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Category: AM-NC

  • MIL-OSI Australia: RBA Statement on the Conduct of Monetary Policy and Statement of Expectations

    Source: Australian Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry

    Today I am releasing an updated Statement on the Conduct of Monetary Policy (SCMP) and the first Statement of Expectations for the RBA’s Governance Board.

    The RBA Monetary Policy Board formally agreed the new SCMP at its meeting on 7–8 July.

    These new Statements are next steps to strengthen the independence and transparency of the RBA.

    They finalise the Government’s implementation of our reforms to the RBA, including the publication of unattributed votes by the Monetary Policy Board.

    These reforms are all about reinforcing the Reserve Bank’s independence, clarifying its mandate, modernising its structures and enhancing its accountability.

    This is part of the Albanese Government’s commitment to ensuring Australia’s central bank remains world class with a monetary policy and governance framework fit to meet current and future economic challenges.

    The Statements are the result of careful consideration and extensive consultation with the RBA, the Bank’s boards, and Treasury.

    I thank Governor Bullock, the Bank’s boards and its leadership for their work bedding down the reforms.

    The SCMP reaffirms the Government’s commitment to the independence of the RBA and sets out the agreed approach to meeting the Board’s legislated objectives.

    Under the new SCMP the RBA publishes an unattributed record of votes.

    The RBA Review recommended this change to enhance the transparency and accountability of the RBA.

    The new SCMP also implements another key transparency and accountability recommendation for the Monetary Policy Board members to conduct at least one speech or public engagement each year.

    The first Statement of Expectations for the newly constituted Governance Board clarifies the Board’s responsibilities when it comes to accountability, transparency and operational matters, as well as reporting on progress in implementing the RBA Review recommendations.

    The RBA Governance Board considered the Statement at its meeting on 10 June.

    The Statement brings the RBA into line with best practice making the Governance Board’s role clear in overseeing the Bank’s culture and driving institutional change.

    Read the Statement on the Conduct of Monetary Policy

    Download the Statement of Expectations [PDF 127 kB]

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Eighth Army, 25th ID Soldiers participate in Task Force Smith 75th anniversary ceremony

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    OSAN, South Korea — It’s been 75 years since the beginning of the Korean War. Each year, the city of Osan, South Korea, holds its annual Task Force Smith ceremony at its Jukmiryeong War Memorial commemorating the Battle of Osan, the first ground combat involving U.S. forces during the Korean War, which took place July 5, 1950.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Bombing of the Rainbow Warrior: A reminder of the power of persistence and resistance, hope and action, to change the world

    Source: Greenpeace Statement –

    Auckland, New Zealand – 40 years ago today, Greenpeace’s flagship Rainbow Warrior was bombed and sunk in Auckland Harbour by French secret service agents in an operation that murdered photographer Fernando Pereira. The commemoration coincides with Greenpeace resisting a new wave of attacks from the billionaires and corporate polluters who plunder our precious planet. 

    The bombing was an attempt to silence anti-nuclear protests in the Pacific. It backfired, igniting a global outcry and galvanising a movement. “You Can’t Sink a Rainbow” became a rallying call for resistance. It was a call to courage, putting hope into action for a better world.

    Mads Christensen, Greenpeace International Executive Director, said:

    “Whether forty years ago or today, Greenpeace will resist, we will persist, and we will win. Alongside our allies, and inspired by the courage of those who came before us, the global community of people working together in hope and for each other will prevail over those who plunder the planet for profit and power.”

    “This anniversary is a moment to remember Fernando Pereira. It is a moment to remember that when we join together, we can, and have changed the world for the better.”

    “In 1985, the French government wasn’t just trying to sink a ship – it was attempting to sink a movement, to attack activism, and to silence the voice of hope. They failed. They blew wind in our sails.”

    “Greenpeace and the movement refused to back down and continued to campaign against nuclear testing until, in 1996, we won.”

    “In 2025, civil society is under increased attacks from billionaires and fossil fuel companies trying to silence dissent, but we will show again that hope rises as we join together to meet this moment with increased unity and courage”.

    In 1985, the Rainbow Warrior had just helped relocate the people of Rongelap to Mejatto. The 300 Marshall Islanders were suffering severe health effects – including radiation sickness, birth defects, and high cancer rates – as a consequence of the fallout from the notorious 1954 US Castle Bravo nuclear weapons test at Bikini Atoll.

    The crew then sailed to Auckland to join protests against French nuclear testing at Mururoa Atoll in the South Pacific. The Rainbow Warrior was to lead a flotilla of boats into the test zone to disrupt and draw international attention to atmospheric nuclear tests.

    In the wake of the bombing protests and international pressure against nuclear weapons testing continued to build. Greenpeace mounted three further protest expeditions to Mururoa in 1990, 1992 and 1995 on board the Rainbow Warrior II.

    In 1995 the Rainbow Warrior sailed into the test zone, defying exclusion orders and attempting to disrupt the tests, drawing global media attention and support. French forces seized the ship and arrested the crew, sparking widespread international condemnation. Although six tests went ahead, the intense backlash contributed to President Jacques Chirac announcing a permanent end to nuclear testing and signing the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty in 1996.

    ENDS

    Notes:

    Pictures and video of the Rainbow Warrior lit up as a “beacon of resistance”

    Contacts:

    Simon Black, Greenpeace International:  +61 420 488 219, [email protected]

    Nick Young, Greenpeace Aotearoa: +6421707727, [email protected]

    Greenpeace International Press Desk, [email protected], phone: +31 (0) 20 718 2470 (available 24 hours)

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: NSU student develops software for configuring SKIF accelerator

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Novosibirsk State University –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    As is known, SKIF is a mega-science facility that has become the first in Russia and the most powerful source of fourth-generation synchrotron radiation in the world. This complex opens up the broadest possibilities for research in a variety of fields – from materials science to medicine. Due to the high brightness and coherence of the radiation, SKIF allows you to literally “look inside” a substance, obtain ultra-precise data on its structure and behavior. The implementation of such projects significantly strengthens Russia’s position in international scientific cooperation and creates a technological base for breakthrough developments in science-intensive industries.

    The program created by Vladislav is a configuration database. It stores information about the accelerator devices and allows it to be automatically transferred to the control systems.

    — Essentially, this is a description of a number of parameters of SKIF devices, which is then transferred to the control software. That is, my program provides other programs with up-to-date data for working with the accelerator hardware, — says Vladislav Rodyakin, a bachelor’s degree graduate Physics Department of NSU.

    The work on the program became Vladislav’s final qualification work. He did it as part of a team of employees of the Institute of Nuclear Physics SB RAS, which is responsible for the automation of processes in the SKIF project and other Russian accelerators. The software was developed from October to May and took about 20 hours a week for several months. Now Vladislav continues to support and improve his system based on requests received during operation.

    — I especially liked that working at INP gave me real independence. I went through the whole cycle — from database design to creating an interface, web application and integration into the management system. This is a unique experience: in the business industry, novice programmers often get routine tasks, but here I worked like a one-man band, — he notes.

    Close cooperation between the scientific institutes of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences and Novosibirsk State University has continued throughout the history of the university. This approach allows students to get involved in real research and engineering projects already at the stage of study. And the project completed by Vladislav is a vivid confirmation of this.

    — Our program at the NSU Physics Department specifically prepares students to work with scientific installations and write software for them. In my third year of study, I took a course whose teacher was working on software for SKIF — he invited me to join the team. That’s how I ended up in a large scientific project, — says Vladislav.

    Today, Vladislav Rodyakin continues his studies in the Master’s program and works at the Institute of Nuclear Physics. His experience shows that a university can be not only a place of study, but also a launching pad for participation in advanced projects of national and international scale.

    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: Summer School “Cryptography and Information Security” Started in Saint Petersburg

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Novosibirsk State University –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    From July 7 to 21, the summer school “Cryptography and Information Security” is taking place at the Saint Petersburg State University of Aerospace Instrumentation. It is a traditional event organized by the Cryptographic Center (Novosibirsk) and the International Mathematical Center in Akademgorodok.

    More than 200 teachers and students, postgraduates and schoolchildren from 35 cities of Russia took part in the summer school dedicated to the issues of modern cryptography and information security. Participants will have 15 days of work and interesting communication at the Boiling Point of GUAP: 40 hour-long lectures from leading experts from the scientific field and business, unique offers from the event partners, excursions around St. Petersburg and key enterprises of the city, training and sports games. School schedule — on the website.

    The organizers and partners of the summer school are the Cryptographic Center (Novosibirsk), the International Mathematical Center in Akademgorodok, the Saint Petersburg State University of Aerospace Instrumentation, the Southern Federal University, Special Technology Center LLC, Practical Security Systems LLC, Infotex JSC, Perspective Monitoring JSC, NeoQUEST and Enseukripto-lab LLC.

    The head of the summer school is Natalia Tokareva, director of the Cryptographic Center (Novosibirsk). The co-head of the summer school is GUAP professor Sergey Bezzateev.

    At the opening of the summer school, GUAP Rector Yulia Antokhina wished the participants fruitful work, interesting lectures and vivid impressions

    “During the two weeks of participation in the summer school, you will learn a lot of new things in the field of your chosen specialty, meet your peers, gain invaluable experience in teamwork on projects and see the sights of our beautiful city,” noted Yulia Anatolyevna.

    Participants were welcomed by representatives of the event partners.

    — The direction you have chosen for your future professional activity is very much in demand today. And we are interested in your support, in developing your competencies, — noted Svetlana, a representative of the company “Special Technology Center”.

    — The summer school can become the beginning of such a long journey for you, immersion in such an interesting science as cryptography, such an important field of activity as information security. New professional personnel in these areas are very important, — said Elena Mareeva, Deputy General Director of the company “Systems of Practical Security”.

    — This summer school has attracted a record number of participants. They are all active and interested. Our goal as organizers is to give students from many regions of the country the opportunity to try themselves as researchers and open up prospects for their professional growth. We are doing everything for this, — noted the head of the summer school Natalia Tokareva, head of the cryptography laboratory of the NSU MMC.

    The students were presented with research projects that they will work on during the summer school. Participants listen to lectures, go on excursions and participate in sports activities. The topics of the projects touch upon various issues of modern cryptography and information security: algorithms of symmetric and asymmetric cryptography, issues of constructing cryptographic protocols for solving authentication, identification, key transfer, and message exchange problems.

    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 New Zealand: Japan, NZ working on defence logistics agreement

    Source: New Zealand Government

    New Zealand and Japan are developing a logistics agreement to support ongoing defence cooperation between our two countries, Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Defence Minister Judith Collins have announced.

    “Japan is a crucial partner for New Zealand,” Mr Peters says following a meeting with Japanese counterpart Iwaya Takeshi at the East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Kuala Lumpur today.

    “We are both committed to the international rules-based system, and to maintaining security and prosperity in our region.” 

    Ms Collins says the Acquisition and Cross Servicing Agreement will detail how our militaries can better support one another when undertaking exercises, training and other activities together.

    “Our militaries are already doing more together, and the agreement will provide practical support to help enable this cooperation,” Ms Collins says.

    “This is an important step as New Zealand pulls its weight on the world stage as it will ultimately strengthen our interoperability and ability to work closely with our partners.”

    The agreement will set out how logistical support, including the provision of supplies and services, will be managed when the New Zealand Defence Force and the Self-Defense Forces of Japan operate together.

    Examples include refuelling activities at sea using HMNZS Aotearoa, or the reciprocal provision of food or medical supplies during joint humanitarian assistance and disaster relief activities.

    New Zealand and Japan are also working on an Information Security Agreement which will provide a legal framework for sharing more classified information.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: New Zealand launches Anti-Scam Alliance

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Important progress in the fight against online financial scams has been made with the launch of a new initiative between government, industry and consumer groups, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson says. 
    “It is unacceptable that so many Kiwis are swindled by scammers every day,” Mr Simpson says. 
    “Some reports suggest scams cost the economy up to $2 billion annually, and it is crucial we get on top of the problem. 
    “That is why I’m pleased to announce the New Zealand Anti-Scam Alliance – a new national effort that seeks to reduce the number of Kiwis falling victim to online financial scams.
    “Up until this point New Zealand’s anti-scam efforts have developed in an ad-hoc way and suffered from a lack of coordination. We frequently hear that real-time information on scams is sourced from different areas across government and the private sector, making for a fragmented, and often, slow response.
    “The Alliance addresses this by establishing a formal structure for government agencies, banks, telecommunications companies, digital platforms sectors, and consumer groups to share data about scams and shut them down in real-time. 
    “By better coordinating our efforts across industry and government, we should be able to seal up the cracks that scammers are slipping through.
    “The Alliance has also agreed to take coordinated action to update industry codes, strengthen consumer protections and educate Kiwis about how to protect themselves from scams.
    “The Anti Scam Alliance represents a significant step forward and is the first in a series of actions that will strengthen New Zealand’s scam defences. However, there is more work to do.
    “The Government is also exploring other initiatives to support this work, including amending the Fair Trading Act so that government and industry can have the confidence to proactively share scam-related intelligence and collaborate on disruption initiatives without breaching competition or privacy laws.
    “There is no silver bullet to address scams, but by working together across sectors to disrupt scams, we can significantly shift the dial.”
     

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Yemen: Escalation threatens fragile stability amid Red Sea attacks | United Nations

    Source: United Nations (video statements)

    Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen Hans Grundberg recognized that “for some – on both sides of the conflict – the appetite for a military escalation remains.”

    Briefing the Security Council today (9 Jul) Grundberg said, “We are now with grave concern seeing an escalation in the Red Sea with attacks on two commercial ships earlier this week by Ansar Allah, resulting in civilian loss of life and casualties as well as the potential for environmental damage. These were the first attacks on commercial vessels in over seven months. In response, Israeli air strikes have hit Sana’a earlier in the reporting period as well as the ports of Hudaydah, Ras Issa and Salif and a power station on Sunday.”

    He added, “Yemen must not be drawn deeper into regional crises that threaten to unravel the already extremely fragile situation in the country. The stakes for Yemen are simply too high.”

    He highlighted, “There has been a continuation of military activity in governorates such as Al Dhale’a, Al Jawf, Ma’rib, Ta’iz and Sa’dah. I am also concerned about troop movements towards Al Dhale’a, Ma’rib and Ta’iz. I recognise that for some – on both sides of the conflict – the appetite for a military escalation remains. A military solution, however, remains a dangerous illusion that risks deep ening Yemen’s suffering.”

    He stressed, “It is urgent to move forward as time is not on our side. The longer the conflict is drawn out, the more complex it becomes.”

    Turning to economy, Grundberg stated that across Yemen, “the little money people do have in their hands is either falling in value or literally falling apart.”

    Grundberg stressed, “A positive shift towards greater stability in the region would certainly be welcome and could help create an environment for Yemen to move forward — but this cannot be a precondition for change. Yemen must advance regardless.”

    He concluded by reiterating his call for the unconditional and immediate release “by Ansar Allah of all those arbitrarily detained from the United Nations, national and international NGOs, civil society organizations, and diplomatic missions. The number of cases requiring urgent medical attention are increasing. They need access to medical assistance. They need to be home with their families. We will not let this issue drop. Our detained colleagues are not forgotten, not by me or my mission, nor by all of us in the UN working tirelessly for the sake of the Yemeni population.”

    According to the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, Tom Fletcher the food security crisis in Yemen has been steadily accelerating since late 2023.

    “Today, more than 17 million people in Yemen are going hungry. That number could climb to over 18 million between September and February,” he said

    Abdullah Ali Fadhel Al-Saadi, Permanent Representative of Yemen to the United Nations, stated, “We reaffirm that the success of any political approach to achieving peace and ending the Yemeni crisis requires addressing the roots of this crisis—particularly, the coup by the Houthi militias against the state, its constitutional institutions, the national consensus, and the aspirations of the Yemeni people—and therefore there is a need to stop the destructive approach of these militias destabilizing Yemen, the region, and the world.”

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCwOUnnG9TE

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: D. Trump announced the introduction of 50 percent tariffs on Brazilian goods

    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

    NEW YORK, July 9 (Xinhua) — U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday afternoon that goods imported from Brazil will be subject to a 50 percent tariff starting Aug. 1.

    D. Trump posted a letter addressed to Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on his social media platform Truth Social, in which he said that “in part because of Brazil’s insidious attacks on free elections and the fundamental rights of Americans to free speech… we will be imposing a 50 percent tariff on all Brazilian goods shipped to the United States.”

    Trump announced new tariffs on 14 countries on Monday and another seven on Wednesday, with rates ranging from 20 percent to 40 percent. Brazil’s tariff was the highest so far in this round. –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: Two Indian Air Force pilots killed in plane crash

    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

    NEW DELHI, July 10 (Xinhua) — Two Indian Air Force pilots were killed during a training exercise in the western state of Rajasthan on Wednesday, the Indian Air Force confirmed.

    A training aircraft crashed during a routine training session in Churu district of Rajasthan.

    “An Indian Air Force (IAF) Jaguar fighter jet trainer suffered an accident during a routine training mission and crashed near Churu in Rajasthan today. Both pilots sustained fatal injuries. No damage to civilian property reported,” the IAF said on social media.

    An investigative commission was created to establish the causes of the accident.–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: English-language version of animated film “Nezha 2” to hit screens overseas

    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

    SHANGHAI, July 10 (Xinhua) — The English-language version of Chinese animated film “Nezha 2” will hit theaters in the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand in IMAX and 3D from Aug. 22, CMC Pictures said Wednesday.

    Directed by Yang Yu, aka Jiaozi, Ne Zha 2 is a milestone in modern animation, combining emotionally charged storytelling, mythological spectacle, and cutting-edge visual artistry.

    The dubbed version of Ne Zha 2 will be co-produced by A24 and CMC Pictures. It is worth noting that Ne Zha 2 has already become the highest-grossing animated film and the highest-grossing non-English-language film in world cinema history, as well as the fifth-highest-grossing film worldwide.

    At the 2025 Shanghai International Film Festival, Enlight Media Chairman Wang Changtian said that the overseas box office revenue of “Nezha 2” will exceed US$100 million. -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 Australia: Australian clean energy innovators showcase solutions in India

    Source: Australian Attorney General’s Agencies

    The latest of the Albanese Labor Government’s new trade and investment missions took place in India this week building on the government’s commitment to create jobs and drive growth through stronger international partnerships.

    This mission, one of five announced by the Prime Minister in April, will be attended by 30 delegates from across 22 innovative Australian companies, showcasing Australia’s cutting-edge clean energy solutions.

    Led by the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) in partnership with the New South Wales and Victorian Governments, and supported by Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia, the mission will deepen our energy cooperation with one of our most important trade and investment partners.

    Australia is a world leader in clean energy innovation, and businesses are well placed to partner with India as it transitions to a low-emissions future. India has set a commendable target to install 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030, and Australian companies can play a key role in supporting that growth while opening up significant export opportunities.

    Trade missions such as these are a critical part of the Government’s strategy to diversify and strengthen Australia’s trade and investment relationships. They showcase the best of Australian innovation to the world and deliver concrete commercial outcomes for our exporters.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Body recovered – Edith Falls

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The body of a 57-year-old man has been recovered by the Search and Rescue Section today at Edith Falls.

    The man had not been seen since entering a plunge pool at Edith Falls at around 3pm on Tuesday 8 July.

    Police located and recovered the man’s body a short time ago near one of the waterfalls.

    At this stage, police do not believe the death to be suspicious and was the result of a medical incident.

    A report will be prepared for the coroner.

    The Northern Territory Police Force would like to pass on our condolences to the family and thank the members of the public, Parks and Wildlife, NT Life Saving, Department of Climate Change, Energy and the Environment and Water for their support.

    A report will be prepared for the coroner.

    The upper and lower pools of Edith Falls and the walking track to the upper pool are expected to remain closed for the rest of the day.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Red flags hoisted at Pui O Beach and Clear Water Bay Second Beach

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Attention TV/radio announcers:

    Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

         Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

         The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (July 10) that due to inclement weather, red flags have been hoisted at Pui O Beach in Islands District and Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at these beaches.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Breakout Sessions, Speakers Finalized for 2025 Governor’s Summit in Kearney

    Source: US State of Nebraska

    . Breakout session topics and speakers are now finalized for Thursday, Aug. 14 — the main day of the event. Breakout session information is listed on the Governor’s Summit agenda at govsummit.nebraska.gov/agenda.

    This year, the Governor’s Summit will feature three breakout tracks: (1) Workforce, (2) Manufacturing, and (3) the Bioeconomy. Gov. Pillen will host a roundtable for manufacturers during the 9:00 a.m. breakout session. The Governor will also lead a panel of state leaders over the lunch hour. The panel will highlight process improvements in state government that are translating into savings for Nebraskans.

    The 2025 Governor’s Summit kicks off on Wednesday afternoon, Aug. 13 with an update on the 6 Regions, One Nebraska initiative. The Governor’s Office, Nebraska Chamber of Commerce, and Nebraska Department of Economic Development co-launched the initiative in 2024 to encourage cooperation, rather than competition, among neighboring communities. Over the past 12+ months, each region has undertaken initial projects, supported by state funding, to tackle issues like housing, workforce, and childcare shortages.

    On Wednesday evening, the Nebraska Diplomats will host their annual awards banquet at the Governor’s Summit. Gov. Pillen will provide remarks and present awards to individuals, businesses, and communities who have made significant contributions to the state’s growth.

    Husker football coach Matt Rhule will headline Thursday morning’s plenary session of the Governor’s Summit. Participants will then attend breakout sessions, both before and after lunch, on various topics related to workforce development, manufacturing, and the bioeconomy.

    This year’s Governor’s Summit will coincide with the first-ever Youth Summit for high school students and recent graduates. The Youth Summit is designed to connect students with rewarding career opportunities in Nebraska. Attendees will meet one-on-one with colleges and employers, gaining privileged access to internships, scholarships, and jobs available within the state.

    For the Governor’s Summit agenda and registration information, go to govsummit.nebraska.gov.

    More information about the Youth Summit is available at govsummit.nebraska.gov/youth.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for July 10, 2025

    ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on July 10, 2025.

    How can we stay safe after data breaches? Step 1 is to change the cybersecurity laws
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adam Andreotta, Lecturer, School of Management and Marketing, Curtin University Moor Studio / Getty Images Last week, Australian airline Qantas announced cyber attackers had accessed personal data about some of its customers. The company later confirmed that 5.7 million customer records were involved. The attackers targeted an

    Cyber crime and real-world crime are converging in a dangerous new way – here’s how to stay safe
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jongkil Jay Jeong, Senior Fellow, School of Computing and Information System, The University of Melbourne It starts with a call from someone claiming to be your bank. They know your name. They know your bank. They even know your credit card number. There’s been “unusual activity” on

    Labor leads in two Victorian state polls, but Premier Jacinta Allan’s approval tanks
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne Labor leads in Victorian state polls by Newspoll and Redbridge, but Premier Jacinta Allan is very unpopular. Two federal polls give Labor big leads and a Tasmanian

    Cannabinoid products may reduce total sleep time in adults with insomnia: new study
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Camilla Hoyos, Senior Lecturer in the Centre for Sleep and Chronobiology, Macquarie University Lysenko Andrii/Shutterstock You might have heard cannabis and cannabinoid products can help people sleep. Data shows one of the top reasons people use cannabis is to help them sleep. But there’s a dearth of

    Planning a ‘Euro summer’ or cruise? Why another flu shot might save your holiday
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jack Janetzki, Lecturer in Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of South Australia DavideAngelini/Shutterstock Are you escaping a southern hemisphere winter by heading off for a “Euro summer”? Maybe you’re planning a cruise through the Mediterranean. Or you’re dreaming of a white Christmas overseas later in the year. Maybe

    Melting ice will strengthen the monsoon in northern Australia – but cause drier conditions north of the Equator
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Corey J. A. Bradshaw, Matthew Flinders Professor of Global Ecology and Node Leader in the ARC Centre of Excellence for Indigenous and Environmental Histories and Futures, Flinders University Sebnem Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images Almost two-thirds of the world’s population is affected by the monsoon – the annual

    Earth’s ‘oldest’ impact crater is much younger than previously thought – new study
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Aaron J. Cavosie, Senior Lecturer, School of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Curtin University Outcrops of shocked rocks from the Miralga impact structure. Aaron Cavosie Ever been late because you misread a clock? Sometimes, the “clocks” geologists use to date events can also be misread. Unravelling Earth’s 4.5-billion-year

    Where do giant volcanic eruptions come from? New study finds missing link to ‘blobs’ deep within Earth
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nicolas Flament, Associate Professor and ARC Future Fellow, Environmental Futures, School of Science, University of Wollongong Volcanic eruptions at Earth’s surface have significant consequences. Smaller ones can scare tourists on Mount Etna or disrupt air traffic. Giant, large-scale eruptions can have more serious impacts. One such event

    Defence spending is like insurance – how will NZ pay the higher premiums?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stephen Hickson, Lecturer in Economics and Director, Business Taught Masters Programme, University of Canterbury Getty Images Defence spending is like insurance – you have to pay for it but you hope you never have to use it. And the higher the risk you face, the higher your

    The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives shatters the church’s century-long effort to curate its own image
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Brenton Griffin, Casual Lecturer and Tutor in History, Indigenous Studies, and Politics, Flinders University Hulu Reality TV series The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives follows a number of social media influencers from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who rose to prominence through social media,

    We interviewed 205 Australians convicted of murder and manslaughter. Alcohol’s role was alarming
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Li Eriksson, Senior Lecturer, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Griffith University We’ve long known there’s a link between alcohol and violence, but when it comes to homicide the stories behind the statistics are harder to grasp. Our study sheds rare light on what actually happens when

    Thirsty future: Australia’s green hydrogen targets could require vastly more water than the government hopes
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Madoc Sheehan, Adjunct Associate Professor in Chemical Engineering, James Cook University totajla/Shutterstock Green hydrogen is touted by some as the future – a way for Australia to slowly replace its reliance on fossil fuel exports. The energy-dense gas has the potential to reduce emissions in sectors challenging

    Israel’s Rafah camp – ‘humanitarian city’ or crime against humanity?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Shannon Bosch, Associate Professor (Law), Edith Cowan University Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz has announced a controversial plan to move up to 600,000 Palestinians in Gaza into a designated “humanitarian area” on the ruins of the southern city of Rafah. Access to the camp would be through

    Ice baths are booming in popularity – but they come with health risks
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Samuel Cornell, PhD Candidate in Public Health & Community Medicine, School of Population Health, UNSW Sydney Michele Ursi/Getty Images Walk through any trendy suburb and you might find a new “wellness” studio offering ice baths or “contrast therapy” (a sauna and ice bath combo). Scroll social media,

    Can’t fill your ADHD script? Here’s why, and what to do while the shortage persists
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jack Janetzki, Lecturer in Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of South Australia Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnoses are rising across Australia. But after finally getting a diagnosis, many people are discovering the medicine they’ve been prescribed isn’t available at the pharmacy. Australia faces a nation-wide shortage of methylphenidate

    Medicinal cannabis is big business. But the latest clampdown won’t curb unsafe prescribing
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Carmen Lim, NHMRC Emerging Leadership Fellow, National Centre for Youth Substance Use Research, The University of Queensland Nuva Frames/Shutterstock Australia’s key regulator of health professionals has announced it’s clamping down on unsafe prescribing of medicinal cannabis in the wake of surging patient demand. The Australian Health Practitioner

    Are ‘ghost stores’ haunting your social media feed? How to spot and avoid them
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gary Mortimer, Professor of Marketing and Consumer Behaviour, Queensland University of Technology CC BY The offer pops up in your social media feed. The website is professional and the imagery illustrates an Australian coastal region, or chic inner-CBD scene. The brand name indicates this exclusive fashion retailer

    NZ Post is the latest company to drop its climate targets – another sign business is struggling to decarbonise
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Pii-Tuulia Nikula, Associate Professor, School of Business, Eastern Institute of Technology Getty Images NZ Post committed to cutting its emissions by 32% by 2030 (based on 2018 levels), but recently announced it would abandon its climate target. The company was part of the Science Based Target initiative

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warner & Kaine Applaud Senate Reapproval of VA Medical Facility Leases, Including for New Outpatient Clinic in Hampton Roads

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Virginia Tim Kaine
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) issued the following statement after the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works voted to approve updated authorizations for 18 Veterans Affairs (VA) major medical facility leases, including a proposed lease for an outpatient clinic in Hampton Roads:
    “We are very encouraged to see the Senate EPW Committee heed our request to quickly reauthorize 18 VA medical facility leases, including one for a new outpatient clinic in Hampton Roads. This facility would fill a critical gap, providing broader access and more convenient services for veterans on the south side of the region, who currently represent over 60 percent of the Hampton VA Medical Center’s patient base. We will continue to press our colleagues in the House of Representatives to finalize the reauthorization process and ensure that our nation’s veterans are not forced to endure unacceptable wait times or travel burdensome distances to access the high-quality care they have earned through their sacrifice and dedication.”
    While these leases were originally authorized under the PACT Act, which both senators strongly supported, updated cost estimates and rent bids prompted the VA and the General Services Administration (GSA) to seek reauthorization from four congressional committees. To date, the leases have been reapproved by the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, and the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. One final approval, from the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, remains.
    Warner and Kaine have long fought to expand health care and benefits for Virginia’s nearly 700,000 veterans. Warner and Kaine began raising the alarm about the significant backlog of unapproved VA leases in 2016. After putting significant pressure on officials across the federal government, Congress unanimously passed the Providing Veterans Overdue Care Act, legislation written by Warner and supported by Kaine, to cut the backlog and get over two dozen delayed VA medical facilities’ leases approved.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: How can we stay safe after data breaches? Step 1 is to change the cybersecurity laws

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adam Andreotta, Lecturer, School of Management and Marketing, Curtin University

    Moor Studio / Getty Images

    Last week, Australian airline Qantas announced cyber attackers had accessed personal data about some of its customers. The company later confirmed that 5.7 million customer records were involved.

    The attackers targeted an offshore IT call centre, which enabled them to gain access to a third-party system.

    The airline contacted affected customers shortly after the announcement, and sent a follow-up email a week later. The email apologised to customers and informed them attackers had accessed information about customers’ names as well as frequent flyer numbers and tier status.

    The email may have felt familiar to Australians impacted by the 2022 Optus Breach or the 2024 Medisecure Hack — a routine apology, an assurance that immediate steps have been taken, and a statement that the company takes seriously the trust placed in it to safeguard personal information.

    It’s an adequate response. But it ignores something that might genuinely make customer data safer in the future: stronger cybersecurity laws to prevent these kinds of breaches from happening in the first place.

    How should we respond to data breaches?

    If your data were involved in the Qantas breach, you might be wondering what to do about it.

    The first sensible step might be to find out what personal information was compromised. Next, you might research the potential harm that could come from your name, Qantas Frequent Flyer number, and tier status being accessed.

    You may learn about the risks of identity theft, account hijacking, and scams.

    After that, you might want to figure out what actions you could take to protect yourself – that is, how to best secure your data. Plenty of websites offer advice along these lines.

    If you are a Qantas customer, and received the follow-up email, you may have noticed a section titled “What steps can I take to protect myself?”. This part encourages users to stay alert, use two-factor authentication, stay informed about the latest threats, visit IDCARE’s Learning Centre, and never share passwords or sensitive information (stating that Qantas will never ask for them).

    While these are helpful suggestions, they place a significant burden on the customer. They also imply that if our data becomes compromised, we may be partially to blame for not doing more to protect ourselves.

    Is this fair or useful? Rather than just trying to protect ourselves after data breaches, we might be better off focusing our attention on why breaches occur and the legislators who make the rules for the companies that hold our data.

    Does the law have an unhealthy obsession with data breaches?

    It may seem that, to improve cybersecurity laws, we need to pay more attention to Qantas-like data breaches and impose bigger fines on companies when they occur. However, this is not necessarily the best solution.

    As US privacy scholars Daniel Solove and Woodrow Hartzog point out in their 2022 book Breached!: “Data privacy law has an obsession with data breaches.”

    Ironically, the authors claim, “this obsession has […] been the primary reason why the law has failed to stop the deluge of data breaches. The more obsessed with breaches the law has become, the more the law has failed to deal with them.”

    Solove and Hartzog argue that focusing solely on the breaches themselves prevents us from concentrating on prevention.

    How effective is Australian cyber security law?

    In Australia, recent reforms to the Cyber Security Act 2024 introduced the Cyber Incident Review Board, which can:

    make recommendations to government and industry about actions that could be taken to prevent, detect, respond to or minimise the impact of, cyber security incidents of a similar nature in the future.

    These reforms are an important step in addressing prevention, and the Cyber Incident Review Board will undoubtedly draw many lessons from the Qantas case when it performs its post-incident review – such as identifying potential weaknesses at the offshore IT call centre.

    However, we shouldn’t have to wait until an incident occurs to start thinking about how to protect against breaches. There are also concerns about whether the recommendations it offers will be put into law.

    Ideally, we need legislation that focuses on prevention, not just post-incident responses. If we had laws that required companies to conduct audits, provide legally binding safety checks applicable to all relevant stakeholders, and impose penalties for non-compliance with these standards, it would genuinely improve prevention.

    Revising our flight path

    Our response to the Qantas breach will no doubt follow a familiar pattern: first, we panic! Then we get angry at the company. Next, we attempt to follow privacy advice – at least for a short while – changing a password or two before becoming complacent and then lowering our privacy vigilance. And then the cycle repeats the next time a breach occurs.

    We don’t need to accept this eternal pattern, however. If we focus our attention on lawmakers, rather than these immediate responses we are all too familiar with, prevention becomes a possibility.

    Adam Andreotta 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. How can we stay safe after data breaches? Step 1 is to change the cybersecurity laws – https://theconversation.com/how-can-we-stay-safe-after-data-breaches-step-1-is-to-change-the-cybersecurity-laws-260816

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Three sites on the African continent removed from the List of World Heritage in Danger

    Source: UNESCO World Heritage Centre

    In recent years, UNESCO has made considerable and targeted efforts to support its African Member States. Since 2021, three sites in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and Senegal have also been removed from the List of World Heritage in Danger.

     

    Rainforests of the Atsinanana (Madagascar)

    The Rainforests of the Atsinanana were inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 2007 for its important biodiversity. The Rainforests and the species they support have faced a series of threats in recent years including illegal logging, trafficking of precious woods and deforestation negatively affecting the status of important key species such as Lemurs – leading to its inclusion on the List of World Heritage in Danger in 2010.

    Following this decision, Madagascar developed and implemented an ambitious action plan with the support of UNESCO and the international community. Thanks to robust management plans, control of ebony and rosewood felling, satellite surveillance and local patrols, the overall condition of the site was improved. As a result, 63% of areas of forest cover loss have been restored, illegal logging and trafficking of precious wood have been halted, and levels of lemur poaching have reached their lowest level in 10 years.

     

    Abu Mena (Egypt)

    Abu Mena was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979 serving as an outstanding example of a pilgrimage site, cradle of Christian monasticism. The site was placed on the List of World Heritage in Danger in 2001 following concerns due to alarming rises in the water table caused by irrigation methods of surrounding farms and the collapse of several overlying structures.

    In 2021, a project to supply solar energy to the drainage system significantly reduced groundwater levels and stabilized the weakened structures. The conservation plan, developed in 2024 with the support of UNESCO’s World Heritage Fund, has enabled the establishment of appropriate strategies and greater involvement of local communities.

     

    Old Town of Ghadamès (Libya)

    The Old Town of Ghadamès was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1986 and has been a crossroads for major cultures of Africa and the Mediterranean basin. The site has been on the List of World Heritage in Danger since 2016 due to the prevailing conflict in the country at that time, wildfires and torrential rain.

    Led by local authorities and several partners, extensive restoration works have been carried out on the property, including repairs to historic buildings, pipelines and traditional infrastructure. These activities were accompanied by efforts to strengthen local skills and governance through various training courses, as well as the development of a risk management and prevention plan.

     

    The List of World Heritage in Danger

    The purpose of the List of World Heritage in Danger is to provide information on the threats to the very values that led to the inclusion of a property on the World Heritage List, and to mobilize the international community to preserve the site. It also enables the site to benefit from the right to increased technical and financial support from UNESCO.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China earmarks 150M yuan for natural disaster response

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

    This aerial drone photo taken on July 6, 2025 shows vessels mooring at a port to shelter from an approaching typhoon in Fuzhou, southeast China’s Fujian province. [Photo/Xinhua]

    China has earmarked 150 million yuan (about 20.97 million U.S. dollars) from its central natural-disaster-relief fund to support relief efforts in regions affected by flooding, typhoons and geological disasters, the Ministry of Finance (MOF) said on Wednesday.

    An MOF statement said that emergency funds, allocated by the MOF and the Ministry of Emergency Management, were distributed to six provincial-level regions: Zhejiang, Fujian, Sichuan, Chongqing, the Xizang Autonomous Region and Gansu.

    As China has now entered its main flood season, certain regions have been hit frequently by flooding and geological disasters, and Danas — the fourth typhoon of this year — has impacted several southeastern coastal regions and caused secondary disasters, the MOF said.

    The funds will be used to support emergency rescue and relief efforts, focusing on search, rescue and relocation for residents affected by disasters. They will also be used for the detection of secondary disasters, and to repair damaged houses, among other tasks.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: UN envoy warns against Yemen being drawn deeper into regional crises

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

    UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg (on screens) speaks via a video link at a Security Council meeting at the UN headquarters in New York, on July 9, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg on Wednesday warned against Yemen being drawn deeper into regional crises involving Israel.

    The Iran-Israel ceasefire is a welcome development for the region. But against the backdrop of negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza, the Houthis in Yemen launched multiple missile attacks against Israel in the past few weeks, followed by an escalation in the Red Sea with attacks on two commercial ships earlier this week that led to civilian casualties, said Grundberg in a monthly briefing to the Security Council.

    In response, Israeli airstrikes have hit Sanaa as well as the ports of Hodeidah, Ras Issa and Salif and a power station, he said.

    The Houthi attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea earlier this week were the first in over seven months, he noted.

    “Freedom of navigation in the Red Sea must be safeguarded, and civilian infrastructure must never become a target of conflict. Above all, Yemen must not be drawn deeper into regional crises that threaten to unravel the already extremely fragile situation in the country,” said Grundberg. “The stakes for Yemen are simply too high — Yemen’s future depends on our collective resolve to shield it from further suffering and to give its people the hope and dignity they so deeply deserve.”

    While by and large the front lines in Yemen continue to hold, the situation remains fragile and unpredictable, said the envoy.

    “I recognize that for some — on both sides of the conflict — the appetite for a military escalation remains. A military solution, however, remains a dangerous illusion that risks deepening Yemen’s suffering,” he warned. “While negotiations may not be easy, they offer the best hope for addressing, in a sustainable and long-term manner, the complexity of the conflict.”

    Grundberg stressed the urgent need to carry forward the peace process.

    The longer the conflict is drawn out, the more complex it becomes. There is a risk that divisions could deepen further and therefore it is important for both sides not to engage in any unilateral activity to the detriment of all Yemenis. Both sides must signal a genuine willingness to explore peaceful avenues and create conditions for lasting stability, he said.

    Grundberg called for efforts to support de-escalation along the front lines and work with the parties on the parameters for a nationwide ceasefire. He also called for the establishment of a path for talks between the parties.

    He promised to continue to work with the region and the international community on the broader security guarantees that are needed, including on freedom of navigation in the Red Sea.

    Yemenis need to have confidence in any agreement reached, and the region and the international community also need to have confidence that their concerns are met, he said. “This is how we build a durable support structure for a negotiated settlement.”

    Grundberg reiterated his call for the unconditional and immediate release by the Houthis of all those arbitrarily detained from the United Nations, national and international NGOs, civil society organizations and diplomatic missions. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: OPEC seminar focuses on energy transition, calls for stronger global cooperation

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

    Artists perform at the opening ceremony of the 9th OPEC International Seminar in Vienna, Austria, on July 9, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    The 9th OPEC International Seminar opened on Wednesday, bringing together global energy leaders to discuss key issues including energy transitions, market stability, energy security, investment, technology, and innovation.

    Under the theme “Charting Pathways Together: The Future of Global Energy,” the two-day event features exhibitions, ministerial sessions, and high-level roundtables aimed at exploring energy security and cooperation across the energy sector.

    OPEC Secretary General Haitham Al Ghais said at the opening ceremony that 2025 holds special significance for OPEC, marking its 65th anniversary and the 60th anniversary of its Vienna headquarters. How to reduce carbon emissions while achieving energy security, improving energy accessibility and reducing global energy poverty is a key topic of the seminar, he added.

    Meanwhile, Saudi Energy Minister Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud highlighted that energy transition is not a threat, but an opportunity to drive innovation, investment and economic development.

    In a video address, Mohsen Paknejad, president of the OPEC Conference for 2025, urged countries to commit to peace and cooperation to ensure secure and sustainable energy supplies.

    During the seminar, the organization will launch the 19th edition of the World Oil Outlook, one of its flagship publications that provides in-depth review and analysis of the global oil and energy industries and offers assessments of various scenarios in the medium- and long-term development.

    The first OPEC International Seminar was held in 2001. As one of the most influential platforms for dialogue and cooperation in the energy sector, this year’s seminar attracted numerous ministers from OPEC member countries, representatives from major energy-producing and consuming nations, heads of international organizations, executives from energy companies and financial institutions, as well as experts and scholars. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Nvidia’s market value hits $4 trillion in morning trading

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

    Nvidia on Wednesday became the first company to ever hit the market value of 4 trillion U.S. dollars as its stock jumped more than 2 percent during the morning trading.

    Nvidia is now the world’s most valuable publicly traded company, surpassing Microsoft and Apple, both of which hit the 3 trillion dollar mark before Nvidia.

    Founded in 1993, the California-based company first passed the 2 trillion dollar mark in February 2024 and surpassed 3 trillion dollars in June.

    Nvidia’s shares are up more than 15 percent over the last month and 22 percent since the start of the year.

    Nvidia has profited heavily from the growing demand for artificial intelligence hardware and chips since the launch of ChatGPT in late 2022. The company has positioned itself as the decisive leader in creating the graphics processing units that power large language models, according to a report by CNBC. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: EU seeks trade deal framework with US, keeps retaliation option open: Officials

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

    The European Union (EU) is pushing for a framework of trade agreement in principle with the United States while retaining the options to retaliate, multiple EU officials said on Wednesday.

    “We are looking for a reliable framework — from which we can keep building our common trade,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told the European Parliament during a plenary session in Strasbourg, France.

    While reaffirming the EU’s adherence to its principles and readiness for “all scenarios,” von der Leyen said the 27-nation bloc favored a negotiated settlement.

    A Commission spokesperson echoed von der Leyen’s remarks, adding that an agreement in principle could be reached “in the coming days.”

    “We’re working hard to get an agreement in principle with the U.S., and that is where our focus is at this point,” the spokesperson said.

    U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he would “probably” send a letter to the EU within two days, adding: “A letter means a deal.”

    “They treated us very badly until recently, and now they’re treating us very nicely. It’s like a different world, actually,” he said.

    Trump also escalated trade tensions by threatening tariffs of up to 200 percent on foreign pharmaceuticals and 50 percent on copper. According to EU data, medical and pharmaceutical products, as well as medicaments have been among the bloc’s top exports to the United States over the past two years.

    EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic told lawmakers that Brussels and Washington had made “good progress” on the text of a joint statement or agreement in principle.

    “I hope to reach a satisfactory conclusion, potentially even in the coming days,” Sefcovic said. However, he emphasized that EU legislation and regulatory autonomy remain “red lines” and are “non-negotiable” in the talks.

    Bernd Lange, chair of the European Parliament’s trade committee, said the EU continues to face “illegal and unjustified” U.S. tariffs, referring to the 50 percent duties on steel and aluminum, and the 25 percent on cars and auto parts.

    “Of course, we are not really accepting this,” Lange told reporters in Strasbourg, adding that two key issues remain unresolved: Washington has yet to commit to significantly cutting existing tariffs or refraining from new ones.

    Lange warned that the EU is prepared to retaliate, with a first package of countermeasures set to take effect on July 14 if no agreement is reached.

    Regarding Trump’s letter, Lange said the EU had not received any correspondence so far and had “no clue” about its contents. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Xizang high-altitude apples gain global market share

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

    An aerial drone photo taken on May 28, 2025 shows a view of Basum Tso, a lake in Nyingchi, southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region. [Photo/Xinhua]

    At an apple base in Bepa Town of Nyingchi, southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region, which sits at an altitude over 3,000 meters, Lin Chuanqing, head of a local apple business, was busy inspecting the growth of apples.

    “A wave of orders poured in from overseas,” said Lin. “Beyond our existing exports to Nepal, this year will mark Xizang’s first-ever local apple shipments to Singapore.”

    “Apples here are favored by foreign markets,” Lin said. His company owns over 4,000 mu (about 266.6 hectares) of apple orchards in Nyingchi, exporting 490 tonnes of apples to Nepal last year and over 137 tonnes so far this year.

    However, when Lin and his team arrived in Xizang three years ago, the local apple industry operated in a rudimentary and unsystematic manner.

    At that time, many local farmers mainly grew apples in their backyards and sold them in bulk without sorting or grading them. The unsold apples were stored in earthen cellars with plastic film, which was not effective for properly preserving them for more than two months.

    Now, Lin’s company has invested 158 million yuan (about 22 million U.S. dollars), building a complete industrial chain from seedling research and development to cold chain logistics.

    Apples grown on the plateau enjoy unique advantages. The region’s intense sunlight and dramatic temperature fluctuations between day and night contribute to their exceptional sweetness and firmness, setting them apart from those cultivated in other areas of the country.

    “Apples of the same size here are 15 percent heavier than others of the same variety and our apple yield will reach 3,000 kilograms per mu during peak season,” said Lin. The unique environment also boosts the sugar content of Nyingchi apples to 12 percent, with vitamin levels 30 percent higher than ordinary apples.

    Despite the plateau’s vast territory and relatively high transportation costs, growing apples here actually works out cheaper. Eligible local businesses benefit from a series of government subsidies for freight.

    “Transporting apples from Nyingchi to south China’s Guangdong Province is cheaper than from east China’s Shandong Province to Guangdong, for the government subsidies cover nearly half of the transport costs,” added Lin.

    Additionally, there are fewer pests on the plateau. In other areas of China, apple cultivation requires bagging to avoid pests, which alone adds 1.2 yuan per kilogram in labor costs.

    “In Xizang, we don’t need to bag our apples, and pesticide use is minimal,” said Lin. Nyingchi apples have obtained GLOBAL Good Agricultural Practice certifications and have met the EU’s 533-item pesticide residue testing standards. Even in dried apple products, residue levels are undetectable.

    The apples are also precisely categorized into 16 different grades based on sugar content, size and color. Now, people in Xizang are sharing Nyingchi apples with the world, introducing a new market-recognized apple variety.

    Apart from Nyingchi, there are 10,000-mu apple orchards in Shannan’s Dranang County and 2,000-mu in Qamdo. A growing number of people beyond the plateau are falling in love with apples grown in Xizang.

    “In November, when the apples are ripe, consumers in Singapore will be able to taste the apples from Nyingchi,” Lin said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese humanoid robots demonstrate industrial capabilities in live factory test

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

    A humanoid robot shakes hands with a staff member at Anhui Efort Intelligent Equipment Co., Ltd. in Wuhu, east China’s Anhui Province, July 3, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    At a car parts factory in southwestern Chinese city of Mianyang, a group of humanoid robots undertook an unscripted, real-world stress test: identifying pallets and bins on the factory floor, autonomously planning their routes, and transporting the bins to their designated shelves.

    In this groundbreaking demonstration of the industrial potential of embodied AI, Shanghai-based robotics firm AgiBot and its partners livestreamed their dual-armed, wheeled robots performing real factory tasks for three uninterrupted hours on Wednesday afternoon.

    The live recording marked an advancement in the global robotics industry, showcasing how adaptive machines are poised to become standard collaborators in manufacturing.

    The A2-W robot team, which was deployed about a month before the live test, completed two full logistics shifts during the broadcast, moving over 800 cargo boxes per shift between assembly stations with virtually no errors.

    Their performance demonstrated their ability to navigate the dynamic chaos of a real factory environment. They deftly avoided moving obstacles like forklifts, recalculated paths when workers crossed their trajectory, and even adjusted their grip to handle misaligned boxes.

    At present, even on highly automated production lines, flexible tasks like handling bins still rely on human workers, who are prone to errors, said Deng Yang, engineering director of Fulin P.M., an auto parts supplier in Mianyang of Sichuan Province, whose clients include Volkswagen, General Motors, BYD, NIO and XPeng.

    “Robots, by contrast, can operate 24/7 with significantly higher accuracy in visual recognition,” Deng said.

    The A2-W robots outperformed traditional automation in resisting interference and correcting errors, according to Deng. Additionally, they can adapt to non-standard tasks and handle repetitive, hazardous work.

    Behind the adaptability of these robots is neural-network architecture designed by A.N.U., a Chengdu-based startup. “Today’s demonstration is a small step, but it may represent a giant leap for the global commercialization of embodied AI,” said Yang Zeng, A.N.U.’s algorithm director.

    Many Chinese manufacturers are now facing labor shortages, rising costs and demand for flexible production. While traditional industrial robots are efficient, they lack adaptability for small-batch, multi-product manufacturing. Humanoid robots are believed to be a solution to this problem.

    Humanoid robot firms such as UBTECH in Shenzhen and Kepler in Shanghai have previously conducted factory training, but Wednesday’s show was China’s first live broadcast of a real-world industrial trial.

    Chinese startups have gained global attention by showcasing robots performing impressive stunts like dancing, backflips and Tai Chi, and more robotics companies are now focusing on making these machines even smarter so that they can handle more practical tasks in factories.

    AgiBot sends its robots to a “technical school.” In a 4,000-square-meter space in Shanghai, locations like restaurants, bubble tea shops and homes have been recreated, with over 100 data collectors teaching robots daily chores.

    On Monday, the Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Center open-sourced its Tien Kung-Lab motion control framework, providing critical technological support for potential applications in industrial logistics, hazardous environments and other high-complexity scenarios. This April, Tien Kung made history by winning the world’s first half-marathon for humanoid robots.

    “In the future, robots will collaborate with automated production lines, AGVs (automated guided vehicles) and on-site engineers, enabling factories to move toward truly unmanned operations,” Deng said.

    “We’re at a transformative stage for industrial humanoid robots. In the next year or two, AgiBot will scale its general-purpose embodied robots across more industrial applications,” said Wang Chuang, an executive at AgiBot.  

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China and S. Korea share spoils in thrilling 2-2 draw

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

    China’s women’s football team played to a 2-2 draw with hosts South Korea in their opening match of the 2025 EAFF E-1 Football Championship, also known as the East Asian Cup, on Wednesday.

    Li Mengwen (L) of China vies with Mun Eunju of South Korea during the women’s football match between China and South Korea at the EAFF (East Asian Football Federation) E-1 Football Championship 2025 Final in Suwon, South Korea, July 9, 2025. (Photo by Jun Hyosang/Xinhua)

    China opened the scoring in the 15th minute when Yao Wei struck from distance. South Korea responded with increased pressing and created several chances before Jang Sel-gi netted the equalizer in first-half stoppage time.

    In the 67th minute, Yao turned provider, heading an assist to Shao Ziqin, who nodded home to restore China’s lead. But deep into stoppage time, Ji So-yun salvaged a dramatic draw for the hosts with a long-range strike.

    “We expected a tough game between two decent teams in Asia, playing under difficult conditions,” said China’s head coach Ante Milicic after the match. “We’re obviously disappointed to have conceded two goals, both in injury time of the first half and second half.”

    Milicic said he was proud of his team’s effort. “Playing away against a strong home crowd is never easy, and this kind of situation happened to us before, like when we played Australia,” he added.

    “Tonight we were so close, and I thought the girls deserved to hang on for the win,” he noted.

    “Still, I think they will gain confidence from taking the lead twice against such a strong opponent. We just need to look at why we’re conceding late and giving these [chances] away, because looking ahead to the Asian Cup, we will definitely need to hold on [to our leads].”

    Chinese player Wang Shuang said the team remains young and needs more time to build chemistry and improve understanding on the field. “We will give our all to perform well in the upcoming matches,” she added. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: PSG crush Real Madrid 4-0 to reach Club World Cup final

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

    Fabian Ruiz scored two first-half goals as Paris Saint-Germain reached the FIFA Club World Cup final on Wednesday with a 4-0 rout of Real Madrid.

    Ruiz struck either side of an assured Ousmane Dembele finish as PSG raced to an early 3-0 lead before substitute Goncalo Ramos added a fourth goal three minutes from time.

    The reigning French and European champions will meet Chelsea in the final at the same venue on Sunday.

    PSG took control from the outset in the all-European semifinal, with Ruiz cutting inside and forcing a diving save from goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

    The Belgian goalkeeper was again called into action a minute later, showing sharp reflexes to turn the ball away after Nuno Mendes’ goal-bound attempt.

    The Parisian outfit went ahead in the sixth minute when Raul Asencio dithered inside Real Madrid’s box and the ball fell to Ruiz, who slotted into an empty net after Courtois rushed off his line.

    Dembele then finished clinically after Antonio Rudiger gave the ball away in his own half. The former Barcelona forward has now scored 27 goals in 33 games for his club in 2025.

    PSG was in rampant form and Ruiz made it 3-0 by firing low past Courtois following Dembele’s cross.

    At times it looked as if PSG was toying with Real Madrid’s defense. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia went close to scoring again when he beat Asencio with ease in the penalty area, dancing around the center-back before lashing just wide.

    Courtois prevented his team from entering halftime with a four-goal deficit, executing a fingertip save after Mendes’ dipping shot from distance.

    Real Madrid moved the ball with greater fluency after the break and Kylian Mbappe sent a 20-yard attempt over the bar after a slick exchange with Federico Valverde.

    Vinicius Junior, who struggled to make an impact in an uncustomary role on the right wing, then had a rare shot on goal before Jude Bellingham’s powerful long-range effort was blocked by Lucas Beraldo.

    One of the few highlights for Real Madrid was the encouraging form of Eder Militao, fit again after suffering the second anterior cruciate ligament injury of his career in November last year.

    The Brazilian defender, who replaced Asencio in the 64th minute, helped tighten Madrid’s defense and twice went close to scoring late on – sending a header just wide and drawing a full-stretch save from goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma with a low drive.

    But Paris Saint-Germain’s defense proved unbreakable, while at the other end, its appetite for goals remained undimmed.

    Ramos completed the rout by receiving Bradley Barcola’s pass and turning superbly out of trouble before rifling a shot past Courtois. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Djokovic survives late fall to set Sinner SF at Wimbledon

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

    Seven-time champion Novak Djokovic battled past Italy’s Flavio Cobolli in a hard-fought match on Wednesday, securing his place in the Wimbledon semifinals, where he will face Jannik Sinner in a highly anticipated showdown.

    The Serbian star, chasing a record 25th Grand Slam title, rallied from a set down to defeat Cobolli 6-7 (6), 6-2, 7-5, 6-4.

    Djokovic converted six of his 12 break points, while Cobolli’s 44 unforced errors – double Djokovic’s 22 – proved costly.

    Novak Djokovic set up a mouthwatering Wimbledon semi-final against world number one Jannik Sinner as he moved a step closer to claiming a historic 25th Grand Slam title.

    Top seed Sinner overcame lingering discomfort from an elbow injury to defeat American Ben Shelton 7-6 (2), 6-4, 6-4.

    The 23-year-old Italian had injured his right elbow after slipping during his fourth-round match against Grigor Dimitrov on Monday. Wearing a protective sleeve, Sinner showed little sign of trouble as he controlled the match against Shelton.

    After the match, he admitted trying to ignore the injury during play. “When you are in a match with a lot of tension, you try not to think about it.”

    “It has improved a lot from yesterday to today. Yesterday my day was very short on the practice court,” he added.

    Friday’s semifinal will be a rematch of their 2023 encounter, which Djokovic won in straight sets.

    The other men’s semifinal will feature world No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz against fifth seed Taylor Fritz.

    In the women’s draw, 18-year-old Russian Mirra Andreeva’s impressive run came to an end with a 7-6 (3), 7-6 (2) loss to Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic.

    The 35th-ranked Swiss, a former Olympic champion, will now face eighth seed Iga Swiatek, who booked her semifinal place with a 6-2, 7-5 win over Russia’s Liudmila Samsonova.

    The other semifinal will see world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka take on American 13th seed Amanda Anisimova. 

    MIL OSI China News –