NewzIntel.com

Category: Asia Pacific

  • MIL-OSI China: China conditionally resumes some aquatic imports from Japan

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

    China will conditionally resume imports of certain aquatic products from Japan, excluding 10 prefectures, including Fukushima and Gunma, the General Administration of Customs issued an online notice on Sunday.

    The move follows long-term international monitoring and independent sampling by Chinese authorities regarding the discharge of nuclear-contaminated water from Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, which found no abnormalities.

    The administration said that it also comes on the premise that the Japanese government has pledged to ensure the safety of aquatic products exported to China.

    Effective immediately, imports of aquatic products originating from Japan will be resumed, apart from products from the 10 designated prefectures such as Fukushima, Gunma, Tochigi and Ibaraki.

    Japanese businesses exporting aquatic products to China must comply with relevant Chinese regulations on the registration of overseas food producers, said the notice.

    The administration stated that such imports must be accompanied by an official health certificate issued by the Japanese authorities, a certificate confirming compliance with radioactive material testing requirements and a certificate of origin.

    If Japan fails to effectively fulfil its regulatory responsibilities, China will promptly adopt control measures to ensure the health and safety of its citizens, said the notice.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Contractor fined for violation of safety legislation

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Contractor fined for violation of safety legislation 
    The case involved a fatal accident that occurred on March 21, 2023, at a construction site on Anderson Road. It is suspected that a worker, while carrying out debris clearance work at a building under construction, fell from a height onto the canopy on the first floor of the building. The worker was unconscious and passed away on the same day.
    Issued at HKT 14:47

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: 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 of New South Wales. It’s expected to intensify today before approaching the coastline on Tuesday. Huge waves, sustained heavy rains and very strong winds are likely.

    At this stage, it’s expected to linger offshore south of Coffs Harbour – the same area hit hard by unprecedented floods on the Mid-North Coast last month. Residents on the coast or in low-lying areas have been asked to prepare.

    There’s nothing new about east coast lows, intense winter storms which can hit coastlines anywhere from southern Queensland to Tasmania. But what is new are the historically warm seas. Just like a tropical cyclone, east coast lows feed on ocean heat. And just like a tropical cyclone, they can intensify rapidly if the conditions are right.

    The storm looming this week has been intensifying very fast, to the point it could be classified as a “weather bomb” – a storm undergoing explosive cyclogenesis.

    If the storm shapes up as predicted, we can expect to see damage to houses and trees as well as significant beach erosion – especially in heavily populated areas exposed to the storm’s southern flank.

    The Bureau of Meteorology is issuing warnings about the looming east coast low.

    What to expect from this storm

    It’s too early to say just how bad this storm will be. Much depends on how intense it becomes and how close it tracks to the coast.

    Earlier storms have caused flooding of businesses and properties and significant disruptions to transport networks and electricity supplies.

    The Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting strong to damaging winds and moderate to heavy rain for this deepening weather system from Tuesday onwards, and hazardous surf conditions for much of the week.

    Sea surface temperatures are 1 to 2.5°C above average off most of the NSW coast. This ocean heat will act as fuel for the storm, boosting the chance of even stronger winds and heavy rain if the centre moves closer to the coast and slows down.

    The NSW winter storm is intensifying and is expected to hit the Mid-North Coast on Tuesday 1 July.
    Bureau of Meteorology

    East coast lows are distinct

    Why do winter storms need their own title? East coast lows are quite distinct. They’re most common in autumn and winter, but they can occur any time.

    These weather systems usually form after an upper atmosphere low or deep trough gets stronger over eastern Australia.

    This triggers the development of a low pressure system at sea level near the coast to the east of the upper level system. These often intensify rapidly.

    During summer, these weather systems can occasionally form in the aftermath of a Coral Sea tropical cyclone as it moves towards the central east coast. By the time the decaying cyclone reaches the cooler waters of the Tasman Sea, it has lost its characteristic warm core. It can now rapidly transition into an east coast low.

    Two of Australia’s most populated areas, Sydney/Central Coast and Brisbane/Gold Coast are in the zone most likely to be affected by these intense storms.

    What role is climate change playing?

    About 90% of all extra heat trapped by greenhouse gases goes into the oceans. The world’s oceans are now at their warmest point on record.

    Marine heatwaves are causing many unwelcome changes. Warmer waters made South Australia’s ongoing devastating algal bloom more likely. A huge marine heatwave hit Western Australia’s Ningaloo Reef before heading south. In southeast Australia, the warm East Australian Current is pushing further south, taking warm-water species into Tasmanian waters.

    The steady warming of oceans off southeast Australia not only fuels more extreme weather but damages marine ecosystems and commercial fisheries.

    As climate change intensifies, researchers have found intense east coast lows will actually become less common in the future – but the storms which do form could be more dangerous. A similar trend is likely for tropical cyclones around Australia.

    As the world gets hotter still, the intensity of rainfall extremes associated with these weather systems is expected to rise – especially short-duration rainfall.

    That means a higher risk of river and flash flooding, more damage from high energy wind and waves along exposed coasts and significant erosion of beaches and cliffs. Damage to the coasts will be worsened by rising sea levels.

    Bracing for more extremes

    It’s been a terrible six months for extreme weather. The year started with severe flooding in northern Queensland in February, followed soon after by Tropical Cyclone Alfred which hit heavily populated parts of southeast Queensland and northern New South Wales.

    A couple of weeks later, intense rains devastated western Queensland, causing huge livestock losses. But even as floods hit the east coast, farmers across the continent’s southern reaches are struggling with extreme drought.

    As the Mid-North Coast braces for yet more extreme weather, residents should heed warnings from the Bureau of Meteorology, visit the NSW emergencies and natural disasters website and listen to information provided by the national broadcaster.

    Steve Turton has received funding from the Australian government.

    – ref. Warmer seas are fuelling the dangerous ‘weather bomb’ about to hit NSW – https://theconversation.com/warmer-seas-are-fuelling-the-dangerous-weather-bomb-about-to-hit-nsw-260070

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: 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 to clean, renewable sources of energy presents a rare opportunity for First Nations people, not only as energy users but as landholders.

    We wanted to explore the potential for First Nations land in the energy transition across New South Wales. The transition is well underway, but the pace must accelerate to meet state targets for 2030 and beyond.

    Our new report found the state’s 121 Aboriginal Land Councils have an opportunity to partner with renewable developers and build solar, wind or transmission lines on their own land.

    Such projects can offer jobs during construction and a smaller number of ongoing positions, as well as annual payments. This is why farmers and other landholders often look to renewable projects as a reliable source of income.

    To date, the 447 square kilometres of the state owned by Aboriginal Land Councils has not been actively used in the energy transition. As a result, First Nations involvement in the transition has been limited and the renewables boom has not flowed to these communities.

    Making this opportunity a reality will require collaboration with governments, electricity networks and industry, as well as policy support.

    The role of land councils

    In NSW, land councils have been operating since 1983, the year the state government passed laws recognising Aboriginal land rights. About a third of Australia’s First Nations people live in NSW.

    Each land council is governed by Aboriginal members, and they are located in most country towns and across Sydney.

    Land councils have a statutory responsibility “to improve, protect and foster the best interests of all Aboriginal persons within the Council’s area and other persons who are members of the Council”. These councils manage their land to protect culture and heritage.

    Generating wealth through the development of Aboriginal land is a key objective of Aboriginal land rights in NSW.

    Aboriginal goals in the energy transition

    Following analysis of the land potentially available to renewable energy projects, our research moved on to exploring what Aboriginal land councils want from the energy transition.

    We ran workshops with three land councils: Tibooburra in the far northwest, Hay in the southwest and Brewarrina in the northwest of the state. Each had expressed interest in renewable developments and concern around exposure to extreme weather events.

    In these workshops, land council members told us about their priorities for energy.

    Reliable energy was a major concern for Tibooburra, far from the main electricity grid.

    For Brewarrina on the Barwon River, energy security in the face of heatwaves and floods was front of mind. High energy bills in housing ill-equipped for extreme weather was another big issue.

    Members of Hay land council told us they wanted ownership and equity share in renewable energy projects. Their goal was to create opportunities to live, work and care for Country.

    The Hay Local Aboriginal Land Council (brown) is found in the South-West Renewable Energy Zone, while Tibooburra (green) and Brewarrina (orange) land councils are more remote.
    Norman, H., et al. (2025) APPI Policy Insights Paper, CC BY-NC-SA

    Renewable energy, First Nations land

    Aboriginal land councils own and manage about 450 square km of land in NSW. Resolving outstanding land claims would further expand the estate.

    Our analysis reveals current land holdings could host up to 11 gigawatts of solar or 1.6 gigawatts of onshore wind energy projects.

    But several barriers stand in the way. There are long delays in the processing of Aboriginal land claims and the return of vacant Crown Land. This limits options for land councils to contribute to renewable energy development.

    Realising opportunities in the energy transition

    Our case studies demonstrate the potential for Aboriginal land to support the state government’s renewable energy efforts. This can also bring economic and social benefits to Aboriginal communities. But the opportunities will vary from place to place.

    In areas at the edge of the grid, such as Tibooburra and Brewarrina, Aboriginal land could help meet regional energy demand through small to mid-scale wind and solar projects, microgrids and batteries.

    Hay Local Aboriginal Land Council, on the other hand, is in the South-West Renewable Energy Zone. This is an area where new renewable energy projects, storage facilities and high-voltage transmission lines are already being constructed. Land under claim here holds huge economic potential for both mid-scale renewable energy (solar installations feeding into the local electricity network) and large-scale renewable energy projects.

    Unlocking the power of renewable energy zones (NSW EnergyCo)

    How can authorities support land councils?

    At present, local Aboriginal Land Councils need expertise and resources to turn this opportunity into reality.

    Our report identified four broad areas for policy reform:

    1. Build capacity for land councils to manage clean energy opportunities and risks on their landholdings. This could include establishing a dedicated government team to support interested land councils, and funding land councils to engage expertise and develop renewable energy projects.

    2. Enable collaboration between electricity network distributors and land councils to set up microgrids. One case study, Tibooburra Local Aboriginal Land Council had land suitable for a microgrid and battery to support the energy provider. But early-stage support is needed to develop such projects.

