and welcoming as ever, and the infrastructure has improved tremendously. Even after all these years, my experience this time has been just as wonderful,” she added.

    Renowned for its breathtaking scenery, Namtso Lake attracted 5.11 million domestic and international tourists between 2014 and 2024.

    “As of mid-July this year, we have welcomed about 150,000 tourists,” said Zhang Longquan, chairman of the Namtso Lake scenic area protection and development company, noting that the company’s revenue has boosted local livelihoods by creating jobs, such as hiring herdsmen to provide horses and yaks for tourists, and by distributing dividends to them.

    “I earn about 9,000 yuan (about 1,259 U.S. dollars) per month without having to work far from home,” said Sigya, 26, a resident of a nearby village.

    To better protect the lake’s ecosystem, the company has upgraded the surrounding infrastructure, including introducing eco-friendly public toilets and electric sightseeing buses. “Wildlife diversity in the area has significantly increased in recent years,” Zhang said.

    About 500 km away, the Sapukonglagabo Mountain scenic area in Biru County, Nagqu City, is famous for its magnificent snow-capped mountains, spectacular glaciers, and abundant wildlife. Its main peak soars to nearly 7,000 meters above sea level.

    Wang Liming and her family, who have been on a road trip through several provinces, arrived at the scenic area on Saturday.

    “Despite the challenges of altitude sickness, the stunning landscapes of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau always leave us in awe. The climate here is wonderful and the intangible cultural heritage performances by Tibetan artists are truly unique,” said Wang, who comes from northeast China’s Liaoning Province. “The exhaustion of the long drive was absolutely worth it.”

    Drolma, a local resident of Biru County, spent her weekend picnicking with family in the scenic area. “We are so happy to see more tourists from home and abroad visiting Xizang. Many locals have jumped on the tourism bandwagon, increasing their incomes as the industry grows,” she added.

    “The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, known as ‘world’s third pole,’ spans vast regions including Xizang and Qinghai Province, boasting unique natural resources and magnificent landscapes that have long captivated global travelers,” said Luo Hui, an associate researcher of the China Tibetology Research Center.

    “In recent years, the central government and local authorities in Xizang have vigorously promoted the high-quality development of the tourism industry. Through measures such as introducing supportive policies, creating distinctive tourism brands, and optimizing diverse travel routes, they are striving to make the region a world-class tourist destination,” Luo added.

    In the first half of this year, Xizang saw 31.28 million tourist visits, up 11.67 percent year on year, according to the regional culture and tourism department. Of the total, inbound tourist arrivals surged 31.2 percent to 196,400.

    Tourism revenue in the region totaled 31.55 billion yuan in the same period, marking a 10.18 percent year-on-year increase. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Global pharma giants underscore local partnerships, R&D at China supply chain expo

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

    Global pharma giants underscore local partnerships, R&D at China supply chain expo

    From showcasing their latest products to forging local partnerships, global pharmaceutical companies have emphasized local research and development (R&D) and partnerships at the third China International Supply Chain Expo as they seek to strengthen their presence in one of their largest markets.

    The five-day expo highlights China’s importance to multinational firms as both a major market and a hub for global innovation, advanced manufacturing and resilient supply chains.

    “China is going to be the world’s largest healthcare market and a crucial source of innovation,” said Alex Gu, president of Medtronic Greater China, adding that China is playing an increasingly important role in the global healthcare industrial chain.

    In 2024, an electric surgical stapler developed by the U.S. company transitioned from research and development to mass production in China and is now used at over 500 hospitals nationwide. It has also been exported to other markets.

    Deep supply chain collaboration with local partners is vital and Medtronic now has nearly 7,000 suppliers in China.

    During the expo, the company launched a new partnership to build an AI-powered diagnostic and treatment system for aortic disease and structural heart disease. This is part of a broader trend in the pharmaceutical industry to use AI to drive R&D and improve disease diagnosis and treatment.

