NewzIntel.com

Category: Asia Pacific

  • MIL-OSI China: No ‘Superman’ without China, says James Gunn

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

    The new “Superman” movie could not have happened without China, director James Gunn said at the film’s Beijing premiere Thursday, stressing the country’s significant influence on his filmmaking.

    Peter Safran and James Gunn, co-chairmen and co-CEOs of DC Studios, light up an installation inspired by Superman’s Arctic headquarters at the China premiere of “Superman” in Beijing, July 10, 2025. [Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Discovery]

    “‘Superman’ is a movie for everybody across the world, and it’s especially for the people of China,” Gunn told the crowd at Beijing’s Taikoo Li Sanlitun, a popular shopping complex where the premiere was held. “China is the most important place for me in terms of where I learned to make movies and how I love to make movies.”

    Gunn, who also serves as co-chairman and co-CEO of DC Studios, elaborated, “It’s so important, and this movie would not exist without the great filmmakers of Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland. So I thank you so much for that.”

    Gunn has often spoken of his devotion to Chinese kung fu movies, especially classic films made in Hong Kong. In a separate interview with China.org.cn earlier Thursday, he said the roots and inspiration for his films can be traced to China, citing favorites such as Stephen Chow’s “Kung Fu Hustle,” Johnnie To’s “The Heroic Trio,” and movies featuring Jet Li or directed by Wong Kar-wai.

    “Even though I’ve only been to China once before, it’s like coming home to me,” Gunn said. “These are the movies that fueled this — it [‘Superman’] does not exist without this.”

    “If I exist for any reason, it’s to be able to have stories that I tell using Chinese and Eastern ways of storytelling and mixing that with Western ways of storytelling,” Gunn said. “That’s why it’s so important to me, and it’s what moved me to be a filmmaker.”

    Regarding his “Superman,” Gunn said, “I can’t wait for you guys to see the movie. It’s a movie about kindness in a world that isn’t always so kind.”

    The entrance of the Taikoo Li Sanlitun shopping complex was transformed into an immersive Superman experience for the premiere. The event featured giant posters, life-size character cutouts, looping trailers, and behind-the-scenes footage. Gunn attended the event alongside Peter Safran, co-chairman and co-CEO of DC Studios, to unveil an installation modeled on Superman’s Fortress of Solitude.

    Nearby, Emperor Group’s flagship cinema was also decorated with Superman-themed installations and posters. Industry leaders, fans and invited guests lined up for both the film’s first screening and a special interaction with Gunn and Safran. The event was connected to more than 1,000 screens across China for live audience engagement.

    “If you like ‘Guardians of the Galaxy,’ you will love this movie,” Safran said. “Superman is the original superhero. James has done something incredibly special with this film, and I think you’re going to love it.”

    Peter Safran and James Gunn, co-chairmen and co-CEOs of DC Studios, interact with the audience and a Chinese performer at the premiere of “Superman” in Beijing, July 10, 2025. [Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Discovery]

    Gunn’s “Superman” has opened to rave reviews from critics and audiences. In this reboot, when Superman becomes involved in conflicts both at home and abroad, his actions draw scrutiny. This gives tech billionaire Lex Luthor the chance to remove the Man of Steel once and for all.

    The film features dazzling action, humor and vibrant colors. Luthor, reporter Lois Lane and Superman’s dog Krypto contribute standout performances. Many critics say actor David Corenswet’s portrayal of Superman is more human and relatable than previous versions.

    “Superman” now holds an 82% critics’ approval rating from 267 reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, with audience scores reaching 95%. The film is widely seen as a successful reboot that launches the DC Universe’s ambitious new phase. Industry experts project it may earn more than $200 million worldwide during its opening weekend. The film opened across China on July 11.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Fatal crash: SH 1, Tīrau

    Source: New Zealand Police

    Police can confirm one person has died in a crash involving a car and truck on State Highway 1, near Tīrau today.

    Emergency services were called to the scene, between Webster Road and State Highway 5, about 4pm.

    Sadly, one person died at the scene.

    The road remains closed, and diversions are in place.

    ENDS

    Issued by the Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Serious crash: SH 29, Lower Kaimai

    Source: New Zealand Police

    One person is in a critical condition after a serious crash between a tanker and a car.

    The crash, on State Highway 29, Lower Kaimai, was reported about 5pm. The highway is blocked between McLaren Falls Road and Poripori Road.

    The Serious Crash Unit has been notified, and the highway will likely remain closed for several hours.

    Diversions are being arranged, but motorists are urged to expect delays and drive with care.

    ENDS

    Issued by the Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) Participates in Global Conference on Ethical Finance and Sustainable Growth

    Source: APO

    The International University of Sarajevo (IUS), in strategic partnership with the Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) (https://IsDBInstitute.org/) and in collaboration with esteemed institutions including the University of Dundee (UK), Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University (Türkiye), INCEIF University (Malaysia), and the Center for Advanced Studies (Bosnia and Herzegovina), successfully hosted the international conference “Values for Impact: Ethical Finance, Innovation, and Sustainable Growth.”

    The event, held at the IUS Campus in Sarajevo from 18-19 June 2025, was supported by platinum sponsor Kuveyt Türk Katılım Bankası and BH Telecom, which sponsored a key panel on artificial intelligence.

    The conference was inaugurated by IUS Rector, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Yıldırım, who highlighted its global significance, stating, “This conference represents a pivotal moment for global collaboration, uniting diverse perspectives to advance ethical finance and sustainable development, aligning with IUS’s commitment to fostering innovation and moral responsibility in economic systems.”

    Dr. Sami Al-Suwailem, Acting Director General of IsDBI, delivered a keynote address, articulating a bold vision for Islamic finance. He stated: “Islamic finance offers the blueprint for aligning finance with markets, technology with values, and innovation with sustainability. As the world desperately seeks a new paradigm, we must rise to the challenge and contribute to a better future that we all aspire to. The path ahead will not be easy. But the mission is worth the journey.”

    Dr. Ahmet Albayrak, Executive Vice President of Kuveyt Türk Katılım Bankası and Patron of the IUS Center for Islamic Finance, Innovation, and Sustainability, emphasized the importance of uniting global thought leaders to strengthen the moral and digital foundations of economic systems.

    One of the highlights of the conference was the participation of three distinguished recipients of the Islamic Development Bank Prize in Islamic Economics:

    • Dr. Mehmet Asutay, Professor of Middle Eastern and Islamic Political Economy & Finance, Durham University Business School, UK
    • Dr. Mohammad Kabir Hassan, Professor of Economics and Finance, University of New Orleans, USA
    • Dr. Habib Ahmed, Sharjah Chair in Islamic Law and Finance, Durham University Business School, UK

    These luminaries enriched discussions with their expertise, offering profound insights into the intersection of ethics, innovation, and finance.

    Over 160 participants from more than 20 countries, including academics, industry leaders, policymakers, and representatives of international organizations, engaged in dynamic sessions exploring topics such as Islamic fintech, sustainable investment, and the moral foundations of economic systems.

    Notable sessions included “Reviving the Moral Foundations of Economic Life,” “Islamic FinTech for Inclusive and Ethical Futures,” and “Green Waqf: Islamic Sustainable Solutions to Climate Change.” A special parallel session, led by Dr. Beebee Salma Sairally, Editor of the International Journal of Islamic Finance and Sustainable Development (a jointly produced journal by IsDBI and INCEIF), provided valuable guidance on publishing in peer-reviewed journals.

    The conference is expected to pave the way for Bosnia and Herzegovina to become an intellectual hub for the development of Islamic economics and finance in the region and to contribute to the national and regional sustainable development agenda.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI).

    Social media handles:
    X (Twitter): https://apo-opa.co/44XESSI
    Facebook:  https://apo-opa.co/44WpR3t
    LinkedIn:  https://apo-opa.co/40L6ec8

    About the Islamic Development Bank Institute:
    The Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) is the knowledge beacon of the Islamic Development Bank Group. Guided by the principles of Islamic economics and finance, the IsDB Institute leads the development of innovative knowledge-based solutions to support the sustainable economic advancement of IsDB Member Countries and various Muslim communities worldwide. The IsDB Institute enables economic development through pioneering research, human capital development, and knowledge creation, dissemination, and management. The Institute leads initiatives to enable Islamic finance ecosystems, ultimately helping Member Countries achieve their development objectives. More information about the IsDB Institute is available on https://IsDBInstitute.org/

    Media files

    .

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Visit to Japan by Hon. Mr. James MARAPE, Prime Minister of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea

    Source: APO


    .

    Hon. Mr. James MARAPE, Prime Minister of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea will visit Japan from July 20 to 23, 2025 to attend Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan.

    1. During his stay in Japan, Prime Minister Marape will participate in the National Day Event of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, as an official guest of the Government of Japan.
    2. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Papua New Guinea. The Government of Japan hopes that this visit will further strengthen the friendly relations between Japan and Papua New Guinea.

    (Reference) Prime Minister Marape’s previous visit to Japan

    July 2024 Attending the 10th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM10)
    September 2022 Attending the State Funeral for the late Prime Minister ABE Shinzo

    And other occasions

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Job Opening: Assistant to Country Director

    Source: Greenpeace Statement –

    This is a full-time permanent position based in Manila Office. Candidates who have the legal right to work and live in the Philippines are encouraged to apply.

    About the Role

    The Assistant to Country Director is expected to assist the Country Director (CD) in program operations by providing administrative, finance, and logistical support to the CD and the GPPH program team as a whole, and by monitoring country program deliverables and budgets. The role includes improving and implementing management systems and procedures primarily in the areas of programme planning, monitoring, evaluation and learning, financial oversight of the country programme budget and expenditures, and ensuring the provision of logistical and administrative support to programmes and projects in the country. In certain cases, the incumbent may be asked to provide other modes of support that are more campaign focused, such as providing input to strategies and plans, and helping produce outputs. This is a full-time position based in Quezon City, Philippines.

    Duties and Responsibilities:

    • Understand administrative, finance and logistical needs of the different campaign and programme teams, as well as of the CD and Country Coordination Team, and ensure consistency, accuracy and timeliness
    • Provide necessary administrative, finance and logistical support to assist the CD and country programme team in day to day project needs and implementation
    • Regularly monitor and keep track of programme and project expenditures in coordination with budget holders, finance staff and the Regional Program Operations Coordinator
    • Depending on circumstances, provide other modes of support that are more campaign focused, such as providing input to strategies and plans, and helping produce outputs
    • Help monitor country programme and country 3YSP deliverables, and help in the preparation and submission of reports
    • Provide administrative assistance to the Country Coordination Team
    • Participate in the GPSEA Program Support Team
    • Participate in programme discussions and planning regarding strategic issues within GPSEA
    • Help coordinate and facilitate information flow within GPSEA regarding programme developments and operations
    • Coordinate between CD and program and project teams, and other departments and external suppliers
    • Help organize and oversee the work of PH Programme interns, project volunteers and other short-term contractors when required
    • Assist in the coordination with organizational partners and allies, government agencies, and other external parties, and act as a liaison when assigned
    • Ensure logistical support, reports, and program and budget monitoring are delivered in a timely manner to support the smooth functioning of the program department
    • Ensure quality and reliability through the consistent provision of support aligned with the policies and principles of the organization

    Skills and Experience Requirements:

    • Bachelor’s degree
    • At least 3 years of relevant experience in providing organizational support

    Functional Skills:

    • Excellent communications skills in English and Filipino (both written and oral)
    • Strong documentation, writing and presentation skills. 
    • Proven ability to prepare meeting minutes and reports
    • Demonstrated ability in planning and organizing meetings
    • Excellent computer skills including mastery of program on database management and budget preparation
    • Ability to carry out budget forecasting and prepare annual budgets for the program team
    • Networking skills and ability to communicate with a wide range of sectors and organizations
    • Proven record of keeping confidential information
    • Adapt at working with people of different cultures
    • Ability to work effectively in a team but also to work independently and unsupervised.

    Organizational Skills:

    • Professionalism:  Knowledge and/or experience in managing conduct and emotions in a way that represents the values and realizes the objectives of the organization
    • Quality: Knowledge and/or experience in meeting and surpassing requirements by setting high standards for the condition of outputs
    • Teamwork & Communication: Knowledge and/or experience in working with others and presenting information, ideas, and positions in a clear manner that can easily be understood across diverse and multicultural audiences

    Greenpeace’s Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

    Greenpeace values diversity as essential to its mission and success. The organisation fosters an inclusive environment that respects varied cultural experiences and perspectives, promoting solutions rooted in social and environmental justice.

    Deadline for applications: July 24, 2025

    Jobs

    Do you have a passion for this planet and want to do more? Work with us!

    TAKE ACTION

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 11 July 2025 Joint News Release WHO, ITU, WIPO showcase a new report on AI use in traditional medicine

    Source: World Health Organisation

    Artificial intelligence (AI) is ushering in a transformative era for traditional medicine, one where centuries-old healing systems are enhanced by cutting-edge technologies to deliver more safe, personalized, effective, and accessible care.

    At the AI for Good Global Summit, the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) released a new technical brief, Mapping the application of artificial intelligence in traditional medicine. Launched under the Global Initiative on AI for Health, this brief offers a roadmap harnessing this potential responsibly while safeguarding cultural heritage and data sovereignty.

    A new era for traditional medicine

    Traditional, complementary and integrative medicine (TCIM) is practiced in 170 countries and is used by billions of people. The TCIM practices are increasingly popular globally, driven by a growing interest in holistic health approaches that emphasize prevention, health promotion and rehabilitation.

    The new brief showcases experiences in many countries using AI to unlock new frontiers in personalized care, drug discovery, and biodiversity conservation. It includes examples such as how AI-powered diagnostics are being used in Ayurgenomics; machine learning models identifying medicinal plants in countries including Ghana and South Africa; and the use of AI to analyze traditional medicine compounds to treat blood disorders in the Republic of Korea.

    “Our Global Initiative on AI for Health aims to help all countries benefit from AI solutions and ensure that they are safe, effective, and ethical,” said Seizo Onoe, Director of the ITU Telecommunication Standardization Bureau. “This partnership of ITU, WHO and WIPO brings together the essential expertise.”

    Data-driven innovation with ethical roots

    The brief emphasizes the importance of good-quality, inclusive data and participatory design to ensure AI systems reflect the diversity and complexity of traditional medicine. AI applications can support strengthening the evidence and research base for TCIM, for example through the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library in India and the Virtual Health Library in the Americas, which use AI to preserve Indigenous knowledge, promote collaboration and prevent biopiracy. Biopiracy is a term for unauthorized extraction of biological resources and/or associated traditional knowledge from developing countries or the patenting of spurious inventions based on such knowledge or resources without compensation.

    “Intellectual property is an important tool to accelerate the integration of AI into traditional medicine,” said WIPO Assistant Director- General, Edward Kwakwa. “Our work at WIPO, including the recently adopted WIPO Treaty on Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge, supports stakeholders manage IP to deliver on policy priorities including for Indigenous Peoples as well as local communities.”

    Guarding data sovereignty, empowering communities

    The new document calls for urgent action to uphold Indigenous Data Sovereignty (IDSov) and ensure that AI development is guided by free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC) principles. It showcases community-led data governance models from Canada, New Zealand, and Australia, and urges governments to adopt legislation that empowers Indigenous Peoples to control and benefit from their data.

    “AI must not become a new frontier for exploitation,” said Dr Yukiko Nakatani, WHO Assistant Director-General for Health Systems. “We must ensure that Indigenous Peoples and local communities are not only protected but are active partners in shaping the future of AI in traditional medicine.”

    A global call to action

    With the global TCIM market projected to reach nearly US$600 billion in 2025, the application of AI could further accelerate the growth and impact of TCIM and holistic health care. Current utilization and potential of AI highlight many opportunities, but there are many areas of knowledge gaps and risks.

    There is a need to develop holistic frameworks tailored to TCIM in areas such as regulation, knowledge sharing, capacity building, data governance and the promotion of equity, to ensure the safe, ethical and evidence-based integration of frontier technologies such as AI into the TCIM landscape.

    The new technical brief calls on all stakeholders to:

    • Invest in inclusive AI ecosystems that respect cultural diversity and IDSov;
    • Develop national policies and legal frameworks that explicitly address AI in traditional medicine;
    • Build capacity and digital literacy among traditional medicine practitioners and communities;
    • Establish global standards for data quality, interoperability, and ethical AI use; and
    • Safeguard traditional knowledge through AI-powered digital repositories and benefit-sharing models.

    By aligning the power of AI with the wisdom of traditional medicine, a new paradigm of care can emerge; one that honors the past, empowers the present, and shapes a healthier, more equitable future for all.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • Security, trade in focus as Australia PM Albanese heads to China

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese leaves for Shanghai on Saturday on an official visit to China where regional security tensions and efforts to grow economic ties are likely to dominate talks.

    Australia’s exports to China, its largest trading partner, span agriculture and energy but are dominated by iron ore, and Albanese will travel with executives from mining giants Rio Tinto RIO.AX, BHP BHP.AX and Fortescue FMG.AX and hold business events in three cities over six days.

    “The relationship in China means jobs in Australia, it’s as simple as that,” Albanese told reporters on Friday.

    Albanese’s second visit to Beijing, where he will meet President Xi Jinping, comes after Canberra stepped up screening of Chinese investment in critical minerals and as U.S. President Donald Trump rattles the global economy with sweeping import tariffs.

    Albanese is yet to meet Trump, after scheduled talks at the G7 were cancelled when the U.S. president left early. The United States, Australia’s major security ally, is reviewing the AUKUS nuclear submarine partnership amid concern selling submarines to Australia could weaken U.S. deterrence to China.

    Foreign Minister Penny Wong warned in a speech in Malaysia on Thursday that China continues to project military power regionally with an objective to change the balance of power, saying Beijing’s nuclear and conventional military build-up was “worrying”.

    AUKUS contributed to “collective deterrence in our region,” she said.

    Richard Maude, an Asia Society non-resident fellow and former Australian intelligence chief, said Albanese needed to expand the economic relationship with China but also “get through the visit in a way that makes clear to Australia’s close partners and to the Australian public that Australia is talking clearly and frankly to China about aspects of China’s behaviour that concern us”.

    The Chinese navy held live-fire exercises in the Tasman Sea between Australia and New Zealand with no advance warning in February, and there have been tense encounters between Australian and Chinese military aircraft in the disputed South China Sea.

    While Beijing is keen to move ties forward, its proposals for cooperation on artificial intelligence, for example, have already met with a cool response, said Maude, who wrote Australia’s 2017 foreign policy white paper.

    Australia’s two-way trade with China was worth A$312 billion last year, or a quarter of all Australian trade.

    Ties have stabilised since 2020 when China imposed unofficial bans on A$20 billion in Australian exports.

    Direct engagement with Chinese leaders was important for Australia’s security, Albanese told reporters on Friday.

    “We cooperate where we can and we disagree where we must, and we’re able to have those honest conversations about some of the disagreements that are there,” he said.

    Treasurer Jim Chalmers has said economic ties with China are a priority, but also complex.

    Australia’s increased screening of Chinese investment in critical minerals, renewable energy and key infrastructure is likely to be raised by Beijing, company executives told Reuters, although on Tuesday Chalmers said Australia would not ease its scrutiny.

    “The government understands it is not in Australia’s national interest to further increase China’s stranglehold on the critical minerals supply chain,” said Maude.

    Geoff Raby, a former Australian ambassador to China, said China would probably raise its ambition to join the 11-member regional trade pact, the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), which Australia chairs.

    “The most harmful thing is to adopt policies that force China to become more isolationist or which encourage those domestic forces in China who favour more inward-looking policies,” Raby said.

    Albanese will meet businesses in Shanghai on Monday, before travelling to Beijing for an annual leaders’ dialogue with Premier Li Qiang, and a company roundtable, and then head to the southwestern Chinese city of Chengdu.

    (Reuters)

     

  • France, Britain unveil nuclear weapons cooperation to counter threat to Europe

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    France and Britain on Thursday agreed to reinforce cooperation over their respective nuclear arsenals as the two European powerhouses seek to respond to growing threats to the continent and uncertainty over their U.S. ally.

    The announcement came after French President Emmanuel Macron concluded a three-day state visit to Britain, where the two allies sought to turn the page of years’ of turbulence following Britain’s decision to withdraw from the European Union.

    “This morning, we signed the Northwood declaration, confirming for the first time that we are coordinating our independent nuclear deterrence,” British Prime Minister Keir Starmer told a news conference alongside Macron.

    “From today, our adversaries will know that any extreme threat to this continent would prompt a response from our two nations. There is no greater demonstration of the importance of this relationship.”

    U.S. President Donald Trump’s questioning of burden-sharing in NATO and his overtures to Russia have led to existential questions in Europe about the trans-Atlantic relationship and Washington’s commitment to helping defend its European allies.

    Europe’s primary nuclear deterrence comes from the United States and is a decades-old symbol of trans-Atlantic solidarity.

    Macron said the two countries had created an oversight committee to coordinate their cooperation, a task he said was vital.

    “The decision is that we don’t exclude the coordination of our respective deterrents. It’s a message that our partners and adversaries must hear,” Macron said.

    The closer cooperation had nothing to do with their efforts to create a coalition of the willing to support Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire with Russia, he added.

    While both sides will keep their own decision-making processes and strategic ambiguity, the move does suggest further protection for the continent at a time when the United States’ commitment to Europe is under scrutiny.

    Macron has previously said he will launch a strategic dialogue on extending the protection offered by France’s nuclear arsenal to its European partners.

    The U.S. has nuclear arms in Europe and tens of thousands of troops deployed in bases across the continent with military capabilities that Europe cannot match.

    France spends about 5.6 billion euros ($6.04 billion) annually on maintaining its stockpile of 290 submarine- and air-launched nuclear weapons, the world’s fourth largest.

    Britain describes its nuclear programme as “operationally independent”, but sources missile technology from the U.S. and depends on the U.S. for acquisition and maintenance support.

    “On the nuclear agreement that we’ve reached today … it is truly historic,” Starmer said.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Welcome to Participate in the 2025 Presidential Hackathon

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    Initiated by Taiwan’s Presidential Office in 2019, the Presidential Hackathon International Track has now entered its 7th year. This event invites individuals of all ages and nationalities to leverage open data, technology, and innovative thinking to propose solutions for public issues, addressing national development and societal needs. It aims to foster cross-border, cross-disciplinary, and public-private collaboration, encouraging interaction among data owners, data scientists, and experts from various fields. Global participants are welcomed to submit innovative data-driven solutions to enhance public welfare and governance innovation.
    The International Track targets global citizens, with the 2025 theme being “Digital Innovation for Resilience and Sustainability,” aligning with the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It seeks innovative digital technology solutions to achieve: (1) Strengthening Whole-of-Social Resilience: Enhancing society’s capacity to respond to sudden challenges (e.g., disasters) through solutions like early-warning applications that integrate central and local networks to improve disaster response efficiency; (2) Promoting Sustainable Development: Advancing environmental and resource protection, such as using integrated IoT environmental data and AI analysis to support decision-makers in crafting sustainable policies for a more livable environment.
    Eligibility and Requirements:
    1. Open to all, encouraging teams from academia, industry, civil society, government, and media, with a vision for solving specific issues using open data.
    2. Teams must consist of 3–10 members, with each person limited to one team, and must designate one primary and one secondary contact person.
    3. At least one team member must be a non-ROC national.
    4. Registration is open from June 16, 2025, 9:00 AM to August 8, 2025, 5:00 PM (GMT+08:00). Teams must submit an online application form via the official website (https://gov.tw/cYQ), with all submissions and documents in English.
    For details, visit: https://presidential-hackathon.taiwan.gov.tw/

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Approved Yuen Long Outline Zoning Plan amended

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Approved Yuen Long Outline Zoning Plan amended 
    The Notes and Explanatory Statement of the OZP are amended to take into account the above amendments. Opportunity is also taken to update the general information of various land use zones and the planning scheme area, where appropriate. 
    Any person may make written representations in respect of the amendments to the Secretary of the Town Planning Board on or before September 11. Any person who intends to make a representation is advised to read the Town Planning Board Guidelines No. 29C on “Submission and Processing of Representations and Further Representations” (TPB PG-No. 29C).* The Secretariat of the Town Planning Board reserves the right to require the representer to provide identity proof for verification.Issued at HKT 16:00

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Global human trafficking operation detects 1,194 potential victims, arrests 158 suspects

    Source: Interpol (news and events)

    11 July 2025

    LYON, France – A major operation against human trafficking has resulted in the detection of 1,194 potential victims and the arrest of 158 suspects. As part of ongoing investigations, an additional 205 human trafficking suspects have also been identified.

    The global crackdown focused on trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation, forced criminality and forced begging, with a special focus on underage victims. The operation engaged nearly 15,000 officers from 43 different countries and involved police, border guards, labour inspectors, as well as tax and customs authorities.

    Operation Global Chain (1 – 6 June 2025) was led by law enforcement in Austria and Romania, with coordination and support from INTERPOL, Europol and Frontex. It aimed to detect and disrupt high value targets and organized crime groups – responsible for most human trafficking cases – as well as safeguarding victims, identifying criminal assets and initiating follow-up investigations.

    Potential victims were reported from 64 different countries, with a majority from Romania, Ukraine, Colombia and China. Many of the victims had been trafficked across borders, and even continents, underlying the transnational nature of human trafficking schemes.  The majority of the victims of sexual exploitation identified through the operation were adult females. In contrast, underage victims were more commonly exploited through forced begging or forced criminal activities such as pickpocketing. Safeguarding these victims is often particularly challenging, as many are exploited by members of their own families.

    Two Hungarian police officers were deployed to conduct coordinated actions with German authorities.

    Police in Brazil took down a criminal network that trafficked victims to Myanmar for sexual exploitation.

    Moldovan police were among the nearly 15,000 participating officers worldwide.

    Thai police dismantled a prostitution ring involving minors, operating through a well-known social media platform.

    Albania seized weapons and safeguarded three Chinese victims of sexual exploitation who had been trafficked from Dubai.

    Romanian police officers were deployed to Switzerland to conduct joint actions.

    In Ukraine one female suspect was arrested for trafficking potential victims to Berlin for sexual exploitation.

    Police around the world seized weapons, drugs, cash and fraudulent documents during the action days.

    Operational highlights:

    During the operation, potential victims were reported from 64 different countries.

    43 different countries participated in Operation Global Chain.

    The global operation involved police, border guards, labour inspectors, as well as tax and customs authorities, including these officers in Moldova.

    The operation aimed to detect and disrupt high value targets and organized crime groups – responsible for most human trafficking cases.

    Operation Global Chain: On top of the 158 arrests, an additional 205 human trafficking suspects have been identified as part of ongoing operations.

    Brazilian police rescued a victim in southeast Asia via an INTERPOL Blue Notice.

    Ukrainian police carried out an undercover operation which exposed a trafficking scheme.

    Operation Global Chain led to the opening of 182 new investigations, including 15 transnational cases, as well as the publication of 14 new INTERPOL Notices and Diffusions.

    Significant seizures were also made, including:

    • EUR 277,669 in cash
    • One tonne of cannabis
    • 899 units of other narcotics
    • 30 firearms
    • 15 explosive components
    • 65 fraudulent documents
    • 5 real estate proprieties

    David Caunter, Director pro tempore of Organized and Emerging Crime at INTERPOL, said:

    “Human trafficking is a brutal and devastating crime that strips people of their dignity, freedom, and humanity, preying on the most vulnerable, including children. Operation Global Chain demonstrates the global nature of these criminal schemes and the power of international cooperation in disrupting them.”

    A transnational response to a transnational threat

    INTERPOL, Europol, and Frontex supported the operation through joint international coordination efforts. To assist officers on the ground and facilitate real-time information exchange, a coordination center was established at the Frontex headquarters in Warsaw, Poland. The center was staffed by 33 officials from participating countries, including experts deployed from INTERPOL, Europol, Ameripol and Frontex.  INTERPOL also provided access to its global databases and international Notices, in addition to delivering investigative and analytical support for cases that emerged or advanced during the operation.

    Throughout the operation days, countries acted on shared intelligence to raid known locations and carry out seizures. Law enforcement was also stepped up at hotspots and key transport hubs to identify both victims and suspects.

    During the six-day operation officers checked:

    • 924,392 people
    • 842,281 ID documents
    • 181, 954 vehicles
    • 5,745 flights and vessels
    • 20,783 locations

    Operation Global Chain was carried out under the framework of the European Multidisciplinary Platform Against Criminal Threats (EMPACT), with funding from INTERPOL’s I-FORCE Project and the German Federal Foreign Office.

    Participating countries: Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Colombia, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Kosovo*, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Ukraine, United Kingdom, and Vietnam.

    * This designation is without prejudice to positions on status and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • Indian Coast Guard rescues 2 crew members from stranded U.S. vessel off Andaman & Nicobar Islands

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) on Thursday rescued two crew members from a U.S.-flagged sailing yacht stranded near Indira Point, off the coast of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

    The yacht, Sea Angel, issued a distress alert after encountering rough sea conditions. According to the ICG, the vessel’s sail had been torn off and its propeller was entangled in ropes.

    The two crew members onboard included one American and one Turkish national.

    In a post on X, the ICG said: “On 10 Jul 25, at 1157 hrs #ICG MRCC #PortBlair received a distress alert from #UnitedStates consulate in #Chennai regarding yacht Sea Angel with one #US and one #Turkish crew, stranded 52 NM South East of Indira Point. MRCC activated the International Safety Net and #ICG Ship Rajveer was deployed for rescue operation. Upon arrival, the yacht was found with its sail blown off and ropes entangled in the propeller.”

    The yacht was successfully towed to safety and brought into Campbell Bay Harbour in the early hours of July 11, the ICG added.

  • Rubio meets China’s Wang in Malaysia amid trade tension

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Kuala Lumpur on Friday, their first in-person meeting at a time of simmering trade tensions between the two major powers.

    Washington’s top diplomat is in Malaysia on his first trip to Asia since taking office, attending the East Asia Summit and ASEAN Regional Forum alongside counterparts from Japan, China, South Korea, Russia, Australia, India, the European Union and Southeast Asian states.

    His meeting with Wang comes amid escalating friction globally over U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs offensive, with China this week warning the United States against reinstating hefty levies on its goods next month.

    Beijing has also threatened to retaliate against nations that strike deals with the United States to cut China out of supply chains.

    Rubio’s visit is part of an effort to renew U.S. focus on the Indo-Pacific region and look beyond conflicts in the Middle East and Europe that have consumed much of the Trump administration’s attention.

    But that has been overshadowed by this week’s announcement of steep U.S. tariffs on many Asian countries and U.S. allies that include 25% on Japan, South Korea and Malaysia, 32% for Indonesia, 36% for Thailand and Cambodia and 40% on Myanmar and Laos.

    Analysts said Rubio would be looking to press the case that the United States remains a better partner than China, Washington’s main strategic rival, during the visit. The State Department said Rubio met counterparts of Thailand, Cambodia and Indonesia on Friday.

    A day earlier, he told Southeast Asian foreign ministers the Indo-Pacific remained a focal point of U.S. foreign policy.

    China, initially singled out with tariffs exceeding 100%, has until August 12 to reach a deal with the White House to keep Trump from reinstating additional import curbs imposed during tit-for-tat tariff exchanges in April and May.

    ‘BULLYING BEHAVIOUR’

    China’s Wang has been fierce in his criticism of the United States in Kuala Lumpur and told Malaysia’s foreign minister the U.S. tariffs were “typical unilateral bullying behavior” that no country should support or agree with, according to remarks released by Beijing on Friday.

    He told Thailand’s foreign minister the tariffs had been abused and “undermined the free trade system, and interfered with the stability of the global production and supply chain”. During a meeting with his Cambodian counterpart, he said the U.S. levies were an attempt to deprive Southeast Asian countries of their legitimate right to development.

    “We believe that Southeast Asian countries have the ability to cope with complex situations, adhere to principled positions, and safeguard their own interests,” Wang said, according to China’s foreign ministry.

    The foreign secretary of U.S. ally the Philippines told Reuters on Friday President Ferdinand Marcos Jr would meet Trump in Washington this month and discussions would include the increase in the U.S. tariff on its former colony.

    Rubio told reporters on Thursday he would also likely raise with Wang U.S. concerns over China’s support for Russia in its war against Ukraine.

    “The Chinese clearly have been supportive of the Russian effort and I think that generally, they’ve been willing to help them as much as they can without getting caught,” he said.

    Rubio met together with Japanese foreign minister and South Korea’s first vice foreign minister in Malaysia on Friday, at a time of concerns about the tariffs.

    According to a U.S. State Department statement, they discussed regional security and a strengthening of their “indispensable trilateral partnership” including security and resilience of critical technologies and supply chains, energy, trusted digital infrastructure, and shipbuilding.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Secretary-General of ASEAN shares views and perspectives on regional developments with leading media outlets

    Source: ASEAN

    On the last day of the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) and Related Meetings in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, met with a number of leading media outlets including The New York Times, BERNAMA, Shanghai Media Group, Viory News Agency, Free Malaysia Today, Al Jazeera, Bloomberg, Nikkei, NHK, and Sin Chew Daily. SG Dr. Kao provided insights on the key discussions during the series of meetings pertaining to regional peace, stability, and integration, following the adoption of ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future.

    The post Secretary-General of ASEAN shares views and perspectives on regional developments with leading media outlets appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: 15th East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers’ Meeting takes place in Malaysia

    Source: ASEAN – Association of SouthEast Asian Nations

    The 15th East Asia Summit (EAS) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting was held in Kuala Lumpur today. The Meeting reviewed ongoing EAS cooperation and discussed its future direction, while also exchanged views on regional and international developments. The EAS participating countries reaffirmed their commitment towards further strengthening the EAS as the Leaders-led forum for dialogue and cooperation on strategic, political, and economic issues of mutual interest and concern in the region, particularly in view of the 20th anniversary of the EAS this year. The Meeting was attended by the Foreign Ministers or their representatives from EAS participating countries and the Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn. Timor-Leste attended as Observer.

     
    The post 15th East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers’ Meeting takes place in Malaysia appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: 15th East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers’ Meeting takes place in Malaysia

    Source: ASEAN – Association of SouthEast Asian Nations

    The 15th East Asia Summit (EAS) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting was held in Kuala Lumpur today. The Meeting reviewed ongoing EAS cooperation and discussed its future direction, while also exchanged views on regional and international developments. The EAS participating countries reaffirmed their commitment towards further strengthening the EAS as the Leaders-led forum for dialogue and cooperation on strategic, political, and economic issues of mutual interest and concern in the region, particularly in view of the 20th anniversary of the EAS this year. The Meeting was attended by the Foreign Ministers or their representatives from EAS participating countries and the Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn. Timor-Leste attended as Observer.

     
    The post 15th East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers’ Meeting takes place in Malaysia appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI China: Thomas Rabe: Carrying the humanitarian legacy

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

    At this year’s Orchid Awards, established by China International Communications Group, German professor and medical expert Thomas Rabe was presented with the Friendship Envoy Award in recognition of his lifelong efforts to promote China-Germany friendship and carry forward the humanitarian legacy of his grandfather, John Rabe.

    Thomas Rabe standing beside the statue of his grandfather John Rabe. [Photo provided by Thomas Rabe]

    A renowned gynecological endocrinologist and professor at Heidelberg University, Rabe has made notable contributions to medical cooperation between China and Germany. But beyond his professional achievements, it is his dedication to preserving and sharing his grandfather’s legacy that has touched people in China and around the world.

    John Rabe, remembered in China as the “Good Man of Nanjing,” was a German businessman who helped establish the Nanjing Safety Zone during the Nanjing Massacre in 1937, saving the lives of more than 250,000 Chinese civilians. 

    Despite threats to his own life, John Rabe opened his home and workplace to refugees, declaring, “If you want to kill the Chinese here, you have to kill me first,” recalled Thomas Rabe.

    “Though being a member of the Nazi Party, he did not act ideologically, but with compassion and kindness. His actions were driven by empathy and a strong sense of justice,” said Thomas Rabe.

    For decades, the full extent of John Rabe’s heroism remained unknown, until the discovery and publication of his diaries, which document in vivid detail the atrocities committed by the Japanese forces during the massacre. Thomas Rabe, who inherited the manuscripts from his father, made it his mission to bring these important historical records to light. In 2016, he donated the original Nanjing volumes of the diaries to China’s Central Archives. The diaries are now part of UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register.

    “I believe young people must learn what really happened,” said Thomas Rabe, emphasizing that people cannot change the world all at once, but can start by helping those around us. “That’s what my grandfather did.”

    That same humanitarian spirit continues to live on through Thomas Rabe. He founded the John Rabe Communication Center in six cities around the world, including Nanjing and Heidelberg, which host exhibitions, lectures, and cultural events aimed at deepening understanding between China and Germany.

    As a leading figure in gynecological endocrinology and reproductive medicine, Rabe has led numerous collaborative medical projects with Chinese institutions. With his support, Chinese teams reached milestones such as the country’s first successful ovarian tissue transplantation and natural pregnancy post-treatment.

    Thomas Rabe receives the Friendship Envoy Award of the 2025 Orchid Awards in Beijing, July 10, 2025. [Poster designed by Song Xiucheng/China.org.cn]

    Receiving the Orchid Award, Rabe said, “It’s a big honor for me and my family to be here today. Because it’s an honor not only for me, it’s an honor for 117 years of collaboration between my family — over four generations — with China.”

    Looking ahead, Thomas Rabe is focused on carrying the legacy forward. He is currently working on a four-episode documentary series about John Rabe’s life and values, which he hopes to bring to global audiences through collaboration with platforms like Netflix.

    He shared that his son, Maximilian Rabe, has been learning Chinese. “I will continue the mission that started with my great-grandfather during the Japanese occupation in Nanjing, as well as the mission promoted by my father through for example the John Rabe Communication Center,” said Maximilian Rabe, emphasizing that he will continue the legacy of promoting peace between Germany and China and also between China and the world.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Former Japanese PM urges peace to mark WWII anniversary

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

    Former Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama called for deeper cooperation between China and Japan to help break the global cycle of conflict and division, in a keynote speech delivered Thursday at the Global Civilizations Dialogue Ministerial Meeting in Beijing.

    Former Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama speaks at the Global Civilizations Dialogue Ministerial Meeting in Beijing, July 10, 2025. [Photo by Guo Shasha/China Pictorial]

    Speaking at a time of rising international instability, Hatoyama said that this year — which marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II — should be a moment for reflection and renewed commitment to peace. “The 20th century was a century of war,” he said. “Many had hoped the 21st would be a century of peace, but we are already a quarter into it, and wars and divisions continue to intensify.”

    He pointed to ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, and rising tensions between nations like the United States and Iran, as signs that the world is veering further from peaceful coexistence. Against this backdrop, Hatoyama urged China and Japan to lead by example.

    If neighbors harbor hostility, the damage is mutual. But if they support each other, the benefits ripple outward, he said.

    Hatoyama stressed the importance of building what he called a “fraternity-based society” — one built on mutual respect, understanding and support. “Fraternity is not an outdated idea,” he said. “In today’s world, it is more essential than ever — not only between individuals, but between nations.”

    He also expressed admiration for China’s approach to modernization, calling it “a contribution of Eastern wisdom to the progress of human civilization.” He praised China’s vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind and frameworks like the Belt and Road and the Global Development Initiative, which he said offer an inclusive, cooperative alternative to zero-sum geopolitics.

    Hatoyama emphasized that true freedom and equality cannot exist in isolation, but only through coexistence. Drawing on Confucian values such as the concept that “harmony is most precious,” he argued that these traditional philosophies could serve as guiding principles for global governance.

    As the world reflects on the tragedies of past wars, Hatoyama said it is time for China and Japan to “show the world a way out of the cycle of division and hatred.”

    “We must recognize how foolish it is to kill each other or disparage other nations,” he said, hoping that the meeting can send a clear message of peace to the world.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China prosecutes 21 key members of telecom fraud crime group in northern Myanmar

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

    China prosecutes 21 key members of telecom fraud crime group in northern Myanmar

    Xinhua | July 11, 2025

    In accordance with Chinese laws, China has indicted 21 key members of a telecom fraud crime group operating in northern Myanmar on various charges including fraud, operating casinos, intentional homicide, drug manufacturing, and other offenses mainly targeting civilians in China.

    According to China’s public security authorities, the criminal group is suspected of involvement in activities that led to the deaths of six Chinese citizens. It is found to be linked to over 31,000 telecom fraud cases, with illicit funds exceeding 10.6 billion yuan (around 1.48 billion U.S. dollars).

    The group is also found to have been involved in the production and trafficking of approximately 11 tonnes of drugs. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News in Brief: Trilateral Naval Logistics Arrangement for Further Cooperation Signed

    Source: United States Navy

    BRISBANE, Australia – Senior U.S., Australian and Japanese flag officers agreed today to further enhance logistics interoperability among their maritime forces. Their intent is to enable deeper maritime cooperation among the three nations, building upon their enduring commitment to stability and security in the Indo-Pacific.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • UPI impact: India now makes faster payments than any other country, says IMF

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    India now leads the world in faster payments, thanks to the widespread adoption of the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), according to a recent note from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

    Since its launch in 2016, UPI has witnessed exponential growth, while several indicators of cash usage have shown a declining trend. UPI now processes over 18 billion transactions per month, dominating the electronic retail payments ecosystem in India, the IMF noted in its paper titled “Growing Retail Digital Payments: The Value of Interoperability.”

    UPI is an instant payments platform built on the Immediate Payment Service (IMPS) infrastructure and has revolutionized India’s digital payments landscape. The IMF emphasized that interoperability has significantly enhanced the user experience and driven broader adoption of digital payments.

    “Interoperability directly increases users’ freedom to choose their favourite app, enabling them to take full advantage of the variety and quality of apps available. Interoperability can also facilitate entry by new providers and incentivise existing providers to upgrade their apps, offering indirect benefits to users,” said the IMF note.

    The IMF pointed out that interoperability not only boosts user adoption but also makes digital payments more appealing compared to closed-loop systems, where payments are limited to a single provider’s network.

    The note further added that providing infrastructure for interoperable systems or supporting them through regulation could be a promising strategy for countries aiming to shift from cash-based to digital economies.

    The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) launched the Bharat Interface for Money (BHIM) app in late 2016, at a time when UPI usage was minimal and few providers existed in the market.

    “Indeed, BHIM initially accounted for more than half of payer-side total transaction value, prior to the take-off of apps produced by major fintech firms. This highlights the potential catalytic role of direct public provision of payment apps,” according to the IMF note.

    The public sector, the IMF noted, can help overcome coordination failures—such as the lack of user adoption due to limited high-quality apps, and the lack of high-quality apps due to low user adoption—thus kick-starting the ecosystem.

    In terms of performance, UPI volumes in June 2025 recorded a 32% year-on-year growth, while transaction values rose 20% compared to June last year. The number of daily UPI transactions increased to 613 million in June, up from 602 million in May.

    (With inputs from IANS)

  • India’s economic growth on track despite global challenges: report

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    India’s economic growth continues to remain on track despite global uncertainties, supported by improvements in key high-frequency indicators in both the services and manufacturing sectors, according to a report by Bank of Baroda released on Friday.

    The report notes that consumption has gained momentum in the first quarter (Q1) of FY26 compared to the previous quarter. Higher steel consumption, a rise in electronic imports, and increased central government revenue expenditure have contributed to the uptick in demand.

    Services sector activity also showed signs of improvement, as reflected in robust services PMI figures, higher vehicle registrations, increased diesel consumption, stronger revenue collections by states, and growth in e-way bill generation.

    However, the report flagged some concerns regarding the performance of 2-wheeler sales and a slight moderation in consumer durables and FMCG output. Domestic inflation trends remain favourable, which could allow for a softer monetary policy stance and further boost growth.

    The report also highlighted healthy monsoon progress so far, with rainfall about 15 per cent above the long-period average as of July 9, which is expected to support the agricultural sector.

    On the fiscal front, the report said the Central government’s finances remain strong, with the fiscal deficit narrowing to 4.5 per cent of GDP as of May 2025, compared to 4.6 per cent in April 2025.

    The rupee outlook also remains positive. After depreciating by 1.3 per cent in May, the rupee weakened marginally by 0.2 per cent in June and traded in a narrow range towards the end of the month, helped by easing geo-political tensions and a softer US dollar.

    “In July, the rupee is trading with an appreciating bias despite lingering concerns over US tariff policies. This trend is likely to continue with investors hopeful about the timely conclusion of the India-US trade deal before the August 1 deadline,” the report said.

    Globally, the report observed that fresh tariffs and related policy uncertainty are clouding the outlook for growth and inflation. The US Federal Reserve’s minutes indicate that these concerns could limit the scope for monetary policy easing, which may add to market volatility in the coming months.

    -IANS

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Fatal crash, Hornby

    Source: New Zealand Police

    Police can confirm one person has died following a crash in Hornby this evening.

    The single vehicle crash on Waterloo Road was reported just before 5pm.

    Waterloo Road is currently closed, diversions are in place.

    The Serious Crash Unit are in attendance.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Fatal crash, SH3, Te Mapara

    Source: New Zealand Police

    Police can confirm one person has died following a crash on State Highway 3, Te Mapara earlier today.

    The wo-vehicle crash was reported at around 11:30am.

    The Serious Crash Unit attended and have completed a scene examination.

    State Highway 3 has since re-opened.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Joint Communique of the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting Kuala Lumpur 9 July 2025

    Source: ASEAN – Association of SouthEast Asian Nations

    1. The 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) was held on 9 July 2025, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The Meeting was chaired by Malaysia under the theme “Inclusivity and Sustainability”.
     
    2. The Meeting was opened by The Honourable Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia. In his remarks, Prime Minister Anwar highlighted ASEAN’s strength in its habits of cooperation and its willingness to keep engaging. He emphasised that ASEAN is a region that charts its own course deliberately, coherently, and with purpose. Prime Minister Anwar underlined the principle of Centrality as ASEAN’s guiding principle, which is crucial for maintaining the region’s role as the primary anchor for dialogue and ensuring external partners continue to find value in engaging with ASEAN. In line with the ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future, he called for greater synergy across pillars and sectors, and proposed for ASEAN Foreign Ministers and ASEAN Economic Ministers to move in concert in facing challenges. He underscored the importance of fortifying ASEAN’s internal foundations, by increasing intra-ASEAN trade and investment and advancing integration across sectors.
     
    Download the full joint Communique here.

    The post Joint Communique of the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting Kuala Lumpur 9 July 2025 appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Serious accident: Hillsborough Road Mt Roskill

    Source: New Zealand Police

    A three-car crash on Hillsborough Road around 5pm is causing major traffic delays in Mt Roskill.

    Emergency services are onsite tending one person who has sustained moderate injuries.

    One driver left the scene and attempts to locate that person are underway. 

    Road closures are in place between James Tyler Crescent and Dominion Road.

    The Serious Crash Unit is in attendance and motorists are asked to avoid the area.

    ENDS

    Nicole Bremner/NZ Police 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • PM Modi to distribute over 51,000 appointment letters under Rozgar Mela

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi will distribute more than 51,000 appointment letters to newly appointed youth in various government departments and organisations on Saturday. The distribution will take place via video conferencing at around 11 am.

    During the event, the Prime Minister will also address the new recruits.

    The Rozgar Mela is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to give top priority to employment generation. The initiative aims to create meaningful opportunities for the youth and to encourage their active participation in nation-building.

    According to official data, more than 10 lakh appointment letters have already been handed out through Rozgar Melas held across the country.

    The 16th edition of the Rozgar Mela will be organised at 47 locations nationwide. New recruits will join various ministries and departments including the Ministry of Railways, Ministry of Home Affairs, Department of Posts, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Department of Financial Services, and the Ministry of Labour and Employment, among others.

    The appointees have been selected from across the country and will take up roles in different sectors, further strengthening the government workforce and contributing to the country’s development goals.

    The Rozgar Mela was launched by Prime Minister Modi on October 22, 2022, as part of his commitment to generate more employment opportunities in a mission mode. The initiative has helped speed up the recruitment process in various government departments and organisations.

    It has also improved citizen services in schools, hospitals, railway stations, police stations and tax offices, and has strengthened the defence and security forces through timely recruitment to safeguard the nation’s borders and strategic interests.

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: IAEA Mission Reviews China’s Regulatory Framework for Nuclear Safety

    Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

    An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) team of experts today said China had made significant progress in further strengthening its regulation of nuclear safety, benefiting from the innovative use of digital tools and Artificial Intelligence (AI) as the country continues to rapidly expand its nuclear energy programme.

    Noting the importance of the regulatory body’s staffing levels keeping up with China’s fast-growing nuclear industry, the peer review team also encouraged additional improvements in regulations and guidelines in some areas, including nuclear safety inspections and emergency preparedness and response.

    The Integrated Regulatory Review Service  (IRRS) team concluded a 12-day mission to the People’s Republic of China on 11 July, a full-scope review covering all facilities, activities and exposure situations. The 24-member expert mission was conducted at the request of the Government and hosted by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (the National Nuclear Safety Administration), which regulates nuclear safety in China.

    With the world’s second largest operating nuclear fleet after the United States, China is currently operating 59 units generating around 5% of its electricity. In addition, it is building 32 units and planning the construction of another 21 units. The previous IRRS mission to China – a follow-up review – was carried out in 2016, when it had 32 units in operation.

    “Over the past decade, China has made impressive headway in establishing a capable and independent regulatory body and promoting a healthy nuclear safety culture. China has a strong, competent and trusted national regulator that works effectively to ensure the safety of the public and environment,” said IRRS team leader Mark Foy, former Chief Executive and Chief Nuclear Inspector of the United Kingdom’s Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR).

    Using IAEA safety standards and taking advantage of international good practices, IRRS missions are designed to strengthen the effectiveness of the national regulatory infrastructure, while recognizing the responsibility of each country to ensure nuclear and radiation safety.

    The IRRS team comprised 20 senior regulatory experts from 17 IAEA Member States: Brazil, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Mexico, the Netherlands, Pakistan, the Russian Federation, Singapore, Spain, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America. The mission team also included four IAEA staff members and an observer from Japan.

    The team reviewed areas including: responsibilities and functions of the government and the regulatory body; the activities of the regulatory body including authorization, inspection and enforcement processes; development and content of regulations and guides; emergency preparedness and response; radiation sources; research reactors; nuclear power plants; fuel cycle facilities; radioactive waste management facilities; transport of radioactive material; decommissioning; occupational exposure; control of medical exposure and public exposure; and interfaces with nuclear security. 

    Two policy issues were discussed during the mission: the impact of the rapid development of AI on regulation and the shortage of human resources due to the surge in the number of operating reactor units in China.

    “The fast growth in China’s nuclear power programme will require the recruitment and training of a significant number of additional nuclear professionals in the regulatory field in the coming years. Its use of technology to support the effectiveness of its national regulator is an exemplar for all of us to learn from,” Foy, the mission team leader, said.

    During the mission, the team conducted interviews and discussions with staff of the National Nuclear Safety Administration (NNSA) and its leadership. Team members also met senior representatives from the China Atomic Energy Authority (CAEA), which oversees the nuclear industry in the country, as well as the National Health Commission (NHC) and the China National Energy Authority (NEA).

    They observed regulatory oversight activities at: a nuclear power plant, a research reactor, a nuclear fuel cycle facility, a radiation sources facility, a radioactive waste management facility, a transport facility and a hospital.

    They identified several good practices by the regulatory body, including:

    • Unique advances in developing, adopting and exploiting the benefits of AI-based tools to significantly improve the efficiency of its decision-making, safety oversight and knowledge management.
    • Arrangements for regular, high-level exchanges with all senior industry stakeholders on domestic and global nuclear safety developments, ensuring a common understanding on nuclear safety priorities and required improvements across China’s nuclear industry.

    Recommendations and suggestions for further improvement of the overall effectiveness of China’s regulatory system included:

    • Clarifying protection strategies in the case of a nuclear or radiological emergency.
    • Providing a documented process for developing inspection plans for nuclear facilities.
    • Establishing and implementing a comprehensive safety culture oversight programme.
    • Enhancing its processes to ensure that updates to department rules, guides, and standards are completed to appropriately align with the latest IAEA safety standards.

    The mission team viewed China’s invitation of an international peer review as part of the second IRRS cycle as a sign of openness and transparency.

    “China has demonstrated a commendable commitment to continuous safety improvement by inviting this comprehensive full-scope IRRS mission,” said Karine Herviou, Deputy Director General and Head of the IAEA Department of Nuclear Safety and Security. “The team of senior regulatory experts recognized the Government’s unequivocal support to ensure a strong national safety regulator, including the provision of human and financial resources, while also proposing specific actions for further enhancements.”

    Baotong Dong, MEE Vice Minister and NNSA Administrator, said the IRRS peer review team had positively acknowledged China’s nuclear and radiation safety regulatory framework and practices and stressed that these would be further enhanced in future.

    “China has established a regulatory system that aligns with international standards while meeting national conditions. The Government will further enhance its regulatory capabilities, accelerate the development of a modern nuclear safety regulatory system, and promote a virtuous cycle of high-level nuclear safety and high-quality development in the nuclear sector,” Vice Minister Dong said. “China stands ready to contribute to strengthening global nuclear safety governance and elevating worldwide nuclear safety standards.”

    The final mission report will be provided to the Government of the China in about three months. The Government plans to make the report public. China will consider inviting an IRRS follow-up mission at a later stage.

    IAEA safety standards

    The IAEA safety standards provide a robust framework of fundamental principles, requirements and guidance to ensure safety. They reflect an international consensus and serve as a global reference for protecting people and the environment from the harmful effects of ionizing radiation.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Bearing history in mind for better future

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    During an inspection tour of Shanxi Province in north China, Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday visited a memorial hall commemorating a significant campaign during the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.

    The Hundred-Regiment Campaign took place behind enemy lines in northern China from August 1940 to January 1941 during the resistance war. It was a major victory achieved at a time when China’s resistance against Japanese aggression was in difficulty and the atmosphere of compromise and surrender was palpable.

    Though silent, the exhibits in the memorial hall spoke loudly of the brutality of the Japanese aggressors, recording the fierce and arduous war. Xi listened attentively to the introductions — and paused from time to time to take a closer look.

    Before visiting the memorial hall, Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, laid a floral basket in front of a towering monument in tribute to the martyrs of this major campaign.

    With 35 million casualties, the Chinese people defeated Japanese aggressors with their lives and blood, Xi once said, stressing that China had made a significant contribution to the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War.

    Monday’s visit held special significance, as it coincided with the anniversary of the July 7th Incident, also known as the Lugou Bridge Incident, which occurred in 1937 and marked the beginning of China’s whole-nation resistance against Japanese aggression, according to Hao Xueting, a local historian and writer who has studied the resistance war for over three decades.

    “The visit showed that the general secretary attaches great importance to the history of the resistance war,” Hao said.

    Since assuming the Party’s top post in 2012, Xi has attended events commemorating whole-nation resistance against Japanese aggression and state memorial ceremonies for the victims of the Nanjing Massacre, and visited multiple memorial halls to reflect on this part of history and pool strength for forging ahead.

    “The best way to honor the heroes who gave their lives to uphold freedom, justice and peace, and mourn the loss of innocent lives brutally taken during the war is to make sure that this historical tragedy will never repeat itself,” Xi conveyed this message in his address 10 years ago at the ceremony commemorating the 70th anniversary of the victory in the resistance war and the World Anti-Fascist War.

    As 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the victory, Xi’s visit to the memorial hall again conveys determination to remember history, cherish peace and strive for a better future.

    After viewing the exhibits, Xi had warm conversations with students and staff at the memorial hall, which is located atop Shinao Mountain in the Taihang Mountains.

    “Grandpa Xi told us what the Hundred-Regiment Campaign was all about, and how the life we have today was built on the countless martyrs who sacrificed their lives and shed their blood,” recalled Wang Yitong, a student at a local primary school.

    “What we learned from Grandpa Xi is not just history but also the necessity to strive for progress. In peace time, we should bear history in mind and cherish our present lives,” said Chen Mingyue, a senior high student.

    “If the past is not forgotten, it can serve as a guide for the future,” Xi told the young students, calling on them to strive to be the backbone of the nation, build a strong country and contribute to world peace. 

    MIL OSI China News –