    3. Pilot programs to develop mid- and large-scale renewable energy projects on land council holdings. A partnership between lands councils and planning authorities could demonstrate a model for arranging approval processes. Programs by the Clean Energy Finance Corporation and the Australian Renewable Energy Agency have proven successful in the past. We recommend funding these organisations to run a program for land council-developer partnerships in large-scale renewables.

    4. Strengthen recognition of Aboriginal rights to unlock the renewable energy potential of Aboriginal land. This could include expediting land claims and land transfers and providing incentives for cooperation between land councils and Traditional Owners.

    The next five years will be crucial for NSW’s renewable energy transition. Getting the foundations right now could empower Aboriginal landholders and their regional communities to get the most out of this once-in-a-generation opportunity.

    Heidi Norman receives funding from the Australian Research Council, Australian Public Policy Institute, Boundless and the NSW Government.

    Saori Miyake receives funding from Australian Public Policy Institute and Boundless for this project.

    Sarah Niklas receives funding from the Australian Public Policy Institute and Boundless for this project.

    Therese Apolonio receives funding from Australian Public Policy Institute, Boundless and the NSW Government.

    – ref. Here’s how First Nations landholders can share the benefits of the NSW energy transition – https://theconversation.com/heres-how-first-nations-landholders-can-share-the-benefits-of-the-nsw-energy-transition-259702

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • More Indians now invest in equities as financialisation of household savings rises: SBI

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The financialisation of household savings in India has gained significant momentum, with the share of equities in household savings rising from 2.5 per cent in FY20 to 5.1 per cent in FY24, according to an SBI Research report released on Monday.

    The report noted that the Indian credit market is witnessing structural shifts, with headline bank credit growth figures potentially masking underlying trends. It added that, going forward, the sources of credit origination through bank deposits—primarily household savings—need to be closely monitored.

    According to the report, public sector banks (PSBs) are expected to show stable growth of 12.2 per cent in FY25, compared to a growth rate of 13.6 per cent in FY24.

    However, PSBs’ share in incremental credit has increased significantly, rising to 56.9 per cent in FY25 from 20 per cent in FY18.

    “The government’s 4R strategy—recognition, resolution, recapitalisation, and reforms—has reaped rich dividends. The asset quality in the banking system is now at a record low of 2.6 per cent in H1 FY25, down from 11.5 per cent in FY18,” the report stated.

    After 14 years of decline, PSBs’ share in outstanding credit has improved to 52.3 per cent in FY25, up from 51.8 per cent in FY24 and down from 75.1 per cent in FY10.

    Sectoral credit growth indicates that lending to various sectors has moderated, driven by a slowdown in credit to the services sector and agriculture and allied activities.

    The share of personal loans in incremental credit growth has declined to 37 per cent in FY25 from 43 per cent in FY24, while the industry’s share has increased to 17 per cent in FY25 from 11 per cent in FY24.

    “The X factor in credit growth is credit to the MSME sector, which has risen by 17.8 per cent year-on-year,” said Dr Soumya Kanti Ghosh, Group Chief Economic Advisor, State Bank of India.

    “Interestingly, MSMEs depend greatly on large corporates through backward integration (and at times, forward integration). Hence, MSME activity levels could be a useful gauge of overall corporate activity, with all financing channels—banks and non-banks—embedded holistically,” he noted.

    Moreover, private credit deals totalled Rs 774 billion in FY24, marking a 7 per cent growth over CY23. This growth is helping meet the diverse financing needs of India Inc. through tailored solutions, primarily via Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs), while the issuance of Non-Convertible Debentures (NCDs) also remains prevalent.

    –IANS

  • New York mayoral candidate Mamdani defends campaign despite Democratic unease

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani defended his democratic socialism on Sunday and argued that his focus on economic issues should serve as a model for the party, even though some top Democrats have been reluctant to embrace him.

    In an interview with NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Mamdani said his agenda of raising taxes on the wealthiest New Yorkers and on corporations to pay for ambitious policies such as free buses, a $30 minimum hourly wage and a rent freeze was not only realistic but tailored to meet the needs of the city’s working residents.

    “It’s the wealthiest city in the wealthiest country in the history of the world, and yet one in four New Yorkers are living in poverty, and the rest are seemingly trapped in a state of anxiety,” he told NBC’s Kristen Welker.

    Mamdani’s stunning victory over former Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo in Tuesday’s primary election has some party figures worried that his democratic socialism could feed Republican attacks on Democrats as too far left ahead of next year’s midterm elections. Business leaders have also expressed concern about his policies.

    Democrats have struggled to find a coherent message after their resounding loss in the November elections that saw President Donald Trump return to the White House and his Republicans win control of both chambers of Congress. A Reuters/Ipsos poll earlier this month showed that a majority of American Democrats believed their party needs new leadership and to be more focused on economic issues.

    Earlier on Sunday, Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who represents part of the city, told ABC’s “This Week” that he wasn’t ready to endorse Mamdani yet, saying that he needed to hear more about Mamdani’s vision.

    Other prominent New York Democrats, including New York Governor Kathy Hochul and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, have also thus far declined to endorse Mamdani.

    Trump, himself a native New Yorker, told Fox News Channel’s “Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo” that if Mamdani wins the mayoral race, “he’d better do the right thing” or Trump would withhold federal funds from the city.

    “He’s a communist. I think it’s very bad for New York,” Trump said.

    Asked about Trump’s claim that he is a communist, Mamdani told NBC it was not true and accused the president of attempting to distract from the fact that “I’m fighting for the very working people that he ran a campaign to empower that he has since then betrayed.”

    He also voiced no concern that Jeffries and other Democrats have not yet endorsed his candidacy.

    “I think that people are catching up to this election,” he said. “What we’re showing is that by putting working people first, by returning to the roots of the Democratic Party, we actually have a path out of this moment where we’re facing authoritarianism in Washington, D.C.”

    Mamdani’s criticism of Israel’s war in Gaza has set him apart from many mainstream Democrats and prompted allegations of antisemitism, which he has fiercely denied. Earlier this month, during an appearance on the political podcast The Bulwark, Mamdani declined to condemn the pro-Palestinian phrase “globalize the intifada,” which some Jews view as antisemitic and a call to violence.

    Jeffries told ABC that Mamdani needed to “clarify his position” on the phrase to reassure Jewish New Yorkers.

    Pressed again on Sunday, Mamdani said it was “not language that I use” but again did not condemn it. He said he did not want to determine for others what words are permissible or impermissible, arguing that Trump has done that by targeting pro-Palestinian activists for their speech.

    “We have to root out that bigotry, and ultimately we do that through the actions,” he said.

    Incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, elected as a Democrat, is running as an independent in November’s election after Trump’s Justice Department dropped corruption charges against him, fueling accusations of a quid pro quo that he has denied. The Republican nominee is Curtis Sliwa, the founder of the Guardian Angels, and lawyer Jim Walden is also running as an independent.

    Cuomo has not yet decided whether to remain in the race as an independent.

    (Reuters)

  • New York mayoral candidate Mamdani defends campaign despite Democratic unease

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani defended his democratic socialism on Sunday and argued that his focus on economic issues should serve as a model for the party, even though some top Democrats have been reluctant to embrace him.

    In an interview with NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Mamdani said his agenda of raising taxes on the wealthiest New Yorkers and on corporations to pay for ambitious policies such as free buses, a $30 minimum hourly wage and a rent freeze was not only realistic but tailored to meet the needs of the city’s working residents.

    “It’s the wealthiest city in the wealthiest country in the history of the world, and yet one in four New Yorkers are living in poverty, and the rest are seemingly trapped in a state of anxiety,” he told NBC’s Kristen Welker.

    Mamdani’s stunning victory over former Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo in Tuesday’s primary election has some party figures worried that his democratic socialism could feed Republican attacks on Democrats as too far left ahead of next year’s midterm elections. Business leaders have also expressed concern about his policies.

    Democrats have struggled to find a coherent message after their resounding loss in the November elections that saw President Donald Trump return to the White House and his Republicans win control of both chambers of Congress. A Reuters/Ipsos poll earlier this month showed that a majority of American Democrats believed their party needs new leadership and to be more focused on economic issues.

    Earlier on Sunday, Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who represents part of the city, told ABC’s “This Week” that he wasn’t ready to endorse Mamdani yet, saying that he needed to hear more about Mamdani’s vision.

    Other prominent New York Democrats, including New York Governor Kathy Hochul and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, have also thus far declined to endorse Mamdani.

    Trump, himself a native New Yorker, told Fox News Channel’s “Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo” that if Mamdani wins the mayoral race, “he’d better do the right thing” or Trump would withhold federal funds from the city.

    “He’s a communist. I think it’s very bad for New York,” Trump said.

    Asked about Trump’s claim that he is a communist, Mamdani told NBC it was not true and accused the president of attempting to distract from the fact that “I’m fighting for the very working people that he ran a campaign to empower that he has since then betrayed.”

    He also voiced no concern that Jeffries and other Democrats have not yet endorsed his candidacy.

    “I think that people are catching up to this election,” he said. “What we’re showing is that by putting working people first, by returning to the roots of the Democratic Party, we actually have a path out of this moment where we’re facing authoritarianism in Washington, D.C.”

    Mamdani’s criticism of Israel’s war in Gaza has set him apart from many mainstream Democrats and prompted allegations of antisemitism, which he has fiercely denied. Earlier this month, during an appearance on the political podcast The Bulwark, Mamdani declined to condemn the pro-Palestinian phrase “globalize the intifada,” which some Jews view as antisemitic and a call to violence.

    Jeffries told ABC that Mamdani needed to “clarify his position” on the phrase to reassure Jewish New Yorkers.

    Pressed again on Sunday, Mamdani said it was “not language that I use” but again did not condemn it. He said he did not want to determine for others what words are permissible or impermissible, arguing that Trump has done that by targeting pro-Palestinian activists for their speech.

    “We have to root out that bigotry, and ultimately we do that through the actions,” he said.

    Incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, elected as a Democrat, is running as an independent in November’s election after Trump’s Justice Department dropped corruption charges against him, fueling accusations of a quid pro quo that he has denied. The Republican nominee is Curtis Sliwa, the founder of the Guardian Angels, and lawyer Jim Walden is also running as an independent.

    Cuomo has not yet decided whether to remain in the race as an independent.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI Russia: SPbPU joined the Board of Trustees of the Kyrgyz-Russian Slavic University

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

    On June 26, the first meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Kyrgyz-Russian Slavic University named after B.N. Yeltsin was held in Bishkek. Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University took part in it. The Council, formed in the spring of 2025, is called upon to promote the development of KRSU. The meeting was chaired by Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic, Chairman of the State Committee for National Security Kamchybek Tashiev, who was elected Chairman of the Board of Trustees of KRSU.

    In his speech, he emphasized the strategic importance of the university for training highly qualified personnel who will contribute to the development of Kyrgyzstan.

    KRSU is the flagship of higher education in our country. We must pay special attention to the quality of students’ training, because they will be the ones who will manage various sectors of the economy and state institutions in the future, Kamchybek Tashiev noted.

    The Board of Trustees includes 16 representatives of government agencies, academic, public and commercial organizations, industrial enterprises of Kyrgyzstan and Russia. Among the Russian members of the Board of Trustees of KRSU are the First Deputy Chairman of the Committee of the State Duma of the Russian Federation on Education, Chairman of the Council of ANO “Eurasia” Alena Arshinova, Managing Director for New Technologies and Projects of the Rostec State Corporation Maxim Nagaitsev, Rector of the St. Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University Dmitry Ivanov, Director of JSC “Petersburg Tractor Plant” Sergey Serebryakov. The Polytechnic University was represented by the Rector, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences Andrey Rudskoy. All members of the Board of Trustees of KRSU were unanimous in their assessment of the importance of creating a single educational space of Russia and Kyrgyzstan and the flagship role of KRSU in this integration process.

    The key topic of discussion was the KRSU development strategy until 2030 and the long-term vision until 2040. Acting Rector of the University Sergey Volkov presented a plan for the transformation of the university, including the creation of engineering and technical, biomedical and socio-humanitarian clusters. Particular attention is paid to the training of specialists in the field of artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, robotics and nuclear medicine. SPbPU, as a curator university, will assist in updating educational programs and developing a research base.

    An important event was the approval of the project for the construction of a new campus of KRSU for 15,000 students. A land plot of 30 hectares has already been allocated near the state residence “Ala-Archa”. The construction is financed by the Russian Federation, and the design will begin immediately after the signing of the intergovernmental agreement.

    Another initiative was the creation of the KRSU Endowment Fund, the first in the Kyrgyz Republic. The fund will accumulate donations and direct investment income to support students, scientific grants and infrastructure development. Members of the board of trustees, including representatives of Gazprom and Rostec, expressed their willingness to participate in its formation.

    The meeting raised issues of combating corruption in universities, expanding the network of regional colleges of KRSU and developing bilingual education programs. Kamchybek Tashiev called for strengthening efforts to preserve the Russian language in the educational space of Kyrgyzstan.

    The Russian language is not only a communication tool, but also a key to advanced knowledge. We must resist attempts to displace it, he stressed.

    The meeting ended with agreements on further cooperation. Russian universities, including SPbPU, will provide expert and methodological support to KRSU, and industrial partners will assist in the employment of graduates.

    I am confident that the combined efforts will allow KRSU to become not only the leading university in Kyrgyzstan, but also one of the leaders in education in Central Asia, summed up Igor Maslov, Head of the Russian Presidential Administration for Interregional and Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries.

    On June 27, a meeting of the Governing Council of KRSU was held. It was chaired by Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation Konstantin Mogilevsky. At the meeting, Sergey Volkov was unanimously elected as the rector of KRSU for 5 years. The Polytechnic University congratulates Sergey Volkov on his appointment to the position and wishes him success in implementing the ambitious development tasks of the Kyrgyz-Russian Slavic University.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • Pace of Ukraine talks hinges on efforts of Kyiv, Washington, Kremlin says

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The pace of talks to resolve the war in Ukraine depends on Kyiv’s position, the effectiveness of U.S. mediation, and the situation on the ground, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in remarks televised on Sunday.

    Five months into U.S. President Donald Trump’s term, there is no clear end to the war Russia launched in February 2022 against its smaller neighbour, despite his 2024 campaign vow to end it in one day.

    Trump, who has pushed both sides towards ceasefire talks since his January inauguration, said on Friday he thinks “something will happen” about a settlement of the war.

    “A lot depends, naturally, on the position of the Kyiv regime,” Peskov told Belarus 1 TV, the main state television channel in Russia’s neighbour.

    “It depends on how effectively Washington’s mediating efforts continue,” he said, adding that the situation on the ground was another factor that could not be ignored.

    Peskov did not elaborate on what Moscow expects from Washington or Kyiv. Moscow has been demanding that Ukraine cede more land and abandon Western military support, conditions Kyiv calls unacceptable.

    While no date has been set for the next round of talks, Peskov said Russia hoped dates would become clear “in the near future.”

    After a gap of more than three years, Russia and Ukraine held face-to-face talks in Istanbul on May 16 and June 2 that led to a series of prisoner exchanges and the return of their dead soldiers.

    They have made no progress towards a ceasefire, however. Their blueprints for a peace deal shared at the June 2 talks were “absolutely contradictory memorandums”, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday.

    Russia, which already controls about a fifth of Ukraine, continues to advance gradually, gaining ground in recent weeks in Ukraine’s southeastern regions of Donetsk and Dnipropetrovsk, and ramping up air attacks nationwide.

    Turkey, which hosted the previous round of talks, is ready to host them again, it said on Friday.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LegCo to consider Import and Export (Amendment) Bill 2025

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
         
         The Legislative Council (LegCo) will hold a meeting on Wednesday (July 2) at 11am in the Chamber of the LegCo Complex. During the meeting, the Second Reading debate on the Import and Export (Amendment) Bill 2025 will resume. If the Bill is supported by Members and receive its Second Reading, it will stand committed to the committee of the whole Council. After the committee of the whole Council has completed consideration of the Bill and its report is adopted by the Council, the Bill will be set down for the Third Reading.
     
         Meanwhile, the Betting Duty (Amendment) Bill 2025 will be introduced into the Council for the First Reading and the Second Reading. The Second Reading debate on the Bill will be adjourned.
     
         On Members’ motions, Dr Wendy Hong will move a motion on establishing innovative institutional mechanisms to move full steam ahead with the development of the Core Area of the Northern Metropolis. The motion is set out in Appendix 1. Mr Louis Loong, Ms Chan Yuet-ming, Mr Michael Tien, Mr Lau Kwok-fan and Mr Gary Zhang will move separate amendments to Dr Hong’s motion.
     
         Ms Doreen Kong will move a motion on developing a personal data protection regime framework to address the challenges in the age of artificial intelligence. The motion is set out in Appendix 2. Mr Duncan Chiu, Mr Lam San-keung and Mr Lee Chun-keung will move separate amendments to Ms Kong’s motion.
     
         Members will also ask the Government 22 questions on various policy areas, six of which require oral replies.
     
         The agenda of the above meeting can be obtained via the LegCo Website (www.legco.gov.hk). Members of the public can watch or listen to the meeting via the “Webcast” system on the LegCo Website. To observe the proceedings of the meeting at the LegCo Complex, members of the public may call 3919 3399 during office hours to reserve seats.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: 5th anniversary of NSL heralded

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Today marks the fifth anniversary of the promulgation and implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law (HKNSL).

     

    In a statement, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government said the HKNSL’s implementation over the past five years has shown the law to be a “guardian” in upholding the principle of “one country, two systems” and in safeguarding the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong.

     

    It added the HKNSL is an important and timely piece of legislation with profound historical significance.

     

    The statement stressed that the HKNSL has enabled Hong Kong to make a major transition from chaos to order and has laid a solid legal foundation for safeguarding national sovereignty, security, and development interests.

     

    National security, it said, forms the basis for a country’s existence and development; however, after reunification, Hong Kong had long been “undefended” with regard to national security, with anti-China elements and external forces continuously challenging the principle of “one country, two systems”, and even attempting to seize the power of governance.

     

    The Hong Kong SAR Government iterated that unprecedented crises were brought to Hong Kong by the “anti-national education” incident in 2012; the illegal “Occupy Central” movement in 2014; and the Mongkok riot in 2016; as well as the “black-clad violence” and Hong Kong’s version of a “colour revolution”, which lasted for more than 10 months from June 2019, severely damaging Hong Kong’s societal, economic and business environment and causing the public to live in fear.

     

    The central authorities acted decisively at a critical moment for Hong Kong, the statement added. The National People’s Congress (NPC) made a decision on May 28, 2020, on the basis of which the NPC Standing Committee enacted the HKNSL on June 30, 2020. The law was then listed under Annex III to the Basic Law for local promulgation and implementation in the Hong Kong SAR.

     

    The statement outlined that the HKNSL addressed shortcomings and plugged loopholes in the legal system and enforcement mechanisms for safeguarding national security in Hong Kong, playing the role of a stabilising force that immediately stopped violence and curbed disorder. It said the HKNSL’s implementation was a “watershed moment” in Hong Kong’s transition from chaos to order, as stability and safety in the city have been restored by the law.

     

    It added that thanks to the concerted efforts of the Hong Kong SAR Government, the Legislative Council and all sectors of the community, the Hong Kong SAR fulfilled its constitutional duty last year by completing the legislation of Article 23 of the Basic Law.

     

    The Hong Kong SAR Government emphasised that the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance (SNSO), which took effect on March 23, 2024, improved the city’s legal system and enforcement mechanisms for safeguarding national security.

     

    It said the HKNSL and the SNSO are compatible and complementary, building a strong line of defence to safeguard national security in Hong Kong.

     

    The Hong Kong SAR Government emphasised Hong Kong’s laws safeguarding national security firmly adhere to the principle of the rule of law, while protecting rights and freedoms in accordance with the law.

     

    The business environment, it said, has continuously improved. Hong Kong is the world’s freest economy, ranks third among global financial centres, and recently returned to the global top three economies in the world in terms of competitiveness, demonstrating that it is advancing at full steam “from stability to prosperity”.

     

    The statement continued that Hong Kong’s laws safeguarding national security also protect human rights, with respect and protections for human rights being embodied both in the provisions of the HKNSL and the SNSO and in their implementation.

     

    Both HKNSL Article 4 and SNSO Section 2 stipulate that human rights shall be respected and protected and that the rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong residents under the Basic Law and the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil & Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social & Cultural Rights as applied to Hong Kong shall be protected in accordance with the law. These include the rights to freedom of speech, of the press, of publication, of association, of assembly, of procession and of demonstration.

     

    The Hong Kong SAR Government said that the laws’ various provisions are in line with international standards, striking a reasonable balance between safeguarding national security and protection of fundamental rights and freedoms.

     

    It added that the Hong Kong SAR has a solid, resilient foundation of rule of law that is well-recognised by the international community, and that the city’s law enforcement agencies take actions based on evidence and in accordance with the law.

     

    It also outlined that the Department of Justice, by virtue of Basic Law Article 63, controls criminal prosecutions, free from any interference, while independent prosecutorial decisions for each case are made in a rigorous and objective manner, based on evidence and applicable laws and in accordance with the Prosecution Code.

     

    Articles 2, 19 and 85 of the Basic Law specifically provide that the Hong Kong SAR enjoys independent judicial power, including that of final adjudication, and that the courts of the Hong Kong SAR shall exercise judicial power independently, free from any interference.

     

    The statement stressed that cases will never be handled any differently owing to the occupation, political stance or background of the persons involved.

     

    In addition, HKNSL Article 5 and SNSO Section 2 stipulate that the principles of the rule of law shall be adhered to in preventing, suppressing and imposing punishment for offences endangering national security. These include the principles of conviction and punishment only by the application of the law, the presumption of innocence, the prohibition of double jeopardy, the right of accused persons to defend themselves, and other rights in judicial proceedings that criminal suspects, defendants and other parties in judicial proceedings are entitled to under the law.

     

    The statement highlighted that governments have an inherent right to enact laws safeguarding national security, and that this is established international practice.

     

    It added that the HKNSL and the SNSO clearly define the elements of offences and related penalties, and precisely target an extremely small minority of people and organisations who commit acts that endanger national security, while protecting the lives and property of the general public. It stressed that law-abiding persons will not engage in acts that endanger national security and will not unwittingly violate the law, and therefore have no reason to be concerned.

     

    Since the promulgation and implementation of the HKNSL, the statement highlighted, stability has been quickly restored in society. With the SNSO in effect, it said, the rights and freedoms of Hong Kong SAR residents and of other persons in Hong Kong are even better protected, while the economy of Hong Kong is picking up.

     

    The Hong Kong SAR Government reiterated that safeguarding national security is an ongoing and endless commitment.

     

    Citing the “White Paper on China’s National Security in the New Era”, published by the central authorities on May 12, it said external forces have been meddling more and more in China’s affairs, and have attempted to blockade, suppress and contain China through so-called “Hong Kong issues”.

     

    As geopolitical risks continue to escalate, the Hong Kong SAR Government said it will strive steadfastly to safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests, and to improve its legal system and enforcement mechanisms under the robust protection of the HKNSL and the SNSO, so as to address evolving national security risks and challenges more effectively.

     

    The Hong Kong SAR Government will also ramp up its efforts in publicity and education, so as to raise public awareness around safeguarding national security, thereby forming a societal shield to fend off external intervention. It said this will ensure high-quality development with high-level security, contributing to a new chapter in the practice of “one country, two systems”.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • Imposition of Emergency was nothing short of Earthquake to destroy Democracy-VP

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (2)

    lign=”center”>During Emergency the highest court of the land got eclipsed, overturned the verdict of nine High Courts-VP
    The youth of today cannot afford to be unaware of the Emergency — the darkest period, says VP
    Academic institutions are natural organic crucibles of ideation and innovation-VP

    Vice-President, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar today said that,  “50 years ago, this day, the oldest, the largest and now the most vibrant democracy went through difficult air pocket, unexpected hazard in the shape of headwinds, nothing short of earthquake to destroy democracy. It was imposition of emergency. The night was dark, the cabinet was sidelined. The beleaguered Prime Minister then facing an adverse High Court order, yielded to personal gain, ignoring the entire nation and the President trampled constitutionalism, signed declaration of emergency. What followed for 21, 22 months was turbulent period for our democracy, never imagined. The darkest period of democracy we had the occasion to see.”

    https://twitter.com/VPIndia/status/1937807255123988862

    Addressing students and faculty members as Chief Guest at the Golden Jubilee celebrations of Kumaon University in Nainital, Uttarakhand today he stated, “ A lakh and forty thousand people were put behind bars. They had no access to the justice system. They could not vindicate their Fundamental Rights. Nine High Courts, fortunately, stood the ground and they hail — emergency or no emergency — Fundamental Rights cannot be put on hold, ruling firmly that every citizen of the country has a right which can be fructified by judicial intervention. Unfortunately, the Supreme Court — the highest court of the land — got eclipsed. It overturned the verdict of nine High Courts. It ruled, it decided two things– Emergency declaration thereof is a decision of the Executive, not open to judicial review. And, it is also a decision on the time for how long it will last, and that citizens do not have Fundamental Rights while there is emergency. It was a major setback to the people at large.”

    https://twitter.com/VPIndia/status/1937812746008936600

    Underlining the significance of ‘Samvidhan Hatya Diwas’ for the youth of the day he said, “ Just reflect young boys and girls because you will have to learn about it unless you do it you will not know it. What happened to the Press? Who were the people put behind the bars? They became Prime Ministers of this country. They became Presidents of this country. That was the scenario and that is why to make aware our youth…….you are the most vital stakeholders in governance, in democracy. You therefore cannot forget. or cannot afford not to learn about that darkest period. Very thoughtfully the government of the day decided that this day will be celebrated as ‘Samvidhan Hatya Divas’. The celebration will be that it will never happen again. The celebration will be  that those guilty, those who allowed such kind of transgression of humanity’s rights,  spirit and essence of the Constitution. Who they were? why they did it? In the Supreme Court also, my friend will bear me out, one judge dissented H.R.Khanna, and it was commented by a leading newspaper in the US that if ever democracy returns to Bharat, a monument will surely be built for H.R. Khanna who held his ground.”

    https://twitter.com/VPIndia/status/1937815412747760044

    Stressing on the role of on campus learning, Shri Dhankhar said, “ Academic institutions are much beyond just learning centers for degrees and credentials. Otherwise, why there is difference between virtual learning and a campus learning? You immediately know the time you spend amongst your colleagues on the campus defines your mindset. These places are meant to catalyse the change needed, the change you want, the nation you want. These are natural organic crucibles of ideation and innovation. Ideas come, but there must be ideation of idea. If an idea comes in out of fear of failure, you don’t engage in innovation or trial. Our progress will come to stand still. These are places where worlds envy our demographic youth as the occasion to script not only their own career, but to script the destiny of Bharat. And therefore please get going. There is a tagline of one of the corporate products which you must come across. Just  do it. Am I right? I would add one more. Do it now.”

    https://twitter.com/VPIndia/status/1937818677123911772

    https://twitter.com/VPIndia/status/1937817934614958127

    Emphasising on the importance of alumni and alumni contribution, Shri Dhankhar said, “ Over 50 years you have had large number of Alumni……..Alumni of an Institution is a very important component. You look to social media and google. You will find some Institutions in the developed world have Alumni Fund corpus, more than 10 billion US dollars.  One has a corpus of more than 50 billion US dollars. This comes not as a deluge, it comes by the trickle effect. Let me for instance give an illustration. If these 100,000 alumni of this great Institution decide to make a contribution only of 10,000 rupees a year. The annual amount will be 100 crores……..and just imagine if it is year after year, then you will not be looking here and there. You will be self-sustaining. It will soothe you. Secondly, the alumni will have the occasion to connect with the Alma mater. So you will have easy route….He will handhold you. She will handhold you. So I strongly urge that let there be initiation from Dev Bhoomi about Alumni Association.”

  • The words added in Preamble during emergency have been added as Nasoor; a sacrilege to the spirit of Sanatana-VP

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (2)

    lign=”center”>What a travesty of justice ! First, we change something which is not changeable, alterable and then change it during Emergency-VP
    Preamble, the soul of the Constitution should have been respected rather than tweaked, altered, and decimated, asserts VP
    Except Bharat, no other constitution’s preamble has undergone change-VP
    A very serious work which cannot be altered, has been casually, farcically, and with no sense of propriety, changed-VP
    Dr. B.R. Ambedkar lives in our hearts, he dominates our mind and touches our soul-VP

    The Vice-President, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar today said that, “Preamble of any constitution is its soul. The Preamble of the Indian Constitution is unique. Except Bharat, [no other] Constitution’s  Preamble has undergone change and why?  Preamble is not changeable. Preamble is not alterable. Preamble is the basis on which the constitution has grown. Preamble is the seed of the Constitution. It is Soul of the constitution but this Preamble for Bharat was changed by 42nd Constitutional Amendment act of 1976, adding words Socialist, Secular and integrity”.

    https://twitter.com/VPIndia/status/1938876252103799111

    Speaking at an event at the Vice-President’s Enclave today, marking the presentation of the first copy of the copy,  ‘Ambedkar’s Messages’ compiled by Shri D. S. Veeraiah, author and former MLC karnataka, Shri Dhankhar emphasised, “During the Emergency, the darkest period of Indian democracy, when people were behind the bars, Fundamental Rights were suspended. In the name of those — we the people — who were enslaved,  we just go for what? Just a flourish of words? It is to be deprecated beyond words. In Kesavananda Bharati, as I reflected — vs State of Kerala, 1973, a 13-judge bench — the judges focused and deeply reflected on the Preamble of the Constitution. The celebrated judge, Justice H.R. Khanna, I quote: The Preamble serves as a guide to the interpretation of the Constitution and indicates the source from which the Constitution derives its authority — namely, the people of India.”

    “We must reflect. Dr. Ambedkar did painstaking work. He would have surely focused on it. The founding fathers thought it befittingly wise to give us that Preamble. No country’s Preamble has undergone change — except Bharat. But devastatingly, this change was effected for Bharat at a time when people were virtually enslaved. We the people, the ultimate fountain of power — the best of them were languishing in jails. They were denied access to the judicial system. I am referring to the 22 months of draconian Emergency that was proclaimed on 25th June 1975. So, what a travesty of justice ! First, we change something which is not changeable, alterable — something that emanates from We the People — and then, you change it during Emergency. When We the People were bleeding — in heart, in soul — they were in darkness”, he added.

    https://twitter.com/VPIndia/status/1938879085385785752

    “We are changing the soul of the Constitution. We are, as a matter of fact, by this flash of words, added during the darkest period of Emergency — the darkest period for the Constitution of the country. And in the process, if you deeply reflect, we are giving wings to existential challenges. These words have been added as Nasoor (festering wound). These words will create upheaval. Addition of these words in the Preamble during the Emergency signal  betrayal of the mindset of the framers of the Constitution. It is nothing but belittling the civilizational wealth and knowledge of this country for thousands of years. It is sacrilege to the spirit of Sanatana”, he further underlined.

    https://twitter.com/VPIndia/status/1938881671484649672

    Highlighting the Contemporary relevance of Ambedkar’s messages, Shri Dhankhar stated, “ Dr. B.R. Ambedkar lives in our hearts. He dominates our mind and touches our soul….Ambedkar’s messages bear huge contemporaneous relevance for us. His messages need to permeate down the line, up to the family level. The children must come to know about these messages. As someone associated with Parliament by virtue of being Vice-President of the country and Chairman of Rajya Sabha — the Upper House, the House of Elders, the Council of States — I am therefore immensely satisfied to receive ‘Ambedkar’s Messages’ that must be honoured and respected, first and foremost by Parliamentarians and legislators all over the country, then by the policymakers…..We must reflect why our temples of democracy are sacrileged? Why our temples of democracy are ravaged by disruption?”

    He further stated, “Justice Sikri, another celebrated judge in that judgment, says — I quote: “The Preamble of our Constitution is of extreme importance, and the Constitution should be read and interpreted in the light of the grand and noble vision expressed in the Preamble.” The grand and noble vision was trampled. So was Dr. B. R. Ambedkar’s spirit. Thus, unhesitatingly, the Preamble — crafted by the genius of Dr. Ambedkar and approved by the Constituent Assembly, the soul of the Constitution — should have been respected rather than tweaked, altered, and decimated. The change also, friends, militates against our civilizational ethos of thousands of years, where Sanatan philosophy — its spirit and essence — dominated the discourse.”

    Speaking further on the issue, he said, “ Friends, Judiciary is an important pillar of our democracy. I belong to that system, gave better part of my life. Let me  make this audience aware and through you the entire nation what judiciary felt about preamble of the Indian Constitution. There have been,  so far, two benches of the Supreme Court in higher formations, an 11-judge bench in IC Golaknath versus State of Punjab, and another one, 13-judge combination in Kesavanand Bharati. In Golaknath, the issue came up about preamble, and Justice Hidayatullah, reflecting on the situation, stated explicitly, I quote, “The Preamble to our constitution contains in a nutshell its ideals and aspirations. It is not a mere flourish of words, but embodies the objectives which the Constitution seeks to achieve.”

    “Justice Hegde and Justice Mukherjee I quote, in the same judgment, “The preamble of the Constitution, like the soul of the Constitution, is unalterable. As it embodies the fundamental values and the philosophy on which the Constitution is based.” It is nothing  less than an earthquake for a building whose foundations are sought to be changed from the top floor. Justice Shelat and Justice Grover. what they reflected on preamble, I quote, “The preamble to constitution is not mere preface or introduction. It is a part of the constitution and is a key to open the mind of the makers, indicating the general purposes for which the people ordained the constitution.” A very  serious work which cannot be altered, has been casually, farcically,  and with no sense of propriety, changed.”

    https://twitter.com/VPIndia/status/1938886235260624975

    Recalling wise words of Dr B. R. Ambedkar, Shri Dhankhar stated, “ Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was a visionary. He was a statesman. We should never see Dr. B.R. Ambedkar as a politician.  Never see him. If you go through his journey, you will find it can’t be relieved ordinarily. It takes extraordinary human effort, spinal strength to negotiate that journey, the kind of suffering he underwent. Can you ever imagine Dr. B.R. Ambedkar being given Bharat Ratna posthumously? It was my great good fortune to be a member of Parliament in 1989 and a Minister when this one of the greatest sons of soil was conferred posthumously Bharat Ratna but my heart wept. Why so late? Why posthumously? And therefore I quote with deep concern, beseeching everyone in the country to search their souls and think for the nation. He said—–I do not want that our loyalty as Indians should in the slightest way affected by our competitive loyalty, whether that loyalty arises out of our religion, out of our culture or out of our language. I want all people to be Indian first, Indian last and nothing else but Indians…….It was his last address in the Constituent Assembly, 25th November 1949 — a day before the Constitution was signed by the Members of the Constituent Assembly. And what he said — amazing. I would urge everyone in the country to put it in a frame and read it every day. He says — he’s expressing his pain: I quote:

    “What perturbs me greatly is the fact that not only India has once before lost her independence, but she lost it by the infidelity and treachery of some of her own people. Will history repeat itself?”

    He goes on to say — I quote: “It is this thought which fills me with anxiety. This anxiety is deepened by the realization of the fact that in addition to our old enemies in the form of castes and creeds, we are going to have many political parties with diverse and opposing political creeds. Will Indians place the country above their creed? Or will they place creed above the country….. I quote,  “I do not know, but this much is certain that if the parties place creed above country, our independence will be put in jeopardy a second time and probably be lost forever. This eventuality we must all regularly guard against. We must be determined to defend our independence with the last drop of our blood.”

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Consultation on Guidance for the Australian Clearing and Settlement Facility Resolution Regime

    Source: Airservices Australia

    The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has today released a consultation paper on proposed guidance for the Australian Clearing and Settlement (CS) Facility Resolution Regime.

    In September 2024, the Australian Parliament passed the Treasury Laws Amendment (Financial Market Infrastructure and Other Measures) Act 2024. This amended the Corporations Act 2001 to provide the RBA with crisis resolution powers with respect to domestically incorporated clearing and settlement (CS) facilities. These powers enable the RBA to manage or respond to a threat posed to the continuity of critical CS facility services or the stability of the financial system in Australia arising in relation to a domestic CS facility licensee.

    The RBA has developed draft guidance to provide transparency about when and how the RBA would generally expect to use these resolution powers. It aims to assist CS facilities, their users, market operators and other stakeholders to understand the RBA’s general approach to resolution and the potential effects on them if the RBA decides to use a resolution power.

    The RBA is inviting submissions on this consultation from interested parties by 11 August 2025. Following the consultation, the RBA will publish the finalised guidance.

    MIL OSI News –

  • BWF US Open: Ayush Shetty clinches men’s singles title, Tanvi Sharma finishes as runner-up

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Ayush Shetty clinched his maiden title on the BWF World Tour after defeating Canada’s Brian Yang in the final of the US Open, a BWF Super 300 badminton tournament, held at the Mid-America Center on Monday (IST).

    The 2023 World Junior Championships bronze medallist Ayush registered a commanding 21-18, 21-13 victory over World No. 33 Yang in just 47 minutes, capping off a stellar week.

    “Ayush Shetty clinches maiden BWF Super 300 title, winning the US Open 2025! He dismantled Brian Yang in straight games — 21-13, 21-18 — with commanding flair right from start to finish. A breakthrough triumph that cements his arrival among badminton’s elite and marks the rise of a new Indian powerhouse,” the Badminton Association of India (BAI) said in a post on X.

    The fourth-seeded Ayush began his campaign with a 21-17, 21-19 win over Danish World No. 85 Magnus Johannesen, before defeating compatriot Tharun Mannepalli 21-12, 13-21, 21-15 in the round of 16. In the quarterfinals, he registered a 22-20, 21-9 win over World No. 70 Kuo Kuan Lin.

    His biggest win came in the semifinal, where he defeated World No. 6 Chou Tien Chen 21-23, 21-15, 21-14 — avenging his loss to Chou in the Taipei Open 2025 semifinal.

    Meanwhile, in the women’s singles, 16-year-old Tanvi Sharma’s dream run ended with a runner-up finish after a hard-fought final against 34-year-old veteran Beiwen Zhang, which ended 11-21, 21-16, 10-21.

    “What a run! 16-year-old Tanvi Sharma stuns the badminton world with a dream performance at the US Open 2025 finals! She defeated WR23, WR58, WR50 & WR40 before falling just short in a gripping final vs 34-year-old veteran Beiwen Zhang — 11-21, 21-16, 10-21. She may have missed the title, but Tanvi won hearts, turned heads, and sparked a new dawn for Indian women’s badminton,” the BAI said on X.

    On Saturday, Tanvi became the youngest Indian badminton player to reach a BWF World Tour final, having already defeated second seed Nguyễn Thùy Linh of Vietnam and former junior world champion Pitchamon Opatniputh of Thailand in earlier rounds.

    Tanvi has two international badminton titles to her name, both at the BWF International Challenge level — including a recent win in Denmark in May. She also reached the final of the Odisha Masters BWF Super 100 tournament last year.

    IANS

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Ōtāhuhu homicide: Man in custody

    Source: New Zealand Police

    Police is speaking with a man in connection with a homicide investigation underway in Ōtāhuhu.

    Enquiries began after a callout to Beatty Street at about 8.30pm on Sunday night, to reports of a person being seriously injured.

    A man was transported to hospital but later succumbed to his injuries.

    Detective Inspector Karen Bright, of Counties Manukau CIB, says the investigation team took a man into custody this afternoon.

    “We are currently speaking to the 31-year-old as part of our enquiries,” she says.

    “This is positive progress in our investigation and at this point we are not seeking anyone else.”

    Police anticipate confirmation of charging decisions tomorrow morning.

    “Other aspects of our enquiry will continue, with a scene examination and a post-mortem examination to be carried out,” Detective Inspector Bright says.

    ENDS.

    Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: New criminal offences for coward punches

    Source: New Zealand Government

    The Government is introducing specific coward punch offences to ensure perpetrators receive tougher sentences, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says.
    “A ‘coward punch’ gets its name for obvious reasons. These attacks affect everyday Kiwis and are often committed by cowardly attackers, who strike when the victim is distracted. 
    “We know how dangerous they are. People can be killed or suffer lifelong brain injuries, yet perpetrators often receive lenient and insufficient sentences.
    “This fulfils a commitment in the National/New Zealand First coalition agreement, to introduce legislation to create an offence for anyone who injures or kills someone with a coward punch.
    “Specific offences will ensure the consequence reflects the gravity of the crime.
    “It builds on our plan to restore law and order, which we know is working, and will help reduce the number of victims of violent crime.”
    The charges and penalties are:

    An assault offence for one punch attacks which cause grievous bodily harm with associated maximum penalties of:

    Eight years imprisonment when the offender intended to cause injury or acted with reckless disregard for safety,
    Fifteen years imprisonment when the offender intended to cause grievous bodily harm.

    A culpable homicide offence for a one punch attack which results in death with a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

    Both new offences will be added to the Three Strikes Regime. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Bill to regulate online casino gambling introduced

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden has today introduced the Online Casino Gambling Bill to the House of Representatives.
    “The Online Casino Gambling Bill will introduce a regulatory system for online gambling in New Zealand, which will prioritise harm minimisation, consumer protection, and tax collection,” says Ms van Velden.
    Cabinet has previously agreed to introduce new legislation to regulate the online casino gambling market, which is currently unregulated in New Zealand. Key features of the Bill include:

    Up to 15 licences for online casino gambling operators will be auctioned
    Companies applying for a licence will need to provide detailed information to the regulator, including on their business plans for New Zealand
    Licensed operators will be allowed to advertise, with restrictions
    Unlicensed operators will be prohibited and fines up to $5 million may be applicable for breaking the law

    Detailed regulations about advertising and harm minimisation standards are currently being developed and will set out the specific requirements that operators must abide by.
    “The Bill will proceed to select committee later this year and New Zealanders will have the ability to have their say through the select committee process.”
    The introduction of the Bill meets action 21 on the Coalition Government’s Quarter Two Action Plan. The Bill is publicly available here: https://www.legislation.govt.nz/bill/government/2025/0178/latest/LMS1449135.html

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Consultation on Guidance for the Australian Clearing and Settlement Facility Resolution Regime

    Source: Reserve Bank of Australia

    The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has today released a consultation paper on proposed guidance for the Australian Clearing and Settlement (CS) Facility Resolution Regime.

    In September 2024, the Australian Parliament passed the Treasury Laws Amendment (Financial Market Infrastructure and Other Measures) Act 2024. This amended the Corporations Act 2001 to provide the RBA with crisis resolution powers with respect to domestically incorporated clearing and settlement (CS) facilities. These powers enable the RBA to manage or respond to a threat posed to the continuity of critical CS facility services or the stability of the financial system in Australia arising in relation to a domestic CS facility licensee.

    The RBA has developed draft guidance to provide transparency about when and how the RBA would generally expect to use these resolution powers. It aims to assist CS facilities, their users, market operators and other stakeholders to understand the RBA’s general approach to resolution and the potential effects on them if the RBA decides to use a resolution power.

    The RBA is inviting submissions on this consultation from interested parties by 11 August 2025. Following the consultation, the RBA will publish the finalised guidance.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Panasonic Group joins the Valuable 500—To create an inclusive society founded on the belief in the potential of all people

    Source: Panasonic

    Headline: Panasonic Group joins the Valuable 500—To create an inclusive society founded on the belief in the potential of all people

    Osaka, Japan – Panasonic Holdings Corporation (Kadoma City, Osaka, Japan; Group CEO: Yuki Kusumi) is proud to announce that the Panasonic Group has joined the Valuable 500, a partnership driving disability inclusion. Panasonic Group’s commitment has been officially released today on the Valuable 500 website.
    Valuable 500 is an initiative launched at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos in January 2019, aiming to build a society where people with disabilities can fully realize their potential and contribute to social and economic value. The initiative seeks to engage over 500 partners and companies worldwide in support of this mission.
    Katy Talikowska, CEO of the Valuable 500, commented on Panasonic Group’s joining: “Every company that joins the Valuable 500 propels us forward in our mission to build an inclusive world for the 1.3 billion people with disabilities. Panasonic Group’s pledge to take action and be accountable for change is a testament to their leadership and the power of our collective efforts as we approach SYNC25.”
    Panasonic’s founder Konosuke Matsushita once said, “Every single person has their heaven-sent qualities found in no other, and success in life depends on making the most of our unique qualities.” Based on this philosophy, the Panasonic Group will strive to design a world where diverse people respect one another and can realize their full potential.

    1. Fostering Career Development
    We are cultivating a work environment where all employees, including those with disabilities, can grow and contribute meaningfully. Programs such as Unlock Yourself—designed for employees with disabilities and their supervisors—support career development and foster mutual understanding.

    2. Improving Accessibility
    Going beyond legal compliance, we are promoting work environments that are tailored to meet voiced needs. We encourage employees to take the initiative and design accessibility maps, as accessibility remains a shared priority at every level of the organization.

    3. Building Community and Connection
    Employees voluntarily join Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), through which they drive workplace improvements and social impact activities. Members of our management team also proactively join these initiatives, reflecting the voices of employees in management.

    4. Establishing Sustainable Pathways for Support
    We take on technical trainees with disabilities for internships and include those with disabilities among the junior and high school students that we accept for work study programs to support the next generation of workers.

    We at the Panasonic Group believe that each and every person holds the power to shape the future. We will endeavor at a global scale to create an environment where people with disabilities can actively participate in society, as well as a world that values diversity.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Panasonic HD donated 400 solar lanterns to areas without electricity in Nepal through the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat)

    Source: Panasonic

    Headline: Panasonic HD donated 400 solar lanterns to areas without electricity in Nepal through the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat)

    Osaka, Japan, June 30, 2025 – Panasonic Holdings Corporation Co., Ltd. (Panasonic HD), donated 400 solar lanterns in collaboration with the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) to vulnerable households living in areas without electricity in the municipality of Chandragiri and the rural municipality of Rajpur in Nepal.
    On June 18, 2025, a donation ceremony was held in the municipality of Chandragiri in the district of Kathmandu. Local residents, Chandragiri municipal government officials, and representatives from the Embassy of Japan in Nepal, UN-Habitat, and Panasonic HD attended the ceremony.

    The areas where the donations were made are home to many socially disadvantaged people, including those who live in precarious living conditions, as a result of the effects of the former caste system. In addition to an unreliable power supply, economic hardship prevents most households in this region from using electricity sufficiently, which hinders daily life.
    As a result, they are forced to rely on traditional means of lighting such as kerosene lamps, firewood and candles, which creates a variety of challenges, including indoor air pollution, increased living costs, fire risks and even lost educational opportunities.
    The following effects are expected from these donations:

    Improvement of the indoor air environment by reducing kerosene use.
    Reducing fuel costs and the economic burden.
    Reducing fuel procurement time and costs.
    Securing home study time for children.

    Since 2013, Panasonic HD has been involved in activities to support areas lacking electricity, which makes it difficult for people to escape poverty. Since 2021, these activities have been conducted under the name “LIGHT UP THE FUTURE,” a project which aims to illuminate the future of these areas. To date, Panasonic HD has partnered with various organizations, including NGOs and NPOs, to deliver more than 120,000 solar lanterns to people in over 36 countries and regions.
    Panasonic HD will continue collaborating with various partners on these initiatives to create opportunities in education, health, and increased income, working toward a sustainable, poverty-free society.

    The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is a United Nations agency established in 1978 with its headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, to address issues related to urbanization and human settlements. With the mission of “A better quality of life for all in an urbanizing world,” UN-Habitat works globally through policy advice, technical assistance, and collaborative action with national governments, local governments, civil society organizations, and private sectors particularly towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.
    Established in 1997, the UN-Habitat Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific is in Fukuoka, as the regional headquarters overseeing 42 countries. The Fukuoka Office operates in 15 countries and implements 90 projects across 18 countries and regions, promoting extensive international cooperation throughout the region.
    The donation of solar lanterns is part of the environmental technology cooperation projects implemented by UN-Habitat.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • How will the Dalai Lama’s successor be chosen?

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The choice of a successor to the Dalai Lama, the spiritual head of Tibetan Buddhists, is a matter of riveting interest not only for followers of his religion, but also China, India, and the United States, for strategic reasons.

    The Nobel peace laureate, who turns 90 on Sunday, is regarded as one of the world’s most influential figures, with a following extending well beyond Buddhism.

    HOW WAS HE CHOSEN?

    Tibetan tradition holds that the soul of a senior Buddhist monk is reincarnated after his death.

    The 14th Dalai Lama, born as Lhamo Dhondup on July 6, 1935, to a farming family in northeastern Tibet, was identified as such a reincarnation when he was just two years old.

    A search party sent by the Tibetan government made the decision on the basis of several signs, such as a vision revealed to a senior monk, the Dalai Lama’s website says. The searchers were convinced when the toddler identified belongings of the 13th Dalai Lama with the phrase, “It’s mine, it’s mine”.

    In the winter of 1940, Lhamo Thondup was taken to the Potala Palace in Lhasa, the capital of today’s Tibet Autonomous Region, and officially installed as the spiritual leader of Tibetans.

    HOW WILL HIS SUCCESSOR BE CHOSEN?

    In his book “Voice for the Voiceless”, released in March 2025, the Dalai Lama said his successor would be born outside China.

    The Dalai Lama has lived in exile in northern India since 1959, after fleeing a failed uprising against the rule of Mao Zedong’s Communists.

    He wrote that he would release details about his succession around the time of his 90th birthday.

    The Tibetan parliament-in-exile, based in the Himalayan town of Dharamshala, like the Dalai Lama, says a system has been established for the exiled government to continue its work while officers of the Gaden Phodrang Foundation will be charged with finding and recognising his successor.

    The current Dalai Lama set up the foundation in 2015 to “maintain and support the tradition and institution of the Dalai Lama” with regard to his religious and spiritual duties, it says on its website. Its senior officers include several of his aides.

    WHAT DOES CHINA SAY?

    China says its leaders have the right to approve the Dalai Lama’s successor, as a legacy from imperial times. A selection ritual, in which the names of possible reincarnations are drawn from a golden urn, dates to 1793, during the Qing dynasty.

    Chinese officials have repeatedly said the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama should be decided by following national laws that decree use of the golden urn and the birth of reincarnations within China’s borders.

    But many Tibetans suspect any Chinese role in the selection as being a ploy to exert influence on the community.

    It is inappropriate for Chinese Communists, who reject religion, “to meddle in the system of reincarnation of lamas, let alone that of the Dalai Lama,” the Buddhist leader has said.

    In his book, he asked Tibetans not to accept “a candidate chosen for political ends by anyone, including those in the People’s Republic of China,” referring to the country by its official name.

    Beijing brands the Dalai Lama, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 for keeping alive the Tibetan cause, as a “separatist” and prohibits displays of his picture or any public show of devotion towards him.

    In March 2025, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said the Dalai Lama was a political exile with “no right to represent the Tibetan people at all”.

    China denies suppressing the rights of the Tibetan people, and says its rule ended serfdom in, and brought prosperity to, a backward region.

    WHAT ROLE COULD INDIA AND THE U.S. PLAY?

    Apart from the Dalai Lama, India is estimated to be home to more than 100,000 Tibetan Buddhists who are free to study and work there.

    Many Indians revere him, and international relations experts say his presence in India gives New Delhi some kind of leverage with rival China.

    The United States, which faces rising competition from China for global dominance, has repeatedly said it is committed to advancing the human rights of Tibetans.

    U.S. lawmakers have previously said they would not allow China to influence the choice of the Dalai Lama’s successor.

    In 2024, then U.S. President Joe Biden signed a law that presses Beijing to resolve a dispute over Tibet’s demands for greater autonomy.

    (Reuters)

  • President Murmu begins two-day visit to Gorakhpur, to open AYUSH university

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    President Droupadi Murmu will embark on a two-day visit to Uttar Pradesh from Monday, during which she will attend the first convocation ceremony of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Gorakhpur.

    According to the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister’s Office, the President will also inaugurate the state’s first AYUSH University in Pipri, Bhathat on July 1. The new university is aimed at boosting traditional medicine and holistic healthcare education across Uttar Pradesh.

    This marks President Murmu’s fourth visit to Gorakhpur over the past seven years, once again at the invitation of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. It will also be the second time in recent years that a sitting President has visited both AIIMS and a major university in the city, underscoring Gorakhpur’s rising profile at the national level.

    Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has personally reviewed the 31-kilometre route from the city to Pipri to ensure all preparations are in place. The President is also expected to offer prayers at the Gorakhnath Temple, where arrangements have been made for meals that reflect her dignity and stature.

    Security measures have been tightened in and around Gorakhpur. SP (City) Abhinav Tyagi confirmed that the AIIMS auditorium and campus are under full security cover, with OPD services at AIIMS suspended on June 30. Authorities have declared a five-kilometre radius around the Circuit House as a no-fly zone and put in place a three-tier security system.

    In April, Chief Minister Yogi laid the foundation stone for the 500-bed ‘Powergrid Vishram Sadan’ at AIIMS Gorakhpur. The facility, aimed at supporting patients and their families, is being developed under the CSR initiative of Power Grid Corporation of India at a cost of Rs 44 crore.

    -IANS

  • Swiatek slams ‘intense’ calendar as players feel the grind to protect rankings

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Iga Swiatek criticised the relentless tennis calendar on Sunday, with the former world number one saying that players should not be forced to compete in more than 20 tournaments a year to maintain their rankings.

    Now ranked fourth in the world, Swiatek described being trapped in a system where she had to choose between representing her country and focusing on herself after she reluctantly skipped Poland’s Billie Jean King Cup qualifier in April.

    The 11-month grind has been one of the cornerstones of the lawsuit filed by the Professional Tennis Players’ Association (PTPA) against the sport’s governing bodies in March after the union described it as ‘unsustainable’.

    “The scheduling is super intense, it’s too intense. There’s no point for us to play over 20 tournaments in a year,” Swiatek told reporters when asked about the biggest challenge to players in terms of mental health.

    “Sometimes we need to sacrifice playing for your country because we need to keep up with playing these WTA 500s, for example, because we’re going to get a zero in the ranking.

    “I think these kind of obligations and the rules about mandatory tournaments just put pressure on us… I think people would still watch tennis, maybe even more, if we played less tournaments. The quality would be better.”

    Swiatek is the eighth seed at Wimbledon this year and she faces Polina Kudermetova in the first round on Tuesday.

    The claycourt specialist with four French Open crowns fell in the semi-finals at Roland Garros this year and she quickly switched her focus to grass which has historically been her weakest surface.

    She reached her first grasscourt final on Saturday at the Bad Homburg Open where she was left in tears after losing to top seed Jessica Pegula, but Swiatek is happy with her improvement on grass as she comes to grips with the faster surface.

    “It’s not like a huge change. It’s not like 180 degrees change. I wouldn’t say now suddenly everything is perfect, because it’s still a difficult surface. It’s still tricky,” Swiatek said.

    -Reuters

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Busy roads expected for All Blacks-France test match in Dunedin

    Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

    New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) is encouraging rugby fans to plan ahead for extra traffic and potential delays as thousands descend on Dunedin for the test match between the All Blacks and France this Saturday.

    “A lot of people will be travelling to the city ahead of the big match, particularly on State Highway 1 from Christchurch, and with it also being school holidays, the roads are going to be busy. So, give yourself plenty of travel time,” says NZTA Otago journey manager Nicole Felts.

    “If you are travelling from outside of Dunedin, be aware of the weather forecasts and check out our Journey Planner site so you know about any state highway closures or restrictions in place. It looks at this stage like there might be some rain about Dunedin leading into match day. And at this time of year, there’s always a chance of snow, ice, or flooding from heavy rain causing disruption on roads leading to Dunedin.”

    “Remember in winter driving conditions to think about adjusting your speed and travelling distances, being visible and avoiding sudden braking or turning movements.”

    Winter driving advice 

    The areas in and around Forsyth Barr Stadium and Dunedin’s Octagon and hospitality areas will also be busy in the lead-up to the test match.   

    “Parking restrictions will be in place around Forsyth Barr Stadium on Saturday, including the temporary closure of parts of Anzac Avenue, Frederick Street and Ward Street,” Miss Felts says.

    “Remember the closer you park to the stadium, the longer it will take you to leave the area after the match.”

    Otago Regional Council and Dunedin City Council are providing a variety of free buses and parking facilities for rugby fans on the day of the match.

    Free buses for match ticket holders will be available on four Orbus services that stop near the stadium. Free buses from the Octagon will run in a loop from outside the Dunedin Public Art Gallery to the Forth Street Bus Hub starting at 4.30pm, and continuing until kick-off. Return trips to the Octagon will begin at 9.30pm from the Forth Street Bus Hub. Train, and Park and Ride services, will also be available.  

    More information

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: ‘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 it, the commission calls for a new wave of robust law reform measures to protect and support victim-survivors and hold employers accountable.

    This report comes five years after the 2020 Respect@Work report, which made 55 recommendations to address workplace sexual harassment. Yet, in 2022, a survey by the commission found one in three workers had experienced sexual harassment.

    This new report is a watershed one, building on the work already done since 2020. So how far have we come in dealing with workplace sexual harassment? And how would new laws help?

    What’s in the new report?

    The Australian Human Rights Commission’s new report, Speaking From Experience, emerges from the Respect@Work recommendations.

    Recommendation 27 of the Respect@Work report suggested the commission establish a way to hear historical disclosures of workplace sexual harassment. The commission then turned this recommendation into its latest release.

    This report was a listening process that put victim-survivors front and centre. First Nations, migrant, LGBTQIA+, disabled and young workers were the main contributors to the report.

    An example of the experiences of the contributors is a fast food worker, who said:

    I know personally for me, as a queer person, I’m just exhausted […] it’s
    just a lot of mental energy and for nothing to happen, or for it to cause
    more problems, it’s just like really a deterrent…

    The commission was particularly concerned with identifying what does – and what does not – help victim-survivors of workplace sexual harassment. The contributors shed light on what needs to change in the workplace and in the law.

    One major theme was about non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), which are commonly used to settle workplace sexual harassment claims.

    NDAs restrict who victim-survivors can speak to about their experience of workplace sexual harassment, including colleagues, friends, family and in public. Sometimes these agreements can hamper attempts to get support for the harassment.

    The commission found victim-survivors are often pressured to sign NDAs in circumstances where the employer has far more power.

    The commission recommended new legislation to restrict using agreements in this way.

    This recommendation extends well beyond Respect@Work, which only produced best-practice guidelines. Extending the regulation is an important step forward, as subsequent research has revealed how ineffective these guidelines have been in practice.

    Australia is now out of step with the United States, United Kingdom, Ireland and Canada, which have all regulated the use of NDAs after the #MeToo movement.

    Working Women’s Centres are currently leading a sector-wide campaign for change, and the regulation of NDAs is underway in Victoria.

    Improving the positive duty

    Respect@Work introduced a positive duty on people running a business or undertaking to take reasonable and proportionate measures to eliminate sexual harassment from the workplace.

    In Speaking From Experience, the commission is asking for enhanced regulatory powers to enforce the positive duty to make it more effective.



    Read more:
    Explainer: what is a ‘positive duty’ to prevent workplace sexual harassment and why is it so important?

    The commission is currently prevented from speaking publicly, or to other regulatory agencies, about its enforcement activities unless it has entered an “enforceable undertaking” with an organisation or applied for a Federal Court order.

    This means that, 18 months after being empowered to enforce the positive duty, the commission can’t speak publicly about how it is doing so.

    To be an effective regulator, it must be able to publicise its enforcement actions and share information with other agencies.

    The current law actually contributes to the culture of silencing and secrecy that continues to shroud workplace sexual harassment.

    Further, there are currently no civil penalties for breaching the positive duty. In Speaking From Experience, the commission found this limits the extent to which some workplace leaders will take the positive duty seriously. It found this risks turning the prevention of workplace sexual harassment into a box-ticking compliance process.

    The recommendations about penalties and transparency represent an acknowledgement that the commission’s powers to create systemic and structural change to target workplace sexual harassment are too limited.

    In the absence of penalties, risk to reputation – the fear that public exposure of inaction or permissive workplace cultures concerning sexual harassment – remains the greatest incentive for employers to comply with the positive duty.

    But workplace sexual harassment has been unlawful for more than 30 years. The current law does little more than continue to ask employers to do the right thing.

    If the commission is not given the powers it needs to effectively enforce the law, too much reliance is placed on individual complainants to take action. As the Speaking From Experience report reveals, that means victim-survivors would need to overcome massive social, economic, cultural and legal barriers.