    At the expo, French drugmaker Sanofi exhibited its ecosystem, as well as its latest products for conditions such as immunological, cardiovascular, metabolic and other diseases.

    Local R&D plays a key role in Sanofi’s development. Sanofi now operates R&D centers in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai, and its Chinese research staff have been deeply involved in over 90 percent of its global co-development projects, including 12 potential blockbuster drugs.

    For Sanofi, the supply chain expo serves as a platform not only to showcase its products but also to build collaborations.

    “Here, we explore innovative collaborations with our global partners, from R&D to production and patient accessibility enhancement, and share the latest results of localized practices,” said Wayne Shi, president of Sanofi Greater China. Sanofi will continue to support the Healthy China initiative with innovative drugs and vaccines, Shi said.

    Meanwhile, Novo Nordisk announced new partnerships with local manufacturing, logistics and tech firms at the expo, as part of its latest efforts to deepen local industrial chain cooperation.

    Novo Nordisk has continued to increase its investment in China, enhancing its presence throughout the industry chain to better serve patients in China. To date, the company has introduced 22 innovative drugs and 11 innovative injection devices in China for the treatment of diabetes, obesity and rare diseases.

    As a participant in all three editions of the supply chain expo, Novo Nordisk is joining more industrial chain partners this year to build a comprehensive health management ecosystem that drives chronic disease management, said Christine Zhou, president of Novo Nordisk Region China.

    Running from Wednesday to Sunday, the supply chain expo served as a key platform for multinational firms to strengthen collaboration with Chinese partners amid global economic uncertainties.

    The event has attracted 651 companies and institutions from 75 countries and regions. Overseas exhibitors account for 35 percent, a three-percentage-point increase from last year. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Consumer and Patient Working Group to help Pharmac reset

    Source: PHARMAC

    Patient advocate, Dr Malcolm Mulholland, has been appointed Chair of the new Consumer and Patient Working Group that will help Pharmac reset how it works with consumers.

    Pharmac has committed to a 12-month reset programme to become a more outward-focussed and transparent organisation. This is in response to multiple external reviews over the last few years which sought transformational change in Pharmac.

    The new working group, made up of the consumer and patient community, will decide what Pharmac focuses on for the reset programme, taking a hands-on role in the delivery of the work to ensure it reflects consumers’ needs, values, and perspectives. 

    Acting Pharmac Chief Executive, Brendan Boyle, said Dr Mulholland was selected by the patient advocacy community to lead the group, and brings a lot of mana to the role. 

    “We are grateful that Malcolm, and the other nine members of the working group, have offered to partner with us to help us get the Pharmac reset work right.”

    Dr Mulholland said, “We’ve waited a long time for this opportunity.  The work that Pharmac does is vitally important for the health of patients and their families, and this is why getting Pharmac to work as well as it can, will be the focus of the working group.”

    The working group had their first meeting on Monday 21 July at the Pharmac offices in Wellington. They finalised the group’s terms of reference, confirmed the approach for the reset programme, and agreed the first set of actions to focus on.  

    The consumer and patient working group members are:

    • Dr Malcolm Mulholland MNZM – Patient Voice Aotearoa
    • Libby Burgess MNZM – Breast Cancer Aotearoa Coalition
    • Tim Edmonds – Leukaemia and Blood Cancer NZ 
    • Chris Higgins – Rare Disorders NZ 
    • Francesca Holloway – Arthritis NZ 
    • Trent Lash – Heartbeats Charitable Trust
    • Gerard Rushton – The Meningitis Foundation 
    • Rachel Smalley MNZM – The Medicine Gap
    • Tracy Tierney – Epilepsy NZ
    • Deon York – Haemophilia NZ

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Pātea: A World-First Māori Gambling Harm Digital Platform Launches Across Aotearoa

    Source: Hapai Te Hauora

    Aotearoa is leading the world in gambling harm innovation with the launch of Pātea – a groundbreaking digital platform designed by Māori, for Māori, to help free whānau from the burdens of gambling harm.
    Pātea, meaning to be free or lifted of burden, is an indigenously designed, built, and operated digital platform, the first of its kind globally. It was co-designed with whānau who have lived experience of gambling harm, ensuring every part of the app feels supportive, culturally grounded, and whānau friendly.
    Morris Pita, CEO of the Māori-owned and operated software firm Tai Pari Mōhio Ltd, is excited by the impact of digital technology as a tool to reduce gambling harm.
    “It has been an incredible experience for our tech and data science team to take their unique blend of technical and cultural skills, and use these to build a state-of-the-art cloud platform and application – deploying agentic AI to deliver 24/7 online support to whānau suffering from the impact of gambling harm.”
    With the rapid rise of online gambling and digital casinos, whānau are being targeted like never before. Māori communities, already disproportionately affected by gambling harm, are particularly at risk.
    “We see the harm gambling has every day in our communities,” says Jason Alexander, Chief Operating Officer at Hāpai Te Hauora. “The environment is changing fast, and we need new tools that meet whānau where they’re at. Pātea is one of those tools. A safe, judgement free space to pause, reflect, and find support.”
    Pātea was created by three Māori-led organisations – Hāpai Te Hauora, Whare Tiaki Hauora, and Tai Pari Mōhio – combining over 60 years of expertise in public health, mental health, digital innovation, and whānau-led service design.
    Pātea offers features like:
    • 24/7 generative AI chatbot – providing instant, culturally safe support
    • Online counselling sessions – available for gamblers and their whānau
    • Whānau testimonial videos – real voices sharing hope and strategies
    • Self and whānau assessment tools – to identify when help is needed
    • Links to local services and app-blocking tools
    • Accessible, easy-to-read information on gambling harm
    “This isn’t just another platform. It’s a digital extension of kaupapa Māori care, designed with the people we serve, not just for them,” says Alexander.
    Pātea is free to use now at: www.patea.nz

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Water Standards – ‘Only a matter of time’ before a baby is harmed due to nitrate contamination, warns Greenpeace

    Source: Greenpeace

    Greenpeace Aotearoa says that the news that the Gore water supply had exceeded the Government’s maximum allowable value of nitrate in drinking water raises concerns over potential harm to infants.
    This is the second town to make headlines by exceeding nitrate levels in the town water supply in the last year, with Canterbury’s Glenavy township exceeding the MAV (maximum allowable value) in December last year. The MAV was set in the 1960s to prevent methemoglobinemia, or Blue Baby Syndrome, which can be fatal.
    Greenpeace spokesperson Will Appelbe says “It’s only a matter of time before we see a baby harmed in New Zealand due to consuming formula mixed with nitrate contaminated water. It is absolutely unacceptable that rural communities are unable to drink the water coming out of their kitchen tap – and this is happening more and more frequently.”
    “The main source of this contamination is the intensive dairy industry – in particular, the overuse of synthetic nitrogen fertiliser. To avoid the risk to life that is posed by nitrate contamination, we need to stop the pollution at the source, and that means implementing a sinking cap on the use of synthetic nitrogen fertiliser.
    “However, the Luxon Government is doing the opposite. Rather than changing our laws to protect freshwater, Chris Bishop is implementing a freshwater pollution plan. He is weakening the national direction on freshwater, and removing the cap on synthetic nitrogen fertiliser use.
    “We know that the use of synthetic nitrogen fertiliser is causing nitrate contamination, and already towns in rural areas like Canterbury and Southland are facing the consequences of this, with undrinkable water. Removing limits on fertiliser use will worsen the drinking water crisis – and it’s only a matter of time before it proves to be dangerous.”
    There are several health risks associated with nitrate levels much lower than the current maximum allowable value of 11.3 mg/L. Long term exposure to nitrate contaminated water above 1 mg/L has been linked to an increased risk of bowel cancer. At levels above 5 mg/L, the New Zealand College of Midwives recomm

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –