NewzIntel.com

Category: Asia Pacific

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: 3 major tasks ahead for Govt

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Chief Executive John Lee

    Today marks the 28th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China and the third anniversary of the current term of the Government. Over these three years, the Government has forged ahead with reforms to build a safe and stable Hong Kong, and striven to develop the economy and improve people’s livelihood. Our efforts are gradually delivering results.

    I have changed the culture of the Government and formed a “result-oriented” Government. We have fulfilled the constitutional duty by enacting the local legislation for Article 23 of the Basic Law, a historic task long envisioned by previous terms of the Government but unrealised until now. We have rebuilt a safe Hong Kong. This year, Hong Kong is ranked seventh globally in the safety index.

    The Government has spared no efforts in addressing land and housing issues. The waiting time for public housing has been shortened by about nine and a half months, from 6.1 years to 5.3 years. In our combat against the abuse of public rental housing resources, another 8,700 or so housing units have been recovered, equivalent to about 11 public housing blocks and a saving of around $8.7 billion in construction costs. We have acted swiftly to build Light Public Housing for intake by over 9,500 households within this year, relieving the imminent housing needs of more than 9,500 families.

    Since we assumed office, Hong Kong’s economy has shifted from negative to positive growth. Median monthly household income during the period has risen by $3,000, an increase of over 11%. We attach great importance on labour rights. The abolition of the Mandatory Provident Fund offsetting arrangement has taken effect, and the review cycle of the Statutory Minimum Wage has now been revised from every two years to every year.

    We have strengthened mutual market access, relaxed the listing requirements for biotechnology and specialist technology companies, established a licensing regime for stablecoin and simplified listing procedures, thereby enhancing the competitiveness of the financial sector. Hong Kong has climbed up one place in its ranking as a financial centre and secured the third place globally.

    We have endeavoured to trawl for talent, compete for enterprises, and attract companies and investment to Hong Kong. Over 210,000 professionals, top talent and quality migrants have arrived in Hong Kong, boosting the city’s competitiveness. We have attracted 84 strategic enterprises from frontier technological industries to Hong Kong, bringing in investment amounting to some $50 billion and creating over 20,000 job opportunities. We have simplified the regime for company re-domiciliation, with two major global insurance companies readily expressing their interest in re-domiciling to Hong Kong. Hong Kong’s global position in the World Competitiveness Yearbook has improved for two consecutive years, rising from the seventh to the third place. For World Talent Ranking, Hong Kong has returned to the top ten, climbing up seven places to the ninth position.

    Amid economic restructuring, Hong Kong is faced with challenges as well as opportunities. With the advantages of the “one country, two systems” principle, the challenges we face would be outweighed by the opportunities available to us. Looking ahead, our major tasks will cover three areas:

    First, to safeguard high-quality development with high-level security. We will actively co-ordinate the coherence between security and development. Under the “one country, two systems” principle, Hong Kong will remain steadfast in maintaining national security, fully seize national opportunities and proactively integrate into the overall national development, with a view to fostering economic growth and development while assisting enterprises in upgrading their operations and expanding domestic and overseas sales markets. We will deepen international exchanges and co-operation, explore new markets and opportunities, bolster the provision of extensive supply chain services, expand and strengthen regional trade with the aim of offsetting the risk of over-reliance on a single market in business trade. In addition to dedicating our efforts to the development of innovation and technology and expanding digital trade and supporting the development of local enterprises, we will introduce new technologies and industries, and continue to compete for talent and enterprises, further securing our position as an international financial, shipping and trade centre.

    Second, to speed up the development of the Northern Metropolis. The Northern Metropolis, which takes up around one-third of Hong Kong’s area and will later accommodate one-third of our population, is a new engine for the development of Hong Kong. By introducing new concepts and new methods, removing potential barriers and leveraging market forces, we aim to enhance the speed and efficiency of developing the Northern Metropolis, the San Tin Technopole, and the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science & Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone. With a focus on industry development and innovative technology, our goal is to attract scientific research talent from around the world and concentrate innovation resources, in order to promote the establishment of Hong Kong as a hub for high-calibre talent and drive the overall development of Hong Kong.

    Third, to improve people’s livelihood proactively. Our policy objective is to make Hong Kong a better place for living and working – for people to enjoy better living and accommodation, for young people to fully realise their potential, and for the elderly to be well taken care of.

    The Hong Kong SAR Government will sustain its efforts in improving people’s livelihood in such aspects as housing, medical health, education and welfare, thus enhancing people’s quality of life. We will remain committed to accelerating the supply of public housing to further reduce the waiting time, and ensure the timely provision of Light Public Housing to meet pressing demand. The registration of compliant Basic Housing Units, which will replace substandard subdivided units, is expected to begin in March next year. The Government will continue to deepen the reform of the healthcare system and improve public and primary healthcare services. We will remain committed to the strategy of targeted poverty alleviation, focusing on directing resources to those most in need. On transportation, the Government will take forward the implementation of the Hong Kong Major Transport Infrastructure Development Blueprint, pressing ahead with various railway projects, including the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Rail Link connecting Hung Shui Kiu and Qianhai, the Northern Link Spur Line, as well as local smart and green mass transit systems.

    As a Chinese saying goes, “Is there anything too hard in the world? With determined efforts, a hard task becomes easy; otherwise, an easy job may become difficult”. We would rather be reformers who rise to challenges than become complacent idlers. Amid an ever‑changing geopolitical landscape and constantly increasing uncertainties, Hong Kong is able to showcase exactly to the world the certainties of safety, stability and development opportunities. These are precisely what the world needs and seeks. Hong Kong is a place where national and global opportunities converge. As long as we are determined to fully seize the opportunities, keep enhancing our value and competitiveness, undertake reforms for progress and foster innovation, I am confident the wisdom and experience of the people of Hong Kong will help our Pearl of the Orient shine brighter than ever on the world stage! 

     

    This is a translation of Chief Executive John Lee’s speech delivered at the reception in celebration of the 28th anniversary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region’s establishment on July 1.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • Union Home Minister Shah to attend key event in Delhi marking one year of New Criminal Laws

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to attend a significant event titled “Golden Year of Faith in Justice System”, commemorating the successful completion of one year since the implementation of India’s new criminal laws on Tuesday. 

    The event will be held at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi and will begin at 3:30 p.m. HM Shah, who is the Chief Guest, will address a gathering of legal experts, policymakers, law enforcement officials, and dignitaries from across the country. The event celebrates the transformative shift brought by the new criminal laws enacted in 2024.

    Earlier on Monday, the Union Home Minister chaired a ‘Manthan Baithak’ with cooperative ministers from all States and Union Territories. The meeting was part of the government’s initiatives to commemorate the International Year of Cooperatives 2025.

    Speaking at the Manthan Baithak, Shah underlined the importance of cooperation in India’s socio-economic framework. He said that while cooperatives can serve as an economic system for the entire world, for India, cooperation is a traditional philosophy of life. He added that cooperation, living, thinking, and working together, represent the essence of Indian society.

    He also acknowledged the nearly 125-year-old cooperative movement, describing it as a lifeline for the country’s poor, farmers, rural communities and especially women, who have benefited through various phases of development and reform.

    The Minister said that with sensitivity, cooperation must be revitalised for the welfare of millions of small farmers and rural people in the country because there are immense opportunities in the cooperative sector. (IANS)

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Reserve Bank Board appointments announced

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Former Acting Governor Grant Spencer has been appointed to the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Board, Finance Minister Nicola Willis has announced.
    Board member Byron Pepper has been reappointed. Both are on five-year terms, beginning today.
    “Grant Spencer brings expertise in central banking, financial stability, and monetary policy,” Nicola Willis says.
    Spencer also served as Deputy Governor, Head of Financial Stability from 2007 to 2017 and was Acting Governor from 2017 to 2018.
    Nicola Willis says Byron Pepper’s reappointment reflects his contribution to the Reserve Bank Board.
    “Mr Pepper has recently been made chairman of the RBNZ’s Financial Stability Oversight Committee. He is an experienced investment banking advisor and director with more than 25 years of experience, including 22 years at Goldman Sachs, bringing expertise in corporate strategy, financial services, and insurance.”
    Nicola Willis also acknowledged the contribution of Rawinia Higgins, who retired from the Board effective June 30.
    There remains one vacancy on the Board, which will be filled in due course.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: New Labour Force Trending data reveals Australia’s shifting job market

    Source: Jobs and Skills Australia

    New Labour Force Trending data reveals Australia’s shifting job market

    Linda


    News and updates
    Discover employment changes across industries and occupations. Track trends over the past year, five years and even decade.

    MIL OSI News –

  • Musk vows to punish lawmakers who back Trump’s spending bill

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Billionaire Elon Musk on Monday renewed his criticism of U.S. President Donald Trump’s sweeping tax-cut and spending bill, vowing to unseat lawmakers who backed it after campaigning on limiting government spending.

    After weeks of relative silence following a feud with Trump over the legislation, Musk rejoined the debate on Saturday as the Senate took up the package, calling it “utterly insane and destructive” in a post on social media platform X.

    On Monday, he ramped up his criticism, saying lawmakers who had campaigned on cutting spending but backed the bill “should hang their heads in shame!”

    “And they will lose their primary next year if it is the last thing I do on this Earth,” Musk said.

    The Tesla and SpaceX CEO called again for a new political party, saying the bill’s massive spending indicated “that we live in a one-party country – the PORKY PIG PARTY!!”

    “Time for a new political party that actually cares about the people,” he wrote.

    Musk’s criticism of the bill has caused a rift in his relationship with Trump, marking a dramatic shift after the tech billionaire spent nearly $300 million on Trump’s re-election campaign and led the administration’s controversial Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a federal cost-cutting initiative.

    Musk, the world’s richest man, has argued that the legislation would greatly increase the national debt and erase the savings he says he has achieved through DOGE.

    It remains unclear how much sway Musk has over Congress or what effect his opinions might have on the bill’s passage. But Republicans have expressed concern that his on-again, off-again feud with Trump could hurt their chances to protect their majority in the 2026 midterm congressional elections.

    The rift has also led to volatility for Tesla, with shares of the company seeing wild price swings that erased approximately $150 billion of its market value, though it has since recovered.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Money Market Operations as on June 30, 2025

    Source: Reserve Bank of India
    (Amount in ₹ crore, Rate in Per cent)
      Volume
    (One Leg)    		 Weighted
    Average Rate    		 Range
    A. Overnight Segment (I+II+III+IV) 6,12,012.57 5.41 3.50-5.80
         I. Call Money 13,225.85 5.50 4.75-5.70
         II. Triparty Repo 3,96,463.00 5.42 5.10-5.52
         III. Market Repo 2,00,456.17 5.38 3.50-5.75
         IV. Repo in Corporate Bond 1,867.55 5.67 5.64-5.80
    B. Term Segment      
         I. Notice Money** 62.73 5.19 5.00-5.25
         II. Term Money@@ 250.00 – 5.80-5.80
         III. Triparty Repo 7,727.30 5.52 5.25-5.70
         IV. Market Repo 0.00 – –
         V. Repo in Corporate Bond 0.00 – –
      Auction Date Tenor (Days) Maturity Date Amount Current Rate /
    Cut off Rate
    C. Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF), Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) & Standing Deposit Facility (SDF)
    I. Today’s Operations
    1. Fixed Rate          
    2. Variable Rate&          
      (I) Main Operation          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
      (II) Fine Tuning Operations          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
    3. MSF# Mon, 30/06/2025 1 Tue, 01/07/2025 5,705.00 5.75
    4. SDFΔ# Mon, 30/06/2025 1 Tue, 01/07/2025 1,89,751.00 5.25
    5. Net liquidity injected from today’s operations [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*       -1,84,046.00  
    II. Outstanding Operations
    1. Fixed Rate          
    2. Variable Rate&          
      (I) Main Operation          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
      (II) Fine Tuning Operations          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo Fri, 27/06/2025 7 Fri, 04/07/2025 84,975.00 5.49
    3. MSF#          
    4. SDFΔ#          
    D. Standing Liquidity Facility (SLF) Availed from RBI$       7,247.29  
    E. Net liquidity injected from outstanding operations [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*     -77,727.71  
    F. Net liquidity injected (outstanding including today’s operations) [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*     -2,61,773.71  
    G. Cash Reserves Position of Scheduled Commercial Banks
         (i) Cash balances with RBI as on June 30, 2025 10,15,732.28  
         (ii) Average daily cash reserve requirement for the fortnight ending July 11, 2025 9,52,318.00  
    H. Government of India Surplus Cash Balance Reckoned for Auction as on¥ June 30, 2025 0.00  
    I. Net durable liquidity [surplus (+)/deficit (-)] as on June 13, 2025 5,62,116.00  
    @ Based on Reserve Bank of India (RBI) / Clearing Corporation of India Limited (CCIL).
    – Not Applicable / No Transaction.
    ** Relates to uncollateralized transactions of 2 to 14 days tenor.
    @@ Relates to uncollateralized transactions of 15 days to one year tenor.
    $ Includes refinance facilities extended by RBI.
    & As per the Press Release No. 2019-2020/1900 dated February 06, 2020.
    Δ As per the Press Release No. 2022-2023/41 dated April 08, 2022.
    * Net liquidity is calculated as Repo+MSF+SLF-Reverse Repo-SDF.
    ¥ As per the Press Release No. 2014-2015/1971 dated March 19, 2015.
    # As per the Press Release No. 2023-2024/1548 dated December 27, 2023.
    Ajit Prasad          
    Deputy General Manager
    (Communications)    
    Press Release: 2025-2026/632

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI China: China imposes sanctions on former Philippine senator Francis Tolentino

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

    China decided to impose sanctions on former Philippine senator Francis Tolentino for his egregious conduct on China-related issues and prohibit him from entering the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Macao, a foreign ministry spokesperson said on Tuesday.

    For quite some time, driven by selfish interests, a handful of anti-China politicians in the Philippines have made malicious remarks and moves on issues related to China that are detrimental to China’s interests and China-Philippines relations, the spokesperson said.

    The Chinese government is firmly resolved to defend national sovereignty, security, and development interests, the spokesperson noted.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: NZTA completes transfer of safety camera network

    Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

    New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) has completed the transfer of safety camera operations from NZ Police.

    After a 12-month period of transition, as of today (1 July 2025) NZTA is solely responsible for the operation of the safety camera network of around 150 cameras formerly operated by Police. This is planned to expand to around 200 cameras by 2027, including fixed speed cameras, mobile speed cameras, red light cameras and average (point to point) speed cameras. 

    Details on the current safety camera network, including the locations of fixed cameras, can be found on the NZTA website. 

    Fixed safety camera locations

    NZTA Head of Regulatory Strategic Programmes Tara Macmillan says the transfer of safety cameras from NZ Police to NZTA will strengthen the road safety partnership between the two agencies, improve the effectiveness of safety cameras as an enforcement tool, and make New Zealand’s roads safer for everyone. 

    “Managing roadside infrastructure like cameras is what NZTA does every day. Having responsibility for safety cameras allows us to use them where and when they will be most effective in reducing crashes, preventing serious injuries and saving lives,” says Ms Macmillan.  

    “We’ve now rolled out signs at all fixed speed camera sites, giving drivers a fair warning to check their speed and slow down if needed.   

    “These fixed cameras are installed at high-risk locations for crashes. Reminding drivers of that gives them the opportunity to slow down to protect themselves and others from, at worst injury or death, and at minimum, to avoid a ticket.” 

    Ms Macmillan says the effectiveness of this approach in reducing speeds can be seen through data collected by NZTA at new speed camera sites collected before and after cameras and signs were installed. 

    Safety cameras change driver behaviour

    “The percentage of drivers travelling at or below the maximum speed limit at our new camera site on Mill Road in Pukekohe has increased from just 39 percent before the camera was installed to 99 percent after. Similarly, at our new camera site on SH1 at Kawakawa, compliance with the speed limit has increased from just 34 percent before the camera was installed to 94 percent after. 

    “Across the ten new camera sites where we are currently tracking before and after data, the average compliance rate with speed limits has increased from 57 percent to 98 percent. 

    “Fewer speeding vehicles at these high-risk sites make these roads safer for everyone who uses them. No matter what the cause of a crash, speed can be the difference between someone being killed, receiving a life changing injury or walking away unharmed.” 

    As part of the transfer of cameras from Police, NZTA is also now operating mobile speed cameras in SUVs, alongside Police officers being highly visible on our roads. Both mobile cameras and officer enforcement deter speeding by operating anytime and anywhere.  

    In addition to fixed and mobile speed cameras, NZTA is also planning the rollout of new average speed safety cameras along high-risk corridors and roads. This technology is internationally proven to be very effective at reducing deaths and serious injuries on longer sections of road.  The cameras work by calculating a vehicle’s average speed over a length of road between two cameras.  

    Ms Macmillan says NZTA’s focus is on improving road safety, reducing crashes, preventing serious injuries and saving lives.  

    “Speeding drivers can cause serious and irreparable harm on the roads, including deaths and serious injuries. Evidence shows that we can reduce the chance of people being killed or seriously injured in crashes if drivers travel within speed limits, and that is why we have safety cameras.”  

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S., Malaysian forces conclude Bersama Warrior 25

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    KUANTAN, Malaysia — Service members with the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF), U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, and U.S. joint forces – including active duty and reserve components – concluded Bersama Warrior 25 on June 26, following 10 days of bilateral staff integration and scenario-based planning in Kuantan, Malaysia.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Man charged over death in Mt Eden Corrections Facility

    Source: New Zealand Police

    A murder charge has been laid following the death of an inmate at Mount Eden Corrections Facility on 27 June.

    “A 32-year-old man has been charged with murder,” acting Detective Inspector Greg Brand, of Auckland City CIB, says. 

    “Police enquires are ongoing and at this stage and as this matter is before the courts Police are unable to comment further.”

    The man will appear in the Auckland District Court on 3 July.

    ENDS 

    Nicole Bremner/NZ Police 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Increased accountability for Jobseeker Support

    Source: New Zealand Government

    From today, people getting Jobseeker Support will need to reapply every 26 weeks (six months), instead of just once a year, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. 

    “This previously signalled change increases accountability, while also improving opportunities for jobseekers,” Louise Upston says.

    “Reapplying for their benefit more often makes sure people receiving Jobseeker Support engage with MSD more regularly. Frontline staff are then able to check people are doing everything they can to find a job and prepare for work, while getting the right kind of support from MSD to make that happen. 

    “It also gives MSD another opportunity to assess people’s eligibility and make sure they understand what they need to do to stay on track with their obligations while receiving a benefit. 

    “We know getting back into work produces better outcomes for people and their families. Reapplying for Jobseeker Support every 26 weeks instead of 52 is a realistic expectation, as part of the Government’s initiatives to actively support people off welfare and into employment.

    “Having to apply only once a year was a significant gap and didn’t help either jobseekers or the MSD staff working with them.” 

    Changes have also been made to the reapplication process to make it easier for many people reapplying. If they’ve recently interacted with MSD about their job search, for instance, they may be able to complete their reapplication online without needing an appointment.

    “The improved reapplication process means less time repeating information and more time focusing on support to overcome barriers to work,” Louise Upston says. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: 427 people recognised in honours list

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Chief Executive has awarded 427 people in this year’s Honours List in recognition of their significant contributions to Hong Kong.

    Three people – Lawrence Fung Siu-por, Charles Yeung Chun-kam and Prof John Leong Chi-yan – received the Grand Bauhinia Medal.

    Twenty people received the Gold Bauhinia Star, including Secretary for Justice Paul Lam and former Commissioner of Police Siu Chak-yee. Twenty-nine people received the Silver Bauhinia Star and 46 the Bronze Bauhinia Star.

    Chief Executive John Lee extended his congratulations to all award recipients and expressed gratitude for their significant contributions, hoping that they will continue to excel in their own fields and serve the community. 

    In addition to thanking nine officers for their outstanding contributions to safeguarding national security, he also commended two citizens for bravely saving a number of trapped people during the No. 3 alarm fire at New Lucky House in Jordan in April last year.

    Furthermore, Mr Lee expressed gratitude for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Search & Rescue Team deployed to assist in the search and rescue work in the quake-stricken areas of Myanmar in March and April this year.

    The awards presentation ceremony will be held later this year.

    Moreover, the Chief Executive has appointed a total of 66 people as Justices of the Peace.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Kiwis’ hard-earned money safer

    Source: New Zealand Government

    New rules taking effect today will provide greater protection for Kiwis’ money in the unlikely event of a bank collapse, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.

    From today, deposits at banks, building societies, credit unions and finance companies are insured up to $100,000 per person, per institution.

    The change comes from the launch of the Depositor Compensation Scheme (DCS).

    “The implementation of this scheme should give New Zealanders extra peace of mind that if something were to go wrong at the institution where they have entrusted their money, they will get their money back.

    “It has the additional benefit of promoting better competition by providing smaller deposit takers the ability to compete on a level playing field.

    “Sometimes a smaller deposit taker can provide a more competitive deal, but the consumer’s confidence is undermined by that organisation’s exposure to risk. This scheme helps overcome that issue, promoting better competition, and therefore better deals for Kiwis.”

    The introduction of the scheme, which is funded by deposit takers and administered by the Reserve Bank, brings New Zealand in line with internation peers, such as Australia and the United Kingdom.

    Under the DCS, each depositor is protected up to $100,000 per deposit taker. That means that in the unlikely event of a deposit taker collapse, people who have put their money in eligible accounts will get back up to $100,000 per person.

    The DCS covers money held in standard banking products, including transaction, savings, notice and term deposit accounts.

    The change is automatic and depositors do not have to do anything to be covered, but it is recommended people check with their deposit taker – be it a bank or something else – to see what is protected by the scheme.

    Notes:

    For more information on the Depositor Compensation Scheme, including what it covers, and which banks and non-bank deposit takers provide DCS-protected deposits visit this page.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Ferry privatisation would be a disaster

    Source: Maritime Union of New Zealand

    The Maritime Union of New Zealand (MUNZ) says suggestions of privatisation of the new Cook Strait Interislander ferries would be a dangerous step backwards.

    The proposals were contained in a cabinet paper presented to the Government earlier this year and obtained by media under the OIA.

    Maritime Union of New Zealand National Secretary Carl Findlay says past privatisation of strategic transport infrastructure had caused great harm to our national supply chain.

    He says the ideological push for privatization will be coming from the extreme right in the Government represented by the ACT Party.

    Mr Findlay says New Zealand’s rail network, including the ferries, had been sold off to overseas corporates in the 1990s by a right wing National Government.

    “What followed was a textbook case of corporate raiding, where assets were stripped for short-term profit, maintenance was run into the ground, and workers paid with their lives due to shocking health and safety breaches.”

    “The taxpayer was then forced to spend millions to buy back the asset and start the long process of fixing it up.”

    Mr Findlay says it is essential for a New Zealand owned, public ferry operator to be on the Cook Strait for economic security and supply chain resilience.

    He says the Cook Strait is our ‘blue highway’, an essential extension of State Highway 1 and the Main Trunk Line.

    “We believe the Minister of Rail, Winston Peters, who has spoken at length about the failures of past privatisations, will not allow the Government to be swayed by ACT style agendas.”

    Mr Findlay says the ferry replacement process has already been a fiasco, with the decision of Finance Minister Nicola Willis to cancel the iRex project creating years of delays and a billion dollar cost to New Zealand.

    He says there are many other opportunities for private operators to enter into other coastal shipping services, and the Government should be supporting this goal.

    “For the Cook Strait, our focus should be on investing in a modern, reliable, and publicly-owned ferry fleet that is fit for the 21st century and serves all New Zealanders.”

    The Maritime Union of New Zealand represents seafaring and catering crews on both Cook Strait ferry operators.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Comprehensive medical device list in effect

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Associate Health Minister David Seymour has today announced that Pharmac have created their comprehensive list of medical devices which are used in public hospitals, to improve the way they manage medical devices.

    “Almost everyone diagnosed or treated at a public hospital relies on medical devices for their care. These can range from bandages and cotton swabs to pacemakers, hip replacements, hospital beds, and robotic surgery machines,” Mr Seymour says. 

    “Pharmac has made a list of all medical devices currently used in public hospitals to improve the way medical devices are managed in New Zealand. Establishing the comprehensive list will not only support better planning and investment decisions, but it will also help identify funding priorities and guide future purchasing. 

    “Over 26,000 medical devices were added to the comprehensive list, bringing the total number of devices on the list to 220,000. Pharmac will continue to refine the list as we engage with more suppliers and prepare for the next phase of the medical device management work.

    “We’re working toward a future where all public hospitals work from a single, trusted national list. One list used by all public hospitals brings greater transparency to what devices are used and funded. This will support consistent access, reduce duplication, and improve equity across the country.

    “Previously the Hospital Medical Devices list only included medical devices covered by Pharmac’s contracts with suppliers. We recently added the remaining medical devices used by hospitals to this list, to create the comprehensive list of medical devices. 

    Pharmac consulted on what to include in the comprehensive list from 11 February until 31 March 2025. 

    “Pharmac staff carefully reviewed all feedback received during the consultation process. They contacted suppliers to validate data, confirm which medical devices have been added to the list, and explain why others have not,” Mr Seymour says. 

    “When the Government manages its accounts like families and businesses have to, money goes a lot further.” 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for July 1, 2025

    ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on July 1, 2025.

    Trauma is carried in your DNA. But science reveals a more complicated story
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tara-Lyn Camilleri, Postdoctoral researcher of transgenerational effects, Monash University Radu Bercan/Shutterstock As war continues to rage in Gaza and Ukraine, there is concern about how the related trauma might be transmitted to future generations of people in those regions. More generally, interest in the idea of transgenerational

    Aamir Khan’s big screen comeback, Sitaare Zameen Par, features an all-star neurodivergent cast – a Bollywood first
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Yanyan Hong, PhD Candidate in Communication, Media and Film Studies, University of Adelaide Bharti Dubey/X Bollywood star Aamir Khan’s return to the big screen after a three-year hiatus has been far from ordinary. Sitaare Zameen Par (2025) which translates to “stars on Earth”, is the first major

    The rising rate of type 2 diabetes in young New Zealanders is becoming a health crisis
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lynne Chepulis, Associate Professor, Health Sciences, University of Waikato vadimguzhva/Getty Images No longer just a condition of middle age, type 2 diabetes is increasingly affecting children, teenagers and young adults in New Zealand. And our health system is nowhere near ready to manage this surge. Type 2

    Understanding the ‘Slopocene’: how the failures of AI can reveal its inner workings
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Daniel Binns, Senior Lecturer, Media & Communication, RMIT University AI-generated with Leonardo Phoenix 1.0. Author supplied Some say it’s em dashes, dodgy apostrophes, or too many emoji. Others suggest that maybe the word “delve” is a chatbot’s calling card. It’s no longer the sight of morphed bodies

    Trump’s worldview is causing a global shift of alliances – what does this mean for nations in the middle?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dilnoza Ubaydullaeva, Lecturer in Government – National Security College, Australian National University Since US President Donald Trump took office this year, one theme has come up time and again: his rule is a threat to the US-led international order. As the US political scientist John Mearsheimer famously

    We have drugs to manage HIV. So why are we spending millions looking for cures?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Bridget Haire, Associate Professor, Public Health Ethics, School of Population Health, UNSW Sydney Alim Yakubov/Shutterstock Over the past three decades there have been amazing advances in treating and preventing HIV. It’s now a manageable infection. A person with HIV who takes HIV medicine consistently, before their immune

    Sexy K-pop demons, a human lie detector and shearers on strike: what to watch in July
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Mickel, Adjunct Associate Professor, School of Justice, Queensland University of Technology Tomorrow marks exactly halfway through 2025. Luckily there’s a suite of streaming options to help get you through the mid-year bump. We’ve got iconic classics celebrating major anniversaries, as well as an animated K-Pop spectacle,

    Fiji human rights coalition challenges Rabuka over decolonisation ‘unfinished business’
    Asia Pacific Report The NGO Coalition on Human Rights in Fiji (NGOCHR) has called on Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka as the new chair of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) to “uphold justice, stability and security” for Kanaky New Caledonia and West Papua. In a statement today after last week’s MSG leaders’ summit in Suva, the

    Battle of Ideas: Political Lawfare and the Destitution of Pedro Castillo
    Source: Council on Hemispheric Affairs – Analysis-Reportage COHA On June 29, Radio Negro Primero, a community-based station in Venezuela, and affiliates, will examine the jailing and prosecution of Peru’s constitutional president, Pedro Castillo. The program, Battle of Ideas, hosted by William Camacaro (Senior Analyst for COHA) and Mary Dugarte (Venezuelan Journalist), will feature distinguished panelists:

    In Struggle and Solidarity: The Enduring Legacy of Joaquín Domínguez Parada
    Source: Council on Hemispheric Affairs – Analysis-Reportage By Fred Mills and Evelyn Gonzalez Mills Silver Spring, MD Joaquín Domínguez Parada, a renowned Salvadoran attorney and tireless advocate for refugees of war and persecution, passed away on Thursday, June 26, 2025, four days after his 77th birthday in El Salvador, leaving a legacy of love, integrity,

    Here’s how First Nations landholders can share the benefits of the NSW energy transition
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Heidi Norman, Professor of Australian and Aboriginal history, Faculty of Arts, Design and Architecture, Convenor: Indigenous Land & Justice Research Group, UNSW Sydney Hay Local Aboriginal Land Council staff and members with researchers and actuaries from Finity Consulting. UNSW Indigenous Land and Justice Research Group The shift

    Warmer seas are fuelling the dangerous ‘weather bomb’ about to hit NSW
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Steve Turton, Adjunct Professor of Environmental Geography, CQUniversity Australia Heavy surf and intense rains hit Sydney beaches during a 2020 East Coast Low. Lee Hulsman/Getty Right now, a severe storm likely to be the first significant east coast low in three years is developing off the coast

    ‘I’m just exhausted’: sexual harassment at work is still rife. These new laws would help
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sarah Ailwood, Associate Professor, School of Law, University of Wollongong FG Trade/Getty Last week, the Australian Human Rights Commission launched a new report on sexual harassment, called Speaking From Experience. It includes the voices of more than 300 victim-survivors of workplace sexual harassment from vulnerable communities. In

    My shins hurt after running. Could it be shin splints?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Krissy Kendall, Senior Lecturer in Exercise and Sports Science, Edith Cowan University lzf/Getty If you’ve started running for the first time, started again after a break, or your workout is more intense, you might have felt it. A dull, nagging ache down your shins after you exercise.

    Australia’s cutest mammal is now Australia’s cutest three mammals
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Cameron Dodd, PhD Student in Evolutionary Biology and Taxonomy, The University of Western Australia The long-eared kultarr (_A. auritus_) is the middle child in terms of body size, but it has by far the biggest ears. Ken Johnson Australia is home to more than 60 species of

    Occupational therapists tackle obstacles in the home, from support to cook a meal, to navigating public transport
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Danielle Hitch, Senior Lecturer in Occupational Therapy, Deakin University Occupational therapists (OTs) have been in the spotlight this month after the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) froze NDIS payments for these services at $193.99 per hour for the sixth year. The NDIA also cut travel payments for

    Do you have Bitcoin? Be aware of the tax consequences of selling your investment
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Christina Allen, Senior lecturer, Curtin University Bitcoin is ubiquitous. It is impossible to open a social media stream or news source without encountering yet another mention of the topic. Many Australians have invested, hoping for a good return. But they may not have considered the tax consequences

    On her new album, Lorde creates pop at its purest – performative, playful and alive to paradox
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rosemary Overell, Senior Lecturer in Communication Studies, University of Otago “✏️Describe the vibe” goes the demand to commenters underneath the YouTube video for Lorde’s latest single, “Hammer”. Fans form a flow; a “vibe check” in Zillenial parlance: The pure rawness … (@lynmariegm) A more raw true-to-self form

    Men traded wares – but women traded knowledge: what a new archeological study tells us about PNG sea trade
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Robert Skelly, Archaeologist, Monash University Women loading pots on a Motu lakatoi trading vessel, in this photograph published in 1887. J. W. Lindt Australia’s closest neighbour, Papua New Guinea, is a place of remarkable cultural diversity. Home to cultures speaking more than 800 languages, this region has

    Unsafe and unethical: bed shortages mean dementia patients with psychiatric symptoms are admitted to medical wards
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Cindy Towns, Senior Lecturer in General Medicine and Geriatrics, University of Otago Getty Images New Zealand’s mental health crisis is well documented in the government’s 2018 inquiry, He Ara Oranga, which shows one in five people experience mental illness or significant mental distress. However, an almost singular

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for July 1, 2025

    ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on July 1, 2025.

    Trauma is carried in your DNA. But science reveals a more complicated story
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tara-Lyn Camilleri, Postdoctoral researcher of transgenerational effects, Monash University Radu Bercan/Shutterstock As war continues to rage in Gaza and Ukraine, there is concern about how the related trauma might be transmitted to future generations of people in those regions. More generally, interest in the idea of transgenerational

    Aamir Khan’s big screen comeback, Sitaare Zameen Par, features an all-star neurodivergent cast – a Bollywood first
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Yanyan Hong, PhD Candidate in Communication, Media and Film Studies, University of Adelaide Bharti Dubey/X Bollywood star Aamir Khan’s return to the big screen after a three-year hiatus has been far from ordinary. Sitaare Zameen Par (2025) which translates to “stars on Earth”, is the first major

    The rising rate of type 2 diabetes in young New Zealanders is becoming a health crisis
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lynne Chepulis, Associate Professor, Health Sciences, University of Waikato vadimguzhva/Getty Images No longer just a condition of middle age, type 2 diabetes is increasingly affecting children, teenagers and young adults in New Zealand. And our health system is nowhere near ready to manage this surge. Type 2

    Understanding the ‘Slopocene’: how the failures of AI can reveal its inner workings
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Daniel Binns, Senior Lecturer, Media & Communication, RMIT University AI-generated with Leonardo Phoenix 1.0. Author supplied Some say it’s em dashes, dodgy apostrophes, or too many emoji. Others suggest that maybe the word “delve” is a chatbot’s calling card. It’s no longer the sight of morphed bodies

    Trump’s worldview is causing a global shift of alliances – what does this mean for nations in the middle?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dilnoza Ubaydullaeva, Lecturer in Government – National Security College, Australian National University Since US President Donald Trump took office this year, one theme has come up time and again: his rule is a threat to the US-led international order. As the US political scientist John Mearsheimer famously

    We have drugs to manage HIV. So why are we spending millions looking for cures?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Bridget Haire, Associate Professor, Public Health Ethics, School of Population Health, UNSW Sydney Alim Yakubov/Shutterstock Over the past three decades there have been amazing advances in treating and preventing HIV. It’s now a manageable infection. A person with HIV who takes HIV medicine consistently, before their immune

    Sexy K-pop demons, a human lie detector and shearers on strike: what to watch in July
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Mickel, Adjunct Associate Professor, School of Justice, Queensland University of Technology Tomorrow marks exactly halfway through 2025. Luckily there’s a suite of streaming options to help get you through the mid-year bump. We’ve got iconic classics celebrating major anniversaries, as well as an animated K-Pop spectacle,

    Fiji human rights coalition challenges Rabuka over decolonisation ‘unfinished business’
    Asia Pacific Report The NGO Coalition on Human Rights in Fiji (NGOCHR) has called on Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka as the new chair of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) to “uphold justice, stability and security” for Kanaky New Caledonia and West Papua. In a statement today after last week’s MSG leaders’ summit in Suva, the

    Battle of Ideas: Political Lawfare and the Destitution of Pedro Castillo
    Source: Council on Hemispheric Affairs – Analysis-Reportage COHA On June 29, Radio Negro Primero, a community-based station in Venezuela, and affiliates, will examine the jailing and prosecution of Peru’s constitutional president, Pedro Castillo. The program, Battle of Ideas, hosted by William Camacaro (Senior Analyst for COHA) and Mary Dugarte (Venezuelan Journalist), will feature distinguished panelists:

    In Struggle and Solidarity: The Enduring Legacy of Joaquín Domínguez Parada
    Source: Council on Hemispheric Affairs – Analysis-Reportage By Fred Mills and Evelyn Gonzalez Mills Silver Spring, MD Joaquín Domínguez Parada, a renowned Salvadoran attorney and tireless advocate for refugees of war and persecution, passed away on Thursday, June 26, 2025, four days after his 77th birthday in El Salvador, leaving a legacy of love, integrity,

    Here’s how First Nations landholders can share the benefits of the NSW energy transition
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Heidi Norman, Professor of Australian and Aboriginal history, Faculty of Arts, Design and Architecture, Convenor: Indigenous Land & Justice Research Group, UNSW Sydney Hay Local Aboriginal Land Council staff and members with researchers and actuaries from Finity Consulting. UNSW Indigenous Land and Justice Research Group The shift

    Warmer seas are fuelling the dangerous ‘weather bomb’ about to hit NSW
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Steve Turton, Adjunct Professor of Environmental Geography, CQUniversity Australia Heavy surf and intense rains hit Sydney beaches during a 2020 East Coast Low. Lee Hulsman/Getty Right now, a severe storm likely to be the first significant east coast low in three years is developing off the coast

    ‘I’m just exhausted’: sexual harassment at work is still rife. These new laws would help
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sarah Ailwood, Associate Professor, School of Law, University of Wollongong FG Trade/Getty Last week, the Australian Human Rights Commission launched a new report on sexual harassment, called Speaking From Experience. It includes the voices of more than 300 victim-survivors of workplace sexual harassment from vulnerable communities. In

    My shins hurt after running. Could it be shin splints?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Krissy Kendall, Senior Lecturer in Exercise and Sports Science, Edith Cowan University lzf/Getty If you’ve started running for the first time, started again after a break, or your workout is more intense, you might have felt it. A dull, nagging ache down your shins after you exercise.

    Australia’s cutest mammal is now Australia’s cutest three mammals
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Cameron Dodd, PhD Student in Evolutionary Biology and Taxonomy, The University of Western Australia The long-eared kultarr (_A. auritus_) is the middle child in terms of body size, but it has by far the biggest ears. Ken Johnson Australia is home to more than 60 species of

    Occupational therapists tackle obstacles in the home, from support to cook a meal, to navigating public transport
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Danielle Hitch, Senior Lecturer in Occupational Therapy, Deakin University Occupational therapists (OTs) have been in the spotlight this month after the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) froze NDIS payments for these services at $193.99 per hour for the sixth year. The NDIA also cut travel payments for

    Do you have Bitcoin? Be aware of the tax consequences of selling your investment
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Christina Allen, Senior lecturer, Curtin University Bitcoin is ubiquitous. It is impossible to open a social media stream or news source without encountering yet another mention of the topic. Many Australians have invested, hoping for a good return. But they may not have considered the tax consequences

    On her new album, Lorde creates pop at its purest – performative, playful and alive to paradox
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rosemary Overell, Senior Lecturer in Communication Studies, University of Otago “✏️Describe the vibe” goes the demand to commenters underneath the YouTube video for Lorde’s latest single, “Hammer”. Fans form a flow; a “vibe check” in Zillenial parlance: The pure rawness … (@lynmariegm) A more raw true-to-self form

    Men traded wares – but women traded knowledge: what a new archeological study tells us about PNG sea trade
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Robert Skelly, Archaeologist, Monash University Women loading pots on a Motu lakatoi trading vessel, in this photograph published in 1887. J. W. Lindt Australia’s closest neighbour, Papua New Guinea, is a place of remarkable cultural diversity. Home to cultures speaking more than 800 languages, this region has

    Unsafe and unethical: bed shortages mean dementia patients with psychiatric symptoms are admitted to medical wards
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Cindy Towns, Senior Lecturer in General Medicine and Geriatrics, University of Otago Getty Images New Zealand’s mental health crisis is well documented in the government’s 2018 inquiry, He Ara Oranga, which shows one in five people experience mental illness or significant mental distress. However, an almost singular

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI China: SCO digital economy forum to be held in China, highlighting cooperation

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

    TIANJIN, June 30 — The 2025 Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Digital Economy Forum will be held in north China’s Tianjin Municipality from July 10 to 11, its organizers announced on Monday.

    Themed “New Bonds in the Digital Economy, New Horizons for Cooperation,” the forum aims to expand new development space for the SCO and ensure digital dividends benefit people across the region.

    Over 600 participants from China and abroad will discuss data circulation and trade, industrial digitalization, digital infrastructure, AI applications, smart cities, and digital talent development — key areas of common interest to SCO members.

    The event is co-organized by the National Data Administration (NDA) and the Tianjin municipal government.

    Speaking at a press conference, Yu Ying, deputy director of the NDA, said that China places great importance on international cooperation on the digital economy.

    Since the establishment of the NDA in October 2023, China has signed memorandums of understanding on digital economy cooperation with 26 countries, including Russia, Brazil, Hungary, Nigeria and Malaysia.

    China has achieved positive progress in developing the digital economy in recent years, with the added value of its core digital economy industries accounting for about 10 percent of its GDP by the end of 2024, Yu said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Construction begins on Chinese section of China-Laos 500-kV power interconnection project

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

    Construction begins on Chinese section of China-Laos 500-kV power interconnection project

    KUNMING, June 30 — Construction on the Chinese section of the China-Laos 500-kV power interconnection project officially commenced on Monday. This is another major project in bilateral cooperation following the construction and operations of the China-Laos Railway.

    The Chinese section of the new project consists of a 145-km, 500-kV transmission line stretching from the Dai Autonomous Prefecture of Xishuangbanna in Yunnan Province to Laos, as well as the expansion of a 500-kV transformer substation in the prefecture, according to the Yunnan Power Grid Co., Ltd., which is a subsidiary of the China Southern Power Grid Co., Ltd. (CSG).

    The project is a key initiative outlined in an action plan to build a China-Laos community with a shared future, with completion and the launch of operations scheduled for 2026.

    Once operational, the project is expected to enable a two-way mutual assistance power capacity of 1.5 million kW and to facilitate the transmission of approximately 3 billion kWh of clean electricity.

    Construction on the project’s Lao section began on Feb. 26, with a launch ceremony held in Vientiane.

    The Lao section is being developed by Electricite du Laos Transmission Company Limited, while the Chinese section is being managed by the CSG.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China completes barrier belt to prevent eastward expansion of its fourth-largest desert

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

    This aerial photo taken on Sept. 6, 2023 shows the Yellow River flowing through Shapotou District in Zhongwei City, northwest China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. [Photo/Xinhua]

    China on Monday reached a major milestone in desertification control by completing a barrier belt along the southeastern edge of the Tengger Desert in the northwestern Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.

    In Changliushui village in the city of Zhongwei, workers installed the final row of straw checkerboards, a traditional sand-fixing method, locking the final stretch of shifting dunes in the Ningxia part of the Tengger Desert after a sand control project spanning more than six decades.

    This traditional sand-fixing method involves planting straw in a checkerboard pattern on the desert surface to stabilize sand and prevent wind erosion.

    This new achievement marks the completion of a 153-kilometer-long green barrier belt in Ningxia, which is 10 to 38 kilometers wide.

    Called simply the desert edge-locking project, this approach was designed to fix shifting dunes by planting vegetation belts along the desert’s perimeter, preventing further encroachment.

    Sand control often suffers setbacks as fixed dunes can start to shift again. To prevent this, workers plan to sow grass and desert-adapted shrubs within the checkerboard grid once the rainy season arrives. Once rooted, the vegetation is expected to lock the sand for the long term.

    The belt serves as a natural defense line against the eastward spread of the Tengger Desert, which spans approximately 43,000 square kilometers.

    Zhongwei, located between the Qilian and Helan mountains, is the sole gateway for the Tengger Desert’s eastward expansion. Experts say the barrier will act as a critical ecological buffer that prevents further sand encroachment and protects the Yellow River.

    Lu Qi, chief scientist of the Chinese Academy of Forestry, said the barrier belt can help prevent the desert from further encroaching on farmland, towns, oases and roads, and also significantly reduce the source of sandstorms.

    The construction of the green barrier belt in Ningxia dates back to the 1950s when the straw checkerboard approach was invented to protect the Baotou-Lanzhou Railway, China’s first desert railway.

    Local authorities have worked with research institutions to apply new technologies in sand control, such as artificial cyanobacteria sand crusts and improved straw checkerboards.

    Over the past two years, 2.6 billion yuan of investment has been made in the construction of the green barrier belt, part of China’s Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Program, the world’s largest afforestation program to tackle desertification.

    After generations’ sand control efforts over the past decades, the city has finished desertification control on about 370,000 hectares of land, pushing the desert back by about 25 kilometers.

    “The green barrier belt is not only a means of ecological restoration, but also a key practice of harmonious coexistence between humankind and nature,” said Lu. “It also offers an important reference for the sustainable development of arid areas worldwide.”

    China has taken an active role in global desertification control. Since signing the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in 1994, the country has been a leader in halting land degradation and reversing desertification, and has continuously shared sand control experience, technologies and talent abroad.

    In its latest effort, the China-Central Asia desertification control cooperation center, which is based in Ningxia, was inaugurated in June to boost international collaboration.

    “Our goal is to inject more Chinese momentum into global ecological governance and sustainable development,” said Dong Yanbiao, deputy director of the center. He added that the center plans to leverage technology advantages, integrate domestic research and build cooperation networks.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: G7 FMs call for resumption of negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program

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

    The Group of Seven (G7) foreign ministers on Monday called for the resumption of negotiations to reach a comprehensive, verifiable and durable agreement that addresses Iran’s nuclear program.

    In a joint statement on Iran and the Middle East issued by Global Affairs Canada, the foreign ministers called on Iran to urgently resume full cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) as required by its safeguards obligations and to provide the IAEA with verifiable information about all nuclear material in Iran, including by providing access to IAEA inspectors.

    “We underscore the centrality of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) as the cornerstone of the global nuclear non-proliferation regime. It is essential that Iran remains party to and fully implements its obligations under the Treaty,” read the statement.

    G7 foreign ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States, as well as the high representative of the European Union, met in The Hague on June 25 and discussed recent events in the Middle East.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Greater certainty for New Zealanders with cancer

    Source: PHARMAC

    New Zealanders with cancer will have greater continuity of care from today, following Pharmac’s decision on amending pharmaceutical schedule rules to allow access to new publicly funded cancer medicines in private hospitals and clinics. 

    From 1 July 2025, when Pharmac funds a new cancer medicine or widens access to existing funded cancer medicines, eligible patients will be able to receive their medicine within private hospitals or clinics for a period of up to 12 months, without having to move their care to a public hospital. 

    “This decision will provide greater continuity of care for New Zealanders with cancer,” says Pharmac’s Director Strategy, Policy and Performance, Michael Johnson.

    In the past, patients whose cancer medicines became publicly funded during their treatment found themselves having to transfer their treatment to a public hospital to access publicly funded medicines or else continue their private treatment and self-fund the costs.

    “This change will allow these patients to benefit from newly funded cancer medicines, while maintaining their current treatment plans,” Johnson says.

    To be eligible, patients must already be receiving treatment at the date that their cancer medicine becomes funded by Pharmac, or have an approved treatment plan, and are about to start treatment at the date that their medicine becomes funded. This policy applies only to newly funded cancer medicines after 1 July 2025.)

    To support the Government’s decision to enable transitional access to publicly funded medicines in private settings, Pharmac consulted on rule changes to the pharmaceutical schedule between 26 May – 13 June 2025. 

    “While most people were supportive, we have listened to feedback and have decided to change the way we plan to implement this decision,” Johnson says. 

    Pharmac initially proposed that private facilities would be able to obtain the funded medicine from public hospitals, as private hospitals are not currently able to make subsidy claims for cancer medicines.

    “However, people told us this approach wouldn’t work and would likely lead to patient safety risks due to double handling of medicines, process differences between public and private, and incompatibility of administration kits,” Johnson says. 

    “People told us they would prefer for private facilities to directly order cancer medicines and submit subsidy claims to Pharmac. We’ve listened to this feedback and have decided to change the way we plan to implement this decision,” Johnson says. 

    Initially, Pharmac will work with private facilities to implement a direct payment arrangement for the cancer medicines that fall under this policy. Pharmac will in the future look to work with private facilities, Health NZ and suppliers to consider creating a claiming mechanism similar to that used by public hospitals. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Flag-raising marks 28th anniversary

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Chief Executive John Lee and senior government officials attended a flag-raising ceremony this morning to celebrate the 28th anniversary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region’s establishment.

    The ceremony was held at Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai at 8am.

    The Police Band performed at the ceremony and a choir from Clementi Secondary School sang the national anthem under the lead of two singers, followed by a fly-past and a sea parade by the disciplined services.

    Led by the Chief Executive, a celebratory reception was then held at the Grand Hall on Level 3 of the Convention & Exhibition Centre.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: 3/12 Executes HIMARS Dry-Fire Training at Camp Fuji

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    CAMP FUJI, Japan – U.S. Marines with 3d Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, 3d Marine Division conducted High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) dry-fire training at Combined Arms Training Center (CATC) Camp Fuji from June 11-13, 2025. This training represents a significant enhancement of Camp Fuji’s capability to support long-range fires and reflects our commitment to maintaining readiness and deterrence in the Indo-Pacific alongside our Japanese partners.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: DRC Medicine Ltd. Announces the Business Combination Agreement with Ribbon Acquisition Corp.

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Combined Company Expected to be Listed on NASDAQ Global Market

    • DRC Medicine Ltd. (“DRC Medicine” or the “Company”), is an innovative healthcare and biotechnology company headquartered in Japan, focused on the research, development, and commercialization of advanced medical technologies that address significant global health challenges.
    • The Company is best known for its proprietary Hydro Silver Titanium® technology, initially applied in consumer hygiene products such as masks and towels, and now being advanced to obtain medical device certification as among the world’s first therapeutic masks for seasonal allergic rhinitis.
    • Combined company to have an implied initial pro forma equity value of approximately $422.15 Million, (assuming no redemptions) and the transaction is expected to deliver cash proceeds of around $50.42 Million to DRC Medicine (assuming no redemptions) to fund DRC Medicine’s business and operations, which include devices’ clinical trial and certification.
    • Current DRC Medicine shareholders will retain 100% of their equity and will continue to own approximately 82.91% of the combined company on a pro forma basis, assuming no redemptions by Ribbon’s shareholder.

    Tokyo, June 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — DRC Medicine Ltd., an innovative healthcare and biotechnology company based in Tokyo, Japan (“DRC” or the “Company”), announced today that it has entered into a business combination agreement (the “Business Combination Agreement”) with Ribbon Acquisition Corp. (NASDAQ: RIBB) (“Ribbon”), a special purpose acquisition company, DRC Medicine Inc., a Delaware company limited by shares (DRC Medicine) and DRC Merger Inc. (“Merger Sub”), a Delaware company limited by shares and a directly owned subsidiary of DRC Medicine, which would result in DRC Medicine becoming a publicly-traded company (the “Proposed Transaction”).

    DRC Medicine Ltd. is an innovative healthcare and biotechnology company headquartered in Japan, focused on the research, development, and commercialization of advanced medical technologies that address significant global health challenges. The Company is best known for its proprietary Hydro Silver Titanium® technology, initially applied in consumer hygiene products such as masks and towels, and now being advanced to obtain medical device certification as among the world’s first therapeutic masks for seasonal allergic rhinitis. In addition to medical devices, the Company is developing a pipeline of In Vitro Diagnostic (“IVD”) kits for infectious diseases and allergen detection, combining its world-only cell-free protein synthesis technology leveraging AI powered Apps and is in final negotiation in acquiring an innovative ATP-enhancing drug for Parkinson’s disease drugs development company, the drug is currently in clinical trials. This diverse portfolio is driven by a strong focus on unmet medical needs, AI-assisted discovery, and global healthcare infrastructure transformation. For more information, visit https://drciyaku.co.jp/ and https://drciyaku.jp/.

    Dr. Marumi Okazaki, President & CEO of DRC, said: “This transaction will give us the resources that will enable us to capture the positive trends in our industry. Given the growth of airborne allergens, respiratory diseases and infectious diseases, increasing demand for better respiratory protection mask and faster and a more accurate IVD kits, we intend to invest in more IVD kits paired with AI-powered Apps in achieving universal diagnostics to empower the general public in guarding their health and fight against allergen, respiratory diseases and infectious diseases as well as catapult our research and development, production capabilities to meet the rising demand for better respiratory protection mask and AI-powered IVD kits.”

    Mr. Angshuman (Bubai) Ghosh, Chairman/CEO of Ribbon, said, “This business combination agreement with DRC is a great opportunity to enter into an exciting and accelerating growth healthcare and biotechnology industry. We believe its highly capable and experienced management team with all of the founders with substantial experience in developing innovative technologies, supported by their technology-savvy specialists and R&D team who are committed to pioneering innovations, will enable DRC to continuously innovate and advance their healthcare and biotechnology applications to gain a greater foothold in the global market.”

    Transaction Overview

    As a part of the Proposed Transaction, an intermediate holding company incorporated in Japan (the “Intermediate Co.” will acquire the shares of DRC Medicine, after which the Intermediate Co. will engage in a share exchange transaction with the  shareholders of the Company, such that the Company will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Intermediate Co. and the shareholders of the Company will become shareholders of DRC Medicine (the “DRC Restructuring”). Following the consummation of the DRC Restructuring and subject to the terms and conditions of the Business Combination Agreement, Ribbon will merge with and into the Merger Sub, with Merger Sub continuing as the surviving company and remaining a wholly owned subsidiary of DRC Medicine.

    The Proposed Transaction implies a pre-money equity value of US$350 million of DRC on a fully diluted basis, and is expected to provide DRC with access to approximately US$50 million cash from Ribbon’s IPO proceeds held in trust, assuming no redemption by Ribbon’s shareholders in connection with the current and future proxy exercises and prior to the payment of any transaction expenses. The parties will cooperate in connection with any financing arrangement the parties seek in connection with the Proposed Transaction.

    Advisors

    A.G.P./Alliance Global Partners serves as the financial advisor and lead capital markets advisor to Ribbon. Geneva Capital Group serves as the financial advisor to DRC. Celine & Partners serves as the legal advisor to Ribbon. Ross Law Group serves as the legal advisor to DRC.

    About DRC Medicine Ltd. 

    Founded in 2007, DRC is an innovative healthcare and biotechnology company headquartered in Japan, focused on the research, development, and commercialization of advanced medical technologies that address significant global health challenges. The Company is best known for its proprietary Hydro Silver Titanium® technology, initially applied in consumer hygiene products such as masks and towels, and now being advanced to obtain medical device certification as among the world’s first therapeutic masks for seasonal allergic rhinitis . In addition to medical devices, the Company is developing a pipeline of In Vitro Diagnostic (“IVD”) kits for infectious diseases and allergen detection, combining its world-only cell-free protein synthesis technology leveraging AI powered Apps and is in final negotiation in acquiring an innovative ATP-enhancing drug for Parkinson’s disease.

    About Ribbon Acquisition Corp. 

    Ribbon is a blank check company whose business purpose is to effect a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization, or similar business combination with one or more businesses. While Ribbon intends to conduct a global search for target businesses without being limited by geographic region, certain executive officers and independent directors are based in Hong Kong, and certain executive officers have experience investing in and building businesses in the Asia Pacific region and have a deep understanding of the region’s business environment, regulations, regulatory bodies and culture. Ribbon will not undertake an initial business combination with any company being based in or having the majority of the company’s operations in Greater China. Ribbon is led by Mr. Angshuman (Bubai) Ghosh, Ribbon’s Chief Executive Officer, and Ms. Zhiyang (Anna) Zhou, Ribbon’s Chief Financial Officer.

    Important Additional Information Regarding the Transaction Will Be Filed With the SEC

    This press release relates to the proposed business combination between Ribbon Acquisition Corp. and DRC Medicine Ltd.. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or exchange, or the solicitation of an offer to buy or exchange, any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, sale or exchange would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. DRC intends to file a Registration Statement on Form S-4 with the SEC, which will include a document that serves as a joint prospectus and proxy statement, referred to as a proxy statement/prospectus. A proxy statement/prospectus will be sent to all Ribbon shareholders. No offering of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or an exemption therefrom. Ribbon and DRC will also file other documents regarding the proposed business combination with the SEC. This press release does not contain all the information that should be considered concerning the proposed business combination and is not intended to form the basis of any investment decision or any other decision in respect of the business combination. BEFORE MAKING ANY VOTING DECISION, INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS OF RIBBON ARE URGED TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT, THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND ALL OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED OR THAT WILL BE FILED WITH THE SEC IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROPOSED BUSINESS COMBINATION AS THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED BUSINESS COMBINATION.

    Investors and security holders will be able to obtain free copies of the registration statement, the proxy statement/prospectus and all other relevant documents filed or that will be filed with the SEC by Ribbon and DRC through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. The documents filed by Ribbon and DRC with the SEC also may be obtained free of charge upon written request to Ribbon Acquisition Corp., Central Park Tower LaTour Shinjuku Room 3001, 6-15-1 Nishi Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku Tokyo 160-0023.

    Participants in the Solicitations

    Ribbon, DRC and their respective directors, executive officers, other members of management, and employees, under SEC rules, may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from Ribbon’s shareholders in connection with the proposed business combination. You can find information about Ribbon’s directors and executive officers and their interest in Ribbon in Ribbon’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, which was originally filed with the SEC on April 1, 2025. A list of the names of the directors, executive officers, other members of management and employees of Ribbon and DRC, as well as information regarding their interests in the business combination, will be contained in the Registration Statement on Form S-4 to be filed with the SEC by DRC. Additional information regarding the interests of such potential participants in the solicitation process may also be included in other relevant documents when they are filed with the SEC. You may obtain free copies of these documents from the sources indicated above.

    Caution About Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”) that are based on beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to Ribbon and DRC. These forward-looking statements are based on Ribbon’s and DRC’s expectations and beliefs concerning future events and involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the following words: “may,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “project,” “potential,” “continue,” “ongoing,” “target,” “seek” or the negative or plural of these words, or other similar expressions that are predictions or indicate future events or prospects, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. Any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including projections of market opportunity and market share, the capability of DRC’s business plans including its plans to expand, the anticipated enterprise value of the combined company following the consummation of the proposed business combination, anticipated benefits of the proposed business combination and expectations related to the terms and timing of the proposed business combination, are also forward-looking statements.

    Although each of Ribbon and DRC believes that it has a reasonable basis for each forward-looking statement contained in this communication, each of Ribbon and DRC cautions you that these statements are based on a combination of facts and factors currently known and projections of the future, which are inherently uncertain. These factors are difficult to predict accurately and may be beyond Ribbon’s and DRC’s control. In addition, there will be risks and uncertainties described in the proxy statement/prospectus on Form S-4 relating to the proposed business combination, which is expected to be filed by DRC with the SEC and other documents filed by Ribbon or DRC from time to time with the SEC. These filings may identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements.

    There may be additional risks that neither Ribbon or DRC presently know or that Ribbon and DRC currently believe are immaterial and that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. In light of the significant uncertainties in these forward-looking statements, you should not regard these statements as a representation or warranty by Ribbon or DRC, their respective directors, officers or employees or any other person that Ribbon and DRC will achieve their objectives and plans in any specified time frame, or at all. Forward-looking statements in this communication or elsewhere speak only as of the date made. New uncertainties and risks arise from time to time, and it is impossible for Ribbon or DRC to predict these events or how they may affect Ribbon or DRC. Except as required by law, neither Ribbon nor DRC has any duty to, and does not intend to, update or revise the forward-looking statements in this communication or elsewhere after the date this communication is issued. In light of these risks and uncertainties, investors should keep in mind that results, events or developments discussed in any forward-looking statement made in this communication may not occur. Uncertainties and risk factors that could affect Ribbon’s and DRC’s future performance and cause results to differ from the forward-looking statements in this release include, but are not limited to: the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the business combination; the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against Ribbon or DRC, the combined company or others following the announcement of the business combination; the inability to complete the business combination due to the failure to obtain approval of the shareholders of Ribbon or to satisfy other conditions to closing; changes to the proposed structure of the business combination that may be required or appropriate as a result of applicable laws or regulations; the ability to meet stock exchange listing standards following the consummation of the business combination; the risk that the business combination disrupts current plans and operations of Ribbon or DRC as a result of the announcement and consummation of the business combination; the ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the business combination, which may be affected by, among other things, competition, the ability of the combined company to grow and manage growth profitably, maintain relationships with customers and retain its management and key employees; costs related to the business combination; changes in applicable laws or regulations; Ribbon’s estimates of expenditures and profitability and underlying assumptions with respect to shareholder redemptions and purchase price and other adjustments; the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; changes in laws and regulations that impact DRC; ability to enforce, protect and maintain intellectual property rights; and other risks and uncertainties set forth in the section entitled “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in Ribbon’s final prospectus dated January 14, 2025 relating to its initial public offering and in subsequent filings with the SEC, including the registration statement on Form S-4 relating to the business combination expected to be filed by DRC.

    No Offer or Solicitation

    This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, or a solicitation of any vote or approval, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offering of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act, or an exemption therefrom.

    For further queries please contact:

    Geneva Capital Group on behalf of DRC

    Bob Lau, bob.lau@genevagroup.com.sg 

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Joint Statement: Heads of Multilateral Development Banks commit to strong joint action on development priorities

    Source: New Development Bank

    PARIS (28 June) – The Heads of Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) met today in Paris, hosted by the Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB), which currently chairs the Heads of MDBs Group. The meeting focused on advancing their joint efforts to address  development priorities.

    Amid rising global uncertainty, the Heads reaffirmed their commitment to working as a system to deliver greater impact and scale, in line with their Viewpoint Note and the recommendations of the G20 Roadmap towards Better, Bigger, and More Effective MDBs.  The Roadmap outlines an ambitious vision for MDB reform to better address regional and global challenges, support job creation, and help countries achieve their development aspirations.

    The Heads welcomed ongoing efforts to improve the way MDBs work with clients through operational efficiency and enhanced coordination. In 2025 alone, five mutual reliance agreements  have been signed, helping streamline the preparation and implementation of  co-financed projects across institutions.

    Private capital mobilization remains a system-wide priority, with the last joint report of the MDBs reflecting a positive trend in volumes mobilized. To build on this momentum, the Heads reaffirmed their commitment to developing local currency lending and foreign exchange solutions. They also reaffirmed  the importance of adequate risk assessment for private sector investment in emerging markets and developing economies; in this context, the valuable contribution of disaggregated statistics on credit risk published through the Global Emerging Markets Risk Database (GEMs) was recognized.

    The Heads reiterated their continued commitment to implementing the recommendations of the G20 Independent Review of Multilateral Development Banks’ Capital Adequacy Frameworks (CAF).  Further reform efforts by MDBs since mid-2024 have increased the additional lending headroom for development projects in all countries of operation, including high-income ones, over the next decade by more than US$250 billion, thus reaching a total of over US$650 billion.

    The publication in the coming weeks of the Comparison Report by the MDBs’ Global Risk and Finance Forum (GRaFF) will provide metrics and data relating to MDBs’ financial positions, promoting a better understanding of their financial models and supporting both balance sheet optimization and private sector mobilization.

    The Heads also agreed to continue advancing promising initiatives already underway to strengthen system-wide impact. These include: 1) Mission 300, which aims to connect 300 million people in Africa to electricity by 2030 through public and private collaboration;  2) Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Power Grid, which aims to boost energy security, strengthen resilience, and promote decarbonization for the region’s 670 million people by connecting its electricity systems; and 3) Digital Transformation in Education in Latin America and the Caribbean, which aims to connect 3.5 million students and train over 250,000 teachers.

    In addition, MDBs are exploring joint actions to scale up investments in social infrastructure, including health, education, housing, and water and sanitation. Building on structured dialogue led by the CEB, the Heads welcomed progress made through recent cross-MDB consultations and recognized the key role these sectors play in enabling jobs, productivity, and inclusive growth, while noting persistent financing and delivery challenges that constrain impact.

    Meeting in advance of the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4), which will take place in Sevilla, Spain, from 30 June to 3 July, MDBs remain committed to working better as a system, in alignment with country-led development priorities and strategies to promote jobs and prosperity. In view of water’s role in human development, MDBs committed to significantly increasing collective support for global water security by 2030, and will launch the first “Joint Annual MDB Water Security Financing Report” at FfD4. Heads noted the importance of the upcoming COP30 in Belem, Brazil, in November 2025.

    Today’s meeting in Paris marks a significant step toward effective collaboration and scaled-up collective action for development priorities. MDB reforms are advancing, moving from concept to execution.

    With streamlined operations, better risk tools, and growing financial capacity, MDBs are delivering real impact – from expanding energy access and digital education to scaling investment in water security.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI—Hagerty Joins Balance of Power on BloombergTV to Discuss Senate Passage of “One, Big Beautiful Bill”

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Tennessee Bill Hagerty

    WASHINGTON—Today, United States Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN), a member of the Senate Appropriations, Banking, and Foreign Relations Committees and former U.S. Ambassador to Japan, joined Balance of Power on BloombergTV to discuss Senate passage of the budget reconciliation package.

    *Click the photo above or here to watch*

    Partial Transcript

    Hagerty on the economic growth that will result from passing the budget reconciliation package: “It’s going to be a very long night and could well go into tomorrow morning. But at the end of the day, what we’re going to do is prevent the largest tax increase that Americans have ever seen. This is a tax relief that Americans need. We’re talking about a four-plus trillion-dollar tax increase. That would be the case if it were allowed to not pass. If you think about it, it’s a generational investment in our national defense. It’s going to put us back on the path for energy independence as a nation. And most important, it’s going to stimulate longer-term capital investment, which will beget growth. That growth will beget more employment, more employment will beget more economic activity, which means we’re going to have higher tax revenues for the government as a result.”

    Hagerty on the inaccurate scoring of the budget reconciliation package: “I don’t agree with their willingness to rely on authorities. I’m putting air quotes around that, like the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). The CBO missed the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act revenue by more than a trillion dollars. As a businessperson—I’ve been a businessperson my entire life—the type of capital investment they’re going to stimulate over the long term is definitely going to generate much more economic activity. And I think the models are wrong. I do not agree with the approach that has been taken that suggests this is going to be a big deficit bomb. In fact, I think it’s going to be a growth generator that’s going to put our deficit back on the curve in the right direction to reduce the deficit […] It’s been quite frustrating to see numbers that just as a logical person, as a businessperson, clearly you say that there’s no way these calculations are right. What they leave out, what they don’t include, that the overreliance on tax revenue, so to speak, when you know that companies and individual behaviors will change if taxes go up. The model does not work.”

    Hagerty on future budget reconciliation packages: “I certainly support another one of these packages. We’ll have an opportunity to do it again and again. If you think about the work that was undertaken by Elon Musk and the team at DOGE that’s continuing, every department head, every agency head, has been charged with figuring out how to reduce the dramatic burden of regulations that was imposed just in the last administration. And to quantify that over the past four years of [former President] Joe Biden’s administration, that was an additional $1.4 trillion of compliance costs that were added to the U.S. economy. As that comes out, as these conflicting regulations, these burdensome sclerotic regulations come out of the system, I expect to see that those funds, instead of going toward a compliance, fall to the bottom line and get reinvested in the economy. Again, all very pro-growth.”

    Hagerty on the collaboration between House and Senate Leadership: “Leader [John] Thune is trying to thread a very difficult needle, in terms of navigating through the Senate, with fifty-plus-one votes and having something that will work in the House of Representatives. Make no mistake: the leadership at the House of Representatives and here in the Senate have been working very closely together to make certain that we do thread that needle, that we’re able to turn something over to the House of Representatives that convenes tomorrow at noon, to set up the [Rules Committee] so that they can move this through the House, we can get it to the President’s desk, and get it signed by the 4th of July.”

    Hagerty on potential late-night votes: “It easily could go that way. I’ve been here voting all the way through the night and into the next morning, but we will vote as long as it takes to get here. There’s no time limit on this. It really has to do with how long the Democrats want to continue to fight, to put up their resistance movement again. They keep offering the same type of challenge over and over and over again and certainly dragging out the clock. I think what they want to do is get to primetime tonight. I’ve got to believe that their interest will wane after primetime hours. So, we’ll see how long it goes.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China to host SCO Forum on Digital Economy

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    TIANJIN, July 1 (Xinhua) — The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Forum on Digital Economy will be held in north China’s Tianjin City from July 10 to 11.

    The event, entitled “New Ties of the Digital Economy, New Horizons of Cooperation,” will aim to highlight the role of the digital economy as a hub and driving force in creating a new space for the development of the SCO and ensuring the availability of digital dividends for the population of the organization’s member states, the organizers said.

    More than 600 participants from China and abroad are expected to discuss topics of common interest: data circulation and trade, industrial digitalization, digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence applications, smart cities and digital talent development.

    The forum was organized by the State Data Administration (SDA) of the People’s Republic of China and the Tianjin Municipal Government.

    China attaches great importance to international cooperation in the digital economy, Yu Ying, deputy head of the department, said at a press conference on Monday. Since the establishment of the GUD in October 2023, China has signed memorandums of understanding on cooperation in the digital economy with 26 countries, including Russia, Brazil, Hungary, Nigeria and Malaysia.

    In recent years, China has made positive progress in developing its digital economy, with the added value created by key digital industries accounting for 10 percent of the country’s GDP by the end of 2024, Yu Ying said. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Name release: Fatal crash, Waipukurau

    Source: New Zealand Police

    Police can now release the name of the woman who died following a crash in Waipukurau on 29 June.

    She was 31-year-old Amberlee Carlson, of Waipukurau.

    Our thoughts are with those close to her at this difficult time.

    Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash remain ongoing.

    ENDS

    Issued by the Police Media Centre.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: IMF Executive Board Concludes 2025 Article IV Consultation and Completes the Eighth Review under the Extended Credit Facility with Guinea-Bissau

    Source: IMF – News in Russian

    June 30, 2025

    • The IMF Executive Board today concluded the 2025 Article IV consultation and completed the eighth review under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) for Guinea-Bissau. The completion of the review allows for an immediate disbursement of SDR 4.73 million (about US$ 6.5 million), bringing total disbursement under the arrangement to SDR 35.04 million (about US$ 48.1 million)
    • Program performance was mixed. Seven out of nine Quantitative Performance Criteria and three out of four Structural Benchmarks for end-December 2024 were met. The continuous Structural Benchmark on debt service payments was met while the continuous Structural Benchmark on the expenditure committee (COTADO) was missed.
    • Growth is expected to reach 5.1 percent in 2025 while inflation should average 2 percent. The current account deficit is expected to narrow to 5.8 percent of GDP in 2025, reflecting better terms of trade. The authorities are committed to achieving a fiscal deficit of 3.4 percent of GDP in 2025, to put public debt on a firm downward trajectory. The economic outlook is positive but remains subject to significant domestic and external risks.

    Washington, DC: The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded today the 2025 Article IV consultation[1] and completed the eighth review under Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement for Guinea-Bissau. The three-year arrangement, approved on January 30, 2023, aims to secure debt sustainability, improve governance, and reduce corruption, while creating fiscal space to foster inclusive growth. The Executive Board granted an augmentation of access (140 percent of quota or SDR 39.76 million) on November 29, 2023. The completion of the eighth review enables the disbursement of SDR 4.73 million (about US$ 6.5 million) to help meet the country’s balance-of-payments and fiscal financing needs. This brings total disbursement under the arrangement to SDR 35.04 million (about US$ 48.1 million). The authorities have consented to the publication of the Staff Report prepared for this consultation.[2]

    Program performance was mixed. Seven out of nine Quantitative Performance Criteria and three out of four Structural Benchmarks for end-December 2024 were met. The continuous Structural Benchmark on debt service payments was met while the continuous Structural Benchmark on the expenditure committee (COTADO) was missed. In completing the eighth review, the Executive Board granted waivers for the non-observance of quantitative performance criteria based on corrective actions taken by the authorities [including the revenue and expenditure measures adopted as prior actions for the review], approved the authorities’ request for modification of performance criteria and indicative targets, and completed the financing assurance review. The Executive Board also approved the authorities’ request for the program extension until July 29, 2026, and rephasing of access to provide them with sufficient time to implement fiscal consolidation policies supported by the ECF program.

    Economic growth is projected to reach 5.1 percent in 2025, supported by strong exports and investments, while inflation is expected to decelerate and average 2 percent. The current account deficit should narrow to 5.8 percent of GDP in 2025, reflecting a significant improvement in Guinea-Bissau’s terms of trade. The authorities are committed to achieving a fiscal deficit of 3.4 percent of GDP in 2025 to put public debt on a firm downward trajectory. While the direct impact of recent global trade tensions on Guinea-Bissau is limited, the economy remains subject to significant downside risks amid a challenging socio-political climate in an election year and capacity constraints. The 2025 Article IV consultation discussions focused on policies aimed at supporting economic diversification to reduce dependency on cashew nuts, maintaining fiscal sustainability through domestic revenue mobilization, and bolstering social protection and human capital to promote inclusive growth.

    Following the Executive Board discussion, Mr. Okamura, Deputy Managing Director and Acting Chair, issued the following statement:

    “The economy of Guinea-Bissau has been resilient, supported by strong investment spending. While growth is projected to continue around its potential of 4½-5 percent over the medium term, significant challenges remain. In particular, the high export dependency on cashew nuts and the high risk of debt distress leave the country vulnerable to adverse changes in the international environment. Against this background, the authorities are focused on policies designed to diversify the economy and broaden the export base, including by supporting additional growth sectors such as mining and fishing.

    “Achieving the fiscal consolidation target for 2025 is essential to reduce public debt vulnerabilities. In this context, the authorities remain committed to containing domestic primary spending within the 2025 budget and to maintain strict control over the wage bill. This is being supported by strong expenditure controls, including by ensuring that project disbursements are thoroughly verified and discretionary spending remains within agreed allocations. Measures to boost revenue mobilization to bring tax collection closer to its potential through a combination of tax policy measures and revenue administration reforms are vital to create fiscal space to support economic development while reducing fiscal risks.

    “Good progress has been made in addressing financial sector vulnerabilities. The recent approval by the regional Banking Commission for the purchase offer for the undercapitalized bank, and the authorities’ decision to divest the government’s stake in the bank, are important steps in reducing systemic financial sector risks.

    “Boosting inclusive growth calls for implementing sustained social protection programs to protect the poor, diversifying the economy, strengthening the business environment and governance, and improving the efficiency of education and health spending. Broadening the coverage of social protection programs and mainstreaming them within government structures would help reduce poverty indicators. At the same time, progressively reducing broad-based subsidies and moving towards more targeted programs would also boost the impact of social spending.”

     

    Executive Board Assessment[3]

    Executive Directors agreed with the thrust of the staff appraisal. They welcomed the resilience of the economy and the significant progress in infrastructure development since the last Article IV consultation. Noting the mixed performance under the ECF and significant downside risks, they welcomed the strong corrective measures that have been implemented as prior actions for the eighth ECF review. They supported the authorities’ request for a six-month extension of the ECF, to help anchor the fiscal targets for the whole of 2025 and reinforce the commitment to fiscal consolidation.

    Given the high risk of debt distress, Directors underscored the critical importance of sustained fiscal consolidation and further reinforcing debt management to ensure that the debt to GDP ratio remains on a downward trajectory. They encouraged the authorities to boost revenue mobilization through tax policy and tax administration measures, thereby creating fiscal space for priority social and development spending while strengthening debt sustainability. They called for reinforcing expenditure controls and strengthening public financial management to contain the wage bill and prevent the recurrence of spending overruns. Continuing to refrain from nonconcessional borrowing while keeping further concessional borrowing within program targets remains important. Fiscal risks from the public utility company should also be addressed, including by speeding up its revenue mobilization.

    Directors welcomed the approval of the sale of the undercapitalized bank, which paves the way for the government’s disengagement. They called for a swift capitalization of the bank by its new owners to strengthen financial sector resilience.

    Directors stressed the need for sustained structural reforms to underpin macroeconomic stabilization and boost growth. They highlighted the importance of efforts to strengthen the business environment, remove market distortions, and reduce informality. Diversifying the economy, notably in sectors with potential such as fishing, mining, and traditional agriculture, remains critical for inclusive growth and reducing dependence on cashew exports. They urged the authorities to expedite steps to strengthen governance, anti-corruption, and AML/CFT standards. They called for reforms to strengthen procurement transparency and enhance the robustness of the audit function, to help improve public sector transparency and efficiency.

    Directors positively noted the authorities’ efforts to address gaps in the provision of macroeconomic data.

    It is expected that the next Article IV consultation with Guinea Bissau will be held on a 24-month cycle in accordance with the Executive Board decision on consultation cycles for members with Fund arrangements.

     

    Guinea-Bissau: Selected Economic Indicators, 2022-26

    Population (2024): 2.0 million                                      Per capita GDP (2024): US$ 1,104

    Main export product: cashew nuts                               Key export markets: India, Vietnam

     

    2022

    2023

    2024

    2025

    2026
         

    Prel.

    Proj.

    Proj.

    Output

    		          

    Real GPD growth (%)

    4.6

    5.2

    4.8

    5.1

    5.0

    Prices

    		          

    Inflation (annual average, %)

    7.9

    7.2

    3.7

    2.0

    2.0

    Central government finances

    		          

    Revenue and grants (% GDP)

    15.2

    13.7

    13.1

    16.1

    15.7

    Expenditure (% GDP)

    21.3

    21.9

    20.4

    19.5

    19.2

    Fiscal balance (% GDP)

    -6.1

    -8.2

    -7.3

    -3.4

    -3.5

    Public debt (% GDP)

    80.7

    79.4

    82.2

    78.5

    76.3

    Money and credit

    		          

    Broad money (% change)

    3.5

    -1.1

    6.2

    5.6

    5.4

    Credit to economy (% change)

    23.5

    -9.4

    -12.2

    14.4

    13.8

    Balance of payments

    		          

    Current account (% GDP)

    -8.6

    -8.6

    -8.2

    -5.8

    -5.0

    FDI (% GDP)

    1.2

    1.2

    1.2

    1.2

    1.2

    WAEMU reserves (US$ billions)

    25.2

    26.1

    …

    …

    …

    External public debt (% GDP)

    39.0

    35.4

    34.7

    32.0

    30.9

    Exchange rate

    		          

    CFAF/US$ (average)

    622.4

    606.5

    606.2

    …

    …

    Sources: Guinea-Bissau authorities and IMF staff estimates and projections

    [1] Under Article IV of the IMF’s Articles of Agreement, the IMF holds bilateral discussions with members, usually every year. A staff team visits the country, collects economic and financial information, and discusses with officials the country’s economic developments and policies. On return to headquarters, the staff prepares a report, which forms the basis for discussion by the Executive Board.

    [2] Under the IMF’s Articles of Agreement, publication of documents that pertain to member countries is voluntary and requires the member consent. The staff report will be shortly published on the www.imf.org/guinea-bissau page.

    [3] At the conclusion of the discussion, the Managing Director, as Chairman of the Board, summarizes the views of Executive Directors, and this summary is transmitted to the country’s authorities. An explanation of any qualifiers used in summings up can be found here: http://www.IMF.org/external/np/sec/misc/qualifiers.htm.

    IMF Communications Department
    MEDIA RELATIONS

    PRESS OFFICER: Julie Ziegler

    Phone: +1 202 623-7100Email: MEDIA@IMF.org

    https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2025/07/01/pr25230-guinea-bissau-2025-article-iv-and-eighth-review

    MIL OSI

    MIL OSI Russia News –