    Over to the government

    Speaking From Experience is a significant moment for workplace sexual harassment law reform and policy in Australia. It continues the work that Respect@Work started and takes it in a new direction, focusing on protecting and supporting victim-survivors and accountability for employers.

    The Albanese government says it’s serious about addressing workplace gender equality and the prevention of violence against women. If that’s true, it should implement the commission’s recommendations in full, and quickly.

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

    – ref. ‘I’m just exhausted’: sexual harassment at work is still rife. These new laws would help – https://theconversation.com/im-just-exhausted-sexual-harassment-at-work-is-still-rife-these-new-laws-would-help-259884

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: ‘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 it, the commission calls for a new wave of robust law reform measures to protect and support victim-survivors and hold employers accountable.

    This report comes five years after the 2020 Respect@Work report, which made 55 recommendations to address workplace sexual harassment. Yet, in 2022, a survey by the commission found one in three workers had experienced sexual harassment.

    This new report is a watershed one, building on the work already done since 2020. So how far have we come in dealing with workplace sexual harassment? And how would new laws help?

    What’s in the new report?

    The Australian Human Rights Commission’s new report, Speaking From Experience, emerges from the Respect@Work recommendations.

    Recommendation 27 of the Respect@Work report suggested the commission establish a way to hear historical disclosures of workplace sexual harassment. The commission then turned this recommendation into its latest release.

    This report was a listening process that put victim-survivors front and centre. First Nations, migrant, LGBTQIA+, disabled and young workers were the main contributors to the report.

    An example of the experiences of the contributors is a fast food worker, who said:

    I know personally for me, as a queer person, I’m just exhausted […] it’s
    just a lot of mental energy and for nothing to happen, or for it to cause
    more problems, it’s just like really a deterrent…

    The commission was particularly concerned with identifying what does – and what does not – help victim-survivors of workplace sexual harassment. The contributors shed light on what needs to change in the workplace and in the law.

    One major theme was about non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), which are commonly used to settle workplace sexual harassment claims.

    NDAs restrict who victim-survivors can speak to about their experience of workplace sexual harassment, including colleagues, friends, family and in public. Sometimes these agreements can hamper attempts to get support for the harassment.

    The commission found victim-survivors are often pressured to sign NDAs in circumstances where the employer has far more power.

    The commission recommended new legislation to restrict using agreements in this way.

    This recommendation extends well beyond Respect@Work, which only produced best-practice guidelines. Extending the regulation is an important step forward, as subsequent research has revealed how ineffective these guidelines have been in practice.

    Australia is now out of step with the United States, United Kingdom, Ireland and Canada, which have all regulated the use of NDAs after the #MeToo movement.

    Working Women’s Centres are currently leading a sector-wide campaign for change, and the regulation of NDAs is underway in Victoria.

    Improving the positive duty

    Respect@Work introduced a positive duty on people running a business or undertaking to take reasonable and proportionate measures to eliminate sexual harassment from the workplace.

    In Speaking From Experience, the commission is asking for enhanced regulatory powers to enforce the positive duty to make it more effective.



    Read more:
    Explainer: what is a ‘positive duty’ to prevent workplace sexual harassment and why is it so important?

    The commission is currently prevented from speaking publicly, or to other regulatory agencies, about its enforcement activities unless it has entered an “enforceable undertaking” with an organisation or applied for a Federal Court order.

    This means that, 18 months after being empowered to enforce the positive duty, the commission can’t speak publicly about how it is doing so.

    To be an effective regulator, it must be able to publicise its enforcement actions and share information with other agencies.

    The current law actually contributes to the culture of silencing and secrecy that continues to shroud workplace sexual harassment.

    Further, there are currently no civil penalties for breaching the positive duty. In Speaking From Experience, the commission found this limits the extent to which some workplace leaders will take the positive duty seriously. It found this risks turning the prevention of workplace sexual harassment into a box-ticking compliance process.

    The recommendations about penalties and transparency represent an acknowledgement that the commission’s powers to create systemic and structural change to target workplace sexual harassment are too limited.

    In the absence of penalties, risk to reputation – the fear that public exposure of inaction or permissive workplace cultures concerning sexual harassment – remains the greatest incentive for employers to comply with the positive duty.

    But workplace sexual harassment has been unlawful for more than 30 years. The current law does little more than continue to ask employers to do the right thing.

    If the commission is not given the powers it needs to effectively enforce the law, too much reliance is placed on individual complainants to take action. As the Speaking From Experience report reveals, that means victim-survivors would need to overcome massive social, economic, cultural and legal barriers.

    Over to the government

    Speaking From Experience is a significant moment for workplace sexual harassment law reform and policy in Australia. It continues the work that Respect@Work started and takes it in a new direction, focusing on protecting and supporting victim-survivors and accountability for employers.

    The Albanese government says it’s serious about addressing workplace gender equality and the prevention of violence against women. If that’s true, it should implement the commission’s recommendations in full, and quickly.

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

    – ref. ‘I’m just exhausted’: sexual harassment at work is still rife. These new laws would help – https://theconversation.com/im-just-exhausted-sexual-harassment-at-work-is-still-rife-these-new-laws-would-help-259884

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Money Market Operations as on June 28, 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) 0.00 – –
         I. Call Money 0.00 – –
         II. Triparty Repo 0.00 – –
         III. Market Repo 0.00 – –
         IV. Repo in Corporate Bond 0.00 – –
    B. Term Segment      
         I. Notice Money** 0.00 – –
         II. Term Money@@ 0.00 – –
         III. Triparty Repo 0.00 – –
         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# Sat, 28/06/2025 1 Sun, 29/06/2025 51.00 5.75
      Sat, 28/06/2025 2 Mon, 30/06/2025 385.00 5.75
    4. SDFΔ# Sat, 28/06/2025 1 Sun, 29/06/2025 1,50,770.00 5.25
      Sat, 28/06/2025 2 Mon, 30/06/2025 5,074.00 5.25
    5. Net liquidity injected from today’s operations [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*       -1,55,408.00  
    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# Fri, 27/06/2025 2 Sun, 29/06/2025 0.00 5.75
      Fri, 27/06/2025 3 Mon, 30/06/2025 990.00 5.75
    4. SDFΔ# Fri, 27/06/2025 2 Sun, 29/06/2025 47.00 5.25
      Fri, 27/06/2025 3 Mon, 30/06/2025 26,895.00 5.25
    D. Standing Liquidity Facility (SLF) Availed from RBI$       7,010.46  
    E. Net liquidity injected from outstanding operations [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*     -1,03,916.54  
    F. Net liquidity injected (outstanding including today’s operations) [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*     -2,59,324.54  
    G. Cash Reserves Position of Scheduled Commercial Banks
         (i) Cash balances with RBI as on June 28, 2025 9,81,725.90  
         (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 27, 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: 2025-2026/621

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Calling Kiwi Kids: NZ’s Biggest Beyblade X Event could send you to Toyko

    Source: NewzEngine.com

    Hasbro invites young Beyblade Fans across Aotearoa to PROVE IT IN BATTLE – with a chance to represent New Zealand on the world stage in Tokyo!

    For years, BEYBLADE has captured the hearts of kids who love speed, strategy, and high-intensity spinning battles. Now, one lucky Kiwi Blader could turn that passion into the ultimate prize — a trip to Tokyo, Japan, to compete at the BEYBLADE X World Championships.

    The BEYBLADE X National Tournament will take place in Auckland on Sunday, 20 July, and is free to enter for kids aged 8–12 from across the country. This high-energy event promises fierce competition, epic match-ups, and one unforgettable opportunity to crown New Zealand’s top Blader.

    What’s at Stake?

    • The title of BEYBLADE X NZ National Champion
    • A trip to Tokyo Tower for the World Championships in October
    • BEYBLADE X glory for the winner — and their whānau!

    Whether your child is a seasoned Blader or just loves the thrill of the game, this is their moment to shine. Help us spread the word and give Kiwi kids a shot at spinning their way to greatness.

    Event Details:
     Date: Sunday, 20 July
     Location: Maritime Room, Princes Wharf, Auckland
     Ages: 8–12 years
     Entry: Free (You must register to secure a spot)
     Register Now: https://www.hasbroeventsaunz.com/

    Let’s give Kiwi kids the chance to LET IT RIP on the world stage!

    – Published by MIL OSI in partnership with NewzEngine.com

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Weather News – A calm and cold start to the week, then rain, and wind to follow – MetService

    Source: MetService

    Covering period of Monday 30th June- Friday 4th July –  It’s a settled start to the week for much of the country, with fine conditions expected across most regions, a great opportunity for some outdoor school holiday activities, making the most of the dry weather.

    However, conditions are expected to deteriorate by midweek. A developing low in the Tasman Sea is set to bring widespread rain to Aotearoa. Stay informed and keep an eye on the latest forecasts as the system approaches.

    Today (Monday), a cold front is currently sweeping across the South Island, bringing scattered showers and patchy frost. As the day progresses, this system will gradually shift northwards, delivering showers to parts of the North Island by the afternoon. The southerly flow behind the front will continue to drive precipitation across the south, along with keeping the overnight quite chilly.

    Tuesday through to Thursday will bring more settled conditions as the cold front exits the country, making way for a dominant high-pressure system. However, a developing low-pressure system over the Tasman Sea is forecast to bring wet and unsettled weather to the North Island on Wednesday, with rain spreading into the South Island as the system intensifies on Thursday. Periods of heavy rain and strong winds are likely, particularly in northern parts of the North Island, including flood-prone and exposed areas, where thunderstorms are also possible.  

    MetService Meteorologist, Kgolofelo Dube adds “The possibility of a tornado associated with damaging winds should not be discounted, so make sure to keep an eye on MetService.com for updates.”

    Heavy rain may also affect the upper South Island, potentially causing further impacts in already saturated areas such as Tasman and Nelson, where the risk of flooding and slips will be heightened.  

    Temperatures will continue to hover below 10°C in many areas, with overnight lows near or below freezing. This will lead to widespread frosty conditions and snowfall in several regions. Most mountains are already blanketed in thick layers of snow, and the upcoming falls will add to this, creating ideal conditions for ski enthusiasts. However, it may also pose challenges for travel, particularly on snow-affected roads.

    The week is expected to end on a more settled note for much of the country, as the rain bands associated with the low shift off to the far east.

    Please keep up to date with the most current information from MetService at metservice.com

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –